WE WILL PREVENT IMPLEMENTATION OF TURKEY-ARMENIA PROTOCOLS’ PROVISIONS: TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIAN
Today
litics/56950.html
Oct 27 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with member of Turkey’s Grand National Assembly
(Parliament) and co-chair of the parliamentary faction of the
Nationalist Movement Party (NMP) Ogtay Vural.
Day.Az: How do you assess the parliamentary debates on the
Turkish-Armenian protocols?
Ogtay Vural: Since the beginning of the first Turkish-Armenian debate,
we have serious concerns about their results. The protocols do not
meet interests of the Turkish nation. They were kept in secret for
people for long. We heard primary information about them from the U.S.
president.
During the discussions in the parliament I noted that we all know
the purpose and core of Armenia. Armenia still shows Eastern Anatolia
as Western Armenia is its maps and books. During a flight to Bursa,
Sargsyan’s plane depicted Armenia’s coats of arms which included of
the Mount Agrı. Armenia still accuses Turkey of "genocide". Armenia
has occupied Azerbaijan’s territory, leaving millions of our brothers
and sisters without homes. It has committed the Khojaly massacre.
Today, we blame the other heads of state of murder of babies. Then why
we do not blame Armenians for similar crimes? The Turkish-Armenian
warming is unacceptable till the last inch of Azerbaijani lands is
liberated. The NMP will do its utmost to prevent fulfillment of the
protocols’ provisions.
The AKP government is well aware that the Armenian issue is too
serious and can lead to undesirable consequences. The Turkish people
will not tolerate this.
Q: Turkey persistently assures Azerbaijan that border with Armenia
will not open. What are your views about this?
A: We have serious concerns. These fears are based on Turkey’s dual
attitude to the protocols related with its problem neighbors. Turkey
had earlier signed a protocol on entrance of Cypriot vessels to
Turkish ports. However, the protocol was not submitted to parliament
for ratification. But the Turkish-Armenian protocols were immediately
sent to the parliament and the discussions began. We see that much
more effort is made in the Armenian issue. We think that this is no
accident. There are some points that we are unaware.
Q: Turkey announces that it always keeps the Karabakh issue on the
agenda in all negotiations, and that this position was not forgotten
during the discussion over the protocols…
A: The return of part of Azerbaijan’s territories are discussed in
the negotiation process within the OSCE Minsk Group. Armenians can
take tactical moves. For example, they may free Azerbaijan’s 5 regions.
This does not mean that they will liberate other territories as well.
In this way they can throw dust to the eyes of Turkey and international
community. Serzh Sargsyan watches military exercises in Karabakh
while the protocols are being discussed. This is a show of force. He
hints that no force can make them to withdraw. If in response to such
blatant actions by Armenia we wish to maintain a friendship with him,
it means we ignore Azerbaijan at such a time.
Q: The Azerbaijani opposition has proposed to jointly discuss the
latest developments with the Turkish opposition. How do you evaluate
this proposal?
A: We do not differentiate between authorities and opposition in
national matters. We are one nation and, naturally, we should be able
to jointly solve national problems. We are ready to meet and talk with
everyone for the sake of nation’s interests. All true Turks in Turkey
are ready to sacrifice their blood for Azerbaijan and we are among
them. Certainly, there is a need to discuss the latest developments
with the authorities and opposition in Azerbaijan and to demonstrate
a unified stance.