Los Angeles Daily News, CA
March 8 2007
Armenian Genocide bill planned
BY LISA FRIEDMAN, Washington Bureau
Article Last Updated: 03/07/2007 09:29:48 PM PST
WASHINGTON – One day after a U.S. Senate committee failed to vote to
condemn the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink,
Illinois Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin confirmed his intention to
introduce an Armenian Genocide resolution.
An aide to Sen. Dianne Feinstein said she plans to co-sponsor the
bill, which will mirror legislation introduced in the House by Rep.
Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena.
"It’s great news," Schiff said. Calling the measure a "wonderful
development," he noted that as the assistant Democratic leader,
Durbin’s sponsorship of legislation underscores the commitment of
Senate leaders to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Durbin spokeswoman Sandra Abrevaya said the senator will likely
introduce the bill next week.
Armenian-American groups also cheered the news.
"Senator Durbin is very committed to human rights issues," said Bryan
Ardouny, executive director of the Armenian Assembly of America. "The
resolution continues to build momentum."
Armenians contend the Ottoman Empire began an orchestrated slaughter
in 1915 in which about 1.5 million Armenians were killed.
Turkey denies it was a genocide, saying about 300,000 were killed and
noting that Armenians sided with invading Russian troops in the
aftermath of World War I and took up arms against Turks.
The bill’s introduction comes as the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee moved to delay discussion of another measure condemning
Dink’s murder as well as the Turkish penal code under which the
journalist was once tried for "insulting Turkishness."
In the meantime, the House measure sponsored by Schiff has garnered
179 supporters and is expected to come up for a vote in the House
Foreign Relations Committee.