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Top Turkish Business Association To Lobby Against Genocide Bill

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  • Top Turkish Business Association To Lobby Against Genocide Bill

    TOP TURKISH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION TO LOBBY AGAINST GENOCIDE BILL

    Asbarez
    http://www.asbarez.com/78577/top-tur kish-business-association-to-lobby-against-genocid e-bill/
    Mar 23rd, 2010

    ANKARA (Hurriyet)-The Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's
    Association (TUSIAD) will not postpone its meeting in the United
    States scheduled for April 19-20 and will instead use the opportunity
    of its visit to the US to lobby against congressional recognition of
    the Armenian Genocide.

    TUSIAD announced earlier this month that it was considering postponing
    the meeting to a later date due to a decision by the U.S. House
    Committee on Foreign Affairs to approve on March 4 a resolution
    recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

    Relations between Turkey and the U.S. have been tense ever since the
    committee approved the draft law, said Jale Ozgenturk, a columnist
    and news coordinator for business daily Referans.

    Now, with only one month remaining until April 24-the international
    day of commemoration for the Genocide-anticipation is growing as to how
    the U.S. president will term the events during his annual statement.

    In response to the March 4 resolution, Turkey recalled its ambassador
    in Washington, Namık Tan, while the Foreign Ministry said the
    government's official line favored not holding high-level visits at
    the time, indicating that Industry Minister Zafer Caglayan's visit
    scheduled for March 19 had been delayed.

    The ministry also advised the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities
    Exchanges (TOBB,) the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK)
    and TUSIAD to refrain from attending meetings in the country.

    TUSIAD, for its part, had asked the opinion of the Foreign Ministry
    before the scheduled visit, a ministry official said on condition
    of anonymity. "But we told them the last decision rests with
    them. We cannot say anything to independent organizations that can
    be interpreted as an instruction. For example, Guler Sabancı was
    also going to travel to the U.S., but we learned she canceled the
    trip based on her personal decision."

    TUSIAD at first decided to postpone its meetings scheduled for Apr.

    19-20 but then changed its mind. The association said such a
    postponement could be harmful for Turkey.

    The association said that continuing its present line until April 24
    may ultimately weaken Turkey's interests, adding that, as a result,
    it is preparing to conduct its visits to the U.S. as they were
    planned earlier.

    During its visit the association hopes to meet with U.S. Secretary
    of State Hillary Clinton although TUSIAD is still waiting to hear a
    response for its request to meet the official.

    In addition to TUSIAD Chairwoman Umit Boyner, some board members,
    such as Haluk Dincer, who is also chairman of the Turkish American
    Business Council, or TAIK, and Cem Duna are also expected to attend
    the meetings.

    A member from the TUSIAD board said the Turkish government's "sulking"
    policy would bring no benefit to the country.

    "This is not a sustainable attitude," the member said. Noting
    that nongovernmental organizations also have a mission within the
    international relations, the TUSIAD member said the visit would
    proceed for this reason.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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