Armenian Genocide Bill 2007

[Aratta-Kingdom]

PanArmenianNet

January 27, 2007

AAA hopeful one of U.S. future Presidents will recognize Armenian Genocide

http://www.panarmenian.net/interviews/eng/?nid=3D64

 

Arpi Vartanian:

AAA hopeful one of U.S. future Presidents will recognize Armenian

Genocide

 

The Armenian Genocide resolution will be submitted to the

U.S. Congress January 30. The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), one

of the most influential lobbying organizations, carried out a great

deal of work to promote the resolution. Arpi Vartanian, the AAA

Regional Director for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh comments to

PanARMENIAN.Net on the Armenian Genocide recognition issue and Hrant

Dink's assassination.

 

 

 

Q: The Armenian Genocide resolution will be submitted to the

U.S. Congress next week. How important is the issue for the United

States?

 

A: The U.S. has a serious attitude about the Armenian Genocide issue

but the foreign policy doesn't imply use of the term `genocide' for

describing the tragedy of the Armenian people in 1915. Any

U.S. ambassador with uttering the words 'Armenian Genocide' would

stand against the foreign policy and face immediate recall, as it

happened with John Evans. Richard Hoagland cannot say he recognizes

the Armenian Genocide by this very reason. However, in case the U.S.

foreign policy changes and the U.S. comes to recognize the Armenian

Genocide, ambassadors including the one to Turkey will be obliged to

recognize it. Our goal is to achieve changes in the foreign policy

and we are cooperating with the Armenian National Committee of America

(ANCA) on the issue.

 

The Armenian Genocide resolution to be submitted to the Congress

January 30 is also an attempt to change the U.S. foreign line. The day

of Holocaust will be marked throughout the globe January 27, so I do

not understand why the day of the Armenian Genocide should not be

marked on April 24. If a correct assessment were timely given to the

tragedy of 1915 it could have prevented the Holocaust and the

genocides in Rwanda, Cambodia and Darfur. We press not only for the

international recognition of the Armenian Genocide but also for

prevention of any genocide in any spot of the world.

 

 

Q: During each election campaign presidential contenders pledges to

acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. However, the promises are forgotten

when the election is over. Can anything change this time?

 

A: As to promises, it's natural. They want to enlist support of

various levels of population while the Armenian community is rather

strong and influential. Nevertheless, politics should not intrude into

history. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who enjoy popular

support, have already announced the decision to run for President.

 

It's too early to say who can win the race but we can suppose that an

African American or a woman may be elected President for the first

ever time in the U.S. history. A woman has already been elected the

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Thus, everything is possible

and we are hopeful that one of the U.S. Presidents will keep promise

and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

 

Q: How can Hrant Dink's assassination tell on the internal political

situation in Turkey?

 

A: Hrant Dink's murder has finally forced Turkey to choose between the

East and West. If this state is really aspired to the EU and shares

western values such as freedom of speech and human rights, Article 301

should be repealed.

 

This article can provoke violence against national minorities -

Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians and Kurds. I am convinced that the

assassination of Agos editor Hrant Dink is a loss not only for Armenia

or Turkey; it's aloss for the whole world. I am saying it with full

responsibility, since Hrant Dink was commemorated in all the states

where Armenian Diaspora lives. As you know, Armenians live almost

everywhere. About 100 thousand people came out into the streets to bid

their farewell to Hrant Dink. This proves that not all Turks are

nationalists. I would also like to draw your attention to the fact

that during those days Turkish press wrote about Dink as of the victim

of Article 301 and the writing was courageous. Hrant Dink spoke not

only about the Armenian Genocide recognition but about the rights of

the national minorities and rights of Turks to freedom of

speech. Dink's death is a replaceable loss and I cannot understand

some politicians in Armenia and Turkey who try to profiteer in the

situation. It's immoral.

 

As to Turkey's accession to the EU, Armenia will benefit from a

European neighbor that undertook certain commitments.

 

 

Q: Yes, but Istanbul is not whole Turkey...

 

A: It's true. It's European Turkey I suppose that the government

should proceed to enlightening the rest of Turkey, especially the

eastern part. Inthis view, I repeat, cancellation of Article 301 will

be useful. It's hard to speak of any changes if an atmosphere of

religious and national intolerance reigns in the state. There is,

certainly, some progress. The Armenian Church on Akhtamar was

reconstructed. However, if there is nothing written on it to prove

this is an Armenian Church, it will mean that Turkey again tries to

conceal the truth. All Armenian historical monuments that were

preserved at the Turkish territory should be reconstructed with

obligatory mentioning of belonging. Sometimes you can see an

inscription `monument of Byzantine culture'. And it's nothing but a

recurrent lie.

 

Q: How would you comments on the AAA-ANCA relations?

