Azernews.Az

WASHINGTON, D. C. – US congressmen have decided to adjourn for winter recess without voting on a proposed bill on the alleged Ottoman-era genocide of Armenians.

Backers of the bill had sought until the last day of congressional sessions to achieve its adoption, despite opposition from the Obama administration.

Analysts say passage of the draft law is unlikely at the next congressional session, due next year, as the incoming House of Representatives Speaker, Republican John Boehner opposes the bill unlike his predecessor Nancy Pelosi.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said Ankara welcomes the fact the "genocide" bill was not put on the House agenda.

"From now onward we have to pursue positive diplomacy in our relations with the United States. The people evaluating historical events are historians, not politicians. We are therefore opposed to making historical events a political tool."

Davutoglu also thanked US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for adhering to a proper stance.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley earlier said the US government was opposed to the planned vote on the alleged genocide and is in contact with the House to discuss the issue.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent President Obama a letter asking that he prevent the vote, saying it could damage ties between the two allies.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved the bill this March.

Armenians claim up to 1.5 million of their ancestors were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I. Turkey denies the allegations.