House Resolution 106 is a part of global anti-genocide campaign

As a matter of domestic policy, clearly the Armenian Genocide Resolution currently before the U.S. Congress is an internal American issue. This legislation addresses the long U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide, including America's protests and relief efforts during this crime against humanity. Its aim is to ensure that the U.S. government applies the lessons of this tragedy to help prevent future genocides. As such, this is an internal matter for the elected representatives of the American people - not the diplomats of foreign states. As we saw in Rwanda and are witnessing today in Darfur, preventing genocide represents a core American value and a vital U.S. security interest. Condemning genocide reinforces America's moral leadership and international standing in opposing all genocides. More broadly, however, H.Res.106 clearly has an international dimension. This resolution is part of a growing global movement against genocide. Its adoption will help counter Turkey's denials and will strengthen the world's resolve to reject the dangerous precedent that Turkey has set of a genocide committed with impunity. A world in which Turkey has abandoned its genocide denial campaign will be a world safer from the scourge of new genocides.

We understand that the granting of dual citizenship - in particular the specific terms outlined in the law - was a matter of considerable debate within the Armenian Parliament and throughout civic society. We respect this process and appreciate the many strongly held views that were voiced during this debate. We are gratified that the Parliament ultimately approved this provision of law, and welcome this new opportunity for dual-citizenship as a means toward strengthening ties between homeland and Diaspora, advancing Armenian identity worldwide, and fostering greater support for the democratic and national aspirations of the Armenian nation.

Clearly the Turkish government's aim is to use Akhtamar - a sacred Armenian religious site - as a public relations tactic to mislead international public opinion about its genocide denial campaign, ongoing destruction of Armenian cultural heritage, blockade of Armenia, and other anti-Armenian policies.

Our best defense against any groups opposed to Armenian Genocide recognition is to simply state the truth - the thoroughly documented and universally available documentation of the Armenian Genocide.

The Turkish government is threatening to obstruct U.S. operations in Iraq should the Congress recognize the Armenian Genocide. A careful look at this threat shows that it is hollow. Opponents of the Armenian Genocide Resolution are crying wolf once again. General T. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, stated on February 21, 2007, said: "I wouldn't say that we have to [use] Incirlik to conduct operations in Iraq."

"Train wrecks" in U.S.-Turkey relations were loudly but falsely predicted before President Reagan's 1981 public affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, the 1984 designation by the U.S. House of April 24th as a day for its remembrance, as well as before the amendments passed by the House in 1996 and 2004 restricting U.S. aid to Turkey based on its denial of this crime against humanity. Despite threats of retribution, Turkey has taken only token steps against the European Parliament, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Argentina, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and other states and international bodies that have recognized the Armenian Genocide. In fact, despite all its threats in 2001 against France's recognition of the Armenian Genocide, trade between France and Turkey grew 22% the following year, and has grown by 131% over the past five years.

Now is exactly the right time to pass this resolution. The recent brutal assassination in Istanbul of noted journalist Hrant Dink, who was killed for simply speaking about the Armenian Genocide, underscores the urgent need for the U.S. to take a principled stand against the escalation of Turkey's campaign of official denial and intolerance.