Baku, Azerbaijan, April 16
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
The so-called "Armenian genocide" is a political "podium" for the international Armenian lobby, Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said.
The adoption of the resolution on the so-called "Armenian genocide" by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has no meaning for Turkey, as Turkey has not committed genocide against the Armenians, the Turkish TRT Haber TV channel quotes Bahceli as saying.
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations adopted the S.Res.410 on April 10 on the so-called Armenian genocide, calling on the senate to join it and ensure that U.S. foreign policy expresses the senate's position.
Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in an interview with Turkish Haber7 TV channel that the issue of the so-called Armenian genocide will not be included in the U.S. Senate's agenda.
"The issue of 'Armenian genocide' will not be included in the U.S. Senate's agenda. Kerry [U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry] told me this during a telephone conversation," Davutoglu said.
The minister added that Turkey is closely monitoring the development of the situation.
"Turkey will not be silent if after the adoption of the resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations this issue will be included in the senate's agenda," the Foreign Minister said.
If the U.S. does not take into account Turkey's interests in the so-called Armenian genocide issue, the bilateral relations between the two countries may worsen, the member of Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party's board Mazhar Bagli told Trend earlier.
Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey's predecessor the Ottoman Empire allegedly carried out "genocide" against the Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915.
While strengthening the efforts to promote the so-called "genocide" in the world, Armenians have achieved its recognition by the parliaments of some countries.
It is expected that in April the Armenian lobby will strengthen its activity in the world countries' parliaments, particularly in the U.S. Congress with regard to the anniversary of the "genocide".
Translated by S.I.
Edited by C.N.