Mehmed Ali Birand: We had to prevent Dink assassination

Mehmed Ali Birand: We had to prevent Dink assassination

ArmRadio.am
26.01.2007 17:54

Famous Turkish commentator Mehmed Ali Birand has expressed an
opinion today that Armenia’s suggestion to open the border without
preconditions should not be denied.

According to him, if Armenia’s suggestion is accepted and a dialogue is
launched, it will be possible to delay the discussion of the Armenian
Genocide bill in the US Congress. "It will possible to put aside the
French bill on penalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide. Everyone
will be waiting to see what the Armenian-Turkish dialogue will give,"
Birand wrote in the Turkish Daily News.

"The only problem on the way of launching dialogue with Armenia are
the relations with Azerbaijan. Azeri Government will be discontent
and will react harshly. It can even discuss the issue of suspending
provision of oil through Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. Turkey must be able to
convince Azerbaijan, to explain that Turkey having firm diplomatic
ties with Yerevan will have greater influence on Armenia’s policy,
which will benefit Azerbaijan," he said.

Turning to the moods in Turkey, the Turkish commentator wrote: "Why we
are so happy? The reason of this happiness was that Dink’s murderer
was caught 32 hours after the crime. Why are we so glad? Catching
Dink’s murderer was not a big thing. It was much more important not
to allow Dink’s assassination occur. We had to defend him."