Hurriyet: Ankara spent over $3 million to block Genocide resolution in U.S. CongressMarch 14, 2011 - 15:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - According to Turkish Ministry of Justice, in 2010, Turkish government spent over USD 3 million to block Armenian Genocide resolution in U.S. Congress. As Hurriyet reported, last year, Turkish lobbying organizations in the U.S. were given the sum to disallow Genocide recognition. The major part of the 3-millon budget was allocated to Gephardt Group lobbying organisation. In telephone conversation with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, State Secretary Hillary Clinton and other high-ranking U.S. officials, the head of the organisation urged blocking the resolution. Vote on the H.Res.252 was blocked by former House speaker, democrat Nancy Pelosi, on December 23, 2010. 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. 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. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |