Turkish Institute for Progress Praises Administration's Judgment, Urges Reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Turkish Institute for Progress (TIP), an independent organization advocating reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia, today praised the Obama Administration for its apparent decision not to invoke incendiary language to describe the tragic events that occurred a century ago in the Ottoman Empire.

"We salute the President and his Administration for what appears to be admirable restraint and judgment," said Derya Taskin, TIP's president. "Hundreds of thousands of innocent Turks, Kurds, Arabs and Armenians – Christians, Muslims, and Jews – were killed during this tragic period.  The world this week and every week must mourn all the victims of this horrific tragedy."

"One century of bitterness and recrimination is enough," said former Representative Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), an advisor to TIP.  "For the sake of future generations, the two sides must come together in a spirit of cooperation to resolve their differences.  These two great peoples must restore trust for the next 100 years."

A statement issued by a National Security Council spokesperson indicated that the Administration will not be using the term "genocide" to describe the abhorrent killings that took place a century ago.

"Turkey and Armenia must seize this moment to forge a rapprochement for the next 100 years," said Taskin.

The Turkish Institute for Progress was formed to provide a forum for dialogue in pursuit of peace, and cooperation between Turkey and the international community. By meeting on the common ground defined by shared regional political, economic, energy, transport, scientific, technical, and cultural issues, TIP pursues a constructive dialogue to ensure that international relationships with Turkey are marked by unity and the shared pursuit of common goals. For more information, visit www.turkishprogress.org.

SOURCE Turkish Institute for Progress

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