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U.S. Assistant Secretary Of State: "There's Not A Common Understandi

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  • U.S. Assistant Secretary Of State: "There's Not A Common Understandi

    U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: "THERE'S NOT A COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HAPPENED 90 YEARS AGO"

    http://hetq.am/en/world/27799/
    2010/03/ 03 | 11:21

    world

    The following is an excerpt of the March 2, U.S. State Department
    press briefing by Assistant Secretary of State Phillip J. Crowley
    dealing with Turkish-Armenian relations.

    Question: I have a question on Armenian genocide resolution which will
    be discussed on Thursday on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Last week,
    Secretary Clinton made a statement on this issue and she said that
    the United States is supporting the peace process ongoing between
    Armenia and Turkey.

    Mr. Crowley: Mm-hmm.

    Question: But the problem is Turks are claiming that she supported
    Turkey, and some Armenians is claiming that - or claim they supported
    Armenians diaspora. Will State Department redefine his position on
    this issue or that's all that -

    Mr. Crowley: Well, first of all, I think we have supported the current
    process that we hope will result in normalized relations between Turkey
    and Armenia. And within that process, as the Secretary said last week,
    we think that there is ample room for Turkey and Armenia to evaluate
    the historical facts as to what happened decades ago. So we haven't
    changed our view, but we continue to engage at a high level with
    both countries and to encourage them - having worked to reach the
    agreement in Switzerland last year to see it implemented on both sides.

    Question: So Turks or Armenian are right on the comment?

    Mr. Crowley: Well, I - (laughter) - I think I would borrow a phrase
    from what Richard just said the different context, is - is I think
    this is clearly to see the advancement of normalized relations between
    Armenia and Turkey is in the interest of both countries. It's in the
    interest of the region as well. We cannot afford to look at this in
    zero sum terms, that somehow scoring a point on one side is a loss
    for the other. So I would just say that we continue our high-level -
    we've had intensive conversations at high levels. The Secretary has
    been directly involved extensively and repeatedly. Deputy Secretary
    Steinberg, Under Secretary Burns, Assistant Secretary Phil Gordon have
    all been directly engaged with the leadership in Turkey and Armenia.

    The Secretary had a meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan in Doha
    talking about this issue.

    So we continue to encourage both sides. We understand how difficult
    this is, how emotional this is. There's not a common understanding
    of what happened 90 years ago. But we value the courageous steps
    that both leaders have taken, and we just continue to encourage both
    countries to move forward and not look backward.

    Question: Just to follow up.

    Mr. Crowley: Sure.

    Question: Do we have any scenario over the - if the resolution passes
    by the committee, do we have a scenario about the relation with Turkey,
    because there is a Turkish group - parliamentary group here in the
    town and they are - they have meetings with congressmen in the House,
    and they are saying that we are allied, and if this resolution passes,
    some things will change. Did you get any feedback from Turkish foreign
    ministry on the resolution about - if the -

    Mr. Crowley: I think we have a pretty good understanding of how
    everyone feels on this issue.
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