BUSH OPPOSES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL
ToTheCenter.com, NY
O ct 11 2007
Bush has given opposition to a new resolution that would classify the
deaths of many Armenians during World War I as genocide. Congress has
been debating a bill that would identify the killing of 1.5 million
Armenians by Ottoman Turks during the war. According to the Guardian
Unlimited, Turkey denies that this constitutes genocide and states
that the death toll number is inflated.
Bush has opposed the bill due to pressure from the Turkish
government. Turkey is a NATO ally and a major staging area for military
involvement in the Middle East. Turkey even hinted at the possibility
of cutting off military use of airspace.
Condoleezza Rice stated to reporters that, "at this time would be very
problematic for everything we are trying to do in the Middle East."
However, many members of congress feel it is a moral issue. Rep. Christ
Smith form New Jersey was quoted as saying, "the sad truth is that
the modern government of Turkey refuses to come to terms with this
genocide. For Armenians everywhere, the Turkish government’s denial
is a slap in the face."