Abdulla Gul to visit US to impede bill on so-called Armenian genocide

01 Feb. 2007 12:48
APA

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdulla Gul will pay an official visit to the US next week, APA Turkish bureau reports.

The minister will meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Stephen Hadley, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Tom Lantos and the representatives of Jewish lobby within his visit on February 4-9. The main themes to be discussed at the meeting will be the bill on the so-called Armenian genocide and PKK. Abdulla Gul is said to voice a message to official Washington on stooping strategic alliance between the two states in case the so-called Armenian genocide is recognized.

“Turkey has done its best. We opened our archives. But Armenia avoids it. Yerevan should also open its archives. Our proposal to establish a joint commission was not accepted. Our proposal is still efficient and we expect the US support. The US may also join the commission,” he said.

According to some information, Bush administration will want Turkey to open its borders in order to work against the bill in the Congress. /APA/

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