FOOTBALL KINDER OR DIPLOMACY
YEGHISHEH METSARENTS

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13:30:30 – 01/09/2009

The process of normalization of the Armenian and Turkish relations
resembles confectionary in the sense of similarity to the Kinder
Surprise chocolate rather than diplomacy. The point is that this
process has already given the second surprise to the Armenian public
in the form of an Armenian and Turkish regular document which, by
tradition or by custom or yet by the logic of the Kinder Surprise",
was released at night, like the statement of April 22.

Why? What is the reason that the Armenian-Turkish documents are
adopted at night? The impression is that the protocols will be
implemented at night. For example, the Turkish and Armenian border
will be opened only after 10 pm, and with the first rays of the sun
it will be closed. Similarly, the Armenian and Turkish consulates in
both countries which grant visa will operate only at night.

This secrecy, darkness and unexpectedness of the process of
normalization of the Armenian and Turkish relations, not to mention
their contents, give rise to a lot of questions. Is there anyone
who may give the evil eye to the parties? Some people will say that
Azerbaijan could do. But they will learn about the protocols in Baku
anyway, and if Aliyev’s eye is evil, he may do in a few years too. From
whom is the process of the Armenian and Turkish settlement kept secret?

Perhaps this is done for the effectiveness of work but any interstate
agreement especially of such strategic importance depends largely on
the perception of the public. And the public perceives better when
it participates in shaping facts rather than when it is faced with
the fact. The society faced with the fact may get confused and not
know what to do, and may agree to everything. But what will happen
after when the society comes round?

After all, the Armenian and Turkish relations are not being
normalized for a day or two or a decade, and they are aimed at bringing
communities together, strengthening regional stability and security of
both peoples and their neighbors. Or is it a fairy tale for children,
who are sometimes given a Kinder-Surprise?