During his time as senator and during the campaign, Obama repeatedly used the word "genocide" to describe the deaths and deportation of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire starting in 1915. He still says he wants "a full, frank and just acknowledgement of the facts," but as president, he hasn't used the word "genocide." (Here is the Turkish version of events.)
If we don't feel the need to placate the Germans about their genocide, then why should we placate Turkey? Let's call it what it is, recognize that Turkey isn't the same country they were 100 years ago, and encourage reconciliation between today's Turks & Armenians. I'm sure reconciliation is easier said than done, but don't say you'll recognize the deaths as genocide and then decline to use the word.
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