 

A: As you know the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian

National Committee of America are major Armenian lobbying

organizations of the United States. We take various approaches and

methods and it's natural. But we have a common goal: we work for

Armenia's welfare and try to draw more and more American politicians

to the settlement of the Armenian problems. A new round of collection

of signatures will be launched for the Congressional Caucus on

Armenian Issues soon. After the November election some Caucus members

were not re-elected. New Congressmen were elected and our joint target

is to enlist support of U.S. lawmakers.

[Aratta-Kingdom]

Ventura County Star, CA

Jan 26 2007

 

Genocide must be recognized by U.S.

 

By Susanna Sukiasyan

January 26, 2007

 

Re: your Jan. 21 article, "Turkish police suspect teen in

journalist's shooting death":

 

During the Armenian genocide of 1915, 1.5 million Armenians were

murdered by the Ottoman Empire. Genocide should be treated with

abhorrence and legal consequences by all governments and countries,

and not judged by its political advantage or nonadvantage to a

country that could give aid.

 

In the political arena, human rights are not so much a moral issue,

but more of a complicated chess game. The United States plays this

game well, picking and choosing those countries it wishes to be

involved with. Human rights and global morality rely on the political

advantage of helping and recognizing the persecuted. Assets such as

oil, military bases, strategic location and political alliances may

determine whether or not crimes against humanity are recognized,

acted against or publicly condemned.

 

Because of its strategic military bases, access to Middle East oil

and its political alliance with Turkey, the United States has yet to

recognize the Armenian genocide.

 

After becoming a strategic site for American and NATO military bases,

Turkey gained greater leverage to promote its denial of the Armenian

genocide. Incirlik military base is one of the most strategically

important footholds for the U.S. Turkey is one of the largest

recipients of U.S. arms.

 

Acknowledging the Armenian genocide did not become a matter of human

rights; it became another move in international politics.

 

If the U.S. recognizes the massacre of 1.5 million people, it risks

losing a main ally in a turbulent area. Turkey has easy access to

major energy resources, oil and natural gas. Turkey played a major

role in the Persian Gulf War and the current war in Iraq. To benefit,

it is very important for the U.S. to continue this relationship.

Because of its importance in the "energy war," Turkey's oil and

military bases have sealed an alliance with the U.S. Turkey has

become a key member of NATO. The U.S. needs this alliance and does

not want to upset the current political regime that refuses to

recognize its crimes of the past.

 

Armenia is of little military importance and has few resources with

which to barter. Thus, Turkey retains its political alliance with the

U.S. and it retains its policy of refusing to recognize the genocide.

In some instances, it accuses the Armenians of being responsible for

it.

 

As long as Turkey maintains its alliance with the U.S., crimes

against humanity are ignored.

 

Other NATO members officially recognize the extent of the Armenian

genocide. Although these members are allies with Turkey, they do not

need military bases to wage wars in the Middle East or bargain for

energy sources.

 

The United States waves its flag of justice and likes to present

itself as the example for social justice, but its record would not

reflect what it would like the world to think. Its motivations for

recognition of atrocities in the world are only moved by political

and economic gain, or publicity. As long as the publicity levels are

low, the United States continues its game of political chess.

 

It is a great scandal and irony to Armenians that the U.S. does not

recognize one of the most heinous crimes - the Armenian genocide. In

a world where history too often repeats itself, it is important the

United States recognize this in hopes of preventing similar events in

other countries. This recognition will provide displaced Armenians

with a recognized and accurate history rather than one of cover-up

and denial the Turkish government continues to uphold. It also shows

the world the U.S. believes in social justice and not simply

political partnership.

 

For the Armenian population, the desecration of churches, the burning

of libraries, and the ruination of towns and villages meant the loss

of homeland and heritage, and dispersion to the four corners of the

Earth. The Armenians saved only that which formed part of their

collective memory: language, songs, poetry and, now, tragic history.

 

Ironically, the largest Armenian community is now found in the United

States. The abuse of Armenian memory by denial by the U.S., a

government dedicated to social justice, was probably the most

agonizing of many tribulations. The violation of this "sacred

memory," as all survivors of the genocidal devastation have come to

enshrine the experience of traumatic death, has reverberated through

Armenian society.

 

Not to recognize the Armenian genocide gives the Turkish government

and other despotic regimes permission to continue crimes against

humanity.

 

Had the world shown outrage to Turkey at the time of the genocide,

Adolf Hitler would not have felt he could get away with exterminating

6 million "undesirables" during World War II.

 

For the United States still not to recognize the Armenian genocide

shows the world that human rights and social justice are not U.S.

priorities or valued in what is considered the most humane country.

Greed and power, in the forms of access to oil and military bases,

are the motivations that move the chess pieces of American policy.

