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FATIH CEKIRGE: A SIGNAL FOR A NEW NOGORNO-KARABAKH MAP DURING ARMENIA VISIT
Hurriye
Sept 8 2008
Turkey
Following a history packed with murders, assassinations, attacks,
hate, closed borders, invasions, and claims of genocide... This was
the first time that a president of the Turkish Republic has paid a
visit to Armenia. Since this was a historic visit, I allocate my entire
column to this visit I paid together with President Abdullah Gul.
This was the atmosphere just after the match... The two presidents are
having a conversation, and we are listening to them. Jokes are being
made. The Armenians had prepared a very nice open buffet. There was
no sign of victory or defeat on their faces. Gul turns to Sargsyan
and says:
-I will visit Azerbaijan after my visit here. I hope positive
developments will emerge...
Sargsyan replies:
- Of course... We are ready.
This is very important because Sargsyan clearly states, "We want the
borders open with Turkey. We want a solution to problems."
What I understand from these remarks are:
1- A new period can start between Azerbaijan and Armenia after
this visit. The foreign ministers have already met but this period
will mostly be a solution period... Turkey will take on a mediator
role. Gul's saying that he would visit the Armenian president shows
that such an attempt is being undertaken by both presidents.
2- The technical issues were not debated during this visit, but
a new map for Nagorno-Karabakh can be brought to the table in the
future...Gul's visit to Baku is a sign of this.
3- I had the opportunity to have a brief conversation with the
Armenian president. I noticed that he was really sincere and desires
a solution. He has a positive disposition.
4- We realized while in the country that Gul's visit to Yerevan was
the best possible decision. With good risk management, new doors for
the Caucasus can be opened as a result of this visit.
NO MENTION OF SO-CALLED GENOCIDE
The atmosphere of elation on the plane on the way to home after Turkey
beat Armenia 2-0 was greater than the jubilance of victory in the
match. That is because the approximately 12-hour long visit transformed
tension into success. And this was clearly written all over Gul's face.
It was worth taking the risk...
Here are some of important remarks Gul made on the return journey
from Yeravan to Ankara:
-They never mentioned the so-called genocide issue. Leaving that aside,
they did not even imply it or mention it indirectly. They might have
even hinted at it, but they did not.
- We saw that they were as unbiased as us...
-An atmosphere has been created which would allow all the issues to
be addressed one by one
-They spoke very comprehensively of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
-The Azeri and Armenian presidents can come together in the future. I
will pay a visit to Azerbaijan in the coming days.
-The visit was certainly risky. We could have announced it one week
earlier, but certain preparations had to be made for security reasons.
- What would happen had we not paid this visit? There would be no
result. The price we pay would continue to grow had no action been
taken.
- In fact, the invitation to the match sent the ball into our
field. This visit sent the ball back into their field.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Hurriye
Sept 8 2008
Turkey
Following a history packed with murders, assassinations, attacks,
hate, closed borders, invasions, and claims of genocide... This was
the first time that a president of the Turkish Republic has paid a
visit to Armenia. Since this was a historic visit, I allocate my entire
column to this visit I paid together with President Abdullah Gul.
This was the atmosphere just after the match... The two presidents are
having a conversation, and we are listening to them. Jokes are being
made. The Armenians had prepared a very nice open buffet. There was
no sign of victory or defeat on their faces. Gul turns to Sargsyan
and says:
-I will visit Azerbaijan after my visit here. I hope positive
developments will emerge...
Sargsyan replies:
- Of course... We are ready.
This is very important because Sargsyan clearly states, "We want the
borders open with Turkey. We want a solution to problems."
What I understand from these remarks are:
1- A new period can start between Azerbaijan and Armenia after
this visit. The foreign ministers have already met but this period
will mostly be a solution period... Turkey will take on a mediator
role. Gul's saying that he would visit the Armenian president shows
that such an attempt is being undertaken by both presidents.
2- The technical issues were not debated during this visit, but
a new map for Nagorno-Karabakh can be brought to the table in the
future...Gul's visit to Baku is a sign of this.
3- I had the opportunity to have a brief conversation with the
Armenian president. I noticed that he was really sincere and desires
a solution. He has a positive disposition.
4- We realized while in the country that Gul's visit to Yerevan was
the best possible decision. With good risk management, new doors for
the Caucasus can be opened as a result of this visit.
NO MENTION OF SO-CALLED GENOCIDE
The atmosphere of elation on the plane on the way to home after Turkey
beat Armenia 2-0 was greater than the jubilance of victory in the
match. That is because the approximately 12-hour long visit transformed
tension into success. And this was clearly written all over Gul's face.
It was worth taking the risk...
Here are some of important remarks Gul made on the return journey
from Yeravan to Ankara:
-They never mentioned the so-called genocide issue. Leaving that aside,
they did not even imply it or mention it indirectly. They might have
even hinted at it, but they did not.
- We saw that they were as unbiased as us...
-An atmosphere has been created which would allow all the issues to
be addressed one by one
-They spoke very comprehensively of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
-The Azeri and Armenian presidents can come together in the future. I
will pay a visit to Azerbaijan in the coming days.
-The visit was certainly risky. We could have announced it one week
earlier, but certain preparations had to be made for security reasons.
- What would happen had we not paid this visit? There would be no
result. The price we pay would continue to grow had no action been
taken.
- In fact, the invitation to the match sent the ball into our
field. This visit sent the ball back into their field.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress