Amarillo.com , TX
Oct 13 2007

Editorial: Evils of history can hurt future

Congressional resolutions usually contain meaningless statements of
support or indignation that have no practical effect on actual
foreign policy.
Unless, of course, the words offend a key U.S. ally in a bloody war
against ruthless terrorists.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee has approved a resolution that
condemns Turkey for committing what it calls "genocide" against
Armenians near the end of the Ottoman Empire’s rule in 1915. Did the
Turks commit unspeakable acts when they massacred Armenians? No one
disputes that. Moreover, the Turks have been shamefully negligent in
recognizing the horror of those deeds.

But the resolution headed for a full House vote might enrage the
secular Turkish government, which is giving U.S. supplies safe
passage through and over that country as they support American troops
fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon, who opposes the resolution, said
Friday that the statement "is coming about because of domestic
political pressure by ethnic Armenians living in key congressional
districts."

He said approval of the resolution "could have detrimental
consequences for our war effort."

On Thursday, Turkey recalled its ambassador to the United States and
warned of serious repercussions if Congress proceeds with a
resolution that well might endanger this country’s vital military
mission in neighboring Iraq.

Does the House really intend to infuriate this key ally, which could
retaliate by shutting down transport routes to the battlefield? If it
does, then U.S. troops are placed even more directly in harm’s way.

This is not the time for resolutions that could produce far more
negative results than positive.

Words, as they say, have consequences, and the term "genocide" could
produce horrific consequences for young Americans fighting on our
behalf.

7/opi_8672248.shtml