MEHMET ALI BIRAND: ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL WILL DISGRACE TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.02.2007 14:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The adoption of the bill recognizing the
Armenian Genocide will mean that Turkey is disgraced and that this
is made a fact by the world’s only super power. We must prevent our
grandchildren from suffering such a shame," writes Turkish observer
Mehmet Ali Birand in the Turkish Daily News. In his words, Turkey’s
agenda next week will be dominated by the Armenian Genocide bill
in the U.S. Congress. The article tells about the "benefits" the
U.S. derives from cooperation with Turkey including contribution to
the NATO force in Afghanistan by sending soldiers, reinforcement
of the NATO force in Kosovo and substantial role in the Caucasus
(especially in the Armenian-Georgian-Azerbaijani triangle). "Both
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaþar
Buyukanýt put this list in front of the U.S. administrators and
asked: What good will it do to risk such a vital collaboration,
such a profound relationship just to satisfy a couple of thousand
Armenians? It is really a hard choice," Birand says.

The author thinks that the Jewish lobby should use its
influence. "Drawing attention to Turkey’s direct and indirect support
to Israel’s security, Turkish authorities say, "We cannot accept our
Jewish friends’ watching the developments from afar. They need to use
their influence." Saying, "If the Jewish lobby does not oppose the
Armenian Genocide bill, they should not expect the same support from
us, a high-level government official who closely observes the process
in Washington indicated that Buyukanýt will repeat this message during
his Washington meetings," Birand continues.

"What will happen if the U.S. Congress accepts the Armenian genocide
bill? What will we lose? Will they convince us to pay compensation
or will they force us to give land?" the observer asks. "Leave the U.S.

Congress do whatever they want. But we must also know well what
awaits us at the end of the road. Let us not forget that the
passing of the bill will not mean the end of the world and that the
Turkish-U.S. relations will survive under all conditions," he resumes.

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