GENOCIDE RESOLUTION DEBATE RAGES ON

Washington Times, DC
Oct 10 2007

Democrats in a House committee debate say that Turkey will "get over
it" if they officially designate the actions of the Turkish government
against Armenians during World War I to be genocide.

"Let us do this and be done with it. We will get a few angry words
out of Ankara for a few days, and then it’s over," said Brad Sherman,
California Democrat. "If this irritates our relationship with Turkey,
let’s stop the irritation by recognizing the truth."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer made similar comments this morning
during a briefing with reporters.

Mr. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, said he met with the Turkey’s ambassador
to the U.S. today and assured him that he considers Turkey a strong
friend and ally of the United States.

"This [resolution] was about another government at another time, and
should not be perceived…as a reflection on the present government,
the Turkish people or their present posture," Mr. Hoyer said.

Mr. Hoyer added he didn’t believe such a resolution would have a long
lasting negative affect on the United State’s relationship with Turkey,
noting that Congress passed a similar resolution earlier this year
denounced Japan’s use of Korean "comfort women" during World War II.

"The Japanese were not pleased, but the Japanese overcame it and our
relations were not undermined," he said. "It was a temporary blip,
and we would hope that if there is a blip [in U.S.-Turkey relations]
it is temporary."

The committee debate this afternoon has attracted bipartisan support
and bipartisan opposition. Three Republicans have so far said they
support the resolution, and one Democrat has said he opposes it.

Rep. Dan Burton, Indiana Republican, was the most adamantly opposed
Republican.

"I just don’t understand why we’re going to cut our nose off, shoot
ourselves in the foot at a time when we need this ally," Mr. Burton
said. "I feel awful about the things that happened. Everybody does.

But the question is, why are we doing this at this time?"

"We’re in the middle of two wars right now, and the possibility of
a nuclear exchange if we’re not careful," Mr. Burton said. "We’re
talking about kicking the one ally over there that’s helping us right
now in the face."

The Bush administration says Turkey may no longer allow the U.S.

military to use its air bases for resupply of forces in Iraq and
Afghanistan.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, California
Democrat, said the committee faces "a sobering choice."

"We have to weigh the desire to express our solidarity with the
Armenian people and condemn this historic nightmare against the fact
that this could cause men and women in the U.S. uniform to pay an
even harsher price than they already are," Mr. Lantos said.

"This is a vote of conscience, and the committee will work its will,"
he said.