U.S lawmaker says Congress should stay out of discussions on 1915 incidents

WASHINGTON (A.A) - December 1, 2011 - The U.S. Congress should avoid interfering in discussions over the incidents of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire, a U.S. republican representative has said. "I do not believe that it is an appropriate issue for Congress to try to determine [the incidents of 1915]. Instead, it is best addressed by Turkey and Armenia directly," Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairwoman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, told Wednesday a meeting of the Turkic American Alliance Convention. The U.S. congresswoman said events occurred in 1915 was "a great tragedy," adding however that the proper historical classification of those incidents was a deeply emotional issue.  "I strongly support the proposal for Turkish and Armenian historians to review those tragic events through a cooperative and positive process," Ros-Lehtinen said. -Fight against PKK- Ros-Lehtinen said the United States and Turkey had fostered a key strategic relationship which enhanced the security for the Turkish and the U.S. citizens at home and abroad.  "Our nations understood all too well the threats that face our citizens, as attacks from violent extremists have taken the lives of many of our people on our very own soil," she said. Ros-Lehtinen noted that the terrorist PKK group was a common enemy to both the United States and Turkey, adding that the group's attacks would not be tolerated. "The United States is playing a critical role in Turkey's counterterrorism operations against the PKK, by providing real-time satellite imaging, intelligence, and other operational and logistical support. In fact, the U.S. will soon be providing Turkey with Super-Cobra attack helicopters, which will be a tremendous asset to the Turkish military as they conduct operations in southeastern Turkey," she said. She said relations between Turkey and the U.S. had a global significance to them, stressing that Turkey had made important contributions to NATO missions in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo.  -Turkish-Israeli relations- Ros-Lehtinen expressed concerned about the deterioration of the relationship between Turkey and Israel, adding that she was encouraged by recent openings in the relationship that following devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Israel's decision to immediately send temporary shelters and medical supplies to the victims.  "The Turkish government replied to this generosity very warmly, and I hope this represents an opportunity to restore those bilateral ties that have proven beneficial to the people of both Turkey and Israel," she said.