responding to Azer, Galveston, TX, there is a whole geographical region called Shahumian, which is part of occupied Armenia. Thousands of Armenians were killed and dislocated. Only ten short years ago.

Let's refocus however on the Turkish Genocide of the Armenians and the documented facts and eye witness accounts of Armenian survivors still reliving the horrific crimes committed by Ottoman Turks.

The "chief foreign commentator" may need to start reading documented history of the Genocide before sharing misguided opinions.

Lastly, the US Congress has now taken on a just cause.

miriam l, Baltimore, USA

The question is really a simple one.Does the truth matter??
According to Bronwen Maddox the answer is a simple no....expediency must always rule.
For once the United States has the opportunity to live up to the lofty ideals which originally inspired it. I fear that when it listens to such short terms arguments as are proposed here ,as I am sure it inevitably will ,it will be yet another sign of its own imminent demise as a power for good in the modern world.
And for Armenians yet another missed opportunity to allow them closure and the ability for them to move forward positively and live constructively with their neighbours.
America has fudged this issue for too long.The truth is important.Be brave!!

Charles Masraff, Yerevan,

For those who think that the Armanians have all the write to show this as a genocide, and those who agree with this, I would like to remind you that, Turkey have offerd the Armanian politicians for the archives of both contries to be opend, but had no responce. They know perfectly that if the historians bring up the archives the so called genocide will be prooved wrong, as many Turks were killed also by the Armanians during the first world war. If the Armanians are so sure of the genoside then bring up the archives and let the world know the exact truth.

Murat, London, England

Brownen,
Before you write on such a sensitive issue, please do your research properly. I oppose the resolution but your piece is typical nonsense of the foreign policy establishment. You think this has NOT been left to historians? There is an overwhelming majority of historians who are not Armenian who accept what happened was genocide, including Lemkin who coined the term genocide. Churchill called it a holocaust. What you miss is that Turkey will never let this be honestly decided by historians because the outcome will be unfavourable to them - hell they jailed their own Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk for mentioning 1mln Armenians died.
This resolution is about forcing Turkey to confront its past because cajoling it has not worked for 92 years and counting.

Chris, Washington DC,

I think the world is failing in it's duty to hold to account a country that is currently implementing measures which are contrary to human rights. By this I mean that we should all be holding our US counterparts to account for their dealings in Guantanamo Bay. A country which insists on imposing it's own sacred values on others.

I think recognising the 1915 attrocities, those of the Nazi era, Pol Pot's nasty regime etc... is just as important as recognising what is happening today. This type of debate raises one essential point - within the past century of genocidal regimes and cruel dictatorships we are still far far away from preventing such inhumane activity in an efficient manner.

What a horrific thought.

Nilesh Lad, London, UK

To Tigran Manukyan, London, UK
These events happened before the Turkish Republic. If you want to accuse someone, then go to the offsprings of the Ottoman Emperor who ordered his Armenian subjects to move to the southern parts of his empire during 1915 winter undere severe war conditions. His grandchildren are living happily in France.

Would you, then, wish to talk about the genocide of the Armenian militia applied against the Azeris just a decade ago? That was your real genocide.

Besides, read history before accusing someone. The Ottoman Emperor did not order them to move for no reason. The ancestors of the same militia killed thousands of Ottoman villagers in the area. This was the reason of this mass migration. Do not forget, Armenians in Istanbul and Izmir were untouched during the same 1915 preiod. If it were genocide they would be killed too.

Cenan ILIKCA, Ankara, Turkey

You are not simply contradicting a political movement, or a mere campaign. This issue is something that gropes the heart, the very essence of a person's sense of morality and righteousness -and the righteousness of all humankind.

The fact that you're so indifferent to a crime against humanity is plain degrading.

The memories of those dark years are still vivid in many people's minds. And the reason the resolution is being accepted now, is because of failures in the past to do what is just.

The bottom line is, no country in the world, least of all the US would have ANY right to make out that they promote ANY sense of human impartiality, or that they're tackling crime, or fighting terror, if an issue such as the recognition of the Armenian Genocide lies forgotten and unresolved -as a stain on the soul of the nation and its people.

Tigran Manukyan, London, UK

"The House’s move reflects the power of the Armenian lobby, which has cherished this cause above anything more modern."

Were we to replace Armenian with Zionist or Jewish, I have no doubt that our writer would be facing the ire of Zionists and branded an anti-semite and revisionist.

Churchill called it not genocide but Holocaust (the first use of the word in the 1920s), TE Lawrence recalls the events (a prime witness) as do Morgenthau, the Times Correspondent at the time and many others. No need to mention the myriad photos that are now appearing from German sources and the documents in Ottoman Turkish (written in Arabic script before the 1928 reform and which doubtless Ms Maddox has not read), both of which foreshadow in almost sinister exactitude the cattle-wagons loaded with people and Nazi doublespeak.

