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Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 7, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
HOUSE MEMBERS URGE PRES. BUSH TO RAISE SERIOUS
ISSUES WITH TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER
-- Blockade of Armenia, Anti-American Sentiment and Anti-Semitism
among key issues discussed in Congressional letters to Pres. Bush
WASHINGTON, DC In the days leading up to Wednesday's meeting
between Pres. Bush and Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, members of the US House of Representatives raised serious
concerns about Turkey's 12-year blockade of Armenia, growing anti-
Americanism and anti- Semitism, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA.)
In a June 3rd letter, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) were joined by Reps.
Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) in urging Pres.
Bush and Secretary of State Rice to "again call upon Turkey to
comply with your Administration's long-standing position that in
order to restore economic, political, and cultural links with
Armenia, Turkey should immediately lift its ongoing blockade with
Armenia."
The House members detailed the high cost of Turkey's blockade on
Armenia's struggling economy. "A recent State Department report
estimated that the blockade is inflating Armenia's transportation
costs by 30-35%, thereby stifling its trade and economy," noted the
letter. "This report also stated that opening the border would
catalyze commercial opportunities for Turkey and Armenia in the
fields of energy, trade and tourism, valued at $1 billion per
year."
The letter concludes that "if there is to be a resolution of
conflicts in the region and a reduction of tensions along borders,
it is essential that Turkey move forthwith to lift this destructive
blockade."
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Rep. Rothman Takes Lead in Calling Attention to Turkey's
Anti- Americanism and Anti-Semitism
-------------------------------------------------------------- -----
On the eve of Pres. Bush's meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan,
Rep. Rothman was joined by 10 House Colleagues in sending a
meticulously documented letter to the President, detailing rampant
anti-American and anti-Semitic sentiment in the Turkish press.
The June 7th letter noted the rise of anti-Semitism, citing as one
example, that "some of Turkey's best selling books this past year
include Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, which has been published at
least 45 times between 1940 and 2005 in Turkey and is not being
marketed by 11 publishers." It goes on to detail the complex ways
anti-Semitism manifests itself, including "animosity toward Jews
and Judaism;" and, "a hostile approach towards the Jewish citizens
of Turkey, including questioning their loyalty, accusing them of
treason and blaming them for the fall of the Ottoman Empire..."
In detailing anti-Americanism in Turkey, House members cited "last
year's BBC poll, which found Turkey to hold the most anti-American
sentiment in the world." The letter also notes "Turkish government
officials comparing the U.S. to Nazi Germany and President Bush to
Adolph Hitler."
Joining Rep. Rothman in cosigning the letter were Representatives
Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-
MA). Michael McNulty (D-NY), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-
CA), Mark Souder (R-IN), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Diane Watson (D-
CA), and Anthony Weiner (D-NY).
Prime Minister Erdogan is scheduled to meet with Pres. Bush on
Wednesday, June 8th. He will also be making a trip to the Capitol,
to dine with Turkish Caucus members and meet with key Senate and
House members in the afternoon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 7, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
HOUSE MEMBERS URGE PRES. BUSH TO RAISE SERIOUS
ISSUES WITH TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER
-- Blockade of Armenia, Anti-American Sentiment and Anti-Semitism
among key issues discussed in Congressional letters to Pres. Bush
WASHINGTON, DC In the days leading up to Wednesday's meeting
between Pres. Bush and Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, members of the US House of Representatives raised serious
concerns about Turkey's 12-year blockade of Armenia, growing anti-
Americanism and anti- Semitism, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA.)
In a June 3rd letter, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) were joined by Reps.
Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) in urging Pres.
Bush and Secretary of State Rice to "again call upon Turkey to
comply with your Administration's long-standing position that in
order to restore economic, political, and cultural links with
Armenia, Turkey should immediately lift its ongoing blockade with
Armenia."
The House members detailed the high cost of Turkey's blockade on
Armenia's struggling economy. "A recent State Department report
estimated that the blockade is inflating Armenia's transportation
costs by 30-35%, thereby stifling its trade and economy," noted the
letter. "This report also stated that opening the border would
catalyze commercial opportunities for Turkey and Armenia in the
fields of energy, trade and tourism, valued at $1 billion per
year."
The letter concludes that "if there is to be a resolution of
conflicts in the region and a reduction of tensions along borders,
it is essential that Turkey move forthwith to lift this destructive
blockade."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Rep. Rothman Takes Lead in Calling Attention to Turkey's
Anti- Americanism and Anti-Semitism
-------------------------------------------------------------- -----
On the eve of Pres. Bush's meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan,
Rep. Rothman was joined by 10 House Colleagues in sending a
meticulously documented letter to the President, detailing rampant
anti-American and anti-Semitic sentiment in the Turkish press.
The June 7th letter noted the rise of anti-Semitism, citing as one
example, that "some of Turkey's best selling books this past year
include Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, which has been published at
least 45 times between 1940 and 2005 in Turkey and is not being
marketed by 11 publishers." It goes on to detail the complex ways
anti-Semitism manifests itself, including "animosity toward Jews
and Judaism;" and, "a hostile approach towards the Jewish citizens
of Turkey, including questioning their loyalty, accusing them of
treason and blaming them for the fall of the Ottoman Empire..."
In detailing anti-Americanism in Turkey, House members cited "last
year's BBC poll, which found Turkey to hold the most anti-American
sentiment in the world." The letter also notes "Turkish government
officials comparing the U.S. to Nazi Germany and President Bush to
Adolph Hitler."
Joining Rep. Rothman in cosigning the letter were Representatives
Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-
MA). Michael McNulty (D-NY), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-
CA), Mark Souder (R-IN), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Diane Watson (D-
CA), and Anthony Weiner (D-NY).
Prime Minister Erdogan is scheduled to meet with Pres. Bush on
Wednesday, June 8th. He will also be making a trip to the Capitol,
to dine with Turkish Caucus members and meet with key Senate and
House members in the afternoon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress