FLASHBACK: In 2000, Candidate Bush Called Armenian Massacre A ‘Genocidal Campaign’
FLASHBACK: In 2000, Candidate Bush Called Armenian Massacre A ‘Genocidal Campaign’
Today, President Bush announced his opposition to a new congressional resolution labeling the Ottoman massacres of Armenians a “genocide.” Between 1915 and 1923, as many as 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Turks. From Bush’s press briefing today:
I urge members to oppose the Armenian genocide resolution now being considered by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We all deeply regret the tragic suffering of the Armenian people that began in 1915. This resolution is not the right response to these historic mass killings, and its passage would do great harm to our relations with a key ally in NATO and in the global war on terror.
But when Bush was running for president in 2000, he wrote a letter to the Armenian National Committee affirming that the Armenians were “subjected to a genocidal campaign.” He promised that if “elected president,” he would make sure that the United States “properly recognizes” the tragedy. From his letter:
The twentieth century was marred by wars of unimaginable brutality, mass murder and genocide. History records that the Armenians were the first people of the last century to have endured these cruelties. The Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension and commands all decent people to remember and acknowledge the facts and lessons of an awful crime in a century of bloody crimes against humanity. If elected President, I would ensure that our nation properly recognizes the tragic suffering of the Armenian people.
Iraq war politics may be part of the reason Bush is now opposing the resolution. In the White House briefing today, spokeswoman Dana Perino said, “[W]e have 160,000 of our troops in harm’s way in Iraq, and Turkey has been a very valuable ally, and their strong reaction — negative reaction about this resolution is what caused the president to come out today and ask members of Congress to oppose it.”
Turkey’s government is currently considering “a cross-border military operation to chase separatist Kurdish rebels who operate from bases in northern Iraq.” The Bush administration is pressuring Turkey’s parliament to oppose the move, which “could open a new war front in the most stable part of Iraq.”
Perino noted that Bush instead prefers to issue a “presidential message” each year to commemorate the tragedy.
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74 Responses to “FLASHBACK: In 2000, Candidate Bush Called Armenian Massacre A ‘Genocidal Campaign’”
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Heck of a job, Chimpy
October 10th, 2007 at 4:02 pmMore like a Presidential dodge.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:02 pmnegative reaction about this resolution is what caused the president to come out today and ask members of Congress to oppose it.â€
George Bush does what is politically expedient rather than what is the right thing to do. What a surprise.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:04 pm*dashing head against wall*
October 10th, 2007 at 4:04 pmChimpy lies when the truth would be better. Reid and Pelosi better get on with impeachment proceedings or they will be voted out of office.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:06 pmGWB’s integrity is for sale. Big shock.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:07 pmHow could the American people vote for such a flip-flopper? Twice?
October 10th, 2007 at 4:07 pmHow could the American people vote for such a flip-flopper? Twice?
Comment by robbez_92107 — October 10, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
They didn’t. When you have electronic voting you can make anything happen. Couple that with voter caging, not counting votes… you get the point.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:09 pmI was against the genocide before I was against the genocide.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:09 pmdubya was for it before he was against it
October 10th, 2007 at 4:10 pm#9, ROTFL! Thank you for making my day.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:12 pmImpeach Bush and Cheney and Save the Constitution.
Yeh, I know what I wrote sounded weird.
But he was against genocide,,then,
And he opposed the Genocide resolution..now
October 10th, 2007 at 4:14 pmI urge members to oppose the Armenian genocide resolution
Hence:
I was against genocide before I was against genocide.
Hey, GDumbya. Just do what you do with new legislation — when Congress passes the resolution, just add a “signing statement”.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:15 pmROTFL! Thank you for making my day.
Impeach Bush and Cheney and Save the Constitution.
Comment by Leporello
(8^P heh,
October 10th, 2007 at 4:16 pmThis isn’t unique to Bush — I think all of our presidents have taken the route of political expediency over personal conviction (and some of our presidents have never even HAD any personal convictions for that very reason).
If and when Turkey ceases to be an ally, or when we no longer require them as a strategic partner (or if we ever need to kiss up to Armenia), THEN we will pass a resolution condemning the Ottoman Empire.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:18 pmIt is rumored that Turkish businessmen were successful in bribing an American politician a couple of years ago in an attempt to stop this resolution.
