Readers React: Obama owes Armenians an apology

To the editor: If I told friends I cared about that they have my support and later found that I couldn’t make good on a promise, I would have a responsibility to apologize. (“Armenian hopes crushed as Obama decides not to use the word ‘genocide,’” April 21)

As an Armenian and lifelong Democrat, I am deeply disappointed in President Obama for not following through on the statements he made as a U.S. senator and presidential candidate that the genocide was “supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence.”

While there are probably good security and political reasons for his decision not to use the word “genocide,” he owes us an apology.

Michael Peretzian, Los Angeles

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To the editor: What is there not to understand here? Turkey is of crucial strategic importance in maintaining the balance of power in the Mideast and provides a protective curtain around nuclear possibilities against Europe.

Unfortunately, Turkish leaders are too immature to acknowledge their country’s brutal, tragic history, and have to be treated as a spoiled child. Obama is painfully correct.

Jacqueline Kerr, Los Angeles

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