Washington, DC – In response to the President’s annual statement on Armenian Remembrance Day, G. Lincoln McCurdy, President of the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), issued the following comment:
“Today, President Barack Obama issued the annual presidential statement marking Armenian Remembrance Day. Turkish Americans share the grief of Armenian Americans who lost their family members during those dreadful events nearly a century ago. In fact, in a 2009 letter to President Obama, signed by over 50 Turkish American associations, Turkish Americans stated that they mourn Armenian losses in those years as their mourn their own. This dual tragedy is not forgotten.
“What is, however, forgotten and even denied, is the equally tragic loss of even more Muslim lives in this turbulent period of Ottoman history. The suffering of one people does not justify or negate the suffering of others, and all who lost their lives deserve to be remembered on this day of remembrance. Where does the ethnic cleansing of Ottoman Turks from the Balkans, Eastern Turkey and the Caucuses with 5 million lost and 5.5 million refugees come on the President's list of ‘worst atrocities of the 20th century?’ Do they also deserve at least an annual presidential remembrance from him, as he dutifully makes on this occasion every year?
“To recognize this Muslim suffering is not to diminish Armenian suffering, but to respect all human loss and suffering regardless of the race, ethnicity or religion of the victims, and to place the Armenian tragedy in its proper historical context.
“In this context, TCA supports the establishment of a joint historical commission tasked with uncovering a complete historical narrative that could pave the way for reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian people.
“Today, TCA would once again like to extend its hand of friendship to the Armenian Diaspora in the US. Over the years, we have implemented programs that we believe are helping to heal the divide between Turkish Americans and Armenian Americans. This includes our scholarship program for Armenian Americans to study abroad in Turkey. It is our hope that by fostering dialogue between our communities, we can play a positive role in re-building a mutual understanding between the two nations.”
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sezen Aksu: The Voice Of Istanbul
By: Neva Grant
National Public Radio
April 12, 2010
It was summer in Istanbul, 1989, and her voice steamed out of every doorway, as compelling as the call to prayer. Who was she?
After hearing her everywhere, I asked a waiter to write down her name, and he gave me a look like, "How could you not know Sezen Aksu?"
She is a superstar in Turkey, and a big name in the Middle East and Europe. She recently performed near Washington, D.C., and filled that hall, too, with mostly Turkish-Americans and immigrants, and quite a range of them — grandmothers in headscarves, teenagers in towering heels. Their male companions, by the way, did not look like they'd been dragged there.
Sezen Aksu is a sexy pop star, who for the past 30 years has sold millions of recordings. She invented herself and keeps reinventing herself in a language that doesn't lend itself to music.
"Turkish is not a good-sounding language. You know, it's not musical like French or English," says Turkish composer and pianist Fahir Atakoglu. "But with singers like Sezen, for the first time, the Turkish words became much more musical. It started saying something really deep; it wasn't simple anymore."
One of Aksu's most popular songs is "Istanbul Istanbul Olali," or "Since Istanbul Became Istanbul." It is about lost love, set against the backdrop of Turkey's largest city.
Discovering Her Voice
In an interview at Strathmore Hall near Washington, D.C., Aksu talked about discovering her voice.
"I was singing in the choir, and I realized all of a sudden my voice was louder than anyone else's," she says through an interpreter. "It was a school song, I remember."
But her talent did not amuse her mother and father. Aksu says her parents were intellectuals who wanted her to be a doctor or an engineer.
"Once I realized I had this gift, and my mother and father were opposing this, I used to wait until they went to the movies or went out," Aksu says. "I would turn off the lights, go out on the balcony, and look down in the street to see people gathering to listen to me."
A Mix Of Cultures
This was happening in the mid-1960s, an exhilarating time to be a young singer in Turkey. It was a time when Eastern music collided with Western rock; when a strait-laced lute could flirt with an electric guitar and get away with it. Aksu says she was inspired by it all.
"My music is like Turkey, like Anatolia," she says. "This hybrid, this mixture of cultures ... for all these years, different thoughts and ideas existed together and borrowed from each other. It's very eclectic, but also harmonious."
Aksu has not always found harmony in her own life: She's been married and divorced four times.
