Quotes on H. Res. 106

“Bringing the genocide resolution to the House floor this week would put a terrible event of Armenia's past in the service of America's bitter partisanship today. It is mischievous at best, catastrophic at worst, and should be tabled.”

Editorial
The Wall Street Journal
October 16, 2007

“The committee voiced horror over the Armenian suffering, but said nothing about the suffering Armenians inflicted on the Muslim population. Nor did the committee deplore the 60 years of Armenian terrorism in the Ottoman capital Istanbul, including assassination of the Armenian patriarch and an attempted assassination of the sultan as he was leaving prayer.”

Bruce Fein
The Washington Times
October 16, 2007

“The point that was being made was that the massacre of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire was the same as what happened to Jews in Nazi Germany and that is a downright falsehood. What happened to the Armenians was the result of a massive Armenian armed rebellion against the Turks, which began even before war broke out, and continued on a larger scale.”

Bernard Lewis
Princeton University
The Washington Times
October 16, 2007

 “Congress should not take a position, one way or the other, on this affair. Let historians decide. The Turkish government has been saying this for years.”

Norman Stone
World War I Historian
The Chicago Tribune - Commentary
October 16, 2007

“It seems clear that the cost of passing this nonbinding resolution is far greater than its benefits. We are a nation at war, and our first concern must always be the brave men and women of our armed forces, who I believe are done a great disservice by this symbolic House vote.”

Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)
National Review
October 16, 2007

“Over the course of human history, there's been remarkable evil, and trying to sort through it all, to acknowledge it all, I think requires the wisdom of a theologian, not just a politician.”

Congressman Brad Miller (D-NC)
The News & Observer (NC)
October 15, 2007

“The Armenian Genocide resolution …  is a great image builder for some politicians who want to register their disapproval of mass slaughter, but it is a terrible result. The resolution accomplishes precisely nothing apart from alienating the Turkish government and people from the United States.”

The Huffington Post
October 15, 2007

“Armenia's rulers have known that, no matter how they trample on individual rights at home, the lobbying groups will cover for them here…Imagine what the Armenian diaspora might have accomplished had it worked as hard for democracy in Armenia as it did for congressional recognition of the genocide Armenians suffered nearly a century ago. It's even possible that modern Armenia would be as democratic as modern Turkey.”

Fred Hiatt
The Washington Post
October 15, 2007

“The U.S Congress has made a big mistake. … Truth is, this diplomatic confrontation between the United States and Turkey comes at a very inopportune time. With Turkey on the brink of conflict with the Kurds and American access to Turkish military bases in question, Congress couldn’t have chosen a worse time for yesterday’s diplomatic “gesture.” By confronting Turkey at this difficult time, the U.S. Congress has done a disservice to the entire world.”

Leon Krauze
Post Global.com
October 15, 2007

“A political stunt like this will not bring back the dead or punish the guilty. All it does is antagonize the people and government of Turkey, who have been of crucial help to our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan -- at a time when the U.S. is not swamped with friends in that part of the world. It suggests that Congress is fundamentally unserious.”

Editorial
Chicago Tribune 
October 14, 2007

“The timing of this resolution couldn't be worse. About 70 percent of the military cargo sent to Iraq is flown through Turkey's Incirlik Air Base or on air routes over Turkey. Turkish officials warn they will reconsider support for the Iraq effort if the resolution goes to the full House.”

Trudy Rubin
Philadelphia Inquirer
October 14, 2007

“Would it be appropriate for, say, Germany, Japan or Brazil to take formal government action labeling the U.S. government’s policies and action toward American Indians “genocide” and demand that the current U.S. government apologize? I think most Americans would react rather emphatically.”

Sylvia A. Smith
The Journal Gazette
October 14, 2007

“… Turkish writers and intellectuals are pushing for a change in attitude, and formal and informal talks between Turks and Armenians are making slow progress. A resolution by Congress would probably torpedo rather than help such efforts. Given that reality, and the high risk to vital U.S. security interests, the Armenian genocide resolution cannot be called frivolous. In fact, its passage would be dangerous and grossly irresponsible.”

Editorial
The Washington Post
October 10, 2007

“Most Members of Congress don't know enough about U.S. history, much less anyone else's. But that isn't stopping the House of Representatives from trying to weigh in on a painful chapter of Ottoman history -- and hurting U.S. interests in the bargain.

“This Congressional free-lancing would put a strain on U.S. ties with a key Muslim ally in a tough neighborhood. If the resolution passes, the backlash in Turkey will be more than symbolic.”

Editorial
The Wall Street Journal
October 4, 2007