U.S. tries to add wings to Armenia-Turkey reconciliation

“Turkey is in everyway trying to fasten down the process [of ratification] using Armenian Constitutional Court’s decision on protocols as a reason to blame Armenian side. The U.S. wishes for speeding-up the process of reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey as they are interested in this,” told Aysor’s correspondent Artak Shakarian, a turkologist.

He pointed that the U.S. government is trying to prevent Turkey’s policy in the process. But Turkey seeks after fastening down the process, it will make statements and act to slow down the progress showing Azerbaijan that it doesn’t want to normalise relations with Armenia until the Karabakh conflict’s settlement.

“Anyway, the U.S. government, and in particularly, President Barack Obama, will wish for progress by Turkey till April 24, as this is a day when President Obama is expected to say something. Turkey must act, so that Obama’s speech could be filled up,” said Artak Shakarian.

“Turkey at least must move to consultations on protocols at the parliamentary commission for foreign affairs. I do not exclude that the commission will approve the documents with some conditions relating to the issue of Karabakh.”

Turkey’s Parliament won’t ratify protocols, according to the expert, who pointed that the protocols will be approved only at pre-parliamentary level to bring to the world and Armenia that there are some positive steps in the progress.

If Turkey ratifies protocols, it will do it only under the pressure of U.S., Russia, and EU, believes Shakarian. “Turkey is not interested in the end of the process this year. It wishes for fastening down the process as long as it is possible, blaming Armenia. So, Armenian government must take steps to put a crimp in Turkey’s plans.”

Armenia’s Parliament shouldn’t ratify protocols ahead of Turkey, according to Artak Shakarian who pointed that Armenia should be waiting for Turkey’s decision.

It’s worth mentioning, that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is reported to have had a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to exchange views on a range of items including the process of ratification for Armenia-Turkey protocols. He said, Armenian Court’s decision is completely in conflict with signed documents and asked Mrs. Clinton to cast light on this issue.

Meanwhile, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon said in an interview with Radio Liberty that the United States welcome the Court’s decision.

“We view the Court’s decision as a positive step forward in the ratification process of the protocols aimed at reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia.

“The court decision permits the protocols, as they were negotiated and signed, to move towards parliamentary ratification. Court’s decision does not appear to limit or qualify protocols in any way,” said Philip Gordon.