Thousands march in Armenia on eve of massacres anniversary

Agence France Presse
April 23, 2010 Friday 5:15 PM GMT

Thousands march in Armenia on eve of massacres anniversary

YEREVAN, April 23 2010

Thousands marched in the Armenian capital Friday on the eve of the
95th anniversary of Ottoman-era mass killings of Armenians and amid
fresh tensions with Turkey over stalled peace efforts.

The march came a day after Armenia announced it was halting
ratification of a historic reconciliation accord with Turkey that
would have normalised ties after decades of hostility over the
massacres.

More than 5,000 marchers carried torches and candles through the
streets of Yerevan on an annual march to a hilltop memorial to the
massacres, which Armenians insist constituted genocide.

Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kin were systematically
killed between 1915 and 1917 as the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor of
modern Turkey, was falling apart.

The events are marked every year on April 24, when Ottoman authorities
rounded up and arrested more than 200 Armenian intellectuals and
community leaders in Constantinople in 1915.

Turkey categorically rejects the genocide label and says between
300,000 and 500,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil
strife when Armenians took up arms in eastern Anatolia and sided with
invading Russian troops.

Chanting "Recognise!" the marchers carried Armenian flags and the
flags of countries whose governments or parliaments have recognised
the killings as genocide, including Canada, France, Poland and
Switzerland.

Thousands more, including Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian, are to
attend official ceremonies marking the anniversary on Saturday.

Many at the march said they supported Armenia’s decision to freeze
ratification of the deal with Turkey, which Yerevan blamed on Turkish
stalling and Ankara’s linking of the agreement with progress in ending
Armenia’s dispute with Turkish ally Azerbaijan over the breakaway
Nagorny Karabakh region.

"It was the right decision. Armenia has not stopped this process,
Turkey has stopped it by putting preconditions on it," said
21-year-old student Hasmik Tigranian.

Armenia and Turkey signed a landmark deal in October to establish
diplomatic ties and reopen their border but ratification of the
agreement stalled amid mutual accusations that the other side was not
committed to reconciliation.

Analysts said Armenia’s decision to halt ratification left almost no
hope of the process quickly moving forward.

The Holy Liturgy chanted at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

The Holy Liturgy chanted at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for the
repose of souls of victims of Armenian Genocide

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, ARMENPRESS: This morning His Holiness Catholicos of
All Armenians Karekin II, together with leaders of the dioceses, monks
of the Mother See, visited the Tsitsernakaberd memorial to pay tribute
to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and RA President Serzh Sargsyan
put a wreath at the memorial complex.

The Mother See press service told Armenpress that the Holy Liturgy was
chanted at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for the repose of souls
of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

The officiating priest at the Holy Liturgy was Monk of the Mother See
Bishop Artak Tigranyan. During the ceremony His Holiness Catholicos of
All Armenians Karekin II addressed his precept to the Armenians living
in all over the world.

After the Liturgy, requiem was served near the Prayer and Oath
Cross-stone, erected next to the Mother See, in memory of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915.

Turkey peace talks fail

The Age, Australia
April 26 2010

Turkey peace talks fail

YEREVAN
April 26, 2010

TENS of thousands of Armenians have marked the 95th anniversary of
mass killings under the Ottoman Empire, amid fresh tensions with
Turkey over the collapse of reconciliation efforts.

Talks that started last year fell apart on Thursday,when Armenia
announced that it was halting ratification of agreements normalising
ties.

This year saw the anniversary marked for the first time in Turkey, as
human rights activists marched in Istanbul. In the Armenian capital
Yerevan on Saturday, people marched to lay flowers at a hilltop
memorial to the massacres, which Armenians insist constituted
genocide. Turkey rejects the genocide claim and the dispute has
poisoned relations between the neighbours for decades.

ace-talks-fail-20100425-tllv.html

http://www.theage.com.au/world/turkey-pe

La Licra soutient le Vigilance Armenienne contre le Negationnisme

La Licra soutient le Collectif Vigilance Arménienne contre le Négationnisme

FRANCE

dimanche25 avril 2010, par Stéphane/armenews

La Licra sera aux côtés du Collectif Van, représentée par Martine
Benayoun, Vice-présidente de la Licra, chargée de la Culture et de la
Prospective.

