It was a sad day for Turkish-American relations. But it's even a sadder day for Armenians! They will lose more than they will ever gain!
Do the Armenians really think that some soiling-their-pants Congressmen care about the Armenians' plight? Was this part of a ploy, a plan of pushing Turkey off-track and into radicalism, alienating the 'model' integration of secularism and Muslim-ness, and thereby prove to the 'world' that a moderate Islam doesn't exist?
By a narrow margin of 23-22, The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the measure recommending the U.S. recognize the 'events' of 1915 as 'Genocide.'
A similar 'Genocide' measure in 2007 was passed by a wider margin, but it was not brought to the House floor for a vote following intensive pressure by then-President George W. Bush. (How They Voted Yesterday)
At the expense of falling victim to the trap I've been blogging against for the past few years here on TalkTurkey, I reverse course and join the chorus that Armenians really do not want reconciliation. Although it is non-binding and simply meaningless, as well as farcical, enough is enough! I am now definitely not in a reconciliatory mood any longer. In fact, I say 'let the games begin!'
Here's my open letter to Prime Minister Erdogan and President Gul of Turkey:
Turkey should introduce a BINDING resolution IMMEDIATELY (and pass by a wide margin) condemning the U.S. for its actions, massacre and atrocities committed against the American Indians, and its own citizens in the form of African Americans, as well as the more recent 'Genocide' in Iraq and elsewhere.
Cancel any planned and future trips to the U.S. by any head of state; recall its ambassador permanently, submit a withdrawal plan to cease and desist any troop involvement in Afghanistan and elsewhere, close all of the U.S. bases in Turkey, stop all military and intelligence cooperation, leave NATO, along with a 'Thanks but No Thanks' declaration to reverse course as it pertains to joining the EU.
Do not enter into any high-level discussions with anyone from the Obama Administration and/or the U.S. Congress. In fact, do not even pick up the phone, and don't even setup voice mail. Stop and boycott all American imports, cash in all U.S. dollars in stock, freeze any American government bank accounts and assets, and stop sponsoring any U.S. related activity, public and private.
Take the more than $2 million Turkey spends 'officially' (and who knows how much more unofficially) on lobbying 'efforts' and divert the funds into another project highlighting a more positive image of the Turks, like building sports facilities for kids with talent but no financial means, or educational grants for top researchers, or even a big production Hollywood-type film about Turks who helped Jews escaping Spain or more recently escaping the Nazis.
Create a coalition of non-binding states opposing the American 'agenda,' align with Russia and China, stop making payments to IMF, and start a true nuclear program. Close the border with Armenia, and implement a don't ask, don't tell policy regarding any non-dealings, political or economical between the two countries and their peoples.
Sue the U.S. for reparations toward the families of those killed/injured in the line of duty during the dead-end 'War on Terror' reign over the past several years.
Lastly, start a 'Condemnation Day' campaign to lend a voice to those murdered first during the uprising by the Armenian Turks against Muslim Turks. Encourage all countries to engage in 'recognizing' that such horrible events did indeed take place. Don't play defense, get on the offense! And do it fast!
