National Public Radio (NPR)
October 17, 2007 Wednesday
SHOW: All Things Considered 8:00 PM EST
U.S. Lawmakers Defect from Genocide Resolution
MELISSA BLOCK, host:
As we mentioned, support on Capitol Hill is weakening for a
resolution that would label the killing of more than a million
Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915 as genocide.
Under heavy pressure, about a dozen cosponsors of the resolution in
the House have withdrawn their backing this week. Democratic
Congressman Hank Johnson from Georgia is among them.
Representative HANK JOHNSON (Democrat, Georgia): I have not changed
my opinion as to whether or not it was genocide or not. But I have
changed my opinion as to the timing of this resolution. And I think
it’s a very practical response to the realities that we face as far
as our security in this country.
BLOCK: What are your fears about timing on this?
Rep. JOHNSON: Well, I think that it already has had a negative impact
on our relationship with a strong ally, Turkey, which, by the way,
was not even a nation at the time this genocide occurred. Whenever
there’s a possibility that our withdrawal from this war in Iraq would
be hampered by our inability to use the resources that our ally,
Turkey, has to offer us at this time, I think it gives pause for any
responsible legislator to reconsider what they’re doing at this time.
BLOCK: You know, Congressman, I think people who support this
resolution will look at this and say, look, the terms are no
different. The conditions are no different now than when people
signed on to this resolution in the first place in terms of timing.
And if people are forming an exodus away from this genocide
resolution it’s because they’re being pressured. There’s a lot of
lobbying, a lot of money going into this.
Rep. JOHNSON: I’ve not had one single lobbyist to call me about this
issue, not one.
BLOCK: Mm-hmm.
Rep. JOHNSON: But I have talked with people who lived in the Fourth
District, who are of Turkish ancestry. They feel pretty strongly
about it and they have helped to educate me as to their position on
it. And meanwhile, it’s clear that Turkey is taking measures that
could destabilize the security in that troubled region of the world.
The security of our troops is at issue.
BLOCK: Congressman Johnson, have you heard from any Armenians in your
district?
Rep. JOHNSON: I’ve not heard from a single person who is of Armenian
ancestry from my district.
BLOCK: I’m sure that they would argue just the other case that…
Rep. JOHNSON: Well, I’m sure that they would. But I would have to
balance both sides, look at the United States’ security interest at
the current time and then make a decision.
BLOCK: I’d like to get your reaction to something that was written in
an editorial in the Los Angeles Times last week on this topic. And
they said, the real mark of courage is speaking truth when it’s
inconvenient. What do you think about that?
Rep. JOHNSON: Well, I mean, to utter those pronouncements is pretty
easy. To sit in a judgment when your country’s security is at stake,
gives you a different perspective. This genocide took place 90 years
or so ago. This issue has languished this long. In my opinion, now is
not the best time for this resolution to come forward.
BLOCK: And when might there be a better time for this resolution, do
you think?
Rep. JOHNSON: When the security situation improves over in that
region of the world.
BLOCK: That could be some time from now.
Rep. JOHNSON: Well, it could be, and I hope that it won’t take 90
years for security to be established in that area. We can’t afford to
wait that long.
BLOCK: Congressman Johnson, thank you very much for your time.
Rep. JOHNSON: Thank you very much.
BLOCK: That’s Democratic Congressman Hank Johnson. He represents the
Fourth District of Georgia.