ANKARA IS LIKELY TO RE-SEND ITS AMBASSADOR TO THE USA BEFORE APRIL 12

ArmInfo
2010-04-01 18:26:00

ArmInfo. In a move to reduce the ongoing tension between the two-long
time allies, Turkey is likely to re-send its ambassador to Washington
ahead of an international nuclear summit on April 12, Hurriyet Daily
News says with reference to diplomatic sources.

To recall, Turkish Ambassador to the United States Nam?k Tan was
immediately recalled from Washington after the US House Committee on
Foreign Affairs had affirmed the Resolution on the Armenian Genocide
(H.Res.252).

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu are expected to attend the meeting although their presence
has not yet been officially announced.

According to the source, Ambassador Nam?k Tan’s return and Erdogan’s
visit to the United States was only made possible following a lengthy
telephone conversation between Davutoglu and U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton on Sunday. Some in Ankara had called for Erdogan
to cancel his trip to the U.S. following the vote. However, recent
diplomatic activity reveals that both Tan and Erdogan could depart
for Washington in the coming days.

Officials also said Ankara was awaiting strong signals from the U.S.

regarding the Armenian resolution, along with assurances from
Washington about the Turkish- Armenian protocols following only
qualified approval for the documents from Armenian top.

According to sources, there are a number of good reasons for Erdogan’s
participation at the summit as Erdogan’s absence would likely be
interpreted as a protest against U.S. President Barack Obama. At the
same time, the unnamed officials said the prime minister’s no-show
would be counter-productive for the country’s national interests,
especially when coming immediately before April 24, the day Obama will
issue an annual message commemorating the killing of Armenians in 1915.

To note, Obama has also invited Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to
the summit.