Rice: Criticizes US Congress resolution on 'Armenian genocide'

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday a congressional bid to label the Ottoman massacre of Armenians a "genocide" would be "very problematic" for ties with Turkey and for Middle East peace.

In comments echoed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Rice also said the House of Representatives resolution would be "very destabilizing for our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Speaking after White House talks between the two top officials and President George W. Bush, Rice said she sympathized with the plight of the Armenians under the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

"But the passage of this resolution at this time would, indeed, be very problematic for everything that we're trying to do in the Middle East because we are very...