Armenian Assembly of America
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PRESS RELEASE
April 23, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIA AND TURKEY ANNOUNCE FRAMEWORK FOR NORMALIZING RELATIONS WITHOUT
PRECONDITIONS
Armenian Assembly Commends Yerevan Government for its Bold Initiatives
No Linkage to U.S. President’s April 24 Statement
Washington, DC- Under the auspices of the Swiss government, the
Armenian and Turkish governments issued a joint announcement regarding
normalization of relations late on April 22, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly).
"I commend the leadership of President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian in taking bold steps that led to this
promising juncture in Armenian-Turkish relations," stated Armenian
Assembly Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. "This process was not easy and
undoubtedly there will be more hard work in the days and months ahead.
We stand with those who are working to secure a solid foundation for the
future of Armenia and for stability in the region," added Hovnanian.
The Armenian Assembly awaits further details to make a thorough
assessment.
The United States welcomed the joint statement by noting that "it has
long been and remains the position of the United States that
normalization should take place without preconditions and within a
reasonable timeframe." The Assembly supports efforts by Armenia and
Turkey to normalize relations without preconditions.
While there has been speculation that Turkey would only agree to a
framework proposal if President Barack Obama reneged on his pledge to
recognize the Armenian Genocide, we are confident that President Obama
has not changed his views as he made clear while in Turkey earlier this
month. Affirmation of the Armenian Genocide should not be held hostage
to normalization of relations. The Armenian government is fully aware of
these sensitivities and we anticipate informed and vigorous public
debates with the involvement of civil societies.
This development builds upon earlier civil society initiatives and the
undaunted spirit of individuals, such as the late Hrant Dink, who set an
example by his moral leadership and served as a bridge between Armenians
and Turks. Experience has demonstrated that the road of reconciling
Turkey with its genocidal legacy will be difficult, but there is an
irreversible trend within Turkish civil society to come to terms with
its past.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
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NR#2009-040
Editor’s Note:
Joint Statement of the Armenian and Turkish Governments
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U.S. Statement Welcoming the Announcement
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