RESOLUTION VOTE SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE TO TURKEY

The Hill
March 4 2010
DC

By Rep. Ed. Whitfield (R-KY), Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Rep. Steve
Cohen (D-TN) – 03/04/10 09:51 AM ET

â~@¨A Turkish proverb says "A wise man remembers his friends at all
times; a fool, only when he has need of them." This is a telling
phrase from a nation with which the United States has a longstanding
and strategic partnership. Our friendship with the Republic of Turkey
dates back to World War II and since that time Turkish troops have
stood shoulder to shoulder with American troops in defense of freedom
and justice. Most recently, we have worked together to combat terrorism
and bring stability to the Middle East. And we have forged an economic
partnership which has benefitted both our nations. So valued is this
friendship that President Obama, during his first bilateral overseas
trip, described our relationship as a "Model Partnership."

â~@¨Turkey plays an invaluable role in assisting our efforts to combat
international terrorism. In Afghanistan, Turkey has provided hundreds
of millions of dollars for reconstruction efforts and humanitarian aid
and operates hospitals and schools that serve hundreds of thousands
of individuals. Turkey also has helped train members of the Afghan
National Police and the National Army, a vital task that will help
transfer sole security responsibilities to the Afghan government.

â~@¨Economically, Turkey represents billions of dollars and thousands
of American jobs to our country. In recent years the United States
has exported more than $10 billion worth of goods there annually
and this number continues to grow. In addition to exports, Turkish
industries continue to grow and develop to the benefit of businesses
in the United States in which they invest.

â~@¨More broadly, Turkey is a key diplomatic partner in a challenging
and sometimes hostile region of the world. As the only secular
democracy with a predominantly Muslim population, Turkey is uniquely
poised to work with surrounding countries such as Syria, Lebanon and
Iran. These ties can only serve to help the U.S. in our own dealings
with the region, as well as in promoting regional energy security,
and assisting in the Middle East peace process.

â~@¨It is troubling then that at this time of great economic and
military challenge, the United States Congress would deliberately
take actions which would damage our friendship with such an important
ally. This week the House Foreign Affairs Committee will be considering
H. Res.

252, a non-binding resolution which labels the deaths of ethnic
Armenians during the final days of the Ottoman Empire in World War I as
genocide. This is a highly contentious issue and an event still being
debated by historians. This legislation, while legally meaningless
in the U.S., would most certainly be seen as a slap in the face to
Turkey and a harpoon to U.S. relations with the country.

Equally concerning, it also has the potential to undermine the current
rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia.

Turkey and Armenia have made great strides on their own in improving
relations between their two countries. For some time, the United
States, Switzerland, and other nations have actively been supporting
the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia. These efforts
have helped spur protocols essential to these developments. Once
ratified, these protocols will establish diplomatic relations, open
common borders and foster commerce between these neighbors. These
measures are presently before both parliaments for ratification, so
this process is at a sensitive stage. The consideration of H. Res. 252
in the U.S. Congress will undermine these positive developments and
could permanently derail the restoration of diplomatic ties and normal
relations between the two nations. It also sends conflicting messages
to Ankara and Yerevan that the United States is serious about helping
these neighbors to reconcile.

â~@¨As a global leader, the United States must continue to play an
active role in ending atrocities throughout the world. And as friends
and allies, we should always be able to tell Turkey how we really feel
when we disagree with their policies and actions. But the "Armenian
genocide" issue remains a matter of debate by historians, making it
dangerous for politicians to make conclusive historical claims.

A vote on this resolution will do nothing to rectify the tragedies
of the past, but it will most certainly have significant negative
consequences on current and future U.S. relations with Turkey and
the Armenia-Turkey normalization process. The ties that bind Turkey
and the United States are strong and will continue to be strong as we
combat threats to both our nations and work to bring stability to the
Middle East. At this decisive juncture in history, the U.S. Congress
should heed the call of the old Turkish proverb and do all that we
can to foster our friendship, instead of recklessly endangering it.

â~@¨Reps. Ed Whitfield, Kay Granger and Steve Cohen are â~@¨Co-Chairs
of the Congressional Caucus on Turkey

olution-vote-sends-the-wrong-message-to-turkey

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress