ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS CONTRADICT INTERNATIONAL LAW: ARA BABIAN

Tert.am
17:57 05.10.09

Armenian-Turkish Protocols contradict international law, since Armenia
and Turkey, with these Protocols, are attempting to have Woodrow
Wilson’s Arbitrary Act, with which the Armenian-Turkish border was
defined, undergo a review, said historian, diplomat and Head of Modus
Vivendi Centre Ara Babian today.

"There are also contradictions between the documents and our
Constitution, since there is a clear reference in the Constitution
to our Declaration on Independence, that the Republic of Armenia must
support the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey in Western
Armenia and Turkey," Babian said, adding that the Armenian-Turkish
Protocols state that both sides commit themselves to refrain from
pursuing any policy which might be incompatible within the spirit of
good neighbourly relations.

"That is to say, any political step by Armenia directed to Genocide
recognition will be in contradiction with the Protocols," he
emphasized. According to Babian, if the Protocols come into effect,
then the Armenian president’s statement on Day of Genocide (April 24)
will contradict Armenia’s international commitments. "Because Turkey
will unequivocally assess the statement as destroying good neighbourly
relations," the former Armenian Ambassador to Canada concluded.