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Turkey Recalls Ambassador After Sweden Passes 'Genocide' Resolution

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  • Turkey Recalls Ambassador After Sweden Passes 'Genocide' Resolution

    TURKEY RECALLS AMBASSADOR AFTER SWEDEN PASSES 'GENOCIDE' RESOLUTION
    John Signoriello

    examiner.com
    http://www.examiner.com/ x-36464-NY-Military-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m3d11- Turkey-recalls-ambassador-after-Sweden-passes-geno cide-resolution
    March 12 2010

    Turkish riot police outside US embassy in Ankara last wk (AP
    Photo)Turkey recalled its ambassador to Sweden today and canceled an
    upcoming summit between the countries after the Swedish parliament
    branded the World War I killing of Armenians by Ottoman forces
    'genocide', according to Reuters and a number of other news agencies.

    "We strongly condemn this resolution, which is made for political
    calculations," Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said, according
    to Reuters.

    "It does not correspond to the close friendship of our two nations. We
    are recalling our ambassador for consultations," Erdogan said, adding
    that he was cancelling a Turkey-Sweden summit scheduled for March 17.

    The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a similar resolution last
    week that labeled Turkey's early 20th-century atrocities against the
    Armenian people as 'genocide.'

    Minutes after the vote, Turkey withdrew its ambassador to the U.S.

    Reuters reports that the Swedish resolution passed by an extremely
    narrow margin, with 131 parliamentarians voting in favor and 130
    against. Another 88 members of parliament were absent.

    The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee vote last week passed by
    only one vote (23-22).

    U.S. HR 252 states in part:

    "The Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman
    Empire from 1915 to 1923, resulting in the deportation of nearly
    2,000,000 Armenians...1,500,000 men, women, and children were killed
    and 14,500,000 survivors were expelled from their homes."

    Eighteen NY and NJ legislators co-sponsored the resolution, including
    NY Reps Charles Rangel and Anthony Weiner. A similar resolution
    is pending in the Senate, where NY Senator Charles Schumer is a
    co-sponsor.

    NY Congressman, Michael McMahon (D-SI/Bklyn), a member of the House
    committee, opposed the resolution.

    "If HR 252 is passed and Turkey decides to close its border to our
    troops in Iraq or remove its $100 million investment in Afghanistan,
    our Armed Forces will be forced to take longer, more dangerous routes
    to and from Iraq, exposing them to a greater possibility of attack
    and longer deployments," Rep. McMahon stated.

    Turkey is the critical passageway for our troops to Iraq, he said,
    shortening travel time and reducing the risk of an IED attack.

    "Furthermore, as a critical Muslim NATO ally and partner in
    Afghanistan, we rely on Turkey to protect our troops as part of the
    broader Afghan reconstruction effort."

    Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George Bush I, Bill Clinton and
    George Bush II have all opposed a similar resolution based on similar
    arguments, according to Rep. McMahon, while Secretary of Defense
    Robert Gates, under both the Bush and Obama Administrations, has
    warned against the passage of the resolution.

    "If Turkey decides to withdraw its support for the US mission in Iraq
    and Afghanistan, I know that my visits to Walter Reed and Arlington
    will only increase," Rep McMahon stated. "Even with my profound
    sympathy for the families of those who perished during the Ottoman
    Empire, I cannot responsibly risk such a possibility."

    Rep. McMahon represents the 13th Congressional District, which includes
    all of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. He faces re-election in
    November. Michael Allegretti, a possible GOP opponent, announced he
    favored the resolution.

    "I urge the members of the House Foreign Relations to stand-up and
    recognize the genocide which took place between 1915-1923," Mr.

    Allegretti stated."It is unspeakable that one and a half million
    Armenians lost their lives in an effort to erase them from their
    homeland. Passage of this resolution would be a positive step for
    the region."

    Rep. McMahon called Allegretti's position "reckless, irresponsible
    and a serious threat to US national security and the safety of our
    Armed Forces."

    Turkey's Foreign Minister warned the Obama administration to impede
    the resolution or "the picture ahead will not be a positive one,"
    according to AFP.

    Foreign Minister Davutoglu said the Obama administration had not
    put sufficient weight behind efforts to block the vote and called on
    Washington to do more to prevent the measure from now going to the full
    House. He complained of a lack of 'strategic vision' in Washington,
    adding that the issue was a matter of 'honor' for his country.

    According to Reuters, Turkey has signaled that its ambassador to
    the United States will not return until the fate of the non-binding
    congressional resolution is clear.

    Reuters further reported that the administration of President Barack
    Obama has vowed to stop the resolution from going further in Congress
    in a bid to limit the diplomatic fallout.

    Many analysts have pointed out that passage of the resolution comes at
    a time the US is seeking Turkey's support for sanctions against Iran.
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