WASHINGTON, DC – In a series of three policy memos circulated to Capitol Hill offices this week, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) outlined for legislators how the Turkey-Sudan relationship is materially undermining international efforts to isolate Khartoum and end its genocide against the people Darfur.

The three memos are available online at:

Why is Turkey Selling Weapons to Sudan?
February 25, 2009

Commentary on the Turkey-Sudan Axis of Genocide
February 23, 2009

Turkey and Sudan
February 18, 2009

As outlined in these policy memos, the Ankara and Khartoum regimes have grown markedly closer over the past two years, driven by Turkey’s increasingly brazen efforts to undermine the international community’s efforts to end the cycle of genocide. The main three areas of cooperation between the two countries have been:

1) Turkey’s sale of lethal weaponry directly to Sudan.

2) Turkish diplomatic support for the Sudanese government’s genocide denials.

3) Turkey’s use of its UN Security Council seat to block anti-genocide efforts.

Turkey has, in recent weeks, come under international scrutiny for hosting Sudanese Vice-President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha, who, during a meeting with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, asked Turkey to use its position on the UN Security Council to block any possible attempts to arrest Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on charges of genocide. Additional points along the Axis of Genocide include:

— Sudan President al-Bashir’s first foreign visit after his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on crimes of genocide was to Turkey.

— Sudan and Turkey have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen military relations and are discussing cooperation on military technology transfers and training.

— Turkey’s Minister of Trade projects that Sudan will soon be Turkey’s largest trading partner in Africa.

— Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has vocally denied a genocide in Darfur.

Individuals can click hereto express concern about the growing Turkey-Sudan Axis of Genocide by sending a letter to their U.S. Representative.