AZG Armenian Daily #088, 17/05/2005

Interview

‘THERE WILL BE SHIFT IN ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS BUT ARMENIA WILL EASIER
COME TO TERMS WITH USA THAN TURKEY’

beginning in previous issue

– Will the correspondence contribute to the improvement of Armenian-Turkish
relations? Those letters, at last, regardless their content are official
documents.

– Correspondence is the surface of deep water of politics. I think that the
Turks will find some solution for the matter there in the depths in order to
remove one of the obstacles on their way to EU. There are still the Cyprus
issue, Kurdish and human rights issues, there are still representatives of
intelligentsia, writers behind bars. The most disgusting but never
surprising thing for me the amorality of the European states. The European
parliament took a decision in 1987 that Turkey cannot join EU bypassing the
Armenian Genocide issue. Today, not only Turkey tries to bypass the issue
but also Germany and even France signal that Genocide recognition is not a
precondition for EU accession. This means that Turkey may become member of
the European family with bloody hands.

– How do you evaluate the present state of Turkish-American relations? As
you know, their discords are vanishing.

– It couldn’t be otherwise. Though we want Turkey to lose its significance
for the US, unfortunately it is not happening. Turkey is a major political
factor especially in region where Israel-Turkey cooperation is a part of the
US policy of occupation. Without that cooperation there can be no
realization of American strategy. Turkey is a leg for the realization. That
is the reason why the two countries could come to terms despite Paul
Wolfowitz’s threats that US will recognize the Genocide. Turkey gave in, as
it was predestined, otherwise it would face serious troubles.

– Mr. Azatian, the US used to act in the South Caucasus and Middle East
through Turkey at first. Before the anti-Afghan campaign, it secured
military presence in those regions and the need in Turkey seems to be less
urgent. What will you say?

– It is in our interests. I wish the situation changed in so much that we
could stand before the US without mediators. In direct confrontation America
would take into consideration the American Armenians while taking decisions.
If only this situation were created earlier and we could implement our
complimentary policy with USA independently from Turkey. It’s obvious that
Armenia would more easily come to terms with the US than Turkey.

– How do you see the future of Armenian-Turkish relations?

– I think there will be some changes. As Erdogan’s letter suggests, Turks
will take shallow steps but I don’t think there will be fundamental
concession. The USA has secured its presence in the Caucasus. Armenia would
fall out American policy but for the weight of American Armenians. That is
the US who should play up to Armenia to cut it off Russia. It cannot
subjugate countries with bombs only. It has to adopt the policy of
gratification.

– Is there a question that I did not ask but you would like to speak of?

– Just a few things about the present condition of Armenia. Unfortunately,
both here and abroad people are strongly opposed against the state
authorities as most of the people live in poverty. The Armenian press covers
those issue, and the news travels to the Diaspora. I certainly know about
the so-called sins of the state and the state officials. But I also know
that Armenia will benefit only if there is stability and I always mention of
this in my articles. All oppositional forces I have met say, “the present
authorities pinched enough, away with them, it’s now our turn”. It will
bring nothing positive to the people’s life, and more importantly, this
situation scanty depends on what the state or individuals can do.
Unfortunately, it is the regional politics and the struggle of international
powers that seal Armenia’s fate. Though this is not a widely used expression
in Armenia, I must say that because that is the reality.

By Hakob Chakrian