Hillary Rodham Clinton abruptly pulls back from Turkish-Armenian signing for last-minute work

Clinton pulls back from Turkish-Armenian signing

ZURICH — 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 statement 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.