TURKISH PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN CALLS PRESIDENT BUSH ON GENOCIDE BILL
MEMRI, DC
l/en/3129.htm
Oct 7 2007
In a phone call to the U.S. President, PM Erdogan told him that the
strategic partnership between the two countries will be harmed if the
U.S. Congress passes the bill on Armenian "genocide". Erdogan said
that this bill will not serve the interests of Turkey or the U.S.;
and will hurt the chances for developing any relations between Turkey
and Armenia. It was reported that President Bush told PM Erdogan that
he understood him, that he too was concerned about the resolution
and that he and his team would work hard to prevent its passage.
It is unclear how much influence the Bush administration will have
in the Congress now dominated by Democrats who are more submissive
to the demands of the Armenian Diaspora.
Turkey is a key NATO ally of Washington that supports the U.S. needs
in the region, in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There have been warnings voiced among Turkish political circles that
Ankara could consider shutting down Incirlik air base to U.S. use,
as well as its borders with Iraq, cutting the supply lines and causing
serious problems for the U.S. military fighting in Iraq.
PM Erdogan also placed calls to President Clinton and to Israel’s
President Shimon Peres, to ask for Israel’s support. Peres in return
reiterated that his country will continue to support Turkey’s position.