The Honorable Howard Berman, Chairman
The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen , Ranking Member
House Foreign Affairs Committee
Washington DC
March 2, 2010
Dear Chairman Berman and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen:
This week, your Committee will consider H. Res. 252, a non-binding resolution
that seeks to establish our country ‘ s position on a frequently debated historical event that
took place in the Ottoman Empire during World War 1. This legislation, while not legally
binding, will have very real and meaningful consequences internationally. Approval of
this resolution has potential to damage our relationship with an important NATO ally,
Turkey, Equally as concerning, it also threatens to undermine the current rapprochement
between Turkey and Armenia.
The United States is currently facing extremely difficult times, and we all see and
hear the moving stories from Americans across the country, While we can and should
debate the best ways to defeat extremism and help strengthen our struggling economy, we
certainly should not be considering proposals that will only further damage our country
both militarily and economically.
Turkey plays an invaluable role in assisting our efforts to combat international
terrorism, In Afghanistan, Turkey has provided hundreds of millions of dollars for
reconstruction efforts and humanitarian aid and operates hospitals and schools that serve
hundreds of thousands of individuals. Turkey also has helped train members of the
Afghan National Police and the National Army, a vital task that will help transfer sole
security responsibilities to the Afghan government.
Economically, Turkey represents billions of dollars and thousands of American
jobs to our country, In recent years the United States has exported more than $10 billion
worth of goods there annually and this number continues to grow, In addition to exports,
Turkish industries continue to grow and develop to the benefit of businesses in the United
States in which they invest. Continuing to collaborate with Turkey economically will not
only help to pull our nation out of recession, but ensure a partnership with a country that
will play an increasingly larger role in the global economy in the years to come.
More broadly, approving this resolution would adversely impact a wider range of
important U.S.-Turkish initiatives, such as promoting regional energy security, and
assisting in the Middle East peace process. So valued is this friendship that President
Obama, during his first bilateral overseas European trip, described our relationship as a
“Model Partnership.” We fear this resolution will place a significant strain on that
partnership and on regional interests more generally.
We also believe that H. Res. 252 will undermine the current rapprochement
between Ankara and Yerevan, and may permanently derail the restoration of diplomatic
ties and normal relations between the two nations. For some time, the United States,
Switzerland, and other members of the international community have actively been
supporting the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia. Those efforts have
produced significant positive movement over the last ten months. Once ratified, these
protocols will establish diplomatic relations, open common borders and foster commerce
between these neighbors. These protocols are presently before both parliaments for
ratification, so this process is at a sensitive stage. It would not serve U.S. interests to take
any action which could jeopardize these positive developments.
A vote on this resolution will do nothing to rectify the tragedies of the past, but it
will most certainly have significant negative consequences on current and future relations
with Turkey. We respectfully, but strongly urge you to reject this measure.
Sincerely,
Ed Whitfield, Member of Congress
Steve Cohen, Member of Congress
Kay Granger, Member of Congress
Michael E. McMahon, Member of Congress
Alcee L. hasting, Member of Congress
Virginia Foxx, Member of Congress
Ike Skelton, Member of Congress
Bill Shuster, Member of Congress
Jean Schmidt, Member of Congress
Roy Blunt, Member of Congress
John S. Tanner, Member of Congress
Dan Burton, Member of Congress
Eddie Bernice Johnson, Member of Congress
Rodney Alexander, Member of Congress
C. A. Dutch Ruppersburger, Member of Congress
Heath Shuler, Member of Congress
Pete Sessions, Member of Congress
Pete Olson, Member of Congress
John Boozman, Member of Congress
Jeb Hensarling, Member of Congress
Carolyn C. Kilpatrick, Member of Congress
Christopher P. Carney, Member of Congress
ACTION YOU CAN TAKE RIGHT NOW:
1) Please send your comments to your elected representatives via TCA by clicking on this link:
2) Also, if you have a few minutes, please send the “Dear Colleague” letter above to one or more of the the following media. Thank you:
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/03/01/US-measure-on-Armenia-angers-Turkey/UPI-71831267460766/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/02/AR2010030202375.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
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https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-mar-01-la-na-armenian1-2010mar01-story.html
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/62771-pro-turkey-lawmakers-gather-opposition-to-genocide-resolution/
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