Armenian genocide bill OKd

WASHINGTON - A U.S. congressional panel defied the

president yesterday and approved a measure that he said would damage U.S. goals

in the Middle East. The measure, which would recognize the World War I-era

killings of Armenians as a genocide, is strongly opposed by Turkey, a key NATO

ally that has supported U.S. efforts in Iraq.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee's 27-21 vote now sends the measure to

the House floor - unless the Democratic leadership reverses course and heeds

President George W. Bush's warnings.

At issue is the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks.

Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, says the toll has been inflated

and insists those killed were victims of civil war and unrest. Bush and other

senior officials had made a last-minute push to persuade lawmakers on the

committee to reject the measure.

Turkey raised the possibility of impeding logistical and other U.S.

military traffic now using Turkish airspace if the measure went forward.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates also

conveyed their concerns.

Lawmakers from both parties who supported the proposal said the moral

implications outweighed security concerns and friendship with Turkey.

"For Armenians everywhere, the Turkish government's denial is a slap in the

face," said Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.).