‘THE SO-CALLED BLOCKADE AGAINST THE SO-CALLED GENOCIDE’
AZG Armenian Daily #201, 21/10/2006
Turkey
On the eve of the vote at the French Parliament for the bill
penalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide, when the Turkish press was
denouncing the French, an Istanbul-based Referans daily touched upon
Armenian-Turkish relations in an article titled "The So-Called Blockade
Against the So-Called Genocide: Result of Armenia’s Anti-Turkish
Stance". This article published Oct 12 can well be considered a
peculiar look at Armenia from Turkey. Though its author Selma Simseq
could not shun exaggerations, her article is interesting particularly
for raising the issues of Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku railway and
the blockade of Armenia.
Here is what she writes: "For the past 24 years 17 states defended
the Armenian thesis in the issue of genocide. Turkey, which constantly
adds ‘the so-called’ phrase to the Armenian genocide, has officially
imposed blockade on Armenia. Yet, thanks to the dialogue between the
two people the blockade has also turned into a ‘so-called’. Kars mayor
Naif Alibeyogli’s following words evidence it: ‘There are regular
flights from Istanbul to Yerevan. 70% of goods in Armenian markets is
Turkish. 70.000 Armenians work in Turkey. And we do not understand what
kind of blockade is this. Turkey has opened its doors before Armenia,
only the border of Kars is closed, as a result of which our town was
deprived of benefit and investments for years’.
"As Alibeyogli put it, the important thing for the resident of
Kars is not the railway project but the opening of Turkish-Armenian
border. Armenia is of the same opinion.
"It’s obvious once this project comes true, Armenia will be in a
difficult situation. Its border with Turkey is closed because of
genocide allegations and with Azerbaijan because of the occupation
of Nagorno Karabakh. Moreover, the Iranian border areas are inhabited
with Azeris thus putting Armenia in squeeze and isolation, in fact.
"Realizing that Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway will result in an even deeper
isolation, Armenia demands to open the Turkish-Armenian border as it
will enable Armenia to act as a transit corridor for transportation
of goods from the Caucasus to the Middle East and China.
"This project was turned down at the US Senate under the pressure
from Diaspora Armenians. As a result, the US Eximbank denounced its
credit of $400 million for the project.
"Since 1993 Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic relations. There is
no direct trade between the countries because of the blockade. Today,
Turkish goods enter Armenia via Georgia or Iran. The goods turnover
amounts to $100 million. Turkey exports mainly construction materials
and food and Armenia imports row materials. The Armenian import
amounts to $50 million.
"According to president of the Turkish-Armenian Business Union, Kaan
Soyaq, goods turnover between Turkey and Armenia can be raised up to
$500 million but Turkey has close the Kars border-gate and suffers
losses. ‘Only the residents of Kars pay for this mistake called
blockade, as Istanbul is open for Armenia. When the Armenia-Turkish
border was open trade between the two countries flourished. Now,
both Armenia and Turkey are losing. Turkish businessmen are forced to
go longer distances thus demanding higher price for goods. Armenia,
on its part, is forced to by spoiled goods for a high price. If the
border-gate is opened, both countries will gain access to the markets
in the Middle East and China. Turkey has missed the chance during
Ter-Petrosian’s tenure and is missing it today as Kocharian prepares
to leave the office. Though during Kocharian’s tenure relations have
aggravated a bit a more nationalist regime will change Kocharian’s.’
"Soyaq meanwhile pointed out that Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway can hardly
become a reality as the US and Russian interests keep spreading in
the region. Then he went on: ‘These two countries have not come to
terms. Without an agreement no railway project can be implemented. The
USA is against the project as it demand opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border. This project emerged as a result of the closed border. If it
were open the US would not be against a second railway line through
Georgia. But at present it does not want to lose Armenia.’
"Drawing attention to Russian-Georgian tensions, Soyaq assumes it
will speed up the opening of Turkish-Armenian border. He thinks if
Nagorno Karabakh issue is settled, and Turkey meets Armenia halfway
the border can be opened. As to the genocide, it’s not an issue that
can be solved in a split second."
By Hakob Chakrian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
