Senator Simitian, an Armenian legislator in California, introduced yet another anti-Turkish bill, SJR 26. Help oppose it by sending sample letter below (AS PREPARED BY US TURCIC NETWORK), OR YOUR OWN LETTER.
If you are a California resident, please send this letter, and urge everyone else you know in California to do the same. Thank you.
Dear California Assembly and Senate members,
I am deeply concerned by the introduction of SJR 26 (so-called “Armenian genocide” resolution), which would further contribute to a one-sided approach of a genuine historical controversy to which the United States is not even a party. (To read more about the bill, click this link here).
The resolution in question would spur a historical allegation of “Armenian genocide” that has not been historically or legally substantiated to this date. In fact, on August 20, 2009, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reached an important verdict, that an obscure California law from 2000 which codified the allegations of “Armenian genocide”, was unconstitutional, and interfered with the federal government’s foreign affairs powers. Hence, both the Executive and the Judicial Branches are of the opinion that the allegations of “Armenian genocide” are neither helpful, nor correct.
Numerous American scholars, all experts in the history of the Ottoman Empire, dispute Armenian allegations, leading to the conclusion that while Armenian civilian losses during World War I were tragic, the events of 1915 were not tantamount to genocide. Armenians did not suffer alone, millions of Turks and others also lost their lives during the same period from similar causes, including being massacred by Armenian rebel bands.
It also flies in the face of the recent history, when it was Armenia that committed an undeniable crime against humanity on February 25-26, 1992, in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly, where hundreds of innocent civilians were viciously massacred in one night by the Armenian army. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has even deported Armenian combatants from US soil on the grounds of committing “crimes against humanity” against Azerbaijani civilians. Armenia to this day ethnically cleansed and occupies 16% of Azerbaijan.
As a Turkic-American, I must question how would SJR 26’s passage foster peace, tolerance and dialogue among the many ethnic communities represented in our state. If anything, it would create tensions among the strong Turkic-American community and the Armenian community.
SJR 26 also jeopardizes American national interests and security, as it damages US-Turkish relations. Turkey, a NATO member, is a key strategic and military ally of the US. Turkey is the United States’ 39th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling some $15 billion last year. A chunk of that growing trade turnover affects our state, too.
Ultimately, the message is clear: complex history of faraway lands from a century ago ought not to be legislated – especially in the current state of our jobless economy. Only through genuine dialogue can Turks and Armenians reconcile their diametrically opposed narratives in a mutually acceptable manner, and that is up to Turkey and Armenia, not any third party to decide.
In light of the above, I would respectfully urge you to OPPOSE the SJR 26, which not only defeats the goal of inter-ethnic harmony but also runs counter to the foreign, trade and national security policy of the United States. Let us instead concentrate on jobs, taxes, deficit, healthcare, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Palestine-Israel conflict, and other truly important issues that require consideration and action from state legislature, as well as often require cooperation from such allies as Turkey.
Sincerely,
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