ADL CLEARS G-WORD FALLOUT, PUSHES FOR TIES WITH ARMENIA
Turkish Daily News
Friday, July 4, 2008
Turkey
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, is
in Turkey for extensive talks with Turkish politicians, seeking to
keep up-to-date with both the government and opposition, and to reduce
tensions that erupted after the organization endorsed Armenian claims.
Barely a year has passed since Foxman’s decision to employ the "g-word"
for Armenian suffering in the Ottoman Empire during the World War
I-era. This incident wrought havoc in Turkish-Israeli relations,
leading to questioning of the solid support of the Jewish community
against a U.S. Congressional resolution acknowledging Armenian claims
of genocide.
"We continue to oppose a resolution that would contain the genocide
word," Foxman said Wednesday, during an exclusive interview with
the Turkish Daily News. "Armenia and Turkey need to solve this,
not in a political forum such as Congress or parliaments," he said,
but added that the "Jewish community does not deny the suffering of
Armenians." "We used the word last year," he said, implying their
position to employ the term genocide remains in place.
The issue came up during his talks in Ankara, noted Foxman, who met
with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, leader Deniz Baykal
and Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun. "They were angry a year
ago. But now they seem to understand our position," Foxman said.
‘Mend ties with Armenia’
Foxman suggested to President Gul that Turkey mend its ties with
Armenia as soon as possible. "My advice is that Turkey be creative
and pro-active in strengthening the relationships with Armenia as a
way to deal with the issue. That will bring about a coming together
on history," Foxman said. "I suggested finding ways to work together
that will help change the atmosphere, because we have a concern today
on the well-being of Armenia, which is in need of help. I think the
Jewish community could be helpful," he said.
Foxman admitted the existence of sympathy for Armenians within
the Jewish community that, he said, "never denied the suffering of
Armenians." "The only issue is to use the word or not. I think that
the Jewish community is more interested, today, in helping (improve)
the lives of Armenians living in Armenia, rather than becoming judges
in an issue that they cannot resolve. So, yes, there is a sympathy,"
he said.
No need to fear Obama
Foxman played down the need for concern over prospects of a
U.S. resolution on Armenian genocide claims if Barack Obama, Democratic
Party presidential candidate, who secured support of Armenians in
the United States, wins the race for the White House. "There are lots
of things being said in the political campaign," he said, when asked
about Obama’s promises to pass the genocide resolution.
Last October, despite the Congressional Committee on Foreign Affairs’
favorable vote, joined by Jewish representatives, in the face of
massive diplomatic protests from Turkey accompanied by civil society
criticism, sponsors of a resolution that recognized, as genocide,
Armenian killings during World War I began to drop out.
Foxman said what counts is the result. "What happened was five former
secretaries of state, three former defense secretaries, and the
president of the U.S. all intervened in Congress to uphold what they
think was the right thing to do. Nobody is denying the history. But
a lot of serious people who care about Armenians and who care about
Turkey say this is the way to do it. And I do not think that this is
going to change," he said.
Turkey’s role constructive
Turkey’s recently revealed role in talks between Syria and Israel,
who are still technically at war with each other, is of great value
in the region, Foxman said. "The importance is both countries trust
in Turkey to be the facilitator," Foxman said. "I think the fact
that there has been secrecy, which is almost a miracle, adds to the
possibility of success. Nobody knows whether it will succeed," Foxman
said. "But the fact that a Muslim country is able to be a party to
bring these two together is very important. It is not only a symbol,
but a hope for future developments," he said.
The ruling Justice and Development Party’s, or AKP, cool attitude
toward talks of a military intervention against Iran that is suspected
of seeking nuclear weapons, does not threaten these ties, according
to Foxman. "The strategic relation between the U.S. and Turkey, and
Israel and Turkey stands on its own feet, on its own interest. If it
serves the interest of parties, it happens. It is not conditioned on
regional disputes," Foxman said.
The ADL’s chairman, Glen Lewy, is also in Turkey to meet an
ADL delegation of 30 people from around the United States, said
Foxman. "They will spend five days in Istanbul to better understand
Turkey and then travel on to Jerusalem," he said.