Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Oct 11 2007

Turkish premier says US Armenian resolution "unfortunate"

Istanbul, 11 October: "Approval of the resolution regarding Armenian
allegations on the incidents of 1915 by the US House of
Representatives committee on foreign relations is a really
unfortunate decision for the future," Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday [11 October].

Replying to questions of journalists at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport
after his arrival from Ankara, Prime Minister Erdogan said, "The
committee made similar decisions in 2000 and in 2005. In 2000, 38
members of the committee voted in favour against 12. In 2005, 40
members of the committee voted in favour against seven. This time, 27
members voted in favour against 21. The US administration tried
really hard to prevent its approval. However, some circles carried
out lobbying activities. Actually, it is a step against the United
States’ interests. It is an unfortunate decision made by those who
could not realize Turkey’s position."

"Our struggle will continue until the debates at the full house.
There are steps we will take later. But it is not the right time to
discuss them now. We will determine our attitude resolutely," Prime
Minister Erdogan added.