WASHINGTON-Anti-Defamation League national director Abraham Foxman said in an interview with the Azeri APA news agency that the Armenian Genocide resolution, adopted this month by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is "a counterproductive diversion".

APA's Isabel Levine asked the Jewish leader his thought on the resolution, to which he responded: "Congressional resolution on such matters is a counterproductive diversion and will not foster reconciliation between Turks and Armenians and may put at risk the important multilateral relationship between Turkey and the United States."

"Turkey and the U.S. have many common and vital interests that require close cooperation and mutual trust. Passage of the resolution will not change our shared strategic interests, but could impact the political will in Turkey to pursue them as effectively as possible. We have urged Turkey and Armenia to work towards reconciliation for a long time. The resolution will hinder that process, and we oppose it. However, opposing the resolution must not be confused with denying history," added Foxman.

"Azerbaijan has a long history of tolerance and respect for the Jewish people, and since independence has been a reliable friend and partner for the U.S. and Israel. We appreciate the vital importance of a satisfactory resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue for Azerbaijan. If Turkish-Armenian normalization will advance the Nagorno-Karabakh process, we would certainly welcome that additional benefit," said Foxman.