 

[MosJan]

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION INTRODUCED TO U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

A resolution that would reaffirm the Armenian Genocide was introduced in the House of Representatives, reports the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA). The legislation (H. Res. 106) was introduced in the House by longtime Armenian issues supporters Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA) and Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), together with Congressmen Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI). The resolution has already garnered strong bipartisan support, with over 150 Members of Congress expected to be added as cosponsors tomorrow. It is modeled after H. Res. 316 which overwhelmingly passed the House International Relations Committee last Congress. H. Res. 106 calls upon the President to "ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding" of the "Armenian Genocide" and to "accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000 Armenians as genocide" in the President's annual message. (The House International Relations Committee is now known as the House Foreign Affairs Committee.) The new resolution also closely mirrors H. Res. 398/ H. Res. 596, which nearly passed the House of Representatives in 2000. Only a last minute intervention by President Bill Clinton to Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) prevented a final, affirmative vote on the House floor.

*

 

[Ani]

U.S. ambassador to Turkey: Bush administration will oppose Armenian genocide resolution

The Associated PressPublished: January 31, 2007

 

ISTANBUL, Turkey: The U.S. ambassador to Turkey said Wednesday that the Bush administration would actively oppose a resolution to recognize the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians at the end of World War I as genocide.

 

Democratic and Republican lawmakers introduced the resolution at a press conference on Tuesday. The Bush administration has warned that even congressional debate on the topic could damage relations with Turkey, a NATO member with close ties to the United States.

 

"The Administration will be actively involved with Congress to oppose this resolution," U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson said in a statement e-mailed to news organizations in Turkey. "The Bush Administration's position on this issue has not changed."

 

In keeping with traditional U.S. policy, Wilson's statement referred to the killings as "tragic events that took place at the end of the Ottoman Empire," not as genocide.

 

Turkey has adamantly denied that its predecessor state, the Ottoman government, caused the Armenian deaths in a planned genocide. The Turkish government has said the death toll is inflated, and that Armenians were killed or displaced in civil unrest during the disarray surrounding the empire's collapse.

 

Today in Europe

 

Chirac muses on Iran, and then retreats

German court challenges CIA over abduction

Putin vows a free democratic vote on next leader

Despite strong Turkish opposition, however, an increasing number of governments are recognizing the killings as genocide.

 

Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, and other lead sponsors of the resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives, say they have commitments from more than 150 other members who wanted to add their names as co-sponsors after the legislation's introduction.

 

That would be a strong show of support in the 435-member body.

 

The resolution's supporters say that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has expressed her support, is likely to come under pressure from the Bush administration to keep the House from voting.

 

 

[Dave]

These are simply the words of the US ambassador to Turkey, so we don't need to give importance. When John Evans used the "g word", he was simply shoved away from the scene...

[gamavor]

Sincerely or not I believe the Bush administration will try to shun the resolution. If they do so, their "democracy in the Middle East" rhetoric will backfire on them. It would be obvious that this administration has no intention of buiding democracy and prefers to have Turkey isolated and keeping the turkish society in the dark ages by doing a "favor" of not legislating this crime against humanity.

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

DeFacto Agency, Armenia

Feb 1 2007

 

 

 

OVER 160 U. S. CONGRESSMEN SUPPORT INTRODUCTION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

RESOLUTION

 

 

January 31, speaking at a Capitol Hill press conference, Congressmen

Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA) and Congressional

Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg

(R-MI) joined together in announcing the support of more than 160 of

their House colleagues for the introduction of the Armenian Genocide

Resolution

According to the information DE FACTO received at the Armenian

National Committee of America (ANCA), joining with the four

legislators as original cosponsors of the Armenian Genocide

Resolution (H.Res.106) are Congressmen Brad Sherman (D-CA) and

Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), both strong supporters of Armenian Genocide

recognition as well as senior members of the House Foreign Affairs

Committee, the influential panel which will first consider this

legislation prior to a vote on the House floor.

The resolution is similar to legislation introduced in the previous

session of Congress, which was overwhelmingly approved in the

International Relations Committee (now called the Foreign Affairs

Committee), only to be blocked from final passage by former House

Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL). With the change in House leadership,

the lead sponsors noted during the press conference that this

legislation now has the best chance for passage in recent memory.

During his opening remarks at the press conference, Congressional

Armenian Caucus Co-chair Frank Pallone underscored the importance of

introducing and passing Armenian Genocide legislation: `We, as the

House of Representatives, have an obligation to send a message to the

world that we affirm the [Armenian] Genocide and to send a message to

the Turkish government, which is ultimately behind all of the

genocide denial on the part of the [u.S.] Administration.'

Citing the presence of Armenian Genocide survivors Yeretzgeen Sirarpi

Khoyan and Mrs. Rose Baboyan, Rep. Adam Schiff explained that "there

aren't many survivors left and while there are still survivors among

us we have, I think, the highest ethical obligation to recognize the

losses of their families, the losses of their entire community, and

in many respects beyond that, the loss of almost an entire people."

