Who introduced the Armenian genocide bill?

[seemslikeadream]

and why at this time?

[Robbien]

1. Durbin

You also ask why now, a blogger suggests

The bill’s introduction comes as the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee moved to delay discussion of another measure condemning
Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink’s murder as well as the Turkish penal code under which the
journalist was once tried for “insulting Turkishness.”

[seemslikeadream]

3. Durbin??

I thought it was a house vote, why would Durbin be bringing this up now, I don't understand that blogger reasoning

[Robbien]

5. True, Schiff in the House

Durbin will bring it up in the Senate.

The blogger also said

LA Daily News reports:

One day after a U.S. Senate committee failed to vote to condemn the
murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, Illinois Democratic
Sen. Richard Durbin confirmed his intention to introduce an Armenian
Genocide resolution.

An aide to Sen. Dianne Feinstein said she plans to co-sponsor the bill.

[seemslikeadream]

6. He must know how this would affect Turkey - Iraq - Iran - U,S,

why stir up this now? Is he doing it on purpose to make georgie look bad and cause trouble for him?

[Robbien]

9. I agree that no time is a good time

because Turkey and the Israel lobby are firmly against it.

Why now. My guess: The Armenian community is in an uproar right now; the Northern Iraq/Turkey/Kurdish groups are very active right now; the press is carefully downplaying everything. Time to turn on a spotlight.

But only a guess.

[Howardx]

2. i heard it was schiff

his la district includes a lot of armenians

[seemslikeadream]

4. September 15, 2005

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Schiff Armenian Genocide Resolution Passed by Committee

http://schiff.house.gov/HoR/CA29/Newsroom/Press+Releases/2005/09-15-2005genocide.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ica-XWfhLeo&eurl=

[MrCoffee]

7. here's a list of the members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus

http://www.armenpac.org/110thCongressionalCaucus.pdf

[ProSense]

8. No time is a good time, Turkey will object

06/07/2006

Kerry and Kennedy Press Rice to Explain U.S. Ambassador to Armenia’s Dismissal

Today Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, requesting an explanation for the early dismissal of John Evans, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.

Ambassador Evans reportedly used the term “genocide” early last year, in describing the atrocities inflicted on the Armenian people in 1915. Several American officials have used the same terminology in the past; however the Turkish government was sharply critical of the remarks.

“If history has taught us anything, it’s that when we see it we must call genocide by its name. There is no doubt about the genocide of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children, and the United States government should be straight about this piece of world history. It’s an outrage that a respected lifelong diplomat would be fired simply for speaking the truth. In 1990 I fought alongside Senator Dole to designate April 24 as a national day of remembrance so we could learn from this dark period and honor the memories of those Armenians who suffered,” said John Kerry. “The Ambassador and his career should not be made a scapegoat for this administration’s refusal to face the facts and strengthen the ties between our countries.”

Senator Kennedy said, “What happened in Armenia was genocide. No one should lose their job for stating the plain truth.”

Below is a copy of the letter:

June 5, 2006

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice

Secretary

United States Department of State

2201 C Street, NW

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rice,

We are writing to convey our disappointment over the apparent dismissal of the United States Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans. It is our understanding that Ambassador Evans will be leaving his post early, reportedly as a result of comments he made early last year.

In an exchange with Armenian American groups in February 2005 Ambassador Evans used the word “genocide” to describe the horrific atrocities that were committed against the Armenian people in 1915. We believe, and the reports from our diplomats at that time, make clear that genocide accurately described these events. Henry Morgenthau, then our Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, described these actions as a “campaign of race extermination.” Several U.S. officials, including President Reagan, have used the term “genocide” to describe what happened to the Armenian people.

Allegedly the Government of Turkey was dismayed by Ambassador Evans’ remarks and expressed this to the U.S. government. We would like clarification as soon as possible about Ambassador Evans’ premature dismissal after 35 years of exemplary service to the United States Government. We look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Edward M. Kennedy

John F. Kerry