!âJĞellspacing="0" ce�ÿZ BUSH LOBBIES FOR TURKEY? 

A close observation of the recent developments in Washington would leave anybody with an open mouth. The same Bush administration that chilled and angered us with its occupation of Iraq and its indifferent attitude towards the PKK now delivers an unheard-of battle for Turkey. I had witnessed a similar lobbying effort in 1978, when the Carter administration had fought to lift the embargo placed on Turkey on account of Cyprus. Washington is like a battlefield at the moment. As you read these lines tomorrow, we'll  know if the Foreign Relations Commission passed the Armenian Project or not. 

ĞForeign Relations Commission passed the Armenian Project or not.  In any case, a full-blown battle is being fought in Washington…On one side are the Armenians, trying to use the 2008 elections to finally push the genocide project through the Congress.  They used every possible political weapon to reach their end. They tried to win congress members to their side through financial aid or political pressure. They were very successful and enlisted the support of 225 members.On the other side is the Turkish lobby, hard at work to stop the Armenians. This time, it is very strong. President Bush, the White House Staff, Pentagon and the foreign affairs ministry have joined forces with the usual lobbying team of the Turkish Embassy, Turkish associations and American investors in Turkey. “This campaign is a first” said a Turkish official and stated that President Bush had organised an incredible resistance. He had former state secretaries and defence ministers write letters, and he met with Congress members. However, House of Representatives Speaker Pelosi continued her stubborn attitude until the last minute. Now, everything depends on her, for she determines the commission's agenda. We shall see the results today. Something you should know though: Even if it's stopped this time, the Armenian Project is bound to go through next year. In my opinion, we'll never get rid of it…Let's be prepared…

What made Bush move?

  People watch the big operation in Washington and wonder, “Why?”What pushed the Bush administration into such activity?Let there be no misinterpretations. Turkey never officially threatened Washington. It never sent messages to the effect that Turkey would close Incirlik or take other measures if the project was approved. All messages were transmitted through unofficial channels and, all they said was that relations would suffer unnecessarily. Circles close to the White House say that in fact, the Bush Administration wasn't late, but had taken timely action in order to avoid negative reactions of the Turkish public and government in case the project passed through. I am sure that the embarrassment of having done nothing about the PKK also played a role in this operation. The Bush administration is disturbed by its failure to take any steps in north Iraq despite having qualified the PKK as a terrorist group, and has no wish to see the Armenian project on the list of its ''sins.'' In short, the situation makes it difficult for Ankara to react against the Bush administration.

What will the project cost Turkey?

   How would Turkey be harmed by the American Congress' approval of the Armenian genocide? The approval of the project by the commission and the House of Representatives will still not transform it into a binding act for the White House. It will remain as “point of view” that reflects “how the Congress feels.” That's why it will never go to the Senate. The White House will not have to apply anything that the project says. In spite of the non-binding nature of the project, however, Turkey will still lose considerable prestige. Armenian allegations will gain credibility. It will make it easier for Armenians to pressurise the European parliaments into approving the project. Turkey will be hurt even if it suffers no financial loss. The reason for this will be Turkey's idle attitude and its failure to take any steps to prevent this for years. Ankara must stop blaming others and must admit to being largely responsible for the consequences.