Jerusalem Post
Oct 19 2007
Gates: Armenian genocide resolution could irreparably harm US-Turkish
ties
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Congressional passage of a resolution labeling as genocide the mass
killings of Armenians by Turks a century ago would hurt US relations
with Turkey, "perhaps beyond repair," Defense Secretary Robert Gates
said.
Gates told reporters Thursday that he has encouraged congressional
leaders not to pass the resolution. Earlier, he met at the Pentagon
with Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan. Gates said neither he
nor his guest raised the subject.
"Having worked this issue in the last Bush administration, … I
don’t think the Turks are bluffing. I think it is that meaningful to
them," Gates said. "I think there is a very real risk of perhaps not
shutting us down," but of at least restricting US access to Turkish
airspace for resupplying US troops in Iraq.