"People are so complicated," she says.
In her lyrics, say her fans, she captures the muddle of human emotion. Even if you don't understand the words, there's still a way in. Isn't that the definition of a great voice? One that sings in a foreign language but still stops you in the street. You don't understand a word she's saying, but on some other gut level, you do.
To Listen to the Segment, click here.
National Public Radio
April 12, 2010
It was summer in Istanbul, 1989, and her voice steamed out of every doorway, as compelling as the call to prayer. Who was she?
After hearing her everywhere, I asked a waiter to write down her name, and he gave me a look like, "How could you not know Sezen Aksu?"
She is a superstar in Turkey, and a big name in the Middle East and Europe. She recently performed near Washington, D.C., and filled that hall, too, with mostly Turkish-Americans and immigrants, and quite a range of them — grandmothers in headscarves, teenagers in towering heels. Their male companions, by the way, did not look like they'd been dragged there.
Sezen Aksu is a sexy pop star, who for the past 30 years has sold millions of recordings. She invented herself and keeps reinventing herself in a language that doesn't lend itself to music.
"Turkish is not a good-sounding language. You know, it's not musical like French or English," says Turkish composer and pianist Fahir Atakoglu. "But with singers like Sezen, for the first time, the Turkish words became much more musical. It started saying something really deep; it wasn't simple anymore."
One of Aksu's most popular songs is "Istanbul Istanbul Olali," or "Since Istanbul Became Istanbul." It is about lost love, set against the backdrop of Turkey's largest city.
Discovering Her Voice
In an interview at Strathmore Hall near Washington, D.C., Aksu talked about discovering her voice.
"I was singing in the choir, and I realized all of a sudden my voice was louder than anyone else's," she says through an interpreter. "It was a school song, I remember."
But her talent did not amuse her mother and father. Aksu says her parents were intellectuals who wanted her to be a doctor or an engineer.
"Once I realized I had this gift, and my mother and father were opposing this, I used to wait until they went to the movies or went out," Aksu says. "I would turn off the lights, go out on the balcony, and look down in the street to see people gathering to listen to me."
A Mix Of Cultures
This was happening in the mid-1960s, an exhilarating time to be a young singer in Turkey. It was a time when Eastern music collided with Western rock; when a strait-laced lute could flirt with an electric guitar and get away with it. Aksu says she was inspired by it all.
"My music is like Turkey, like Anatolia," she says. "This hybrid, this mixture of cultures ... for all these years, different thoughts and ideas existed together and borrowed from each other. It's very eclectic, but also harmonious."
Aksu has not always found harmony in her own life: She's been married and divorced four times.
"People are so complicated," she says.
In her lyrics, say her fans, she captures the muddle of human emotion. Even if you don't understand the words, there's still a way in. Isn't that the definition of a great voice? One that sings in a foreign language but still stops you in the street. You don't understand a word she's saying, but on some other gut level, you do.
To Listen to the Segment, click here.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Congress shouldn't write history
The Charlotte Sun
March 2, 2010
Editor:
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation's foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs, and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Connie Mack, are preparing to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as "genocide" tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now-defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey's support and active participation, squandering their time on an issue that has no relevance to America's foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: Lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, groups with money and manpower still control Washington's agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an "Armenian Genocide."
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congress is neither the "conscience" of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It's time to put an end to an dangerous game, played year after year when Congress is taken for a ride by a single-issue lobby at the expense of America's national interests. This is that time, but it will only end when Floridians pay attention and raise their voice and tell Representative Mack to oppose this resolution Thursday, and every time it comes up in the future.
Lincoln McCurdy
President
Turkish Coalition of America
Original Link
March 2, 2010
Editor:
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation's foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs, and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Connie Mack, are preparing to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as "genocide" tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now-defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey's support and active participation, squandering their time on an issue that has no relevance to America's foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: Lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, groups with money and manpower still control Washington's agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an "Armenian Genocide."
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congress is neither the "conscience" of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It's time to put an end to an dangerous game, played year after year when Congress is taken for a ride by a single-issue lobby at the expense of America's national interests. This is that time, but it will only end when Floridians pay attention and raise their voice and tell Representative Mack to oppose this resolution Thursday, and every time it comes up in the future.
Lincoln McCurdy
President
Turkish Coalition of America
Original Link
Oppose Resolution
Northwest Herald
March 2, 2010
To the Editor:
The United States is confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation’s foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs, and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Don Manzullo, is preparing to vote on March 4 on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as “genocide” tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the defunct Ottoman Empire, despite holes in the historical argument.
This raises the question: why is the committee squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America’s foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: Lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington’s agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an Armenian genocide.
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of Congress. It’s time to put an end to a dangerous game, but it will end only when Americans raise their voice and tell Rep. Manzullo to oppose this resolution.
By: Lincoln McCurdy
President, Turkish Coalition of America
Original Link
March 2, 2010
To the Editor:
The United States is confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation’s foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs, and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Don Manzullo, is preparing to vote on March 4 on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as “genocide” tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the defunct Ottoman Empire, despite holes in the historical argument.
This raises the question: why is the committee squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America’s foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: Lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington’s agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an Armenian genocide.
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of Congress. It’s time to put an end to a dangerous game, but it will end only when Americans raise their voice and tell Rep. Manzullo to oppose this resolution.
By: Lincoln McCurdy
President, Turkish Coalition of America
Original Link
Congress should do its job, not write history
The Star Press
March 2, 2010
by: G. Lincoln McCurdy
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation's foreign relations. America is managing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and trying to find ways to bring our troops back safely and without compromising our national security. We are working to maintain a nuclear-free Iran, secure our energy sources and prevent the growth and spread of international terrorist networks.
In all these and many other areas affecting Americans and millions of others around the world, we have an ally in Turkey. Our trade with Turkey topped $10 billion in 2009, leaving the United States with a $3.5 billion trade surplus, supporting thousands of valuable jobs in critical industries.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Mike Pence, are preparing to vote on March 4 on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as "genocide" tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey's support and active participation, squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America's foreign relations and interests?
The answer is simple: Lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington's agenda. In the United States there are nearly one million Armenian Americans, concentrated in a number of congressional districts, who support a lobby that spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an "Armenian Genocide." Their efforts have also made Armenia, a small landlocked region, the second largest per-capita recipient of U.S. foreign aid.
Proponents of the Resolution frequently admonish its opponents by pointing to a moral obligation of Congress to pronounce that the now-defunct Ottoman Empire, committed "genocide" against Armenians. In doing so, they choose to ignore the many well-regarded historians who dispute this claim. Still, Armenian resolutions persist due to the efforts of a well organized Armenian lobby that has turned hating Turkey into an existential cause.
To roaring cheers at a 2005 Armenian rally in New York, Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, proclaimed, "The Turkish envoy said that not only did the genocide never occur, but he suggested that the reason why Armenians want to recognize the Armenian Genocide today -- want the Congress and the other countries to be on record -- is because they wanted restitution and they wanted reparations. And I say to that 'Yes, we do!' It is important not only to recognize the genocide but we have to make it clear that those who committed it pay restitution ... There must be recognition, there must be restitution, there must be reparations for the Armenian Genocide."
The resolution comes up for a vote at a particularly strange time. Armenia and Turkey are trying to work through a diplomatic process, with the support of the United States, which lays out a roadmap to normalizing relations. This effort includes the establishment of a joint historical commission of scholars and experts. Turkey's leadership time and again has stated that it will accept the findings of such a commission. It is telling that the Armenian lobby and its supporters in Congress not only oppose the normalization process, but, with even greater zeal, the establishment of this commission.
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congress is neither the "conscience" of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It's time to put an end to a dangerous game, but it will only end when Americans pay attention and raise their voice and tell Rep. Pence to oppose this resolution on March 4, and every time it comes up in the future.
Lincoln McCurdy is president of the Turkish Coalition of America and a former U.S. diplomat. Learn more about TCA at www.tc-america.org.
Original Link
March 2, 2010
by: G. Lincoln McCurdy
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation's foreign relations. America is managing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and trying to find ways to bring our troops back safely and without compromising our national security. We are working to maintain a nuclear-free Iran, secure our energy sources and prevent the growth and spread of international terrorist networks.
In all these and many other areas affecting Americans and millions of others around the world, we have an ally in Turkey. Our trade with Turkey topped $10 billion in 2009, leaving the United States with a $3.5 billion trade surplus, supporting thousands of valuable jobs in critical industries.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Mike Pence, are preparing to vote on March 4 on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as "genocide" tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey's support and active participation, squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America's foreign relations and interests?
The answer is simple: Lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington's agenda. In the United States there are nearly one million Armenian Americans, concentrated in a number of congressional districts, who support a lobby that spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an "Armenian Genocide." Their efforts have also made Armenia, a small landlocked region, the second largest per-capita recipient of U.S. foreign aid.
Proponents of the Resolution frequently admonish its opponents by pointing to a moral obligation of Congress to pronounce that the now-defunct Ottoman Empire, committed "genocide" against Armenians. In doing so, they choose to ignore the many well-regarded historians who dispute this claim. Still, Armenian resolutions persist due to the efforts of a well organized Armenian lobby that has turned hating Turkey into an existential cause.
To roaring cheers at a 2005 Armenian rally in New York, Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, proclaimed, "The Turkish envoy said that not only did the genocide never occur, but he suggested that the reason why Armenians want to recognize the Armenian Genocide today -- want the Congress and the other countries to be on record -- is because they wanted restitution and they wanted reparations. And I say to that 'Yes, we do!' It is important not only to recognize the genocide but we have to make it clear that those who committed it pay restitution ... There must be recognition, there must be restitution, there must be reparations for the Armenian Genocide."
The resolution comes up for a vote at a particularly strange time. Armenia and Turkey are trying to work through a diplomatic process, with the support of the United States, which lays out a roadmap to normalizing relations. This effort includes the establishment of a joint historical commission of scholars and experts. Turkey's leadership time and again has stated that it will accept the findings of such a commission. It is telling that the Armenian lobby and its supporters in Congress not only oppose the normalization process, but, with even greater zeal, the establishment of this commission.
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congress is neither the "conscience" of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It's time to put an end to a dangerous game, but it will only end when Americans pay attention and raise their voice and tell Rep. Pence to oppose this resolution on March 4, and every time it comes up in the future.
Lincoln McCurdy is president of the Turkish Coalition of America and a former U.S. diplomat. Learn more about TCA at www.tc-america.org.
Original Link
Don't write history, Congress
The News & Messenger
Prince William, VA
March 2, 2010
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation's foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Gerry Connolly, are preparing to vote on March 4 on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as "genocide" tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: Why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey's support and active participation, squandering their time on an issue that has no relevance to America's foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, groups with money and manpower still control Washington's agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an "Armenian Genocide."
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congress is neither the "conscience" of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It's time to put an end to an dangerous game, played year after year when Congress is taken for a ride by a single-issue lobby at the expense of America's national interests. This is that time, but it will only end when Virginians pay attention and raise their voice and tell Rep. Connolly to oppose this resolution on March 4, and every time it comes up in the future.
G. LINCOLN McCURDY
President of the Turkish Coalition of America
Original Link
Prince William, VA
March 2, 2010
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation's foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Gerry Connolly, are preparing to vote on March 4 on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as "genocide" tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: Why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey's support and active participation, squandering their time on an issue that has no relevance to America's foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, groups with money and manpower still control Washington's agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an "Armenian Genocide."
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congress is neither the "conscience" of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It's time to put an end to an dangerous game, played year after year when Congress is taken for a ride by a single-issue lobby at the expense of America's national interests. This is that time, but it will only end when Virginians pay attention and raise their voice and tell Rep. Connolly to oppose this resolution on March 4, and every time it comes up in the future.
G. LINCOLN McCURDY
President of the Turkish Coalition of America
Original Link
Congress should do its job
The Galveston County Daily News
March 3, 2010
By: Lincoln McCurdy
The United States is confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation’s foreign relations.
America is managing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and trying to find ways to bring our troops back safely and without compromising our national security. We are working to maintain a nuclear-free Iran, secure our energy sources and prevent the growth and spread of international terrorist networks. In all these and many other areas affecting Americans and millions of others around the world, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, are preparing to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as “genocide” tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: Why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey’s support and active participation, squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America’s foreign relations and interests?
The answer is simple: lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington’s agenda. In the United States, there are nearly 1 million Armenian Americans, concentrated in a number of congressional districts, who support a lobby that spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an “Armenian Genocide.” Their efforts also have made Armenia, a small landlocked country, the second-largest per-capita recipient of U.S. foreign aid.
Proponents of the resolution frequently admonish its opponents by pointing to a moral obligation of Congress to pronounce that the now-defunct Ottoman Empire committed “genocide” against Armenians. In doing so, they choose to ignore the many well-regarded historians who dispute this claim.
Still, Armenian resolutions persist due to the efforts of a well-organized Armenian lobby that has turned hating Turkey into an existential cause.
The resolution comes up for a vote at a particularly strange time. Armenia and Turkey are trying to work through a diplomatic process, with the support of the United States, which lays out a road map to normalizing relations. This effort includes the establishment of a joint historical commission of scholars and experts.
Turkey’s leadership time and again has stated it will accept the findings of such a commission. It is telling that the Armenian lobby and its supporters in Congress not only oppose the normalization process, but, with even greater zeal, the establishment of this commission.
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of Congress, which is neither the “conscience” of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It’s time to put an end to an dangerous game, but it will only end when Texans pay attention and tell Rep. Paul to oppose this resolution Thursday.
Lincoln McCurdy is president of the Turkish Coalition of America and a former U.S. diplomat. The coalition’s Web site is at tc-america.org.
Original Link
March 3, 2010
By: Lincoln McCurdy
The United States is confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation’s foreign relations.
America is managing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and trying to find ways to bring our troops back safely and without compromising our national security. We are working to maintain a nuclear-free Iran, secure our energy sources and prevent the growth and spread of international terrorist networks. In all these and many other areas affecting Americans and millions of others around the world, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, are preparing to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as “genocide” tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: Why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey’s support and active participation, squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America’s foreign relations and interests?
The answer is simple: lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington’s agenda. In the United States, there are nearly 1 million Armenian Americans, concentrated in a number of congressional districts, who support a lobby that spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an “Armenian Genocide.” Their efforts also have made Armenia, a small landlocked country, the second-largest per-capita recipient of U.S. foreign aid.
Proponents of the resolution frequently admonish its opponents by pointing to a moral obligation of Congress to pronounce that the now-defunct Ottoman Empire committed “genocide” against Armenians. In doing so, they choose to ignore the many well-regarded historians who dispute this claim.
Still, Armenian resolutions persist due to the efforts of a well-organized Armenian lobby that has turned hating Turkey into an existential cause.
The resolution comes up for a vote at a particularly strange time. Armenia and Turkey are trying to work through a diplomatic process, with the support of the United States, which lays out a road map to normalizing relations. This effort includes the establishment of a joint historical commission of scholars and experts.
Turkey’s leadership time and again has stated it will accept the findings of such a commission. It is telling that the Armenian lobby and its supporters in Congress not only oppose the normalization process, but, with even greater zeal, the establishment of this commission.
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of Congress, which is neither the “conscience” of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It’s time to put an end to an dangerous game, but it will only end when Texans pay attention and tell Rep. Paul to oppose this resolution Thursday.
Lincoln McCurdy is president of the Turkish Coalition of America and a former U.S. diplomat. The coalition’s Web site is at tc-america.org.
Original Link
Dissing an ally
The News-Press
Ft. Myers, FL
March 3, 2010
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation’s foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs, and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, is preparing to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as “genocide” tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the defunct Ottoman Empire, despite holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: why is the committee squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America’s foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: Lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington’s agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an “Armenian Genocide.”
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of Congress.
It’s time to put an end to a dangerous game, but it will only end when Americans raise their voice and tell Rep. Mack to oppose this resolution on Thursday.
