HAKOB CHAKRIAN: I WANT TO BELIEVE THAT ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES WILL NOT MAKE CONCESSIONS FOR SAKE OF RELATIONS WITH TURKEY

Noyan Tapan
Oct 20, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The subject of Armenian-Turkish
relations is discussed too much, which is the consequence of
overestimating the meaning of establishment of Armenian-Turkish
relations and opening of the borders. Turkologist Hakob Chakrian
expressed such an opinion at an October 20 press conference. In his
words, the Armenian opposition forces speculate too much on the issue
of establishment of relations with Turkey. While, in his opinion,
speculating and replying to speculations is easier than discussing and
analysing the issue seriously. According to H. Chakrian, no serious
discussion over this issue has been organized, even the parliamentary
hearings did not prove their value. "It was impossible to discuss
such an issue with nearly 64 reports and 25 speeches. Some spoke for
no particular reason, some just for show," he said.

H. Chakrian hopes and believes that the Armenian authorities for the
sake of relations with Turkey will not make concessions. According to
his estimation, Armenia has nothing to lose. "Finally we will return
to our initial position, we have nothing to lose. Armenia has resisted
Turkey’s pressure for many years, has survived under a blockade for
16 years," H. Chakrian said. In his words, it is Turkey that should
be interested in that issue as it pretends on becoming a regional
superpower. And by estranging Armenia, according to H. Chakrian’s
observation, any Turkish initiative in the South Caucasus is in
advance doomed to failure.

In the opinion of political scientist Yervand Bozoyan, Armenia
was entrapped as a result of its steps aimed at normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations. According to his observation, Turkey has
repeatedly declared that the Armenian-Turkish border will be opened
if only progress is recorded in the process of Nagorno Karabakh
settlement. In that respect, according to him, the Armenian-Turkish
protocols give an occasion for anxiety. In political scientist’s
opinion, though the Nagorno Karabakh problem can not be included in the
document, indeed these two issues are interrelated. According to him,
it is also confirmed by the circumstance that the "Nagorno Karabakh
problem from a frozen conflict is turned into a conflict subject to
active discussion."