SENATOR BACKS DETENTE
Hurriyet
Feb 20 2009
Turkey
ANKARA – As concerns run high over possible support from U.S Jewish
groups for a resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide, an
American Jewish senator has deemed the government’s "courageous"
policy for normalizing ties with Armenia as praiseworthy.
Robert Wexler, Democratic member of the U.S. Congress and co-chairman
of the Turkey caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, said the
U.S. Congress should focus on the normalization of relations between
Turkey and Armenia. His remarks came late Wednesday after his meeting
with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Wexler said the courageous policy pursued by both Erdogan and President
Abdullah Gul toward relations with Yerevan was worth praising and
said informing the U.S. Congress of that was of due importance.
Wexler highlighted the new climate between Turkey and Armenia, which
began with the Turkish president’s landmark visit to Yerevan in
September, and said both countries took steps to start constructive
dialogue. "We should do our best to support the efforts of Turkey
and Armenia," he said.