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Earthtimes (press release)
March 5 2010
Turkey calls 'genocide' vote in Washington an 'injustice' - Summary
Istanbul - Turkish President Abdullah Gul Friday called the passing of
an Armenian "genocide" resolution by a Congressional committee "an
injustice to history and the science of history."The vote "was not an
action befitting Turkey-US relations," Gul said in a statement.
"Turkey will not be responsible for the adverse consequences this vote
may cause in all areas," he said.
The US House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs committee Thursday
passed the bill which recognizes the mass murders of Armenians during
World War I as a "genocide."
House speaker Nancy Pelosi must now decide whether to bring the
non-binding resolution to a full vote. Ankara has warned that the
bill's further progress could seriously damage ties between NATO
allies Turkey and the US.
The Turkish ambassador to Washington, Namik Tan, was recalled to
Ankara for consultations soon after the committee approved the
resolution, with a narrow 23-22 vote.
Also on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister criticized the US
administration for not doing enough to nip the resolution in the bud.
"It made Turkey uncomfortable that the US administration did not show
its strength in this regard," Davutoglu said during a press conference
in Ankara. "We are expecting them to increase their efforts
hereafter."
"It is not for other parliaments to judge our history. Turkey is
capable of dealing with these issues alone. It is a matter of national
honour," he said.
Davutoglu also warned that the resolution could harm an already
troubled reconciliation process that Turkey and Armenia initiated last
October, when they signed accords to renew diplomatic relations and
open their border. Both countries have yet to fully ratify the
accords.
"The question to America is simple: 'Do you or do you not support the
peace process between Turkey and Armenia?'" Davutoglu said. "Because
if you don't then come out and say so we can align our policy
accordingly."
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had spoken to the
congressional committee before it voted and told it the administration
opposes any moves that might "divert" the protocols signed between
Turkey and Armenia from moving along.
President Barack Obama and his counterpart Abdullah Gul also spoke by
telephone prior to the vote.
Armenians contend that up to 1.5 million of their own were
systematically killed by the Ottoman Turks during World War I. Turkey
has long denied the genocide claim, saying the number of Armenians
killed was much lower and that the deaths were the result of violent
turbulence that also affected other groups at the time.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/31 2673,turkey-calls-genocide-vote-in-washington-an-i njustice--summary.html
March 5 2010
Turkey calls 'genocide' vote in Washington an 'injustice' - Summary
Istanbul - Turkish President Abdullah Gul Friday called the passing of
an Armenian "genocide" resolution by a Congressional committee "an
injustice to history and the science of history."The vote "was not an
action befitting Turkey-US relations," Gul said in a statement.
"Turkey will not be responsible for the adverse consequences this vote
may cause in all areas," he said.
The US House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs committee Thursday
passed the bill which recognizes the mass murders of Armenians during
World War I as a "genocide."
House speaker Nancy Pelosi must now decide whether to bring the
non-binding resolution to a full vote. Ankara has warned that the
bill's further progress could seriously damage ties between NATO
allies Turkey and the US.
The Turkish ambassador to Washington, Namik Tan, was recalled to
Ankara for consultations soon after the committee approved the
resolution, with a narrow 23-22 vote.
Also on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister criticized the US
administration for not doing enough to nip the resolution in the bud.
"It made Turkey uncomfortable that the US administration did not show
its strength in this regard," Davutoglu said during a press conference
in Ankara. "We are expecting them to increase their efforts
hereafter."
"It is not for other parliaments to judge our history. Turkey is
capable of dealing with these issues alone. It is a matter of national
honour," he said.
Davutoglu also warned that the resolution could harm an already
troubled reconciliation process that Turkey and Armenia initiated last
October, when they signed accords to renew diplomatic relations and
open their border. Both countries have yet to fully ratify the
accords.
"The question to America is simple: 'Do you or do you not support the
peace process between Turkey and Armenia?'" Davutoglu said. "Because
if you don't then come out and say so we can align our policy
accordingly."
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had spoken to the
congressional committee before it voted and told it the administration
opposes any moves that might "divert" the protocols signed between
Turkey and Armenia from moving along.
President Barack Obama and his counterpart Abdullah Gul also spoke by
telephone prior to the vote.
Armenians contend that up to 1.5 million of their own were
systematically killed by the Ottoman Turks during World War I. Turkey
has long denied the genocide claim, saying the number of Armenians
killed was much lower and that the deaths were the result of violent
turbulence that also affected other groups at the time.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/31 2673,turkey-calls-genocide-vote-in-washington-an-i njustice--summary.html