Monday, 12 October 2009
The US State Department has recently been interested in present-time developments concerning relations between Armenia and Turkey, but not in disputes regarding the 1915 killings of Anatolian Armenians during the Ottoman Empire era, a US diplomat has said.
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip J. Crowley was speaking to reporters on Friday ahead of Saturday's ceremony in Zurich where Turkey and Armenia signed two landmark protocols to restore ties and open their shared border.
After he announced US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's participation in the ceremony in Zurich, Crowley was reminded by a journalist of the fact that US President Barack Obama avoided using the word genocide in his traditional April 24 message, although he had pledged to recognize the Armenian diaspora's genocide claims in his election campaign.
April 24 is the day Armenians claim marks the anniversary of the so-called beginning of a systematic campaign against Armenians in the last years of the Ottoman Empire. During a landmark visit to Turkey in early April, President Obama had appealed for reconciliation between Ankara and Yerevan.
“I'm wondering why there's been a change in language, and I'm wondering whether the relationship with Turkey is such that you just don't want to use that word,” the journalist told Crowley.
“Well, the president released a statement on April 24. That is a reflection of the administration's position. Here at the department, we are focused on 2009, and that's expressly why the secretary, as will other key figures -- the foreign minister of Russia, the foreign minister of France, Javier Solana -- and if I'm leaving anybody out, I apologize -- they are in -- will be in Zurich tomorrow, because they recognize the significance of this step that is being taken by Turkey and Armenia after a lengthy process, but also recognizing that there's still work to be done, even with the signings tomorrow. I think there'll be parliamentary debates in both countries,” Crowley said in response.
“But to see these two countries advance to where relations can be normalized, borders can be opened, that's a significant step by both those countries. It's been supported throughout the process by the United States and the European Union. And this is a significant moment, which is why the secretary will be there,” he added. When pressed on whether the use of the word genocide would “upset the apple cart,” Crowley said briefly, “I'm not going to go beyond the president's statement.”