LINCOLN MCCURDY
President, Turkish
Coalition of America
Read it Here
Ft. Myers, FL
March 3, 2010
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation’s foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs, and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, is preparing to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as “genocide” tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the defunct Ottoman Empire, despite holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: why is the committee squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America’s foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: Lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington’s agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an “Armenian Genocide.”
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of Congress.
It’s time to put an end to a dangerous game, but it will only end when Americans raise their voice and tell Rep. Mack to oppose this resolution on Thursday.
LINCOLN MCCURDY
President, Turkish
Coalition of America
Read it Here
Once again, quest for Armenian genocide resolution begins
by: Michael Doyle
Feb 19, 2010
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — The latest version of an Armenian genocide resolution is on track to win House committee approval, but its long-term prospects remain uncertain.
This plot is familiar. Some characters have changed. The denouement is still to be determined.
On March 4, the House Foreign Affairs Committee is set to vote on a resolution declaring that "the Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923." Some consider the resolution diplomatically dangerous, but vote-counters consider committee passage a foregone conclusion.
"We are confident of a positive outcome," said Bryan Ardouny, executive director of the Armenian Assembly of America. "We have a track record of the committee approving the resolution in the past."
Typically, congressional committee chairs will only bring up measures they are confident will pass.
Residents of California's San Joaquin Valley, and other regions with large Armenian-American populations, are watching all of the action closely, and in some cases participating directly in it. The House panel's members include a number of resolution co-sponsors, including Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.
Advocates of the resolution say it's important to account for the Ottoman Empire killings and depredations that occurred during and after World War I, when by estimates upward of 1.5 million Armenians died.
"Genocide is not something that can simply be swept under the rug and forgotten, and our nation cannot continue its policy of denial regarding the Armenian genocide," Costa said.
Approval by the 45-member House Foreign Affairs Committee, though, is a far cry from getting the diplomatically dicey resolution through the full 435-member House of Representatives.
Currently, for instance, the resolution has only 137 House co-sponsors, far short of the 218 needed for House approval. The last time the issue arose, in 2007, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to bring the resolution to the House floor until it had the requisite 218 co-sponsors.
Opponents are bringing out their big guns, warning the resolution would interfere with good diplomatic relations. Turkish and Armenian negotiators last year agreed to a set of protocols designed to smooth diplomatic relations, but the respective legislatures have not yet formally ratified them.
"That would be jeopardized by a political act of passing this resolution," said David Saltzman, chief counsel to the Turkish Coalition of America. "Passage of this resolution would be a potentially impenetrable hurdle (to reconciliation)."
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has likewise recently denounced the resolution as doing serious harm to U.S.-Turkey relations.
This plea of bad timing is one of the many familiar elements in the Armenian genocide fight.
In 2007, the Bush administration successfully argued the resolution would undermine the use of Turkish bases to resupply U.S. forces in Iraq. In 2000, then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert killed the resolution, citing "unusually tense" conditions in the Middle East.
High-powered lobbying is another familiar plot line.
Hastert is now registered as a lobbyist for the Turkish government. His firm, Dickstein Shapiro, has been paid up to $45,000 a month for its work on Turkey's behalf, public records show. One-time House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt is likewise a registered lobbyist for Turkey.
Some hope the arrival of the Obama administration will shake up these familiar faces and oft-heard arguments.
"A lot of things have changed," said Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America.
While they were in the Senate and campaigning, Hamparian noted, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton all endorsed Armenian genocide recognition.
Presidents, though, often back away from their campaign-season Armenian genocide resolution pledges. Obama, for one, avoided the term "genocide" in his presidential Armenia proclamation in April. Reading between the lines, one might see further hints of a pending administration retreat on the resolution itself.
"Our view is that the negotiations that have been taking place between Turkey and Armenia offer a positive path for the future," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in early February. "Anything that would impede the success of those discussions and negotiations I think is objectionable. I would just leave it there."
Original Link
Feb 19, 2010
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — The latest version of an Armenian genocide resolution is on track to win House committee approval, but its long-term prospects remain uncertain.
This plot is familiar. Some characters have changed. The denouement is still to be determined.
