[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18243]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              SOCCER DIPLOMACY BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to congratulate Armenia 
and its President on the historic soccer match between Armenia and 
Turkey this past weekend. On July 9, President Serge Sargisian and the 
``Wall Street Journal,'' Europe edition took a surprising and historic 
step by inviting President Gul of Turkey to sit with him and watch the 
two nations play the World Cup qualifier match in Yerevan, the capital 
of Armenia.
  In an effort to warm relations between the two countries, President 
Sargisian wrote, ``Just as the people of China and the United States 
shared enthusiasm for ping pong before their governments fully 
normalized relations, the people of Armenia and Turkey are united in 
their love for football.''
  President Gul accepted the offer, and on Saturday, September 6, he 
became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia.
  Armenia initiated soccer diplomacy with Turkey despite nearly a 
century of Turkish genocide denial and 15 years of an economic 
blockade. For years, Armenia has been ready to establish relations with 
Turkey without preconditions, and President Sargisian's recent efforts 
reinforced this commitment. President Gul must also be commended for 
his efforts to see past the opposition of some in his country by 
attending the match.
  With the recent violence between Russia and Georgia, further steps to 
promote stability in the Caucasus must be taken, and strengthening 
Armenian and Turkish relations is essential to these efforts.
  Turkey can strengthen its relationship with Armenia by ending its 
policy of genocide denial, a policy that is imposed both globally and 
domestically. Turkey should lift all restrictions imposed by section 
301 of the Turkish Penal Code on individuals who study, discuss, or 
recognize the Armenian genocide. Silencing academics and writers limits 
freedom of speech and makes any serious discussion of the Armenian 
genocide within Turkey taboo.
  To improve relations, Turkey must also lift its stifling economic 
blockade on Armenia. The State Department estimates that the blockade 
inflates Armenia by 30 to 35 percent. Removing the blockade will enable 
the development of immediate infrastructure projects and regional 
communications, energy, and transportation in the Caucasus. The removal 
of the blockade would also do much to catalyze global investment in 
Turkey and Armenia.
  With the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia, Armenia proved 
itself to be a constructive partner to Georgia. The Armenian government 
provided safe transit for U.S. and international officials and 
thousands of Georgia nationals and nongovernmental organization 
representatives.
  But Armenia experienced significant economic distress due to the 
conflict between Georgia and Russia. The country lost an estimated $650 
million and shortages in fuel and wheat were rampant. With renewed 
volatility in the Caucasus, Armenia can no longer afford to suffer from 
dual blockades.
  President Sargisian's initiation of soccer diplomacy and President 
Gul's reciprocal invitation to watch a game next year in Turkey is a 
positive breakthrough in a region of historic violence and tense 
emotions.
  As President Sargisian wrote, ``A more prosperous, mutually 
beneficial future for Armenia and Turkey, and the opening up of a 
historic East-West corridor for Europe, the Caspian region and the rest 
of the world, are goals that we can and must achieve.''
  Mr. Speaker, let me just say as a Congressman and speaking for all 
Members of Congress, we must do all that we can to support these 
efforts to bring Armenia and Turkey together. It may seem that a soccer 
match is not that significant, but it is very significant. No Turkish 
leader has ever visited Armenia before. So I want to commend this 
occasion and hope that it leads to more of further developments and 
relations between the two countries.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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