ERDOGAN URGES THE USA TO EXERCISE "COMMON SENSE"

3/erdogan
02:38 pm | March 03, 2010

Politics

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday urged the
Obama administration to exercise "common sense" in dealing with the
Armenian Genocide Resolution slated for a vote in the U.S .House
Foreign Affairs Committee.

Erdogan made the statement during a meeting of ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP).

The Turkish premier noted that historic facts must be studied by
historians and not by political figures.

"I hope the House of Representatives will act with common sense in
the face of such an issue that should be left to historians. I hope
that American-Turkish partnership, warmer than ever, will not be
harmed by such initiatives," Erdogan said.

"I trust the leadership and common sense of [President Barack]
Obama, who is closely following the ongoing normalization efforts
with Armenia and urge to research genocide claims not at the House
of Representatives but at universities and archives," he added.

According to Azatutyun Radio Station, official Ankara has made
similar appeals to Washington for three times this week. The other two
statements were pronounced by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry and Parliament.

Turkey has threatened that any House or Senate adoption of a resolution
recognizing the Armenian Genocide would lead to a major and lasting
deterioration in relations with the United States.