Agence France Presse
October 11, 2009 Sunday 9:14 AM GMT

‘Genocide’ row sparked delay in Armenia-Turkey deal: source

YEREVAN, Oct 11 2009

A delay in signing a historic deal between Armenia and Turkey was
sparked by Ankara’s intention of raising the dispute over whether
massacres of Armenians amounted to genocide, an Armenian diplomat said
Sunday.

"The objections from the Armenian side were in relation to
unacceptable formulations regarding the process of recognition of the
Armenian genocide that were in the Turkish statement," the senior
diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"After long and difficult negotiations, the Armenian side was able to
neutralise this text," the diplomat said.

Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian and his Turkish
counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday signed landmark pacts to
normalise their two countries’ relations and open their shared border.

The deals, which must still be ratified by the countries’ parliaments,
are a first step to reconciliation after nearly a century of
bitterness over World War I-era massacres of Armenians under Ottoman
rule.

But the signing, attended by top European and US officials, did not go
as smoothly as planned, with the ceremony delayed three hours.

It went ahead after last-minute diplomatic efforts by US and Swiss
mediators, but with the cancellation of statements planned during the
ceremony.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress