AZG DAILY #20, 06-02-2010
International
Update: 2010-02-06 01:33:20 (GMT +04:00)
U.S. WILL BE DISAPPOINTED IF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS RATIFICATION FAILS
If Ankara does not step towards ratification of Armenian-Turkish
Protocols by late March, the process will gradually become more
complicated, David Phillips, chairman of the Turkish-Armenian
Reconciliation Commission (TARC) in 2001-2004 said in Yerevan, when
commenting on the possibility of ratifying the Protocols by April 24
(the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day).
As the expert noted, although no terms were set for ratification of
the protocols, there is actually a deadline, after which the goodwill
disappears. "Everybody understands that the current process of
Armenian-Turkish reconciliation and the ratification of the Protocols
can not last forever," he said.
According to Mr. Phillips, no linkage should be seen between
ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols and recognition of the
Armenian Genocide.
"I think the United States will be disappointed if ratification fails.
The U.S. had a key role in this dialogue and the Obama administration
will urge Ankara to ratify the Protocols. Although Turks like saying
that they never do anything under pressure, but based on my experience
with the Turks, I can state the opposite," he said.
David L. Phillips was the Chairman of TARC in 2001-2004. The
commission failed over Turkey’s refusal to recognize the Armenian
Genocide and avoid meddling with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement process.
The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish
counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of
diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation.
On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of
Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law,
PanArmenian.net reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
