Europe News

Turkey calls 'genocide' vote in Washington an 'injustice' (Roundup)

Mar 5, 2010, 15:02 GMT

Turkish nationalist protestors shout slogans against the US holding Turkish flags during a demonstration in Istanbul, Turkey on 05 March 2010. EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU

Istanbul - Turkish President Abdullah Gul Friday called the passing of an Armenian 'genocide' resolution by a Congressional committee 'an injustice to history and the science of history.'

The vote 'was not an action befitting Turkey-US relations,' Gul said in a statement.

'Turkey will not be responsible for the adverse consequences this vote may cause in all areas,' he said.

The US House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs committee Thursday passed the bill which recognizes the mass murders of Armenians during World War I as a 'genocide.'

House speaker Nancy Pelosi must now decide whether to bring the non-binding resolution to a full vote. Ankara has warned that the bill's further progress could seriously damage ties between NATO allies Turkey and the US.

The Turkish ambassador to Washington, Namik Tan, was recalled to Ankara for consultations soon after the committee approved the resolution, with a narrow 23-22 vote.

Also on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister criticized the US administration for not doing enough to nip the resolution in the bud.

'It made Turkey uncomfortable that the US administration did not show its strength in this regard,' Davutoglu said during a press conference in Ankara. 'We're expecting them to increase their efforts hereafter.'

'It is not for other parliaments to judge our history. Turkey is capable of dealing with these issues alone. It is a matter of national honour,' he said.

Davutoglu also warned that the resolution could harm an already troubled reconciliation process that Turkey and Armenia initiated last October, when they signed accords to renew diplomatic relations and open their border. Both countries have yet to fully ratify the accords.

'The question to America is simple: 'Do you or do you not support the peace process between Turkey and Armenia?'' Davutoglu said. 'Because if you don't then come out and say so we can align our policy accordingly.'

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had spoken to the congressional committee before it voted and told it the administration opposes any moves that might 'divert' the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia from moving along.

President Barack Obama and his counterpart Abdullah Gul also spoke by telephone prior to the vote.

Armenians contend that up to 1.5 million of their own were systematically killed by the Ottoman Turks during World War I. Turkey has long denied the genocide claim, saying the number of Armenians killed was much lower and that the deaths were the result of violent turbulence that also affected other groups at the time.