09/22/09 - Remarks submitted for the Congressional Record --- Madam Speaker, on August 31, 2009, the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia announced their intention to normalize relations. The leaders of these two countries, working together with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, have agreed to begin discussions that will culminate in the signing of two protocols within the next six weeks. The protocols will then be submitted to the respective Parliaments for ratification on each side. These two protocols provide for a framework for the normalization of relations, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of the common border.

This development has significant implications not only for Turkey and Armenia , but for the entire Caucasus region, which has had a turbulent and sometimes troubled history. The successful efforts of Turkey and Armenia to open borders, develop trade relations and other economic benefits, and create a long-lasting dialogue will serve to promote peace and stability throughout the region. I believe that we all should welcome this development and strongly support it.

Madam Speaker, I applaud the leadership of Turkey and Armenia and encourage these two nations to work diligently in the weeks ahead to create a framework that will advance peaceful and fruitful relations for many years to come.

09/16/09 - Remarks submitted for the Congressional Record -Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Republics of Armenia and Turkey for their ongoing efforts to open their joint border and normalize relations. On October 10, 2009, they signed protocols in Zurich, Switzerland, which establish diplomatic ties and reopen a border that has been closed since 1993. While the negotiations have at times been difficult and emotional, the agreement is an important first step to restoring full diplomatic relations between these neighboring states.

Madam Speaker, I also want to congratulate Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her leadership in helping to move the process forward. In this connection, I would like to submit an October 14, 2009 Washington Post editorial entitled, ``Opening a Border.'' The article does an excellent job of detailing the deft diplomatic work of Secretary Clinton to assist Turkey and Armenia in taking this historic step.

As the article states, the rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia is critical to the United States since it promotes stability in the Caucasus region and could provide new avenues for gas and oil export to the West.

In closing, I commend Secretary Clinton and her colleagues at the State Department and offer my full support for their valiant efforts. The protocols have been sent to the parliaments of the respective countries. I hope they will be ratified quickly and open the door to a new era of diplomacy and friendship.

[From the Washington Post, Oct. 14, 2009]

OPENING A BORDER

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton executed some deft diplomancy last weekend as the leaders of Turkey and Armenia signed a potentially historic deal to establish normal diplomatic relations and reopen their borders. We say ``potentially'' because there are some big obstacles to implementing the accord, which we'll come back to. But Ms. Clinton helped to ensure that the signing ceremony in Zurich went forward after four hours of last-minute mediation. Not for the first time in her short tenure, she proved capable of overcoming an impasse and teasing out of a favorable outcome of the United States.

The rapprochement between these two nations matters to the United States for a number of reasons. It could help stabilize the volatile Caucasus region, open the way for new corridors for the export of gas and oil to the West, ease Russian's political domination of Armenia and remove a major irritant from U.S. relations with Turkey. The Obama administration worked diligently to promote the accord: Ms. Clinton made 29 phone calls to the leaders of the two nations. President Obama played a part by sidestepping a campaign promise to formally recognize the mass killing of Armenians by Turks during World War I as ``genocide.''

The genocide issue--and the refusal of some in the American Armenian community to compromise on it--still threaten to undo the deal. The opening of the border, closed since 1993, would be a huge benefit to impoverished and landlocked Armenia . But there is resistance to a provision of the accords that would set up a joint commission to study the study of the massacres. Opponents say this could give Turkey, which denies that a genocide took place, a means to filibuster the issue--and to stop the annual attempt by some in the U.S. Congress to pass a resolution declaring that genocide occurred. In fact, the issue is one best left to the two countries; that several U.S. Armenian groups have endorsed the accord is a victory for common sense.

A more formidable obstacle to the deal may be Armenian's unresolved dispute with another neighbor, Azerbaijan, over the ethnically Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is occupied by Armenian along with neighboring Azeri territory. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan took the courageous step of declining to make the settlement of this ``frozen conflict'' a precondition to his accord with Armenia --therby inviting the wrath of Azerbaijan, which is an ally and energy supplier to Turkey. But Mr. Erdogan has said--most recently last Sunday--that his government will not go forward with the deal unless Armenia executes at last a partial withdrawal from Azerbaijan. That would be a tough step for Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and require considerable international support: more delicate work for Ms. Clinton.

07/14/09 - Remarks submitted for the Congressional Record - relating to Cyprus - Madam Speaker, I rise today to call on the Obama administration to support efforts to bring about a negotiated resolution of the Cyprus conflict and reunification of the country as a federal bizonal, bicommunal, with a single sovereignty, international personality and citizenship. This formula is based on several UN Security Council resolutions and serves as the basis for ongoing talks between Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Talat.

