WEXLER, SKELTON, MURTHA AND HASTINGS SEND LETTER TO ARMENIAN AND TURKISH PRESIDENTS SUPPORTING NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS LETTER SUPPORTS ARMENIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHMENT

States News Service
March 30, 2009 Monday

The following information was released by the office of Florida
Rep. Robert Wexler:

Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) and three senior Members of the
United States Congress sent a strong letter supporting Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement to Armenian President Serzh Sargsian and Turkish
President Abdullah Gul. In the letter, Congressman Wexler, Chairman of
the Subcommittee on Europe in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs;
Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO), Chairman of the House Armed Services
Committee; John Murtha (D-PA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense
in the House Committee on Appropriations; and Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL),
Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
(the U.S. Helsinki Commission), expressed their approval of ongoing
Armenian and Turkish efforts to normalize relations.

It is critical that the United States and international community
support Armenia and Turkey during their ongoing efforts to normalize
relations and create positive dynamics in the Caucasus region," said
Congressman Wexler. "It is in the interest of the United States and
both Armenia and Turkey that differences between Yerevan and Ankara
are overcome and that a solid foundation is laid to enhance cooperation
and diplomatic relations between these two nations."

Congressman Robert Wexler is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe
and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the
House Judiciary Committee. Recently, Congressman Wexler served as an
advisor on Middle East issues to President Barack Obama during his
2008 presidential campaign.