WASHINGTON, DC – Turkey’s Ambassador to the United States, Nabi Sensoy, appearing today on a Voice of America television news segment on the Senate introduction of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, cited the newly signed Turkey-Armenia Protocols as a new reason for his government’s intensifying campaign to block U.S. recognition of this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Responding to a question on this legislation, the Turkish envoy stressed: “I hope that there will be no progress on this issue. I don’t think it was the right time to take this step since the resolution was introduced immediately after the signing of the Turkey-Armenia Protocols. It is wrong and sad. I am hopeful that it [the resolution] will not reach the [Senate] floor.”

Earlier this week, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV) introduced the Senate version of the Armenian Genocide (S.Res.316). The House version, introduced earlier this year, has over 130 cosponsors. House resolution lead sponsors Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) commended their Senate colleagues in a statement issued on October 22nd, stating “The United States has a moral obligation to recognize the heinous acts of genocide and all human rights abuses that have occurred – without that recognition we are doomed to repeat the atrocities of the past.”

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, who was interviewed by Voice of America’s Aram Vanetsyan for this segment, cited the broad-based support for the Armenian Genocide Resolution from President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during their years in the Senate. Responding to reports that the Turkey-Armenia Protocols would harm international Armenian Genocide affirmation efforts, Hamparian explained that Turkey entered into negotiations with Armenia, not because of any charitable impulse, but, rather, because of its desire to somehow derail the growing pressure of Armenians worldwide in isolating Ankara’s bankrupt campaign of denial. Armenian Americans will, Hamparian added, continue to press, assertively, powerfully, and effectively for a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide.

To watch the full 3-minute Voice of America – Armenian language division segment on the Senate introduction of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (in Armenian), visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evC0mE7OAJA