The Daily Inquirer –
March 6 2010
Aide says Armenia resolution won’t get full US House vote
A congressional aide said that Democratic lawmakers bowed to concerns
expressed by the Obama administration and agreed not to schedule a
full House vote on a resolution that labels as genocide the killing of
Armenians in Ottoman Turkey.
The House Democratic leadership aide said yesterday that Congressional
leaders have no plans at this time for a chamber vote on the measure,
which a House committee approved on March 4. The aide spoke on the
condition of anonymity.
On a 23-22 vote, the resolution passed the House Foreign Affairs
Committee. Turkey responded by recalling its ambassador in Washington
for consultations.
While attending a conference in Costa Rica on March 4, US Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton had spoken out against a full House vote.
President Barack Obama’s administration `strongly opposes the
resolution,’ she reiterated yesterday.
Before word surfaced of the leadership’s decision yesterday in
Washington, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said that a full
House vote would `impede the normalization process between Turkey and
Armenia. The best way for Turkey and Armenia to address their shared
past is through ongoing negotiations.’
rmenia-resolution-us-house-vote/0310418