TODAY.AZ / World news

Turkish PM condenms US resolution on Armenian 1915 allegations

05 March 2010 [09:21] - TODAY.AZ
Turkish PM Erdogan condemned the resolution of U.S. lawmakers labelling 1915 events in Ottoman-era as "genocide".

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned on Thursday the resolution of U.S. lawmakers labelling 1915 events in Ottoman-era as "genocide" and recalled its ambassador to the United States for consultation.

In a statement, Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said that "We condemn this resolution which charges Turkish nation with a crime that it did not commit," the statement said.

He also said he was seriously concerned that the non-binding resolution would harm Turkish-U.S. ties and efforts by Muslim Turkey and Christian Armenia to bury a century of hostility.

A U.S. congressional panel voted to label as "genocide" the 1915 events, ," ignoring fierce opposition from Turkey and President Barack Obama's administration, Reuters said.

The controversial measure passed the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee in a closer-than-expected vote of 23-22.

The issue puts U.S. President Barack Obama between NATO ally Turkey.

Turkey had warned its ties with the United States would be damaged and Ankara's efforts to normalize relations with Armenia could be harmed if the resolution passed, even though the vote was non-binding.

Turkey insists that World War I-era incidents should be examined by historians using scientific tools and archives, Anadolu Agency said.

 "Tangible errors"

"Under the influence of political motives, supporters of this resolution have taken a wrong and unjust stance ignoring historical facts and difference of opinion among experts," the statement said.

"The resolution includes tangible errors related to the incidents of 1915, and it has completely been prepared with a one-sided approach," it said.

The draft resolution was proposed by Democrats Adam Schiff and Frank Pallone and Republicans George Radanovich and Mark Kirk, all important figures for the Armenian lobby in the U.S.

Turkey strongly rejects the genocide allegations and regards the events as civil strife in wartime which claimed lives of many Turks and Armenians.

Gul's condemnation

Meanwhile, Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed his regret after the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs approved the resolution on Armenian allegations.

Gul said, "this decision is not reasonable. I strongly condemn it. It does not mean anything for Turkish people. Turkey will not be responsible for negative outcomes of this voting."

Every year between March 4 and April 24 alarm bells ring for relations between Turkey and U.S., two close allies for decades.

The Armenian lobbies in the U.S. pressure the U.S. legislators to pass a resolution urging the President to recognise the events as "genocide".

A similar resolution was adopted with 27 seven votes against 21 in 2007 but as a result of former President George W. Bush's intervention, the resolution was not brought to the House floor.
 

/World Bulletin/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/regions/63230.html

Print version

Views: 1617

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail: