ARFD Committees intend to achieve Armenian Genocide full recognition by U.S. Congress

March 5, 2010 - 15:28 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The question of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide can not be traded. This recognition is a moral obligation for all countries in the world, Armen Rustamyan, chairman of the Standing Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Affairs, member of the ARFD Supreme Body told a press conference in Yerevan.

In his opinion, the Armenian-Turkish Protocols impede the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

"Turkey must not hope that may hinder our just struggle. All the ARF structures will continue working towards a full recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. Congress," Armen Rustamyan said.

He added that the adoption of resolution 252 on the Armenian Genocide Committee of the House of Representatives important, but inconclusive victory, and stressed that Armenia must mobilize all its forces for the adoption of a resolution by Congress.

According to Armen Rustamian Armenia must ratify them only with reservations. This, according to him, would not contradict to Armenia's obligations under international agreements.

Turkey, turning from preconditions to open threats and blackmail, today stimulates the possibility of renewed war in the Karabakh conflict zone.

ARFD is actively working with the Social Democratic Party of Sweden to achieve the Armenian Genocide recognition by the Swedish Parliament. Voting in the Swedish Parliament will be held on March 11.

On April 24 the U.S. President, on the pretext of Armenian-Turkish normalization again, can avoid the "Genocide" term in his speech. "The Committee's decision has no legal effect and does not obligate the U.S. president to anything," Manoyan said.

On March 4 the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.252) by 23 votes “in favour” and with 22 votes "against". After the vote in the appropriate committee, the resolution will be sent to the House of Representatives for a final vote.

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.