TURKISH MFA: U.S. MAY RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN EARLY 2009

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2008 15:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There are four major issues which can cause serious
disagreement between Turkey and the new U.S. administration, namely
Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Armenian Genocide, Hurriyet Daily
News quoted a senior Turkish Foreign Ministry official as saying on
condition of anonymity.

In relation to the Armenian Genocide, Turkish diplomats think the
recent rapprochement between Ankara and Yerevan may not be enough
to stop the Armenian Diaspora’s efforts in the United States to have
the 1915 events officially recognized as genocide.

"Both Obama and Biden promised their Armenian voters to press for
recognition. There could be attempts early next year," the official
said, adding, "But we have already launched preventive measures. In
our early contacts with Obama and Biden’s advisers, we were clear
about the sensitivity of the issue."

Meanwhile, during a meeting with former U.S. Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright, visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan discussed the possibility of Turkey’s mediation between the
United States and Iran and also referred to the Armenian Genocide
issue.