Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
September 3, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ARMENIAN CAUCUS VOICES CONCERNS OVER ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS
— Co-Chairmen Raise Reservations about Turkey’s
Willingness to Honor its Commitments
— Call for New Era of Armenia-Turkey Relations
Based on Truth, Justice, Peace and Cooperation
WASHINGTON, DC – The Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk
(R-IL) today expressed reservations regarding Turkey’s willingness
to cooperate in the implementation of its agreements under a set of
recently signed protocols on the normalization of Turkey-Armenia
relations, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).
In a public statement, the two legislators called into question
several points related to the protocols, including Turkey’s pattern
of using its ongoing dialogue with Armenia as a "stall tactic" to
delay the lifting of its illegal 16-year blockade of Armenia. The
Co-Chairman also noted their concern regarding Turkey’s efforts to
impose preconditions, stressing that: "Normalization of relations
should take place without preconditions." In a rebuke to the
"historical commission" long advanced by Turkey, they set forth
their view that: "Any attempt to include a review of historical
fact, such as the Armenian Genocide, or to include the ongoing
Nagorno Karabakh peace process into these negotiations stands in
direct opposition to the intent of these talks."
The leaders of the Armenian Caucus closed their statement by
expressing their hope that, "Turkey, by lifting its illegal
blockade, will open the door to normalized relations between
Yerevan and Ankara, and a new era of Armenia-Turkey relations based
on truth, justice, peace and cooperation."
Earlier this week, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the lead author of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution, expressed "serious concerns about
some provisions of the protocols," stating that: "In particular, I
was deeply disappointed to see that the protocols call for the
creation of an historical commission to review the events of 1915-
23. This is a thoroughly discredited idea; there is no dispute
among scholars that the Armenian people were the subject of
genocide during the waning days of the Ottoman Empire and an
historical commission is another effort to obfuscate the truth."
Rep. Schiff went on to state that: "True reconciliation between the
Armenian and Turkish peoples will occur when Turkey acknowledges
the genocide that was committed by the Ottoman Empire against
Armenians from 1915 – 1923."
On Tuesday, the ANCA circulated a memo to Members of Congress,
noting that "among primary concerns is that Armenia, blockaded by
Turkey and under intense economic and diplomatic pressure, was
forced into accepting terms that threaten her interests, rights,
safety, and future – very notably in the form of a proposed
‘historical commission.’" The memo went on to note that "This
provision, a tactic long pursued by Ankara to cast doubt on the
historical record of the Armenian Genocide, is intended to serve
Turkey’s drive to roll back the growing tide of international
recognition of this crime against humanity. There can be no
enduring relationship between Armenia and Turkey that is not built
upon the foundation of Turkey’s acceptance of a true and just
resolution of this crime."
Armenian Americans began expressing their concerns to Members of
Congress through an ANCA WebFax campaign urging lawmakers to call
for an investigation into State Department pressure on Armenia to
agree to the inclusion of a ‘historical commission’ – an affront to
descendants of Armenian Genocide victims and survivors around the
world. The ANCA WebFax may be viewed at:
tid=13982691
The complete text of the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs statement is
provided below.
#####
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Tali Israeli (Pallone) 202-225-4671
September 3,2009
Aaron Winters (Kirk) 202-225-4835
LAWMAKERS ISSUE STATEMENT ON NORMALIZATION
OF RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Remain Concerned with Turkey’s
Cooperation
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Mark
Steven Kirk (R-IL), Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, released the following statement today regarding
the recent development that Armenia and Turkey will renew their
efforts to normalize relations.
Armenian and Turkish diplomats on Monday agreed upon two protocols,
which establish the framework of talks aimed at a formal agreement
on bilateral and diplomatic relations. A six-week deadline has been
set for both the Turkish and Armenian governments to conclude
consultations and for their respective parliaments to ratify the
protocols. Once ratified, a two-month timetable has been set for
the opening of the common border.
In addition, the protocols include a timetable for the
establishment of an intergovernmental commission. The commission
would provide an impartial scientific examination of the historical
records and archives in order to define existing problems and
formulate recommendations.
"As co-chairs of the Armenian Caucus, we support the aim of
Monday’s development between Armenia and Turkey to move toward
normalizing relations. We believe it is essential that the two
countries do so without preconditions and in a timely manner.
"While we are optimistic that efforts are being renewed to lift the
Turkish blockade and establish relations between the two countries,
we remain concerned with Turkey’s willingness to cooperate in the
matter.
On July 30, along with 80 Members of Congress, we sent a letter to
President Obama expressing our concern that the Turkish government
will once again stall progress on these efforts. Only weeks after
announcing the historical agreement to work towards normalization
with Armenia, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan steered his country
away from the negotiations by placing preconditions on
normalization. Once again, we fear that Turkey will use the recent
developments as an excuse to continue stall tactics, which prevent
a truthful working relationship between the two nations.
We are concerned with certain provisions of the protocols, which
may include preconditions to opening the border between Armenia and
Turkey. Normalization of relations should take place without
preconditions. Any attempt to include a review of historical fact,
such as the Armenian Genocide, or to include the ongoing Nagorno
Karabakh peace process into these negotiations stands in direct
opposition to the intent of these talks.
We remain hopeful that Turkey, by lifting its illegal blockade,
will open the door to normalized relations between Yerevan and
Ankara, and a new era of Armenia-Turkey relations based on truth,
justice, peace and cooperation. By coming to terms with the past
and reconciling any current conflicts, Turkey and Armenia will help
bring more stability to a volatile and strategic region of the
world."
-30-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
