OBAMA ENCOURAGED BY ONGOING DIALOGUE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY

armradio.am
06.04.2009 16:54

U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday his views on the 1915 incidents
remain unchanged but that he was encouraged by the ongoing dialogue
between Turkey and Armenia, Hurriyet Daily reported.

"My views (on 1915 incidents) are not changed. What I have been
encouraged by is a series of negotiations in place between Armenia
and Turkey to resolve outstanding issues. I want to be as encouraging
as possible in moving negotiations move forward," Obama told at the
joint press conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

"I want to focus not on my views right now, but on the views of the
Turkish and Armenian people. If they can move forward… the entire
world should encourage them," Obama added.

Gul said Turkey is ready to face with the historic events and
reiterated his country’s proposal of forming a commission of academics
and historians to investigate the issue. "These historic issues were
brought on the agenda on political grounds, mostly by the diaspora,
who wants to protect its own identity," he said.

Turkey is in talks with Armenia to normalize relations and he was
hopeful for a positive outcome, Gul added.