Washington - As the Turkish government considers confrontational actions - the denial of logistical support for the United States military in reaction to the Armenian genocide resolution before Congress and possible military activities against Kurdish rebels inside Iraq - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a Congressional leader for recognition of the genocide, made the following statement:
"The Turkish government's attempts to intervene in the business of the United States Congress with over-the-top threats should not obstruct a sincere effort within our country to recognize a tragic historical episode. The United States loses moral standing to deal with the genocide in Darfur and human rights violations in Myanmar if we allow a foreign government to back us down from a simple, poignant and important historical remembrance. That is the type of veto power a foreign government should not have over our business. It is the type of veto power the president would not let the Chinese government have when he dismissed its warnings about attending today's Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the Dalai Lama.
"Regarding the Turkish government's threats, we must remember that this same government refused to provide logistical support to our military for the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. I find it typical of the foreign policy failings of this administration that they go to bat for a foreign government against the United States Congress even as that government threatens to further destabilize Iraq. If this administration has any diplomatic clout whatsoever, it will not allow a resolution being considered domestically to jeopardize relations between our country and Turkey. The administration should work hard to help diffuse the situation in Northern Iraq and reinforce to the Turkish government the significance of a relationship with the United States. That's what the State Department is for, and I expect it to get that message across."
Earlier this year, Sen. Menendez forced the administration to withdraw its nominee for ambassador to Armenia who would not acknowledge the genocide (http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=280556). Both in the House of Representatives and now in the Senate, Sen. Menendez has been a leading co-sponsor of the Armenian genocide resolution.
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