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Xinhua General News Service, China
March 5, 2010 Friday 8:10 AM EST
Turkey urges stronger U.S. support for normalization talks with Armenia
ANKARA March 5
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday demanded a clear
stance and stronger support from the United States regarding the
ongoing Turkish-Armenian normalization process, Turkish media
reported.
Davutoglu made the remarks after a U.S. congressional panel passed a
resolution that upsets Turkey by recognizing the " genocide" of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks.
"It made Turkey uncomfortable that the U.S. administration did not
show its strength in this regard," Davutoglu told a press conference
in Ankara, referring to the normalization talks between Turkey and
Armenia. "We're expecting them to increase their efforts hereafter."
The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on
Thursday approved a resolution labelling the massive killings of
Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during World War I as "genocide."
Turkey denies that charge and has warned an adoption of the resolution
would hurt Turkish-U.S. ties and impede efforts to normalize relations
with Armenia.
He urged U.S. President Barack Obama "not to perpetuate or exaggerate
this crisis" in April, when Obama is expected to make a speech to the
American Armenian community.
In last year's speech, Obama avoided using the term "genocide" when
describing the Armenians' deaths and welcomed Turkish- Armenian peace
talks.
The White House had urged the House panel not to adopt the " genocide"
resolution, which was eventually passed by a 23-22 margin on Thursday.
Turkey condemned the resolution on Thursday and temporarily recalled
its ambassador to the United States for consultations.
Turkey and Armenia have been bogged down in the row over the deaths of
Armenians and have no diplomatic or economic ties since Armenia
declared its independence in 1991.
Armenians claim that more than 1.5 million Armenians were killed in a
systematic genocide in the hands of the Ottomans during World War I.
Turkey says the death toll is exaggerated and insists the Armenians
were victims of widespread chaos and governmental breakdown as the
Ottoman Empire collapsed in the years before modern Turkey was born in
1923.
In October last year, the two countries signed historic deals on
normalizing ties and reopening their borders after decades of
hostilities. The agreements need to be ratified by both countries'
parliaments before taking effect.
March 5, 2010 Friday 8:10 AM EST
Turkey urges stronger U.S. support for normalization talks with Armenia
ANKARA March 5
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday demanded a clear
stance and stronger support from the United States regarding the
ongoing Turkish-Armenian normalization process, Turkish media
reported.
Davutoglu made the remarks after a U.S. congressional panel passed a
resolution that upsets Turkey by recognizing the " genocide" of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks.
"It made Turkey uncomfortable that the U.S. administration did not
show its strength in this regard," Davutoglu told a press conference
in Ankara, referring to the normalization talks between Turkey and
Armenia. "We're expecting them to increase their efforts hereafter."
The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on
Thursday approved a resolution labelling the massive killings of
Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during World War I as "genocide."
Turkey denies that charge and has warned an adoption of the resolution
would hurt Turkish-U.S. ties and impede efforts to normalize relations
with Armenia.
He urged U.S. President Barack Obama "not to perpetuate or exaggerate
this crisis" in April, when Obama is expected to make a speech to the
American Armenian community.
In last year's speech, Obama avoided using the term "genocide" when
describing the Armenians' deaths and welcomed Turkish- Armenian peace
talks.
The White House had urged the House panel not to adopt the " genocide"
resolution, which was eventually passed by a 23-22 margin on Thursday.
Turkey condemned the resolution on Thursday and temporarily recalled
its ambassador to the United States for consultations.
Turkey and Armenia have been bogged down in the row over the deaths of
Armenians and have no diplomatic or economic ties since Armenia
declared its independence in 1991.
Armenians claim that more than 1.5 million Armenians were killed in a
systematic genocide in the hands of the Ottomans during World War I.
Turkey says the death toll is exaggerated and insists the Armenians
were victims of widespread chaos and governmental breakdown as the
Ottoman Empire collapsed in the years before modern Turkey was born in
1923.
In October last year, the two countries signed historic deals on
normalizing ties and reopening their borders after decades of
hostilities. The agreements need to be ratified by both countries'
parliaments before taking effect.