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Turkey recalls ambassador to US Turkey recalls ambassador to US
(10 minutes later)
Ankara is recalling its ambassador to Washington for consultations amid anger at a bill in Congress recognising the mass killing of Armenians as genocide. Ankara is recalling its ambassador to Washington for consultations amid anger at a vote in Congress labelling the mass killing of Armenians as genocide.
The passing of the bill by a House committee on Wednesday despite appeals by the Bush administration was denounced by President Abdullah Gul. The passing of the resolution by a House committee on Wednesday despite appeals by the Bush administration was denounced by President Abdullah Gul.
Turkey accepts there were mass killings in 1915-17 but denies genocide.Turkey accepts there were mass killings in 1915-17 but denies genocide.
Turkey's foreign ministry said the ambassador would return to Turkey for a stay of "a week or 10 days".Turkey's foreign ministry said the ambassador would return to Turkey for a stay of "a week or 10 days".
"We are not withdrawing our ambassador," said ministry spokesman Levent Bilman."We are not withdrawing our ambassador," said ministry spokesman Levent Bilman.
READ THE RESOLUTION US House of Representatives' Armenian Genocide Resolution [30KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
"We have asked him to come to Turkey for some consultations.""We have asked him to come to Turkey for some consultations."
US President George W Bush had argued against the bill, saying its passage would do "great harm" to relations with "a key ally in Nato and in the global war on terror". US President George W Bush had argued against the resolution, saying its passage would do "great harm" to relations with "a key ally in Nato and in the global war on terror".
Turkey is a regional operational hub for the US military, and some suggest access to Incirlik airbase or other supply lines crucial to US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, could be affected by the row.Turkey is a regional operational hub for the US military, and some suggest access to Incirlik airbase or other supply lines crucial to US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, could be affected by the row.
The US also fears Turkey may make a military incursion into northern Iraq to neutralise Kurdish separatist guerrillas there, who continue to cross the border to ambush Turkish troops.The US also fears Turkey may make a military incursion into northern Iraq to neutralise Kurdish separatist guerrillas there, who continue to cross the border to ambush Turkish troops.
'Unacceptable and invalid''Unacceptable and invalid'
The non-binding vote, passed by 27 to 21 votes by members of the congressional House Foreign Affairs Committee, is the first step towards holding a vote in the House of Representatives.The non-binding vote, passed by 27 to 21 votes by members of the congressional House Foreign Affairs Committee, is the first step towards holding a vote in the House of Representatives.
A German soldier took photos of Armenian deportees at the time
It was welcomed by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan who said he hoped for "full [US] recognition... of the genocide".It was welcomed by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan who said he hoped for "full [US] recognition... of the genocide".
The influential Armenian diaspora in the US has lobbied for years for a recognition of the killings under the Ottoman Empire as genocide.The influential Armenian diaspora in the US has lobbied for years for a recognition of the killings under the Ottoman Empire as genocide.
At least 20 countries at various levels of legislation have passed resolutions on this issue.At least 20 countries at various levels of legislation have passed resolutions on this issue.
For Turkey's president, the US vote showed that some US politicians had "closed their ears to calls to be reasonable and once again sought to sacrifice big problems for small domestic political games".For Turkey's president, the US vote showed that some US politicians had "closed their ears to calls to be reasonable and once again sought to sacrifice big problems for small domestic political games".
"This unacceptable decision of the committee, like similar ones in the past, is not regarded by the Turkish people as valid or of any value," Mr Gul said late on Wednesday."This unacceptable decision of the committee, like similar ones in the past, is not regarded by the Turkish people as valid or of any value," Mr Gul said late on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that the Turkish parliament would discuss allowing military incursions into northern Iraq, possibly next week.Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that the Turkish parliament would discuss allowing military incursions into northern Iraq, possibly next week.
The move comes after an escalation in attacks by the PKK killed almost 30 soldiers and civilians in just over a week.The move comes after an escalation in attacks by the PKK killed almost 30 soldiers and civilians in just over a week.
Mr Erdogan said such authorisation, which would be valid for one year, would ensure all options were available to Turkey in its fight against the PKK.Mr Erdogan said such authorisation, which would be valid for one year, would ensure all options were available to Turkey in its fight against the PKK.