WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has joined with the Greek American community in opposing the adoption by the U.S. House, in the final hours of this session of Congress, of a controversial provision of legislation, H.R.6649, authorizing the transfer of two guided missile frigates to a Turkish government that is widely viewed in Washington as increasingly antagonistic to U.S. interests and allies in the region.

In a letter circulated today on Capitol Hill, the ANCA stressed that: “Such as transfer would materially strengthen Ankara’s naval capabilities at a time when it is using its maritime fleet to aggressively challenge the right of Cyprus to explore its off-shore energy resources, and is to seeking to obstruct the ability of Greece to protect its territorial waters.” The ANCA also emphasized that: “Transferring these vessels would also send a dangerous signal to Turkey’s leaders that our government endorses its military occupation of Cyprus, its increasingly belligerent stance toward Israel, its blockade of Armenia, its meddling in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution process, or, for that matter, its violations against the rights of Christians, Kurds, and other minorities.” The letter closed by noting that: “Such material rewards and moral endorsements are neither warranted, nor constructive. In fact, they will work against our nation’s regional security interests.”