American CEOs Warn Against Passing Armenian Genocide Bill

The US aerospace and defense industry is urging House of Representatives lawmakers to reject an Armenian Genocide Resolution, warning it could jeopardize U.S. exports to Turkey, reports Reuters.

The chief executives of Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing Co, Raytheon Co, United Technologies Corp and Northrop Grumman Corp issued a rare joint letter, warning that passage of the measure by the House Foreign Affairs Committee could lead to "a rupture in U.S.-Turkey relations" and put American jobs at risk.

"Alienating a significant NATO ally and trading partner would have negative repercussions for U.S. geopolitical interests and efforts to boost both exports and employments," the CEOs warned in a February 26 letter to committee chair Howard Berman.

Furthermore, the Aerospace Industries Association, which represents more than 270 member companies, expressed concern in a separate letter, noting that U.S. exports to Turkey had more that tripled to over $10 billion in 2008, and U.S. companies were pursuing further arms sales at the moment.

"In this current economy, we cannot afford to turn our back on increasing U.S. exports and sustaining U.S. jobs by alienating one of our most important trading partners," said Marion Blakey, president of AIA, the largest U.S. trade group.