Denny Hastert’s turned up in this mess. Could this have anything to do w/ the Ole Wrastlin’ Coach’s decision to retire???
Try Googling combos of words like “Hastert+bribe+Turkey+resolution” and you’ll find the articles…
Like i said, just… rumors… at this point.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:20 pmLittle Georgy is right to be worried about Turkey. Even the casual follower of geopolitics knew the Kurd issue was going to erupt if he occupied Iraq. The bottom line is, Turkey will not abide by a independent Kurdistan.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:21 pmTo complicate the neocon shitheap, watch for complications by Sunni states more actively supporting their “dog” in the fight.
Of course there is nothing to worry about. Bushco is legendary for their diplomatic team.
Yet more evidence that Dubya isn’t makingthe decisions in his White House. “Someone” tells him what they think U.S. policy SHOULD be, and he follows orders.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:22 pm9/11, 9/11, 9/11, ad infinitum. It’s the all-purpose excuse!
October 10th, 2007 at 4:23 pmWhy is our congress spending time on something that happened almost 100 years ago, when they have yet to pass legislation to pay for running the country today???
Everyone who cares to find out, will know what happened to the Armenians, but the time to help them was 100 years ago.
Does congress need a mommy to make them do their chores???
October 10th, 2007 at 4:25 pmWell, yeah…. But now it’s politically expedient to kiss Turkey butt.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:28 pmMaybe we should be more concerned with what the US government did to native Americans for the last 200 + years or so.
Comment by RUCerious — October 10, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
Precisely…The Cherokee Nation trail of tears parallells the Armenian genocide.Forced from their homes at gunpoint and marched away to starve!
October 10th, 2007 at 4:32 pm“I urge members to oppose the Armenian genocide resolution now being considered by the House Foreign Affairs Committee” = F U Armenians, I’m a lame duck president and I don’t need your vote.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:33 pmF U Armenians, I’m a lame duck president and I don’t need your vote.
Comment by dim wit — October 10, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
See my comment at #17. There might be more going on here than we know.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:37 pmDoes congress need a mommy to make them do their chores???
Comment by Badger — October 10, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
Well, yeah…. But now it’s politically expedient to kiss Turkey butt.
Comment by RUCerious — October 10, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
See my comment at #17. There might be more going on here than we realize at this time.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:43 pmSilence, peasants! The Shrub is not beholden to the space-time continuum within which you and I must function! Past words have NO bearing on present or future actions!
October 10th, 2007 at 4:46 pmThe Shrub is not beholden to the space-time continuum within which you and I must function! Past words have NO bearing on present or future actions!
Comment by Red Pill — October 10, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
Did someone say, “Shrubbery”????
October 10th, 2007 at 4:47 pm“[W]e have 160,000 of our troops in harm’s way in Iraq, and Turkey has been a very valuable ally, and their strong reaction — negative reaction about this resolution is what caused the president to come out today and ask members of Congress to oppose it.â€
Perino throws that bit in about the troops in the region, inferring that this resolution would endanger them. Of course, when Congress voted to call the Iranian Army a terrorist organization, no one was worried about the troops in the region.
Same as it ever was.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:49 pmConsistency isn’t exactly the Liar-in-Chief’s forte.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:50 pmIraq war politics may be part of the reason Bush is now opposing the resolution.
Based upon what ?
The Turks haven’t aided us militarily in Iraq , so what could possibly be lost in denouncing their action(s) from almost a century ago ?
Our president is the biggest imbecile without a working brain cell in his head on the planet………
October 10th, 2007 at 4:52 pm“GOTCHAS!” like this are masturbation. I can appreciate that it’s a pretty slow news day, but I would HOPE that even Bush is allowed to change his opinion after 7 years.