Le Collectif Van [Vigilance Arménienne contre le Négationnisme] mène
sa 6ème journée annuelle de sensibilisation aux génocides et à leur
négation. Cette exposition en plein air, qui a lieu le Dimanche 25
avril 2010 de 10h00 à 20h00 sur le Parvis de Notre-Dame de Paris,
s’inscrit dans le cadre des commémorations du 95ème anniversaire du
génocide arménien et s’intitule : « 1915/2010 – Le négationnisme dans
tous ses états ».

L’action participative du Collectif Van associe les peuples arménien,
juif, tutsi, darfouri, victimes de génocides passés ou en cours, mais
aussi toutes les minorités opprimées de Turquie. Cette année, la
Licra, la Communauté Chypriote de France et l’Institut Kurde de Paris
rejoignent les associations françaises et internationales qui
participent régulièrement à cette action citoyenne et solidaire*.

L’exposition à ciel ouvert met en scène huit stèles géantes pour huit
visages d’hommes, de femmes et d’enfants qui interpellent le public
sur la réalité des minorités de Turquie : juifs et chrétiens (Grecs,
Arméniens, Assyro-Chaldéen-Syriaques) qui représentaient 25% de la
population de Turquie en 1914, et qui ne sont plus que 0,2%
aujourd’hui, et musulmans non turcs ou non sunnites (près de 43% de la
population) dont les droits sont bafoués au quotidien. Une neuvième
stèle rend hommage au journaliste arménien de Turquie Hrant Dink,
rédacteur en chef de l’hebdomadaire Agos, assassiné le 19 janvier 2007
à Istanbul.

Le public est invité à participer en disposant des visuels.
Disponibles en 13 langues (arménien, hébreu, kynyarwanda, arabe,
allemand, anglais, chinois, espagnol, français, kurde, russe, grec et
turc), des citations témoignent de l’universalité des messages
proposés : « Les génocides, ça me regarde », « Plus jamais ça »,

« Le négationnisme est la phase ultime d’un génocide », « Il n’y a pas
d’avenir pour une humanité qui cautionne le génocide », « La négation
d’un génocide, c’est le double meurtre », « Les négationnistes sont
les assassins de la mémoire », « Le négationnisme, c’est
l’anti-histoire », « Les négationnistes n’expriment pas une opinion :
ils perpétuent le crime », « Watch denial, Stop denial ».

Depuis le 10 octobre 2009 et la signature à Zurich des protocoles
entre l’Arménie et la Turquie, l’Etat turc multiplie ses pressions
pour imposer urbi et orbi la négation du génocide arménien. La Turquie
parle de `réconciliation’, tout en menaçant de représailles la
population arménienne vivant à l’intérieur de ses frontières, en cas
de reconnaissance du génocide arménien par des parlements étrangers.

Mais le voile s’est déchiré en Turquie où des intellectuels `uvrent
avec courage pour la reconnaissance, par l’Etat turc, du génocide
perpétré contre les Arméniens. Tout comme les Justes qui, en 1915, ont
sauvé des familles arméniennes au péril de leur vie, des militants des
droits de l’homme risquent, en 2010, de longues peines
d’emprisonnement pour leurs prises de position : ils méritent le
respect de tous.

Le travail du Collectif VAN a pour ambition de faire d’eux les
nouvelles icônes de la jeunesse turque, en lieu et place des modèles
nationalistes, racistes et antisémites que la République de Turquie
impose, tant à l’intérieur de ses frontières qu’aux populations
turques de l’étranger.

Pour la seconde année consécutive, The Human Rights Association de
Turquie (HRA – en turc Ýnsan Haklarý Derneði – ÝHD), affiliée à la
FIDH, apporte son soutien au Collectif VAN, association de la diaspora
arménienne qui dénonce sans relche le négationnisme d’Etat de la
Turquie : c’est là un précieux gage d’espérance.

Plus que jamais, il importe de sensibiliser la société civile
européenne au négationnisme protéiforme qui envahit l’espace citoyen.
Le combat pour la vérité et la justice se doit de réunir les êtres
humains, au-delà des clivages partisans : il est le seul garant d’un
vivre ensemble pacifié.

*L’action du Collectif VAN bénéficie du soutien de 17 associations des
Droits de l’Homme :

Allemagne : AGA [Working Group Recognition Against genocide for
international understanding – Berlin] – SKD [Association of opponents
to genocides – Soykýrým Karsýtlarý Derneði – Ali Ertem – Francfort sur
le Main].

France : Aircrige [Association internationale de recherche sur les
crimes contre l’humanité et les génocides] – CUD [Collectif Urgence
Darfour] – CPCR [Collectif des Parties Civiles pour le Rwanda] –
Communauté Chypriote de France – CRF [Communauté Rwandaise de France]
– IACS [Institut Assyro-Chaldéen-Syriaque] – Ibuka France – Institut
Kurde de Paris – L’Arche [Le mensuel du judaïsme français] – Licra –
MEMORIAL 98 – SOS Racisme – UEJF [Union des Etudiants Juifs de France]
– Vigilance Soudan.

Turquie : The Human Rights Association – HRA [en turc, Ýnsan Haklarý
Derneði, IHD] affiliée à la FIDH. Les `uvres de Dibasar, Laurent
Nissou, Marc Aram, Marguerite Mateossian et Vatché, artistes-peintres
de l’APAF [Artistes Plasticiens Arméniens de France] sont consacrées
aux victimes arméniennes, juives, tutsi et darfouries et exposées au
recto des stèles.

Une Messe de Commémoration sera célébrée en la Cathédrale Notre-Dame
de Paris le 25 avril 2010 à 16h00.

Social Justice Concert To Raise Funds For Armenian Orphanages On Apr

SOCIAL JUSTICE CONCERT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ARMENIAN ORPHANAGES ON APRIL 24

Asbarez
Apr 22nd, 2010

LOS ANGELES-Asbarez caught up with Viza band member and Oud player
Antranig Kzirian to talk about the second annual Silence the Lies!

Rock the Truth! concert set for April 24. Organized by a coalition of
community organizations and artists, this social justice concert will
be dedicated to raising awareness of the Armenian Genocide through
music and activism. The groundbreaking concert will be held at the
El Rey Theatre in the heart of Los Angeles on Saturday, April 24, 2010.

We present the interview below:

****

Asbarez: Can you tell us about this upcoming concert?

Antranig Kzirian: The event is named "Silence the Lies! Rock the Truth"
and it is the second annual concert put on together by community
organizations like the ANC, AYF, UCLA AGA Sorority and AGBU along
with musicians that are of course artists – but activists as well.

We wanted to help organize this event because we feel that this type
of social justice concert helps to raise even more awareness of human
rights issues that are important to Armenians, and also people from
all backgrounds.

A: Where and When is the show?

A.K.: It’s on Saturday, April 24 at the El Rey in Los Angeles at 8 pm.

The website has lots of good information on
the history of the Armenian Genocide, how individuals can contribute
to the cause in general and other details.

A: What’s your take on how a concert can complement more conventional
means of advocacy and education?

A.K.: For me this is very relevant as I am a human rights activist
and also a passionate musician. The confluence of the two is apparent
in the message of this show and is the objective of the concert –
to bring the two together in a show of unity and understanding on
something that has deeply affected all of us.

Nonetheless, reaching out to the younger generation can be a
challenging endeavor at times – there are so many issues that are
important to us both in our community and just simply as human beings.

Because of that, it is essential that our youth – basically the leaders
of tomorrow – develop an understanding for the weight of issues like
the Armenian Genocide and similar political and human rights issues.

If anything – all of this is unfortunately quite relevant to our
everyday lives because as Armenians our ancestors were either
victims or survivors – and more currently because of genocide that
is happening today in Darfur that is not acted upon by governments
in any meaningful way. That’s why it’s so important to do something
and take part in whatever way each of us can.

A: Can you elaborate on the significance of how organizations are
working hand in hand with your band and the other artists performing?

A.K.: This reminds me of the feature the Los Angeles Times did
last year on the first "Silence the Lies, Rock the Truth!" concert
covering all the tremendous work of our community organizations
and the uniqueness of the concert in helping generate awareness –
especially with youth.

Serving as ANC-WR Executive Director a few years ago, I was able to
work with various other organizations and benevolent projects which
was a very rewarding experience. I also perform on the oud and am
pretty active in music and have been for most of my life. I think
having experienced both the government/advocacy side and supplementing
that with my creative pursuits – I have a little bit of a different
perspective on how to approach this issue.

To me, because politics and education sometimes tend to be grounded
in statements and policies – which of course have their place in how
things work in the real world – we wanted to also offer our action
in a practical way.

The only way to advance any cause is through building will and
support. That is how you become relevant and the key to making a
difference. Impact is a critical concept. For generations our ancestors
remained quiet regarding the genocide – a mix of reluctance, anxiety,
fear and psychological taboo. Over time we have been deconstructing
that taboo one piece at a time and we are become empowered – I believe
that our youth must take ownership of important human rights issues
like the Armenian Genocide. Our people lived through it – it is our
responsibility to educate the world and stand up for what’s right.

A: I understand the concert is helping two orphanages – could you
talk about these projects?

A.K.: The ARS has a very important initiative called "The
Armenia-Artsakh Orphan Project" – also "The Bird’s Nest Orphanage"
which is in Lebanon – both are receiving financial assistance from the
proceeds of the show. These orphanages provide vital assistance and
services to Armenian orphans that have nowhere to go and are living
in pretty difficult times in their lives. Interestingly enough the
second orphanage was founded by the great grandmother of one of our
ANC-WR interns from a couple of years ago – Shant Karnikian. That
shows the interconnectivity of the Armenian community. We really look
forward to raising much needed funds for these important projects. It
is a tradition that should be maintained by all artists in the future.

A: How much are tickets and where can our readers buy them?

A.K.: Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from the Silence the
Lies website.

www.silencethelies.com

Forgiveness Without Repentance Is Impossible

FORGIVENESS WITHOUT REPENTANCE IS IMPOSSIBLE

Lragir.am
12:25:29 – 24/04/2010

Today the world mourns with the Armenians of the people who are
victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. In the evening of 23 April,
despite the rain, a torchlight procession from the Matenadaran
to Tsitsernakaberd took place. Events in memory of the Armenian
genocide took place in many cities around the world – together with
the Armenians participated in them representatives of other nations.

The theme of the Armenian genocide today is touched upon by the
world media. In social networks Armenians from around the world post
pictures and information about their relatives who have been victims
of Turkish politics, and it becomes a living proof of guilt.

Today, silent stream of walking people moves to Tsitsernakaberd. This
year’s event is taking place in special circumstances – through
95 years after the genocide and forced deportation of the Armenian
population of Ottoman Turkey reconciliation is being negotiated between
Armenia and Turkey. Armenians cannot forgive the crimes committed
because the offender has not admitted its guilt and repented. And
forgiveness without repentance is impossible.

The topic of the recognition of genocide over the last year has
been one of the key ones at the highest geopolitical level. From a
purely moral and legal issue, it turned into a political instrument
of pressure. It is actual in the Armenian domestic political field –
the opposition in the face of the HAK accuses the current government
in signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols which dispute the fact
of the Armenian genocide. On this basis, a year ago, relations between
Armenia and the Diaspora strained.

But people, who today, despite the rain, come to Tsitsernakaberd,
do not keep in mind political calculations.

Eduard Sharmazanov: Armenia Didn’t Withdraw Signature From Protocols

EDUARD SHARMAZANOV: ARMENIA DIDN’T WITHDRAW SIGNATURE FROM PROTOCOLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 23, 2010 – 16:33 AMT 11:33 GMT

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement on suspension of the
process of ratification of Protocols on normalization of relations
with Turkey was a signal for both international community and Ankara,
said Eduard Sharmazanov, secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia.

"President Sargsyan confirmed Armenia’s commitment to normalize
relations without preconditions, announcing not termination but
suspension of the ratification process. Armenia didn’t withdraw its
signature from Protocols," he told journalists on April 23.

As to Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, he said that the
NKR status remains the core issue in talks. "Armenia will not make
unilateral concessions. Artsakh can’t be a part of Azerbaijan," Mr.
Sharmazanov said.

AGMA Opens ANI Research Library

PRESS RELEASE
AGMM
April 22, 2010
Contact: Press office
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 383-9009

AGMA Opens ANI Research Library
Henry Morgenthau III Presides at Dedication

Washington, DC – To coincide with the 95th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, the Armenian National Institute (ANI) opened its research
library in the presence of friends and supporters today. Part of the
Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA), the ANI Research Library
is one of the critical pieces of the museum project.

"The ANI Library is the first component of the museum project to be
open, initially for scholarly use," announced Van Z. Krikorian, museum
trustee and chairman of the museum’s building and operations
committee. Krikorian went on to explain: "Creating the library
constitutes part of our overall development plan. Next steps include
opening the museum in the historic bank building, converting the
adjacent lots into a memorial garden and renovating the end piece
office building of the museum properties at 1334 G Street which will
be available for future expansion."

Henry Morgenthau III did the honor of formally opening the ANI
Library. "My grandfather, our entire family, has always emphasized the
importance of public service," Morgenthau said in his remarks. "I am
so very pleased that Ambassador Morgenthau’s legacy will continue to
be preserved and appreciated in your institute and your museum located
in Washington. President Woodrow Wilson asked my grandfather to serve
at an important diplomatic post. I remain proud of his decision to
speak forcefully about the cruel fate of the Armenian people in the
Ottoman Empire as they suffered the first genocide of the 20th
century. He set out for Constantinople to be an envoy and returned a
champion of human dignity and governmental responsibility. I hope he
will continue to serve as a model for future generations in government
service."

ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian noted: "With its multiple collections,
the ANI Library was especially enriched by the generous gift of
Ambassador Morgenthau’s personal collection of books by his
grandson. We are particularly honored by Mr. Morgenthau’s support and
his commitment to sharing the humanitarian legacy of his
grandfather. Ambassador Morgenthau rendered his country exceptional
diplomatic service, and personally advocated for the respect of human
rights and the rule of law. That made all the difference in mobilizing
U.S. relief efforts and in saving Armenian lives."

"We take this occasion to thank Hirair Hovnanian for founding the
Armenian National Institute and Aram Kaloosdian for guiding it as we
proceed with the plans toward Anoush Mathevosian’s vision of a museum
in Washington to honor the memory of the victims and the survivors of
the Armenian Genocide," added Adalian. "Ms. Mathevosian was recently
honored for her outstanding philanthropic activities by the
Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan with their "Lifetime
Humanitarian Benefactor Award," by the Republic of Armenia’s Ministry
of Science and Education "Golden Medal" presented to her in person by
Armenia’s ambassador to the United Nations Mr. Garen Nazarian, and
bestowed "St Gregory the Illuminator" award, the highest honor awarded
by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzinpresented to her by Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America.Without Hirair and Anoush we would not be here
today."

Armenia’s ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Tatoul
Markarian, accompanied Morgenthau at the ribbon cutting ceremony. He
was joined by Varduhi Asaturian, Minister Counselor of the Armenian
Embassy, Robert Avetisyan, Permanent Representative of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, his deputy Aram Avetisyan, as well as Bryan
Ardouny, Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America, and
other guests.

Joining the library dedication was also Mr. Marc Mamigonian, Director
of Academic Affairs of the National Association for Armenian Studies
and Research (NAASR). Located in Belmont, Massachusetts, NAASR is the
oldest U.S.-based organization supporting academic research on
Armenian subjects. NAASR recently co-sponsored, along with the Clark
University Kaloosdian-Mugar Chair in Armenian Genocide Studies and the
University of Minnesota Ohanessian Chair, the April 9-10 workshop on
"The State of the Art of Armenian Genocide Research: Historiography,
Sources, and Future Directions," convened at Clark University by
Dr. Taner Akcam and Dr. Stephen Weitz. NAASR also supported the March
13 conference convened at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) by Dr. Bedross Der Matossian and Dr. Christopher Capozzola. ANI
Director Rouben Adalian was invited to address both conferences.

"The ANI Research Library is continuously expanding with special and
general purpose collections on the Armenian Genocide and the broader
problem of genocide. We expect to rapidly grow the scope of its
holdings from our initial collection of 8,000 volumes and soon expand
across the three floors of the AGMA office building dedicated to
housing our museum planning facilities." continued Krikorian. Besides
relevant items donated from private collections, the Library includes
publications received from a number of centers from around the world
specializing in the study of genocide, including the Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute in Yerevan. Krikorian went on to say: "We understand
that the Armenian community wants the museum to open as soon as
possible and we expect to overcome the challenges facing the project,
but we are happy that the development of the project continues to be
implemented a step at a time."

