YEREVAN—On Tues,. March 23, the Armenian Foreign Ministry countered earlier statements by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the process to create a “historical commission”—as envisioned by the Armenia-Turkey protocols—had already begun.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan said that the creation of a historical commission cannot happen without first the ratification of the protocols by the parliaments of Turkey and Armenia.
During an interview in Moscow and in response to a question on whether President Barack Obama had abandoned his campaign promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide, Clinton said, “I don’t think anyone has forgotten, but what has happened that is of great import is the work going on between Turkey and Armenia. In fact, I was in Zurich last fall with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Armenia, Russia, France, other countries, to witness the signing of a set of protocols to normalize relationships between Armenia and Turkey. And in those protocols, there was an agreement between the two countries to establish a historical commission that would look at all of the issues that are part of the past.”
“And I think that’s the right way to go, I think, to have the two countries and the two peoples focusing on this themselves. I have said many times we cannot change the past we inherit. All we can do is try to have a better future,” she added.
When asked whether the commission exists, Clinton said, “They’re working to create it,” and reaffirmed the creation upon further inquiry.
“Not until the protocols are ratified will steps envisioning the normalization of relations and the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border be taken,” Balayan told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Armenia service.
He added that the Armenian Genocide issue was not a matter up for discussion.
“As has been said on numerous occasions by the country’s president and foreign minister, the veracity of the genocide is not a topic of discussion. Armenia hasn’t discussed, nor will discuss, the veracity of the genocide,” he added.
I recall some commentators’ arguments in various discussion forums on top of Serge Sarkissian’s failed assurances in favor of these defeatist protocols stating, in particular, that the historical commission by no means relates to the Genocide and puts the fact of the Genocide in question. Well, here you go, morons. Look how the issue is being manipulated by America’s top foreign policy executive and how Armenia’s signature in the protocols is being used to foreign power centers’ advantage who by Armenia’s hands attempt to press on Turkey to open the borders for furthering their economic and geostrategic interests. What an unforgiving mistake Serge has made by succumbing to the pressure of soulless, indifferent Western players. A leader, however unelected and unwanted he is, must have guts to oppose the pressure. If he can’t, then at least have the courage to walk away with dignity. What amount of harm Serge has done to the nation of Armenia! Ihope the capitulating protocols are dead. I really do…
Our esteemed Sec. of State said, “I have said many times we cannot change the past we inherit. All we can do is try to have a better future.” I would love to hear her same the same about the six million Jews who were murdered. The American government has been and will continue to be in Turkey’s pocket as long as trade (dollars) and air bases remain at their disposal. Disgraceful. Obama, and Bush, Clinton and others before them, should be ashamed. And America wonders why the majority of the world thinks poorly of her.
Hye, Hilary,
Borders are scratched across the hearts of men
By strangers with a calm judicial pen
And when the borders bleed we watch with dread
As the lines of ink along the map turn red
As the lines of the ink along the map turn red.
Marya Mannes
Hye Hillary, quoting you:
‘I have said many times we cannot change the past we inherit. All we can do is try to have a better future’…
A better future for our world will be the elimination of the Genocides of innocents! The Turkish admission of their guilt for the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian nation, the slaughters, rapes, kidnapping, women/children forced into churches to be set afire, and bandidos where the victims feet were beaten bloody and burst – until death… and more – shall bring the cycle of Genocides to closure…
‘All we can do is try to have a better future’ you’ve said. Until the guilty murderers of the innocents is ended the future holds ‘future’ Genocides… as in Darfur, even now, 2010! Sadly, the Sudanese are attempting to deny their guilt for the Darfur Genocide – and why not? They are in the same ‘denials’ which subsequent Turkish governments have pursued, bullying, using endless ‘ploys’ to deter, distract and whatever to avoid facing the truths which the world recognizes. Additionally, 43 of the 50 states of the USA all agree that the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian peoples is an historic truth. For only when the cycle of Genocides has ended – only then, shall despots recognize they are not to be ‘allowed’ to commit murders and more…
as you, Hillary, have said, ‘to have a better future’…
– shall be when the cycle of Genocides of innocents ends… Whenever, wherever – whether committed by a foe or an ‘ally’ – the next Genocide ? Manooshag