Anadolu Agency, Turkey
April 12 2009

SENIOR TURKISH LAWMAKER SAYS OPENING OF ARMENIAN BORDER RELATED TO
SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH DISPUTE

AKCAKOCA (A.A) – 12.04.2009 – A senior Turkish lawmaker said Sunday
opening of border between Turkey and Armenia was part of a big package
which also includes the settlement of Karabakh dispute between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. "Opening the border is not a matter started
with U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent visit to Turkey," Yasar
Yakis, head of the EU Adjustment Committee of the Turkish Parliament,
told reporters.

The issue is on the table since 2007 with the involvement of
Switzerland, Yakis said.

He said Turkey had no problems with the people of Armenia.

"There is a problem caused by Armenian diaspora," he said. "Mr. Obama
brought up the matter at his visit to Turkey after a momentum created
by the Armenian diaspora in the United States."

Yakis said there was an impression that Turkey would open the border
although the Upper Karabakh dispute is not resolved.

"Such an impression is not correct," he said. (TÇ-EÖ)