The recent passage of Article 301 by a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has inflamed U.S.-Turkish relations. This resolution labels the widespread killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks in 1915 a “genocide”. In opposition to the resolution, the Turkish government has already recalled its ambassador to the United States. Despite the atrocities committed against the Armenian population nearly a century ago, the passage of resolution 301 by the House of Representatives would not serve the United State's current national interest. There are several compelling points that should defeat this resolution.
Turkey is an important strategic ally of the United States. Its major city, Istanbul, lies in both Europe and Asia and the country itself is located next to Central Asia in the east, Russia in the north, and the Middle East in the south. Turkey has the second largest army in NATO and has lent its Incirlik Airbase to assist our troops fighting in Iraq. Turkey, with its large population of Kurds fears that the Iraq War will lead to an independent Kurdish state that would threaten its own internal stability. The Turks have shown restraint thus far in dealing with Kurdish Iraq but this could change. It would be foolish for our government to alienate such an important strategic ally when we need its support in the Middle East. President Bush and recent U.S. Secretaries of State have acknowledged Turkey's vital role by opposing the House resolution.
Besides its strategic importance, Turkey plays an important role as a model, modern, Islamic state. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, the Turks have always been cosmopolitan and welcomed Western traditions. The modern Turkish state, founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923, has remained a secular republic despite the recent election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamic party. As the Islamic world is pushed by radical extremists towards a more medieval, anti-Western point of view, it is critical that our government supports Islamic states such as Turkey that embrace Western civilization. Chastising the current government for an Armenian slaughter that occurred over 90 years ago would serve no practical purpose and only encourage anti-American extremists while isolating our Turkish friends.
Passing Article 301 would be understandable if an active genocide were taking place in Turkey since our country has a moral responsibility. However, the resolution will not bring back the Armenians murdered in 1915. Furthermore, if we are to assign blame to Turkey for its past actions, why not pass resolutions criticizing Japan who seems to shirk its responsibility for the murder of Chinese civilians in WWII. Clearly the assignment of blame for past actions should not subvert our current national interests. Preserving our friendship and strategic relationship with Turkey and its people is far too important to be jeopardized by passage of unnecessary congressional resolutions emphasizing the Armenian genocide of 1915.