I could add personal accounts I have heard from the now very old children of Turks living at the time.

What else do we require?

Francis Tuttle, Madrid,

The timing of the Armenina resolution hinges the date the next US president takes office. The Democrats in Congress would like to end the war in Iraq before then. Note all major _Democratic_ presidential candidates have said that, should US troops stil be in Iraq when they take office, they do not see withdrawing US troops even by the _end_ of their four year term. Better the war end before then.

Congress has the power to do end the war at any time by cutting off funds. The Democrats lack the votes from their own party (and would want some supporting Republican votes) to act so directly to end the war.

So they have chosen this as an indirect method, hoping to so antagonaize Turkey that Turkey to cease to allow US forces to base in Turkey or US supplies to pass through Turkey.

The US Congress has already acted on the Armenian question several times before, by the way. I believe last time was in 1984. This comes up again as an indirect way to end US presence in Iraq.

Drew Sullivan, San Jose, California

The Ottoman administration was accused and acquitted in the Malta tribunal, right after the war. That was law. This is politics. If you have an accepted definition of a genocide, you cannot call any killing you like a genocide. Bosnian genocide was tried and accepted. Which is the lawful trial that is the basis of so many insults and accusations? And does Ms.Pelosi think the Turkish public will forgive and forget this attempt when/if Democrats come to power? I think not.

Niran Elci, Istanbul, Turkey

This futile discussion of the type: 'we did not do it, and anyway what you did was far worse' is enough proof of the fact that Congress should have left this matter alone. It solves nothing. In my opinion concentrating on the past is a sign of impotence to deal with the present. If the events of 1915 should be remembered, why not by a Turko-Armenian joint celebration of remembrance, reconciliation and hope? You cannot help the dead any more, but you can help the living.

Hein Maassen, Leidschendam, The Netherlands

If you've read the article written in 1915 in The Times, you will realize that this was genocide.

It's important that the few countries who have not yet recognized the massacres and forced deportations as an attempt, largely successful, to get rid of the Armenians do so, otherwise this cannot be laid to rest. Armenians are tired of harking back to the past. They want to look to the future and foster good relations with their neighbours. They do not want to have to fight against denial; they do not want to have a large chunk of their history erased, a chunk that is also part of Turkey's history. It's as if they never existed. Every single country has something to be ashamed of, but most have admitted it - Germany is a case in point.

Please do not mention irrelevancies. Those memories are vivid, however many years pass; they cannot be suppressed with denial. Denial, it is said, is a second genocide.

Sybil

Sybil, Windsor, Britain

"proved by the historians" says one commentator. Such matters as genocide are crimes and come under the jurisdiction of courts. What is a legislature doing commenting on a matter that has never been brought to a formal trial or inquest?
Politicians and historians form opinions and state them. Decisions on whether or not something is a crime are a different social process and any attempt by an elected legislature to pronounce on the matter is a travesty of democracy. The US congress should review this committee's activities immediately and very openly - starting with a list of the lobbyists involved and the committe members' campaign sponsors.

KR, Stockport,

If you are going to comment about the Armenian Genocide then at least take the time and trouble to look into seriously rather than spout (and apparently accept) the boring misleading, ill informed and biased statements put out over the last ninety years by apologists who should know better. A good starting point would be to read the relative chapters (it wouldn't take you long) in Henry Morgenthau's memoirs (US Ambassador in Turkey at the time) and the so-called 'Blue Book' recounting the many many horrific incidents painstakingly recorded by eminent UK historians Toynbee and Bryce. Like some of the correspondents have said - when is the 'right' time?

TJP, Bedford, UK

Azer, Galveston, TX
Can you please tell how many Armenians live in Baku now? The answer is: zero. None! They were all forced to leave. So, what exactly you are complaining about? Azeris (Turk people) tried to do a second mini-genocide, but this time Armenians showed that they are the force to be reconed with. And Russia helped them to survive. So what exactly do you want from Armenians? Not to fight for their survival? And why you are blaming Russia? It's has always been friend and ally to Armenia and helped this country in the hour of need.

Oleg, Toronto, Canada

Mehmet would yoube kinnde enough to explain how the war in Algeria,as tragic and violent as it has been, could be qualified of genocide? Would you also apply the same qualification to the sluaghtering of the Algerian harkis, or that of the Messalists?

We live in a global world of global confusion. Losing so deeply the elementary sens of such words is a much greater danger to the global destiny of mankind than it is commonly understood.

Pierre, Paris, France

The Armenian lobby may be powerful but the reason this has come up now is little to do with them but much more to do with deliberately upsetting the Turks such that they restrict USAF access & use of airbase(s) in Turkey for onward supply to Iraq.

In other words, it's the Democrats once again playing politics with the military in time of war.

Stan(expat), Texas, USA

USA Please, please Vote Republikan!

