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FRANK PALLONE CALLS ON TURKEY TO END ITS DENIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PanARMENIAN.Net
12.09.2008 18:21 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) welcomed Armenia's diplomatic outreach to Turkey
and called on Turkey to reciprocate this gesture of good will with
concrete steps toward an enduring peace based on truth and justice,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The New Jersey legislator's House floor statement comes in the wake of
the recent Armenia-Turkey World Cup soccer qualifying match in Yerevan
that Turkey's President Abdullah Gul attended at the invitation of his
Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan. In his remarks, the Congressman
specifically calls upon Turkey to end its denial of the Armenian
Genocide, to remove Article 301 and other free speech restrictions
on the discussion of this crime, and to lift its illegal 15-year old
blockade of Armenia.
In the days prior to the soccer match, the ANCA circulated a letter
explaining to every Member of Congress that, "for this initiative to
succeed, Turkey's leaders need to view this as a true opportunity for
enduring peace, not simply as a photo opportunity to help alleviate
the growing international pressure it is under to recognize the
Armenian Genocide."
Rep. Pallone said in his address:
"Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Armenia and its president,
Serge Sargsyan, on the historic soccer match between Armenia and
Turkey this past weekend.
On July 9th, President Sargsyan, in the Wall Street Journal Europe
Addition, took a surprising and historic step, by inviting President
Abdullah Gul of Turkey to sit with him and watch the two nations play
a World Cup qualifier match in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
In an effort to warm relations between the two countries, President
Sargisian wrote, '...just as the people of China and the United
States shared enthusiasm for ping pong before their governments fully
normalized relations, the people of Armenia and Turkey are united in
their love for football.'
President Gul accepted the offer, and on Saturday, September 6th,
he became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia.
Armenia initiated soccer diplomacy with Turkey despite nearly a
century of Turkish genocide denial and 15 years of an economic
blockade. For years, Armenia has been ready to establish relations
with Turkey without preconditions and President Sargsyan's recent
efforts reinforced this commitment. President Gul must also be
commended for his efforts to see past the opposition of some in his
country to attend the match.
With the recent violence between Russia and Georgia, further steps
to promote stability in the Caucasus must be taken. Strengthening
Armenian and Turkish relations is essential to these efforts.
Turkey can strengthen its relationship with Armenia by ending its
policy of genocide denial; policy that is imposed both globally and
domestically. The Turkish government lobbies heavily against the
international community's recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Domestically, Turkey should lift all restrictions imposed by Section
301 of the Turkish penal code on individuals who study, discuss,
or recognize the Armenian Genocide. Silencing academics and writers
limits freedom of speech and makes any serious discussion of the
Armenian Genocide within Turkey taboo.
To improve relations, Turkey must also lift its stifling economic
blockade on Armenia. The State Department estimates that the blockade
inflates Armenia by 30 to 35 percent. Removing the blockade will
enable the development of needed infrastructure projects and regional
communications, energy, and transportation in the Caucasus. The removal
of the blockade would also do much to catalyze global investment in
Turkey and Armenia.
With the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia, Armenia
proved itself to be a constructive partner to Georgia. The Armenian
government provided safe transit for U.S and international officials
and thousands of Georgian nationals, and non-governmental organization
representatives.
But Armenia experienced significant economic distress due to the
conflict. The country lost an estimated 650 million dollars and
shortages in fuel and wheat were rampant. With renewed volatility
in the Caucasus, Armenia can no longer afford to suffer from duel
blockades.
President Sargsyan's initiation of soccer diplomacy and President Gul's
reciprocal invitation to watch a game next year in Turkey is a positive
breakthrough in a region of historic violence and tense emotions.
As President Sargisian wrote, 'A more prosperous, mutually beneficial
future for Armenia and Turkey, and the opening up of a historic
East-West corridor for Europe, the Caspian region and the rest of
the world, are goals that we can and must achieve.' As a Congress,
we must do all we can to support these efforts. Thank you."
