Biden Intends to Recognize the Armenian Genocide, Says White House Press Secretary

U.S. President Joe Biden plans to fulfill his campaign promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide committed during World War I, the White House press secretary told the Greek Kathimerini.

In response to a question about addressing a letter initiated by Senator Bob Menendez and signed by 36 other senators from both parties, the press secretary stated that the Biden administration is committed to ensuring that such atrocities do not occur again, and that recognizing past atrocities is an important part of that commitment.

This move is likely to heighten tensions between the U.S. and Turkey, notes Ahval. Earlier, a group of 37 senators joined Senator Menendez, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in calling on President Joe Biden to follow Congress’s lead in fully and formally recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“President Biden, given his track record in the Senate and bipartisan resolutions in both the House and Senate that he supported as a candidate, has every opportunity to reject the Turkish rule of 'silencing voices' that persistently denies the condemnation and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide at the scale of the entire U.S. government,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian in this context.

This view is echoed by Andy Tsumenides, Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council. “Fortunately, the Biden administration has made a correct start and has spoken truthfully and directly with Turkey. However, when it comes to the Armenian Genocide, the White House still needs to be truthful. President Biden’s Senate record and his statements as a presidential candidate prove that he knows and is committed to this truth. Now that he is the leader, the end of Turkey's management of 'silencing everyone' should be absurd,” Tsumenides stated.