Hillary Clinton’s meeting with Armenian organizations in U.S. postponed

February 9, 2010 - 15:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
Meeting of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with representatives of Armenian organizations in the United States, scheduled for February 9, was postponed for an indefinite time.

“The meeting on Armenian-Turkish Protocols was delayed due to adverse weather conditions in Washington,” Armenian Weekly quoted a source in the White House as saying.

The proposal to hold consultations with Armenian NGOs of U.S. was initiated by the Secretary Clinton. Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly), the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Eastern and Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the United States, The Knights of Vartan and the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) were invited to take part in the meeting.

The Armenian-Turkish Protocols

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation.

On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

Commenting on the CC ruling, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “it contains preconditions and restrictive provisions which impair the letter and spirit of the Protocols.” ”The decision undermines the very reason for negotiating these Protocols as well as their fundamental objective. This approach cannot be accepted on our part. Turkey, in line with its accustomed allegiance to its international commitments, maintains its adherence to the primary provisions of these Protocols. We expect the same allegiance from the Armenian government,” the Ministry said.