(www.thenewanatolian.com) вЂ" Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated over the weekend that U.S. President George W. Bush will write to members of Democratic-controlled Congress to urge them to oppose the so called Armenian genocide resolution.
The congressional resolution, which was introduced for consideration last month, is opposed by Bush administration, but has been supported by the Democratic leadership.
A resolution that would recognize the World War I era killings of Armenians as genocide would poison ties between strategic allies Turkey and the United States, Turkey's Foreign Minister Gul warned late Saturday.
"Local politics must not be allowed to poison strategic ties," Gul said on his return from a weeklong visit to the United States, where he met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other officials, reports Trend.
Gul said if passed; the resolution would cause permanent damage to relations and it will cause a deadlock in our relations. Gul asked the U.S. administration to take action."
"It won't have a fleeting effect, its results will be deep and lasting," Gul said. He did not further elaborate.
He added that "I called on the U.S. administration to take urgent action. Secretary of State Rice will carry out an important work in the coming days. She will visit the Congress."
The FM recalled that Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit and some Turkish deputies will go to U.S. to lobby against the resolution.
Noting that Iraq was also discussed during the talks with the U.S. officials, Gul stated that this issue is not only important for U.S but also for Turkey.
"I shared my views about Iraq with the Washington administration and the think-tanks. I had the opportunity to tell them what should be done to preserve Iraq's territory and prevent its partition," he stated.
Gul noted that he also warned U.S. authorities that no mistakes should be done regarding Kirkuk's future in order to preserve Iraq's unity and integrity.
Over the explosive terror issue, he stated that Turkey will never accept a double standard in fight against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), adding that Turkish people are losing their patience.
Recalling his meeting with new United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the foreign minister said that they discussed the Cyprus issue, Lebanon and the Middle East peace process.
In related news, Gen. Buyukanit went to Washington to hold key talks with U.S. officials yesterday.
Buyukanit, who is the official guest of U.S. Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will also meet with Vice President Dick Cheney on Wednesday.
During his talks at the Pentagon, the top Turkish general will meet with Gen. Pace, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy and former U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Eric Edelman and Gen. Peter Schoomaker, chief of staff of the U.S. Army. Buyukanit is scheduled to speak at a think-tank organization on Friday. He will hold a press conference at the end of his talks the same day.