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ARMENIAN AND GREEK AMERICANS PROTEST INTRODUCTION OF BYRD-SMITH SENATE RESOLUTION COMMENDING TURKEY
armradio.am
31.10.2007 10:10
In a move widely seen as intended to calm Turkish anger over growing
strains in its ties with the United States, Senators Robert Byrd (D-WV)
and Gordon Smith (R-OR) have introduced legislation which ignores key
points of tension in this relationship and offers unconditional praise
to Turkey and its leaders, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA).
"The resolution introduced by Senators Smith and Byrd neither serves
US interests nor advances American values by sugar-coating Turkey's
record or by ignoring serious tensions in the US-Turkey bilateral
relationship," said American Hellenic Institute Executive (AHI)
Director Nick Laragakis and ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian,
in a joint statement issued today. "Any legislation that the Foreign
Relations Committee considers on this issue should clearly and
prominently address Turkey's threats to invade and destabilize northern
Iraq, its immoral and heavy-handed threats against the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, military occupation of Cyprus, continued
airspace violations of Greek- sovereign airspace over the Aegean,
blockade of Armenia, mistreatment of the Kurds, and restrictions on
the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarch and other Christian
leaders."
The ANCA and AHI shared their concerns regarding this legislation with
Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In making the case
regarding Turkey's increasing unreliability, the ANCA also circulated
a recent Los Angeles Times opinion piece by Graham Fuller, a former
Vice-Chairman of the CIA's National Intelligence Council, who argued
that: "Turkish-American relations have been deteriorating for years,
and the root explanation is simple and harsh: Washington's policies
are broadly and fundamentally incompatible with Turkish foreign policy
interests in multiple arenas. No amount of diplomat-speak can conceal
or change that reality."
Introduced on October 29th, S.Res.358 begins by asserting that the
"United States and Turkey share common ideals and a clear vision for
the 21st Century, in which freedom and democracy are the foundation
of peace, prosperity and security." It concludes by thanking Prime
Minister Erdogan for "continued discussions with officials in the US
and Iraq regarding constructive stabilization efforts in northern
Iraq." The resolution makes no mention of Turkey's controversial
relations with Hamas, its growing ties with Iran, or its refusal in
2003 to allow US troops to open a northern front in Iraq.
"It simply makes no sense to thank Turkey for 'constructive
stabilization efforts' in Northern Iraq while it is making cross-border
aerial and artillery assaults, amassing troops, and threatening a
full-blown invasion that may very well destabilize the region and
endanger our troops for years to come," said Hamparian. "Rather than
praising Turkey and turning a blind eye to its threats, the Congress
should urge the Administration to explore ways to free ourselves from
Turkey's blackmail by quickly putting in place alternate, non-Turkish
routes to supply and otherwise support our regional operations."
armradio.am
31.10.2007 10:10
In a move widely seen as intended to calm Turkish anger over growing
strains in its ties with the United States, Senators Robert Byrd (D-WV)
and Gordon Smith (R-OR) have introduced legislation which ignores key
points of tension in this relationship and offers unconditional praise
to Turkey and its leaders, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA).
"The resolution introduced by Senators Smith and Byrd neither serves
US interests nor advances American values by sugar-coating Turkey's
record or by ignoring serious tensions in the US-Turkey bilateral
relationship," said American Hellenic Institute Executive (AHI)
Director Nick Laragakis and ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian,
in a joint statement issued today. "Any legislation that the Foreign
Relations Committee considers on this issue should clearly and
prominently address Turkey's threats to invade and destabilize northern
Iraq, its immoral and heavy-handed threats against the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, military occupation of Cyprus, continued
airspace violations of Greek- sovereign airspace over the Aegean,
blockade of Armenia, mistreatment of the Kurds, and restrictions on
the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarch and other Christian
leaders."
The ANCA and AHI shared their concerns regarding this legislation with
Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In making the case
regarding Turkey's increasing unreliability, the ANCA also circulated
a recent Los Angeles Times opinion piece by Graham Fuller, a former
Vice-Chairman of the CIA's National Intelligence Council, who argued
that: "Turkish-American relations have been deteriorating for years,
and the root explanation is simple and harsh: Washington's policies
are broadly and fundamentally incompatible with Turkish foreign policy
interests in multiple arenas. No amount of diplomat-speak can conceal
or change that reality."
Introduced on October 29th, S.Res.358 begins by asserting that the
"United States and Turkey share common ideals and a clear vision for
the 21st Century, in which freedom and democracy are the foundation
of peace, prosperity and security." It concludes by thanking Prime
Minister Erdogan for "continued discussions with officials in the US
and Iraq regarding constructive stabilization efforts in northern
Iraq." The resolution makes no mention of Turkey's controversial
relations with Hamas, its growing ties with Iran, or its refusal in
2003 to allow US troops to open a northern front in Iraq.
"It simply makes no sense to thank Turkey for 'constructive
stabilization efforts' in Northern Iraq while it is making cross-border
aerial and artillery assaults, amassing troops, and threatening a
full-blown invasion that may very well destabilize the region and
endanger our troops for years to come," said Hamparian. "Rather than
praising Turkey and turning a blind eye to its threats, the Congress
should urge the Administration to explore ways to free ourselves from
Turkey's blackmail by quickly putting in place alternate, non-Turkish
routes to supply and otherwise support our regional operations."