US HOPES FOR PROGRESS IN TURKEY-ARMENIA TALKS

Asbarez
s-hopes-for-progress-in-turkey-armenia-talks/
Aug 31, 2009

ANKARA, YEREVAN (Combined Sources)-The US reiterated its support
for normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkish Monday,
when Secretary State Hillary Clinton discussed the matter with her
Turkish counterpart and US Ambassador to Armenia said the matter was
"an important issue" in the region.

Clinton underscored the importance of normalizing relations during a
35-minute phone call on regional matters with Turkish Foreign Minister
Ahmet Dovlatoglu.

Speaking at an event hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan on Monday,
Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch described Turkey-Armenia
normalization as an important issue for Turkey, Armenia and the region,
reported RFE/RL.

"Turkey-Armenia rapprochement is an important issue. It’s important for
Turkey, it’s important for Armenia, it’s important for the region. The
U.S. supports normalization of relations and the opening of the
border, and our hope remains that there will be tangible progress
soon," said Yovanovitch during the opening of a condolence book at
the U.S. Embassy for Senator Edward Kennedy, according to RFE/RL.

In her remarks, Yovanovitch described Senator Kennedy as a great
American and a great citizen of the world.

"His death is a huge loss both for America and the world and I also
believe for Armenia. Because from the very first days of Armenia’s
independence Senator Kennedy supported a newly independent Armenia
and stood firm with Armenia in all of its causes and also with the
Armenian-American community in the United States," she said.

RFE/RL reported that Yovanovitch also answered a journalist’s question
regarding the process of the recognition of the Armenian genocide in
the United States.

She said: "I would point you to President [Barack] Obama’s April 24
statement on this issue. He was very clear about what his personal
views are. He was also very clear about how he sees the process
forward, and that right now there are important talks between Armenians
and Turks and it is important that we support that process."