WASHINGTON (A.W.)—In a recent interview with the Georgian service of Voice of America (VOA), Senator John McCain (R-Az.) said he believed there is ample evidence proving that “genocide had been committed against the Armenian people.” A transcript of the audio recording of the interview was obtained by the Armenian Weekly on Nov. 10.
“I believe that genocide was committed against the Armenian people, and I think there is ample documentation of that,” McCain said.
McCain added, “However, the Armenian government people and also Turkish government people, I think also, while not forgetting the past, and the Armenian government and people never could forget the past, feels that perhaps a gradual improvement with Turkey is in order. I support that view.”
McCain, who is running for re-election in the 2010 Senate race, has generally avoided using the term “genocide” when referring to 1915 and has been indifferent or opposed to Armenian Genocide resolutions in Congress. He refrained from characterizing the destruction of Armenians as “genocide” during his 2008 presidential campaign as well.
To read more about McCain’s previous statements on the Armenian Genocide and other issues of importance to Armenian Americans, visit http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=1602.
Mr. McCain is bluffing. If You do not believe me, ask the Vietnamese.
Typical pandering politician…always looking for votes…
Honestly now, a different tone so suddenly Mr. ‘I’m still debating the issue’ McCain????
Should we be expecting his former running mate to release a statement about being able to see Armenia from Alaska soon…
Give me a break! You politicians are all untrustworthy opportunists.
You think our Genocide is up for barter? From Obama to McCain, their all the same.
I DON’T HAVE ANY REASON TO TRUST EITHER OF THEM AND I WILL NOT.
I want to see a signed legal document saying that he or anyone else recognizes the Armenian Genocide and is willing to exert pressure on Turkey for rightful reparations and land restitution before he begs for my vote.
Let him also start talking about his recent revelation about the Armenian Genocide to senior and junior Bush and to all the rest of his party members before he starts fishing for votes.
This goes for all democrats and republican candidates.
Hye, when McCain, seeking the presidency, did not recognize the Armenian Genocide I was determined not to vote for him. Yet, thinking, well at least he is being truthful… Yet, today, how do those who shall have voted for McCain feel – now that he is seeking re-election and now says he
recognizes Genocides… He too, comes across as a dishonest politician. Sadly, the vital issue
of Genocides (the guilty being judged) is being discussed only as a polictical issue, yet in truth, it is really greater than politics. Genocide is a moral issue – millions of innocents vilely murdered, millions of lives destroyed . It appears humanity has not yet become ‘civilized’ enough.
In the nearly 100 years since the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Turks, followed by the constant denials and ploys by the subsequent Turkish leaderships – thus the Christian Armenian Genocide is still ongoing. Armenians, the world over, have for years, been outspoken about the Genocide issue, to no avail. Politics win out over the lives of innocents. Sadly, morality still awaits
a leader who shall come – as did a Washington (not to be king), a Lincoln (saved union), a
Churchill (led Britain) and soon, hopefully, one whose name shall live on in history as a morally inspired individual – courageously – spoke out against Genocides, wherever, whomever,
who morally recognized the issue of Genocide – morally. Manooshag
He will change his current beliefs as soon as Turkey changes its current positions regarding Israel.
i dont think we should be investigating why he’s started to speak on the issue but instead we should stick to him for this and make it clear to him we expect his support in lobbying. whether you like him or not he is one of the most powerful US senators and it can be useful for our cause!!!
Hye, the Turkish Genocide of the Christian Armenian nation is not an issue for any
debate… Genocide is not debatable! The millions murdered cannot debate, the suvivors passed on, and can’t debate….And, who in the world shall the subsequent Turkish leaderships debate with? Themselves, since not many nations can claim to seek Genocide as govenment policy.
The Turks – themselves – in earlier years , brought many of their own Turkish leaders/perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide, to trials and found them to be guilty. Howsomever, these brave mentally depraved men (whom else shall devise such vile evil upon fellow humans – yet sadly are honored as heroes in Turkey!) had easily fled Turkey and yet in some cases, found, justice meted… So, the Turks in their conducting their own Turkish court trials, Turks found them guilty of perpetrating Genocide of the Armenian nation – taking Armenian lives, surviviors marched out into the deserts to live/die, taking Armenian lands, Armenian culture, and as well, turned Armenian churches into stables – this Turkish mentality (need to continue to attack, to debase, to crush their Armenian victims of the Turkish Genocide).
Even into today – as evidenced in the Turkish-oriented Protocols/Roadmaps, thus foisted upon the very nation victimized – by Turks – even yet, even today, into the 21st century! Why?
Because Turkey leaderships are bullies – and further, even lobbyists from the USA, are probably just as guilty of prolonging Genocides – further, the end of the cycle of Genocides from our planet. Sadly.
