David Phillips: Turkey should not have signed the protocols based on wishful thinkingMay 11, 2010 - 21:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey acted with political naivety during the Turkish-Armenian reconciliation process since its actions were based on wishful thinking, an American expert on conflict prevention and peace building said over the weekend. "Turkey acted on two assumptions. First, Turkey thought the reconciliation process would galvanize the Minsk Group to find a solution to Nagorno-Karabakh," said David Phillips, director of the program on Conflict Prevention and Peace-building at American University. Turkey also acted on the assumption that efforts to gain international recognition of Armenian Genocide will end, said Phillips, adding that both assumptions of Turkey were wishful thinking. "There was no linkage between the protocols and the Nagorno-Karabakh problem," said the former adviser to the U.S. State Department, adding that Turkey should not have signed the protocols based on wishful thinking. Turkey was not serious about ratifying the protocols and therefore made no significant effort to see them ratified, Phillips told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review. Armenia could not wait forever and hence suspended the ratification process, according to Phillips, who is pessimistic about the near future. "I don't see what Turkey gains if it ratifies the protocols. They will loose support if they do it before the elections," said Phillips. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. Armenian army holding strategic command, staff drills Live firing will be carried out using automatic control systems and modern equipment. |