3584) Turkish Institute for Progress Calls on Armenian Diaspora to Join Movement Seeking Reconciliation Instead of Further Division

The Turkish Institute for Progress (TIP) was formed to provide a forum for dialogue in pursuit of peace and cooperation between Turkey and the international community. By meeting on the common ground defined by shared interests, TIP pursues a constructive dialogue to ensure that international relationships with Turkey are marked by unity and the shared pursuit of common goals.

Turkish Institute for Progress Calls on Armenian Diaspora to Join Movement Seeking Reconciliation Instead of Further Division

Become a citizen cosponsor of H.Res.226 to encourage reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia for the next 100 years and beyond. . .

Dear Representative:

Please cosponsor H.Res.226, legislation introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions that asks President Obama to bring Turkey and Armenia together to achieve peace and prosperity for the next 100 years. I am concerned about the poor relations between these countries and the lack of dialogue between them for the past century.

This is the first time in history that a resolution has been introduced that looks forward on the state of Turkish-Armenian relations. The time for bitterness and recrimination is past and we must now look to the future.

Please cosponsor this critical measure today.

TAKE ACTION

Organization Decries Divisive Tactics against Members of Congress, Diplomats, and Businesses

WASHINGTON, DC (March 18, 2015) – The Turkish Institute for Progress (TIP) today decried the divisive tactics implemented by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) as they attempt to convince American policymakers and business owners into supporting a resolution that undermines U.S. interests and jeopardizes chances for peace and reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian communities. In recent months, Armenian advocates have attacked a Turkish ambassador, bullied members of Congress, and sent threatening letters to U.S. businesses.“These types of divisive tactics have to stop,” said former U.S. Representative Solomon P. Ortiz, who now serves as an advisor to TIP. “The Turkish Institute for Progress was created to serve as a positive example of how two communities can reconcile their differences and work together in the interest of peace and prosperity. We welcome the Armenian Diaspora and the powerful lobbying groups behind them to cease the tactics that create further conflict and join us in our mission to look toward the next hundred years.”Solomon P. Ortiz was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982 and was reelected to represent his South Texas district 13 times. During his tenure, he served on the House Committee on Armed Services and as the Chairman of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness

Turkish Institute for Progress TIP Applauds South Dakota State Senate for Rejecting Resolution that Undermines Opportunities for Progress Between Turkey and Armenia

One-Sided Narrative Ignored Millions of Casualties in the Armenian Civil War of 1885-1919NEW YORK, NY (March 05, 2015) – As the latest step in their campaign to create opportunities for dialogue between Turkey and Armenia that will find solutions to last for the next hundred years, the Turkish Institute for Progress today applauded the South Dakota State Senate for rejecting HCR 1009, the state’s one-sided narrative that ignores millions of casualties in the Armenian Civil War.” The resolution was tabled by an overwhelming vote of 30-4.“Our organization has been looking to create opportunities for Turks and Armenians to come together in a solutions-based dialogue that will lead to peace and reconciliation for the next hundred years,” stated Derya Taskin, President of the Turkish Institute for Progress. “Resolutions like this one only serve to deepen the division that has existed for the past century and keep us from coming together to mourn all of the losses – Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Armenians – that occurred during this tragic period in our histories.“By rejecting this divisive and backward-looking measure, the South Dakota State Senate has sent a clear statement that they support real solutions that look toward the next century and work to unify our groups that share so much in common,” Taskin continued. “We applaud the State Senate for this action and hope other groups will resolve to bring us together instead of further tear us apart.”The Turkish Institute for Progress was formed to provide a forum for dialogue in pursuit of peace, and cooperation between Turkey and the international community. By meeting on the common ground defined by shared regional political, economic, energy, transport, scientific, technical, and cultural issues, TIP pursues a constructive dialogue to ensure that international relationships with Turkey are marked by unity and the shared pursuit of common goals.

Leadership
Derya Taskin

Derya Taskin is the President of the Turkish Institute for Progress (TIP). Born in Turkey, Ms. Taskin moved to the United States in 1995 to attend high school and, later, Seton Hall University, where she attained a B.S. in Diplomacy and International Relations and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Prior to her leadership of TIP, she spent time working with the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the United Nations and the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Turkish Mission to the European Union. She also served as a translator for high profile speeches before the United Nations General Assembly. Ms. Taskin currently owns her own consulting company focused on staffing and business consulting, and in this role she also aids small businesses interested in moving their products to Turkey or selling within the Turkish market. Among her many boards and professional memberships, Ms. Taskin is a member of the Turkish American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she previously sat on the Board of Directors, and she also previously served as Vice President of the Federation of Turkish American Associations – the nation’s oldest umbrella organization for Turkish American Organizations in the United States. She is also the President of the Paterson Turkish American Association of Paterson, NJ – a position she has held for the previous three years. She was also appointed by the Mayor of Paterson, NJ to serve as Commissioner of the Library and Museum Board. Ms. Taskin is fluent in English and Turkish and speaks conversational French.


The Events of 1915 – Defining Genocide

The events of 1915 reflect a grim and dark time in the history of the Ottoman Empire. Despite the 100 years that have since passed, the period remains a contested point, often wrongly referenced by the Armenian lobby as the Armenian Genocide. In defining the tragic events, it’s vital to consider the historical facts—the 600,000 Armenians who died, and the 2.5 million Turks, Kurds and Arabs who also lost their lives. The battle lines of 1915 did not develop from a premeditated plan or systematic effort. Instead, they represented a trigged response to years of violence perpetrated by Armenian separatists, and heightened by the Armenians who aided czarist Russia to invade Ottoman territories.

It is critical to understand that the Armenian community of the time took up arms against their own government, lured by Russia’s promise of an independent Armenian nation. As such, the events that led to 1915 were a tragic and dark period, but not one that constitutes the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

It is also critical to highlight that as a signatory to the Convention of Prevention and Repression of Crime and Genocide, a resolution approved by the United Nations General Assembly on December 9, 1948, Turkey has long been a supporter of recognizing genocides where they occur across the globe. As outlined in that convention, the label of “genocide” must fall under strict criteria, most notably that violence must subjugate members of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group to conditions that include murder; forced transfer of children; or physical destruction.

The concept of an “Armenian Holocaust” is a term that bears no foundation in historical fact or grounds in the internationally agreed-upon definition of “genocide.” No primary texts or Ottoman government sources reference any mandate for the extermination of the Armenian people in the order for the re-settlement of a community that posed a threat to the Ottoman State’s security.

It is crucial to reference facts rooted in historical context to grasp the nuances behind what would result in a tremendous human cost to all former Ottoman peoples – Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Armenians. In doing so, we can work together to look forward toward the next 100 years, inspired by the promise of renewed Turkish-Armenian relations under the true spirit of cooperation.


Congressional Resolution Is A Much-Needed Step Toward Repairing Turkish-Armenian Relations And Furthering U.S. National Security Interests

Resolution Would Call for Dialogue and Reconciliation Looking to the Next 100 Years

NEW YORK, NY (April 06, 2015) – Leaders of the Turkish Institute for Progress today applauded a resolution that aims to begin the healing process between Turkish and Armenian communities in the United States and help find a durable solution that will last for the next 100 years.

“This resolution is a positive effort to create a much-needed future for Turks and Armenians in the United States and across the world,” said former Rep. Solomon Ortiz, who serves as an advisor to the Turkish Institute for Progress. “During the 28 years that I served in Congress, there was never a resolution like this one that advanced reconciliation between these two countries. This measure hopes to end the century of divisiveness while strengthening the national security interests of the United States.”

“Members of Congress have long sought an alternative that looks to the future and the Turkish Institute for Progress applauds this resolution for doing just that,” Rep. Ortiz continued.

During his 28-year tenure, Rep. Ortiz served on the House Committee on Armed Services and as the Chairman of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness.

Rep. Clawson’s resolution is now actively seeking cosponsors and additional support. Full text of the measure is below:

RESOLUTION

Calling on the President to work toward equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations for the next hundred years based upon the two countries’ common interests and the United States’ significant security interests in the region.