Manooshag
YES! Manooshag is completly correct in everything that was posted. NOT debatable, NOT acceptable!
He’s clearly saying that although he thinks there’s ample proof the Armenian genocide really happened, he also believes he must support the protocol process. This is exactly what Obama said when he refused official recognition, citing the importance of the protocol process. Ho hum! Every year a new excuse. Turkey’s method of making deals is aggression first, bakshish later. It doesn’t matter what the issue is. Now it’s the “importance of the protocols” and look at the way they’re bargaining before they even think about bringing it to their parliament. Ho hum!
We need is to get our own house in order. We all need to be united in one cause and one vision. We need one central organization that is run with integrity and honesty. Being fragmented is not an option. This organization should include the entire diaspora and the country of Armenia. And yes McCain, like Obama, should be taken with a grain of salt. However, these are pure opportunists and the Armenians shouldn’t squander an opportunity either to utilize anyone useful for our cause.
the only reason McCain recognized the Genocide is because he is not the President & his opinion has no significant importance.
If he becomes President, see how his colours will change… Just like Obama’s did…
Nice try but no cigar. When you retire take Obama and his cronies with you.
I like Rubenian´s view.Use him and the like ,just like they used and are using us…
in brief,accept his voluntary and sudden change as O.K. and ask him to back up the drive for recognition .Then if he quits doing that ,dump him.Otherwise ,if he is sincere and will carry on…support him-better yet make use of his position in lobbying circles etc.,
Gaytz
Realist.. WELL SAID.
I am 100% with you..
Enough is enough.. we need something concrete and once we see it in black and white, then we would consider putting you in the Oval Office..
Puch xosqera can go only so far.. we WILL NOT and SHOULD NOT fall into the same trap again..
G
Now!!! at long last, ther is one that is supporting my Scheme-up above John-who comprehends the effect of POWER ,whether in human resources or material-BOTH together actually-,like I have been advocating over 30 yrs.. leave the political parties alone ,let thme carry on their work,but re-organize the Diaspora(s) is a MUST at this juncture.The Huge Collectivities of our non-partisan ought to be brought together in a fashion that has Mechanism..like this humble servant of the Armenian people has projected,developing re-developing the System-yet to be employed-over the yrs.In short ,if we wish to be an ORGANIZED ENTITY, enlapping ALL of our people,it is through a crystaliztion mode,that can lead the “Professional Colleagues Associations´” members to REAL PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION,as is outline in my web site http://www.Armenidad-worldwide.org
The argument is to let in the so far so called “silent majority”-no such thing any more..they are very much advanced in Professions-the majority of our Diaspora such and can indeed be counted upon ,as becoming the backbone of a Diaspora, that will by and by show its muscles.No.not belicose-style but through their Inter-professional Groups elect their delegates to the Central Bodies of each and all Armenian -dense areas such as Boston with surround areas, Marseilles, B-Aires ,Beirut S.Francisco,Paris , L.A etc.,then through these central Bodies elect their delegates to Central Council of each Diaspora country!! which in turn submit to the Supreme Council(in 5 Departments)
1.The Legal-legislative in Strasbourg-next to RA delegates(no not precisely sitting next to them) but in same town with office.
2.The Executive in N.Y.-next to RA´s U.N. delegations
3.The Economic in Geneva,CH, with 16 offices,each for the respective Profession,like Medical´s Baming & Finance-see my web site for details..
4.The Social Services & emigration (to Armenia and Artsakh-Javakhk) later,as soon as the intended “National Investment Trust Fund” .Since this is the largest “near Diaspora” and emigration easier.Indeed, once said Fund is establishede by our magnates(as nucleus and added to by some 100,000 members of the PCA´s)…For without Economic Power backed up by said members,nothing can be realized that is worth considering…
5.This Department of the Supreme council , is the only one that exsits,namel The Spiritual,at St Etchmiadzin in conhunction with The Great House of Cilicia.
All above Departments will represent the Supreme Council according to Geographic,Demographic and Economic locations as can be seen..AND in constant contact with ea other through most advanced communications system.
The political parties:-To These we salute and wish them the best and hope and trust that they will through “Dual membership allowed” in above PCA´s participate as well.Though ideological propaganda not to be allowed while sitting with Prof.Colleagues-Outside ,indeed yes.In short we applaud their so far done and to be done work in future.But it is time they realized that above segment of the Armenian population also EXISTS< but has not been put into ACTION.
To surmise,my other important Novelty, is in the No.7 Bulletin in above web site.
Happy reading and
Hama Haigagani SIRO,
gaytzag palandjian,ex-board memberof
Armenian Congress of Paris ,1979