RUBEN SAFRASTIAN: IF BARACK OBAMA PRONOUNCES WORD "GENOCIDE," TURKEY WILL STRENGTHEN PRESSURE UPON ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
March 30, 2009
YEREVAN, MARCH 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian-Turkish relations launched
and going on within the framework of "football diplomacy" have already
matured, but opening of the border between the two countries depends on
further political processes. Turkologist Ruben Safrastian, the Director
of the Institute of Oriental Studies of National Academy of Sciences
of Armenia, reported at the March 30 press conference. According to
his observation, if U.S. President Barack Obama pronounces the word
"genocide," Turkey will strengthen pressure upon Armenia and will not
agree to further normalization of the relations. Unless B. Obama uses
that term, Turkey will launch a gradual process, which will result
in opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, and Embassies of Turkey
in RA and RA in Turkey will be opened later.
Touching upon Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan’s planned visit
to Armenia, the Turkologist said that its initiator is the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation organization and not Armenia. However, in spite
of that circumstance, as R. Safrastian added, that visit in any case
will contribute to deepening of the Armenian-Turkish relations.