PanARMENIAN.Net

Opening of Aremnian-Turkish border not far off?

Karine Ter-Sahakyan

The issue of recognition or non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by the US does not count in this particular case.
02.04.2009 GMT+04:00

When something is much spoken about and at the same time the official
establishment suddenly does not make any commentaries, it becomes
clear that the issue is already solved. Of course, sometimes it also
happens the other way round, but in the case of the Armenian-Turkish
border opening, we yet deal with the first variant. Especially
important are the positions of both parties, or rather the openness of
Armenian and Turkish sides in this issue: what is the value of
establishing diplomatic relations, prospects and advantages?

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ And if Turkish media sources write much about
Armenia and the possible normalization of relations quoting opinions
of various experts, Yerevan rarely says anything in this regard. It is
understandable that diplomatic talks should always be held
confidentially especially in such a delicate situation, but not to
that extent. As western experts and analysts often notice, Armenian
diplomacy still follows the «soviet» regime when the
ideal of a diplomat was the USSR Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei
Gromiko, who was nicknamed «Mister No» for his refusal
to answer a single question.

The issue of opening the Armenian-Turkish border is day by day
becoming more topical and nearly all serious western editions dwell on
it. `Turkey and Armenia could announce a deal aimed at reopening their
border and restoring relations already on April 16. Official
representatives of both parties do not yet comment on the
information. But the timing of the deal is being choreographed with
the schedule of U.S. President Barack Obama, who visits Turkey next
week,’ the Wall Street Journal reported quoting diplomatic sources in
Brussels.

According to the diplomats, the Turkish and Armenian governments have
agreed on terms to open formal talks in three areas: opening and
fixing borders, restoring diplomatic relations and setting up
commissions to look at disputes, including one that is of utmost
importance for bilateral relations, but which the journal’s sources
refused to name because of its delicacy.

Next week US President Barack Obama is to visit Ankara. Then
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew J. Bryza, the State
Department’s point man in the Caucasus is to be in Turkey too. As the
Wall Street Journal reports, the agreement would defuse the situation
in the Caucasus and would promote regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. It could also imply strengthening of Turkey’s influence in
the region.

If everything goes according to the plan, on April 16 Yerevan will
host Turkish FM Ali Babacan. Formal occasion for the visit is summit
of CSTO FMA leaders. Of course, the protocol of establishing
diplomatic relation will hardly be signed exactly on April 16; in all
probability, the signing will take plece after April 24, the day of
commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Most likely, the
protocol will be signed in May, when Turkey celebrates the beginning
of the war for independence, or, to be more exact, the last ethnic
cleansing ` this time against the Greeks.

Anyway, the situation is rather odd: Greece and Turkey share a number
of problems, the most important of which is Cyprus. Nevertheless, the
diplomatic relations are retained and the borders are open. Armenia
and Turkey share no common problem ` the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is
in no way related to Turkey. And the fact that Ankara finally decided
to rid itself from the «dependence» on Baku is
pleasant. However, in this case Azerbaijan appears in isolation `
Georgia is not counted as an ally. And no matter how harshly
Azerbaijan threatens with «cutting off the gas» in case
of opening the border, it’s all flippant. To be more exact, it is
meant for the nation that with the wave of Ilham Aliyev’s hand is
ready to start a campaign against anyone¦

However, be that as it may, opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is
the business of Armenia and Turkey, and never that of the USA, Russia
or Azerbaijan. According to Caucasus Institute Director, politologist
Alexander Iskandaryan, opening of Aremnian-Turkish border is not far
off. `Closed border is an absurd-sounding term to be used in the 21st
century. Armenia’s gains from opening the border are obvious. We’ll
have a direct railway link with Europe that will facilitate freight
transportation and reduce its costs. It will provide us with the
outlet to the sea and Eastern provinces of Turkey (Western
Armenia). Armenian investments could help increase prosperity in those
regions. Turkey would benefit from opening of the border for the same
reasons as Armenia,’ Iskandaryan noted. It’s difficult to add
anything, but what is most important – the issue of recognition or
non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the US does not count in
this particular case.

And lastly, the major event of the day was the beginning of
Armenian-language radio broadcasting on radiostation "The Voice of
Turkey". The programs are obviously meant for Armenia and will aim at
conceiving the Armenians of «good intentions and
friendship» of the Turkish nation towards Armenia. However,
it’s almost impractical to believe it ` too bitter was the experience
of Armenians living with Ottoman Turks.