The United States is preparing to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide

President Joe Biden is preparing to formally recognize that the systematic murder and deportation of hundreds of thousands of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in modern Turkey was genocide more than a century ago., according to US officials.

The anticipated move, something Biden had vowed to do as a candidate, could further complicate an already tense relationship with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Government officials have not yet reported Turkey and the US president could change his mind, an official said on condition of anonymity.

Armenian-American lawmakers and activists are pressuring Biden to make the announcement on or before Armenian Genocide Memorial Day., to be held on Saturdays.

One possibility is that Biden includes recognition of genocide in the annual commemoration proclamation that presidents often issue. Biden’s predecessors avoided the use of “genocide” in the proclamation commemorating the dark moment in history.

A bipartisan group of more than 100 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter to Biden on Wednesday asking to become the first US president to formally recognize the atrocities of the then Ottoman Empire.. California Democratic Representative Adam Schiff led the letter.

“The US government’s embarrassing silence on the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide has lasted too long and must endr, ”wrote the legislators. “We urge you to fulfill your obligations and tell the truth.”

Turkey’s Foreign Minister warned the Biden government that recognition would “damage” ties between the United States and Turkey.

As a candidate, Biden promised that he would recognize the Armenian Genocide if elected. “Silence is complicity”he said on that occasion. However, he did not offer a timetable for keeping the promise.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that the president would have more to say on this anniversary on Saturday.

The New York Times Y The Wall Street Journal they were the first to report that Biden is preparing to acknowledge the genocide.

If Biden continues, he will almost certainly be rejected by Turkey., which has successfully lobbied former presidents to get around the problem.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu emphasized earlier this week that Turkey was not worried about a decision Biden might make, but also suggested that such a move would have harsh repercussions.

“If America wants our relations to get worse, it’s up to themHe said in an interview with the Turkish news channel HaberTurk.

The relationship between Biden and Erdogan started cold. After more than three months of presidency, Biden hasn’t spoken to him yet.

Once considered strategic partners, ties between Ankara and Washington have steadily deteriorated in recent years due to differences over Syria, Turkey’s cooperation with Russia and more recently over Turkish naval interventions in the Eastern Mediterranean., which US officials have described as destabilizing.

Biden drew ire from Turkish officials during last year’s campaign after an interview with The New York Times in which he spoke of supporting Turkey’s opposition to the “autocrat” Erdogan. Still, Turkey hoped to restore the relationship. Erdogan enjoyed a warm relationship with former President Donald Trump, who has never discussed the history of human rights violations in Turkey.

Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, said he is hopeful that Biden will keep his word.

From his early days as president, Biden changed the tone of its predecessor and has confirmed that the United States will play a greater role in exposing human rights violations and advancing democratic norms..

Gonul Tol, director of the Turkish program at Middle East Institute in Washington, he said Erdogan’s influence has waned and the Turkish leader’s reaction may be dampened by the Turkish economy.

“Biden has spoken of human rights violations in countries around the world, including Turkey, but he hasn’t gone much further than his rhetoric.Tol said. “This is an opportunity for him to defend human rights.”

With AP information

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