The Armenian Genocide Museum of America is an outgrowth of the
Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Institute
(ANI), catalyzed by the initial pledge of Anoush Mathevosian toward
building such a museum in Washington, DC.

###

NR#2010-02

Owner Of Orlando Bakery Honored By Armenian Church Of America

OWNER OF ORLANDO BAKERY HONORED BY ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA

Orlando Sentinel
April 22 2010

Hratch "Harry" Toufayan, the New Jersey-based owner of Toufayan
Bakeries, which has two of its three locations in Central Florida,
is being honored as Church Member of the Year by the Eastern Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America.

Toufayan and his wife, Suzanne, have donated time and money to the
Armenian Church’s efforts both in the U.S. and Armenia. The Hratch
and Suzanne Toufayan Youth Center opened in 2007 in the Armenian city
of Etchmiadzin.

Toufayan Bakeries employs about 500 people combined at its Orlando
and Plant City locations. A third location in New Jersey employs
about 250 people.

US Still Hopeful On Turkey-Armenia Deal

US STILL HOPEFUL ON TURKEY-ARMENIA DEAL

Tert.am
23.04.10

US Assistant Secretary Philip J. Crowley said in a briefing that
the US is still hopeful that Armenia-Turkey normalization is not
eventually stalled. Below is the briefing.

MR. CROWLEY: And back to Tallinn, I just want to point out something
that Assistant Secretary Phil Gordon said a little bit earlier today
regarding Armenia, just to point out for your edification. We note
President Sargsian’s announcement that Armenia will suspend the
discussion of the protocols in its national assembly. President
Sargsian’s announcement makes clear that Armenia has not ended the
process but has suspended it until the Turkish side is ready to move
forward. We applaud President Sargsian’s decision to continue to
work towards a vision of peace, stability, and reconciliation. We
believe that the normalization process carries important benefits
for Turkey and Armenia as well as the wider Caucasus region. We will
continue to urge both sides to keep the door open to pursuing efforts
at reconciliation and normalization.

QUESTION: It’s about Armenia, recent announcement of Armenia. What do
you think about timing of it? Because President Obama will be giving
his remarks about 1915 events in two days? And I have one more question
about this. Armenian President Sargsian met with President Medvedev
just two days ago and this announcement came after that. How do you
see Russia’s role in this normalization process?

MR. CROWLEY: Let’s separate all of that. I mean, we share within the
Minsk process concerns on the – on regional stability, so I don’t –
I wouldn’t rule any outside influences into this. I don’t think we’re
surprised by the announcement by President Sargsian. We had intensive
meetings with the Armenians and the Turks here in Washington. We’ve
had ongoing contacts with Azerbaijan as well. And we understand
that there’s – we had – that both sides had reached a – I won’t say
impasse, but kind of reached a hurdle in the process regarding the
ratification of the protocols. I think we’re encouraged that neither
side has walked away from the process, but I think we all recognize
that we’ll just need some time to perhaps create some new momentum
that allows the process to move forward. So I think this is something
that the Armenians had hinted to us that they were prepared to do,
and so we’re not surprised by the announcement.

QUESTION: Is there a concern that the process collapse? I mean,
that it —

MR. CROWLEY: Well, I think that we are actually encouraged that,
both in the case of Armenia and Turkey, both sides have taken pains
to make sure the process doesn’t collapse. That gives us some reason
for optimism that over the long term we can find ways to come back
to it and try to push forward the protocols again.

That was our message to both Turkey and Armenia during the sidelines
of the Nuclear Security Summit: Keep the process going; if you don’t
think that this is the right time, that’s fine, we’ll step back
and reevaluate how to move forward. So that’s why Phil Gordon made
the comments in Tallinn today that these are encouraging steps in
the sense that both sides remain committed to seeking normalization
because it is in – they recognize, I think, that it is in, ultimately,
their collective interest to do this. We just have to continue to
find a way to move forward.