Obama sidesteps
"Well, my views are on the record and I have not
changed views," Obama told a news conference with Turkish President
Abdullah Gul on Monday.
Armenians claim that up to 1.5 million of their countrymen were killed by Ottoman Turks during World War I. Turkey denies genocide allegations, saying the turmoil was caused by civil war and unrest.
Obama had said while on the campaign trail that "America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides."
"I intend to be that president," he said in a January 2008 statement on his campaign Web site.
It appears that the US president cautiously avoided repeating his previous statement while in Ankara, although he remained committed to the position he took over a year ago. Instead, Obama praised President Gul`s efforts to improve ties with Armenia, which have been historically strained.
"Talks are now underway between Turkey and Armenia under Abdullah Gul`s leadership. I am following these discussions, and they may bring benefits in the near future. At this point, I want to highlight not my position, my views, but Turkey`s views," Obama said.
As for the prospect of his using the "genocide" term in an address to Armenians on April 24, the day considered by Armenians as the date marking the "genocide", Obama said he was not inclined to comment on his upcoming statements.
"The most important thing now is for Turkey and Armenia to reach agreement. I would like to assist the honorable Abdullah Gul in the extremely successful discussions he has been holding. I don`t want anyone to derail these discussions," Obama said.
President Gul, for his part, said the events of 1915 should be evaluated from a historical aspect.
"There were provocations from some countries at the time, and a great number of people died. The Turks suffered considerable loss. In order not to pass on hate to new generations, Turkey did not blow this out of proportion. But now, the world is bringing this to its agenda."
The Turkish president said his country was ready to facilitate research of the 1915 events by historians and experts. Gul reiterated Ankara`s earlier proposal to set up a joint commission to study the developments. He emphasized that Turkey has already opened up all of the Ottoman Empire archives for this purpose.
Gul stressed that a decision regarding 20th century developments cannot be made by politicians. "How can a politician decide who is right and who is wrong?" he asked.
During an address at the Great National Assembly (Turkish parliament), President Obama touched on the Ottoman Turkish developments as well. He recalled that slavery once existed in the United States, saying every country should reconcile its past.
"History is full of tragic facts. But if the issues of the past are not resolved today, they will always weigh as a heavy load on our shoulders. What happened in 1915 is an issue to be solved not by me, but by Turks and Armenians, and we are seeing bold steps being taken on that path."
Obama said, further, that the opening of the Turkey-Armenia border - an issue that has been widely covered by the media of late - would foster peace and well-being of Turks and Armenians and would meet the interests of both nations.
With regard to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh, Obama called for taking steps toward finding a solution to the long-standing dispute.
Additionally, President Obama said the U.S. and Turkey should work together to settle present-day problems. Obama said he was paying his first official visit to Ankara as US president, adding that he was seeking to strengthen existing friendship and partnership between the two countries. "Turkey is America`s important partner and an important part of Europe."
Obama went on to call on Iran to relinquish what he called plans to create a nuclear weapon, saying Tehran faces a dilemma. "Iran has to choose - peace and safety or weapons."
The White House leader said it was impossible to find any pretext to justify the commission of terror against any country. "We do not support PKK and other terror groups."
Obama said Washington was looking to expand its relations with the Islamic world, adding that the United States "has never been, isn`t and won`t be in a battle with Islam."
Armenians claim that up to 1.5 million of their countrymen were killed by Ottoman Turks during World War I. Turkey denies genocide allegations, saying the turmoil was caused by civil war and unrest.
Obama had said while on the campaign trail that "America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides."
"I intend to be that president," he said in a January 2008 statement on his campaign Web site.
It appears that the US president cautiously avoided repeating his previous statement while in Ankara, although he remained committed to the position he took over a year ago. Instead, Obama praised President Gul`s efforts to improve ties with Armenia, which have been historically strained.
"Talks are now underway between Turkey and Armenia under Abdullah Gul`s leadership. I am following these discussions, and they may bring benefits in the near future. At this point, I want to highlight not my position, my views, but Turkey`s views," Obama said.
As for the prospect of his using the "genocide" term in an address to Armenians on April 24, the day considered by Armenians as the date marking the "genocide", Obama said he was not inclined to comment on his upcoming statements.
"The most important thing now is for Turkey and Armenia to reach agreement. I would like to assist the honorable Abdullah Gul in the extremely successful discussions he has been holding. I don`t want anyone to derail these discussions," Obama said.
President Gul, for his part, said the events of 1915 should be evaluated from a historical aspect.
"There were provocations from some countries at the time, and a great number of people died. The Turks suffered considerable loss. In order not to pass on hate to new generations, Turkey did not blow this out of proportion. But now, the world is bringing this to its agenda."
The Turkish president said his country was ready to facilitate research of the 1915 events by historians and experts. Gul reiterated Ankara`s earlier proposal to set up a joint commission to study the developments. He emphasized that Turkey has already opened up all of the Ottoman Empire archives for this purpose.
Gul stressed that a decision regarding 20th century developments cannot be made by politicians. "How can a politician decide who is right and who is wrong?" he asked.
During an address at the Great National Assembly (Turkish parliament), President Obama touched on the Ottoman Turkish developments as well. He recalled that slavery once existed in the United States, saying every country should reconcile its past.
"History is full of tragic facts. But if the issues of the past are not resolved today, they will always weigh as a heavy load on our shoulders. What happened in 1915 is an issue to be solved not by me, but by Turks and Armenians, and we are seeing bold steps being taken on that path."
Obama said, further, that the opening of the Turkey-Armenia border - an issue that has been widely covered by the media of late - would foster peace and well-being of Turks and Armenians and would meet the interests of both nations.
With regard to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh, Obama called for taking steps toward finding a solution to the long-standing dispute.
Additionally, President Obama said the U.S. and Turkey should work together to settle present-day problems. Obama said he was paying his first official visit to Ankara as US president, adding that he was seeking to strengthen existing friendship and partnership between the two countries. "Turkey is America`s important partner and an important part of Europe."
Obama went on to call on Iran to relinquish what he called plans to create a nuclear weapon, saying Tehran faces a dilemma. "Iran has to choose - peace and safety or weapons."
The White House leader said it was impossible to find any pretext to justify the commission of terror against any country. "We do not support PKK and other terror groups."
Obama said Washington was looking to expand its relations with the Islamic world, adding that the United States "has never been, isn`t and won`t be in a battle with Islam."
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