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HOUSE PANEL OKAYS MEASURE ON ARMENIA GENOCIDE
Friena Guerrero
AHN News
Oct 11 2007
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Despite warnings that it could strain
U.S-Turkey relations and harm U.S. goals in the Middle East, a House
panel Wednesday approved a measure that would recognize the World
War I killing of Armenians as "genocide."
The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the measure in a 27 to 21
vote and barring any hitches, is expected to send the matter to the
full House for voting.
According to the non-binding measure, the U.S. would acknowledge the
'genocide' and take this into consideration in its foreign policy
towards Turkey.
While sympathizing with the Armenian's plight, President Bush and
other administration officials earlier denounced the measure, noting
that Turkey , a key NATO ally which also serves as a crucial transit
point to Iraq, had been instrumental in the U.S. led war on terror.
Republican lawmakers raised concerns that the passage could endanger
U.S. troops abroad while Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice warned
that the House resolution could have "destabilizing" effects on
military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul meantime also earlier warned Bush that
"serious problems" could emerge if the bill is adopted.
Even as Turkey's ambassador to Washington expressed dismay at the
vote, House Democrats seemed unwilling to budge on calls to reverse
their position and keep the measure from proceeding to a floor vote
and assured Turkey that the latest development is not a condemnation
of the current Turkish government.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said he hoped that Turkey realized that
the vote was a denunciation of "another government, at another time"
and added that he expects the full House to vote on the measure
before they adjourn for the year. Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman
Tom Lantos meantime said he would introduce a resolution praising
U.S.-Turkish ties.
Armenians, who have been fighting for decades for a genocide
resolution, say 1.5 million of their kinsmen were massacred between
1915-17 in an organized campaign under the Ottoman Empire to force
them out of Anatolia (now Eastern Turkey).
Rejecting the genocide label, Turkey however claims that 250,000 to
500,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife
when Armenians took up arms for independence in eastern Anatolia
during the war.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008 789277
Friena Guerrero
AHN News
Oct 11 2007
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Despite warnings that it could strain
U.S-Turkey relations and harm U.S. goals in the Middle East, a House
panel Wednesday approved a measure that would recognize the World
War I killing of Armenians as "genocide."
The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the measure in a 27 to 21
vote and barring any hitches, is expected to send the matter to the
full House for voting.
According to the non-binding measure, the U.S. would acknowledge the
'genocide' and take this into consideration in its foreign policy
towards Turkey.
While sympathizing with the Armenian's plight, President Bush and
other administration officials earlier denounced the measure, noting
that Turkey , a key NATO ally which also serves as a crucial transit
point to Iraq, had been instrumental in the U.S. led war on terror.
Republican lawmakers raised concerns that the passage could endanger
U.S. troops abroad while Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice warned
that the House resolution could have "destabilizing" effects on
military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul meantime also earlier warned Bush that
"serious problems" could emerge if the bill is adopted.
Even as Turkey's ambassador to Washington expressed dismay at the
vote, House Democrats seemed unwilling to budge on calls to reverse
their position and keep the measure from proceeding to a floor vote
and assured Turkey that the latest development is not a condemnation
of the current Turkish government.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said he hoped that Turkey realized that
the vote was a denunciation of "another government, at another time"
and added that he expects the full House to vote on the measure
before they adjourn for the year. Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman
Tom Lantos meantime said he would introduce a resolution praising
U.S.-Turkish ties.
Armenians, who have been fighting for decades for a genocide
resolution, say 1.5 million of their kinsmen were massacred between
1915-17 in an organized campaign under the Ottoman Empire to force
them out of Anatolia (now Eastern Turkey).
Rejecting the genocide label, Turkey however claims that 250,000 to
500,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife
when Armenians took up arms for independence in eastern Anatolia
during the war.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008 789277