Hell, if only he could change his opinion that Iraq was a good idea, the children of the lower middle class don’t need health insurance, and hiring people that never disagree with you is not good management.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:54 pmFrankly, it seems 90 years too late for this resolution. I’m related by marriage to a family whose matriach escaped from Armenia when she was 13 years old. She also saved her 10 year old cousin. The rest of her family were wiped out by the Turks. So the genocide is a fact. The Turks should be as honest about their past misdeeds as the Germans have been, and this wouldn’t be an issue today. On the other hand, there is a form of genocide occuring in Iraq as we speak, that we are an a priori cause of due to our invasion and occupation. If this resolution passes in Congress, we are likely to lose all influence over Turkey in protecting the Kurds. They want to attack the Kurdish terrorists, but many innocent civilians will be killed in any bombing or land campaign. The Kurds have been betrayed time and again by anyone they have ever allied themselves with in the past, including the U.S. I could, quite honestly, give a damn about Turkey but I do care about the Kurds. And frankly, Turkey wants to join the European Union, and the E.U. should put their foot down. Invade northern Iraq, and you can forget ever being a member of the E.U.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:54 pmComment by Red Pill — October 10, 2007
LOL
October 10th, 2007 at 4:55 pm“GOTCHAS!†like this are masturbation. I can appreciate that it’s a pretty slow news day, but I would HOPE that even Bush is allowed to change his opinion after 7 years.
Hell, if only he could change his opinion that Iraq was a good idea, the children of the lower middle class don’t need health insurance, and hiring people that never disagree with you is not good management.
Comment by deebaser — October 10, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
But wasn’t that the inherent problem , according to this garbage administration , as far as it applied to Kerry in 2004 ?
Supposedly our Chimperor-In-Chief is a staid-steadfast individual , acting upon Divine Guidance ; where is there room for adjustment when you’re being advised by the ultimate Diety who is infallible ?
The above is only one of the mountain of problems this crappy administration has made for itself (and the whole country) ; when you speak , run , and proclaim things in such defined and absolute means , that’s what you’re stuck with………
October 10th, 2007 at 5:00 pm“He promised that if “elected president,†he would make sure that the United States “properly recognizes†the tragedy.”
I suppose he wants to award the Medal of Freedom to someone.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:02 pmComment by impeachcheneythenbush — October 10, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
I agree
And my mother is a Turk……..My apologies for the behavior of my ancestors to your family members that suffered.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:02 pmSorry , in my post #31 , it should be spelled “DEITY”
October 10th, 2007 at 5:03 pmWhile some of what Red Pills post does hold a certain [comical] truth, as applied to the ignorant masses of ancient time and to an extent, today, it also reminds me of a current, and a debunked belief, that only elites, born into wealth, are somehow wired into wisdom by the feat of fiat.
Imagine that, money equals brain power and uber DNA!!
Well, the gist of my post is apparent, and I leave it to ones imagination for the rest.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:04 pmBut wasn’t that the inherent problem , according to this garbage administration , as far as it applied to Kerry in 2004 ?
Comment by MCMetal — October 10, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
—
Yup and they were wrong about it then. Having a belief system set in stone is idiotic. Colbert summed it up best during the WH Correspondents Dinner “The President is a man who believes the same thing Wednesday as he did on Monday, regardless of what happened on Tuesday” (paraphrasing).
I’ll admit that until today I’ve never even really heard about this genocide, but I care less about the nomenclature of hundred year old atrocities than I do about more current events like the on going atrocities in Iraq.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:08 pmI’ll admit that until today I’ve never even really heard about this genocide, but I care less about the nomenclature of hundred year old atrocities than I do about more current events like the on going atrocities in Iraq.
Comment by deebaser — October 10, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
“Those who ignore history are due to repeat it”……….
Then again , you aren’t our president ………
October 10th, 2007 at 5:10 pmAdopting the tactics of the NeoCons while lacking the stomach (or having too pure a soul) to go for the jugular will allow them to win again and again and again.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:10 pmDammit , it should read “DOOMED” , not due
October 10th, 2007 at 5:10 pm“Situational ethics”. Close cousin of “moral relativism”. Think he’s a closet lib’rul?
Cheers,
October 10th, 2007 at 5:11 pmAdopting the tactics of the NeoCons while lacking the stomach (or having too pure a soul) to go for the jugular will allow them to win again and again and again.
Comment by deebaser — October 10, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
Yeah
Unless someone figures out a way to inform the American public…….
October 10th, 2007 at 5:11 pm“Situational ethicsâ€. Close cousin of “moral relativismâ€. Think he’s a closet lib’rul?
Cheers,
Comment by Arne Langsetmo — October 10, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
Not a chance
Dust bunnies are more intelligent , let alone any liberal.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:12 pm“Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat itâ€â€¦â€¦â€¦.
