Should the United States formally recognize the World War I-era killing of Armenians as genocide?

Answer 1

Too late. It already happened.

Answer 2

I know they're debating this now, I heard a congressman from Georgia on NPR today.

The killing of Armenians is definitely a tragedy, but I think the responsibility of the US Congress should be directed more toward the present situation in the world than something so long ago.

I don't mean to imply that we should isolate ourselves from the problems of the world. If, for example, an ally was treating a part of its population badly, depriving them of life, liberty or property without due process, then yes, we should exert our influence as a world power in a just cause. This can be done without resorting to arms.

As to the insult it presents to the Turkish government, I don't really see it. This action was under the Ottoman Empire, the present government of Turkey is heir to the coup, led by Kamal Ataturk after the war, that replaced the Empire.
It could be amended and reduce the taint applied to Turkey's present government.

Answer 3

Foreign relations are based on national self-interest. One must weight the impacts of such acts vs the benefit. Turkey is a secular, Islamic democracy that is very close to EU membership, and has been a founding member of NATO. Turkey has also supported the US in Korea, GWI, Operations Northern/Southern Watch, GWII, Kosovo, OIF, OEF. Given the dwindling number of allied nations that support the US in the "GWOT", one wonders about the timing of this resolution.
We also need to realize, that the US allied itself with one of the most blood thirsty odious regimes in history to defeat Nazi Germany. Why? Because it was our INTEREST to do so. Were we to hold to this idealistic, holier than thou, attitude, it would've been much more difficult to defeat Nazi Germany.
The benefits are..frankly not much in the international relations arena.
I frankly think this resolution is being put forward for two reasons: 1- To pressure the Bush administration to reduce its commitments to the Iraq conflict. The vast majority of logistics support comes through Turkey, or Turkish airspace.
2- To garner/ensure the support of the Armenian-American community.

Answer 4

Quite frankly I don't care. Why should we antagonize an ally over something that happened almost 100 years ago. What is done is done. Lets move on.

Answer 5

i think that they should do this after the war because turkey is a big help to us to iraq do this after the war that what is the right thing to do because Americans are also going to die

Answer 6

I voted NO. besides the incontrovertible fact that, i became no longer happy with the way they worded it. they might desire to no longer comprehend it because of the fact it did no longer take place, no longer because of the fact that is going to harm American-Turkish relatives.

Answer 7

yes