TURKISH MINISTER SAYS ARMENIAN BILL IN USA WILL CAUSE LASTING DAMAGE TO RELATIONS

NTV television, Istanbul
10 Feb 07

Text of report by Turkish commercial NTV television on 10 February

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has declared that if the Armenian
genocide bill is approved by the US Congress, Turkish-US strategic
relations will sustain a lasting blow.

Gul concluded his contacts in the USA and returned to
Ankara. Commenting on his visit in a statement at Ankara’s Esenboga
Airport, Gul said that Turkey had fulfilled its task of issuing a
warning before the bill pertaining to the Armenian genocide allegations
was debated at the US Congress. Pointing out that there were efforts
to present the bill as a local problem, the minister stated: A local
issue does not have the right to poison a strategic matter.

Gul said that Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives,
avoided meeting him on the grounds that she was not ready.

Also emphasizing importance of cooperation with regard to combating
the terrorist organization, Gul said: The patience of the Turkish
people has run out.

The United States should place itself in our position. If it does,
it would also not tolerate this. We have tangible expectations,
not just words.