RESOLUTION WILL DO ZIP
Fergus Falls Daily journal, MN
Oct 18 2007
We can all agree that genocide is a terrible thing, not to be
countenanced by any nation or any individual. Yet the determination
of some members of Congress to pass a resolution condemning genocide
that occurred nearly a century ago in the Middle East surpasses
understanding. The resolution will accomplish nothing, except restating
the obvious, while it is very likely to damage America’s relationship
with a key ally. We hope that the tide of support will turn against
this resolution.
Some Armenian-Americans have pushed hard for a Congressional resolution
condemning the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in
1915. It was an ugly, deplorable, horrible incident. But it happened
more than 90 years ago and it is very hard to see what point there
is in the American Congress commenting on it today. That any good
would come of such a resolution is hard to believe.
It is not so hard to believe that ill might come of it. Turkey,
the modern nation associated with the Ottoman Empire, has been a key
American ally in the war on terror. Its government has made it clear
that it would be offended – to say the least – by what it perceives
as an unwarranted poke in the eye by Congress. Turkey’s anger could
have real-world consequences for American interests in the Middle East.
Stacking up the benefits of the resolution – which are few – against
the drawbacks, it is clear that it should not pass. Fortunately,
many members of the House seem to feel the same way and support for
the matter is fading fast. We hope that the Democratic leaders of
the House recognize reality, put their country’s interests ahead of
an ineffective resolution, and let the matter drop.
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