Aysor, Armenia
Jan 23 2010

U.S. tries to add wings to Armenia-Turkey reconciliation

`Turkey is in everyway trying to fasten down the process [of
ratification] using Armenian Constitutional Court’s decision on
protocols as a reason to blame Armenian side. The U.S. wishes for
speeding-up the process of reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey
as they are interested in this,’ told Aysor’s correspondent Artak
Shakarian, a turkologist.

He pointed that the U.S. government is trying to prevent Turkey’s
policy in the process. But Turkey seeks after fastening down the
process, it will make statements and act to slow down the progress
showing Azerbaijan that it doesn’t want to normalise relations with
Armenia until the Karabakh conflict’s settlement.

`Anyway, the U.S. government, and in particularly, President Barack
Obama, will wish for progress by Turkey till April 24, as this is a
day when President Obama is expected to say something. Turkey must
act, so that Obama’s speech could be filled up,’ said Artak Shakarian.

`Turkey at least must move to consultations on protocols at the
parliamentary commission for foreign affairs. I do not exclude that
the commission will approve the documents with some conditions
relating to the issue of Karabakh.’

Turkey’s Parliament won’t ratify protocols, according to the expert,
who pointed that the protocols will be approved only at
pre-parliamentary level to bring to the world and Armenia that there
are some positive steps in the progress.

If Turkey ratifies protocols, it will do it only under the pressure of
U.S., Russia, and EU, believes Shakarian. `Turkey is not interested in
the end of the process this year. It wishes for fastening down the
process as long as it is possible, blaming Armenia. So, Armenian
government must take steps to put a crimp in Turkey’s plans.’

Armenia’s Parliament shouldn’t ratify protocols ahead of Turkey,
according to Artak Shakarian who pointed that Armenia should be
waiting for Turkey’s decision.

It’s worth mentioning, that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
is reported to have had a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton to exchange views on a range of items
including the process of ratification for Armenia-Turkey protocols. He
said, Armenian Court’s decision is completely in conflict with signed
documents and asked Mrs. Clinton to cast light on this issue.

Meanwhile, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon said in an
interview with Radio Liberty that the United States welcome the
Court’s decision.

`We view the Court’s decision as a positive step forward in the
ratification process of the protocols aimed at reconciliation between
Turkey and Armenia.

`The court decision permits the protocols, as they were negotiated and
signed, to move towards parliamentary ratification. Court’s decision
does not appear to limit or qualify protocols in any way,’ said Philip
Gordon.