CQ Federal Department and Agency Documents
REGULATORY INTELLIGENCE DATA
October 18, 2007 Thursday
GATES EXPRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT ARMENIAN RESOLUTION, TURKISH ACTION
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told
reporters today he’s concerned the pending congressional resolution
regarding Armenian genocide "has the potential to do real harm to our
troops in Iraq." He also called on Turkey to refrain from military
action into Iraq, which he said "would create an international crisis
and further undermine stability in Iraq."
Speaking at his first news conference with new Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, Gates expressed concerns
about a congressional resolution that declares Ottoman Turks’
1915-1917 killings of Armenians a genocide.
President Bush reiterated his own concern over the measure during a
news conference yesterday. He called on Congress not to vote on the
resolution, which has heightened tensions between the United States
and Turkey.
"It has the potential to do real harm to our troops in Iraq and would
strain, perhaps beyond repair, our relationship with a key ally in a
vital region in the wider war on terror," Gates said today.
Gates said neither he nor Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan
raised the issue during their meeting this morning at the Pentagon.
He told reporters that the measure, if passed, could drive a serious
wedge between the United States and Turkey that hampers U.S. efforts
in Iraq. He recalled Turkey’s reaction when the French parliament
passed a similar resolution in 2006; Turkey responded by cutting off
military-to-military relationships.
The U.S. war effort could suffer greatly if Turkey reacted similarly
to a U.S. measure, Gates said. "I don’t think the Turks are bluffing.
I think it is that meaningful to them. I think they see implications
in terms of reparations and perhaps even borders," he said.
Gates said he believes there’s "a very real risk" of Turkey putting
restrictions on use of Incirlik Air Base in the southeastern part of
the country if the resolution passes. He noted that 70 percent of
U.S. air cargo, one-third of its fuel and 95 percent of
mine-resistant, ambush- protected vehicles bound for Iraq transit
through Incirlik. "So there are real consequences here, and I think
people are beginning to think about that," he said.
The secretary said the issue boils down, not so much to the substance
of the issue, but to timing and consequences.
Meanwhile, the United States and other countries are negotiating with
Turkey to urge its leaders not to send troops across the border into
Iraq to confront terrorists launching attacks into Turkey.
The Turkish parliament voted yesterday to approve military action.
The one- year authorization gives the green light for Turkey’s
military to move into the Kurdish region of Iraq to go after members
of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, who have been launching
attacks into Turkey.
Gates urged Turkey to exercise restraint, citing the instability the
action would create in Iraq and the region. "We recognize the harm
and heartbreak caused by terrorist attacks across the Iraqi border
into Turkey and are working with both governments to rein in the
activities of the PKK," he said. "We recognize that Turks are being
killed by this organization — innocent Turks, both soldiers and
civilians."
The United States wants to help the Turks deal with the PKK, he said,
and will pass specific intelligence it gets about the group to the
Turks. "I think that if we were to come up with specific information,
that we and the Iraqis would be prepared to do the appropriate
thing," he said.
Gates said he plans to discuss the matter when he meets with Turkish
National Defense Minister Mehmet Vecdi Gonul in Europe. "We are
determined to work with the Turks in trying to reduce this threat to
the Turkish people and the Turkish army," he said.
Mullen said he’s encouraged to see Turkish and Iraqi government
leaders addressing the problem. "Hopefully there can be some positive
outcome from that engagement," he said.