Ankara's denial of Armenian Genocide remains a source of controversy between Turkey and U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a sign of the growing isolation faced by opponents of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) - a governmental body formed by Congress - has reported that Turkey's continued refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide remains a source of controversy in Turkey's relations with the United States. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) reports, the Commission communicated its views on this subject as part of the annual report it submitted last week to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on religious freedom around the world.



"We are gratified both by the Commission's clear recognition of the Armenian Genocide as well as by the fact that its members have addressed the ongoing costs associated with Turkey's denial of this crime against humanity. We also appreciate the Commission's documentation of the Hrant Dink assassination and the other forms of violence and official intimidation inflicted by the Turkish government against Armenians and other Christian communities," ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian said.



The report also devoted considerable attention to the brutal murder of Armenian Journalist Hrant Dink who was killed in Istanbul after being prosecuted under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for speaking openly about the Armenian Genocide.