WWI ARMENIA GENOCIDE ISSUE HEATS UP

United Press International
Washington Times
April 22 2007

WASHINGTON April 21 (UPI) — Congress and the White House are at odds
again over the effort to pass a resolution condemning the alleged
genocide in Armenia carried out during World War I.

The Bush administration is following in the footsteps of President
Clinton in trying to derail the House resolution for fear of offending
NATO ally Turkey.

Rep. George Radanovich, R-Calif., is sponsoring the measure and told
the Los Angeles Times Saturday it will likely pass if it reaches the
House floor. But passage would require the green light from House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who will be under pressure to side with the
administration and block the vote on national-security grounds.

California is home to a large Armenian community that steadfastly
blames Turkey for the deaths of about 1 million of their countrymen
between 1915 and 1918. Turkey is equally adamant that the tragedy was
not a deliberate campaign of genocide, and Washington is concerned
passing the resolution would stir up anti-American feelings among
the Turkish public and government.

Radanovich told the Times he didn’t see things as quite so dire. "The
Turkish government will throw a fit, and three months later, they’ll
be over it," he said.