Turkish Armenians oppose adoption of resolution on so-called "Armenian genocide"

Head of the Armenian Church of the Turkish province of Kastamonu Zadik Toker opposed this decision.

Armenians of Turkey staged a protest against the decision of the Committee in the large Turkish cities of Kayseri and Kastamonu.

U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday adopted 23 votes to 22 a resolution recognizing the so-called "Armenian genocide".

Armenia claims that the Ottoman Empire committed genocide against Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915.  Making greater efforts to promote the issue internationally, Armenians have achieved its recognition by parliaments of some countries.

The Turkish government has expressed its dissatisfaction with the U.S Congress Committee's decision, saying that it was a blow to Turkish-American relations.

The intervention of a third party, in this case the U.S., in relations between Armenia and Turkey, complicates the process of reconciliation between the countries, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said.

The adoption of a resolution recognizing the "Armenian genocide" indicates that the U.S Congress is very weak in developing a future political strategy, the Turkish minister said.

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

Regarding approval of the resolution, 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."

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.


/Trend News/