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"CONGRESS SHOULD STAY OUT OF DISCUSSIONS ON 1915 INCIDENTS"
Anadolu Agency
http://www.turkishny.com/english-news/5-english-news/73151--congress-should-stay-out-of-discussions-on-1915-incidents
Dec 1 2011
The U.S. Congress should avoid interfering in discussions over
the incidents of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire, a U.S. republican
representative has said.
"I do not believe that it is an appropriate issue for Congress to try
to determine [the incidents of 1915]. Instead, it is best addressed
by Turkey and Armenia directly," Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairwoman
of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs,
told Wednesday a meeting of the Turkic American Alliance Convention.
The U.S. congresswoman said events occurred in 1915 was "a great
tragedy," adding however that the proper historical classification
of those incidents was a deeply emotional issue.
"I strongly support the proposal for Turkish and Armenian historians to
review those tragic events through a cooperative and positive process,"
Ros-Lehtinen said.
Fight against PKK
Ros-Lehtinen said the United States and Turkey had fostered a key
strategic relationship which enhanced the security for the Turkish
and the U.S. citizens at home and abroad.
"Our nations understood all too well the threats that face our
citizens, as attacks from violent extremists have taken the lives of
many of our people on our very own soil," she said.
Ros-Lehtinen noted that the terrorist PKK group was a common enemy
to both the United States and Turkey, adding that the group's attacks
would not be tolerated.
"The United States is playing a critical role in Turkey's
counterterrorism operations against the PKK, by providing real-time
satellite imaging, intelligence, and other operational and logistical
support. In fact, the U.S. will soon be providing Turkey with
Super-Cobra attack helicopters, which will be a tremendous asset to the
Turkish military as they conduct operations in southeastern Turkey,"
she said.
She said relations between Turkey and the U.S. had a global
significance to them, stressing that Turkey had made important
contributions to NATO missions in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo.
Turkish-Israeli relations
Ros-Lehtinen expressed concerned about the deterioration of the
relationship between Turkey and Israel, adding that she was encouraged
by recent openings in the relationship that following devastating
earthquakes in Turkey and Israel's decision to immediately send
temporary shelters and medical supplies to the victims.
"The Turkish government replied to this generosity very warmly, and
I hope this represents an opportunity to restore those bilateral ties
that have proven beneficial to the people of both Turkey and Israel,"
she said.
Anadolu Agency
http://www.turkishny.com/english-news/5-english-news/73151--congress-should-stay-out-of-discussions-on-1915-incidents
Dec 1 2011
The U.S. Congress should avoid interfering in discussions over
the incidents of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire, a U.S. republican
representative has said.
"I do not believe that it is an appropriate issue for Congress to try
to determine [the incidents of 1915]. Instead, it is best addressed
by Turkey and Armenia directly," Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairwoman
of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs,
told Wednesday a meeting of the Turkic American Alliance Convention.
The U.S. congresswoman said events occurred in 1915 was "a great
tragedy," adding however that the proper historical classification
of those incidents was a deeply emotional issue.
"I strongly support the proposal for Turkish and Armenian historians to
review those tragic events through a cooperative and positive process,"
Ros-Lehtinen said.
Fight against PKK
Ros-Lehtinen said the United States and Turkey had fostered a key
strategic relationship which enhanced the security for the Turkish
and the U.S. citizens at home and abroad.
"Our nations understood all too well the threats that face our
citizens, as attacks from violent extremists have taken the lives of
many of our people on our very own soil," she said.
Ros-Lehtinen noted that the terrorist PKK group was a common enemy
to both the United States and Turkey, adding that the group's attacks
would not be tolerated.
"The United States is playing a critical role in Turkey's
counterterrorism operations against the PKK, by providing real-time
satellite imaging, intelligence, and other operational and logistical
support. In fact, the U.S. will soon be providing Turkey with
Super-Cobra attack helicopters, which will be a tremendous asset to the
Turkish military as they conduct operations in southeastern Turkey,"
she said.
She said relations between Turkey and the U.S. had a global
significance to them, stressing that Turkey had made important
contributions to NATO missions in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo.
Turkish-Israeli relations
Ros-Lehtinen expressed concerned about the deterioration of the
relationship between Turkey and Israel, adding that she was encouraged
by recent openings in the relationship that following devastating
earthquakes in Turkey and Israel's decision to immediately send
temporary shelters and medical supplies to the victims.
"The Turkish government replied to this generosity very warmly, and
I hope this represents an opportunity to restore those bilateral ties
that have proven beneficial to the people of both Turkey and Israel,"
she said.