Regnum, Russia
Feb 9 2007

Ankara expects US Congress to recognize the Armenian Genocide,
Armenia is increasing lobbying

Possibility of a breakthrough in improving the Armenian-Turkish
relations that appeared after murder of Hrant Dink was taken by the
Turkish side to the background, after Resolution 106 was introduced
to the US House of Commons, Armenia’s deputy defense minister Arman
Kirakosyan announced at a news conference on February 9, saying that
up to the present moment, Turkey directed all its effort at blocking
the resolution.

Meanwhile, as Kirakosyan said, Armenia was not going to be twiddling
its thumbs and it would use all resources to increase lobbying. To
pass the resolution, at present moment favorable conditions are
established by Armenia, in particular, a democratic majority at the
Congress. And while Turkey is doing it best to prevent from passing
the resolution, the presidential administration, in its turn, will
try to do its best not to worsen the Turkey-USA relations," he said.

Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul arrived on an official
visit to Washington after the draft resolution on recognizing the
Armenian Genocide with the aim to persuade US authorities not to pass
the resolution. However, US Congress Chair Nancy Pelosi refused to
have a meeting with him citing time constraints. While meeting US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Turkish minister said that
passing the resolution was not `a political issue,’ but could `pose
threat’ the Turkish-American relations. `We cooperate in very
complicated fields, fight side by side against common problems. But
if the Congress passes the resolution, it would be a shock,’ the
Turkish minister said, assuring, however, that they in Turkey are
disclosing archives and examine the problem on their own. At the
same, commenting on the statement, US State Department Spokesman Sean
McCormack announced that the US Congress is an independent
institution, but the US authorities can inform congressmen on the
Turkish position on the issue.