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VARTAN OSKANIAN: DIASPORA WANTS THE BEST FOR ARMENIA, AND THE BEST FOR ARMENIA IS GOOD RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2006
ISTANBUL, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. The Turkish
"Huriet" daily published its correspondent Sefa Kaplan's interview
with RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. The interview that the
Istanbul "Marmara" daily reprinted in translation on March 27,
is completely presented below. H.- The new Constitution of Armenia
liquidates the prohibition of dual citizenship. What may happen if
making use of this right, Diaspora has a more influencial role in
the political life of Armenia? V.O.- The issue of dual citizenship
is still disputable in Armenia. No clear decision has been yet made
on this occasion. As in any independent country, in Armenia as well,
the political life is decided by the population of Armenia. There are
numerous gossips, wrong interpretations and wrong conceptions about
Armenia in Turkey. And of its reasons is that the Government of Turkey
refuses to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia. If relations
are established between our countries, the two countries' peoples
as well will bear the influence of mutual contact, and the Turkish
people will see that it has nothing to be worry from Armenia. H.-
One important part of the Turkish society thinks that if Diaspora
doesn't exist, the Turkey-Armenia relations will be at much more
well-provided state. V.O.- If the events of 1915 didn't happen, the
"Diaspora" conception wouldn't exist. Armenia and Diaspora demand
that events of 1915 are accepted and condemned. On the other hand,
the fact of the borders' being close and the reality of absence
of relations between the two countries indignate people and deepen
the gulf existing between the two countries. For this puprose our
peoples are not given possibility to share their new experience with
one another and to change their old memories by new ones. Diaspora,
of course, wants the best for Armenia. And the best for Armenia is
establishing good relations with its neighbors. We hope that the
Turkish people as well wants to establish good relations with its
neighboring country, and we expect just it. H.- Will the Diasporan
Armenians be given the right to vote during elections? V.O.- No,
they will not be given that right. H.- What do you want to say to the
Turkish people about the peace and safety of the territories? V.O.-
Peace and calmness will be established only in the case when natural
relations will be established and the dialogue will be completed. To
Erdogan's proposal addressed to the President of Armenia on calling to
life the "history commission," Robert Kocharian responded that such
a commission can be created only at the time when close diplomatic
relations and a dialogue are established between the two countries
and governments, and the borders are open. Turkey didn't respon this
proposal. And the European Union affirmed that even in the case of
having misunderstandings, Turkey must establish good relations with its
neighbors. Turkey is a country that has serious issues with some of
its neighbors and other ones with some others. But it has diplomatic
relations with all the countries, except Armenia. The issue that
Turkey and Armenia, in the international law and order, with their
today's borders, have their place, is a political reality. Another
political reality is also the issue that Armenia, as a neighboring
country, is not a threat for Turkey. It's enough for a step is taken
for the beginning.
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2006
ISTANBUL, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. The Turkish
"Huriet" daily published its correspondent Sefa Kaplan's interview
with RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. The interview that the
Istanbul "Marmara" daily reprinted in translation on March 27,
is completely presented below. H.- The new Constitution of Armenia
liquidates the prohibition of dual citizenship. What may happen if
making use of this right, Diaspora has a more influencial role in
the political life of Armenia? V.O.- The issue of dual citizenship
is still disputable in Armenia. No clear decision has been yet made
on this occasion. As in any independent country, in Armenia as well,
the political life is decided by the population of Armenia. There are
numerous gossips, wrong interpretations and wrong conceptions about
Armenia in Turkey. And of its reasons is that the Government of Turkey
refuses to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia. If relations
are established between our countries, the two countries' peoples
as well will bear the influence of mutual contact, and the Turkish
people will see that it has nothing to be worry from Armenia. H.-
One important part of the Turkish society thinks that if Diaspora
doesn't exist, the Turkey-Armenia relations will be at much more
well-provided state. V.O.- If the events of 1915 didn't happen, the
"Diaspora" conception wouldn't exist. Armenia and Diaspora demand
that events of 1915 are accepted and condemned. On the other hand,
the fact of the borders' being close and the reality of absence
of relations between the two countries indignate people and deepen
the gulf existing between the two countries. For this puprose our
peoples are not given possibility to share their new experience with
one another and to change their old memories by new ones. Diaspora,
of course, wants the best for Armenia. And the best for Armenia is
establishing good relations with its neighbors. We hope that the
Turkish people as well wants to establish good relations with its
neighboring country, and we expect just it. H.- Will the Diasporan
Armenians be given the right to vote during elections? V.O.- No,
they will not be given that right. H.- What do you want to say to the
Turkish people about the peace and safety of the territories? V.O.-
Peace and calmness will be established only in the case when natural
relations will be established and the dialogue will be completed. To
Erdogan's proposal addressed to the President of Armenia on calling to
life the "history commission," Robert Kocharian responded that such
a commission can be created only at the time when close diplomatic
relations and a dialogue are established between the two countries
and governments, and the borders are open. Turkey didn't respon this
proposal. And the European Union affirmed that even in the case of
having misunderstandings, Turkey must establish good relations with its
neighbors. Turkey is a country that has serious issues with some of
its neighbors and other ones with some others. But it has diplomatic
relations with all the countries, except Armenia. The issue that
Turkey and Armenia, in the international law and order, with their
today's borders, have their place, is a political reality. Another
political reality is also the issue that Armenia, as a neighboring
country, is not a threat for Turkey. It's enough for a step is taken
for the beginning.