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Pallone: Events of 1915 were the systematic elimination of a people

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  • Pallone: Events of 1915 were the systematic elimination of a people

    Frank Pallone: Events of 1915 were the systematic elimination of a
    people

    armradio.am
    14.07.2007 13:42

    The Armenian Assembly commended Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone,
    Jr. (D-NJ) for his remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives
    in support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H. Res. 106. Pallone
    honored Henry Morgenthau, US Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during
    the start of the Armenian Genocide for providing first-hand
    descriptions of the atrocities that were taking place. Pallone plans to
    give a series of speeches to emphasize the importance of passing the
    Armenian Genocide Resolution which is currently supported by a majority
    of House members.

    Mr. Pallone said in his speech: "The Armenian Genocide that was
    orchestrated by the Ottoman
    Empire from 1915 to 1918 is an irrefutable fact. Looking at the history
    of this catastrophic event, it is impossible to deny that this was
    genocide on all accounts. One way to hear witness to the truth is to
    make reference to first hand accounts at the time the Armenian genocide
    occurred."

    "Henry Morgenthau served with dignity as US Ambassador to the Ottoman
    Empire from 1913 to 1916. In the wake of surging nationalism in Turkey,
    and alarmed at reports of the Armenian genocide, he repeatedly appealed
    to the US government to intervene, without success. Morgenthau
    addressed the genocide of the Armenians in a 1915 dispatch to the State
    Department in which he warned that "a campaign of race extermination is
    in progress."

    "He then appealed to Ottoman rulers, also without result. Finally, he
    publicized his opinions in his 1918 book of memoirs, Ambassador
    Morgenthau's Story, which documented his experiences while in Turkey,
    including his vivid views of the Armenian genocide."

    "Morgenthau wrote: "When the Turkish authorities gave the orders for
    these deportations, they were merely giving the death warrant to the
    whole race; they understood this well, and, in their conversations with
    me, they made no particular attempt to conceal the fact...I am
    confident that the whole history of the human race contains no terrible
    episode as this."

    "In one of his addresses Morgenthau commented on the United States
    efforts during the Armenian Genocide, "If America is to condone these
    offenses, if she is going to permit to continue conditions that
    threaten and permit their repetition, she is party to the crime. These
    people must be freed from the agony and danger of such horrors. They
    must not only be saved for the present but they must be given assurance
    that they will be free in peace and that no harm can come to them."

    "At great personal risk and sacrifice, Morgenthau chose to intervene on
    behalf of the Armenians and even managed to help rescue an unknown
    number of Armenians. Of course, in the end his efforts were
    unsuccessful. Drained by his failure to avert this disaster, Morgenthau
    returned to the United States in 1916 and for the remainder of World
    War I dedicated himself to raising funds for the surviving Armenians.
    He is considered a hero in Armenia and an American man of courage and
    character."

    "If America is going to live up to the standards we set for ourselves,
    and continue to lead the world in affirming human rights everywhere, we
    need to follow Morgenthau's example. We must stand up and recognize the
    tragic events that began in 1915 for what they were-the systematic
    elimination of a people. By recognizing these actions as genocide we
    can renew our commitment to prevent such atrocities from occurring
    again."

    "I wish to express my support for swift passage of H. Res. 106 which
    reaffirms the Armenian Genocide. It now has a majority of the Members
    of the House as cosponsors. As the first genocide of the 20th Century,
    it is morally imperative that we remember this atrocity and
    collectively demand reaffirmation of this crime against humanity."
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