Turkey’s policy of “zero problems with neighbors” –no more than a wish

March 5, 2010 - 19:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Strangely enough, Turkey did its best to draw the world’s attention to the passage of Armenian Genocide resolution at US House Foreign Affairs Committee. Withdrawal of Turkish Ambassador from US was an obvious example of it, Armenian Democratic Party chairman Aram Sargsyan said.

As he told a news conference in Yerevan, Turkey’s words do not match its actions. “In this context, a policy of “zero problems with neighbors” Turkey spoke about earlier is no more than a wish,” he noted, adding: “Turkey’s unwillingness to recognize the Genocide, makes the idea of “zero problems with neighbors” unfeasible.”

Commenting on current Armenia-Turkey rapprochement process, Armenian Democratic Party chairman stated that only political situation can induce Turkey to sign Protocols, under the influence of US.

Sargsyan expressed doubts over the possibility of resolution passage at US Congress. “US is using the issue as a leverage of pressure on Turkey,” he noted.

Dwelling on the possibility of hostilities resumption in Karabakh, he said that Azerbaijan will venture the step only in case it’s assured of US and Turkey’s assistance.

Aram Sargyan characterized early elections in Armenia as unjustified, with ANC not enjoying population’s support. “Armenian people need a new opposition, with new ideas. And we are working towards forming such opposition,” he stated.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.

The Armenian-Turkish Protocols

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation.

On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

Commenting on the CC ruling, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “it contains preconditions and restrictive provisions which impair the letter and spirit of the Protocols.” ”The decision undermines the very reason for negotiating these Protocols as well as their fundamental objective. This approach cannot be accepted on our part. Turkey, in line with its accustomed allegiance to its international commitments, maintains its adherence to the primary provisions of these Protocols. We expect the same allegiance from the Armenian government,” the Ministry said.