US RESOLUTION 252 AND PROTOCOLS PROCESS ARE SEPARATE MATTERS: PHILIP GORDON

Tert.am
11:37 ~U 18.03.10

The Obama administration is against all initiatives which will harm
the process of normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations and calls on the
parties to ratify the Armenian-Turkish Protocols as soon as possible,
said US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon ahead of a speech
at Brookings Institution.

The US Assistant State Secretary, critizing reports that Obama
administration only attempted to intervene at the last minute and
overthrow the passing of House Resolution 252 on recognizing the
Armenian Genocide, said:

"Since April, we have been supporting the process begun between Armenia
and Turkey with all our strength. For about a year, we’ve been saying
that we’re against any intervention that will harm the process.

To tell you the truth, H.Res.252 and the Protocols process are
separate matters. We’re calling on both sides to to ratify the
Protocols immediately. It stems from their interests and will support
the establishment of peace in the region."

Asked whether H.Res.252 will go to a full house vote in Congress,
Gordon said that "Congress is an independent body, and they are going
to do what they decide to do."

Gordon, noting that there is a strong strategic cooperation between
the United States and Turkey, said that recalling Turkish Ambassador
to the US Namik Tan back to Ankara could harm that cooperation.

"We would like Turkey’s ambassador in Washington to come back,"
he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress