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Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Nov 22 2014
The impact of midterm elections upon Turkey and the Turkish community
ALÄ° ÇINAR
The impact of U.S. midterm elections is still under discussion. While
Democrats are in sorrow and bewilderment, the victorious rejoicing of
the Republicans continues in every state. It has also been suggested
that with this success, the Republicans will be even more motivated
for the year 2016.
The Republicans will be represented in the Senate with 52 seats to the
Democrats' 45, while the former will also hold 243 congressional seats
to the Democrats' 178.
But what do the midterm elections mean for Turkey and the
Turkish-American community?
Many sectors in Turkey state that it is a good sign that the
Republicans have won a majority in the Senate and Congress. U.S.
Speaker of the House John Boehner said both during a visit to Turkey
and in meetings with representatives of the Turkish-American community
that they would not bring the so-called Armenian Genocide bill to the
agenda in 2015.
When we look at the Senate, Robert Menendez, the chairman of the
American Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, will leave his seat to
Senator Bob Corker, who is a friend to Turks, in January. The grade
given to Senator Bob Corker in the report card issued by the Armenian
umbrella organization ANCA is a C, and he has never previously
supported any drafts that were against Turkish interests.
Another point to mention is the issue of the Middle East. One of the
most important Republican senators, John McCain, and many of his
colleagues have made statements supporting the opinions and strategies
of Turkey regarding Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The Republicans are
also stating that they will be applying pressure for a sharper and
stronger strategy due to the unclear strategy of President Barack
Obama on the subjects of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) and Syria.
However, I must also say this: It is also being said that the
Republicans are closer to Israel and the tension in Turkish-Israeli
relations will cause a backlash in Washington.
If we look at the midterm elections from the perspective of the
Turkish-American Community, we can see that in many states where
interest was very high, campaigning was conducted for candidates that
are friends of Turkey.
Indeed, I cannot move on without saying that Turkish lobbying
activities have improved in the last five years and that the number of
members in the Turkish Caucus Group in the American Congress has
increased to 148. Even if this number has fallen to 130 as a result of
those who retired after the elections, or failed to win back their
seats, endeavors are already underway for this number to be increased
to 150 in the 2015 term.
As Turkish-American leaders begin to send letters of congratulations
to candidates re-elected to local and federal administrations
following the midterm elections, we can say that visits for new
members to join the Turkish Friendship group will begin after
mid-January.
2015 will be a busy year for Turkish-American relations. Whatever the
case may be, Turkey and the U.S. shares common interests in many
issues, and it would be wrong to expect that there would be a serious
crisis due to the delicate balance with whichever party gains the
majority vote.
In this sense, let's not forget that the Turkish-American community
will continue to be in a close relationship with both parties'
representatives and that they will work even more seriously to prevent
any unpleasant surprises.
*Ali Çınar is the president of the Turkish-American Leadership Council.
November/22/2014
From: A. Papazian
Nov 22 2014
The impact of midterm elections upon Turkey and the Turkish community
ALÄ° ÇINAR
The impact of U.S. midterm elections is still under discussion. While
Democrats are in sorrow and bewilderment, the victorious rejoicing of
the Republicans continues in every state. It has also been suggested
that with this success, the Republicans will be even more motivated
for the year 2016.
The Republicans will be represented in the Senate with 52 seats to the
Democrats' 45, while the former will also hold 243 congressional seats
to the Democrats' 178.
But what do the midterm elections mean for Turkey and the
Turkish-American community?
Many sectors in Turkey state that it is a good sign that the
Republicans have won a majority in the Senate and Congress. U.S.
Speaker of the House John Boehner said both during a visit to Turkey
and in meetings with representatives of the Turkish-American community
that they would not bring the so-called Armenian Genocide bill to the
agenda in 2015.
When we look at the Senate, Robert Menendez, the chairman of the
American Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, will leave his seat to
Senator Bob Corker, who is a friend to Turks, in January. The grade
given to Senator Bob Corker in the report card issued by the Armenian
umbrella organization ANCA is a C, and he has never previously
supported any drafts that were against Turkish interests.
Another point to mention is the issue of the Middle East. One of the
most important Republican senators, John McCain, and many of his
colleagues have made statements supporting the opinions and strategies
of Turkey regarding Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The Republicans are
also stating that they will be applying pressure for a sharper and
stronger strategy due to the unclear strategy of President Barack
Obama on the subjects of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) and Syria.
However, I must also say this: It is also being said that the
Republicans are closer to Israel and the tension in Turkish-Israeli
relations will cause a backlash in Washington.
If we look at the midterm elections from the perspective of the
Turkish-American Community, we can see that in many states where
interest was very high, campaigning was conducted for candidates that
are friends of Turkey.
Indeed, I cannot move on without saying that Turkish lobbying
activities have improved in the last five years and that the number of
members in the Turkish Caucus Group in the American Congress has
increased to 148. Even if this number has fallen to 130 as a result of
those who retired after the elections, or failed to win back their
seats, endeavors are already underway for this number to be increased
to 150 in the 2015 term.
As Turkish-American leaders begin to send letters of congratulations
to candidates re-elected to local and federal administrations
following the midterm elections, we can say that visits for new
members to join the Turkish Friendship group will begin after
mid-January.
2015 will be a busy year for Turkish-American relations. Whatever the
case may be, Turkey and the U.S. shares common interests in many
issues, and it would be wrong to expect that there would be a serious
crisis due to the delicate balance with whichever party gains the
majority vote.
In this sense, let's not forget that the Turkish-American community
will continue to be in a close relationship with both parties'
representatives and that they will work even more seriously to prevent
any unpleasant surprises.
*Ali Çınar is the president of the Turkish-American Leadership Council.
November/22/2014
From: A. Papazian