Agence France Presse — English
October 11, 2007 Thursday

Gates warns of Turkish response over Armenia resolution

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Thursday of reprisals from
Turkey after a committee of US lawmakers branded the Ottoman Empire’s
World War I massacre of Armenians a genocide.

The US House of Representatives committee defied warnings from
President George W. Bush and Turkey’s authorities, voting Wednesday
in favour of the resolution by 27 votes to 21.

Turkey condemned the committee’s action Thursday and warned against
any move to take it to a full House vote, saying it would jeopardise
a strategic partnership with an ally and friend and would be an
"irresponsible attitude."

Gates said Turkey is crucial to US supply lines into Iraq, with 70
percent of US air cargo, 30 percent of fuel shipments to US forces
and 95 percent of new Mine Resistant Armored Protected Vehicles
(MRAPS) going through Turkey.

"The Turks have been quite clear about some of the measures they
would have to take if this resolution passes," Gates said after talks
with his British counterpart Des Browne in London.

"It’s worth noting that the French parliament passed a similar
resolution, and there were a number of steps taken by the Turkish
government to punish, if you will, the French," he said.

The Turkish government will formally ask parliament next week to
approve an incursion into northern Iraq to crack down on Kurdish
rebels taking refuge there, according to a ruling party official.

The United States has repeatedly urged Turkey not to take unilateral
action in conflict-torn Iraq.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress