Zaman Online, Turkey
Nov 30 2004
US Pressures Turkey with ‘Armenian Genocide Bill’
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has criticized the US for using
the “Armenian Genocide” Bill to pressure Turkey into withholding its
condemnation of the US operation in Felluce (Fallujah). Gul said the
US is implying that if Turkey refers to the events in Fallujah as
genocide, they will approve the Armenian bill. “This would be
blackmail,” said Gul and such things are not even the issue.
At a reception for Gul’s Hungarian counterpart, Ferenc Somogyi, in
Ankara yesterday, Gul discussed reports that the US is using the
‘Armenian Genocide’ Bill against Turkey to suppress its criticism of
the Fallujah operation. Gul said: “Of course, everything should be
evaluated in context. Using excessive force there [in Fallujah] and
disregarding civilians are a separate issue. Turkey’s attitude
concerning the developments is very clear and the reaction of the
public is also clear. Turkey is not the only one to react; the entire
world has reacted. There are even demonstrations in Morocco for the
first time. These are the requirements of open society, but saying
‘if you call it genocide, we will do this’ becomes extortion. Such
things are unacceptable, and genocide is a completely separate issue,
the legal definition is different.” The Minister also sent a message
to the opposition regarding its reaction to the issue. He said when
the operation in Fallujah first fell apart, there was no reaction
from the opposition party or the politicians; however, they are the
first to react and criticize now particularly about him.
Dealing with Turkey’s expectations on December 17 European Union (EU)
summit, The Foreign Minister has been busy setting Turkey’s
expectations for the European Union Summit on December 17th and says
there is no alternative but for the EU to open full membership
negotiations with Turkey, adding that everyone knows it. He also
clarified that there was no reason for a negative attitude about the
decision to be made at the December 17th EU Summit. Furthermore, Gul
said that if Turkey satisfies the full membership obligations and its
responsibilities, it will become a full member of the EU at the
proper time.
In response to a question about the appointment of the anti-Turkey
French Finance and Economy Minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, to lead the
Union of Public Movement (UMP) currently in office, Gul emphasized
that French President Jacques Chirac has the power in foreign policy
issues. The Turkish Foreign Minister urged EU leaders to honor its
pact and mentioned that Turkey already has special status within the
EU and more.