TURKEY PROTESTS US HOUSE COMMITTEE’S VOTE ON ARMENIAN RESOLUTION
By Dorian Jones

Voice of America
Oct 11 2007
Istanbul, Turkey

The vote in a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives calling
the massacre of Armenians in World War I by Ottoman Turks a genocide
has caused outrage in Turkey. The Bush administration opposed the
resolution, which is non-binding. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul
for VOA that Turkey has recalled its ambassador for consultations.

Turkey’s political leadership was quick to condemn the genocide
resolution that passed in the house foreign affairs committee.

Abdullah Gul (file) In a statement early Thursday, President Abdullah
Gul said U.S. politicians closed their ears to calls for reason
and once again sought to sacrifice big problems for small domestic
political gain.

In another statement, the government condemned the decision and said
it cannot accept being accused of something it has not done.

Later in the day, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry announced it has recalled
its ambassador to Washington, Nabi Sensoy, for consultations.

Protestors in Istanbul demonstrate against US Congressional
committee’s vote on Armenian genocide On the streets of Istanbul,
people expressed strong feelings against the committee’s resolution,
which is non-binding.

"We never make genocide in this land, never, never. I am just telling
truth," one man said. "They are just making politics, they are just
showing world, we are hooligans, we are bad people, we love the
genocide we love to kill. They are just showing the people like that.

That’s why I am angry."

Just before the U.S. vote, hundreds of people protested outside the
U.S. consulate in Istanbul. There was also a demonstration in the
capital, Ankara.

Feelings are running high in Turkey, both among political leaders
and the public.

Ankara does not deny that Armenians were killed, but says the killings
were a result of a civil war in which many Turks died as well.

Nineteen countries around the world have officially recognized the
massacre as a genocide.

The fact that the U.S., one of Turkey’s closest allies, is debating
the issue has led to a sense of betrayal here.

The U.S. Embassy has issued a security warning to American residents
in Turkey.

Pressure on the government in Ankara to retaliate if the
U.S. resolution is passed by the full House and the Senate could
become irresistible. Turkey has already warned President Bush of far
reaching consequences.

One of those consequences could involve American operations at the
Turkish air-base of Incirluk. The base is a logistical hub for U.S.

forces, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Government members and a source
within the Turkish Foreign Ministry have warned that support at the
base could be curtailed.