U.S. Congressmen are holding official contacts in Turkey for the first time after passage of so called Armenian genocide resolution in Foreign Affairs Committee of U.S. House of Representatives on March 4. Co-chairman of Turkish Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman representing Kentucky, Ed Whitfield and member of Turkish Caucus Jim Moran are in Turkey following the strain in Turkish-American relations over Armenian resolution row.
Speaking to TGRT Haber, Whitfield said that the resolution damaged Turkish-American relations. "Although most of the Congressmen are against such a resolution to be brought on the agenda, the resolution is passed from the committee. The good news is that the resolution will not be brought on the agenda of U.S. House. Obama did not take initiative to stop the resolution because he had supported the resolution during his election campaign. Many Congressmen think that Obama will reconsider his attitude about this issue. We are hopeful that Obama will talk to Congressmen to prevent this resolution to go further," said he.
Stressing that the resolution is a domestic policy issue, Withfield said, "Armenian lobby is so strong in United States. Most of the Congressmen do not know anything about the history of Turkey during World War I. Therefore, we should avoid intervening such issue."
Member of U.S. House, Representative Jim Moran also thinks that resolution will not be brought on the agenda of General Assembly. "There are 435 members of U.S. Congress. Only 23 of them used their votes towards passage of resolution. This resolution will not be legitimized. I do not think it will be brought on the agenda of U.S. House of Representatives. Erdogan and Obama should work on the needs of future instead problems of the past," said he.
Stressing Turkey's strategical importance, Moran said, "The population of Armenians is bigger than Turkish population in United States. But still, Turkey is more important than Armenia. Armenia is a little country with a weak economy. On the other hand, Turkey is a bridge between the East and the West both geographically and philosophically. Turkey is an example for the success of secular democracy."
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