Touching on the U.S. responsibility to end the ongoing genocide in

Darfur, Rep. Schiff argued, "How can we demonstrate the kind of moral

leadership we need to condemn the genocide in Darfur if we do not

have the courage to recognize the murder of a million and half people

in the first genocide of the last century?'

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)

stressed that, "It is up to the House to bring this important

resolution to vote." He went on to explain that, "38 U.S. states have

recognized the Armenian Genocide" and that the time had come for the

U.S. Congress to enact the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor in the 109th Congress, Rep.

George Radanovich, argued: "I think it is not even in Turkey's

interest to successfully keep this [Genocide resolution passage] from

happening because it is in their best interest as a growing country

to recognize what happened in their country many, many years ago."

"We appreciate the leadership of the Armenian Genocide Resolution's

authors - Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, Frank Pallone, Joe

Knollenberg, Brad Sherman, and Thaddeus McCotter - and are, of

course, very encouraged by the broad, bipartisan support for their

introduction of this anti-genocide legislation," said Aram Hamparian,

Executive Director of the ANCA. "The immoral firing of Ambassador

Evans for recognizing the Armenian Genocide, the intense controversy

over the Richard Hoagland nomination due to his denial of this crime,

and - of course - the brutal assassination of Hrant Dink, all serve

as a stark wake up call for Congress to pass the Armenian Genocide Resolution."

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

Turkey going to surprise the world?

 

 

 

02.02.2007

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Last year we discussed a train crash between the European Union and Turkey. While we were still trying to estimate whether the crash would occur, we got survived with only minor injuries. On this year's agenda there is a possible train crash between Turkey and the United States. This time the crash is about Armenian Genocide issue,” Turkish observer Mehmet Ali Birand writes in Turkish Daily News. In his opinion, as April nears, the members of the U.S. House of Representatives close to Armenians take action and try to make the U.S. Congress officially accept the Armenian Genocide. “A bill is sent to the House of Representatives to be voted on followed by the Turkish government's knocking on the U.S. government's door. The Turkish government gives warnings on a wide variety of issues from strategic significance to arms bids. A crisis that lasts weeks takes place on the Ankara-Washington axis, and the current government forestalls the passing of the bill, drawing attention to ‘the prominence of Turkey's strategic being.’ It will be the same scenario this year. However, things took a more serious turn this year. This time, it looks like Armenians can get what they want. Unlike the previous years, the winds are blowing the Armenian way. Nancy Pelosi, who supports the Armenian cause whole-heartedly, was appointed as the speaker of House of Representatives. The number of democrats who approach Armenians sympathetically have increased in the House. More important is the weakening of the White House, regarded as the most powerful establishment supporting Turkey in the House of Representatives. President Bush does not have the influence he used to,” the observer writes.

 

“We would threaten, get what we want, and then lie down and hibernate. We would not make preparations or develop new policies. The situation is very different now. There is little time left before the train crash. It is very hard to get out of the mess with threats now. Now, we need to wake up, get rid of old habits and come up with a new policy. It is inevitable for us to get rid of the old rhetoric, to look at the issue from a different point of view and to escape the genocide stain. Let's not wait until the last minute. We have no other options left but to surprise the world,” he goes on.

 

“Maybe we do not take it seriously, but the Armenian genocide allegations are getting much more serious. This official clamp gets tighter each year. The parliaments of 18 countries have carried resolutions that Turkey has inflicted genocide on Armenians. There are at least as many more on their way. We should not just be uneasy but we should in fact panic against this scenario… Above all, if the bill in the U.S. Congress passes, it will be exemplary and other countries will follow course,” he supposes.

 

[Z'areh]

Turkey going to surprise the world?

 

The "surprise" Mr. Birand is refering to is the long awaited (or hoped) anouncement by the government of the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. He and other intellectuals have advised Turksih leaders in their numerous articles.

Edited February 3, 2007 by Z'areh

[Aratta-Kingdom]

The "surprise" Mr. Birand is refering to is the long awaited (or hoped) anouncement by the government of the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. He and other intellectuals have advised Turksih leaders in their numerous articles.

 

 

 

If the armenian politicians are smart, they will use it to gain a ground against azerbaijan-at least for a while. The border that is open today, can be closed tomorrow.

 

[MosJan]

RESOLUTION ON RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ALREADY APPROVED BY 161 CONGRESSMEN

 

*

 

article's photo

161 congressmen have already undersigned the 106th resolution of U.S. Congress on recognizing the Armenian Genocide, stated in Yerevan Arpi Vartanian, the AAA (Armenian Assembly of America) Regional Director for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. In her words, a great support is being provided by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. “Pelosi has always spoken in favor of recognizing the Armenian Genocide in 1915 by the United States and her stance on this issue is unchanged,” Vartanian stressed. Alongside, the AAA Regional Director underlined that recently the topic of genocide is being actively discussed in U.S. “The American society wants to know what in fact has happened in Darfur, Cambodia and Rwanda. And just now Armenian organizations must tell about the Armenian Genocide as much as possible, as the first genocide of the 20th century left unpunished, because of which other crimes against humanity took place,” said Arpi Vartanian. She also underscored, a lot of leading American newspapers have also changed their viewpoint on the Armenian Genocide issue. “If earlier The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Boston Globe wrote “the so called Armenian Genocide”, “Armenian Genocide”, now they write it without inverted commas. And Armenian Lobby organizations have contributed to it much,” Vartanian said.

