Seattle Post Intelligencer , WA
March 5 2010

Aerospace group condemns resolution condemning genocide

The Armenian massacre was genocide, but Congress shouldn’t condemn
Turkey for it, the head of an aerospace industry group said Friday, a
day after the House Foreign Relations Committee approved such a
resolution.

"Critical national security, economic and diplomatic relations with
our ally Turkey are threatened by yesterday’s House Foreign Relations
Committee vote approving the resolution condemning Turkey for the
Armenian genocide that took place 95 years ago," Aerospace Industries
Association President and Chief Executive Marion Blakey said in a
statement.

Turkey and the United States have important and long-standing
strategic and economic ties. Turkey is a strong democracy, a fellow
member of NATO and a critical partner in the war against terrorists.
Turkey plays an important role in America’s recovery as we anticipate
more than $11 billion in potential defense and aerospace sales to
Turkey this year providing nearly 70,000 American jobs.

While no one supports the events that led to this resolution, we
believe it is not the best use of congressional energy when our
nation’s economy is suffering, and Turkey is supporting our efforts in
Afghanistan. We’re urging President Obama and the Speaker of the House
to ensure that the resolution doesn’t go to the House floor for a
vote. There is simply too much at stake.

Boeing President, Chairman and Chief Executive Jim McNerney was among
the aerospace executives who signed onto a letter opposing the
resolution because it would jeopardize U.S. exports to Turkey.

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