Hürriyet, Turkey
Jan 26 2007

Ankara responds sharply to Yerevan comments

Comments made by Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian
that "Armenian is prepared for unconditional diplomatic relations
with Turkey" have elicited a sharp response from Ankara.

Foreign Ministry officials in the Turkish capital referred to
Kirakosian’s comments as "exploitation of feelings," noting that they
came in the wake of national sorrow over the death of journalist
Hrant Dink, and that the "unconditional diplomatic relations" part of
the comment was the same as the phrasing used in a letter from
Armenian President Robert Kocharian to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan in April of 2005. Yesterday evening in Ankara, PM Erdogan
referred to the Yerevan administration’s refusal to consider the
Ankara suggestion of a joint commission to investigate Armenian
claims of genocide, saying "First they need to answer our suggestion.
They have still not offered an answer. This is not a show of good
intention. I do not find this stance of theirs sincere."