Pro-Israeli U.S. Congressmen may back Genocide resolutionJune 17, 2010 - 15:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Supporters of Israel in the U.S. House of Representatives warned Turkey they might back the Armenian Genocide resolution that so far has failed to come up for a vote by the full chamber, CNN reported. The resolution passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee by a single vote in March, but so far has not come up for debate by the full House. Turkey called home its U.S. ambassador to protest the House committee vote. However, House members who have been unwilling to support the resolution now say they might change their minds due to Turkey's pro-Iranian moves and support for the recent effort to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. "There will be a cost if Turkey stays on its present heading of growing closer to Iran and more antagonistic to the state of Israel," Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, told a news conference. "It will bear upon my view and I believe the view of many members of Congress on the state of the relationship with Turkey." In particular, Pence, said, "They need to understand going forward there's going to be a cost regarding the Armenian resolution." Rep. Peter King, R-New York, echoed Pence in saying he was reconsidering his past opposition to taking up the Armenian genocide resolution. King said he and "many" other House members believe there was an Armenian genocide, but have been reluctant to support the resolution due to the strategic U.S. relationship with Turkey. "I think that's about to change," he said. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-New York, called the actions by Turkey "disgraceful" because Turkey is a NATO ally, while Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nevada, said she would actively oppose Turkey's bid to become part of the European Union. "They don't deserve that recognition and they don't deserve to be a part of the EU until they start behaving more like European nations and a whole lot less like Iran," Berkley said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |