Turkologist: adoption of H.Res. 304 unlikely

June 22, 2011 - 14:33 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - A resolution on return of confiscated church property to Armenians submitted to U.S. House of Representatives has fair chances for passage, a Turkologist said.

As Kristina Melkonyan told a news conference in Yerevan, the resolution isn’t an interference in Turkey’s domestic affairs but rather an attempt to protect Turkey-based Christians’ rights, with Armenian, Greek, Assyrian lobbies joining efforts to achieve this goal.

Ms. Melkonyan, however, was skeptical as to the adoption of H.R. 304 on Armenian Genocide. “Over the last 11 years, similar resolutions have been discussed at U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs 4 times, yet the discussion was never taken to House floor. I think resolution stands a little chance of being adopted,” she said.

On June 15, a bipartisan group of U.S. legislators introduced two resolutions in support of a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide, including a new measure specifically pressing Turkey to fully respect the rights of Christians to practice their faith in freedom, including through the rightful return of confiscated churches to Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Pontians, Arameans (Syriacs) and other Christians communities. H.R. 304 on Armenian Genocide Recognition was also submitted to the House of Representatives.