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Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
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Minister Oskanian Comments on Recent Statements by US Asst Sec of State
Elizabeth Jones, Upcoming Speech on Liberation of Auschwitz, and on Trip to
Egypt

In an interview to Armenia’s Channel 1 Public Television Hailur News
Program, Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian spoke about
his recent trip to Egypt, his upcoming trip to NY and the United Nations, as
well as the President’s Official Visit to Italy. He also reacted to the
comments made in a recent press conference by US Assistant Sec of State
Elizabeth Jones.

The Minister stated that he was surprised and appreciative of the level and
intensity of public reaction to her statements made during a press
conference, wherein she referred to the various unresolved conflicts within
the former Soviet space.

The Minister acknowledged that her remarks were ambiguous enough to lead to
misperceptions about US policy on the NK conflict. He said that although
those familiar with the very positive role that the US has played in the NK
resolution process could assume that her comments about ‘criminal
secessionists’ did not at all refer to NK, still, the ambiguity made it
impossible to categorically rule out such reference, either. Given the
seriousness of the charge, this was reason enough for concern. However,
Minister Oskanian added that during a telephone conversation with Ms. Jones
on Friday, January 21, she had made it clear that she did not in any way
intend for her comments to refer to NK. The Minister expressed satisfaction
that the issue was clarified.

The Minister also spoke highly of the Memorandum of Understanding that
Armenia had just signed with the Arab League, during his recent visit to
Cairo. He explained that given Armenia’s warm relations with the countries
of the Middle East, such a protocol will make it easier to work more
effectively with the Arab countries, with which Armenia already has good
relations.

He also explained Armenia’s decision to participate in the UN Special
Assembly on the Occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Nazi
Concentration Camps in New York, on Monday, January 24. He explained that
Armenians have the moral right and the moral responsibility to speak out at
such forums, since the Holocaust is inarguabley associated with Hitler, who
in turn, linked his plans to the Genocide of Armenians in 1915 and the
impunity with which the Armenian Genocide was carried out.

>From New York, the Minister explained he will travel to Rome to accompany
President Robert Kocharian on his official trip to Italy.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress