The Assembly of Turkish American Associations ( ATAA ), created in 1979, is the umbrella organization whose stated purpose is to promote cooperation between the social and cultural Turkish American organizations around the United States . ATAA informs the Turkish American community on how to foster Turkish-American relations and promotes a positive view of Turkey. The organization is also known for its unsuccessful lawsuits arguing for the inclusion of Armenian genocide denial as a legitimate alternate view in the US educational curriculum.
17-575: ATAA was initially established by the Turkish state in 1979 to counter the Armenian lobby in the United States , receiving funding from the Turkish government. ATAA undertakes educational workshops and seminars and conferences on political, social and economic issues concerning Turkey, runs cultural events promoting Turkey's cultural heritage, and publishes reference material regarding Turkey and
34-635: A "hyper-mobilization" of resources in the Armenian community, because the two organizations also have similar goals. The strength of the Armenian lobby can be derived from its concentration in a few congressional districts, such as California's 30th congressional district . In the 2000 census, one-third of the Armenian-American community lived in just 5 districts of the 106th Congress . Half of all Armenian-Americans lived in just 20 congressional district. This high population concentration allows
51-532: A time when Armenia sent soldiers to Iraq and announced it would send soldiers to Afghanistan in support of the US-led campaign. Furthermore, US diplomats have repeatedly asserted that Armenia has to demonstrate flexibility regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict before Turkey can involve itself. The Armenian lobby has been subdued by the Turkish and Azerbaijani lobbies. In contrast to the Armenian lobby,
68-679: Is almost exclusively formed by domestic organizations such as the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of America , leaving the Armenian Government largely out of the lobbying process. The two organizations have similar lobbying goals, mostly revolving around improving U.S. relations with Armenia in terms of aid, blocking aid to Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as their ultimate goal of Armenian genocide recognition. However,
85-429: Is not too assimilated like ethnic groups such as German Americans but it has had a presence in the U.S. since the early 1900s. While the Armenian lobby had been effective in a number of public relations campaigns in the late 20th century, it is now almost completely overshadowed by the Turkish lobby which exaggerated the influence of the Armenian lobby to increase its own lobbying efforts. Some of its achievements in
102-633: Is the quarterly magazine "The Turkish American". The organization opposes teaching about the Armenian genocide in US schools and universities and has filed unsuccessful lawsuits arguing that the First Amendment requires Armenian genocide denial to be taught as a legitimate alternate view. In 2007 the head of the organization condemned the recognition of the Armenian genocide by the Anti-Defamation League . Armenian lobby in
119-632: The Azerbaijani government. This ban made Azerbaijan the only post-Soviet state not to receive direct aid from the United States government to facilitate economic and political stability. The Act was strongly lobbied for by the Armenian-American community in the US, and was passed in response to Azerbaijan's blockade of Armenia during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War between the two nations. On October 24, 2001,
136-667: The Freedom Support Act (Public Law 102-511) Washington DC , 24 October 1992 Sec. 907. RESTRICTION ON ASSISTANCE TO AZERBAIJAN. (1) Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act shall not apply to-- (2) The President may waive section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act if he determines and certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that to do so-- (3) The authority of paragraph (2) may only be exercised through December 31, 2002. (4) The President may extend
153-742: The Senate adopted an amendment to the Act that would provide the President with the ability to waive Section 907. They have done so since then. On November 15, 2023, United States Senate adopted a bill that would suspend all military aid to Azerbaijan by repealing the Freedom Support Act Section 907 waiver authority for the Administration with respect to assistance to Azerbaijan for fiscal years 2024 or 2025. Section 907 of
170-538: The Armenian-Community to greatly sway votes, especially in a time of low voter turn out. One case study of this is when Democratic challenger and current Congressman Adam Schiff won against Republican incumbent Jim Rogan . Schiff effectively captured much of the Armenian vote, and now current champions Armenian issues in Congress. The Armenian community can also draw on its power of partial assimilation—it
187-489: The Turkish American community. Activities include educational seminars for Turkish American communities on advocacy and civic leadership; conferences on political, social and economic issues related to Turkey and US Turkish relations; and cultural events to promote Turkey 's traditions, art, and heritage. ATAA publishes reference material on issues regarding the Turkish American community. One of its publications
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#1732798199015204-606: The Turkish government spent $ 3,524,632 on Washington lobbying activities and contacted members of Congress 2,268 times. Utilizing top lobbying firms such as the Livingston Group , which has represented other Middle Eastern clients such as Egypt and Libya, the Turkish government gained invaluable Washington resources. Section 907 Section 907 of the United States Freedom Support Act bans any kind of direct United States aid to
221-496: The Turkish lobby mostly runs through its government. A study on ethnic lobbies and their effect on U.S. foreign policy indicated that the Turkish embassy is more active than Turkish-American organizations in attempting to influence U.S. regional foreign policy. Because the Republic of Turkey cannot legally finance campaigns, it relies on contracting Washington lobbying firms and contacting members of congress and their staff. In 2008,
238-628: The United States The Armenian American lobby is the diverse coalition of those who, as individuals and as groups, seek to influence the United States foreign policy in support of Armenia , Armenians or Armenian policies. One of its primary goals is for the United States to recognize the Armenian genocide , but the Turkish lobby have, until recently, successfully lobbied against this. The Armenian lobby
255-471: The second half of the 20th century were $ 90 million in aid annually for Armenia, the continuation of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act blocking aid to Azerbaijan, success in stalling an arms deal with Turkey during the 1970s, and US recognition of the Armenian genocide . Armenia received the second highest U.S. aid per capita behind Israel . It failed to discourage the US from reducing its financial aid to Armenia while increased aid to Azerbaijan, at
272-587: The two groups provide different approaches to promoting the Armenian cause. The ANCA focuses mostly on grassroots initiatives to mobilize a highly concentrated Armenian electorate. On the other hand, the AAA focuses on retaining large donations from influential Armenians in America. The AAA draws upon the AIPAC model, which is very much centered on influencing foreign policy. The competition between these two groups creates
289-430: The waiver authority provided in paragraph (2) on an annual basis on or after December 31, 2002, if he determines and certifies to the Committees on Appropriations in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (2). (5) The Committees on Appropriations shall be consulted prior to the provision of any assistance made available pursuant to paragraph (2). (6) Within 60 days of any exercise of the authority under paragraph (2)
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