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"WHO SAID WE DON'T RECOGNISE THE BORDERS WITH TURKEY?"
A1+
[08:07 pm] 25 April, 2006
The RA Foreign Deputy Minister Arman Kirakosyan gave an interview to
the Turkish newspaper "Zaman" which was also introduced in the site
"mediadialogue.org".
"You demand Turkey to open the borders with Armenia.
Does it mean that you recognize the Kars treaty made in 1921 and
the borders?"
"And who said we don't recognize the Kars treaty?"
"There are many expressions about the Turkish Eastern regions in you
official documents."
"Being an official representative of Armenia I want to announce;
Armenia wanted to establish diplomatic ties and relations with Turkey
without any preconditions after the proclamation of independence
in 1991. So far the RA hasn't made any announcements on Kars treaty
recognition whereas Turkey suggested a number of preconditions included
the Nagorno - Karabakh and the Armenian Genocide. "
"Can we say that Armenia has no demands in connection with the Eastern
regions of Turkey which is stated in the official documents?"
"My answer will not have a value unless the diplomatic relations are
established between the two countries.
We can display our respect towards the country's regional wholeness
in bilateral contracts."
"Your country is in an awful economic state because of the genocide
accusations and the border blockade. Many Armenians live and work
abroad. How long can you run such a policy?"
"Armenia is not in an awful economic state. Our economy got adjusted
to such conditions within 15 years. We strive to develop and
enhance the economy, and the opening of the borders will be useful
on this score. We are ready to establish diplomatic relations with
Turkey. Provided Turkey agrees, we are ready to discuss the current
issues."
"The Azeri President Ilhalm Aliev will visit Washington at the tense
moment of the Iranian crisis.
Aren't you concerned with that visit?"
"Not at all. We are in good relations with the USA.
The USA will give Armenia 235 million USD grant within the framework
of the program "Millennium Challenge," and President Bush supports the
program. The money will contribute to the development of the country.
Azerbaijan wasn't given such assistance as they didn't conform to
the election standards. The RA President will likely visit the USA
after Azeri President's visit."
"Armenia and Diaspora take many measures in connection with the events
of 1915. There are 450 websites on this score. The events took place 90
years ago whereas nowadays 800 thousand Azeri refugees try to survive
in terrible conditions. Have you ever thought of their feelings?"
"We do not agree with the number 800 thousand. But it doesn't
matter. There are 300 thousand refugees from Karabakh and Armenia
in our country. The negotiations with Azerbaijan still continue on
that theme."
"Turkey offers to leave the 1915 year events for the historians'
discussion and to accept their conclusions. Don't you accept such
position as usual?"
"Yes, the Prime Minister Erdoghan made such an announcement. President
Kocharyan, in his turn, suggested forming an intergovernmental
committee in order to discuss various matters connected with treaties,
contracts, borders, economy and policy. 2 and a half million Armenians
lived in the Ottoman Empire before the World War I. Today about 80
thousand Armenians live in Stambul. Where are the rest? Why did they
abandon the land of their ancestors? Turkey is a large country. Its
population is over 75 million, a great territory. Armenia is a small
country. Our population is 3 million. Must the bigger country be
afraid of a smaller one or the vice versa?"
"Turks are not responsible for the past events. The authorities of
those years are to be blamed. Armenia tries to establish friendly
relations with all countries without any preconditions. The political
figures will decide the fortune of the two countries.
If Turkey established diplomatic relations with Armenia in 1991 the
level of debates would be different today. "
A1+
[08:07 pm] 25 April, 2006
The RA Foreign Deputy Minister Arman Kirakosyan gave an interview to
the Turkish newspaper "Zaman" which was also introduced in the site
"mediadialogue.org".
"You demand Turkey to open the borders with Armenia.
Does it mean that you recognize the Kars treaty made in 1921 and
the borders?"
"And who said we don't recognize the Kars treaty?"
"There are many expressions about the Turkish Eastern regions in you
official documents."
"Being an official representative of Armenia I want to announce;
Armenia wanted to establish diplomatic ties and relations with Turkey
without any preconditions after the proclamation of independence
in 1991. So far the RA hasn't made any announcements on Kars treaty
recognition whereas Turkey suggested a number of preconditions included
the Nagorno - Karabakh and the Armenian Genocide. "
"Can we say that Armenia has no demands in connection with the Eastern
regions of Turkey which is stated in the official documents?"
"My answer will not have a value unless the diplomatic relations are
established between the two countries.
We can display our respect towards the country's regional wholeness
in bilateral contracts."
"Your country is in an awful economic state because of the genocide
accusations and the border blockade. Many Armenians live and work
abroad. How long can you run such a policy?"
"Armenia is not in an awful economic state. Our economy got adjusted
to such conditions within 15 years. We strive to develop and
enhance the economy, and the opening of the borders will be useful
on this score. We are ready to establish diplomatic relations with
Turkey. Provided Turkey agrees, we are ready to discuss the current
issues."
"The Azeri President Ilhalm Aliev will visit Washington at the tense
moment of the Iranian crisis.
Aren't you concerned with that visit?"
"Not at all. We are in good relations with the USA.
The USA will give Armenia 235 million USD grant within the framework
of the program "Millennium Challenge," and President Bush supports the
program. The money will contribute to the development of the country.
Azerbaijan wasn't given such assistance as they didn't conform to
the election standards. The RA President will likely visit the USA
after Azeri President's visit."
"Armenia and Diaspora take many measures in connection with the events
of 1915. There are 450 websites on this score. The events took place 90
years ago whereas nowadays 800 thousand Azeri refugees try to survive
in terrible conditions. Have you ever thought of their feelings?"
"We do not agree with the number 800 thousand. But it doesn't
matter. There are 300 thousand refugees from Karabakh and Armenia
in our country. The negotiations with Azerbaijan still continue on
that theme."
"Turkey offers to leave the 1915 year events for the historians'
discussion and to accept their conclusions. Don't you accept such
position as usual?"
"Yes, the Prime Minister Erdoghan made such an announcement. President
Kocharyan, in his turn, suggested forming an intergovernmental
committee in order to discuss various matters connected with treaties,
contracts, borders, economy and policy. 2 and a half million Armenians
lived in the Ottoman Empire before the World War I. Today about 80
thousand Armenians live in Stambul. Where are the rest? Why did they
abandon the land of their ancestors? Turkey is a large country. Its
population is over 75 million, a great territory. Armenia is a small
country. Our population is 3 million. Must the bigger country be
afraid of a smaller one or the vice versa?"
"Turks are not responsible for the past events. The authorities of
those years are to be blamed. Armenia tries to establish friendly
relations with all countries without any preconditions. The political
figures will decide the fortune of the two countries.
If Turkey established diplomatic relations with Armenia in 1991 the
level of debates would be different today. "