U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: "THERE’S NOT A COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HAPPENED 90 YEARS AGO"

2010/03/ 03 | 11:21

world

The following is an excerpt of the March 2, U.S. State Department
press briefing by Assistant Secretary of State Phillip J. Crowley
dealing with Turkish-Armenian relations.

Question: I have a question on Armenian genocide resolution which will
be discussed on Thursday on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Last week,
Secretary Clinton made a statement on this issue and she said that
the United States is supporting the peace process ongoing between
Armenia and Turkey.

Mr. Crowley: Mm-hmm.

Question: But the problem is Turks are claiming that she supported
Turkey, and some Armenians is claiming that – or claim they supported
Armenians diaspora. Will State Department redefine his position on
this issue or that’s all that –

Mr. Crowley: Well, first of all, I think we have supported the current
process that we hope will result in normalized relations between Turkey
and Armenia. And within that process, as the Secretary said last week,
we think that there is ample room for Turkey and Armenia to evaluate
the historical facts as to what happened decades ago. So we haven’t
changed our view, but we continue to engage at a high level with
both countries and to encourage them – having worked to reach the
agreement in Switzerland last year to see it implemented on both sides.

Question: So Turks or Armenian are right on the comment?

Mr. Crowley: Well, I – (laughter) – I think I would borrow a phrase
from what Richard just said the different context, is – is I think
this is clearly to see the advancement of normalized relations between
Armenia and Turkey is in the interest of both countries. It’s in the
interest of the region as well. We cannot afford to look at this in
zero sum terms, that somehow scoring a point on one side is a loss
for the other. So I would just say that we continue our high-level –
we’ve had intensive conversations at high levels. The Secretary has
been directly involved extensively and repeatedly. Deputy Secretary
Steinberg, Under Secretary Burns, Assistant Secretary Phil Gordon have
all been directly engaged with the leadership in Turkey and Armenia.

The Secretary had a meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan in Doha
talking about this issue.

So we continue to encourage both sides. We understand how difficult
this is, how emotional this is. There’s not a common understanding
of what happened 90 years ago. But we value the courageous steps
that both leaders have taken, and we just continue to encourage both
countries to move forward and not look backward.

Question: Just to follow up.

Mr. Crowley: Sure.

Question: Do we have any scenario over the – if the resolution passes
by the committee, do we have a scenario about the relation with Turkey,
because there is a Turkish group – parliamentary group here in the
town and they are – they have meetings with congressmen in the House,
and they are saying that we are allied, and if this resolution passes,
some things will change. Did you get any feedback from Turkish foreign
ministry on the resolution about – if the –

Mr. Crowley: I think we have a pretty good understanding of how
everyone feels on this issue.