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TURKISH AMBASSADOR: ARMENIAN RESOLUTION IN US SENATE UNFORTUNATE
Today's Zaman
Oct 26 2009
Turkey
Turkish Ambassador to the United States Nabi Å~^ensoy has characterized
as an "unfortunate development" the introduction of a resolution in
the US Senate seeking the recognition of Armenian genocide allegations
regarding incidents that took place in 1915, which include the alleged
forceful migration of Anatolian Armenians.
Responding to a question by the Voice of America (VOA) Turkish Service
concerning the submission of a resolution to the US Senate requesting
the US administration to recognize Armenian claims, Å~^ensoy indicated
that it was an unexpected development. "It is extremely wrong and
unfortunate to introduce such a thing to the Senate in the immediate
aftermath of the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia. I hope
it will not make much progress," he said.
When he was reminded of US President Barack Obama's stance regarding
the Armenian allegations that the Ottoman Empire had conducted
systematic genocide targeting Anatolian Armenians, Ambassador Å~^ensoy
noted that Obama did not make any mention of them in his April 24
speech. "We were hoping that Obama, like previous presidents, would
not use the word 'genocide' in his April 24 speech, and this what
happened," he said, adding that he did not think that "Obama will
use such a 'controversial' phrase, given that the two sides have made
an agreement and declared that they will deal specifically with this
issue in some way or other."
Å~^ensoy also answered a question about the US's stance regarding
Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. "We believe in the first place that
it would be extremely beneficial to divert Turkish-Armenian relations
into a new channel with these protocols, thereby starting diplomatic
relations between the two countries, followed by the opening of the
common border and the start of an exchange between them. We think
that this will prove useful not only to the bilateral relationship
between Turkey and Armenia, but also in terms of making positive
contributions to the peace, stability and security in the South
Caucasus, especially in the region rife with 'frozen problems.' In
this respect, our expectation is that this will not have any negative
impact on the bilateral relations between 'two states with one nation,'
i.e., Turkey and Azerbaijan. We have already made this clear with
statements made by authorities at the highest level.
Turkey can never be expected to launch or support any move that will
not be in favor of our Azerbaijani sisters and brothers. Thus, our
Azerbaijani sisters and brothers can rest assured that we will always
continue to keep their interests a priority at all times," he said.
Ambassador Å~^ensoy further expressed his belief that the problems
which may appear between Turkey and the US from time to time in the
form of resolution will be overcome.
Cooperation on the PKK issue Asked whether cooperation between Turkey
and the US regarding the terrorist organization Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK) has reached an adequate level, Å~^ensoy noted that
the US has been cooperating with Turkey in this regard for a long
time. Pointing out that the overall fight against terrorism is a major
aspect of Turkey's relations with the US, Å~^ensoy explained that
the extent of US aid to Turkey in terms of counterterrorism cannot
quite be gauged as long as the attacks from northern Iraq on Turkey
continue. Noting that the US declared the PKK not only a terrorist
organization but also an enemy of the US, Å~^ensoy indicated that by
improving cooperation, especially in terms of "real-time intelligence,"
Turkey's capability in fighting the PKK in northern Iraq has increased.
Today's Zaman
Oct 26 2009
Turkey
Turkish Ambassador to the United States Nabi Å~^ensoy has characterized
as an "unfortunate development" the introduction of a resolution in
the US Senate seeking the recognition of Armenian genocide allegations
regarding incidents that took place in 1915, which include the alleged
forceful migration of Anatolian Armenians.
Responding to a question by the Voice of America (VOA) Turkish Service
concerning the submission of a resolution to the US Senate requesting
the US administration to recognize Armenian claims, Å~^ensoy indicated
that it was an unexpected development. "It is extremely wrong and
unfortunate to introduce such a thing to the Senate in the immediate
aftermath of the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia. I hope
it will not make much progress," he said.
When he was reminded of US President Barack Obama's stance regarding
the Armenian allegations that the Ottoman Empire had conducted
systematic genocide targeting Anatolian Armenians, Ambassador Å~^ensoy
noted that Obama did not make any mention of them in his April 24
speech. "We were hoping that Obama, like previous presidents, would
not use the word 'genocide' in his April 24 speech, and this what
happened," he said, adding that he did not think that "Obama will
use such a 'controversial' phrase, given that the two sides have made
an agreement and declared that they will deal specifically with this
issue in some way or other."
Å~^ensoy also answered a question about the US's stance regarding
Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. "We believe in the first place that
it would be extremely beneficial to divert Turkish-Armenian relations
into a new channel with these protocols, thereby starting diplomatic
relations between the two countries, followed by the opening of the
common border and the start of an exchange between them. We think
that this will prove useful not only to the bilateral relationship
between Turkey and Armenia, but also in terms of making positive
contributions to the peace, stability and security in the South
Caucasus, especially in the region rife with 'frozen problems.' In
this respect, our expectation is that this will not have any negative
impact on the bilateral relations between 'two states with one nation,'
i.e., Turkey and Azerbaijan. We have already made this clear with
statements made by authorities at the highest level.
Turkey can never be expected to launch or support any move that will
not be in favor of our Azerbaijani sisters and brothers. Thus, our
Azerbaijani sisters and brothers can rest assured that we will always
continue to keep their interests a priority at all times," he said.
Ambassador Å~^ensoy further expressed his belief that the problems
which may appear between Turkey and the US from time to time in the
form of resolution will be overcome.
Cooperation on the PKK issue Asked whether cooperation between Turkey
and the US regarding the terrorist organization Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK) has reached an adequate level, Å~^ensoy noted that
the US has been cooperating with Turkey in this regard for a long
time. Pointing out that the overall fight against terrorism is a major
aspect of Turkey's relations with the US, Å~^ensoy explained that
the extent of US aid to Turkey in terms of counterterrorism cannot
quite be gauged as long as the attacks from northern Iraq on Turkey
continue. Noting that the US declared the PKK not only a terrorist
organization but also an enemy of the US, Å~^ensoy indicated that by
improving cooperation, especially in terms of "real-time intelligence,"
Turkey's capability in fighting the PKK in northern Iraq has increased.