1984, London. UK,

What I definitely take as a genocide is the near complete extermination of Native Americans by the United States, mass murder of Algerians by the French, killing of millions of Jews by the Germans (not Nazis). African slave trade that entailed uprooting of 30 million Africans in 200 years is nothing less than a cultural genocide. Hundreds of thousands people were killed by the Armenians and Turks at the terrible events of the First World War, when Ottoman Empire was backstabbed by many of its own Armenian citizenry. Who do groups of politicians think they are to judge such events one-sidedly?

Mehmet Ak, Ankara, Turkey

The Turks should accept the murderous past of their Ottoman ancestors and move one, like the Germans.

Subramaniam, Paris ,

To Jennifer.
There are number of reasons why this issue should be handled differently. Armenian are not angels. They are a fort-post of Russia these days. They have ethinically cleansed all of Armenia from its Azerbaijany inhabitants. They have occupied a large portion of Azerbaijan. Armenia achieives this with the help of Russian army (stationed in Armenia) and imperialistic circles in Moscow. See, despite all these they have received $1 bln in aid from the US. Several hundred US congressman support their cause! They have been told explanations and they accept them.
Now they decide to call 1915 events as a genocide. It is fine. But be objective - commemorate the killings of azerbaijanies by the armenians and russians in Baki (30 people just in 4 days). The nikcname for the armenian prime minister of the time was "butcher". %45 of Everan residents were azerbaijanies. Armenians do not hear anything of this. They go directly to politicians whom they can manupilate easily

Azer, Galveston, TX

It is unbelievable unfair to consider Armenian resolution as unnecessary as most unbiased historians acknowledge it took place. Do you understand what 1,5 million figure is? Passion - yes it should be taken up by passion and approved for those the sake of innocent souls who died in 1915 and for future generations to know and avoid these horrifying events. Turkey was throwing tantrums for decades but powerful nations, like France and Russia, went all the way through and labeled these massacres a genocide. The first one in 20th century and hopefully last one.

Brad Olney, Baltimore, USA

I solely agree with the ideas menioned in the article. Before to recognise any genocide in any parlament or by any goverment it has to be investigated and proved by the historians. But now what the americans are doing is assuming the armenian claims as the historical fact without any prove.
It basicly looks like by rising this "genocide fact'" armenians are being used as a political tool specificly when US aproaches to elections or when it is needed in its foreign policy to punish some countries.

Elnur
Baku - Azebaijan

Elnur, Baku, Azerbaijan

It is amazing how revenge politics at home is slowly isolating the US. Polititions on both sides, ignoring the interests of the nation, have embarked on actions that make the other side look bad. They are so intoxicated with power that they are making the US laughing stock of the world. The world is at loss to understand the declared American values are constantly in conflict with the actions. While the Congress and the Whitehouse are at each others throats,the old enemies are laying foundations for a new power block that may include Asia, Middle East, China and Russia.

Maqbool Qurashi, Leesburg, Florida

I wonder why it is important to recognize genocide by International Law and yet this is just one genocide "between friends" that is not polite to mention in public.

Do you understand what your point of view is expressing here -- that mass murder on a scale of 1.5 million people is something you will help to sweep under the carpet, because it's inconvenient for Turkey's image of itself? It has always been inconvenient - at this time and at every other time over the past few decades it's been brought up.

It is foolish to accept that while Germany must acknowledge the crimes of the past, Turkey (also an ally of Germany during the years of World War I, when this genocide took place) somehow gets a free pass. Why is genocide not a matter for public notice or for international concern?

Jennifer Higgins, San Francisco, California USA

This resolution is a profoundly irresponsible piece of posturing. It is sadly typical of the Democrats, who care more about making statements than taking action. Genocide it might have been - or maybe there's a better word. Irrespective, this is foolish, dangerous, and is a fine illustration of how the Democrats are simply not fit for power.

Nick, Rotherham, UK

This article sends a great message to those in Darfur who are committing Genocide. Do it quickly as possible, because once it is over, the issue will be left to historians!!!. The Armenian Genocide still continues until today as Armenians and Christians in Turkey suffer persecution and discrimination. Armenian Christian monuments continue to be destroyed to remove traces of their existence. The Armenian Genocide is well documented in the U.S archives and the perpetrators have never been brought to justice. The outcome of these events is the main reason why Hitler committed the Holocaust and that Genocides continue to today. Bronwan Maddox is ignorant of the history, and ingnorant on how such human rights issues harm the interests of the United States if they are not dealt with politically. Islam was a major factor in the Armenian genocide, just like September 11 was to the United States. Armenians were considered the "Yankees of the Orient" before the Genocide.

David Whitman, Sydney, Australia

Is there such a thing as convenient and inconvenient time to bring about truth and recognize inhumane deeds? I think not. I agree with you on the fact that US should engage in current problems such as Darfur and Guantanomo Bay. But the Armenian should not be excluded.

xanekka, Yangon, Myanmar