Armenians were displaced and exterminated in the Ottoman Empire, which is considered a crime not only against Armenians, but entire humanity, the Congressman Dana Rohrabacher stated at the March 4 hearing of the Armenian Genocide Resolution by the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Rohrabacher also called on the Committee members to vote for the resolution. Addressing the committee members, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry said that he admits the Genocide took place. He added, however, that it is not right time to pass a relevant resolution. He also stressed that Armenia-Turkey reconciliation process is underway and passing the resolution might hamper the process. The initiative should be suspended until Armenia and Turkey reach an accord. Fortenberry stated that approving the resolution will jeopardize U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. He wonders what he should tell his voters. Should he say that their sons have problems in the mentioned countries as he personally voted for the Genocide Resolution?


Commenting on this remark, Howard Berman emphasized that he, a Congressman with a 27-year experience, does not remember a moment that was considered right for approving an Armenian Genocide resolution.