Armenian caucus co-chairs urge Chairman Lantos to reject Turkish Threats

09.02.2007 16:03

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) expressed outrage at
recent warnings by the Turkish government that it will take actions
threatening the security of U.S. troops in Iraq should Congress even
consider the Armenian Genocide Resolution, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos
(D-CA), Reps. Pallone and Knollenberg noted that, "it is our
understanding that senior Turkish government officials have warned
that, in response to Congress even considering this resolution,
they will close supply pipelines for our forces serving in Iraq.

This shameless threat to interfere in U.S. military operations is
absolutely unacceptable and deeply offensive." The Representatives
went on to express dismay at the response of several Administration
officials who, caving in to the Turkish government’s threats, have
urged Members of Congress to oppose even debate on this human rights
measure.

"Sadly, the Turkish government is able to maintain its denial –
against all evidence and the tide of international opinion – in large
part due to the State Department’s efforts to silence those who speak
with moral clarity about the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian.

The letter to Chairman Lantos comes on the heels of a three-day
Washington, DC visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul,
who had announced that his government’s opposition to the Armenian
Genocide resolution was a top priority in discussions with senior U.S.
officials. "In this case, approval of this bill against Turkey would
ruin everything.

I told my counterpart that this step will have a great influence
on our relations," said Gul during a press conference immediately
following his meeting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.