ADOPTION OF THE H.RES.106 IS A BIG VICTORY OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF U.S.
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.10.2007 14:25 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution
by U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs is a big victory of the
Armenian community of U.S.," Armenian Assembly Country Director for
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, Arpi Vartanian told a news conference
in Yerevan.
"This is a wonderful and important day for all Armenians," she noted.
"With a vote of 40 to 7, the Committee passed a similar resolution two
years ago. But at that time Turkey did not spread propaganda in all
directions," Ms. Vartanian said. "There were no letters from former
Secretaries of State and Defense Secretaries. There were statements
by the Department of State and White House Administration. However,
Turkey’s efforts proved counterproductive. Many lawmakers say, " I
am a U.S. Congressman, so why should I act by order of another state?"
"The Armenian lobby met difficulties this time, but millions of
Americans helped us by sending letter in support of the H.Res.106,"
she underscored.
The AAA Country Director assumed the possibility of failure of the
resolution in the full House. "Pressure on the Representatives is too
strong. All kinds of tools are enabled. But Turkey’s blackmail will
yield no fruit. Just remember the Turkish government’s fulmination
against France and other states, which recognized the Armenian
Genocide. But time has passed and Turkey forgot its threats, since they
would have damaged its own interests. We carried out an investigation
in 10 U.S. states which recognized the Armenian Genocide but have
trade relations with Turkey. It turned out that the commodity turnover
increased after recognition. Indeed, it doesn’t mean that Turkey will
settle down and quit lobbying in the Congress. I should mention that
it was the Armenian lobby from whom Turks learned how to work with
Congressmen. But, naturally, they have more opportunities and more
funds," she said.
October 10, with a vote of 27 to 21, the influential panel of
the U.S. House of Representatives took a major step toward ending
U.S. complicity in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, adopting
H.Res.106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution introduced on January
30th by Rep. Adam Schiff along with Representative George Radanovich
(R-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Brad Sherman
(D-CA) and Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI).