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sherman/pr_sherman_codemnarmgen.html
September 15, 2005
House Panel Condemns Armenian Genocide Congressman Sherman Backs
Resolutions
Washington, D.C. – The House International Relations Committee on
Thursday adopted a pair of resolutions calling on Turkey to
acknowledge the slaughter of Armenians by Ottoman Turks around the
time of World War I.
`It is long past time for us to criticize the Ottoman Empire for the
first genocide of the 20th century,’ said Congressman Brad Sherman, a
member of the prestigious panel.
`Ignoring genocide is the last act of genocide,’ Sherman added.
`Where would modern Germany be if it was ruled by a government denying
the Holocaust?’ One resolution calls on Turkey to acknowledge the
actions of the Ottoman state from 1915 to 1923, when the extermination
campaign claimed about 1.5 million Armenian lives. It also urges
Turkey to build closer relations with Armenia. The second measure
calls on U.S. presidents to take the Armenian genocide into account in
determining this country’s foreign policy.
Both resolutions, which are opposed by the Bush administration, were
approved by overwhelming bipartisan majorities. Similar measures have
cleared committee before, but were stymied by House leaders who
blocked consideration by the full House. Sherman urged House leaders
to permit votes on the latest resolutions.
The committee votes coincided with visit of Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the US.
`It is an act of friendship with the people of Turkey that we
passthese resolutions,’ Sherman said. `Turkey can move forward onlyby
truthfully acknowledging its past.’
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress