ANKARA—In an interview on Turkish television on Feb 6, the United States’ Ambassador to Turkey, John Bass, commented on Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide and the Turkish government’s decision to host commemorations of the Battle of Gallipoli on April 24, the same day that Armenians will be commemorating the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.
Speaking about the United States’ position on the Armenian Genocide, Bass said, “I cannot speak to how the events will be characterized in whatever the President or Congress chooses to say on the anniversary, but, I can tell you that our policy hasn’t changed. Our policy is that we believe that a full, frank and just acknowledgement of the facts surrounding those terrible massacres and tragedies in 1915 is in the interest of the citizens of Turkey, it is in the interest of the citizens of Armenia and it is in the interest of the descendants of people who suffered in that period.”
On U.S. participation in commemorations of the Battle of Gallipoli, Bass said, “It is too early to say how we will be represented in Gallipoli. I would say, with respect to the timing of the commemorations, you know there is so much depth of feeling and so much suffering that occurred in 1915 among many populations that, I think, from our perspective, we think that commemorations should occur in a way that allows every community that suffered to commemorate the events in a way and in a manner that is respectful of the dead and that allows them in their own ways to acknowledge that suffering and to commemorate their dead respectfully.”
Too late.
NOT TOO BAD FOR A GUY WITH A MUZZLE WHEN IT COMES TO GENOCIDE DISCUSSIONS IN TURKEY.
Ambassador Bass, remember Henry Morgenthau Sr. words, as US Ambassador to the Ottoman Turkey, during Armenian Genocide:
” The Turks, like most primitive peoples, wear their emotions on the surface … ”
—Henry Morgenthau, Sr., U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, 1918.
I like what Ambassador John Bass is saying; however I would go far beyond than this point. US knows that April 24 is not the correct date to commemorate the Battle of Gallipoli. So do the other Western nations. 102 nations have been invited, amongst which the British Royal family and many western allies. When Turkey falsifies the commemoration date and nobody bothers to speak about, or criticize, you are directly encouraging Turkey to play with the records. Later on in life; 50, or 100 years later, Turkey would say that, “Let me remind you that on such a date We (Turkey) commemorated on this date. There were so many dignitaries present, and records are here for you to see that Battle of Galipoli has happened on April 24”. When you let a mouse use a mouse-hole, it become habitual passage. When a crime is being committed and you are a witness to the crime, you do not react, on the contrary, you turn your face to the other side, you are a corroborator to that crime. It was WRONG by the US administration for keeping silent on this issue. The damage has been done already. So now Mr Ambassador realizes this and is trying to find a middle ground by saying that each party must commemorate their dead respectfully. All the Turkish history is based on falsehood and falsification, let alone this.
Yes Varouj, you are absolutely correct
no one should attend…
who attends he is a corroborator… all are criminal allies…
what do you expect more from all attenders
Let them show their Black Faces…Black Hearts …
Someone said they sell their mothers to live…
Thus…If they can sell their mothers… they can delete Armenians genocide as well…
After 100 years they are all parteners of Genocide, exept France that President Hollande Will Visit Armenia on April 24 instead of going to Turkey.
A honest individual… who ever is he
cannot stop expressing his opinion…and
without fear of the consequences . . .
No one can buy his dignity.
His humane principles born to continue
protecting the rights of humanity
and give lessons to those who insist to deny
their committed crimes…through centuries…till today…
Thank you Mr. ambassador, John Bass––
who is assigned to a state without principles, named Turkey.
Sylva~MD~Poetry
How can Turkey respect Armenians if he doesn’t respect his own people
A GOOD STEP BY THE US AMBASSADOR TOWARDS ARMENIANS BY TELLING TURKEY TO BEHAVE.
If, first of all United State will reaffirm the Armenian Genocide, then Turkey will follow suit. It will be respectful if Obama reaffirms the Armenian Genocide and personally will be present in Yerevan on April 24, 2015 during the Genocide Centennial Commemoration.
It is laughable and insult for Allied powers to be present at Battle of Gallipoli commemorations! Since when do the loosers in the war respect the victor?
The Genocidal Turkey has tangled up the West so bad that these idiots have no brain to think and act straight. This Gag rule inflicted on the West and the civilized world must end if we are to free ourselves from Turkish tricky games and manuverings.
this John Bass , a whole 2 paragraphs, read it it twice, he said nothing,just hot air .
“U.S. Ambassador Calls on Turkey to Be ‘Respectful’ over Genocide Centennial” I saw or read nothing of the title of the article, where is this call onto Turkey to be more respectful over the Genocide Centennial?
The attendee countries and representatives by their action are collaborators of falsification, consequently where is their dignity by following a falsifier, where is your self respect ???