APPOINTMENT OF HILLARY CLINTON WELCOMED BY US ARMENIANS AND TURKEY

ArmInfo
2008-12-03 17:43:00

ArmInfo. U.S. President-elect Barack Obama’s selection of Sen. Hillary
Clinton as secretary of state seems to have been met with approval
by both Turkey and Armenia, with the largest U.S. Armenian group and
Turkish officials welcoming the decision, the Hurriyet reported.

The Armenian National Committee of America, or ANCA praised Clinton’s
record as a strong supporter of the Armenian cause, in a statement
late Monday.

However, the ANCA made no mention of Clinton’s opposition to
the passage of an "Armenian genocide" resolution in the House of
Representatives in October 2007, when she cited concerns of a strong
Turkish reaction.

"We extend our thanks to President-elect Obama for this choice
and our congratulations to Senator Clinton on her appointment to
our nation’s top diplomatic post," said Aram Hamparian, the ANCA’s
executive director, according to the statement.

"We are certainly pleased to see that, for the first time in recent
memory, an individual with a strong record in support of Armenian
genocide recognition will serve as America’s secretary of state,"
Hamparian said.

Obama announced earlier Monday, he would nominate Clinton, his former
rival during the Democratic Party’s primaries for the presidential
election, as his secretary of state. Clinton first needs the Senate’s
confirmation to assume her new post. She is not expected to face any
difficulty with that process.

Turkish officials are also happy with Obama’s overall cabinet choice,
although for different reasons.

"We have very good relations with these three figures (Clinton,
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Gen. James Jones). We believe
Obama is forming a very good national security cabinet," said one
Turkish official on condition of anonymity.

Turkish officials see Clinton as an experienced and centrist figure
with a positive understanding of Turkey.

Although both Obama and Clinton have pledged to recognize the so-called
genocide, the ANCA, which has now congratulated Clinton, viewed Obama
as the more sincere candidate on Armenian matters and decided in late
January to back him against Hillary in the primaries.

In addition, Hillary’s husband and former president, Bill Clinton,
due to last-minute pressure, prevented a similar resolution from
passing in a house floor vote in October 2000.