TOP TURKISH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION TO LOBBY AGAINST GENOCIDE BILL

Asbarez
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Mar 23rd, 2010

ANKARA (Hurriyet)-The Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s
Association (TUSIAD) will not postpone its meeting in the United
States scheduled for April 19-20 and will instead use the opportunity
of its visit to the US to lobby against congressional recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.

TUSIAD announced earlier this month that it was considering postponing
the meeting to a later date due to a decision by the U.S. House
Committee on Foreign Affairs to approve on March 4 a resolution
recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Relations between Turkey and the U.S. have been tense ever since the
committee approved the draft law, said Jale Ozgenturk, a columnist
and news coordinator for business daily Referans.

Now, with only one month remaining until April 24-the international
day of commemoration for the Genocide-anticipation is growing as to how
the U.S. president will term the events during his annual statement.

In response to the March 4 resolution, Turkey recalled its ambassador
in Washington, Namık Tan, while the Foreign Ministry said the
government’s official line favored not holding high-level visits at
the time, indicating that Industry Minister Zafer Caglayan’s visit
scheduled for March 19 had been delayed.

The ministry also advised the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities
Exchanges (TOBB,) the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK)
and TUSIAD to refrain from attending meetings in the country.

TUSIAD, for its part, had asked the opinion of the Foreign Ministry
before the scheduled visit, a ministry official said on condition
of anonymity. "But we told them the last decision rests with
them. We cannot say anything to independent organizations that can
be interpreted as an instruction. For example, Guler Sabancı was
also going to travel to the U.S., but we learned she canceled the
trip based on her personal decision."

TUSIAD at first decided to postpone its meetings scheduled for Apr.

19-20 but then changed its mind. The association said such a
postponement could be harmful for Turkey.

The association said that continuing its present line until April 24
may ultimately weaken Turkey’s interests, adding that, as a result,
it is preparing to conduct its visits to the U.S. as they were
planned earlier.

During its visit the association hopes to meet with U.S. Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton although TUSIAD is still waiting to hear a
response for its request to meet the official.

In addition to TUSIAD Chairwoman Umit Boyner, some board members,
such as Haluk Dincer, who is also chairman of the Turkish American
Business Council, or TAIK, and Cem Duna are also expected to attend
the meetings.

A member from the TUSIAD board said the Turkish government’s "sulking"
policy would bring no benefit to the country.

"This is not a sustainable attitude," the member said. Noting
that nongovernmental organizations also have a mission within the
international relations, the TUSIAD member said the visit would
proceed for this reason.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress