Tweet
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Nov 10 2006
Armenians see advantage in US Congress shakeup
The New Anatolian / Washington
After the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Democratic
control after Tuesday's blowout elections, American-Armenians saw
advantages in the Congressional shakeup, which is likely to
strengthen their hand in pressuring for recognition of genocide
claims by the U.S.
The Armenian Assembly of America (ANCA), in a statement yesterday,
cited the likely elevation of Representative Nancy Pelosi, a member
of the Armenian Caucus, to become the first female speaker of the
House.
The statement said that with these elections, the anticipated
leadership of the next Congress will offer new opportunities to pass
an Armenian genocide claims resolution.
Pelosi has regularly called on the administration to acknowledge the
Armenian genocide claims. In a statement to a newspaper, Pelosi had
this to say: "It is imperative that the U.S. recognize this atrocity
and move to renew our commitment to eliminate genocide whenever and
wherever it exists. This effort enjoys strong bipartisan support in
the House, and I will continue to support these efforts in the 110th
Congress."
The man Pelosi is likely to succeed, Republican Dennis Hastert, on
more than one occasion used his power as speaker to block so-called
Armenian genocide resolutions from reaching the House floor,
sometimes under presidential pressure. However, Pelosi and President
George W. Bush have conflicting and sometimes bitter party
affiliations, and this may blunt the impact of such pressure in the
future.
Tan declines comment on Pelosi
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Namik Tan said on Thursday that the
Congressional elections in the U.S. reflects the American people's
will but avoided commenting on Pelosi's stance on the Armenian
genocide claims.
Tan, in a weekly press briefing, asked about the impact of the
Democrats' victory on Turkish-U.S. relations, stated, "Relations
between the two countries will continue within the framework of
friendship and alliance. We don't have anything to say about the
elections other than respecting them. The American people chose who
they wanted to see in their Congress."
Asked about Pelosi as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives,
Tan stated that it is not a good time to talk on a personal basis. He
underlined the importance of relations between Ankara and Washington,
stressing that developments on specific issues were not foreseeable.
He added that Turkey will continue to have warm relations with the
U.S. in terms of friendship and strategic agreements.
Nov 10 2006
Armenians see advantage in US Congress shakeup
The New Anatolian / Washington
After the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Democratic
control after Tuesday's blowout elections, American-Armenians saw
advantages in the Congressional shakeup, which is likely to
strengthen their hand in pressuring for recognition of genocide
claims by the U.S.
The Armenian Assembly of America (ANCA), in a statement yesterday,
cited the likely elevation of Representative Nancy Pelosi, a member
of the Armenian Caucus, to become the first female speaker of the
House.
The statement said that with these elections, the anticipated
leadership of the next Congress will offer new opportunities to pass
an Armenian genocide claims resolution.
Pelosi has regularly called on the administration to acknowledge the
Armenian genocide claims. In a statement to a newspaper, Pelosi had
this to say: "It is imperative that the U.S. recognize this atrocity
and move to renew our commitment to eliminate genocide whenever and
wherever it exists. This effort enjoys strong bipartisan support in
the House, and I will continue to support these efforts in the 110th
Congress."
The man Pelosi is likely to succeed, Republican Dennis Hastert, on
more than one occasion used his power as speaker to block so-called
Armenian genocide resolutions from reaching the House floor,
sometimes under presidential pressure. However, Pelosi and President
George W. Bush have conflicting and sometimes bitter party
affiliations, and this may blunt the impact of such pressure in the
future.
Tan declines comment on Pelosi
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Namik Tan said on Thursday that the
Congressional elections in the U.S. reflects the American people's
will but avoided commenting on Pelosi's stance on the Armenian
genocide claims.
Tan, in a weekly press briefing, asked about the impact of the
Democrats' victory on Turkish-U.S. relations, stated, "Relations
between the two countries will continue within the framework of
friendship and alliance. We don't have anything to say about the
elections other than respecting them. The American people chose who
they wanted to see in their Congress."
Asked about Pelosi as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives,
Tan stated that it is not a good time to talk on a personal basis. He
underlined the importance of relations between Ankara and Washington,
stressing that developments on specific issues were not foreseeable.
He added that Turkey will continue to have warm relations with the
U.S. in terms of friendship and strategic agreements.