Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Sparks Could Fly At Markup Of Armenian Genocide Measure
by Niels C. Sorrells, CQ Staff Writer
Posted: Friday, September 29, 2000 11:05 am CST

Sept. 27, 2000 - A long and vigorous debate on the Armenian genocide awaits members of the House International Relations Committee at Thursday's markup, according to committee staff members.

At issue is whether or not the House will officially recognize the genocide, which many say occurred from 1915 to 1923, when 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire. Opponents of the recognition say that those Armenians that died did so during wartime. They add that many Armenians loyal to the empire survived the eight years and that many Turks also died during that period.

Supporters of the move to recognize the genocide say they plan to do everything they can to push their measure (H Res 398) through the House. The resolution has reverberated far and wide. Newspapers and officials in Turkey, the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, have expressed outrage and dismay at the resolution, which was approved by the International Operations and Human Rights Subcommittee on Sept. 21.

And Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright spoke out against the resolution before the committee on Wednesday. Several Republicans oppose the measure because they say it could damage relations with Turkey, whose support they say is needed in enforcing no-fly zones over Iraq. Some Democrats who have historically backed the measure now express tepid support because its adoption could aid Rep. James E. Rogan, R-Calif., who is in a tough re-election campaign in a district with a large Armenian population.

If supporters manage to win adoption of the resolution, it would culminate multiple attempts to pass such legislation that have been blocked on both floors, sometimes by filibuster.

Sources predicted the measure would be adopted by the committee. But its chances on the floor are not considered to be as strong.

The resolution would put the United States on record as recognizing the genocide and would require foreign service workers to receive specialized training pertaining to genocide. Detractors say such training already exists.

Other action. Several other measures also are expected to come before the committee.

One (S 1453) would condemn the civil war in Sudan and direct the president to jump start peace talks there. The Senate passed the measure by voice vote on Nov. 19, 1999.

The committee also will consider a resolution that would call on Russia to release Edmond Pope. Pope, a businessman exploring underwater propulsion technology in Russia, was arrested there April 3 and charged with espionage.

Two resolutions (H Con Res 364, H Con Res 404) that both call for Pope's release might come before the committee. It is unclear which one the committee will take up.

Other resolutions that may come up for consideration would: condemn human rights abuses in central Asia (H Con Res 397); call for a session of a grand assembly to democratically pick a ruling power for Afghanistan (H Con Res 411); and condemn religious restrictions in Europe (H Res 588).

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