TURKISH THREATS HELPED ARMENIANS
A1+
[05:35 pm] 11 October, 2007
"The adoption of the Resolution by the U.S. House Foreign Affairs
Committee does not have the force of law, it has a moral significance",
announced Arpi Vardanian, Regional Director for Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh of the Armenian Assembly of America.
She considers the Resolution an attitude, which may have an essential
impact on other countries, which have not recognized the fact of the
Armenian Genocide yet.
Arpi Vardanyan considers the adoption of the Resolution a victory,
although a similar resolution was adopted with 40 for and 7 against
votes, while this time – with 27 for and 21 against votes. "Taking into
consideration the fact, that Turkey has a great influence, much money,
and the US Administration and George Bush himself supports Turkey,
we managed to succeed. This is a victory indeed", says Arpi Vardanyan,
who has written a letter to congressmen.
In the interview with "A1+" Arpi Vardanyan mentioned that Turkish
aggressive attitude had opposite effect, and the congressmen were
rather annoyed by Turkish pressures and threats, thus it had a positive
impact on the adoption of the Resolution.
The 106 Resolution will be put to the vote in the House of
Representatives, where 225 senators of 435 support the Resolution.
The discussion of the bill depends on the House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi. Pelosi is the member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues and has always supported the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.
The Armenian lobby will continue its activities. By the way, the
Armenian authorities did not have any influence on the adoption of the
Resolution and they could not have it, since as Arpi Vardanyan stated:
"The Armenian community in the US has voter for those congressmen
and has certain levers there".
Arpi Vardanyan doubted to answer what impact may have the adoption
of the Resolution on the Armenians living in Turkey, but expressed
hope that the Turkish authorities would be as wise as not to harm
the Armenian community. However, the influence of the Resolution in
Turkey may vary – it may cause both negative and positive changes.