The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has addressed a message to US Congress members, in which it calls to oppose the legislation recently introduced by the Congressional Turkish Caucus to support Turkey in joining the European Union. One should not approve of the actions of the government that abuses the human rights of its citizens, restricts the religious freedom of its Christian communities, denies the Armenian genocide of 1915, blockades Armenia and continues maintaining the military occupation of Cyprus, ANCA states. Let us note that the legislation, authored by Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL), praises Turkey as among the "venerable" democracies of the Middle East. It also cites Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz that Turkey's full integration into European institutions is in the best interests of the people of
Turkey, the people of Europe, and of the United States.