The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today welcomed the decision by the U.S. House of Representatives to defeat a watered-down version of a pro-Turkey trade measure, H.R. 2362, that would have, in its non-binding “findings,” highlighted Turkey’s role in investing in American Native tribal areas.

H.R.2362 - The Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Demonstration Project Act of 2011 was initially introduced by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) as a means of statutorily limiting foreign trade preferences on Indian tribal lands to only one country, Turkey.  Supporters of its adoption, including a broad array of pro-Turkey interests, were forced - in deference to America’s international trade obligations and in the face of opposition from the ANCA and other Armenian American and Hellenic American organizations - to expand their measure to allow all World Trade Organization countries similar opportunities.

The amended version of the measure - which was stripped of most, but not all, of its pro-Turkey language, was defeated today under the “suspension calendar,” typically reserved for non-controversial measures, by a vote of 222 to 160. A two-thirds vote is required for all bills considered under the “suspension calendar.” 

“Officials in Ankara are clearly interested in scoring public relations victories by creating a false impression of solidarity with America’s native populations,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.

“However, such transparently cynical efforts do not obscure, and must never be allowed to overshadow, Turkey’s own denial of the Armenian Genocide, oppression of the Kurds, mistreatment of Christians, or occupation of Cyprus.  If Turkey wants to support indigenous populations, it should begin by ending its violence, discrimination, and denial of justice to Anatolia’s own native peoples.  If it seeks to foster trade, it should start by lifting its economic blockade of Armenia.  Anything less is political posturing by Ankara, at the expense of both America’s credibility and - in a very real sense - the prospects for Turkey’s own progress on these vital issues.”