The Obama Administration and the Armenian Genocide

In 2008, President Obama made it clear that he believed the Ottoman Empire had committed genocide against the Armenians in 1915, and one of his campaign promises was to officially recognize this. Four years later, as President, Obama has not yet referred to the acts against the Armenian community as genocide. Each April 24^th, he gives a speech on the atrocities that had occurred, but always stops shy of the word ‘genocide.’ Although he has stated that his personal beliefs have not changed, he will not officially say the 1915 acts were genocide.

Not only has President Obama not recognized the 1915 acts as genocide, but he has also put much effort into preventing the House from ruling it as genocide. Despite efforts from the Obama administration to prevent the House Foreign Affairs Committee from voting on the issue in 2010, the vote was still administered and resulted in a 23 to 22 outcome in favor of ruling the events as genocide. The members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee were clearly divided between their moral responsibility to condemn the acts as genocide and the importance of maintaining good relations with Turkey, an important NATO ally. The Obama administration also worked hard to prevent the resolution from going to the House, and succeeded.

Why is it important that the United States keep good relations with Turkey? Shouldn’t the United States be the one country that promotes freedom and holds other countries accountable for their actions? Ruling that the Ottoman Empire committed genocide would greatly alienate Turkey. Turkey is not only a key NATO partner, but also an important strategic partner for the United States’ access into the Middle East. Additionally, President Obama greatly supports efforts to open up the border between the Turkey and Armenia. Alienating Turkey by calling the 1915 acts as genocide may halt or reverse any progress made to normalize Turkish and Armenian relations. Whether these excuses justify undermining the truth of the 1915 events and the moral obligation to hold Turkey accountable is controversial.

In our class, far removed from the realities of the situation, it is easy to form opinions on what is morally right and wrong. Once these situations are brought into the real world, however, more than just moral obligations drive the decision-making process. When applying our morals in real world situations, lines get blurred and different priorities arise. As shown by President Obama, there can be a discontinuity between what one morally feels is right and how one acts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/world/europe/05armenia.html?_r=1

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/on-armenian-remembrance-day-obama-again-avoids-the-word-genocide-despite-campaign-promise-to-contrary/