Whereas the Obama Administration has, since early 2009, sought to improve Armenian-Turkish relations;

Whereas at the start of this process, President Barack Obama had, on April 6, 2009, voiced the United States Government’s expectation that the Armenia-Turkey dialogue would “bear fruit very quickly,” but recent attempts to reestablish diplomatic relations have been unsuccessful; Whereas while other nations in the region continue to deepen their political and economic partnerships with Iran and Russia, the United States’ leverage in the region is rapidly diminishing and Turkey’s geostrategic position between Europe and the Middle East has made the country an important partner in combating extremism in the region;

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives calls on the President designate a task force comprised of Members of Congress, administration officials, and representatives from Turkey and Armenia charged with working toward equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations for the next hundred years, based upon the two countries’ common interests and the United States’ significant security interests in the region.


New Congressional Resolution Will Help Repair Turkish-Armenian Relations And Further U.S. National Security Interests

– Resolution Calls for Dialogue and Reconciliation Looking to the Next 100 Years –

NEW YORK, NY (April 29, 2015) – Leaders of the Turkish Institute for Progress today applauded a new resolution, introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), that calls on President Barack Obama to facilitate a process by which Turkey and Armenia can engage in a dialogue based on their common interests and find ways to work together in a spirit of reconciliation for the next 100 years. Such a resolution would also be a boost to the national security interests of the United States.

“This is the first time that a resolution looking to the future of Turkish-Armenian relations has ever been introduced and I hope that all of my former colleagues in the House will support this important measure,” said former Congressman Solomon Ortiz, who serves as an advisor to the Turkish Institute for Progress. “The 28 years I served in Congress were more marked by bitterness and recrimination than they were by efforts to advance peace and I applaud my former colleague, Congressman Sessions, for helping to spur reconciliation between these two great nations.”

During his 28-year tenure, Rep. Ortiz served on the House Committee on Armed Services and as the Chairman of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness.

The legislation, H.Res.226 was introduced earlier this week by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), who serves as Chairman of the House Rules Committee. It calls on the President “to work toward equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations for the next 100 years based upon the two countries’ common interests and the United States’ significant security interests in the region.”

Relationship between Turkey & Armenia

Turks and Armenians share many common goals and have many common interests, particularly regarding regional political, economic, energy, transport, scientific, technical, and cultural issues. Together they have also reaffirmed their readiness to actively support the actions of the international community in addressing common security threats to the region and world security and stability.

Turkish Resolution Prompts Reconciliation

A proposed bill focused on facilitating reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia is pending Congressional review. Americans interested in easing tensions among a turbulent region should take notice.

The resolution, introduced on April 6, calls for a U.S. Presidential task force to support “equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations.” As such, the bill presents an opportunity for Turks and Armenians to work alongside one another to promote a peaceful future centered on the next 100 years.

“This resolution is a positive effort to create a much-needed future for Turks and Armenians in the United States and across the world,” former Rep. Solomon Ortiz said in a press release. “During the 28 years that I served in Congress, there was never a resolution like this one that advanced reconciliation between these two countries. This measure hopes to end the century of divisiveness while strengthening the national security interests of the United States.”

The effort—pushed by the Turkish Institute for Progress—offers supporters an alternative position from the Armenian Genocide resolution, a controversial bill deep-rooted in a long-standing debate. At the core of the Armenian resolution lays Armenian American’s call for official recognition of the events of 1915 as an act of genocide. What the text fails to capture, however, is an outlook focused on renewed prospects for shared dialogue. As the two nations move forward in chartering a new century ripe with potential, it remains crucial to build a foundation that bridges common interests and establishes opportunities for mutual cooperation.

The historical passions driving today’s dialogue must not distract from another conversation that too must be had. The Turkish Institute for Progress calls on the U.S. Congress, our friends and those with a stake in a productive future for Turkey and Armenia to put aside age-old grievances and encourage all—Turks, Kurds, Arabs and Armenians—to come together and find solutions. In doing so, we can solidify the groundwork for a resolution that will bring us all forward.

We commend the bill introduction and applaud his noble efforts to bring all sides a step closer toward achieving the ultimate goal: reconciliation for the next 100 years.

The Turkish Institute for Progress (TIP) was formed to provide a forum for dialogue in pursuit of peace and cooperation between Turkey and the international community. By meeting on the common ground defined by shared interests, TIP pursues a constructive dialogue to ensure that international relationships with Turkey are marked by unity and the shared pursuit of common goals. .