ARMENIAN
ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS
RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May
18, 2017
Contact:
Danielle Saroyan
Telephone:
(202) 393-3434
dsaroyan@aaainc.org
Web:
www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY RENEWS ITS CALL FOR INVESTIGATION REGARDING TURKEY’S
SURREPTITOUS INFLUENCE IN THE UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the latest revelations regarding Lieutenant
General Michael Flynn's opposition in concert with Turkey against a U.S.
military operation that had been planned for months, the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly) renewed its call for a thorough investigation of Turkey's
surreptitious influence over U.S. officials to the detriment of U.S. national
security.
Today, the Assembly sent letters to the Senate
Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC), Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA),
House Intelligence Chairman David Nunes (R-CA), and Ranking Member Adam Schiff
(D-CA) highlighting key concerns on this matter.
"Time and time again, we have seen Turkey's
corrosive attempts to influence U.S. policy. Given the aforementioned issues,
we respectfully renew our request for a thorough investigation of Turkish
activities that compromise America's national security and democratic
institutions," Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian said.
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Frank Pallone,
Jr. stated: "It is even more troublesome that [Flynn] failed to disclose
his actions and that he may have compromised our efforts to defeat ISIS in
order to please his former client. With Mr. Flynn's willingness to conceal
relationships with foreign powers, we must investigate if there are other
interactions that have yet to be revealed."
According to a report in McClatchy Washington
Bureau, "Flynn's rejection of a military operation that had been months in
the making raises questions about what other key decisions he might have
influenced…"
This new revelation follows Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn's
November 8th op-ed in The Hill wherein Flynn argued that "we need to see
the world from Turkey's perspective." Flynn was paid over $500,000 for his
work on behalf of Turkey according to his recent FARA filing, which he failed
to disclose until he was caught.
News about Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn comes just after
a brutal attack by Turkish bodyguards against those peacefully protesting in
front of the Turkish Ambassador's residence.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of
America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting
public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
2017-035
Click here to read the Armenian Assembly of
America's letter to the House Select Committee on Intelligence.
Click here to read the Armenian Assembly of
America's letter to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Available online:
Turkey Intel 2017 - Senate 2.pdf
Turkey Intel 2017 - House 2.pdf