March 16, 2009 - 14:09 AMT
Kiro Manoyan: Obama can recognize Armenian Genocide
U.S. President Barack Obama's impending visit to Turkey may be given various explanations, ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau's Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Director Kiro Manoyan said.

"First, Obama may have decided not to use the term Genocide in his April 24 statement and goes to set the Turkish leaders' mind at rest. Second, he will recognize the Genocide and goes "to cajole" Turks. Third, Obama will advise Turkey to normalize relations with Armenia especially in the light of Foreign Minister Ali Babacan's visit to Yerevan on April 16," Mr. Manoyan told a news conference today.

He also reminded that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the Armenian Genocide issue during her recent visit to Turkey.

Mr. Manoyan said that with recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Washington will urge Turkey to normalize relations with Armenia.

"As to Turkey, its policy of blackmail is an ordinary phenomenon," he said.