ILTER TURKMEN: IT IS WRONG TO APPLY TO INTERNATIONAL COURT IN ISSUE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 13 2007

ANKARA, MARCH 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Former Turkish
Foreign Minister Ilter Turkmen treats sceptically current Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul’s and different politicians’ proposal that
applying to UN International Court for counteracting the "assertions"
of Armenians on Armenian Genocide can be favorable for Ankara.

Turkmen published an article in the Hurriyet daily, in which he
mentioned that though the UN Court found Serbia guilty in the issue
of committing a "genocide" towards Albanians, nevertheless, "that
decision does not mean that Turkey can also register success in the
issue of assertions on Armenian Genocide."

The Turkish diplomat considers that "they must not unconditionally
believe legal rules" during international trials. "Every one knows
that during such trials the political factor plays a more important
role," Turkmen asserted.

"So, how can we be sure that the International Court will not blame
the Ottoman state for committing the crime of genocide or even will not
cause problems of compensation for Turkey?" the retired diplomat asks.

Ilter Turkmen considers that in the issue of Armenian Genocide Turkey
should rely on the assertion that the UN International Convention
on the genocide "is not retroactive." "If Turkey applies to the
International Court, it will resist very serious dangers. Even if
Armenia accepts this proposal of Ankara, this can last 10-15 years
and during this period Turkey will again have many troubles. Let’s not
forget that Yerevan declined the proposal to create a joint commission
of historians and this did not become a reason for another states’
criticizing Armenia."

Turkmen concludes that for neutralizing the damages of Armenian
Genocide his country should give preference to struggle on the
political plane.