Yesterday (Sunday) Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin described US President Joe Biden’s recent statements regarding recognition of the Armenian Genocide as “extremely shameful” and warned that Turkey would respond in the coming months.
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The US President recognized the Armenian Genocide during the Ottoman rule on Saturday evening and said, “We reaffirm our commitment to prevent such an event.”
The President of the United States continued his statement by announcing the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians on April 24, 1915 by the Ottoman Empire.
“In the coming days and months, we will have different forms, types and degrees of reaction,” Kalin told Reuters in a sharp response.
However, a spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not mention whether Ankara intends to restrict US access to the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey in response to Biden’s comments.
Kalin added that Erdogan intends to address the issue after the cabinet meeting today (Monday).
“We will respond to this unpleasant and unfair statement at the appropriate time and place,” the Turkish diplomat said.
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According to Kalin, the Turkish parliament intends to issue a statement on Biden’s remarks this week.
A spokesman for the Turkish presidency: All actions between Turkey and the United States will be affected by this very disturbing statement.
According to Kalin, Erdogan warned Biden in a phone call last Friday that recognizing the Armenian Genocide would be a big mistake for the United States.
“It is said that the Turks, our Ottoman ancestors, were involved in a genocide, and this is a shame,” he explained. “The facts of history do not support such a thing.”
Turkey’s anger at Biden’s remarks on the Armenian Genocide prompted the Turkish Foreign Ministry to summon the US ambassador to Ankara, David Sutherfield.
“It is clear that these statements have no legal or scientific basis and do not have any documentary support,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
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As for the events of 1915, there is no requirement to use the term “genocide” as stipulated in international law.
Biden recognized the Armenian Genocide a week ago, when more than 100 members of Congress wrote a letter to the President urging him to formally describe the events of 1915 as a “genocide.”
Biden’s statement on Saturday will have no legal implications for Turkey, and even if the State Department issues an official statement, it will not have sanctions or consequences for Ankara.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote in a message on Twitter minutes after Biden’s statement recognizing the Armenian Genocide:
“Words cannot change or rewrite history.”
We have nothing to learn from anybody on our own past. Political opportunism is the greatest betrayal to peace and justice.
We entirely reject this statement based solely on populism.