On March 4, the House Foreign Affairs Committee is set to vote on a resolution declaring that "the Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923." Some consider the resolution diplomatically dangerous, but vote-counters consider committee passage a foregone conclusion.
"We are confident of a positive outcome," said Bryan Ardouny, executive director of the Armenian Assembly of America. "We have a track record of the committee approving the resolution in the past."
Typically, congressional committee chairs will only bring up measures they are confident will pass.
Residents of California's San Joaquin Valley, and other regions with large Armenian-American populations, are watching all of the action closely, and in some cases participating directly in it. The House panel's members include a number of resolution co-sponsors, including Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.
Advocates of the resolution say it's important to account for the Ottoman Empire killings and depredations that occurred during and after World War I, when by estimates upward of 1.5 million Armenians died.
"Genocide is not something that can simply be swept under the rug and forgotten, and our nation cannot continue its policy of denial regarding the Armenian genocide," Costa said.
Approval by the 45-member House Foreign Affairs Committee, though, is a far cry from getting the diplomatically dicey resolution through the full 435-member House of Representatives.
Currently, for instance, the resolution has only 137 House co-sponsors, far short of the 218 needed for House approval. The last time the issue arose, in 2007, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to bring the resolution to the House floor until it had the requisite 218 co-sponsors.
Opponents are bringing out their big guns, warning the resolution would interfere with good diplomatic relations. Turkish and Armenian negotiators last year agreed to a set of protocols designed to smooth diplomatic relations, but the respective legislatures have not yet formally ratified them.
"That would be jeopardized by a political act of passing this resolution," said David Saltzman, chief counsel to the Turkish Coalition of America. "Passage of this resolution would be a potentially impenetrable hurdle (to reconciliation)."
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has likewise recently denounced the resolution as doing serious harm to U.S.-Turkey relations.
This plea of bad timing is one of the many familiar elements in the Armenian genocide fight.
In 2007, the Bush administration successfully argued the resolution would undermine the use of Turkish bases to resupply U.S. forces in Iraq. In 2000, then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert killed the resolution, citing "unusually tense" conditions in the Middle East.
High-powered lobbying is another familiar plot line.
Hastert is now registered as a lobbyist for the Turkish government. His firm, Dickstein Shapiro, has been paid up to $45,000 a month for its work on Turkey's behalf, public records show. One-time House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt is likewise a registered lobbyist for Turkey.
Some hope the arrival of the Obama administration will shake up these familiar faces and oft-heard arguments.
"A lot of things have changed," said Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America.
While they were in the Senate and campaigning, Hamparian noted, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton all endorsed Armenian genocide recognition.
Presidents, though, often back away from their campaign-season Armenian genocide resolution pledges. Obama, for one, avoided the term "genocide" in his presidential Armenia proclamation in April. Reading between the lines, one might see further hints of a pending administration retreat on the resolution itself.
"Our view is that the negotiations that have been taking place between Turkey and Armenia offer a positive path for the future," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in early February. "Anything that would impede the success of those discussions and negotiations I think is objectionable. I would just leave it there."
Original Link
Congress wasting time on genocide resolution
Key West Citizen
March 3, 2010
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation's foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs, and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, are preparing to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as "genocide" tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now-defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: Why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey's support and active participation, squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America's foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, groups with money and manpower still control Washington's agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an Armenian genocide.
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Congress is neither the conscience of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It's time to put an end to a dangerous game, played year after year when Congress is taken for a ride by a single-issue lobby at the expense of America's national interests. This is that time, but it will only end when Floridians pay attention and raise their voice and tell Rep. Ros-Lehtinen to oppose this resolution on Thursday, and every time it comes up in the future.
Lincoln McCurdy, president
Turkish Coalition of America
Read it Here
March 3, 2010
The United States is currently confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation's foreign relations, including dual wars, meeting energy needs, and preventing the growth of terrorist networks. In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, are preparing to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252, which will recognize as "genocide" tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the now-defunct Ottoman Empire, despite many holes in the historical argument.
