TURKISH, ARMENIAN PRESS PLAY DOWN TIES

BBC NEWS
urope/8231876.stm
2009/09/01 11:57:36 GMT

The decision by Turkey and Armenia to establish diplomatic relations
after centuries of hostilities has been given a lukewarm reception
by press commentators in both countries.

Only two Turkish newspapers were noted to have commented on the issue
and both largely welcome the move, but remain sceptical over whether
it will result in anything without consensus from neighbouring nations.

Similarly, only two Armenian opposition dailies commented on the
statement, both highlighting further conditions that they feel need
to be met before the agreement can be fully welcomed. One of the
Armenian dailies expressed stronger objection to the agreement,
citing Turkey’s ongoing denial of genocide against Armenians.

SEMIH IDIZ IN TURKEY’S MILLIYET

Turkey and Armenia have taken a bold step and decided to establish
diplomatic relations. This is the message given by yesterday’s
statement simultaneously made in Ankara, Yerevan and Bern… It is
assumed that this consensus which has been reached through Swiss
mediation will be met by reactions in the nationalist circles in
both Armenia and Turkey. And it is not known in the current phase
what kind of a preparation Ankara has made in order to convince Baku
[Azerbaijan].

ERDAL SAFAK IN TURKEY’S SABAH

An important detail: the six-week period will expire two days
before the national football match to be played between Turkey and
Armenia. Our impression is that in case the Armenian President, Serge
Sarkisian, who has made his visit to Turkey for the match conditional
upon the "opening of the [Turkish-Armenian] border", continues to
resist, it is strongly possible that the process may be frozen.

EDITORIAL IN ARMENIA’S HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK

Serge Sarkisian cannot but fulfil his promises: To go to Turkey…,
to sign a big agreement on the Nagorno Karabakh issue, and to wait
for Turkey finally to fulfil its promise to open its border.

EDITORIAL IN ARMENIA’S ZHAMANAK

Serge Sarkisian may go to Turkey on 14 October to watch the scheduled
Armenia-Turkey football match, in order to ensure the continuation
of the Armenian-Turkish talks and to prevent them from being aborted,
at any cost.

Taking into consideration Turkey’s policy of denying the Armenian
genocide, Armenia is to some extent justifying Turkey’s behaviour
in the genocide issue. The point is that the issue of the genocide
is a national demand, which should not be made an axis of state
policy. State policy should never be carried out at the price of
national feelings, and moreover, it should not contribute to defying
those feelings.

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