SECOND WAVE OF LOBBYING EFFORTS BY GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN US WITH EGEMEN BAGIS

The Chairman of the Turkey USA Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Caucus Mr. Egemen Bagis was in Washington to make official contacts in attempt to prevent the passage of the draft resolution on the "so called Armenian genocide" in the US Congress and Senate. Bagis expressed his risen hopes for the disapproval of the draft resolution on the "so called Armenian Genocide" in the US Congress.

The Chairman of the Turkey USA Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Caucus Mr. Egemen Bagis was in Washington to make official contacts in attempt to prevent the passage of the draft resolution on the "so called Armenian genocide" in the US Congress and Senate. Bagis expressed his risen hopes for the disapproval of the draft resolution on the "so called Armenian Genocide" in the US Congress.This visit to the US with the Turkish Parliament delegation including the AK Party MP of Kirikkale Mr. Vahit Erdem, AK Party MP of Ankara Mr. Reha Denemeç and CHP MP's of Istanbul Dr. Ersin Arıoglu, and Mrs. Bihlun Tamayligil, was appraised by Egemen Bagis, the Chairman of the Turkish-American Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Caucus as the the most useful visit experienced till now and they had the opportunity to meet about 25 Congressmen.

Warning that in case of approval there would be an increase in anti-Americanism in Turkish public opinion, "We explained that our friendship would get harmed; we warned them, but did not threaten them" said Bagis. Indicating that his hope has doubled for the rejection of the draft resolution, "We do not suppose that the US would make a serious mistake in this issue" said Bagis.

Replying a journalist's question "In one word, will the draft resolution pass the Congress or not?" Bagis replied "I think it will not". Bagis expressed that in the %50 of the potential in Turkish-American relations and just %5 of the potential in the Turkish-Armenian relations was used and added that "Such a draft resolution will completely decrease the potential. It will not provide benefit for anybody. "

The delegation of the Turkish Parliament experienced a very busy program meeting many officials including Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary of Political Affairs of the US State Department.

The delegation had appointments with the members of the US Congress James E. Clyburn, Sylvester Reyes, Gregory Meeks, Paul Gillmor, Dennis Moore, Howard Berman, Jo Ann Emerson, Russ Carnahan, Tim Rieser, Rahm Emanuel and Pete Hoekstra. The delegation also had a lunch organized by The Friendship Caucus where they were met by Robert Wexler, Ed Whitfield, Virginia Foxx, Ben Chandler, Paul Gillmor, Brad Miller, Steven Rothman, Jean Schmidt, Cliff Stearns, Dennis Moore and Jim Ramstad.

Aside from their busy schedule the delegation also had the opportunity to meet some advisors of Senators. Throughout the week the delegation attended events hosted by the American Turkish Council (ATC), Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Brookings Institute and International Republican Institute (IRI).

The delegation also had a meeting with the active Jewish organizations including ADL, AJC, BBI, JCRC-Chicago. This delegation also became the first Turkish Group attending to the annual meeting of the Jewish organization, AIPAC.

Egemen Bagis also met journalists such as Desmond Butler of Associated Press, Eli Lake of the New York Sun, Ken Basinett of the New York Daily News and L.A Times Diplomatic Correspondent and therefore had the opportunity to reflect the lobbying initiatives of the Turkish Parliament to the American Media.