U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) is welcomed by Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey before the signing ceremony of Turkey and Armenia peace deal in Zurich October 10, 2009. Turkey and Armenia plan to sign a deal to end a century of hostility stemming from the World War One mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman forces although it could fall prey to nationalists further down the line.
Well the update is that after Hillary and Swiss officials intervened and negotiated with the parties, the accord has been signed. I just saw her on CNN standing behind the Foreign Ministers who were signing the accord.
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The latest is that she is headed back. Clinton heads back to Turkey-Armenia dvenue
I remember this coming up at the background briefing, the speculation that something would go wrong with this process. The animosities are very old and ingrained. This accord is huge, IF it happens
Clinton Pulls Back From Accord
Clinton Pulls Back From Accord
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By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 10, 2009
Filed at 12:12 p.m. ET
ZURICH (AP) -- The signing of an accord to restore diplomatic ties between Turkey and Armenia was delayed at the last minute Saturday due to concerns over the wording of the final statements the parties will make.
U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton abruptly returned to her hotel just before she was to attend the signing ceremony.
''We're facilitating the two sides on coming to an agreement on the statements they are going to make at the ceremony,'' said State Department spokesman Ian Kelley.
Diplomats said the Armenians were concerned about wording in the Turkish statement that was to be made after the signing ceremony.
An aide to Clinton was meeting with the Armenians and was talking by telephone with the Turks to work out the problem, said the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
A Zurich police car rushed up to Clinton's hotel and two Turkish officials went in to present a new statement with revised wording, according to a U.S. official.
Philip Gordon, assistant secretary of state, then met with the Turks, Armenians and Swiss mediator Michael Ambuehl to seek a solution, U.S. officials said.
The Turks and Armenians are to sign an accord establishing diplomatic ties in hopes of reopening their border and ending a century of acrimony over their bloody past.
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