A resolution calling the World War I -era killing of Armenians genocide
has narrowly passed a key committee of the U.S. Congress. Turkey has
responded by recalling its ambassador from Washington for consultations.
Over
the objections of the Obama administration, the House of
Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee (Thursday) passed the
nonbinding resolution by a vote of 23 to 22.
The legislation
declares that the killing of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire was
genocide.
Almost immediately, Turkey’s government ordered its
ambassador to the United States to return to Ankara for consultations.
U.S.
President Barack Obama had made a campaign promise in 2008 to declare
the killings genocide. But the U.S. has been working with Turkey and
Armenia in their reconciliation efforts, which White House officials say
have made progress. The administration urged the committee not to
offend Turkey by passing the resolution.
Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton told reporters in San Jose, Costa Rica (Thursday)
passage of the resolution could disrupt that reconciliation process.
“Both
President Obama and I have made clear, both last year and again this
year, that we do not believe any action by the Congress is appropriate,
and we oppose it,” said Hillary Clinton.
Turkey and Armenia
signed an agreement in Octob…
