US Resolution 252 and Protocols Process are Separate Matters: Philip Gordon

The Obama administration is against all initiatives which will harm the process of normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations and calls on the parties to ratify the Armenian-Turkish Protocols as soon as possible, said US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon ahead of a speech at Brookings Institution.

The US Assistant State Secretary, critizing reports that Obama administration only attempted to intervene at the last minute and overthrow the passing of House Resolution 252 on recognizing the Armenian Genocide, said:

“Since April, we have been supporting the process begun between Armenia and Turkey with all our strength. For about a year, we’ve been saying that we’re against any intervention that will harm the process. To tell you the truth, H.Res.252 and the Protocols process are separate matters. We’re calling on both sides to to ratify the Protocols immediately. It stems from their interests and will support the establishment of peace in the region.”

Asked whether H.Res.252 will go to a full house vote in Congress, Gordon said that "Congress is an independent body, and they are going to do what they decide to do."

Gordon, noting that there is a strong strategic cooperation between the United States and Turkey, said that recalling Turkish Ambassador to the US Namik Tan back to Ankara could harm that cooperation.

“We would like Turkey’s ambassador in Washington to come back,” he said.