IN THEORY:Should U.S. recognize Armenian 'genocide'?

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) recently sponsored a nonbinding resolution calling on the president to recognize the killing of 1.5 million Armenians at the end of World War I as genocide. Some political observers say it could seriously rupture U.S.-Turkish relations and lead Turkish leaders to withdraw military support in Iraq because Turkey insists that the deaths were not genocide but a consequence of the Ottoman Empire splintering apart. Others argue that it's time for America to put truth ahead of politics. In the past, similar resolutions have been shot down, but with the Democratic majority in Congress it has a chance to finally reach President Bush's desk. Do you think the U.S. should go on record recognizing it as genocide?

Rep. Adam Schiff's efforts to have President Bush recognize the Armenian genocide are deeply commended. However, a similar bill a few years ago was placed on former President Clinton's desk, but, unfortunately, and to our disappointment, he refused to sign for "American security concerns." Armenians will never give up hope on this very important issue and pray that this time around it will succeed.

Some, here and abroad, think the whole world will collapse and America's relationship with Turkey will be in total disaster the day our president accepts and declares the mass killings of Armenians before, during and after 1915 in Turkey as genocide. I don't share this concern. Dozens of countries in the world have done so, and nothing seems to have happened. The world is still here.

I think our government and the Bush administration should strongly persuade and invite Turkey to come to terms with its sad and dark chapter. Economic, political and military considerations are much more outweighed by justice, truth, democratic principles and values. This is what America stands for. We should not be intimidated or bullied, or allow our values to be compromised for profit and gain.

Last month's assassination in Istanbul of Hrant Dink, the prominent editor in chief of the Armenian newspaper Agos, made the phrase "Armenian genocide" a household phrase in Turkey. Dink was a torchbearer of truth, justice and recognition of Armenian genocide. It is no longer a taboo phrase. I hope that the recognition and acceptance of the Armenian genocide will someday happen in Turkey. It is only a matter of time.