The U.S. Senate passed the resolution recognizing Armenian Genocide dispute Turkey’s lasting efforts to thwart any attempt, foreign media outlets write on Friday.
Almost all publications underline that the document was adopted by the Senate because of Turkey’s behavior.
“The Senate voted unanimously on Thursday to recognize the Armenian genocide as a matter of American foreign policy, a move that was made over the objections of the Trump administration and that underscored lawmakers’ bipartisan rage at Turkey,” The New York Times writes.
As AFP agency notes, adoption of the resolution was preceded by a sanction bill approved by the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. “Lawmakers challenged Trump to give his endorsement to the genocide resolution, even though it does not require his formal signature,” the agency says.
The author of an article published on Bloomberg notes that the resolution was adopted in the context of tensions with Turkey and despite the objection of the State Department officials who fear that the move will make relations with Turkey more complicated.
According to The Guardian, Turkey has been using the leverage as a U.S. NATO ally and threatened with consequences for bilateral relations. “But on Thursday, Trump appeared unable to persuade any of his Senate supporters to oppose the measure,” the article says.
The Washington Post says “Turkey’s actions have caused great frustration in Congress, putting fresh momentum behind efforts to revive the issue of Armenian genocide recognition.”
However, despite cynical political assessments of the situation, many media outlets could not but mention the emotional aspect. They pointed to the symbolic meaning for the Armenian community and an emotional reaction of Senator Robert Menendez who played a key role.
CNN said “Menendez grew visibly emotional as he said, ‘I am thankful that this resolution has passed at a time in which there are still survivors of the genocide who will be able to see that the Senate acknowledges what they went through’.”
USA Today mentioned that he “broke down in tears after the measure sailed through.”
And, as mentioned by The New York Daily News, “it is never a good time to tell an inconvenient truth, but that is what the U.S. Senate did Thursday.”
