Armenia Exploits the Funeral
Journal of Turkish Weekly
Saturday 27 January 2007
2
Foreign Ministry officials in the Turkish capital referred to
Kirakosian’s comments as "exploitation of feelings," noting that they
came in the wake of national sorrow over the death of journalist Hrant
Dink, and that the "unconditional diplomatic relations" part of the
comment was the same as the phrasing used in a letter from Armenian
President Robert Kocharian to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in
April of 2005.
Yesterday evening in Ankara, PM Erdogan referred to the Yerevan
administration’s refusal to consider the Ankara suggestion of a joint
commission to investigate Armenian claims of genocide, saying "First
they need to answer our suggestion. They have still not offered an
answer. This is not a show of good intention. I do not find this
stance of theirs sincere."
Armenian Government has been repeating the same words "Armenian is
ready for unconditional diplomatic relations with Turkey". However a
Turkish diplomat told the JTW that Turkey cut the diplomatic
relations, not Armenia. "Armenia is not in a position to put any
pre-condition to re-establish the diplomatic relations. They occupied
a neigbouring country’s territories. The occupier is Armenia, not
Turkey. So, they should first withdraw their forces from Azeri
territories, instead of attempting to confuse the peoples’ feelings".
Dr. Sedat Laciner from USAK told the JTW that Armenia is not ready for
a real dialogue and real co-operation:
"The region needs just a little step from Armenia. If they withdraw
from a small part of the occupied territories, Turkey could do
more. However the extremist Armenians including President Robert
Kocharian do not want any solution, because they have been nourished
by the problems. Hrant Dink was strongly against the Kocharian’s and
extremist Armenians’ policies. Unfortunately they now exploit his
funeral".
Jan SOYKOK (JTW) and Hurriyet
27 January 2007