PanArmenian News
March 19 2005

US LAID DOWN TERMS TO TURKEY FOR NOT ACKNOWLEDGING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

19.03.2005 04:52

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During the trip to the US members of the Democracy
Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey met with US Deputy
Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz. During the talks P. Wolfowitz named
the spheres, in which the Bush Administration would like to see the
Turkish Government’s support. Specifically, he touched upon the topic
of the Armenian Genocide. In Mr. Wolfowitz’ words, in exchange for
the negative response to the US for the wishes of Armenians on
acknowledgement of the Genocide, Ankara has to support the White
House in some foreign policy tasks. Wolfowitz named the issues, in
which the US expects support from Turkey. Specifically, Washington
expects Ankara to hold the same position with itself in respect of
Iran and Syria, up to joint actions. The Bush Administration wishes
abrupt reaction from Ankara at the state level in response to the
accusations referring to the US and Jews, as well as the opening of a
missionary school. As reported by the Turkish press, Ankara has to
improve relations with Yerevan and make actual steps to open the
border with Armenia. The US Turkish lobby has launched intense
actions thereupon too. The President of the Federation of Turkish
American Associations Ata Erim stated that Turks of the US have
decided to struggle against acknowledgement of the Genocide. In his
words, Turks gradually become notable players in the US political
life. A. Erim noted that the Armenian lobby had made efforts to
attain official recognition of the Genocide, however it did not
succeed. According to the information of the Federation President,
the Armenian lobby is expected submit a draft on acknowledgement of
the Genocide to the Congress, however the Turkish lobby will do its
best for the bill not to be passed.