THE NECESSITY OF OPENING OF THE BORDER, ESTABLISHMENT OF NORMAL RELATIONS AND RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS VERY IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FOR THE ARMENIANS BUT ALSO FOR THE TURKS
Interview by David Stepanyan

ArmInfo
2009-04-02 14:51:00

Interview of Director General of the Armenian Center for National
and International Studies Richard Giragosyan with ArmInfo

Mr. Giragosyan, do you think the forthcoming visit of US President
Barack Obama to Ankara in early April will cut the likelihood of
recognizing the Armenian Genocide by Washington?

President Obama really intends to visit Turkey in early
April. Noteworthy, this visit will become the first one of the new
US president to the Islamic country. The visit is also important
from the viewpoint that its agenda will include discussions with
official representatives of the Turkish authorities on a wide
spectrum of issues related to development of the situation in Iraq,
the Kurdish problem and especially the role of Turkey in the Near
East. The time of Obama’s visit is also important for Armenia in
view of the republic-related issues, both in respect of the present
stage of the Armenian-Turkish diplomatic negotiations and concerning
the bill on the Armenian Genocide in the form of the Resolution 106
under consideration in US Congress. Based on the fact that Barack
Obama’s visit to Turkey will be held after the visit of US Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton to Ankara, one may state that Turkey is
currently the priority direction for Obama’s administration and,
along with the relations with Iran and Russia, the relations with
Turkey enter US foreign policy’s special attention zone.

Is it to the point to say that the USA and Turkey are already in a
political deal-making process on a number of issues, among which
is the Armenian Genocide, in the context of the recent visit of
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Turkey? How much possible
is recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the USA, in particular,
mentioning of this term in Obama’s speech on April 24?

As for the American-Turkish relationship and the issue of the Armenian
Genocide, I think it is much possible that President Obama will not
make cardinal statements regarding the Armenian Genocide in his speech
on 24 April. In all probability the word "genocide" will not be used
in the president’s speech. Probably, the USA recognized the argument
of Turkey that at present situation recognition of the genocide in
any form will damage the existing level of relations between Armenia
and Turkey. Nevertheless I think the USA refused Turkey’s request
to affect US Congress regarding the bill on the genocide. Obama made
them understand that they should not expect his interference in the
Congress affairs regarding the 106 Resolution on the Armenian genocide
and even its adoption.

What can Armenia suggest to Washington as a counter to the
American-Turkish relations which may be damaged by possible mentioning
of the term Genocide by Barack Obama in his speech on April 24?

What can the White House be guided with?

Irrespective of the fact whether the USA recognizes the Armenian
Genocide, Armenia has not many levers of influencing Turkey. The
Armenian party insisted on Turkey to open the border with Armenia
and start normal diplomatic relations without preconditions. In this
regard, the steps for normalization of relations are to be expected
from Turkey, as Armenia has always been ready for establishment
of the sincere dialogue with Turkey, while the latter responded
unwillingly. It means that the USA should admit that just Turkey is
the main obstacle for progress in the Armenian-Turkish relations.

The authorities of Turkey keep on saying that recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the United States will damage the Armenian-Turkish
relations. How much these statements meet the reality? What is you
vision on further development of relations between Armenia and Turkey,
in particular, on opening of the borders between these countries?

As Turkey is the main obstacle in the process of starting to establish
the diplomatic relations between the two countries, for this reason
it is the only country that needs to demonstrate new signs of kind
will. It is first of all Turkey’s task to understand the necessity
of opening of the border to Armenia, to start normal diplomatic
relations and to revise its past. Armenia may become a useful partner
for Turkey, and can even help Turkey mix well with its history and
future. Naturally, there is the danger of the nationalistic mood
growing in Turkey as a reaction to this process. This delays the
process a little and Hrant Dink’s tragic death is evidence of it.

In fact, the danger or threats which may originate from the Turkish
nationalists, who always argue against any normalization of relations
with Armenia, is a threat just for the Turks. In this regard, the
future of Turkey as a more modern and democratic country dictates
the necessity of termination of its longstanding stubborn refusal to
recognize its past and establish normal relations with Armenia. The
necessity of opening of the border, establishment of normal relations
and recognition of the Armenian Genocide is very important not only
for the Armenians but for the Turks too.

Thank you for the interview

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress