THE WASHINGTON TIMES: DIPLOMATS FORESEE TURKEY, ARMENIA PACT
armradio.am
03.04.2009 12:17
Turkey and Armenia could be on the brink of a historic reconciliation
that will include a joint investigation of the killing of hundreds
of thousands of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915, Turkish diplomats
and specialists say.
Hugh Pope, Turkey project director for the International Crisis Group,
told the Washington Times that "after two years of secret talks,
the historic rivals are nearing agreement on a sweeping package that
includes opening a border closed since 1993, diplomatic relations
and a bilateral intergovernmental commission on issues ranging from
taxes and public health to the history of what Armenians have called
genocide by the Ottoman Empire, which preceded modern Turkey."
Turkey is also expected to issue a "road map" on a solution for
Nagorno-Karabakh, according o the paper. "The parameters of the deal
are very much set," Mr. Pope said. "The only thing holding things
back now is nerves."
The Wall Street Journal first reported the potential deal on Thursday,
and said it could be unveiled as soon as April 16, when Turkey’s
foreign minister is expected to fly to the Armenian capital. Turkish
diplomats in Ankara and Washington confirmed the peace progress but
not the date for an announcement, which could follow by only a few
days President Obama’s visit to Turkey.
"These are extremely serious negotiations," said a senior Turkish
diplomat, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the
issue. "We are optimistic and we have been working hard and hopefully
we will see positive developments."
"These are highly sensitive negotiations and both sides have gone to
great lengths to keep them secret," added a Turkish foreign ministry
spokesman.
However, the Armenian officials in Yerevan and Washington declined
comment, the Washington Times reports.