DANIEL FRIED: TURKEY NEEDS TO COME TO TERMS WITH A DARK CHAPTER IN ITS HISTORY

armradio.am
19.06.2008 10:39

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) led
a two hour hearing yesterday that included over a dozen members of
Congress questioning Assistant Secretary Dan Fried on the U.S. policy
of complicity in Armenian Genocide denial, Turkey’s blockade, and
Azerbaijan’s escalating threats of war, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).

"We want to thank Chairman Berman for this excellent opportunity for
members of the Foreign Affairs Committee to exercise oversight over a
deeply flawed set of U.S. policies toward Armenia and Armenian American
issues – most notably the Administration’s policy of complicity in
Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, its lack of any meaningful
steps to lift Turkey’s blockade of Armenia, and its effective silence
in the face of escalating threats of war by an increasingly well
armed Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno Karabakh."

Berman opened the hearing stating, "I’d like to start with one of
the most puzzling and problematic matters: the Turkish blockade of
Armenia, in place since 1993. It’s a punishing policy that holds the
Armenian economy back and enormously increases the cost of much of
Armenia’s trade with other nations." He continued noting that "It’s
baffling why Ankara would want to pursue this land blockade, which
also harms the economy of eastern Turkey, and is therefore clearly
contrary to its own interests."

"Armenia can be a great success story, but its recent history has
been one of difficulties. The Armenian people have demonstrated
extraordinary resilience through their long history of hardship
and tragedy. Achieving independence from the Soviet Union in 1991,
the new republic was also rising from the ruins of a catastrophic
earthquake in 1988. That event mobilized aid from around the world,
including the first U.S. humanitarian mission in the Soviet Union,
and a wave of support from Armenian Diaspora groups.

This effort to rebuild was strained by the war in Nagorno-Karabakh,
which led to an energy embargo and closed borders with both Azerbaijan
and Turkey, exacerbating the post-independence political and economic
stresses.

Despite those hardships, however, the last decade has witnessed an
economic turnaround in Armenia, with double-digit GDP growth year upon
year coupled with low inflation. The Diaspora community around the
world continues to extend its hand to Armenia, in both humanitarian
and philanthropic giving and direct investment. Through their advocacy
and indications of a will to reform, Armenia in 2006 entered into a
Millennium Challenge Corporation compact worth $236 million. I also
can’t let this opportunity pass without thanking Armenia for a recent
doubling of its troop level in Kosovo to 70 and the continuation of
the Armenian troop presence in Iraq, which numbers 44," the Assistant
Secretary of State declared.

He noted, however, that Armenia faces serious challenges today:
geographic isolation, widespread corruption, and recent setbacks to
its democratic development. Supporting Armenia’s regional integration
is a particular priority for the United States.

"One major step toward regional integration would be a peaceful,
just, and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. During
the past two years, the parties have moved closer than ever to a
framework agreement based on a set of Basic Principles developed
through intensive negotiations under the auspices of the Minsk Group
Co-Chairs," Daniel Fried said.

"Achieving normal relations between Armenia and Turkey is another
principle concern. As a key part of that effort, the United States
supports the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border. The status
quo is not helpful to anyone. Fortunately, some progress has been
achieved in recent years: there are regular charter flights between
Yerevan and Istanbul and other flights to Antalya; bus connections
via Georgia are numerous; and trade with Turkey through Georgia
is common. Both countries would greatly benefit from increased,
direct trade with the other, connecting their electrical grids,
and implementing other measures natural to neighbors. The U.S. also
supports more cross-border dialogue and cooperation between the people
of Armenia and Turkey through research initiatives, conferences, and
exchange programs. An example of this cross-border exchange, supported
by U.S. assistance funds, was the performance of the Armenian Komitas
Quartet in Istanbul last week, and the scheduled performance of the
Turkish Bosphorus Quartet in Yerevan today.

Reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey, however, will require
dealing with sensitive, painful issues. Turkey needs to come to terms
with a dark chapter in its history: the mass killings and forced exile
of up to 1.5 million Armenians at the end of the Ottoman Empire. That
will not be easy, just as it has not been easy for the United States
to come to terms with dark periods of our own past. For its part,
Armenia must be ready to acknowledge the existing border and disavow
any claim on the territory of modern Turkey, and respond constructively
to any efforts Turkey may make," Mr. Fried continued.