Adam Schiff: the Turkish Effort to Eliminate the Armenian People Failed

• 03.31.2015, 12:25
•  America,  World,  Armenia

A representative of the US House of Representatives Adam Schiff, known for his pro-Armenian activities, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, presented an thematic article, asbarez.com writes. The article begins with some historical facts. "One hundred years ago, the Ottoman Empire in its dying throws undertook a systematic effort to exterminate the Armenian and Assyrian people. They did so through a campaign of mass killing and displacement which saw 1.5 million Armenians killed and millions more forced to flee from their ancestral homes," – Schiff writes.

At the same time Schiff mentions that "the Turkish effort to eliminate the Armenian people failed, as evidenced by the proud nation of Armenia and the millions of members of the Armenian diaspora in the United States and around the world."

Speaking about the survivals of the Genocide and their descendents, Schiff says that he feels "a deep obligation to fight against the denial of the Genocide which sadly remains the policy of the Turkish government."

Speaking about the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, Schiff said that he has also joined that initiative. "The resolution also calls upon the President to work with the Turkish and Armenian governments to bring about reconciliation based upon the full acknowledgement of the historic fact of the Armenian Genocide. This resolution states in simple and plain language the historic facts of the Genocide and the degree to which Genocide denial on the part of the Turkish government continues to hamstring the chances for peace and stability in the region," – Schiff writes.

According to Schiff, if Genocide is recognized by the US President and the Congress, then it will mean that the US government "will not forget those lost and we will not stand silent in the face of crimes against humanity."

"Ellie Wiesel once wrote that denial of genocide is the last chapter of genocide. In this respect, the Armenian Genocide continues to traumatize its victims even 100 years later. America must play its part in helping to close this still open wound," – Schiff concluded.