AMERICAN CONGRESSMEN SEND LETTER TO U.S. PRESIDENT ON ISSUE OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS
Noyan Tapan
Aug 4, 2009
WASHINGTON, AUGUST 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Under the
leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs,
Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), along
with Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA), 82
American congressmen sent a letter to President Barack Obama drawing
his attention to the fact that Turkey has refused to normalize the
relations with Armenia without preconditions, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly).
In the letter the congressmen express anxiousness for the thing that
Turkey backpedals on the agreed upon roadmap to normalize relations
between Turkey and Armenia according to which the normalization should
take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe.
"While the Government of Armenia remains committed to this roadmap and
has long offered to establish ties with Turkey without preconditions,
Turkey’s public statements and actions since April 24th stand in
sharp contrast to this agreement," the letter pointed out.
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny commended this initiative
of the congressmen stating that Armenia has repeatedly offered
to normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions. We also
supported the position that the USA Administration should separate
the issues of normalization of the relations and adoption of the
Genocide. According to him, "U.S. adoption of the Armenian Genocide
should not be held hostage to normalization of relations."