Pelosi unsure of genocide measure's fate

Murtha said that a number of lawmakers who signed on as cosponsors "didn't have a clue what it was all about."

Bush also renewed his request to Pelosi to not bring the resolution to a vote.

"Congress has more important work to do than antagonizing a democratic ally in the Muslim world, especially one that's providing vital support for our military every day," he said.

But the resolution's supporters took Bush to task for worrying about offending Turkey but being willing to anger China by attending a congressional ceremony for the Dalai Lama on Wednesday.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Reps. George Radanovich (R-Mariposa), Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) and Schiff, noted the difference.

"Congress today stood up for what is right and would not be intimidated by threats from another nation," they said in a statement. "We must similarly be willing to speak out on the Armenian genocide. If we as a nation are to be a moral leader around the world we must have the courage to recognize genocide whenever and wherever it occurs."

The Turkish government disputes that a genocide took place, contending that during and after World War I, Armenians as well as Turks were casualties of the war, famine and disease. But historical evidence and authoritative research support the use of the term.

The symbolic resolution has been long sought by the Armenian American community.

It has been opposed by the Bush administration, which, like the Clinton administration before it, fears it would lead Turkey to curb its military cooperation with the United States.

Murtha, who chairs the House defense appropriations subcommittee, said that he was recently approached by more than two dozen fellow Democrats, and that "they're very agitated about this coming to the floor right now."

"Sometimes, your heart has to give in to your head," said Rep. Stephen J. Cohen (D-Tenn.), who joined Murtha at a Capitol news conference. Cohen said that when he was in Turkey recently, "this issue was the first thing they talked about."

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richard.simon@latimes.com