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U.S. MEASURE ON ARMENIA ANGERS TURKEY
United Press International UPI
March 1 2010
ANKARA, Turkey, March 1 (UPI) -- Washington should understand the
harm that a resolution on alleged genocide in Armenia would have to
relations with Turkey, officials said Monday in Ankara.
U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., is backing a resolution headed
Thursday to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign
Affairs that would classify atrocities committed against the Armenia
population under Ottoman rule in 1915 as genocide.
The Armenian diaspora in the United States has urged the U.S.
government to formally take a strong stance on the issue.
Burak Ozugergin, a spokesman for the Turkish foreign minister, said
in a written statement to English-language newspaper Hurriyet that
the measure was regrettable.
"We want to believe the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee
are aware of the harm that will be caused by the adoption of the
draft resolution to Turkish-U.S. relations, as well as the efforts
for peace and stability in the South Caucasus and that they will act
with a feeling of responsibility," he said.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the U.S. measure
would strike a "blow to his efforts to handle ties with Armenia.
A group of Turkish officials is headed to Washington to urge lawmakers
not to pass the resolution.
United Press International UPI
March 1 2010
ANKARA, Turkey, March 1 (UPI) -- Washington should understand the
harm that a resolution on alleged genocide in Armenia would have to
relations with Turkey, officials said Monday in Ankara.
U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., is backing a resolution headed
Thursday to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign
Affairs that would classify atrocities committed against the Armenia
population under Ottoman rule in 1915 as genocide.
The Armenian diaspora in the United States has urged the U.S.
government to formally take a strong stance on the issue.
Burak Ozugergin, a spokesman for the Turkish foreign minister, said
in a written statement to English-language newspaper Hurriyet that
the measure was regrettable.
"We want to believe the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee
are aware of the harm that will be caused by the adoption of the
draft resolution to Turkish-U.S. relations, as well as the efforts
for peace and stability in the South Caucasus and that they will act
with a feeling of responsibility," he said.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the U.S. measure
would strike a "blow to his efforts to handle ties with Armenia.
A group of Turkish officials is headed to Washington to urge lawmakers
not to pass the resolution.