[gmd]

I would like to ask if anyone here knows or is involved in the lobbying effort to have this resolution pass. I signed up on ANCA's website and forwarded the info to everyone I know (who would sign it). If there are other efforts you could advise I appreciate it and will pass the information along to everyone I know.

 

Thanks

 

Garik

[phantom22]

Call every Congressperson and US Senator in your region.

 

Constantly network with your local political party apparatus. I do this with the Democrats around the country that I have known for 45 years. My tentacles go to everywhere around the country. Don't limit your contacts to only the ANCA or AAA. You have POWER. Little old me has toppled very powerful persons. Power to the PEOPLE, in this case the ARMENIAN PEOPLE.

 

 

I would like to ask if anyone here knows or is involved in the lobbying effort to have this resolution pass. I signed up on ANCA's website and forwarded the info to everyone I know (who would sign it). If there are other efforts you could advise I appreciate it and will pass the information along to everyone I know.

 

Thanks

 

Garik

 

[MosJan]

BUSH CALLED ON CONGRESS TO OPPOSE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

 

 

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated over the weekend that U.S. President George W. Bush will write to members of Democratic-controlled Congress to urge them to oppose the Armenian Genocide resolution. The congressional resolution, which was introduced for consideration last month, is opposed by Bush administration, but has been supported by the Democratic leadership. “A resolution that would recognize the World War I era killings of Armenians as genocide would poison ties between strategic allies Turkey and the United States,” Turkey's Foreign Minister Gul warned late Saturday. Gul said if passed, the resolution would cause permanent damage to relations and it will cause a deadlock in our relations. Gul asked the U.S. administration to take action. "It won't have a fleeting effect, its results will be deep and lasting. I called on the U.S. administration to take urgent action. Secretary of State Rice will carry out an important work in the coming days. She will visit the Congress," Gul said, reports The New Anatolian.

[MosJan]

ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL WASHINGTON, THE 301-ST ARTICLE IMPEDES THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE RESOLUTION ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

 

*

 

The 301-st Article Impedes the Campaign Against the Resolution on the Armenian Genocide, said Councilor to USA President on National Security Steven Hadley to the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, reported yesterday milliet. According to information received, an American anonymous official told the Milliet reporter that the Article 301 of the Criminal Code was one of eh main topics of Hadley-Gul meeting.

 

According to the same source, in response to Abdullah Gul’s request for assistance against the Resolution on the Armenian Genocide Steven Hadley said, "First of all you must aid yourselves. Although I consider the Resolution useless, we cannot tell the Congress that Turkey has started openly revising its history and normalizing its relations with Armenia, as long as criminal cases are being roused against Turkish intellectuals who are freely expressing their opinions on history."

 

It is remarkable, that alterations to Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Code were required also by certain Jewish organizations of the USA. The Foreign Ministry of Turkey expressed a thought hat such demands made in public can only hamper the process of revising the 301-st article. It is alleged that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has already taken some measures for that.

* By H. Chaqrian

 

[Error 404]

Sukru Elekdag: Turkey should stop flights to Yerevan, ban indirect trade and deport Armenians from the country

 

[ 13 Feb 2007 17:20 ]

 

“I was Turkish ambassador to the US and therefore, iam well-informed of the situation. The strongest lobby in Washington is the US government,” Sukru Elekdag, former head of Foreign Ministry Executive Office, Deputy of CHP (Republic and People Party), and former Turkish Ambassador to the US told the APA’s Turkey bureau exclusively. He said that Bush administration is able to impede the resolution on recognition of alleged Armenian genocide.

“If President Bush writes to the chairman of the House of Representatives that “Turkey is our strategic ally. America’s national interest makes it necessary to cooperate with our ally. If the House of Representatives approves the resolution on the “genocide”, it will harm our relations with Turkey. It will damage America’s image. In this case, Turkey will not cooperate with us, and Ankara will severely react to this resolution. Turkish people approach the problem very sensitively. Therefore we should not approve the resolution taking into account the US’s national interests,” I think Democrat Party congressmen will take it into consideration. Bush should only express his position strongly and stress Turkey’s importance. Otherwise nothing will come out of it,” he said.

Mr. Elekdag said that Turkey is not pessimistic about democrats’ gaining majority in the Congress.

