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ACNIS on the Recent Trilateral Armenian-Turkish-Swiss Joint S

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  • ACNIS on the Recent Trilateral Armenian-Turkish-Swiss Joint S

    PRESS RELEASE
    Armenian Center for National and International Studies
    75 Yerznkian Street
    Yerevan 375033, Armenia
    Tel: (+374 - 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
    Fax: (+374 - 10) 52.48.46
    E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
    Website: www.acnis.am


    ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Comments on the
    RECENT TRILATERAL ARMENIAN-TURKISH-SWISS JOINT STATEMENT


    Richard Giragosian
    Director
    Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)


    (23 April 2009, Yerevan)--Armenian Center for National and International
    Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian issued a statement today
    commenting on the recent joint declaration issued on 22 April by the
    Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of
    Turkey and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

    Only two days before the April 24th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, a
    trilateral statement was issued by the Armenian, Turkish and Swiss
    governments declaring that "Turkey and Armenia, together with Switzerland as
    mediator, have been working intensively with a view to normalizing their
    bilateral relations and developing them in a spirit of good-neighborliness,
    and mutual respect, and thus to promoting peace, security and stability in
    the whole region."

    The statement went on to note that "the two parties have achieved tangible
    progress and mutual understanding in this process and they have agreed on a
    comprehensive framework for the normalization of their bilateral relations
    in a mutually satisfactory manner. In this context, a road-map has been
    identified."

    Concluding by stating that "this agreed basis provides a positive prospect
    for the on-going process," the joint statement represents one of the most
    serious strategic blunders by the Armenian government to date. Although
    this brief 95-word statement may accurately reflect an opportunity for a
    genuinely historic breakthrough in relations between Armenia and Turkey, the
    message of its text and the timing of its release raise important concerns.

    Most clearly, by issuing such a joint statement just prior to the annual
    commemoration of the Armenian genocide, the Republic of Armenia has only
    bolstered, and seemingly endorsed, Turkish attempts to pressure US President
    Barack Obama from fulfilling his campaign promises to recognize the Armenian
    genocide in his traditional April 24th statement.

    Moreover, by agreeing to not only issue a joint statement that clearly
    conforms to Turkish attempts to distort and deny the historical veracity of
    the Armenian genocide, but to also release such a statement just two days
    prior to the traditional April 24th anniversary, the Armenian government has
    demonstrated an appalling degree of short-sightedness and irresponsibility.
    Such a strategic error raises further questions over the sophistication,
    sincerity and seriousness of Armenian leadership, particularly at such a
    vulnerable point in Armenian history when the security and status of
    Nagorno-Karabagh remain unresolved and the future course of democratic and
    economic reform in Armenia remains in doubt.

    Within a broader context, this strategic error by the Armenian authorities
    is considerably more than simply a deficiency in foreign policy, but
    suggests a truly tragic, and possibly irrevocable step, whereby the Armenian
    government has not only sacrificed the integrity of the state, but has
    abdicated its responsibility to both the passing generation of genocide
    survivors and the present generation of their ancestors. Such a disdainful
    disregard for the historical legacy of the Armenian genocide has been an all
    too common characteristic of the Republic of Turkey, but for the Republic of
    Armenia, such irresponsible collaboration deserves only intense
    condemnation. It is truly a tragic start to the annual commemoration of the
    Armenian genocide.

    --------------------------------------- -------------------------
    The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is a
    leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan, Armenia.
    As an independent, objective institution committed to conducting
    professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to raise the level
    of public debate and seeks to broaden public engagement in the public policy
    process, as well as fostering greater and more inclusive public knowledge.
    Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the institutional initiative of Raffi K.
    Hovannisian, Armenia's first Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past
    fifteen years, ACNIS has acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source
    of professional independent research and analysis covering a wide range of
    national and international policy issues.

    For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax
    (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected]; or visit
    www.acnis.am.
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