Excerpted from Report by the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), March 1, 2010, full text at http://www.jinsa.org/node/1316.

[ ] The Congress of the United States is not the place to debate the history of other people in other times. It would be unacceptable for Brazil to pass a resolution condemning 19th Century American slavery, or Latvia to pass one on the War of 1812. The failings of our history and the resolution of our wars are our responsibility – and those of the Ottoman Turks have to find redress by their heirs. Particularly now.

The Ottoman and Soviet Empires are gone; Turkey and Armenia are independent countries. Their governments have to find whatever understanding and accommodation are possible. Meddling by Congress-particularly when Turkey has fallen out of political favor-won’t help.

Turkey and Armenia have, in fact, made tentative-and reversible-steps toward bilateral relations, but the protocols they signed last autumn show signs of fraying and neither parliament has completed the ratification process. Switzerland was the mediator for the protocols, and perhaps could be of assistance. The U.S. government might also have a role to play, but passage of the Armenian resolution by Congress would make it impossible for the State Department to offer help. We recall that after Turkey invited Hamas to Ankara, its offer to mediate between Israel and its neighbors was no longer welcome in Jerusalem.

It’s another good reason to oppose the Armenian resolution when it comes before Congress later this week.

Source: TCA