Lragir, Armenia
Oct 12 2007

ARMENIA AND TURKEY. WORTHY NEIGHBORS

If it goes on like this, October 10 will be marked in red on the
calendar and will be celebrated as a day of victory of the nation.
The joy and triumphant pathos with which official and unofficial
Armenia and the Armenians worldwide mark the affirmation of
Resolution 106 by the U.S. House Committee of Foreign Relations
compares to the joy and pathos that followed the liberation of
Shushi, as well as the victory in the war. If in that case joy and
pathos were quite natural, in the case of the resolution it is not
quite so.

What has happened? The U.S. House Committee affirmed a resolution for
discussion and voting by the U.S. House. This time there is
likelihood of success because the majority and the speaker are
Democrats and will not prevent the issue from the floor of the house,
like the Republican Speaker Hastert did last time. That is all. In
other words, something happened that had happened before, and what
could be a precedent has not happened yet. In other words, the issue
has not been included on the agenda of the House, and this is not the
first time the Committee of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the Armenian
Genocide.

The present joy of the Armenians reminds of the guy who hails success
before swimming across the river. What is the problem? If the
Armenian lobby hails the affirmation of the resolution by the House
Committee as a major victory, it is quite natural. For this fact
makes think that lobbying is effective, and the immense sums are not
wasted. Therefore, the lobby is supposed to exaggerate the most
insignificant result and create an illusion of a great victory.

It is also clear, however, why official Yerevan is in high spirits.
The point is that over the past few years the foreign policies of
Armenia are so poor that no reason for inspiration and joy is
outlining, except for one country or another which recognizes the
Armenian Genocide. Projects and organizations of world importance are
created around us, and we, aloof of it, are happy with every document
on the genocide that is adopted. It is certainly good that the world
is eventually coming closer to the recognition of the genocide.
However, is it the same to us what the reason is? Is it the same why
suddenly the European and Russian media enthusiastically report the
resolution adopted by the U.S. House Committee, the possible waves of
the U.S. and Turkish relations?

In fact, this fuss is an excellent opportunity for propagating the
skillful foreign policy of Armenia which has turned the Armenian
issue into a factor of international politics and the media of the
world powers are focusing on the problem of Armenians. In reality,
all this is but a propaganda device and is no reference to the
reality. Meanwhile, the reality is that the Armenian issue has become
part of the geopolitical process from which we do not benefit but the
country benefits which manipulates the issue directly or indirectly.
For instance, when Russia reports that the U.S. and Turkish relations
are getting worse due to the Armenian resolution, the aim is not to
raise awareness of the Armenian resolution in the world but the
expectation that it will push Turkey to warm relations with Russia.
After all, Russia has recognized the Genocide many years ago, and it
is already past. The same is with Europe which has also recognized
it, and hopes that after breaking relations with the United States
Turkey will face Europe, and this country will become more obedient
for Europe.

What is Armenia’s benefit that the propaganda machine is so
hilarious? Perhaps Armenia hopes that this process will push Turkey
to soften its stance regarding relations with our country. No
softening is noticed yet. Moreover, it feels to have become tougher.
The ongoing process allows asserting that Turkey’s stance will not
become softer since Turkey is powerful enough and has a quite
deciding importance in the region, and no country, even if it really
aims at conciliation of Armenia and Turkey, will not be able to reach
the critical point of pressure to leave no other way for Turkey but
friendship with Armenia.

Certainly, the question occurs why Turkey is so nervous and sensitive
about this process. Because it is our worthy neighbor. Turks feel
nervous just like we feel joyful about a process which has nothing to
do with us. We are worthy neighbors and opponents, and instead of
discussing our problems together we are discussing them through the
world.

JAMES HAKOBYAN