Then again , you aren’t our president ………
Comment by MCMetal — October 10, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
—–
I’ll never be president. B Students don’t get to be president. However C students get a shot if they’re from a politically connected wealthy family.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:13 pmmaybe a congressman though…..
hmmmmmm
October 10th, 2007 at 5:14 pmUnless someone figures out a way to inform the American public…….
Comment by MCMetal — October 10, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
——
I’m losing faith dude. These guys have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar so many times. The 29%ers continue to hold our Republic hostage
=(
October 10th, 2007 at 5:16 pmmaybe a congressman though…..
hmmmmmm
Comment by deebaser — October 10, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
If it’s a Red State, you have to believe in Creationism and fail an IQ test before becoming Congressman, though. /snark
October 10th, 2007 at 5:20 pmmaybe a congressman though…..
hmmmmmm
Comment by deebaser — October 10, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
The “old guard” needs to be ousted ; and that inludes Dems , too……
October 10th, 2007 at 5:20 pmThen again , you aren’t our president ………
Comment by MCMetal
Has it occured to you that intentionally repetitive history works to preserve past ideologies for a purpose?
Just asking.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:21 pmGeez, guys… do I hafta do everything for ya???
GOP Criminal Flip-Flop: Was Denny Hastert Bribed By Turkish Agents?
http://blogcritics.org/ archives/ 2005/ 08/ 04/ 200318.php
Again, there might be a bigger story behind this than we know about.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:21 pmUnless someone figures out a way to inform the American public…….
Comment by MCMetal — October 10, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
——
I’m losing faith dude. These guys have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar so many times. The 29%ers continue to hold our Republic hostage
=(
Comment by deebaser — October 10, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
Because it’s all they have/do ; most Americans that care and are decent aren’t in a position , financially , to try and ignite change…
October 10th, 2007 at 5:22 pm… to hold our Republic hostage…
=(
Comment by deebaser — October 10, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
Whoa!! Hold tha horses, Nellie!
No one’s holdin’ me hostage!!!!
October 10th, 2007 at 5:22 pmThen again , you aren’t our president ………
Comment by MCMetal
Has it occured to you that intentionally repetitive history works to preserve past ideologies for a purpose?
Just asking.
Comment by Xisithrus — October 10, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
No
October 10th, 2007 at 5:24 pmI believe past history that is terrible/horrible , repeats itself because it’s enacted by selfish , shitty people once again……..
No
I believe past history that is terrible/horrible , repeats itself because it’s enacted by selfish , shitty people once again……..
Actually, you just agreed with what I said, and I do not say that to argue, but to show that most people think history repeats thru some mystical unknown cause.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:28 pmSorry, I’m as big of a Bush basher as anyone on this site, but this is the right move. A Congressional resolution on a genocide that happened almost a century ago is purely symbolic, does absolutely nothing, and would probably endanger our relations with a country that is teetering on the edge of Islamic rule. Whether we’re in Iraq for the right reasons or not, we shouldn’t put relations with a key regional ally in jeopardy over a symbolic gesture.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:30 pmNo
I believe past history that is terrible/horrible , repeats itself because it’s enacted by selfish , shitty people once again……..
Actually, you just agreed with what I said, and I do not say that to argue, but to show that most people think history repeats thru some mystical unknown cause.
Comment by Xisithrus — October 10, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
Stupidity is a mystical unknown cause ?
October 10th, 2007 at 5:37 pmI was extremely disgusted when I first read this on BBC. BBC took a more apologetic course with Bush:
BBC Article
Ha! They edited their article! LMAO. It used to say something like, “the facts are still disputed,” or the evidence isn’t substantial.
I’d tell those BBC bureacrons to go read A Problem From Hell.
Read it. Love it.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:42 pmStupidity is a mystical unknown cause ?
Comment by MCMetal
No, Imperical beliefs are.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:48 pmHow do you view Imperical means MCM?
October 10th, 2007 at 5:50 pmStupidity is a mystical unknown cause ?
Comment by MCMetal
I need only to point at you know who.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:52 pmOther than the obvious reason of the Dems / libs / progressives wanting to see the USA lose the war in Iraq, what is the point of passing this resolution? This happened more than 90 years ago, so its only relevence to today is pissing off Turkiye as we try to abate their anger of PKK militants in the Kurdish areas of Northern Iraq.
