WikiLeaks: U.S. doesn't support Turkey's policy of preconditions towards Armenia

August 25, 2011 - 18:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - WikiLeaks has published a classified cable sent in 2010 by then-ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey.

The cable says that “the signing of the Protocols to reestablish Turkish-Armenian relations and open the common border in Zurich on October 10 was a landmark for the region.”

However, the cable says “neither Turkey nor Armenia have taken steps toward ratification.” “The government of Turkey argues that progress toward withdrawal of Armenian forces from the provinces surrounding Nagorno Karabakh is a pre-condition,” it says.

“This was not/not part of the agreement, and not a position the U.S. supports,” Jeffrey notes.

He notes that future relations will nevertheless still be heavily linked to the 1915 Armenian Genocide issue.

“Any U.S. determination of the events of 1915 as "genocide" would set off a political firestorm in Turkey, and the effect on our bilateral relationship - including political, military, and commercial aspects - would be devastating,” the cable says.

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WikiLeaks: U.S. doesn't support Turkey's policy of preconditions towards Armenia

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.