As time runs out on Armenian resolution in US congress, Ankara calls for dialogue

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday welcomed the US Congress' decision not to vote on a resolution to declare the killing of Armenians in the final days of the Ottoman Empire a genocide, saying that now is the time to resolve disputes with Armenia. "We are pleased that there was no development in the US Congress potentially dealing a blow to Turkish-US and Turkish-Armenian ties," Davutoglu told reporters on the sidelines of a regional summit in Istanbul. Saying that "common sense has prevailed once again," Davutoglu said Turkey is ready to face history and to work for reconciliation with Armenians. He added that efforts to pass resolutions on history in third-party countries' parliaments and to use such resolutions to "blackmail" Turkey are unacceptable. "Such efforts lead to a completely unnecessary waste of time and energy," said Davutoglu. "Now is the time for dialogue and compromise. We must work harder towards that end in order to bring peace to our region." Supporters of the resolution made a push for approval in the final days of the US Congress, despite opposition from the Obama administration. The measure was opposed strongly by Turkey, and the administration feared it would have damaged relations with its NATO ally. Instead, the House of Representatives ended its final session before a new Congress takes its seats without taking up the matter.