ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGISLATION SCHEDULED FOR COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Armenian Genocide legislation appears set to come
before the influential House International Relations Committee as
early as Wednesday, September 14th, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
07.09.2005 15:43

According to Congressional sources, Committee Chairman Henry Hyde
(R-IL) is prepared to “mark-up” both Armenian Genocide Resolutions
(H.Res.316 and H.Con.Res.195). During this mark-up session, the fifty
members of the panel will have an opportunity to consider changes
and then to vote to either approve or disapprove each measure.

“We want to thank Chairman Hyde for his leadership in ensuring
that the members of his Committee have the opportunity to vote on
Armenian Genocide legislation,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. “Along with our local chapters around the nation and
coalition partners here in Washington, DC, we are working hard to
support the efforts of our friends – Congressmen George Radanovich,
Adam Schiff, and Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Joe Knollenberg and
Frank Pallone – in encouraging the Committee to act favorably on
this legislation.

H.Res.316, which was introduced by Representatives George Radanovich
(R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), calls
upon the President to ensure U.S. foreign policy reflects appropriate
understanding of the Armenian Genocide.

The resolution includes thirty detailed findings from past U.S.
hearings, resolutions and Presidential statements, as well as
references to statements by international bodies and organizations. As
of today, a bipartisan group of over one hundred and twelve
Representatives have already agreed to cosponsor this measure.

H.Con.Res.195, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff and cosponsored by over
eighty Representatives, was offered following direct negotiations
with House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde
(R-IL). The Chairman agreed to Committee-level consideration of
Armenian Genocide legislation in return for Rep.

Schiff tabling a planned June 8th Armenian Genocide amendment to the
House Foreign Relations Authorization bill. The agreement addressed
serious concerns on the part of the Administration and Congressional
leaders that the Schiff Amendment – which had strong prospects of
passing – would overshadow the White House meeting, held that same day,
between President Bush and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan.

This measure, which is in the process of being amended, reaffirms the
Armenian Genocide within the broader context of regional relationships
and addresses Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union.

The Turkish Ambassador and his lobbyists – including the Livingston
Group – are actively making the rounds to members of the International
Relations Committee, seeking to block any action on U.S. reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide. As part of this effort, the Livingston
Group has been distributing a four-page genocide-denial document to
Congressional offices.