Here is another from CNN:Turkey, which is a key supply route to U.S. troops in Iraq, recalled its ambassador to Washington on Thursday and warned of serious repercussions if Congress labels the killing of Armenians by Turks a century ago as genocide.
Ordered after a House committee endorsed the genocide measure, the summons of the ambassador for consultations was a further sign of the deteriorating relations between two longtime allies and the potential for new turmoil in an already troubled region.
The House Foreign Affairs committee voted 27-21 Wednesday to approve the nonbinding resolution, which declares that the deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians from the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923 -- resulting in the deaths of 1.5 million -- was "systematic" and "deliberate," amounting to "genocide."... The Pentagon says 70 percent of the military's cargo heading into Iraq either flies into or over Turkey.70% of all military cargo think about that for a minute. The Ottoman Empire - which no longer exists due in no small part to their defeat in WWI - think about that for a minute.
But House Democrats view the resolution as part of their mandate to restore America's moral authority around the world.
"As long as there is genocide, there is need to speak out against it," she added. (Speaker Pelosi)Where was her call to condemn Darfur?
How deluded is this? Turk has few trade and political ties with the US. Does Turkey's desire to join NATO and the EU supered there historical dislike of the Kurds?"The Turkish government will not act against the United States because that would be against their own interests," he told CNN. "I'm convinced of this."
Lantos, the only member of the House who is a Holocaust survivor, says passage of the resolution would also help to bring a moral dimension back to U.S. foreign policy.
"One of the problems we have diplomatically globally is that we have lost our moral authority which we used to have in great abundance," Lantos said. "People around the globe who are familiar with these events will appreciate the fact that the United States is speaking out against a historic injustice. This would be like sweeping slavery under the rug and saying slavery never occurred."
Turkey has had a minor problem with Kurdish fighters crossing the boarder and has stated an intention to follow them with military forces akin to the Punitive Expedition against Poncho Villa at the turn of the 20th century. In fact, if I recall correctly, this was one of the reasons we turned down proposals that Turkey occupy northern Iraq before we had even invaded.
This resolution is absurd.
If Turkey decides to invade northern Iraq, one of the few stable areas, after the Kurds or decided to limit overflight and other support it would make thinks difficult for our military, its mission, and our allies. The withdraw of Turkey from the fold will, more than likely, cost lives. Any military action in N. Iraq, by Turkey, would undoubtedly cause an influx of refugees to the center and southern parts of the country that we are starting to get under control.
This move by the majority in Congress is strictly a political move for their personal gain at the expense of this country and its men and women in uniform.
What's next - a resolution condemning France, under Napoleon, for the invasion of Austria?
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13 Oct: Here's more....
15 Oct: More...