An Appropriate Title
After 92 years the mass killing of 1.5 million Armenians, the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has put forth a bill labeling the killing a "genocide." This "genocide" occurred during WWI while the Ottoman Turks were still in power.
Prior to the bill's approval to be debated on the House floor, Turkish officials warned that any approval would "endanger relations" between the United States and Turkey. How does this affect the United States? First, Turkey is major ally of the United States in NATO. Secondly, Turkey is a big supporter of the Iraq war. This is quite a sticky situation for the US; seeing how there is an air-force base in Turkey that is key in transporting supplies. To make it even worse, Turkey is one of few Muslim states that support Israel, a state the US has come under fire for supporting.
President Bush has voiced his opinion on the situation. Saying that this step could seriously hurt the United States in the long run, especially with Iraq. While the Rep. Tom Lantos, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee said, the United States and lawmakers should "condemn this historic nightmare through the use of the word genocide."
The Turks have also hinted at the fact that they might attack northern parts of Iraq, which are the most secure at the moment. Turkish officials say that Kurdish rebellion attacks have killed 29 civilians, police, and soldiers. These Kurdish rebels call themselves the Kurdistan Workers Party (PPK). The Turkish military is now at their highest alert, and the air force has already dropped bombs on suspected PKK sites. In the past five days, fifteen soldiers have been killed.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been the key force in pushing to the word "genocide" to be used. Pelosi's district alone has the largest Armenian population in America. The Turkish officials have even begun to spend $300,000 a month in Congress to lobby votes to stop this bill in its tracks.
Prior to the Armenian genocide, the population of Armenians in America was practically nothing. The United States along with France became a refuge for Armenians trying to escape prosecution. Many of the Armenians came to America through Ellis Island. Ellis Island was the main immigration passage between January 1, 1892 and November 12, 1954. Over 20 million immigrates to America passed through Ellis Island on their journey to live the American dream. Now there are over 1 million Armenians living in America. There are several cities that are the most heavily populated: Watertown, Massachusetts, Providence Rhode Island, and a part of Los Angeles, CA called "Little Armenia."
Prior to the bill's approval to be debated on the House floor, Turkish officials warned that any approval would "endanger relations" between the United States and Turkey. How does this affect the United States? First, Turkey is major ally of the United States in NATO. Secondly, Turkey is a big supporter of the Iraq war. This is quite a sticky situation for the US; seeing how there is an air-force base in Turkey that is key in transporting supplies. To make it even worse, Turkey is one of few Muslim states that support Israel, a state the US has come under fire for supporting.
President Bush has voiced his opinion on the situation. Saying that this step could seriously hurt the United States in the long run, especially with Iraq. While the Rep. Tom Lantos, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee said, the United States and lawmakers should "condemn this historic nightmare through the use of the word genocide."
The Turks have also hinted at the fact that they might attack northern parts of Iraq, which are the most secure at the moment. Turkish officials say that Kurdish rebellion attacks have killed 29 civilians, police, and soldiers. These Kurdish rebels call themselves the Kurdistan Workers Party (PPK). The Turkish military is now at their highest alert, and the air force has already dropped bombs on suspected PKK sites. In the past five days, fifteen soldiers have been killed.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been the key force in pushing to the word "genocide" to be used. Pelosi's district alone has the largest Armenian population in America. The Turkish officials have even begun to spend $300,000 a month in Congress to lobby votes to stop this bill in its tracks.
Prior to the Armenian genocide, the population of Armenians in America was practically nothing. The United States along with France became a refuge for Armenians trying to escape prosecution. Many of the Armenians came to America through Ellis Island. Ellis Island was the main immigration passage between January 1, 1892 and November 12, 1954. Over 20 million immigrates to America passed through Ellis Island on their journey to live the American dream. Now there are over 1 million Armenians living in America. There are several cities that are the most heavily populated: Watertown, Massachusetts, Providence Rhode Island, and a part of Los Angeles, CA called "Little Armenia."
posted by Kathryn D. | 8:52 PM
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