TURKISH GOVERNMENT DEMARCHE AGAINST NEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003979 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2006 TAGS: PREL TU SUBJECT: TURKISH GOVERNMENT DEMARCHE AGAINST NEW CONGRESSIONAL "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE" LANGUAGE Classified By: (U) Classified by CDA Robert Deutsch; reasons: 1.4 b,d. ¶1. (C) Morning July 16 MFA Deputy U/S for Americas Baki Ilkin telephoned Charge to express GOT's urgent concern about new language on the "Armenian Genocide" inserted July 15 to House foreign ops appropriations bill. Reading the text of the "Armenia Genocide" reference, Ilkin noted he was about to discuss the matter with FonMin Gul and asked for the U.S. Administration's position. He added that the GOT would consider any step in the direction of adopting any "Armenia genocide" reference by Congress as a negative development. Adoption would be unhelpful to any potential movement on Turco-Armenian relations and would be detrimental to Turco-U.S. bilateral relations, he emphasized. ¶2. (C) Charge reiterated that the Administration opposes any "Armenia Genocide" reference and is working closely with Congressional leadership to prevent adoption. Ilkin indicated he would inform the minister of continued Administration efforts to exclude this provision from the final appropriation bill. DEUTSCH