AAA COMMENDS RA FOR NORMALIZING RELATIONS WITH TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2009 20:19 GMT+04:00

Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) commends Yerevan for its
bold initiatives in normalizing relations wit Turkey without
preconditions. AAA reports PanARMENIAN.Net: "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.