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POLITICAL SCIENTIST: ARMENIA IS CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT EXTERNAL FORCES PRESS ON IT TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE
Today.Az
http://www.today.az/news/politi cs/52460.html
May 21 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with political scientist Rasim Agayev.
- The Armenian side claims that Turkey has signed the "road map", in
pursuit of their interests, to avoid mentioning of the word "genocide"
by U.S. President Barack Obama in his speech on April 24, and that,
having achieved it it has sharply changed its policy on this issue. Is
that so?
- Yes it is. The diplomacy of Turkey towards Armenia began to emerge
long before Obama got into the president's chair. This is a well-known
diplomacy, including the "football", which is not dictated by who is
a US president today. It is based on the strategic directions of the
Turkish policy related to its policy of integration with the European
Union and the understanding by the Turkish political leadership and
the establishment and, in general, the Turkish society in general that
the Armenian issue, as well as Kurdish one, can be settled. It can
not be left for later because it impedes the realization of short-and
long-term Turkish plans. That is what is at stake.
In this regard, in April, it was a tactically correct step in activize
this direction, the Turks were tactically interested in doing something
like that the day before Obama's visit and in connection with the fact
that Armenians as usual have strengthened the information pressure
on Turkey and the American public opinion. And this pressure was to
be neutralized.
However, Turkey is well aware of its strategic course, which was
consistent with the policies of America, with the policy of Europe, who
consider this geopolitical foothold as very important for the further
development of global processes and solutions to global problems.
- Do the statements Prime Minister Erdogan made in Baku mean that
there has been put an end to the continuation of negotiations towards
a warming of relations with Yerevan?
- No, the things are not like that. Nothing has been decided and Obama
could not solve the two most serious problems that accumulated over
decades by his only statement. So I think that is an imaginary view,
since the course, which Turkey chose together with Azerbaijan, has
also a political dimension. That is due to activation of Turkey and
Azerbaijan the international public opinion realized who hinders the
solution of these problems. That is the matter.
Turkey is ready to normalize relations with Armenia, and Azerbaijan
is also ready. That is, they have initiated the peace process which
can move forward only under Yerevan's consent. But Armenia is not
ready for a peaceful solution of the issue, Armenia would like to
rattle its weapons, would be willing to continue to exert pressure
on the two countries under support of Europeans, Americans and
Russians. Armenia's trouble is that they can not understand that
Europe, America and Russia sympathize with and help support her,
but in this case the value of the entire region where the interests
of external powers are concentrated at this time outweigh the value
they attach to Armenia. Therefore, they hint to Armenia that should
not be abut anymore. This is what Armenia is concerned with.
- At what stage is now the situation around the "road map" between
Ankara and Yerevan? Does the use of this document continue?
- The road map is, in fact, a protocol of intent. This document,
which is already attached to the process. If any agreement is reached,
it may well be used for work.
Today.Az
http://www.today.az/news/politi cs/52460.html
May 21 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with political scientist Rasim Agayev.
- The Armenian side claims that Turkey has signed the "road map", in
pursuit of their interests, to avoid mentioning of the word "genocide"
by U.S. President Barack Obama in his speech on April 24, and that,
having achieved it it has sharply changed its policy on this issue. Is
that so?
- Yes it is. The diplomacy of Turkey towards Armenia began to emerge
long before Obama got into the president's chair. This is a well-known
diplomacy, including the "football", which is not dictated by who is
a US president today. It is based on the strategic directions of the
Turkish policy related to its policy of integration with the European
Union and the understanding by the Turkish political leadership and
the establishment and, in general, the Turkish society in general that
the Armenian issue, as well as Kurdish one, can be settled. It can
not be left for later because it impedes the realization of short-and
long-term Turkish plans. That is what is at stake.
In this regard, in April, it was a tactically correct step in activize
this direction, the Turks were tactically interested in doing something
like that the day before Obama's visit and in connection with the fact
that Armenians as usual have strengthened the information pressure
on Turkey and the American public opinion. And this pressure was to
be neutralized.
However, Turkey is well aware of its strategic course, which was
consistent with the policies of America, with the policy of Europe, who
consider this geopolitical foothold as very important for the further
development of global processes and solutions to global problems.
- Do the statements Prime Minister Erdogan made in Baku mean that
there has been put an end to the continuation of negotiations towards
a warming of relations with Yerevan?
- No, the things are not like that. Nothing has been decided and Obama
could not solve the two most serious problems that accumulated over
decades by his only statement. So I think that is an imaginary view,
since the course, which Turkey chose together with Azerbaijan, has
also a political dimension. That is due to activation of Turkey and
Azerbaijan the international public opinion realized who hinders the
solution of these problems. That is the matter.
Turkey is ready to normalize relations with Armenia, and Azerbaijan
is also ready. That is, they have initiated the peace process which
can move forward only under Yerevan's consent. But Armenia is not
ready for a peaceful solution of the issue, Armenia would like to
rattle its weapons, would be willing to continue to exert pressure
on the two countries under support of Europeans, Americans and
Russians. Armenia's trouble is that they can not understand that
Europe, America and Russia sympathize with and help support her,
but in this case the value of the entire region where the interests
of external powers are concentrated at this time outweigh the value
they attach to Armenia. Therefore, they hint to Armenia that should
not be abut anymore. This is what Armenia is concerned with.
- At what stage is now the situation around the "road map" between
Ankara and Yerevan? Does the use of this document continue?
- The road map is, in fact, a protocol of intent. This document,
which is already attached to the process. If any agreement is reached,
it may well be used for work.