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ANKARA: Don't Say Genocide: CSIS

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  • ANKARA: Don't Say Genocide: CSIS

    DON'T SAY GENOCIDE: CSIS

    Hurriyet
    April 1 2009
    Turkey

    WASHINGTON - A major think tank calls on President Obama not to
    recognize the killings of Armenians as 'genocide.' 'If Obama uses
    the word genocide, the Turkish response will be harsh and trigger a
    bitter breach in relations,' the CSIS says.

    The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a major
    and bipartisan think tank in the United States capital, Monday called
    on President Barack Obama not to recognize World War I-era killings
    of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as "genocide."

    Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser for former President
    Jimmy Carter, and Brent Scowcroft, national security adviser for former
    Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, jointly introduced the
    CSIS report at a meeting.

    Encourage and support rapprochement

    "If President Obama takes no action to prevent congressional enactment
    of the (Armenian) resolution (pending in the House of Representatives),
    endorses the measure, or uses the word genocide himself, the Turkish
    response will be harsh and trigger a bitter breach in relations,"
    the CSIS said.

    It said the United States, "rather than seek to legislate history,"
    should encourage and support rapprochement that Turkey and Armenia
    are trying to accomplish.

    At the end of a European tour, Obama will visit Turkey April 5-7.

    In a related development, four leading Democratic lawmakers sent
    a letter to President Abdullah Gul and Armenian President Serge
    Sarkisian, voicing their support for a Turkish-Armenian rapprochement.

    "It is critical that the United States and international community
    support Armenia and Turkey during their ongoing efforts to normalize
    relations and create positive dynamics in the Caucasus region,"
    Congressman Robert Wexler said on behalf of the four men.

    Four leading lawmakers

    "It is in the interest of the United States and both Armenia and
    Turkey that differences between Yerevan and Ankara are overcome and
    that a solid foundation is laid to enhance cooperation and diplomatic
    relations between these two nations," he said.

    The letter was signed by Wexler, chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe
    in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Ike Skelton, Chairman of
    the House Armed Services Committee; John Murtha, Chairman of the
    Subcommittee on Defense in the House Committee on Appropriations;
    and Alcee L. Hastings, Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and
    Cooperation in Europe (the U.S. Helsinki Commission).

    Comments on domestic front

    On domestic policy, the CSIS said the end of the ruling Justice and
    Development Party, or AKP's, domination was not imminent, although
    opposition parties would benefit from the AKP's gradual loss of
    support. The AKP won Sunday's nationwide local elections, but its
    popular support dropped compared to previous polls.

    "The AKP is likely to refrain from (earlier plans) of a major revision
    of the Constitution," the CSIS said.

    Asked to comment on "the pressure on the media by the government"
    and a near-$500 million penalty imposed on Dogan Holding media group,
    Bulent Aliriza, director of Turkey Project at CSIS and writer of the
    domestic politics section in the report, said he was concerned over
    the "unfortunate" developments.

    "I hope the government would ease its position on the media," he said.
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