October 11, 2007 - 15:25 AMT
Adoption of the H.Res.106 is a big victory of Armenian community of U.S.
"Adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution by U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs is a big victory of the Armenian community of U.S.," Armenian Assembly Country Director for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, Arpi Vartanian told a news conference in Yerevan.

"This is a wonderful and important day for all Armenians," she noted.

"With a vote of 40 to 7, the Committee passed a similar resolution two years ago. But at that time Turkey did not spread propaganda in all directions," Ms. Vartanian said. "There were no letters from former Secretaries of State and Defense Secretaries. There were statements by the Department of State and White House Administration. However, Turkey's efforts proved counterproductive. Many lawmakers say, " I am a U.S. Congressman, so why should I act by order of another state?"

"The Armenian lobby met difficulties this time, but millions of Americans helped us by sending letter in support of the H.Res.106," she underscored.

The AAA Country Director assumed the possibility of failure of the resolution in the full House. "Pressure on the Representatives is too strong. All kinds of tools are enabled. But Turkey's blackmail will yield no fruit. Just remember the Turkish government's fulmination against France and other states, which recognized the Armenian Genocide. But time has passed and Turkey forgot its threats, since they would have damaged its own interests. We carried out an investigation in 10 U.S. states which recognized the Armenian Genocide but have trade relations with Turkey. It turned out that the commodity turnover increased after recognition. Indeed, it doesn't mean that Turkey will settle down and quit lobbying in the Congress. I should mention that it was the Armenian lobby from whom Turks learned how to work with Congressmen. But, naturally, they have more opportunities and more funds," she said.

October 10, with a vote of 27 to 21, the influential panel of the U.S. House of Representatives took a major step toward ending U.S. complicity in Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide, adopting H.Res.106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution introduced on January 30th by Rep. Adam Schiff along with Representative George Radanovich (R-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI).