US COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS DAMAGE CAUSED BY TURKEY’S DENIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmRadio.am
04.05.2007 10:21

In a sign of the growing isolation faced by opponents of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution, the US Commission on International Religious
Freedom (USCIRF) – a governmental body formed by Congress – has
reported that Turkey’s continued refusal to recognize the Armenian
Genocide remains a source of controversy in Turkey’s relations with
the United States, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

The Commission communicated its views on this subject as part of the
annual report it submitted last week to Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice on religious freedom around the world.

"We are gratified both by the Commission’s clear recognition of
the Armenian Genocide as well as by the fact that its members
have addressed the ongoing costs associated with Turkey’s denial
of this crime against humanity," said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. "We also appreciate the Commission’s documentation of the
Hrant Dink assassination and the other forms of violence and official
intimidation inflicted by the Turkish government against Armenians
and other Christian communities."

The specific text dealing with Turkey’s denials reads as follows:
"During the Commission’s visit, the issue of the Armenian genocide
was not raised by any interlocutors, but the continued refusal of the
Turkish government to recognize the event continues to be a source
of controversy in Turkey’s relations with other western countries,
including the United States."

The report also devoted considerable attention to the brutal murder
of Armenian Journalist Hrant Dink who was killed in Istanbul after
being prosecuted under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for
speaking openly about the Armenian Genocide.