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