turkishpress.com
Armenian Resolutions Adopted At The Committee
Published: 9/16/2005
WASHINGTON – Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House of
Representatives passed two resolutions acknowledging the so-called Armenian
genocide, although the U.S. Department of State sent the committee a letter
opposing this move.
Matthew Reynolds, U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary for Legislative, sent a
letter to Henry Hyde, the chairman of the Committee on International
Relations, and said that the U.S. administration was against the adoption of
these resolutions.
In his letter, Reynolds also underlined that discussion of this matter at
the full house was against national interests; would harm Turkish-U.S.
relations and hamper development of relations between Ankara and Yerevan.
Also, Reynolds said that the USA not only continued to support discussion of
this matter by academicians, diplomats and non-governmental organizations,
but also emboldened Turkish and Armenian governments to establish economic
and political dialogue.
In the letter, Reynolds recalled that the USA had welcomed Turkish
government’s initiatives to reach a consensus with Armenia.
Noting that these resolutions would harm concerted efforts of the USA and
Turkey in East Mediterranean, Caucasus, Central Asia and Middle East,
Reynolds underlined the importance of Turkey in reinforcing of democracy,
tolerance, regional peace and stability.
Reynolds said that Turkey was a secular and democratic country, which was
overwhelmingly Muslim. Therefore, he noted, it (Turkey) could be a source of
inspiration for the Middle East and other regions exploring democracy.
Also highlighting the importance of Turkey’s cooperation in the settlement
of Upper Karabakh dispute, Reynolds said that Turkey was supporting U.S.
efforts to establish a pacifist and democratic Iraq.
In his letter, Reynolds stated that Turkey could also play a role in safe
transport of Caspian energy to western markets, and thus independence and
prosperity of Caucasian and Central Asian countries would be reinforced.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress