WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?
By George Aghjayan

5/aghjayan-whose-side-are-you-on/
October 5, 2009

Enough time has transpired since the announcement of protocols for
establishing diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia to
tabulate the supporters and opponents.

Of course, the U.S. State Department is thrilled with the current
developments and fully supports the protocols.

Proxies for the government of Turkey in the United States are also
supportive of the protocols. That includes the likes of Congressman
Robert Wexler and the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA). You
remember these folks, don’t you? The TCA is leading the charge
in U.S. courtrooms challenging all efforts at Armenian Genocide
recognition and Wexler is the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus
on U.S.-Turkish relations.

Surely, support from such a distinguished group must indicate the
protocols are good for Armenia.

The Armenian Democratic Liberal (ADL) party seems a bit schizophrenic
on the matter. The eastern United States branch supports the protocols,
yet every other branch opposes the protocols. The central committee
in Armenia stated that the Armenian people are entering "a serious
and dangerous period" and that it has "intense" reservations over
the protocols.

Some opponents to the protocols exist in Turkey as well, but which
clauses in the protocol do they take exception to? Interestingly,
none! The sole criticism emanating from Turkey is that the resolution
to the conflict in Artsakh needs to be a prerequisite for opening
the border between Turkey and Armenia.

Immediately, the leadership in Turkey indicated that is the
case. Whether explicitly in the protocols or not, Turkey has guaranteed
that the border will not be open until Azerbaijan has been appeased.

Those lining up against the protocols from the Armenian side have much
more substantive criticisms. The historical commission, affirming of
borders, and absence of the right to self-determination are just the
tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately, the response from the Armenian
leadership has been severely lacking.

The supposed imminent signing of the protocols for establishing
diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia raises the question
as to legitimacy of those signing. The backlash in both Armenia and
the diaspora and the resulting public relations junket by President
Sarkisian confirm the minimal and fragile support the protocols and
president enjoy. It is time to end this farce and there is no better
time than while the president is here in the United States.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress