Azerbaijani MP: U.S. defense industrialists will try to block adoption of "Armenian genocide" resolution

“The administration of the U.S. President is interested in good relations with Turkey and will exert pressure in order to prevent the adoption of the "Armenian genocide" bill in the Congress,” Azerbaijani MP Dunyamin Khalilov said.

“As is known, the Congress committee approved the bill with a majority of only one vote, and it will now be considered by both houses of the American parliament, which I think will be difficult to implement. If one of the chambers rejects it, the bill will not be considered any more. But  even if the parliament passes it, then it must still be signed by the U.S. President,” the MP said.

“Ankara and Washington have an agreement on Turkey’s purchase of weapons worth $45 billion. Therefore, defense industrialists of the United States will use all their leverage to prevent adoption of the "Armenian genocide” and to ensure that these contracts will not fail. The U.S. presidential administration understands this and appreciates Turkey’s importance for the United States. So, I think that the "Armenian genocide" will not be recognized under pressure from the White House and State Department,” the MP added.

"I do not think that Turkey will break diplomatic relations with Washington even if the U.S. Congress adopts the "Armenian genocide” bill. A similar situation already took place in 2000 and 2007 after which Turkish ambassador was recalled from Washington.”

“I think it is high time this matter should proceed from political level to historical one. The events of that time should be studied by independent experts and historians. During the First World War, after Russian troops entered the territory of the Ottoman Empire, there might have been a kind of exodus from the eastern regions of modern Turkey to other areas. But it is absolutely wrong to label this resettlement as "Armenian genocide," the MP noted.

“This is a distorted interpretation of the history by Armenian nationalists. Armenia needs it to ensure that the international court recognizes the "Armenian genocide" and then to demand huge financial compensation. But it will never happen and the policy of Armenian nationalists will not work," Khalilov added.

Z. Ahmadov