TURKEY’S SUPPORT IS NECESSARY TO ALIYEV AS THE BREATH OF LIFE
Karine Ter-Sahakyan
PanArmenian
April 14 2009
Armenia
Recognizing Turkey’s present borders, Armenia would imply her
non-insistence on international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Judging by the latest publications, the Azeri society, in consequence
of the outlined diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, has
reached an unprecedented level of hysteria and irresponsibility. The
matter is not even that buckets of mud are flung at Armenia; we have
long got used to it thanks to the efforts of sunken into oblivion
Akper Hasanov and still in good shape Vugar Seidov. By the way,
the latter has truly lost his sense of proportion and tact…
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It would be naïve of us to consider Baku does not
realize that Azerbaijan is not fitting into the Armenian-Turkish
relations. The matter simply is that Azeri politicians have taken
Heydar Aliyev’s words on ‘One nation, two states’ for granted and now
they are ready to defend this view at any cost, by all thinkable and
unthinkable means. And let us note thereupon that the ostrich policy
conducted by the Armenian authorities and some independent departments
in foreign matters will never lead to a happy end. The statements
like "We consider it beneath our dignity to respond to the foolery of
Azerbaijan" are not at all watertight. Neither is the reluctance to
report to media what is already spread all over the world. Exactly
on this matter dwelt the other day Director of "Hay Dat" Bureau
Kiro Manoyan, commenting on the visit of the RA Foreign Minister to
Istanbul. "No explanations provided whether the minister goes or not.
Then he meets with three ministers but it suddenly occurs he met
Obama on a separate meeting. Is it so difficult to distinctly describe
the situation?", Manoyan complains. Surely it wouldn’t be difficult,
be there a will.
But, earnestly speaking, Baku’s preoccupation could be predicted. Her
illusive hopes on the Â"returnÂ" of Nagorno Karabakh are now fading
away for good. And in this regard Turkey’s support is necessary
to Aliyev as the breath of life. If we should believe Erdogan such
support is now offered to Azerbaijan. But how truthful are the Turkish
Premier’s words? And no matter how hard Baku tries to persuade that she
will not tolerate any Armenian-Turkish relations without regulation of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey herself pays little attention to
this. The major issue for her is the recognition of today’s Turkey’s
borders by Armenia. However, it is what Armenia and the Armenians
should primarily avoid. Recognizing Turkey’s present borders, Armenia
would imply her non-insistence on international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. This is the only trump card Armenia has, but,
unfortunately, there is no proof yet that she is using it correctly.
And now there are numerous delegations heading for Turkey from
Â"brotherlyÂ" Azerbaijan every day. There they are met by opposition
and nationalist parties, which are not so much against the opening of
Armenian-Turkish border as they are against the Erdogan Government. And
what is interesting – the Azeri media, very often giving out the
desired for the actual, misinterprets the Turkish press. It’s quite
understandable, as it is the only way to convince people that the
Â"Father of nationÂ" has chosen the right way. And we should show
respect to the Turkish press and politicians, as they never venture
rough and mean attacks on Armenia and its people. If only the Baku
agitation and propaganda department would take lessons from his
Â"brotherÂ". But hatred has closed their eyes…
In the words of leading analyst of the Center for Middle East
Studies Alexander Sotnichenko, the current Turkish Government thinks
pragmatically and is ready to establish diplomatic relations with
Armenia. "Relations between Turkey and Armenia could become similar
to those between Russia and Japan. On the negative side we have
territorial claims and no peace of treaty signed. Still, on the
positive side, there are diplomatic relations and trade turnover. I
believe this model is the most acceptable for Armenian-Turkish
relations," he said.
He also noted that the European Union would approve of Armenian-Turkish
agreement. Yet, though Turkey seeks EU membership, it will never
be accepted as a part of the Committee. "But what’s even more
important, the agreement will strengthen Russian-Turkish relations
and make further agreement between Russia, Turkey and Armenia
possible. Surely Baku won’t like it, but, frankly speaking, we don’t
seek her approval. The Erdogan Government is flexible and thinks in
accordance with policy realities of today’s world, whereas Baku chooses
to count on nationalists," Sotnichenko stressed. It is quite possible
that Armenia and Turkey will reestablish diplomatic relations, or,
to put it differently, they’ll return to the status they had before
1993. But what will come next? Hardly would they have neighbourly
relations like those between France and Germany. The "Alliance of
Civilizations" is impossible in Armenian-Turkish implementation,
and no one can say for sure whether it’s good or bad. Sorry to say,
this topic is most painful for Armenia and Turkey, and its constant
overstatement in the press cannot have a happy end.