Trade Data Shows Consistent Increase in Bilateral Trade with Turkey following Armenian Genocide Recognition
WASHINGTON–Placing profit over human rights, the Chief Executive Officers of five top defense firms have urged Congress to block a measure calling for U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“Lobbying against genocide recognition for financial gain is morally reprehensible – whether it’s the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust or the ongoing genocide in Darfur,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The CEO’s of Lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon, United Technologies and Northrop Grumman should be ashamed of themselves – trampling on the memory of 1.5 million men, women and children to justify their salaries.”
In a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman, just days before his Committee considers H.Res.252 – the Armenian Genocide resolution , leaders of Lockheed Martin Corporation, Boeing Corporation, Raytheon Corporation, United Technologies and Northrop Grumman warned of “alienating a significant NATO ally and trading partner” and “negative repercussions for U.S. geopolitical interests.”
However trade statistics from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development tell a different story. Turkey’s trade levels with countries, which have recognized the Armenian Genocide since 1995, have increased between 24% and 351%. U.S. trade with Turkey has increased ten-fold since President Ronald Reagan cited the Armenian Genocide in a Presidential Proclamation in 1981.
Click here to see a chart detailing expanding trade levels. http://www.anca.org/endthegagrule/Turkey_Empty_Threats.pdf
“The statistics prove that Turkey’s doomsday trade scenarios are hollow,” said Hamparian. “Once again, the Turkish lobby is using threats and intimidation to gag America from speaking truthfully about the Armenian Genocide.”
Spearheaded by Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), the Armenian Genocide Resolution H.Res.252, calls upon the President to properly characterize the annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians from 1915-1923 as genocide and to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide.
The resolution currently has over 137 cosponsors. While in the Senate, President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joseph Biden and
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had supported similar legislation.
In one of his most famous address, President Eisenhower, a genuine American heros, stated that :
“This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.”
I am glad I dont own stock in lockheed,boeing,raytheon,north grumman,united tech.They should be a investigation of illicit business practices,and how much taxpayers money they have cheated the U.S. Gov.in the past years.Send all the execs over to turkey,where they belong,if they can stand the putrid smell of each other.