PR Newswire
October 17, 2007 Wednesday 8:45 PM GMT

Blunt: Resolution Condemning Ottoman Empire Sets in Motion Dangerous
Chain of Events

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In response to the
Turkish Parliament’s vote to authorize their troops’ incursion into
Iraq, House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) today strongly urged
Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reconsider bringing a resolution to the floor
condemning as genocide the actions taken by Ottoman Turks against
Armenians 90 years ago. Blunt issued the following statement:

"Today, as expected, Turkey’s parliament passed a measure authorizing
their troops to enter Iraq – making an already tense situation along
Iraq’s northern border even worse. At a time when we are trying to
bring stability and security to the region, this resolution would
needlessly imperil American diplomatic credibility. And though it is
important that the Turkish Prime Minister and his Government exercise
due caution and restraint, this resolution would provide cover to
those in Turkey who seek to destabilize the region by invading Iraqi
Kurdistan.

"Earlier this year, the speaker said that Democrats would ‘renew
longstanding alliances that have advanced our national security
objectives.’ Moving this disastrous bill to the House floor would
absolutely contradict that promise and demonstrate a wholesale lack
of judgment on matters related to foreign policy and national
security. I urge the speaker to do the right thing and reconsider
bringing it to the House floor."

NOTE: Turkey’s parliament today approved a potential cross-border
military offensive against Kurdish rebels in Iraq who have conducted
terrorist activities inside Turkey. The government of Turkey must
still order the operation before it can begin.

Speaker Pelosi promised in her "A New Direction for America," to
"…renew longstanding alliances that have advanced our national
security objectives."

Congressman Blunt signed a letter to Speaker Pelosi today along with
44 bipartisan Members, urging her not to bring the resolution to the
House floor.

CONTACT: Antonia Ferrier or Amos Snead of the Office of Republican
Whip,
+1-202-226-7022

SOURCE House Republican Whip Roy Blunt