Washington, DC -  In his opening statement at today's House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) stated "it is critical that Turkey acknowledge the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenian people...I believe that Turks, once they come to terms with their past, will discover that they have relieved themselves and their children of an immense moral burden," reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

"We commend Chairman Berman's ongoing leadership regarding the need to unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide," stated the Assembly's Grassroots Director Taniel Koushakjian.  "As the House of Representatives looks to its August district work period, this hearing provides a timely review of important issues and lends new impetus on the need for Congress to adopt the Armenian Genocide resolution," added Koushakjian.  Earlier this year, Chairman Berman was instrumental in the committee passage of H. Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide Resolution. 

While deterioration of U.S.-Turkey relations served as a focal point in today's House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on "Turkey's New Foreign Policy Direction: Implications for U.S.-Turkish Relations," Committee Members also discussed the importance of the Armenian Genocide and other human rights issues.

Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ), in a series of questions, recalled the words of philosopher George Santayana, who stated "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  Congressman Smith raised concerns about Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide, the denial of the genocide in Darfur coupled with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's defense of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who has been indicted on charges of genocide by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Based on a 2009 interview of Erdogan who stated, "No Muslim could perpetrate a genocide," Rep. Smith asked Ambassador Ross Wilson "what does this say about his judgment?" 

Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) pointed out the overwhelming evidence of the Armenian Genocide, and also raised the topic of Armenia-Turkey rapprochement and the Protocols signed between the two countries in 2009. Congressman Costa asked about progress in "country to country relations." Dr. Michael Rubin, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, indicated that progress had been made through "quiet diplomacy" while Dr. Ian Lesser, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, responded that it will take a "significant recommitment" of the political leadership in Turkey.  Dr. Lesser also indicated that Armenia-Turkey rapprochement is important in "its own right" and without being "linked" to other issues such as Nagorno Karabakh.  

Chairman Berman along with Reps. Ileana Ros Lehtinen (R-FL), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) raised concerns about religious freedom in Turkey and cited in particular the restrictions placed upon the Greek Ecumenical Patriarchate. Congressman Bilirakis also specifically raised concerns about the Armenian Patriarchate and Turkey's treatment of ethnic minorities. When asked by Congressman Bilirakis when the panel expects Turkey to exercise religious tolerance and ensure minority rights, Dr. Rubin responded, "shortly before Saudi Arabia."

The panelists included: The Honorable Ross Wilson, Director, Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council of the United States; Dr. Soner Cagaptay, Director, Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Dr. Ian Lesser, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States; Dr. Michael Rubin, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.  

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Editor's Note:

Below are the opening statements from the Chairman and Witnesses:
 
Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) Opening Statement; Ambassador Ross Wilson Opening Statement; Dr. Soner Cagaptay Opening Statement; Dr. Ian Lesser Opening Statement; Dr. Michael Rubin Opening Statement.