Clinton says genocide issue best left to scholars

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday sidestepped a delicate dispute between two allies over the World War I-era killing of Armenians in Turkey and said the issue was best left for scholars to discuss. Clinton was asked why the United States has not matched a move by French lawmakers to criminalize denial that the killings were genocide. The French legislation has enraged Turkey, which has threatened sanctions if French President Nicolas Sarkozy signs the bill. The US administration has avoided calling the killings genocide despite support for recognition by both Clinton and President Barack Obama when they were senators. Clinton said the administration was wary of compromising free speech. She said the issue was best left for scholars. "To try to use government power to resolve historical issues, I think, opens a door that is a very dangerous one to go through," Clinton said at an event with US State Department employees. Clinton said Thursday that the issue should be debated, but not settled by governments.