Mehmet Ali Birand: Armenian Genocide bill will disgrace Turkey
"The adoption of the bill recognizing the Armenian Genocide will mean that Turkey is disgraced and that this is made a fact by the world's only super power. We must prevent our grandchildren from suffering such a shame," writes Turkish observer Mehmet Ali Birand in the Turkish Daily News. In his words, Turkey's agenda next week will be dominated by the Armenian Genocide bill in the U.S. Congress. The article tells about the "benefits" the U.S. derives from cooperation with Turkey including contribution to the NATO force in Afghanistan by sending soldiers, reinforcement of the NATO force in Kosovo and substantial role in the Caucasus (especially in the Armenian-Georgian-Azerbaijani triangle). "Both Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt put this list in front of the U.S. administrators and asked: What good will it do to risk such a vital collaboration, such a profound relationship just to satisfy a couple of thousand Armenians? It is really a hard choice," Birand says.
The author thinks that the Jewish lobby should use its influence. "Drawing attention to Turkey's direct and indirect support to Israel's security, Turkish authorities say, "We cannot accept our Jewish friends' watching the developments from afar. They need to use their influence." Saying, "If the Jewish lobby does not oppose the Armenian Genocide bill, they should not expect the same support from us, a high-level government official who closely observes the process in Washington indicated that Büyükanıt will repeat this message during his Washington meetings," Birand continues.
"What will happen if the U.S. Congress accepts the Armenian genocide bill? What will we lose? Will they convince us to pay compensation or will they force us to give land?" the observer asks. "Leave the U.S. Congress do whatever they want. But we must also know well what awaits us at the end of the road. Let us not forget that the passing of the bill will not mean the end of the world and that the Turkish-U.S. relations will survive under all conditions," he resumes.
The author thinks that the Jewish lobby should use its influence. "Drawing attention to Turkey's direct and indirect support to Israel's security, Turkish authorities say, "We cannot accept our Jewish friends' watching the developments from afar. They need to use their influence." Saying, "If the Jewish lobby does not oppose the Armenian Genocide bill, they should not expect the same support from us, a high-level government official who closely observes the process in Washington indicated that Büyükanıt will repeat this message during his Washington meetings," Birand continues.
"What will happen if the U.S. Congress accepts the Armenian genocide bill? What will we lose? Will they convince us to pay compensation or will they force us to give land?" the observer asks. "Leave the U.S. Congress do whatever they want. But we must also know well what awaits us at the end of the road. Let us not forget that the passing of the bill will not mean the end of the world and that the Turkish-U.S. relations will survive under all conditions," he resumes.