Libs have no shame, happy to help any enemy, and alienate any ally during a war. You are treasonous, traitorous cowards.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:54 pmOddly the trolls aren’t here to defend their chimp. Clearly they aren’t being paid to comment on this particular issue.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:59 pmRe: He promised that if “elected president,†he would make sure that the United States “properly recognizes†the tragedy.
Bush: “Yeah, it’s a tragedy. There. I recognized it.”
October 10th, 2007 at 6:08 pmI get that we need the airbases in Turkey.
But I also wonder, getting away from the Armenian resolution and focusing on the situation with the Kurds *TODAY* : Considering the rhetoric Shrub gave for our actions after 9/11 to pre-emptively strike at terror, wouldn’t Turkey have a better argument for attacking *TODAY* the Kurds than we have in attacking say Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan ?
Turkey and the Kurds have long held an “interesting” relationship. Kurds exist in the border regions and just across the border where they could easily pass into Turkey. (although similar to there being no homosexuals in Iran, some may insist that the Turkish Kurds are actually something else).
So if there is as much as a cap gun fired by a Kurd within the nation of Turkey, using Shrubs so-called “logic”, Turkey would have full justification of military invasion of the Kurds (and, of course, taking their oil reserves).
October 10th, 2007 at 6:14 pmFirst thing’s first, Bush is obviously an idiot. He’s doing this in response to Turkish pressure (just like Pelosi is pushing the other way in response to wealthy Armenian constituents. No one is noble here). But in this case, he’s probably on the right side.
The case for labeling the 1915 massacre a genocide isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. The danger in the US giving the events that label–appropriate as it may be–to the 1915 events is that it will only serve to increase tension between ethnic Turks and Kurds in Turkey when the country is struggling to unify.
Yes, I think it was a genocide. But a lot of harm could come from the US declaring that rather than Turkey doing it eventually. The Economist this week explains it well: http://www.economist.com/ world/ europe/ displaystory.cfm?story_id=9910136
October 10th, 2007 at 7:08 pmp.s. Just want to reiterate, though, that he’s an idiot.
October 10th, 2007 at 7:11 pmJust a case of covering HIS ass. He knows nothing really matters but HIS ass.
October 10th, 2007 at 8:49 pmThe fool in chief.
Bush has created a 12 sided Rubic’s cube in the ME….and I know for damn sure he’s not going to solve the puzzle before he’s out the door in 2008. So what’s changed his worldview since 2000?
Invading and killing a few hundred thousand people in Iraq?
Fear of Turkish reprisal and exposure of certain Congressmen being bribed with drug money?
Keeping Turkey from moving on the Kirkuk oilfields?
General idiocy?
All of the above?
October 11th, 2007 at 1:23 amSo, although these “Christians” value “life” so much, especially life that
is in the womb, and is unconcious of itself, that’s ok., they’re to be “protected”….really lets have as many as possible to work for as little wages they can fight each other for….that’s the real story……
but the 1 and 1/2 million (probably plus), people, many who will never ever be known to even have ever existed, and who were brutually tortured and
October 11th, 2007 at 7:51 ammassacred,
well, let’s just forget about. Isn’t that what gave Hitler the idea that nobody would care what happened to the Jews? and one of the reasons for the Holocaust?
Methinks this has something to do with militiary bases, power in the area, access to nearby oil, and American power. An absolute disgrace. What does THE VATICAN have to say about this? I’m waiting…….
Ha — have to ask: Did Bush even know Armenia was a country and what a genocide was when he made this comment? My bet is that he just read the lines his speechwriter wrote for him.
What a twinkie — he’s nothing but gooey white cream filling.
October 11th, 2007 at 9:20 amwow - sounds like The Petulant Prince is a flip-flopper.
October 11th, 2007 at 9:54 amBush is not the only Genocide denier.
Cenk Uyger of “The Young Turks” is on record as a Genocide denier, and is used as a source for Anti-Armenian hate groups
The name of his show is not coincidental and is meant as a deliberate and cruel insult. But he does it as a coward would. If you check out their web page definition and compare with the actual American Heritage Dictionary definition you find that the primary definition referencing the Genocide was eliminated by Mr. Uyger.
Another notable Genocide denier:
The State of Israel.
October 11th, 2007 at 6:34 pm