Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Pallone Expresses Concern about Turkish threats regarding H. RES 596
by Armenian Assembly of America - Oct 31, 2000
Posted: Wednesday, November 01, 2000 08:37 pm CST

PRESS RELEASE

October 31, 2000
Contact: Joan Ablett
Telephone: 202-393-3434
E-mail: jablett@aaainc.org
Web: www.aaainc.org

Pallone Expresses Concern about Turkish threats regarding H. RES 596

Washington, DC - Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) Monday expressed his concerns regarding Turkish threats surrounding consideration of H. Res. 596, the Armenian Genocide resolution.

"I deeply regret that Turkish officials have opted to use coercion and threats to make their case," said Pallone. "A recent report by the Anatolia news agency that a Turkish human rights activist, Akin Birdal faces charges for acknowledging what happened to the Armenian people as genocide demonstrates the lengths Turkey will take to deny the truth. Birdal reportedly made the comment during a recent conference in Germany and now faces the possibility of a three-year sentence in Turkey," Pallone continued.

H. Res. 596 was recently slated for consideration by the full House of Representatives, but was withdrawn at the last minute as a result of Turkish threats and "national security concerns."

"We commend Congressman Pallone for his leadership and conviction in affirming the U.S. record in response to the Armenian Genocide," said Assembly Director of Government Relations Bryan Ardouny. "The facts of the Armenian Genocide are clear and well documented. By withdrawing the resolution due to Turkish threats, we have only served to reinforce Turkey's behavior. Instead of succumbing to such threats, the United States should have summarily rejected them. We do not believe that this message serves to strengthen the position of the United States around the world," Ardouny continued.

During his remarks, Pallone, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, made it clear that H. Res. 596 was not about the Republic of Turkey. He noted that "an amendment was adopted in the International Relations Committee, which made it perfectly clear that this resolution was not about modern day Turkey." Pallone also referenced remarks given by Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Van Krikorian to the Capitol Legal Council of B'nai B'rith -- "Make no mistake, those who are denying the Armenian genocide today are paving the way for those who deny other genocides and for those who will undoubtedly plan future episodes of race extermination."

The Armenian Assembly of America is a nationwide, nonprofit, membership organization, which promotes public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues.

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