CHINA CAN, BUT TURKEY CANNOT?

A1+
[06:07 pm] 18 October, 2007

The Armenian Assembly of America today called upon House Members
not to give in to pressure from the government of Turkey, which is
opposed to an important and bi-partisan resolution that affirms the
Armenian Genocide.

President Bush criticized the intention to submit the Resolution on
the Armenian Genocide to the discussion at the plenary session of
the Representatives of Congress.

"Congress should not ignore the part of Ottoman Empire’s history,
coming out of its responsibilities.

Congress has more important works to do than to become enemies with
our democracy ally in the Muslim world".

"If we can stand up to China why on earth we are afraid of standing
up to Turkey," said Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny. Ardouny noted that the Bush Administration has decided to
meet with the Dali Lama today in a ceremony at the U.S.

Capitol, despite threats and intense diplomatic and political pressure
from the government of China.

Ardouny mentioned that many other bills were discussed during the
session and adopted by fewer votes.

"Many support us", he said, despite the fact that the supporters
of the Resolution on the Armenian Genocide have reduced from 225 to
214. 218 votes are needed for the adoption of the Resolution.

The Resolution, H.R. 106, is non-binding and has been introduced in
several previous sessions of Congress.

It was approved 27-21 last week by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.