“Turkish parliamentarians should visit the US and establish relations with Democrat Party MPs. We have much to tell democrat congressmen. They also stood against Bush’s starting war in Iraq. The US cannot find a way out of the impasse caused by this war. Our parliament was also against this war, and we, members of Turkish National Grand Assembly, were more courageous than the US democrats and expressed stricter reaction against war plans in Iraq. We will remind it to them in the US,” he said.

Mr. Elekdag said not all democrat congressmen are against Turkey.

“Most of them support us. We will meet with them and explain how the resolution on the alleged Armenian genocide will harm the relations with Turkey,” he said.

The former diplomat noted that the Turkish government and Foreign Ministry have a mistake on one point.

“They used to say Armenian Diaspora in the US is strong and it supports all bills. But this is not so. After Armenia became independent, Yerevan governs the country’s foreign policy, and Armenian ambassador to the US directs everything. Therefore we should review our policy on Armenia. We have changed our policy towards Armenia at the request of the US and European Union. After Armenians occupied Azerbaijan’s lands, Turkey imposed an embargo on Armenia. This event terribly oppressed Armenia, and Turkey mitigated embargo because of the US and EU pressures. What is the result? Armenia tries to damage Turkey’s image by all means but notwithstanding this, six Armenian planes land in Istanbul airport every week. Armenians, who come to Istanbul, earn their living by “case trade”- they need it very much. Turkey’s products are transported to Armenia via Georgia and Iran. Nearly 70, 000 Armenians live illegally in Turkey. Turkey should exert pressures on Armenia; firstly, it should stop these flights, ban indirect trade and deport 70,000 Armenians from the country. Armenia should bear in mind that they will get response policy in any case of its attempt,” Shukru Elekdag said.

He also said it is not possible to succeed in the struggle against the false Armenian genocide claims by cooperating with the US government only.

“It is necessary to meet with the parliamentarians and senators individually in the congress. I met with 145 parliamentarians within three months in 1984. I was called a “man casting anchor in the Congress”. Greek lobby tried to adopt “Persona non grata” decision against me. This document was signed by 90 parliamentarians, but they could not achieve to banish me from US. I trust in our counterparts in US, but we have missed our train a little bit. When I was ambassador, 69 scientists signed adopted a declaration denouncing the false genocide claims. Then Armenians threatened those people warning them against any declaration. As far as you know, Armenians committed terrors and murdered our diplomats. And now they commit academic terror. Armenians murder those who refuse to write what they demand concerning this issue” he underlined.

Shukru Elekdag highly appreciated the visit of the chief of Turkish Armed Forces General Staff to the US.

“I was the ambassador of Turkey to the US for ten years. But it is first time that I come across such a situation. The chief committee for foreign relations of House of Representatives Tom Lantos said that he wants to meet with Yashar Boyukanit when Turkish official was visiting the US. American politicians never meet with military men and commander-in-chiefs of foreign countries. But Tom Lantos wanted to meet. I am sure that Yashar Boyukanit will demonstrate himself as an experienced diplomat and explain the problems in a right way,” he concluded

 

[Error 404]

General Buyukanit speaks at DC reception: I have a complaint about Turks in US

 

 

 

Speaking at a dinner reception held in his honor at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC, General Yasar Buyukanit of the Turkish Armed Forces addressed the Turkish community last night, chiding them for not enough action in working for Turkey's interests.

 

Greeted with tremendous applause as he took the podium, General Buyukanit called on Turks in the diaspora to work harder in the face of the ongoing push by the Armenian diaspora to have the so-called Armenian genocide bill passed in the US Congress. Said Buyukanit:

 

"Whatever happens from now afterwards is linked to you. Don't the people living outside the Turkish Republic have to come together and work harder to protect Turkey's national interests? Now I would like to address a complaint I have about you. If the voice of the Turks living in the diaspora would only rise as high as the others in the diaspora, the Armenians' claims of genocide would not have come out this way, nor would Turks have to face what they do now. Yes, please excuse me, but I have a complaint about you. The Turkish Republic would be that much stronger if people would gather to support the country's interests, rather than working against them."

 

General Buyukanit's planned meeting with the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Relations, Congressman Tom Lantos, was cancelled yesterday due to the heavy snowy conditions in the city.

[Error 404]

‘Armenian genocide’ as the Zildjian Secret Alloy

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

 

 

 

The upcoming ‘genocide bill’ will be similar to the Zildjian secret alloy: It will be made in the United Stated under an Armenian name and its resonance will be essentially felt in Turkey.

 

GÖKHAN YÜCEL

As the saying goes: “Good wine needs no brush.” It is hard to ignore the fact that neither diplomacy nor the myth of strategic alliance has managed to prevent the “Affirmation of the U.S. Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution” from hitting an all-time high. The supporters of the long-established U.S.-Turkish amity, as well as the arms companies, are wringing their hands, while the “genocide bill” campaigners have already started to celebrate victory. Upon his return from last week's visit to Washington, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül brought back to Ankara the echoes of these cheering voices from the United States for further discussion. In Turkey Gül found a disappointed public opinion that had learnt how his request for a meeting had been rejected by Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives and the acting figurehead of the “pro-Armenian” league. This threw cold water in the face of the government's optimistic hopes of somehow escaping the “genocide” crisis.

