State Department -main stumbling block on the way to Genocide resolution passage in US Congress

January 8, 2010 - 15:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
The Genocide resolution, submitted to US Congress would be an element of normalization process between Armenia and Turkey, Congressman Scott Garrett said.

Commenting on whether the Armenian Genocide resolution has yet to pass through Congress, the congressman noted, "That, again, is one of the easier questions. I believe it's in large part due to pressure that the administration receives from the State Department. Not to put all of the fault on the State Department, but I know what happens on these things. Members of Congress push for the legislation, advocate it on the floor, advocate it to the administration. State is always on the other side of this issue. Regardless of which party is in power, the administration harkens to their pleas. The closer we think we're getting to the Speaker [of the House of Representatives] ever actually posting the bill, the Speaker capitulates and sides with the administration - again, regardless of party, unfortunately."

"I try to remain optimistic about passing the resolution in 2010. That's why I join my colleagues on [the Genocide resolution], join the trade media outcry here, join the citizenry on the issue. And that's eventually what it's going to take in order to get this administration to decide. Because at the end of the day I don't think any of the leaders will do so - post it [for a full House vote], with the president adamantly opposed to it." Armenian Reporter cited Scott Garrett as saying.

Since 2003 Scott Garrett has represented northern New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, which, according to Armenian Church data, includes about 10,000 Armenian-American residents. Mr. Garrett is a supporter of the Armenian Genocide resolution and continued robust U.S. assistance to Armenia. In April 2006, Mr. Garrett visited Armenia on a trip for the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation; he is also a prominent voice on the House Financial Services Committee.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.

The Armenian Genocide resolution

The resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich (R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill). On March 4, 2010 it was adopted with a 22-21 vote by the House Committee on Foreign Relations. A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate.