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RESOLUTION ON "IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP WITH TURKEY" INTRODUCED IN U.S. SENATE
PanARMENIAN.Net
31.10.2007 12:16 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 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
U.S. interests nor advances American values by sugar-coating Turkey's
record or by ignoring serious tensions in the U.S.-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 today
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".
Introduced on October 29, 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
U.S. 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 U.S. troops to open a northern front in Iraq.
PanARMENIAN.Net
31.10.2007 12:16 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 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
U.S. interests nor advances American values by sugar-coating Turkey's
record or by ignoring serious tensions in the U.S.-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 today
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".
Introduced on October 29, 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
U.S. 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 U.S. troops to open a northern front in Iraq.