This begs the question: Why is the committee, at a time when we are dealing with pressing international and domestic issues, all of which require Turkey's support and active participation, squandering its time on an issue that has no relevance to America's foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, groups with money and manpower still control Washington's agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on furthering its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an Armenian genocide.
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Congress is neither the conscience of the world, nor its revisionist historian. It's time to put an end to a dangerous game, played year after year when Congress is taken for a ride by a single-issue lobby at the expense of America's national interests. This is that time, but it will only end when Floridians pay attention and raise their voice and tell Rep. Ros-Lehtinen to oppose this resolution on Thursday, and every time it comes up in the future.
Lincoln McCurdy, president
Turkish Coalition of America
Read it Here
'Genocide' Vote Unneeded
Rockford Register Star
March 2, 2010
The United States is confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation’s foreign relations, including dual wars, energy needs and preventing the growth of terrorist networks.
In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Don Manzullo, prepares to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252.
The resolution will recognize as “genocide” the tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the defunct Ottoman Empire, despite holes in the historical argument.
Why is the committee squandering its time on an issue with no relevance to America’s foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington’s agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an “Armenian genocide.”
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of Congress. It’s time to put an end to a dangerous game, but it will only end when Americans raise their voice and tell Rep. Manzullo to oppose this resolution Thursday.
— Lincoln McCurdy, president, Turkish Coalition of America
Read it here
March 2, 2010
The United States is confronted with a daunting number of challenges in our nation’s foreign relations, including dual wars, energy needs and preventing the growth of terrorist networks.
In all these areas, we have an ally in Turkey.
In a bizarre move during such turbulent times, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Rep. Don Manzullo, prepares to vote Thursday on House Resolution 252.
The resolution will recognize as “genocide” the tragic events that took place nearly 100 years ago in the defunct Ottoman Empire, despite holes in the historical argument.
Why is the committee squandering its time on an issue with no relevance to America’s foreign relations and interests? The answer is simple: lobbying.
Despite much bravado about limiting the influence of special interests, money and manpower still control Washington’s agenda. The Armenian-American lobby spends an estimated $40 million annually on its agenda, which revolves around recognition of an “Armenian genocide.”
This issue, ultimately, should not be on the docket of Congress. It’s time to put an end to a dangerous game, but it will only end when Americans raise their voice and tell Rep. Manzullo to oppose this resolution Thursday.
— Lincoln McCurdy, president, Turkish Coalition of America
Read it here
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Turkish rapper, Holocaust Survivor Team Up
by: Max Fisher
The Atlantic Wire
Many Americans happily welcome Muslim immigrant communities to the U.S., but European governments have a slightly more complicated track record. This may help to explain why two Europeans from very different nations and generations have come together to fight racism. Esther Bejarano is an 85-year-old German Holocaust survivor. She developed her musical talent playing in Auschwitz. Kutlu Yurtseven is a young Turkish immigrant in Cologne making a name as a rapper in the group Microphone Mafia.
Brought together by a shared legacy of enduring racism in Europe and by their love of music, Bejarano and Yurtseven combine rapping with old-Europe Jewish folk music. The two record youth-friendly music preaching racial acceptance. Their album, Per La Vita, is not currently available on Amazon. But you can listen to a sample track, "Desateur," below.
Original Article from the Atlantic
The Atlantic Wire
Many Americans happily welcome Muslim immigrant communities to the U.S., but European governments have a slightly more complicated track record. This may help to explain why two Europeans from very different nations and generations have come together to fight racism. Esther Bejarano is an 85-year-old German Holocaust survivor. She developed her musical talent playing in Auschwitz. Kutlu Yurtseven is a young Turkish immigrant in Cologne making a name as a rapper in the group Microphone Mafia.
Brought together by a shared legacy of enduring racism in Europe and by their love of music, Bejarano and Yurtseven combine rapping with old-Europe Jewish folk music. The two record youth-friendly music preaching racial acceptance. Their album, Per La Vita, is not currently available on Amazon. But you can listen to a sample track, "Desateur," below.
Original Article from the Atlantic
Chef Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" Istanbul
Chef Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" program on Travel Channel featured Istanbul on January 18, 2010. If you missed this program you can watch it now on You Tube.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
