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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.
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.