03/04/10 - Remarks offered during House Committee on Foreign Affairs markup of H. Res. 252 - I thank the chairman. It is a very difficult vote. I in the past have supported this resolution. I do think that the historical truth is that genocide took place, and the record is replete with that evidence.

Ambassador Morgenthau, who we have mentioned before, talked about a campaign of race extermination that was taking place under a pretext of reprisal against rebellion. We had the full cable from the American Embassy in Constantinople that talked about protecting Armenians from violence at the hands of those of other religions and to prevent the massacre of noncombatant Armenians in Turkish territory.

John Paul II stated the Armenian Genocide which began the century was a prologue to horrors that would follow. This Congress has already passed this resolution 25 years ago. And then of course we have Adolf Hitler?s famous line, the words when he said in defense of invading Poland who after all speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?

I see that as truth, as my colleague from California. I don?t question the truth here. I think we all see it for what it is. I wish the Government of Turkey would recognize it for what it is as well.
What I do question here is the timing.

Secretary Clinton testified before this committee just last week, and she said on this very issue that it is our position that the normalization process that Turkey and Armenia have undertaken carries important benefits for both sides and should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe.

And then she says but the best way to do that with all respect is for the Armenian and Turkish people themselves to address the facts of their past as part of their efforts to move forward, and in that spirit we are working very hard to assist Armenia and Turkey in their efforts and we would like to continue to support that effort, and then lastly she says and not be diverted. She is referring to this resolution as a diversion from the process.

The documents I read, some sensitive, said that this resolution as we have a protocol, the two governments who I think are in the best position to carry this out, the documents I have read said that this resolution will derail the process. Derail the process. A historical commission has been formed to get to the truth of this, but derail the process.

This resolution, I don?t question the truth again, Mr. Chairman. I question the timing of the resolution because I see it harming Armenians and the Government of Armenia more than helping. I see the border with Turkey not being open and commerce not taking place. Lastly, I see it harming something near and dear to my district, and that is the troops.

As the ranking member mentioned, I was given a classified briefing. I read documents on this very issue. It is my opinion that this resolution will put our troops in harm?s way, could potentially endanger our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. What do I say to the mothers and fathers in my district whose sons and daughters are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan? What do I say to them? Yes, I voted for this resolution which puts your son or your daughter in harm?s way. How do I explain that? No. This is not the right timing for this resolution.

I would ask or urge the chairman, particularly in light of the administration coming out just recently asking, begging the Congress to hold off until this normalization process and reconciliation process can go forward and let the two respective governments handle this issue rather than the United States meddling in this overseas.

We know from the last time what the reaction is going to be, and I don?t want it on my head if, God forbid, action was taken to endanger our troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. I would not want that on my head.

Chairman BERMAN. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. MCCAUL. I would be happy to yield.

Chairman BERMAN. I appreciate that, and I have great respect for the gentleman?s efforts to look into this and for his consideration and the seriousness of the issue he raised, but I do have to say that I have been in this Congress for 27 years?some people think all or some of that has been too long?but 27 years, and I have never seen a time when it was the right time to take up this resolution in 27 years. [Applause.]

Chairman BERMAN. I yield back.

Mr. MCCAUL. And I appreciate the chairman?s remarks. I think, however, the difference between now and the last time this matter was voted upon is the fact that there is this protocol established. There is a reconciliation process established. It is my view that it would be better if Turkey and Armenia can work this problem out, and my hope would be that Turkey would acknowledge the wrongdoing and let us all move on. Let us move forward with this process because ultimately it is up to those two governments to work out this issue. Again, I want to be clear on the record that I believe that this was genocide, but I question the timing of the resolution.

3/6/2009 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Alex Manning regarding H.Res. 252..

6/4/2009 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Greg Hill regarding an invitation to a July 16th event with the Turkish Ambassador..

6/15/2009 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Greg Hill regarding an invitation to a July 16th event with the Turkish Ambassador..

7/6/2009 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Greg Hill regarding an invitation to a July 16th event with the Turkish Ambassador..

7/10/2009 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Greg Hill regarding an invitation to a July 16th event with the Turkish Ambassador..

3/1/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Alex Manning US-Turkish relations.

3/1/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Gene Irisari US-Turkish relations.

3/1/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Greg Hill US-Turkish relations.

3/4/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Gene Irisari US-Turkish relations.

3/9/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Gene Irisari US-Turkish relations.

3/11/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Ashley Damron meeting Requests.

3/11/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Gene Irisari meeting Requests.

3/15/2010 - Lydia Borland of the Caspian Group LLC met with Ashley Damron (Defense Fellow) regarding US-Turkish relations.

3/23/2010 - Lydia Borland of the Caspian Group LLC met with Rep. Mike McCaul regarding US-Turkish relations.

5/26/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Alex Manning meeting Request.

5/26/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Megan O' Brien meeting Request.

5/27/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Alex Manning meeting Request.

5/27/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Megan O' Brien meeting Request.

6/8/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Alex Manning meeting Request.

6/8/2010 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Megan O' Brien meeting Request.