April 9, 2007 - 15:29 AMT
12 % of Turkey's population says Armenian Genocide is historically proved fact
An overwhelming majority of Turks oppose the Armenian Genocide Resolution currently pending in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as another resolution, which demands from Turkey to normalize its relations with neighboring Armenia, Zaman reports. The poll, recently conducted by Terror Free Tomorrow, revealed, that if the U.S. Congress approves the Genocide Resolution, 83 percent of respondents would oppose or strongly oppose Turkey assisting the United States in Iraq. Almost four-fifths of Turks favor strong action by the Turkish government if the Genocide Resolution is passed, including suspension of diplomatic relations. Asked why the U.S. Congress would approve the Resolution on the Genocide, 42 percent of the respondents cited anti-Muslim feelings in the U.S. and some 31 percent said it was due to domestic politics in the United States. Another 12 percent said the "Armenian Genocide" was a proven historical fact.

If the U.S. Congress approves the Armenian Genocide Resolution, 78 percent said they would boycott American products, vote for candidates that oppose the United States or demonstrate. Only 11 percent said they would take no action. On relations with Armenia, 73 percent said they think the passage of the resolution would worsen relations between Turkey and Armenia. 84 percent of those who now have a very favorable opinion of the U.S. would change their opinion for the worse. The poll was conducted among 1200 people in 15 provinces of Turkey.