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HOW TURKEY ACTUALLY HELPED PUSH THE US CONGRESS COMMITTEE TO GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
Tert.am
15:40 ~U 09.03.10
In reference to the recent Armenian Genocide Resolution adopted by
the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, The Guardian enumerates
three important reasons over how Turkey actually helped push the US
Congress committee toward its vote on the Genocide.
First, writes Stephen Kinzer on March 8, despite signing a highly
promising accord with Armenia last year, it has failed to close
the deal. Relations between the two countries remain frozen, partly
because of Turkey's insistence on tying normalization to a withdrawal
of Armenian troops from disputed Nagorno-Karabakh.
The deal was to have included a clause assigning questions about the
1915 massacre to a committee of historians. If it had been signed and
ratified, the genocide issue would be off the table - and probably
off Washington's agenda.
Second, Turkey suffers from a creeping image deterioration in
Washington.
"Some feel that Turkey has become too close to Iran, and resent the
vigor of Turkey's opposition to sanctions on the Iranian regime -
especially important since Turkey holds a rotating seat on the UN
Security Council.
These doubts might not have become as powerful if Israel, Turkey's old
friend, had come to its rescue with lobbying help on Capitol Hill, as
it has in the past. But Turkish leaders have sharpened their criticism
of Israel lately, and the Israelis, seeking to show that they too
have cards to play in this game, did not rush to help Turkey this time.
In considering not just the substance of its Middle East policy but
the style in which it is presented, Turkey would do well to balance
its relationships with Iran, Israel and the US more deftly.
Third and perhaps most profoundly, Turkey has brought itself to this
point by its refusal to confront what happened to Ottoman Armenians
in 1915.
One reason Turks are so outraged at accusations made against their
ancestors is that they have little access to the historical truth.
Textbooks are distorted and politicians whip up nationalist fervor
for votes.
"Why are we trying to cover up this horrible crime, why are we trying
to defend the murderers, to disguise their crimes, why are we squirming
to keep truth buried, even at the risk of being humiliated?"
the Turkish commentator Ahmet Altan asked in a column after the vote
in Washington.
"If you feel humiliated, you should take a hard look at yourself and
what you hide."
In the last few years, Turkey has emerged to play a new and highly
promising role in the Middle East and beyond. As a successful Islamic
democracy allied with the west, it can be a powerful force for regional
peace - and, not incidentally, a uniquely valuable partner for the US.
For Turkey to play the role it seeks as a broker and conciliator,
though, it it must continue to mature politically and diplomatically.
The vote in Washington should lead Turks to reflection. A final accord
with Armenia, a more elegant way of balancing relations with Iran,
Israel and the United States, and an end to denial of what happened
in 1915 would dramatically improve both Turkey's global stature and
its ability to help stabilize the world's most volatile region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Tert.am
15:40 ~U 09.03.10
In reference to the recent Armenian Genocide Resolution adopted by
the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, The Guardian enumerates
three important reasons over how Turkey actually helped push the US
Congress committee toward its vote on the Genocide.
First, writes Stephen Kinzer on March 8, despite signing a highly
promising accord with Armenia last year, it has failed to close
the deal. Relations between the two countries remain frozen, partly
because of Turkey's insistence on tying normalization to a withdrawal
of Armenian troops from disputed Nagorno-Karabakh.
The deal was to have included a clause assigning questions about the
1915 massacre to a committee of historians. If it had been signed and
ratified, the genocide issue would be off the table - and probably
off Washington's agenda.
Second, Turkey suffers from a creeping image deterioration in
Washington.
"Some feel that Turkey has become too close to Iran, and resent the
vigor of Turkey's opposition to sanctions on the Iranian regime -
especially important since Turkey holds a rotating seat on the UN
Security Council.
These doubts might not have become as powerful if Israel, Turkey's old
friend, had come to its rescue with lobbying help on Capitol Hill, as
it has in the past. But Turkish leaders have sharpened their criticism
of Israel lately, and the Israelis, seeking to show that they too
have cards to play in this game, did not rush to help Turkey this time.
In considering not just the substance of its Middle East policy but
the style in which it is presented, Turkey would do well to balance
its relationships with Iran, Israel and the US more deftly.
Third and perhaps most profoundly, Turkey has brought itself to this
point by its refusal to confront what happened to Ottoman Armenians
in 1915.
One reason Turks are so outraged at accusations made against their
ancestors is that they have little access to the historical truth.
Textbooks are distorted and politicians whip up nationalist fervor
for votes.
"Why are we trying to cover up this horrible crime, why are we trying
to defend the murderers, to disguise their crimes, why are we squirming
to keep truth buried, even at the risk of being humiliated?"
the Turkish commentator Ahmet Altan asked in a column after the vote
in Washington.
"If you feel humiliated, you should take a hard look at yourself and
what you hide."
In the last few years, Turkey has emerged to play a new and highly
promising role in the Middle East and beyond. As a successful Islamic
democracy allied with the west, it can be a powerful force for regional
peace - and, not incidentally, a uniquely valuable partner for the US.
For Turkey to play the role it seeks as a broker and conciliator,
though, it it must continue to mature politically and diplomatically.
The vote in Washington should lead Turks to reflection. A final accord
with Armenia, a more elegant way of balancing relations with Iran,
Israel and the United States, and an end to denial of what happened
in 1915 would dramatically improve both Turkey's global stature and
its ability to help stabilize the world's most volatile region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress