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PELOSI'S ARMENIAN DILEMMA
Milliyet, Turkey
Oct 7 2007
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is
confronting a great dilemma. Because the Armenian genocide resolution
is expected to come before her in the coming days.
A number of commentators assume that, because she is pro-Armenian,
Pelosi will send this to the full Assembly without delay, and that
the resolution will be adopted.
Despite this assumption, it is obvious that Pelosi's task is not at all
easy. The reason is the joint letter that eight former US Secretaries
of State, whose names are familiar to everyone in the public, have
sent to her. These individuals, and with all the authority that is
associated with their names, state that this resolution will deal a
great blow to American interests.
Allegation of "Personal Interests"
Additionally, an article published this week in one of the country's
most influential newspapers, the Wall Street Journal, reached the
same conclusion, and used language claiming that the member of the
House of Representatives who originated this resolution was merely
furthering his own interests.
The Armenian side naturally attributes these developments to the
"lobbying strength" of Turkey. They are claiming, even if indirectly,
that Ankara has in one way or another bought these people. But every
American with any sense has the capacity to judge that such a thing
is not possible, and that the individuals in question have in fact
intervened with a view to their own country's interests.
Fire-Spitting Statement
Pelosi thus faces the danger of falling into the position of a person
who serves the interests not of her country, but of one ethnic group
in her electoral district, and even of a foreign country (Armenia).
In the meantime, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian has issued
a statement spitting fire at the former American Secretaries of
State. Rejecting the idea that if Armenian genocide resolution number
106 passes, "a blow will be dealt to the efforts at normalization of
relations between Turkey and Armenia," he stated that "there is no
such process."
Even this statement makes it plain that Yerevan's political purposes
are indexed to the developments in the US Congress. It is thus
understood that Oskanian believes that Turkey will be "brought into
line" with pressures and genocide resolutions. It is clear that he
has understood nothing of Turkey and the Turks, despite this being
practically his country's sole foreign policy issue.
Blow to Bilateral Relations
Yet if resolution number 106 passes, it will indeed be the end of the
"normalization" desired between Turkey and Armenia. Because no Turkish
government or politician, knowing the political price, would be able
to defend the necessity of "normalization."
Yet another illusion of those who support the Armenian resolution is in
the form that this resolution would be a first step towards preventing
genocide in Darfur. Well, if this resolution had passed twenty years
ago, would the genocides in Bosnia and Rwanda have been prevented?
I am certain that no one suffering in Darfur is going to look at the
Armenian resolution and grow excited, saying "just hold on; help is on
the way!" This resolution, which is not going to save the poor souls
in Darfur, will not accomplish anything other than dealing yet another
blow to Turkish-American relations, which are already in trouble.
Armenian-origin Americans will be greatly pleased by this. And
the rest?
Milliyet, Turkey
Oct 7 2007
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is
confronting a great dilemma. Because the Armenian genocide resolution
is expected to come before her in the coming days.
A number of commentators assume that, because she is pro-Armenian,
Pelosi will send this to the full Assembly without delay, and that
the resolution will be adopted.
Despite this assumption, it is obvious that Pelosi's task is not at all
easy. The reason is the joint letter that eight former US Secretaries
of State, whose names are familiar to everyone in the public, have
sent to her. These individuals, and with all the authority that is
associated with their names, state that this resolution will deal a
great blow to American interests.
Allegation of "Personal Interests"
Additionally, an article published this week in one of the country's
most influential newspapers, the Wall Street Journal, reached the
same conclusion, and used language claiming that the member of the
House of Representatives who originated this resolution was merely
furthering his own interests.
The Armenian side naturally attributes these developments to the
"lobbying strength" of Turkey. They are claiming, even if indirectly,
that Ankara has in one way or another bought these people. But every
American with any sense has the capacity to judge that such a thing
is not possible, and that the individuals in question have in fact
intervened with a view to their own country's interests.
Fire-Spitting Statement
Pelosi thus faces the danger of falling into the position of a person
who serves the interests not of her country, but of one ethnic group
in her electoral district, and even of a foreign country (Armenia).
In the meantime, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian has issued
a statement spitting fire at the former American Secretaries of
State. Rejecting the idea that if Armenian genocide resolution number
106 passes, "a blow will be dealt to the efforts at normalization of
relations between Turkey and Armenia," he stated that "there is no
such process."
Even this statement makes it plain that Yerevan's political purposes
are indexed to the developments in the US Congress. It is thus
understood that Oskanian believes that Turkey will be "brought into
line" with pressures and genocide resolutions. It is clear that he
has understood nothing of Turkey and the Turks, despite this being
practically his country's sole foreign policy issue.
Blow to Bilateral Relations
Yet if resolution number 106 passes, it will indeed be the end of the
"normalization" desired between Turkey and Armenia. Because no Turkish
government or politician, knowing the political price, would be able
to defend the necessity of "normalization."
Yet another illusion of those who support the Armenian resolution is in
the form that this resolution would be a first step towards preventing
genocide in Darfur. Well, if this resolution had passed twenty years
ago, would the genocides in Bosnia and Rwanda have been prevented?
I am certain that no one suffering in Darfur is going to look at the
Armenian resolution and grow excited, saying "just hold on; help is on
the way!" This resolution, which is not going to save the poor souls
in Darfur, will not accomplish anything other than dealing yet another
blow to Turkish-American relations, which are already in trouble.
Armenian-origin Americans will be greatly pleased by this. And
the rest?