Armenian authorities moved the date of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) meeting from the previously announced April 29 to April 16. The shift is significant because April 29 is only a few days after April 24, which Armenians claim marks the beginning of a genocide campaign against Anatolian Armenians in the early 20th century. April 24 is also the day when US presidents release a traditional message to commemorate the Armenian killings.
Armenian-American groups expect President Barack Obama to break with presidential tradition and use the word "genocide" in his message this year, given the strong promises he made to Armenian-American voters during his election campaign that he would endorse the genocide claims.
Turkey is concerned that any US move to acknowledge the genocide claims would deal a heavy blow not only to Turkish-US ties but also to ongoing efforts to normalize relations with neighboring Armenia, with which Turkey has had no formal ties since 1993. Ankara wants a change in Yerevan's policy toward the genocide recognition campaign under way around the world before normalizing its ties with Armenia. Other conditions posed by Turkey are peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and formal Armenian recognition of its current borders with Turkey. Foreign Minister Babacan said in an interview with Today's Zaman this week that Turkey and Armenia were closer than ever to resolution of their dispute. Turkish and Armenian diplomats have been holding closed-door meetings on restoration of ties since a landmark visit by President Abdullah G
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