Ara Papian: the new wine and the old wineskins

PanARMENIAN.Net - After Sargsyan's and Erdogan’s visits to Washington (April 12-13, 2010) it is conclusively clear that the Turkish-Armenian protocols are dead, according to Ara Papian, Head of the Modus Vivendi Center.

"We – Armenians - have a lovely saying: Dead but not buried. This is the situation that we have with the infamous protocols currently. Nevertheless, if anyone will say that the protocols were abortive since the beginning of so called “normalization process, I will not argue," he told PanARMENIAN.Net

“So what to do? I think that we need not only drastic modification of our foreign policy but there is a vital necessity for the revaluation of the basics – instead of action oriented policy we have to pursue result oriented policy. What does this mean in the real politics? This means creation of sufficient parameters for the security and prosperity of the Republic of Armenia. All in all - rectification all wrongs done to Armenia and Armenians. Simply there is no other choice. This is the only way that we’ll gain a chance to survive in the hastily changing world. We do not have the luxury of half-measures," Mr. Papian said. "The first step towards the right direction is taken. There is a huge symbolism in President Sargsyan’s visit to US President Woodrow Wilson’s tomb. At this time there are number of uncertainties but one thing is crystal clear – it is impossible to have the same oblivion situation in Turkish-Armenian relations as were before the protocols. By now we have significantly new situation and new challenges, so we have to act accordingly. We need new foreign policy. As it said: And no one pours new wine into old wineskins.([Mark, 2:22). The resolution of the Armenian Question is a singular opportunity for the consolidation of Armenian statehood and the only path to the endurance of the Armenian people."