TURKEY RECALLS AMBASSADOR AFTER SWEDEN PASSES ‘GENOCIDE’ RESOLUTION
John Signoriello
examiner.com
x-36464-NY-Military-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m3d11- Turkey-recalls-ambassador-after-Sweden-passes-geno cide-resolution
March 12 2010
Turkish riot police outside US embassy in Ankara last wk (AP
Photo)Turkey recalled its ambassador to Sweden today and canceled an
upcoming summit between the countries after the Swedish parliament
branded the World War I killing of Armenians by Ottoman forces
‘genocide’, according to Reuters and a number of other news agencies.
"We strongly condemn this resolution, which is made for political
calculations," Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said, according
to Reuters.
"It does not correspond to the close friendship of our two nations. We
are recalling our ambassador for consultations," Erdogan said, adding
that he was cancelling a Turkey-Sweden summit scheduled for March 17.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a similar resolution last
week that labeled Turkey’s early 20th-century atrocities against the
Armenian people as ‘genocide.’
Minutes after the vote, Turkey withdrew its ambassador to the U.S.
Reuters reports that the Swedish resolution passed by an extremely
narrow margin, with 131 parliamentarians voting in favor and 130
against. Another 88 members of parliament were absent.
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee vote last week passed by
only one vote (23-22).
U.S. HR 252 states in part:
"The Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman
Empire from 1915 to 1923, resulting in the deportation of nearly
2,000,000 Armenians…1,500,000 men, women, and children were killed
and 14,500,000 survivors were expelled from their homes."
Eighteen NY and NJ legislators co-sponsored the resolution, including
NY Reps Charles Rangel and Anthony Weiner. A similar resolution
is pending in the Senate, where NY Senator Charles Schumer is a
co-sponsor.
NY Congressman, Michael McMahon (D-SI/Bklyn), a member of the House
committee, opposed the resolution.
"If HR 252 is passed and Turkey decides to close its border to our
troops in Iraq or remove its $100 million investment in Afghanistan,
our Armed Forces will be forced to take longer, more dangerous routes
to and from Iraq, exposing them to a greater possibility of attack
and longer deployments," Rep. McMahon stated.
Turkey is the critical passageway for our troops to Iraq, he said,
shortening travel time and reducing the risk of an IED attack.
"Furthermore, as a critical Muslim NATO ally and partner in
Afghanistan, we rely on Turkey to protect our troops as part of the
broader Afghan reconstruction effort."
Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George Bush I, Bill Clinton and
George Bush II have all opposed a similar resolution based on similar
arguments, according to Rep. McMahon, while Secretary of Defense
Robert Gates, under both the Bush and Obama Administrations, has
warned against the passage of the resolution.
"If Turkey decides to withdraw its support for the US mission in Iraq
and Afghanistan, I know that my visits to Walter Reed and Arlington
will only increase," Rep McMahon stated. "Even with my profound
sympathy for the families of those who perished during the Ottoman
Empire, I cannot responsibly risk such a possibility."
Rep. McMahon represents the 13th Congressional District, which includes
all of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. He faces re-election in
November. Michael Allegretti, a possible GOP opponent, announced he
favored the resolution.
"I urge the members of the House Foreign Relations to stand-up and
recognize the genocide which took place between 1915-1923," Mr.
Allegretti stated."It is unspeakable that one and a half million
Armenians lost their lives in an effort to erase them from their
homeland. Passage of this resolution would be a positive step for
the region."
Rep. McMahon called Allegretti’s position "reckless, irresponsible
and a serious threat to US national security and the safety of our
Armed Forces."
Turkey’s Foreign Minister warned the Obama administration to impede
the resolution or "the picture ahead will not be a positive one,"
according to AFP.
Foreign Minister Davutoglu said the Obama administration had not
put sufficient weight behind efforts to block the vote and called on
Washington to do more to prevent the measure from now going to the full
House. He complained of a lack of ‘strategic vision’ in Washington,
adding that the issue was a matter of ‘honor’ for his country.
According to Reuters, Turkey has signaled that its ambassador to
the United States will not return until the fate of the non-binding
congressional resolution is clear.
Reuters further reported that the administration of President Barack
Obama has vowed to stop the resolution from going further in Congress
in a bid to limit the diplomatic fallout.
Many analysts have pointed out that passage of the resolution comes at
a time the US is seeking Turkey’s support for sanctions against Iran.