CNN -- Turkish President Abdullah Gul has warned the U.S. that a congressional bill recognizing the mass killings of Armenians during World War One as genocide could cause "serious problems" for relations between the two countries.

The resolution was passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee by a 27-21 vote -- the first step towards a full House vote -- on Wednesday evening despite opposition from U.S. President George W. Bush.

Reacting to the vote on his Web site, Gul said the resolution was "unacceptable" and "doesn't fit a major power like the United States."

In a letter to Bush, Gul warned that "in the case that Armenian allegations are accepted, there will be serious problems in the relations between the two countries."

Meanwhile Turkey's ambassador to the U.S., Nabi Sensoy, said the resolution would be a "very injurious move to the psyche of the Turkish people," predicting that its passage would create a backlash in his country.

The vote was also strongly criticized by Turkish newspapers, The Associated Press reported. "Bill of hatred," said Hurriyet's front page, while Vatan's headline read "27 foolish Americans...

Earlier on Wednesday, Bush, along with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates urged lawmakers to reject the resolution, warning that it would create unnecessary headaches for U.S. relations with Turkey.

Rice said the resolution would be "very problematic for everything that we're trying to do in the Middle East because we are very dependent on a good Turkish strategic ally to help with our efforts."...