Delahunt votes no on Armenian resolution

It’s been noted that an historical agreement between Turkey and Armenia was signed on October 10, 2009, and sent to the Turkish Parliament on October 21, 2009, and the Armenian Parliament on February 22, 2010.

This agreement between Turkey and Armenia represents a watershed moment in the relations between these two nations.

It could potentially stabilize the entire region.

The two protocols and a timetable, which compromise the agreement, call for the development and normalization of relations. It is currently under consideration in both countries’ respective legislative bodies.

If ratified, this agreement would open the last closed European border. And establish a “road map” for normalized relations.

This would have significant benefits for Armenia, increasing its political, economic, and cultural links with Europe. And opening up the possibility of its joining the European Union, which would transform Armenia and bring significant benefits to its impoverished citizens.

Lets remember that this agreement was negotiated and signed by the Armenian Government.
In fact, after the agreement was announced, the President of Armenia, Sarkisian, went on a Diaspora tour, including stops in Paris, New York and Los Angeles, to persuade Diaspora Armenians that the protocols, “do not harm Armenian state and national interests, but, on the contrary, open new opportunities for resolving the centuries-old feud between both countries.”
Reconciliation between the governments of Armenia and Turkey would certainly benefit our own national interests.

Passage of today’s resolution, however, will provoke a highly negative reaction in Turkey and could sidetrack the normalization process.

This would do nothing for Armenia. Or Turkey. Or the United States.

I met yesterday with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament, Mr. Murat Mercan, and he said that, “If the House Foreign Affairs Committee passes H. Res 252, it will imperil the normalization process and become a permanent impediment towards passing the protocols in Turkey.”

Most importantly, the issue, which is the subject of H. Res. 252, is one that Turkey and Armenia have agreed to deal with.

The agreement states the determination to “implement a dialogue on the historical dimension with the aim to restore mutual confidence between the two nations, including an impartial scientific examination of the historical records and archives to define existing problems and formulate recommendations.”

Lets not put that process at risk.

I am very concerned that passage of this resolution will undoubtedly hinder and might very well inflame Turkish public opinion, so that passage in the Turkish Parliament will be impossible.
And we as a committee may well be seen as knowingly sidetracking a peaceful and prosperous future for the peoples’ of Turkey and Armenia.

Therefore, I intend to vote “No” today.