AKTAN: THE ISSUE ON OPENING TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDERS IS OUT OF THE QUESTION

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Oct 16 2007

Opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Gunduz Aktan,
says Turkey should close the 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.

Aktan spoke to the Aezri News Agency (APA).

The interview comeas as 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 APA said.

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.

Here is the text of the interview Aktan gave to APA:

APA- What should be done to prevent the adoption of this decision in
the US House of Representatives?

AKTAN- 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.

APA- 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…

AKTAN- 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.

APA- How will the decision on the so-called genocide impact on Turkey’s
steps concerning Armenia?

AKTAN- 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.

APA- Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also made a statement condemning this
decision. What measures are taken for joint fight against this problem?

AKTAN- 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 clear 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.