PanARMENIAN.Net
12.09.2008 18:21 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) welcomed Armenia's diplomatic outreach to Turkey
and called on Turkey to reciprocate this gesture of good will with
concrete steps toward an enduring peace based on truth and justice,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The New Jersey legislator's House floor statement comes in the wake of
the recent Armenia-Turkey World Cup soccer qualifying match in Yerevan
that Turkey's President Abdullah Gul attended at the invitation of his
Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan. In his remarks, the Congressman
specifically calls upon Turkey to end its denial of the Armenian
Genocide, to remove Article 301 and other free speech restrictions
on the discussion of this crime, and to lift its illegal 15-year old
blockade of Armenia.
In the days prior to the soccer match, the ANCA circulated a letter
explaining to every Member of Congress that, "for this initiative to
succeed, Turkey's leaders need to view this as a true opportunity for
enduring peace, not simply as a photo opportunity to help alleviate
the growing international pressure it is under to recognize the
Armenian Genocide."
Rep. Pallone said in his address:
"Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Armenia and its president,
Serge Sargsyan, on the historic soccer match between Armenia and
Turkey this past weekend.
On July 9th, President Sargsyan, in the Wall Street Journal Europe
Addition, took a surprising and historic step, by inviting President
Abdullah Gul of Turkey to sit with him and watch the two nations play
a World Cup qualifier match in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
In an effort to warm relations between the two countries, President
Sargisian wrote, '...just as the people of China and the United
States shared enthusiasm for ping pong before their governments fully
normalized relations, the people of Armenia and Turkey are united in
their love for football.'
President Gul accepted the offer, and on Saturday, September 6th,
he became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia.
Armenia initiated soccer diplomacy with Turkey despite nearly a
century of Turkish genocide denial and 15 years of an economic
blockade. For years, Armenia has been ready to establish relations
with Turkey without preconditions and President Sargsyan's recent
efforts reinforced this commitment. President Gul must also be
commended for his efforts to see past the opposition of some in his
country to attend the match.
With the recent violence between Russia and Georgia, further steps
to promote stability in the Caucasus must be taken. Strengthening
Armenian and Turkish relations is essential to these efforts.
Turkey can strengthen its relationship with Armenia by ending its
policy of genocide denial; policy that is imposed both globally and
domestically. The Turkish government lobbies heavily against the
international community's recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Domestically, Turkey should lift all restrictions imposed by Section
301 of the Turkish penal code on individuals who study, discuss,
or recognize the Armenian Genocide. Silencing academics and writers
limits freedom of speech and makes any serious discussion of the
Armenian Genocide within Turkey taboo.
To improve relations, Turkey must also lift its stifling economic
blockade on Armenia. The State Department estimates that the blockade
inflates Armenia by 30 to 35 percent. Removing the blockade will
enable the development of needed infrastructure projects and regional
communications, energy, and transportation in the Caucasus. The removal
of the blockade would also do much to catalyze global investment in
Turkey and Armenia.
With the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia, Armenia
proved itself to be a constructive partner to Georgia. The Armenian
government provided safe transit for U.S and international officials
and thousands of Georgian nationals, and non-governmental organization
representatives.
But Armenia experienced significant economic distress due to the
conflict. The country lost an estimated 650 million dollars and
shortages in fuel and wheat were rampant. With renewed volatility
in the Caucasus, Armenia can no longer afford to suffer from duel
blockades.
President Sargsyan's initiation of soccer diplomacy and President Gul's
reciprocal invitation to watch a game next year in Turkey is a positive
breakthrough in a region of historic violence and tense emotions.
As President Sargisian wrote, 'A more prosperous, mutually beneficial
future for Armenia and Turkey, and the opening up of a historic
East-West corridor for Europe, the Caspian region and the rest of
the world, are goals that we can and must achieve.' As a Congress,
we must do all we can to support these efforts. Thank you."