Turkey recalls U.S. ambassador over "genocide" resolution

ANKARA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Turkey temporarily recalled its ambassador to the United States minutes after a U.S. congressional panel approved a resolution labeling the incidents of 1915 as " genocide," said the Turkish government in a statement on Thursday.

"We condemn this resolution which charges Turkish nation with a crime that it did not commit," the statement said.

"Under the influence of political motives, supporters of this resolution have taken a wrong and unjust stance ignoring historical facts and difference of opinion among experts," the statement said.

"The resolution includes tangible errors related to the incidents of 1915, and it has completely been prepared with a one- sided approach," it said.

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs approved the resolution on Armenian allegations on Thursday.

The committee approved the resolution on incidents of 1915 -- which took place shortly before the fall of the Ottoman Empire -- with 23 votes against 22.

The resolution was proposed by Democrats Adam Schiff and Frank Pallone and Republicans George Radanovich and Mark Kirk, all important figures for the Armenian lobby in the United States.

Turkish government also expressed concern that the non-binding resolution could damage Turkish-U.S. relations and efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia.

Turkey and Armenia signed two protocols last October to normalize relations; however, parliaments of the two countries have not passed them yet.

Turkey strongly rejects genocide allegations and regards the events as civil strife in wartime which claimed lives of many Turks and Armenians.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed his regret after the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs approved the resolution on Armenian allegations.

Gul said, "This decision is not reasonable. I strongly condemn it. It does not mean anything for the Turkish people. Turkey will not be responsible for negative outcomes of this voting."

Turkey and Armenia have been bogged down in the row over the deaths of Armenians and have no diplomatic or economic ties since Armenia declared its independence in 1991.