Anti-Turkey bill in US congress mobilizes Turkish-Americans

A bill accusing the Ottoman Empire of carrying out the "intentional destruction" of its Christian population and calling on the modern Republic of Turkey to "safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties" has mobilized both Turkish officials and resident Turkish-Americans. Observers say that even if the House – the lower house of Congress – approves the bill containing the language, the amendment concerning Turkey is likely to be rejected by the Senate. Still, with both Ankara and Turkish-Americans not wanting to take any chances, an intense lobbying campaign against the bill has been set in motion. The resolution, in an amendment to the State Department authorization bill, urges the Turkish government to "allow the rightful church and lay owners of Christian church properties, without hindrance or restriction, to organize and administer prayer services, religious education, clerical training, appointments, and succession, religious community gatherings, social services, including ministry to the needs of the poor and infirm, and other religious activities; return to their rightful owners all Christian churches and other places of worship, monasteries, schools, hospitals, monuments, relics, holy sites, and other religious properties within Turkey." In a statement, the Turkish Embassy in Washington rejected the amendment's charges, saying, "The resolution is deeply regrettable because it unfairly distorts the facts on the ground while flatly overlooking Turkey's efforts to promote religious freedom and tolerance."