Turkish media misquote Rep. Mark Kirk (R.-Ill.), co-chair of the
congressional Armenian Caucus

2009-04-04 12:12:00

ArmInfo. – Rep. Mark Kirk (R.-Ill.), co-chair of the congressional
Armenian caucus, says that he remains hopeful about the progress of the
Armenian Genocide resolution and was misquoted by the Turkish media
about it.

In an interview with The Armenian Reporter, he said on April 2: "My
hope is that we get this resolution to [a vote on] on the floor and
that we adopt it." But, he added, "I don’t know when Speaker [Nancy]
Pelosi is going to put this resolution on the floor. We are all waiting
for the Speaker to tell us."

"My hope is that [Speaker Pelosi] puts the resolution on the floor," he
said. "President [Barack] Obama said that he is for this resolution and
campaign promises should matter."

Together with Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-Calif.), George Radanovich
(R.-Calif.) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-N.J.), Mr. Kirk is an original
co-sponsor of House Resolution 252 affirming the U.S. record on the
Armenian Genocide, which is currently co-sponsored by 85 additional
members of the House of Representatives.

On April 2, the English version of Hurriyet daily published a
translated excerpt of an interview with Rep. Kirk published the same
day in the daily Aksam in Turkish.

The excerpt quoted Rep. Kirk as saying, "Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Nancy Pelosi will not dare pass the bill. She will not
place Obama in a difficult position. The bill will not pass, don’t
worry."

When asked about this line, Mr. Kirk said that it was "quite an
addition to what I said."

While confirming that he spoke with Aksam newspaper correspondent
Nagehan Alci, Mr. Kirk said the quote was inaccurate.

"When my words were translated from English to Turkish and then back to
English, I did not recognize them anymore," Mr. Kirk said. "The
interview made it sound like I was not a supporter of the resolution.
Not only I am supporter, but I am a lead Republican supporter."

The Armenian Reporter’s request for Ms. Alci to comment made shortly
before press time has not yet been answered.