GUNDUZ AKTAN: THE ISSUE ON OPENING TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDERS IS OUT OF DISCUSSION
Azeri press Agency
Oct 15 2007
We should close Istanbul-Yerevan air corridor, which is open for
trade with Armenia over the third countries and take radical measures
concerning 80,000 Armenians illegally employed in Turkey
The decision on the so-called Armenian genocide is expected to pass
the House of Representatives more easily, as more signatures have
been collected than needed
Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) MP Gunduz Aktan, was one
of those, who was engaged in lobbying and debating, on the eve of
adoption of the resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide by the
US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Gunduz Aktan
gave interview to APA Turkey bureau.
– What should be done to prevent the adoption of this decision in
the US House of Representatives?
– The decision is expected to pass the House of Representatives more
easily, as more signatures have been collected than needed. Taking this
into account, we should take adequate steps and demonstrate Turkey’s
power. In fact, Turkey has adequate steps. We observed in the US that
the country’s administration worries that Incirlik military base may
close, weapons and food, which is sent to American army in Iraq, may
be restricted in Habur border checkpoint and that Turkey’s military
operation against PKK terrorist organization in Northern Iraq may
cause imbalance in the region. Turkey should immediately limit the
US’s operation in Incirlik and restrict the number of weapons sent from
Habur border checkpoint. The members of the House of Representatives,
who want to vote for the bill on the so-called Armenian genocide,
should see Turkey’s power.
– Anyway, Turkey called its ambassador to Washington back to Ankara,
Commander of Navy and minister of state refused visiting the US,
this is a part of this protest…
– These are usual normal steps. Our steps should be more severe. The
US administration expressed its anxiety about our possible strict
steps. The main thing now is to demonstrate political will and take
concrete steps. The bill on military operations in Northern Iraq, which
will be submitted to the parliament this week, will prove how resolute
the government is. On the other hand, steps regarding Incirlik and
Habur will show the government’s reaction. The US expects our steps,
as the following reactions will depend on them.
– How will the decision on the so-called genocide impact on Turkey’s
steps concerning Armenia?
– Though Armenian leadership and Diaspora try to stand apart from
the decision, previous statements of President Kocharian and Foreign
Minister Oskanyan show how interested they were in this. Armenia
and Armenian Diaspora are responsible for this decision. Turkey
should make its steps against Armenia more severe. The issue on
opening Turkey-Armenia borders is out of discussion. We should close
Istanbul-Yerevan air corridor, which is open for trade with Armenia
over the third countries and take radical measures concerning 80,000
Armenians illegally employed in Turkey.
– Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also made a statement condemning this
decision. What measures are taken for joint fight against this problem?
– In Washington we spoke about Khojaly genocide committed by Armenians
recently. We asked why Armenia does not free the occupied Azerbaijani
lands. We could not get a neat answer. We should jointly fight with
Azerbaijan against Armenian slanders and occupation of our territories
by Armenians. We ought to inform the world of Khojaly genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress