Over the years I have been fortunate to have had very dear friends,
both Turks and Armenians. Yet the lack of a U.S. government stand on the
Armenian Genocide keeps the historic wounds open and friendships strained
between peoples and nations.
In continuing to deny the Armenian Genocide, the U.S. government once
again sacrifices morality on the altar of politics. President Clinton as
the leader of the world's most powerful nation abdicates his
responsibility as a standard bearer of truth, solely because it is not
politically convenient.
President Clinton's reason is that American's attention to the Middle
East conflict could be complicated by Turkish politics. This underscores
our lack of conviction and the lack of understanding of cultures older
than ours.
Sadly, Clinton was persuasive enough with House Speaker J. Dennis
Hastert to table the Armenian Genocide Recognition bill. Apparently the
White House can only juggle one problem at a time.
AIVARS JERUMANIS
Glendale
