It will cripple US-Turkish cooperation on America’s top strategic goals, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran at a time when we already face immense difficulties in the region.
- Jeopardize the use of Turkish airspace, military bases and border crossing into Iraq, adding to the risks and expenses of our operations there and Afghanistan.
- Compromise our collaboration on regional democracy and energy security in the Middle East, Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia.
- Put at risk Turkey’s close relations with Israel.
It will derail Turkish-Armenian normalization, reconciliation and border reopening that are key to ending Armenia’s regional isolation.
- Produce an extreme nationalist backlash and silence liberal voices speaking out for honesty about the past and reconciliation with Armenians, Kurds, Greeks, etc.
- Kill the Turkish-Armenian dialogue on establishing a joint commission to examine the events of 1915 and possibly other issues.
- Undermine prospects for an Azerbaijan-Armenia settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh by delaying prospects for opening the Turkish border.
- Damage will be long-lasting, setting back Turkey-Armenia normalization for decades.
It will undermine democracy in this stable, moderate Muslim country.
- Poison political debate.
- Discredit those calling for greater openness, modernization, liberal democratic values and closer ties with the US and Europe.
- Fuel xenophobic, anti-Western, anti-democratic and nationalist movements.
- Isolate Turkey’s minorities, especially ethnic Armenians, most of whom, like Hrant Dink did, strongly oppose foreign parliamentary judgments on genocide.
It will fan anti-Americanism in Turkey, potentially reverberating in negative ways throughout the Muslim world.
- Provoke hostile, possibly violent public reaction that could jeopardize the safety of US soldiers, diplomats, and government installations in Turkey.
- Threaten the US business presence, especially symbols of American culture, at a time when Turkey’s economic success is attracting competitors from other countries.
Ross Wilson
US Ambassador
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This material is distributed by The Livingston Group, LLC on behalf of The Republic of Turkey. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
