The United States called on Turkey to acknowledge the massacre of Armenians, as preparations were underway to mark 100 years since the killing of almost 1.5 million people.
Speaking on Turkish television, United States’ Ambassador to Turkey, John Bass, said,
Mr Bass' comments come as Turkey prepares to commemorate the Battle of Gallipoli on 24 April, the same day that Armenians will be marking the centennial of the genocide.
“It is too early to say how we will be represented in Gallipoli,” said Mr Bass. He further added,
Speaking on Turkish television, United States’ Ambassador to Turkey, John Bass, said,
“Our policy is that we believe that a full, frank and just acknowledgement of the facts surrounding those terrible massacres and tragedies in 1915 is in the interest of the citizens of Turkey, it is in the interest of the citizens of Armenia and it is in the interest of the descendants of people who suffered in that period.”The US Senate recognised the killings by Ottoman forces as genocide last year, however Turkey has refused to do so.
Mr Bass' comments come as Turkey prepares to commemorate the Battle of Gallipoli on 24 April, the same day that Armenians will be marking the centennial of the genocide.
“It is too early to say how we will be represented in Gallipoli,” said Mr Bass. He further added,
“I would say, with respect to the timing of the commemorations, you know there is so much depth of feeling and so much suffering that occurred in 1915 among many populations that, I think, from our perspective, we think that commemorations should occur in a way that allows every community that suffered to commemorate the events in a way and in a manner that is respectful of the dead and that allows them in their own ways to acknowledge that suffering and to commemorate their dead respectfully.”