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  • Opening Of Armenia-Turkey Border Is Impossible Until Liberation Of A

    OPENING OF ARMENIA-TURKEY BORDER IS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL LIBERATION OF AZERBAIJAN'S OCCUPIED LANDS: TURKISH MP

    Today
    http://www.today.az/news/politics/57832. html
    Dec 1 2009
    Azerbaijan

    Day.Az interview with non-party member of Turkey's Grand National
    Assembly (parliament) Ahmet Tan.

    Day.Az: How do you assess the Armenia-Turkey protocols on normalization
    of relations?

    Ahmet Tan: The Justice and Development Party (AKP) government is now
    in a difficult situation. It intended to implement dramatic changes
    in Turkey's domestic and foreign policy, but got into difficulties.

    I think a factor of Azerbaijan could not be considered in this
    respect. However, Azerbaijan responded fairly to ongoing processes.

    The Turkish public also expressed its strong indignation. No one in
    Turkey, except the government, welcomed this process.

    I am confident that the promises made to Azerbaijan and Turkish nation
    will be kept. However, the very vague situation can not last long. We
    will witness continuation of the "protocol process" soon.

    Q: When do you think the Armenia-Turkey border will open?

    A: Opening of Armenian-Turkish border is impossible until resolution of
    the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Establishing relations and assistance
    to the state which has seized territory of a neighboring country
    is contrary to international principles and instruments adopted by
    the UN. The UN founding documents clearly indicate boundaries of the
    member countries and call for international sanctions against states
    that try to change these boundaries by force.

    No international sanctions have been adopted against Armenia so far.

    Only Turkey decided to exert pressure on Armenia by closing the
    borders. It is unreasonable to refuse sanctions until the occupation
    is put an end.

    On the other hand, the Armenia president and other country officials
    have stated that establishing relations with Turkey does not mean
    abandoning "genocide" claims. Armenia does not even think about
    changing the item in its constitution about territorial claims to
    Turkey. I am confident that neither the U.S. nor the EU nor Armenia
    welcomed this move by Turkey as goodwill. On the contrary, they only
    hardened their positions and tried to come up with new conditions.

    They try to use Turkey as a bridge to Armenia.

    Q: What will happen next once the parliament puts the protocols
    on agenda?

    A: We will do our utmost to prevent the protocols from being ratified.

    The outcome of events that can happen after the protocols get into
    parliament is impossible to predict. AKP has a parliamentary majority
    and could seek to ratify the protocols. But the AKP is afraid to do
    it. They understand that they risk much. Non-party and opposition
    MPs said the government that they are not concerned over difficulties
    experienced by Armenia.

    Q: Why the West protects Armenia's interests so zealously?

    A: The EU is talking much talk about freedom of conscience. But,
    in fact, there are many who share position of Christian fundamentalism.

    Their demands to Turkey are unfounded and are nothing but a
    manifestation of Christian brotherhood. Despite all the problems,
    they admitted the Greek Cyprus to the EU. They created a theocratic
    state Vatican in Rome. Now they are trying to create something similar
    in Istanbul. The West pompously marked establishment of the Armenian
    Patriarchate in Istanbul. They encourage Armenia and its claims in this
    way. Inter-religious confrontation is the main point in this respect.

    The whole world would long ago have been on alert if Armenia were in
    Azerbaijan's place. Why does the West, which seeks "global justice",
    turns a blind eye to how nearly a million people live in intolerable
    conditions? Today one of the main goals of Europe is Armenia's
    participation in regional energy projects and improving economic
    situation in this country.

    Q: Do you believe the Karabakh conflict will be resolved through
    mediation of international organizations? Can plan of the phased
    conflict settlement bear fruits?

    A: I was a member of Turkish delegation to PACE, as well as deputy
    chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Together with Azerbaijani
    counterparts, we have met with representatives of these organizations'
    member states on many occasions. Most countries protect Armenia's
    position. The Armenian lobby has staged a successful propaganda
    among them. The European parliamentarians clearly advocate Armenian's
    position. Armenians spend billions for this. But we limit ourselves
    to mere words. Western world no longer adheres to the principle
    of justice in national and territorial issues. With regard to the
    phased conflict resolution, I do not trust Armenians. Will they
    sign an official document to liberate five regions surrounding the
    Nagorno-Karabakh? They will not relinquish the occupied territories
    so easily. Deliberately dragging out peace negotiations plays into
    Armenia's hands. That is why I am pessimistic about the peace-making
    process at this stage.

    Q: Though the Turkish parliament raises the issue of recognition of
    the Khojali genocide from time to time, it as failed to do so every
    time. What is the reason?

    A: The Turkish parliament lacks strength to recognize the Khojaly
    genocide which occurred recently and before the eyes of the entire
    world, because a parliamentary majority is held by the ruling party.

    Q: What leverage does Turkey have to influence resolution of the
    Karabakh conflict?

    A: Turkey plays an important role in the BSEC, the OSCE and other
    international organizations. Turkey can become OSCE Minsk Group
    co-chair. Some forces in the OSCE prevent this. Many blame Armenia
    for this, but I think it is the United States that should be blamed.

    Q: Why the West, supporting Armenia, not thinks about the role that
    Azerbaijan and Turkey can play in the European energy security?

    A: Everyone knows that the main pipelines which transport the Caspian
    energy to the West will pass through Turkey. This means that Turkey's
    significance will increase many fold. The West fears that Turkey will
    become a regional leader. So, it tries to keep Armenia as a lever
    of pressure on Turkey. To counter this, Turkey needs to establish
    a strong regional alliance with Azerbaijan and Russia. The West is
    trying to worsen relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan in an effort
    to exclude probability of such a union.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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