 

 

 

The new iron lady:

 

Pelosi's pledge to accomplish the recognition of the “genocide” confirms the suspected image of an uncompromising iron lady. Here, one should understand her role well. Since 1987 she has been the representative from the eighth district of California, where the Armenian population is dense. She is also an active member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. This body consists of the co-sponsors of the legislative motion that was introduced in the House of Representatives by long-time Armenian issues supporters Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA) and Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), together with Congressmen Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI). Thus far 160 lawmakers have joined the caucus – 102 Democrats and 58 Republicans out of the 435 U.S. House members.

 

Now Pelosi and her colleagues back the incorporation of historically, politically and legally binding provisions into the 10-page resolution. The euphoria in the diaspora was suddenly very apparent. On Armenian diaspora Internet forums in the United States the approval of the bill is being cited as a major step leading toward the answering of Armenian demands for financial retribution.

 

 

 

Deciphering the code:

 

Therefore, we must carefully decipher Section 3, declaration of policy in the proposed resolution. It reads as follows:

 

The House of Representatives:

 

1 – Calls upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide and the consequences of the failure to realize a just resolution; and

 

2 – Calls upon the President in the President's annual message commemorating the Armenian Genocide issued on or about April 24, to accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000 Armenians as genocide and to recall the proud history of United States intervention in opposition to the Armenian Genocide.

 

Given the negative mood, the officials in our capital should remain calm for the time being, though they must be ready for every emergency. Well not an easy task, is it? Gül's visit proved once more that what follows is a race against time, not a matter of affirming or denying whether the “genocide” in fact happened. The coming days appear to herald a period of effective lobbying in the pro-amity and pro-recognition circles in which the final decision, “yes or no,” is currently being shaped. It is a battle of those who widely whisper that U.S.-Turkey relations are at stake and those who do not care much about it. But the resolution stipulates, “to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity relating to the Armenian Genocide.” This indicates an evident clash with the doctrine of Turkish foreign policy.

 

In the Turkish Daily News we have read two recent accounts by Eyüp Can and Burak Bekdil pointing out related arguments. They both drew attention to the urgent need for an action plan regarding the policy implications of the resolution. Can listened to his personal contacts in the American-Jewish community, which urged clearly “either do something or be ready to face the consequences.” Bekdil's insightful article showed what was likely to occur if the existing modus vivendi between the United States and Turkey concerning the “genocide bill” is damaged. He rightfully asserted that “a U.S. seal of approval” is pregnant with various imperative repercussions. Well said.

 

A self-imposed embargo? Should the resolution passes, the Turkish military will have to consider the boycott of U.S. weapons, in accordance with their previous behavior after the adoption of the controversial law introducing imprisonment and monetary fines to anyone denying the “genocide” in France. In a way Turkey's anticipated policy response might be read as a self-imposed embargo. History will then repeat itself, since the consequences of the U.S. arms embargo from 1975 to 1978 are now evoked as inescapable.

 

But is Turkey ready to pay this cost on the eve of critical developments in northern Iraq? Can Turkey afford to turn her back on the United States amid an effort to play a new and more dynamic political role in the Middle East? Can these projects be viable with a U.S.-free foreign and defense policy? To what extent will the membership talks with the European Union be affected? What exactly would a U.S.-less context mean for the general elections in November and hence future political stability? Likewise, what does the U.S. administration have in mind?

 

 

 

The Zildjian secret alloy:

 

The abovementioned dilemma that Turkey faces is caused by a resolution similar to the Zildjian secret alloy. The Zildjian family started a journey from Istanbul to the United States at the start of the 20th century. They were descendents of a 17th century Istanbul-born alchemist. His attempts to create gold by combining base metals led instead to a copper, tin and silver alloy then used to produce cymbals with unique sound qualities. The sound of the instruments was extraordinary. It is renowned as the Zildjian secret alloy.

 

What is special about the Zildjian cymbals is that they bear the labels “Made in the U.S.” and “Turkish cymbals” and that they are manufactured under an Armenian name. Strikingly, the impending resolution will be decided by the components of this very same alloy: It will be made in the United Stated under an Armenian name and its resonance will be essentially felt in Turkey.

 

Gökhan Yücel is a Ph.D. candidate reading politics at Oxford University and an occasional contributor to the TDN.

