Armenian Genocide Resolution Approved by Key House Subcommit

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WASHINGTON, DC -- A key Congressional panel today adopted the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.398), rejecting intense pressure from the Turkish government, the U.S. State Department, and a team of high-priced lobbyists led by former Congressman Bob Livingston, reported the "H.Res.398 Committee," a community-wide coalition working dedicated to U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

 

The House International Relations Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, in a voice vote, adopted the measure following remarks in support of its adoption by Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ranking Democrat Cynthia McKinney (D- GA) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA). Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) spoke against the resolution's passage, while Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) expressed reservations that the measure was not broad enough.

 

Supporters of the measure echoed statements and testimony in support of H.Res.398 made during last week's Subcomittee hearing. Chairman Smith again stressed that while U.S. foreign policy must be "realistic and flexible," it should not be "complicit to a conspiracy of silence about genocide." Representative McKinney, clearly angered by the anti-H.Res.398 lobby's campaign of "misinformation, disinformation or outright lies," issued a "warning" to lobbyists denying the Armenian Genocide: "They forever shattered their credibility, at least with this Representative." Republicans Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), George Radanovich (R-CA), James Rogan (R-CA) and Ed Royce (R-CA) joined Chairman Smith in strong support of passage of H.Res.398, as did Democratic Whip David Bonior (D-MI) and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ).

 

Speaking prior to today's vote, Rep. Burton repeated a number of arguments traditionally used by the Turkish government, ranging from the denial that there was a genocide to raising concerns over its impact on U.S.-Turkey relations. He specifically warned that its passage would cause Turkey to block U.S. access to military bases in Turkey. Rep. Brad Sherman responded by explaining, "let us remember that Germany played a critical role in our success in the Cold War and in our success in the Gulf War... [if] some future German Government wanted to deny what the German Government did in the 1930's and 1940's, we would say 'no' and that 'no' would be definite." American Samoa Democrat Eni Faleomavaega, expressed concerns about the resolution, stating "I am totally for the concept that the genocide committed against the Armenians ought to be rectified in some way. But let's also talk about fairness about other events that transpired 50 years ago, a hundred years ago..." Due to time considerations, H.Res.398 co-author George Radanovich (R-CA) and New York Democrat Joe Crowley were not able to speak during the hearing, but submitted their statements in support of the measure for the official record.

 

In addition to those who spoke at the mark-up, other members of the Subcommittee who attended were Reps. Peter King (R-NY), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Cass Ballenger (R-NC), Greg Meeks (D-NY), and William Delahunt (D-MA). Congressmen Jim Rogan (R-CA) and Ed Royce (R-CA) attended the mark-up in support of H.Res.398. Following the voice vote, Rep. Burton asked the Chairman to note for the record his opposition to the resolution. The Armenian Genocide resolution is now cleared for further consideration by the full International Relations Committee as early as next week.

 

Today's vote followed last week's four and a half hour hearing on H.Res.398. The hearing included powerful testimony in support of this legislation from Members of Congress, including Democratic Whip and H.Res.398 co-author David Bonior (D-MI) and California Republican James Rogan. Supporters pointed out at the hearing that H.Res.398 is a statement by the U.S. House on the American response to the Armenian Genocide, and not an attack on the Turkish government or Turkish people. A second panel featured remarks by State Department representative Marc Grossman who indicated that the Administration's opposition to H.Res.398, rather than being based on the view that the Genocide never happened, is in reality due to the impact that the State Department believes its recognition would have on U.S relations with Turkey.

 

A third panel at the hearing included experts in the field of genocide studies, Prof. Roger Smith from the College of William and Mary and Prof. Robert Melson from Perdue University, who presented the historical facts of the Armenian Genocide. Also on this panel were Prof. Justin McCarthy, who argued that the Armenian Genocide is a myth, and Gunduz Suphi Aktan, a former Turkish Foreign Ministry official. Aktan's testimony warning of the negative effects of the passage of H.Res.398 on regional issues and U.S.- Turkish cooperation was described by Chairman Smith as a "threat," which makes him "suspicious of the [Turkish] Government's efforts to suppress this information."

 

H.Res.398 affirms the United States record on the Armenian Genocide and 1) Calls upon the President to ensure that U.S. diplomats dealing with human rights are educated about the Armenian Genocide, and 2) Urges the President to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as genocide in the President's annual April 24th address. This important human rights legislation was introduced by Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA) and Minority Whip David Bonior (D-MI). It has been cosponsored by over 140 Representatives. Earlier this month, Dennis Hastert, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stated, during a meeting with Rep. James Rogan (R- CA) and a group of Armenian American leaders, that it was his intent to bring H. Res. 398 to a vote on the House floor.

 

H.Res.398 has been actively supported by a coalition of Armenian American organizations including the Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics; Armenian Assembly of America; Armenian Bar Association; Armenian Evangelical World Council; Armenian General Benevolent Union; Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian National Committee of America; Armenian Relief Society of North America; Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America - East; Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America - West; Knights of Vartan; Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America - East; Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America - West.