A key U.S. House panel, American Turkish Council (ATC) Chairman Brent Scowcroft urged Speaker Dennis Hastert to decline discussion of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Scowcroft's message specifically notes he is "gravely concerned about plans to debate in the House of Representatives H. Con. Res. 195, a resolution "Commemorating the Armenian Genocide"." In his words, the discussion on the floor of the U.S. House would be "counter-productive to the interests of the United States." The ATC Chairman reminded that when the French Senate passed such a resolution, "it cost France over $1 billion in cancelled contracts and lost business opportunities." "We strongly urge you to review the attached letter that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan sent Armenian President Robert Kocharian on April 10, 2005, seeking to normalize bilateral relations as well as address painful long-standing historical issues. Although Armenian President Kocharian rejected his offer, we are encouraged that Prime Minister Erdogan and his government, by reaching out to Armenia with an offer for an open dialogue on difficult issues involving Turks and Armenians, are taking an historic step. Turkish-Armenian rapprochement is in the best interests of both nations, and the ATC believes now is the time for reconciliation. We sincerely hope that President Kocharian and his government will take the opportunity to reciprocate the olive branch extended by Prime Minister Erdogan," Scowcroft's letter notes.