ARMENIA DENIES CLINTON REMARKS ON ‘HISTORICAL COMMISSION’
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Wed, Mar 24 2010
YEREVAN-On Tues,. March 23, the Armenian Foreign Ministry countered
earlier statements by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the
process to create a "historical commission"-as envisioned by the
Armenia-Turkey protocols-had already begun.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan said that the creation of
a historical commission cannot happen without first the ratification
of the protocols by the parliaments of Turkey and Armenia.
During an interview in Moscow and in response to a question on
whether President Barack Obama had abandoned his campaign promise
to recognize the Armenian Genocide, Clinton said, "I don’t think
anyone has forgotten, but what has happened that is of great import
is the work going on between Turkey and Armenia. In fact, I was
in Zurich last fall with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Armenia,
Russia, France, other countries, to witness the signing of a set of
protocols to normalize relationships between Armenia and Turkey. And
in those protocols, there was an agreement between the two countries
to establish a historical commission that would look at all of the
issues that are part of the past."
"And I think that’s the right way to go, I think, to have the two
countries and the two peoples focusing on this themselves. I have
said many times we cannot change the past we inherit. All we can do
is try to have a better future," she added.
When asked whether the commission exists, Clinton said, "They’re
working to create it," and reaffirmed the creation upon further
inquiry.
"Not until the protocols are ratified will steps envisioning the
normalization of relations and the opening of the Armenia-Turkey
border be taken," Balayan told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Armenia service.
He added that the Armenian Genocide issue was not a matter up for
discussion.
"As has been said on numerous occasions by the country’s president
and foreign minister, the veracity of the genocide is not a topic of
discussion. Armenia hasn’t discussed, nor will discuss, the veracity
of the genocide," he added.