US position on Armenian claims not changed: US official

By Tugrul Cam

ANKARA (AA) - The U.S. position on Armenian claims of 1915 events has not changed, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Ankara said Friday.

“The position of the [U.S.] administration [on Armenian claims of 1915 events] has not changed. Our views are reflected in President [Donald Trump]’s definitive statement on this issue from last April,” the spokesperson told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity.

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday that recognizes Armenian claims of 1915 events.

On April 24, Trump used the Armenian term “Meds Yeghern" to describe the tragedy.

Turkey's position on the events of 1915 is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as "genocide" but describes the 1915 events as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.

Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to examine the issue.