So-Called Armenian Genocide Bill to US Senate
According to congressional sources, the Armenian lobby plans to add the draft of its bill to the State Department’s budget, a draft of which will be debated before the presentation of the Armenian bill.
If the Armenian lobby’s bill is approved, it will be accepted as part of the budget draft. This would be the first time ever that the so-called Armenian genocide is recognized by a U.S. government institution.
In the 100-member U.S. Senate, 30 senators—most of them Democrats—have already voiced support for the bill.
The Armenian lobby needs the support of a further 21 senators from the remaining 70 senators to get the allegations approved.
While diplomatic sources stated that Vice President Dick Cheney and his team have attempted to hinder acceptance of the Armenian allegations, congressional sources stated that many of the undecided senators moved to the Armenian lobby’s camp earlier this week. Sources said that in the case of a vote in the Senate, the Armenian lobby’s chances for success are high.
The draft demands U.S. commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the U.N. Genocide resolution. It also specifically cites the importance of learning the lessons of the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and the Cambodian and Rwandan Genocides in an effort to prevent future genocides.
aa, Cihan News Agency / Washington, Brussels / USA, BELGIUM
