Sooner or Later Genocide Resolution Will Be Brought to Full Congress: George Radanovich

Presently the US congressional resolution (H.Res.252) recognizing the Armenian Genocide adopted on March 4 is not expected to be brought to a full vote in Congress, said Member of Congress George Radanovich (R-CA) in an interview with the Voice of America, the official external radio and television broadcasting service of the United States federal government.

“As far as I know, the Obama administration and the executive board of the House of Representatives have come to an agreement. The House of Representatives has decided not to discuss that resolution [in a full Congress session] yet. But the American-Armenian community must continue [to exert] pressure related to the resolution and must be ready: eventually, the resolution will be placed on the full Congress agenda,” said Radanovich.

According to the member of congress, those senators who voted against the resolution had been subjected to pressure which resulted in a great number of “no” votes.

“This year, there was quite a lot of pressure. There was serious resistance from the State Department. The State Department’s approach that the adoption of this resolution would be a mistake, itself pressured the members of congress,” said Radanovich.
Asked whether the adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution by full Congress could harm American-Turkish relations,

Radanovich said: “If the resolution is adopted, Turkey will be sad and offended for three months, and after that, relations will normalize as Turkey needs the US much the same way the US needs Turkey. It’s not worth spoiling [US-Turkey] relations over this issue,” explained Radanovich.