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CHINA CAN, BUT TURKEY CANNOT?

Politics

The Armenian Assembly of America today called upon House Members not to give in to pressure from the government of Turkey, which is opposed to an important and bi-partisan resolution that affirms the Armenian Genocide.

President Bush criticized the intention to submit the Resolution on the Armenian Genocide to the discussion at the plenary session of the Representatives of Congress.

“Congress should not ignore the part of Ottoman Empire’s history, coming out of its responsibilities. Congress has more important works to do than to become enemies with our democracy ally in the Muslim world”.

“If we can stand up to China why on earth we are afraid of standing up to Turkey," said Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. Ardouny noted that the Bush Administration has decided to meet with the Dali Lama today in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, despite threats and intense diplomatic and political pressure from the government of China.

Ardouny mentioned that many other bills were discussed during the session and adopted by fewer votes.

“Many support us”, he said, despite the fact that the supporters of the Resolution on the Armenian Genocide have reduced from 225 to 214. 218 votes are needed for the adoption of the Resolution.

The Resolution, H.R. 106, is non-binding and has been introduced in several previous sessions of Congress. It was approved 27-21 last week by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.