Politics and genocide

Re “Genocide resolution still far from certain,” April 21

Whenever the issue of recognizing the undeniable truth of the Armenian genocide is raised in Congress, feeble representatives begin trembling at the thought of angering Turkish sentiments. For this country to deny historical truth for political expediency and allow Turkey to blackmail us from doing the right thing does a disservice to everything our republic stands for.

For Armenians, the denial of the genocide is tantamount to attempts by some to deny the horrific suffering endured by Jews during the Holocaust. In this regard, I applaud Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, for urging recognition of the Armenian genocide.

EDWARD C. BAYAN

Northridge

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There is little doubt in my mind that the Armenians were subjected to genocide. However, I don’t think that the current effort in Congress is the best way to get Turkey to acknowledge that fact. It’s far better that the Turks would come to that conclusion on their own. After all, they aspire to join the European Union.

And the U.S. could set a good example by finally admitting its own culpability in the genocide of Native Americans. Certainly the issue of genocide is not as incendiary here as it is in Turkey.

If we cannot admit our own transgressions, how can we ask any more from the Turks?

S.I. HURME

Los Angeles

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The best solution is for the United States to combine forces with the other “big nations,” including Israel, that to date have not officially recognized the Armenian genocide. They could announce together that they all recognize the Armenian genocide, rendering Turkey’s threats to individual nations ineffective.

BEDROS KOJIAN

Orange

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Re “The unspeakable G-word,” Opinion, April 22

Just why is it so important to condemn Turkey for the debated Armenian genocide, an event of the last century in the era of a waning empire that present-day Turks rid themselves of more than 80 years ago? What other historic wrongs should we officially recognize? How about the G-word, reparations and restitution for the natives of North America, some of whom live in no longer closed concentration -- oops, reservations? Now there’s really an issue that should make “one embarrassed to be an American.”

And why the stretchy guilt-by-association for Kemal Ataturk? I don’t believe even the Armenians are claiming he was involved. Modern Turkey was founded by him precisely as a reaction to such cataclysmic events. As another sobering reminder that these issues do have ongoing, tragic repercussions, my 27-year-old cousin, Ahmet Benler, was shot to death in 1979 by an Armenian terrorist.

HASAN A. BENLER

Poway

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Thank you, Matt Welch and The Times, for having the courage to state the truth. The U.S. government has been dancing with this issue for so many years. It’s so quick to point the finger and preach truth, democracy and human rights to other governments, but it cannot come out and utter the word “genocide.” Call it what it is and be a true leader.

GARO MANSOURIAN

Glendale