Armenia hails U.S. move to recognize Armenian "genocide" a century ago

Armenia on Tuesday praised the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of a resolution recognizing the mass killings of Armenians a century ago as "genocide", a move denounced by Turkey as "null and void". "I salute the historic U.S. Congress vote recognizing the Armenian Genocide," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on his Twitter account on Wednesday.

"Resolution 296 is a bold step towards serving truth and historical #justice that also offers comfort to millions of descendants of the Armenian Genocide survivors". The Democratic-controlled House voted 405-11 for a resolution asserting it is U.S. policy to commemorate as genocide the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923. The Ottoman Empire was centered in present-day Turkey.

The vote marked the first time in 35 years that such legislation was considered in the full House, underscoring widespread frustration in Congress with the Turkish government on the part of both Democrats and President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans. Predominantly Muslim Turkey, which has no diplomatic ties with neighboring Armenia, says many Christian Armenians were killed in partisan fighting during World War One but denies that this amounted to genocide. Ankara says there was no organized campaign to wipe out Armenians and no evidence of any such orders from the Ottoman authorities.

Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan thanked the U.S. Congress for the decision. "Massive message against #denialism. Deep gratitude to each of 405 votes. Empowered to work anew for the prevention of mass atrocities anywhere in the world," he posted on Twitter.

Armenians at home and abroad welcomed the resolution. "I'm very positive about the adoption of this resolution on the Armenian genocide," said Artur, a middle-aged resident of the capital Yerevan.

"Wow Look at these incredible numbers!!! The U.S. just recognized the Armenian genocide!!!!" tweeted Kim Kardashian, a U.S. reality TV star with Armenian heritage. Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the resolution as "devoid of any historical or legal basis". It added: "As a meaningless political step, its sole addressees are the Armenian lobby and anti-Turkey groups."

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