US congressman was misquoted by Turkish media about Armenian Genocide resolutionApril 3, 2009 - 22:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Rep. Mark Kirk, co-chair of the congressional Armenian caucus, says that he remains hopeful about the progress of the Armenian Genocide resolution and was misquoted by the Turkish media about it."My hope is that we get this resolution to [a vote on] on the floor and that we adopt it," Mr. Kirk told the Armenian Reporter on April 2. But, he added, "I don't know when Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi is going to put this resolution on the floor. We are all waiting for the Speaker to tell us." "My hope is that [Speaker Pelosi] puts the resolution on the floor," he said. "President [Barack] Obama said that he is for this resolution and campaign promises should matter." Together with Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-Calif.), George Radanovich (R.-Calif.) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-N.J.), Mr. Kirk is an original co-sponsor of House Resolution 252 affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide, which is currently co-sponsored by 85 additional members of the House of Representatives. On April 2, the English version of Hurriyet daily published a translated excerpt of an interview with Rep. Kirk published the same day in the daily Aksam in Turkish. The excerpt quoted Rep. Kirk as saying, "Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi will not dare pass the bill. She will not place Obama in a difficult position. The bill will not pass, don't worry." When asked about this line, Mr. Kirk said that it was "quite an addition to what I said." While confirming that he spoke with Aksam newspaper correspondent Nagehan Alci, Mr. Kirk said the quote was inaccurate. "When my words were translated from English to Turkish and then back to English, I did not recognize them anymore," Mr. Kirk said. "The interview made it sound like I was not a supporter of the resolution. Not only I am supporter, but I am a lead Republican supporter." The Armenian Reporter's request for Ms. Alci to comment made shortly before press time has not yet been answered. 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 | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |