Obama Praises Turkey, Sees Armenia Progress.

[elleng]

ANKARA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama pledged on Monday to help Turkey resolve its differences with Armenia as the United States sought to strengthen ties with a crucial NATO ally in its war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama, on his first trip to a predominantly Muslim country as president, said the United States was willing to provide further support against Kurdish separatist rebels based in northern Iraq from where they attack Turkish territory.

Obama's visit is a nod to Turkey's regional reach, economic power, diplomatic contacts and status as a secular democracy seeking European Union membership that has accommodated political Islam. It is the last leg of his debut trip on the world stage as president.

"I am trying to make a statement about the importance of Turkey not just to the United States but to the world," Obama told a news conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.'


http://nytimes.com/reuters/2009/04/06/washington/politics-us-obama-turkey.html

[pberq]

1. What a refreshing change from the last eight years! nt

[bdamomma]

2. as an Armenian I hope this situation gets resolved, we have been

waiting for a very long time.