FORMER ADVISOR OF US PRESIDENT PROPOSES ARMENIA TO RECIPROCATE OLIVE BRANCH EXTENDED ERDOGAN
Pan Armenian News
13.09.2005 03:59
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A key U.S. House panel, American Turkish Council
(ATC) Chairman Brent Scowcroft urged Speaker Dennis Hastert to decline
discussion of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA). Scowcroft’s message specifically
notes he is “gravely concerned about plans to debate in the House
of Representatives H. Con. Res. 195, a resolution “Commemorating
the Armenian Genocide”.” In his words, the discussion on the floor
of the U.S. House would be “counter-productive to the interests of
the United States.” The ATC Chairman reminded that when the French
Senate passed such a resolution, “it cost France over $1 billion in
cancelled contracts and lost business opportunities.” “We strongly
urge you to review the attached letter that Turkish Prime Minister
Erdogan sent Armenian President Robert Kocharian on April 10, 2005,
seeking to normalize bilateral relations as well as address painful
long-standing historical issues. Although Armenian President Kocharian
rejected his offer, we are encouraged that Prime Minister Erdogan
and his government, by reaching out to Armenia with an offer for an
open dialogue on difficult issues involving Turks and Armenians,
are taking an historic step. Turkish-Armenian rapprochement is in
the best interests of both nations, and the ATC believes now is the
time for reconciliation. We sincerely hope that President Kocharian
and his government will take the opportunity to reciprocate the olive
branch extended by Prime Minister Erdogan,” Scowcroft’s letter notes.