ARMENIA-TURKEY RECONCILIATION TO ADVANCE WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS: U.S. AMBASSADOR

news.am
May 4 2010
Armenia

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch considers that RA
President’s decision to suspend ratification of the Protocols gave
to understand that Yerevan does end the reconciliation process,
but waits for the time when Ankara will be readier for it.

In an interview with RFE/RL, Yovanovitch welcomed Sargsyan’s decision
to maintain the process alive. "We reckon that thereby the parties
get an opportunity to work for the peace, stability and rapprochement.

U.S. keeps on supporting normalization of relations between the states
and urges them to do their utmost to keep the settlement door open,"
she said.

Armenian side explains the suspension by Ankara’s violation of
reasonable terms and keeps on speaking with Armenia the language of
preconditions. Asked whether Washington believes that Turkish side
is to blame for the breakdown or at least suspension, Yovanovitch
replied, "I am not sure that seeking those guilty is constructive. I
can just say that U.S.’s stance was always clear, and I restate it –
Armenia-Turkey reconciliation should advance within reasonable terms
and without preconditions."

U.S. Ambassador made a point of the mutual interest between the
Turkish and Armenian nations and societies within recent three years,
in particular the last year.

"Personally I have seen here, in Armenia many groups of Turkish
students and travel agents interested in setting up business in
Armenia. I hail this positive just as the fact that for the first time
April 24 was commemorated in Turkey this year," Yovanovitch declared.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress