January 17, 2007 - 19:08 AMT
Debates on Armenian Genocide Bill to Be Launched in House of Representatives Next Week
A bill providing for official recognition of the Armenian Genocide will begin to circulate in the US House of Representatives for approval this week. Democratic Congressmen Adam Schiff and Frank Pallone, joined by Republican Congressmen George Radanovich and Joe Knollenberg have prepared the draft bill and are expecting over 150 members of the House of Representative to sign it, reports Hurriyet.

In coming weeks, the House Committee of Foreign Relations is expected to debate the proposed bill. "The powerful Armenian lobby is pushing to have a vote occur prior to April 24, the Armenian Genocide Day, the newspaper says.

Nancy Pelosi, the new Democratic Speaker of the House, has in the past voiced her support for such a bill. Speaking in Ankara, US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson said, "I cannot guess what the outcome will be, but the President does not have the authority to block this bill."