IMPOSSIBLE TO CONVINCE US CONGRESS THAT ARMENIAN ALLEGATIONS OF GENOCIDE ARE GROUNDLESS
By H. Chaqrian

AZG Armenian Daily
06/04/2007

On February 22 "Azg" reported that Ankara had an intention to send
3 Meclis delegations to Washington in order to start lobbying
activity against the Resolution on the Armenian Genocide. The
first two delegations paid their visits on February 25-March 4 and
March 11-18. The visit of the second delegation is appointed on
April 14-21. very little was reported in the Turkish press about
the mission of the two delegations. On April 2 "Turkiye" newspaper
published an article about the third delegation’s mission, based upon
the information received from the Armenian Studies Institute, Ankara.

Seemingly the most important of the three Turkish parliamentary
delegations is the last one, which is to be lead by the head of Foreign
Relations Commission Dulger. The delegation is to take with it a large
number of materials on the Armenian issue – the video recording of the
Akhtamar’s Surb Khach church inauguration ceremony, audio CDs with the
works of Greek, Armenian and Jewish composers, general Mayevsky’s notes
and the following books: "The Armenian Folder" by Kyamuran Gurun,
"The Armenian Question in 1000 Documents" by Mehmed Perincek and
"The Armenian Question" by Bilal Simsir.

"Turkiye" says that the materials are to be presented to the
Congressmen with the words "If we hated the Armenians so much
we wouldn’t spend 3 millions of our taxpayers’ money top restore
Akdamar church. The Turkish Music Fund issued one audio CD with
works of Jewish and another of Greek composers, and two CDs with
the works of the Armenian ones. Our music has much in common. So,
it was impossible to commit genocide against the Armenians".

What will all this avail in persuading the US Congressmen that the
Armenian Genocide is a fiction, none can say yet. Nevertheless Ilter
Turkmen, former Foreign Minister of Turkey, whose diplomatic skills
were highly estimated in the West, is obviously rather pessimistic
on this point.

Turkmen in an article published on April 2 in "Huriet" says, "Now its
impossible to be sure that the Representatives’ Chamber will adopt
the Armenian Resolution before April 24. Nonetheless, in case the
Resolution is voted on a plenary session of the Chamber, surely it
shall gain the majority of votes.

Although the White House and the office of the Secretary of State
are doing the best to fail the Resolution, even in case the voting
is postponed due to pressure of President Bush’s board, it will be
considered again next year. The annual speech of the US President on
April 24 is also not to be neglected.

Although the word ‘genocide’ is never used in the speech, extremely
exaggerated statements are made, which are not acceptable for us."

Taner Akcam, professor of the Minnesota University, indirectly affirmed
Ilter Turkmen’s words. Inan inerview to "Zaman" newspaper, published
on March 31, he said "I’m not strongly interested in eth Resolution
itself. I wish the Congress pass it. This torture must end. Turkey
has been doubting for long years, whether it shall be adopted or
no. The same has doubted Armenia. Let it pass and let us get rid
of it. The resolution will give considerable moral advantage to the
Armenians. They will be very excited that one more state has accepted
the Genocide. There is no one in the Congress to say that Turkey’s
actions weren’t genocide. They are just unwilling to disappoint
Turkey. The matter is not about 1915, but about Incirlik. In case the
Resolution is adopted, Turkey shall close the Incirlik military base
for the United States. "

Akcam also commented on Prime Minister Erdogan’s recent initiatives
on the Armenian issue. "I hope the Government will be more intended
in this question. As for now it is not intended enough. Turkey’s
problems with Armenia will be settled only after getting rid of such
politicians as Yusuf Halacoglu, Gunduz Aktan, Sukru Elektag, who at
present determine the governmental policy."