 

 

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

Turkish General called on Turks in U.S. to counteract Armenian Genocide resolution

 

 

15.02.2007

 

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “I have a complaint about Turks in U.S.,” said in Washington General Yasar Buyukanit of the Turkish Armed Forces, reports Hurriyet newspaper. He addressed the Turkish community last night, chiding them for not enough action in working for Turkey's interests. General Buyukanit called on Turks in the diaspora to work harder in the face of the ongoing push by the Armenian diaspora to have the Armenian Genocide bill passed in the U.S. Congress. Said Buyukanit, "Whatever happens from now afterwards is linked to you. Don't the people living outside the Turkish Republic have to come together and work harder to protect Turkey's national interests? Now I would like to address a complaint I have about you. If the voice of the Turks living in the diaspora would only rise as high as the others in the diaspora, the Armenians' claims of genocide would not have come out this way, nor would Turks have to face what they do now. Yes, please excuse me, but I have a complaint about you. The Turkish Republic would be that much stronger if people would gather to support the country's interests, rather than working against them."

 

 

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The blaming game has began. The turks who run away from turkey to escapte persecutions are targeted for not doing enough to support turkey? W W If this is the way the general talks with the citizens of the other country(even if they are turks), no wonder the victims of the Armenian genocide were called traitors.

 

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

Turkish diplomat advises Armenia “to learn sense”

 

 

14.02.2007

 

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey is not pessimistic about democrats’ gaining majority in the Congress, stated Sukru Elekdag, former head of Foreign Ministry Executive Office, Deputy of CHP (Republic and People Party), and former Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. “Turkish parliamentarians should visit the U.S. and establish relations with Democrats. We will meet with them to explain how the Armenian Genocide resolution will damage relations with Turkey,” he said. The former diplomat noted that the Turkish government and Foreign Ministry have a mistake on one point. “They used to say Armenian Diaspora in the U.S. is strong and it supports all bills. But this is not so. After Armenia became independent, it’s Yerevan that governs the country’s foreign policy, and Armenian ambassador to the U.S. directs everything. Therefore we should review our policy on Armenia. We have changed our policy towards Armenia at the request of the U.S. and European Union… Turkey should exert pressures on Armenia. First, it should stop these flights, ban indirect trade and deport 70,000 Armenians from the country. Armenia should bear in mind that they will get response policy in any case of its attempt,” Shukru Elekdag said.

 

 

 

 

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These morons will never learn that fabricated, conflicting reports make them look bad.

[Error 404]

‘US administration firm to block Armenian resolution’

Turkey's top military commander has said he has observed determination on the part of the US administration to stop an Armenian genocide resolution from passage in the US Congress.

Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt

"I heard senior US administration officials saying decisive words on stopping the Armenian genocide resolution from securing recognition in Congress," said Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt, referring to his talks with US Vice President Dick Cheney and US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.

When asked to comment on whether the US administration seems firm in its resolve to fight outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorism, Gen. Büyükanıt said, "Yes."

Büyükanıt's scheduled meeting with US House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee head Tom Lantos, which was canceled yesterday due to severe weather conditions, is to take place on Friday. The Armenian resolution, which has already been presented to the US House of Representatives, will be the main subject of this meeting.

Gen. Büyükanıt is to meet today with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace and Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman.

Upon being asked a question as to whether there is any possibility that the US may resort to force against Iran's nuclear program, Büyükanıt said: "No, we did not talk about this issue. We always prioritize issues that are in our own agenda."

[Vanetsi]

You know why Turkish politicians and nationalists don't eat pork?

 

 

 

 

It'd be cannibalism.

[phantom22]

I don't think that anything less than an outright invasion of Iran by the US will stop the Resolution.

 

Bush is greatly weakened and is battling with the Democratic leadership. His administration is on EXTREMELY shaky ground. Speaker Pelosi at any moment may have a change of heart and allow impeachment discussion to commence.

 

An independent Kurdistan on present northern Iraqi territory is also in US interests. It will become a US base of operations and a source of oil too.

 

 

 

‘US administration firm to block Armenian resolution’

Turkey's top military commander has said he has observed determination on the part of the US administration to stop an Armenian genocide resolution from passage in the US Congress.

Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt

"I heard senior US administration officials saying decisive words on stopping the Armenian genocide resolution from securing recognition in Congress," said Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt, referring to his talks with US Vice President Dick Cheney and US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.

When asked to comment on whether the US administration seems firm in its resolve to fight outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorism, Gen. Büyükanıt said, "Yes."

Büyükanıt's scheduled meeting with US House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee head Tom Lantos, which was canceled yesterday due to severe weather conditions, is to take place on Friday. The Armenian resolution, which has already been presented to the US House of Representatives, will be the main subject of this meeting.

Gen. Büyükanıt is to meet today with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace and Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman.

Upon being asked a question as to whether there is any possibility that the US may resort to force against Iran's nuclear program, Büyükanıt said: "No, we did not talk about this issue. We always prioritize issues that are in our own agenda."

 

[Error 404]

You know why Turkish politicians and nationalists don't eat pork?

It'd be cannibalism.

 

LOL Vanetsi!!!

[zurderer]

Armenians dont eat rabit. Any comment?