Advancement of H. Res. 252 is US congress will induce Ankara to make a step towards Protocols ratification

March 5, 2010 - 17:26 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Advancement of H. Res. 252 in US congress will possibly induce Ankara to make a step towards Protocols ratification, according to Turkologist Artak Shakaryan.

“In case resolution is put up for discussion at US Congress, Turkey can either ratify Protocols or adopt them at parliamentary committee level,” he told a news conference in Yerevan, noting that Turkey would find it easier to open the border with Armenia (which could be closed any moment), than to initiate diplomatic relations with Yerevan.

If resolution remains adopted at US House Foreign Affairs Committee level only, no progress in Protocols ratification is to be expected, the Turkologist stated. He emphasized the importance of RA Foreign Ministry –US Armenian Lobby collaboration to achieve advancement of H. Res. 252 in US Congress.

In his opinion, the possibility of resolution passage in 2010 is higher than it was in 2007, taking into consideration November 2010 Congress elections, where Congressmen will need the support of US Armenian community. Dwelling on Ankara’s policy in Genocide recognition issue, Artak Shakaryan disagreed with the necessity of inducing Turkey to recognize the Genocide. “Armenia must become a state Turkey would be interested to reconcile with,” he stressed.

The Armenian Genocide resolution

The resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich (R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill). On March 4, 2010 it was adopted with a 22-21 vote by the House Committee on Foreign Relations. A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate.

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.