Today’s Zaman, Turkey
APril 17 2010

Berman condemns House colleagues over questioning `genocide’

The chair of a US congressional committee that last month branded the
killings of Anatolian Armenians during World War I as genocide has
sent a letter to fellow Democratic members of Congress for questioning
the veracity of the alleged Armenian genocide, Armenian media have
reported.

In a `dear colleague’ letter circulating since April 6, Reps. Gerry E.
Connolly, a Democrat from Virginia, and Steve Cohen, a Democrat
representing Tennessee, urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of
California, not to act on what they termed the `so-called Armenian
Genocide Resolution,’ The Armenian Reporter, an English-language news
portal said in its report on Thursday, noting that Reps. Connolly and
Cohen are members of the Turkey caucus.

`I disagree with many points in the [Connolly-Cohen] letter, but I
take particularly strong exception to the use of the phrase `so-called
Armenian Genocide Resolution,’ which casts doubt on the historicity of
the Armenian Genocide,’ Berman was quoted as saying in his response
letter.

Berman also ruled out arguments that a resolution affirming the US
record on the genocide would lead Turkey to retaliate against US
national security interests or would undermine long-running efforts to
normalize Armenia-Turkey relations.

`The protocols have been gathering dust in the Turkish Parliament
since they were signed [by Armenia and Turkey] in October. In light of
the preconditions established by the Turkish leadership, there is
little likelihood that they will be ratified any time soon,’ Berman
said, referring to the two protocols signed by Armenia and Turkey in
October for normalization of their relations. In order to come into
force, the protocols have to be ratified by the parliaments of the two
countries.

17 April 2010, Saturday

TODAY’S ZAMAN ANKARA