http://www.timesofearth.com/Worldnews/?NT=0&nid=18694 WASHINGTON — A US congressional panel has approved a resolution declaring the killing of Armenians by Turkish forces during the First World War as genocide.
Legislators in the Foreign Affairs Committee passed the non-binding measure in a 23-22 vote on Thursday, enabling the resolution to be sent to the full House of Representatives for approval.
The measure calls on the administration of Barack Obama, the US president, to ensure US policy formally refers to the killings as genocide.
Minutes after the vote, Turkey announced it had recalled its ambassador from the US for consultations.
"We condemn this resolution which accuses the Turkish nation of a crime it has not committed," the Turkish government said in a statement.
"Following this development, our ambassador to Washington, Namik Tan, was recalled to Ankara for consultations."
Turkey had sought to put pressure on Washington ahead of Thursday's vote, saying that its adoption would damage strategic ties between the two countries.
The committee approved a similar measure in 2007, but it was not brought to the House floor for a vote following intensive pressure by George Bush, the former US president.
The vote could complicate relations because Turkey is an important country to the United States.
"First of all, it's a highway through which the US supplies it's troops in Iraq.
"For another, it's been involved often as a broker for Middle East peace agreements and of course it's a Nato ally and it has troops in the US-led Nato coalition in Afghanistan."
Abdullah Gul, the country's president, was reported to have phoned Obama late on Wednesday to discuss the matter.
Turkey's Hurriyet newspaper said Gul had urged the US leader to use his influence to block the resolution.
Huseyin Bagci, a political analyst in Ankara, told Reuters news agency that the decision would have implications on Turkey's domestic and foreign policies.
"President Obama, if he's going to speak the word genocide on April 24, then probably Turkish-American relations will go into a very difficult phase," he said, referring to the date recognised worldwide by many Armenians as Genocide Awareness Day.
"After this, the anti-American feelings in Turkey will increase, the Turkish nationalism will also get strengthened and the government is going to face certain reactions inside domestic politics."
Armenian-US groups have for decades sought congressional affirmation of the killings as genocide.
Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of the First World War, an event widely viewed by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century.
Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that many of those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
After decades of hostility, Turkey and Armenia signed a deal in October to establish diplomatic relations and open their border.
But the process has hit the rocks, with Ankara accusing Yerevan of trying to tweak the terms of the deal and Armenia charging that Turkey is not committed on ratifying the accord.
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Genocide Resolution Approved in US Congress.aviby ARMVOA1,719 views
Hilary Clinton can choke on a dick
1stcenturyproduction 6 months ago
fuck turks turks its armogetum on u you fucks epna bujne sickim
Fedayin1915 6 months ago
I will be so happy if my country (USA) pressures turkey to accept the armenian genocide! turkey needs to pay for what its done! u cant get away with crime!
MsAtitude2010 7 months ago
Armenia Genocide is the biggest historical Lie of the 20.Century !
king36er 8 months ago
I can Label her Pussy with my ottoman Cock if she wants
king36er 8 months ago
But dont forget his in grade one so go slowly
cts27 1 year ago
Vasilis ur great dude ,teach this motherfucker vakasim some Real history ,not
Like theyre gouvnment that has teach them lies!!
cts27 1 year ago
Fuck Turks fuck h. Clinton piss of sheet.
tonymandelo 1 year ago
@Vasilis719
You think I fall over and over , this is a uniletary opinionI won't argue that.
vakasim 1 year ago
@Vasilis719
Yes definitely america's military assets is the big deal , but I'm telling you, too long you try to pursue political acceptance by states you will face such kind of moder era concerns of the states. This I'm saying only. Acadmi world or public vote wşll not face such obstales but politics is different.I've heard it is "many faces" in your language so don't get mad on politicians , they are multy faced...
vakasim 1 year ago