As my colleagues know, the road to a final settlement over the past few decades has been fraught with difficulty. Numerous earlier diplomatic initiatives were launched, but in the end failed. Ultimately, a negotiated resolution of the conflict must be by the Cypriots, for the Cypriots and one that enjoys the support of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike. There is a strong desire by younger generations from both communities to experience the rebirth of a Cyprus where the rights of all are respected and all can participate in the national life of their country.

As a member of both the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues and the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkish Relations and Turkish Americans, I am gratified that the leaders of both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities have stated their mutual commitment to work towards a final settlement, and have continued their discussions accordingly. While the administration is currently observing developments and has offered its support if called upon by both communities. It is my hope that it will seize this opportunity to offer and make the resolution of the Cyprus issue a priority. At a time when so many of the world?s disputes seem intractable, I believe the Cyprus dispute is one area where, working together, we can truly bring hope and change to a place and people that have longed for it for decades.

Madam Speaker, I hope the United States can play a supportive and active role in making a final settlement possible and encourage others to do likewise. Meanwhile, as President Christofias and Mr. Talat and their teams grapple with an array of tough issues it is my hope they seek to overcome the legacy of the past 35 years and build a brighter future for all Cypriots.

5/22/2009 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale M.Mamaux regarding an invitation to lunch with the Turkish Ambassador..

5/29/2009 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale M.Mamaux regarding an invitation to lunch with the Turkish Ambassador..

6/1/2009 - Allison Shulman of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale M.Mamaux regarding an invitation to lunch with the Turkish Ambassador..

7/9/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP met with Rep. Alcee Hastings regarding possible statement on Cyprus and H. Res. 252.

7/15/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamaux (Chief of Staff) regarding possible statement on Cyprus.

7/17/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux (Chief of Staff) regarding U.S. Helsinki Commission briefing.

7/23/2009 - Lydia Borland of the Caspian Group LLC met with Lale Mamaux (Chief of Staff) regarding US-Turkish relations.

9/9/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamoux regarding attendance at Turkish Ambassador's lecture at Howard University.

9/9/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamoux regarding attendance at Turkish Ambassador's lecture at Howard University.

9/10/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamoux regarding invitation to luncheon hosted by Congressional Study Group on Turkey.

9/16/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamoux regarding the Turkey Caucus.

9/18/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamoux regarding the Turkey Caucus.

9/29/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamoux regarding Turkish Ambassador's upcoming lecture at Howard University.

10/2/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamoux regarding Turkish Ambassador's upcoming lecture at Howard University.

10/11/2009 - Janice O'Connell of the Gephardt Group Government Affairs, LLC emailed Amye Greene (Legislative Assistant) regarding signing of Armenia Turkey normalization protocols.

10/15/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamoux regarding potential statement on Turkey Armenian protocols .

10/15/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamoux regarding potential statement on Turkey Armenian protocols .

10/22/2009 - Curt Clifton of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP met with Leg. Assistant- Lale Mamoux regarding introducing Turkish American relations.

10/22/2009 - Lydia Borland of the Caspian Group LLC met with Lale Mamaux (Chief of Staff) regarding US-Turkish relations.

10/26/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamoux regarding potential statement on Turkey Armenian protocols .

11/3/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux regarding statement on protocols .

11/14/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamaux regarding statement on protocols .

12/31/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamaux regarding trip to Turkey .

1/25/2010 - Lydia Borland of the Caspian Group LLC met with Lale Mamaux (Chief of Staff) regarding US Turkish relations.

1/27/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP spoke with Alcee Hastings US-Turkish relations.

2/5/2010 - Lydia Borland of the Caspian Group LLC Lale Mamaux (Chief of Staff) regarding US-Turkish relations.

2/22/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

2/25/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamaux US-Turkish relations.

2/25/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP met with Alcee Hastings US-Turkish relations.

3/15/2010 - Lydia Borland of the Caspian Group LLC met with Lale Mamaux (Chief of Staff) regarding US-Turkish relations.

3/23/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

3/24/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

4/16/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamaux US-Turkish relations.

5/27/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

6/3/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned and emailed Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

6/7/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

6/8/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

6/9/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned and emailed Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

6/10/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

6/11/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

6/21/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

6/22/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Lale Mamaux meeting Request.

6/24/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Lale Mamaux meeting Request.