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POLL SAYS PASSAGE OF ARMENIAN RESOLUTION WILL WORSEN TURKS' OPINION ABOUT THE U.S.
Turkish Press
May 22 2007
WASHINGTON - According to a new nationwide public opinion survey
recently conducted by Terror Free Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization,
the adoption of a resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations by the American congress would worsen Turks' opinion on
the United States, hurting U.S. interests, and deal a major blow on
efforts towards reaching a compromise between Turkey and Armenia.
"The passage of the resolution would set back cause it purports to
achieve and harden the Turkish public view of Armenians," Ken Ballen,
leader of Terror Free Tomorrow said in the poll report.
According to the survey, 78 percent of Turks opposed any
U.S. Congressional resolution and almost four-fifths of Turkish
citizens favored strong action by the Turkish government if
a resolution was adopted, including of suspension of diplomatic
relations with the U.S.
Of the Turks surveyed, 83 percent would oppose Turkey assisting the
U.S. in neighboring Iraq should a resolution pass.
A plurality of Turks indicated that they would boycott American
products with 84 percent of those --who now have a very favorable
opinion of the United States-- responded that their opinion would
deteriorate if the resolution passes.
73 percent of Turks said a resolution would have the opposite effect
and actually worsen relations between Turkey and Armenia rather than
promoting reconciliation between the two countries.
"The task of the Congress should be to help promote a neutral,
independent and credible mechanism. That neutral forum should not
only include expert historians, legal scholars and political leaders
from both Turkey and Armenia, but similar representatives from other
countries, as well," Ballen said.
"After all, if the parliament of Turkey, or for that matter, Russia
or France, were to pass a resolution condemning the United States for
the genocide of American Indians in the 19th century, would that lead
to acceptance and reconciliation in the US, or merely condemnation
of the foreign government which judged American history?" he asked.
Turkish Press
May 22 2007
WASHINGTON - According to a new nationwide public opinion survey
recently conducted by Terror Free Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization,
the adoption of a resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations by the American congress would worsen Turks' opinion on
the United States, hurting U.S. interests, and deal a major blow on
efforts towards reaching a compromise between Turkey and Armenia.
"The passage of the resolution would set back cause it purports to
achieve and harden the Turkish public view of Armenians," Ken Ballen,
leader of Terror Free Tomorrow said in the poll report.
According to the survey, 78 percent of Turks opposed any
U.S. Congressional resolution and almost four-fifths of Turkish
citizens favored strong action by the Turkish government if
a resolution was adopted, including of suspension of diplomatic
relations with the U.S.
Of the Turks surveyed, 83 percent would oppose Turkey assisting the
U.S. in neighboring Iraq should a resolution pass.
A plurality of Turks indicated that they would boycott American
products with 84 percent of those --who now have a very favorable
opinion of the United States-- responded that their opinion would
deteriorate if the resolution passes.
73 percent of Turks said a resolution would have the opposite effect
and actually worsen relations between Turkey and Armenia rather than
promoting reconciliation between the two countries.
"The task of the Congress should be to help promote a neutral,
independent and credible mechanism. That neutral forum should not
only include expert historians, legal scholars and political leaders
from both Turkey and Armenia, but similar representatives from other
countries, as well," Ballen said.
"After all, if the parliament of Turkey, or for that matter, Russia
or France, were to pass a resolution condemning the United States for
the genocide of American Indians in the 19th century, would that lead
to acceptance and reconciliation in the US, or merely condemnation
of the foreign government which judged American history?" he asked.