U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT CLARIFIES STATEMENTS OF PHILIP GORDON

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Tuesday, 26 January 2010

U.S. State Department Spokesman, Philip Crowley, has clarified
statements made by a high level official of the U.S. State Department,
Philip Gordon, on the recent decision of the Armenian Constitutional
Court regarding the protocols signed by Turkey and Armenia.

In reference to a question "Can we confirm reports that U.S. Assistant
Secretary Philip Gordon made remarks that the U.S. considers the
decision of the Armenian Constitutional Court as a positive step
in the ratification process of the normalization protocols between
Turkey and Armenia?", Crowley said that Gordon was on the record with
the following information:

"We view the court decision as a positive step forward in the
ratification process of the normalization protocols between Turkey
and Armenia. The court decision permits the protocols, as they
were negotiated and signed, to move forward towards parliamentary
ratification, and does not appear to limit or qualify them in any way.

We are confident that both Turkey and Armenia take their commitment
to the protocols seriously, and we urge timely ratification of the
protocols by both countries.

Our position remains the same. We support the normalization process,
which we believe contributes to peace and stability in the Caucasus.

What is critical is to keep the parties focused on the vital importance
of moving ahead."