GREAT PART OF TURKISH SOCIETY AGAINST OPENING OF TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER: AZERBAIJANI MP

Today
Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2009

Day.Az: Do you believe the Turkish and Armenian parliaments will
ratify the protocols signed between the countries?

Anar Mammadkhanov: I think that the Armenian parliament will ratify
the Turkish-Armenian protocols and will require a similar step
from the Turkish side. But the Turkish parliament, which is really
democratic and dependent on views of country’s people, will ratify
the Turkish-Armenian protocols until liberation of Azerbaijan’s
Armenian-occupied territories.

Q: What will happen next once the scenario you suggest is realized?

A: It will be followed by a mutual accusations which will give a rise
to more actively involvement in a regular process of reconciliation
efforts by leading world powers. But an attempt to exert pressure on
Turkey, for example, from the U.S. and the EU is doomed to failure
like an attempt by Madame Gritsatsuyeva to regain Ostap Bender, who,
incidentally, was presented as a son of Turkish official. Indeed, in
response to them, the U.S. and the EU, but not Madame Gritsatsuyeva
will hear absolutely reasonable and truthful statement of the Turkish
leadership that it is unable to influence decisions by its own members
of parliament.

After this scenario happens, I do not rule out that the Armenian side
will experience equally unpleasant emotions, such as those experienced
by archivist Korobeinikov who issued a free warrant indicating location
of the chairs searched by "great schemer". It is possible that the
Armenians will all together sing "the old song about the main thing"
in chorus claiming that Turkish-Armenian protocols make no mention
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

But no one will listen these chants. Armenia is a country which over
a dozen years ignored the fact that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
is recognized all over the world and numerous UN resolutions and other
influential international organizations call for the liberation of
all occupied Azerbaijani territories.

Secondly, we live in a world of real politics. The realities imply that
vast majority of representatives of Turkish society are against opening
of Turkish-Armenian border without the return of Armenian-occupied
Azerbaijani territories. Therefore, people engaged in real politics
need to understand that the Turkish government delays ratification
of the Turkish-Armenian protocols.

In addition, Turkish authorities have reiterated on many occasions
that these are two parallel processes and Azerbaijan enjoys larger
geopolitical and geo-economic importance in the world.

Q: Former Armenian Foreign Minister Alexander Arzoumanian said that
the protocols will be ratified after a breakthrough in resolving
the Karabakh issue. Recently, similar statements are made in Armenia
more frequently. Does this mean that the process of disillusion has
started in the Armenian society?

A: I believe it is a forced disillusion. There are different causes
for the forced disillusion. First, it is like a case when a man who
loves to drink runs out of money and no one lends it to him.

Secondly, it is similar to a case when a body no longer takes alcohol.

So, there is parallelization of the two causes of forced disillusion
in Armenia. Armenia faces a terrible economic situation that has led
to a loss of interest to Armenia by investors while the "the body" –
the mind of citizens of this country has refused to accept the idea of
living in seclusion, knowing that the only way to "cure" lies through
normalization of relations with all its neighbors which implies the
return of all Armenia-occupied territories of Azerbaijan. This is
understandable. After all, we still see only the first results of
the impact of global economic and financial crisis on Armenian economy.

Next will be even worse.

So, it is high time to sobber up. Otherwise, figuratively speaking,
it would be too late to drink mineral water owing to neglect of kidney
disease: a real war threatens the complete loss of Armenian statehood.

Q: Will the factors you cited lead to an adequate, fair position
by the Armenian government in the negotiations to settle the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

A: I am convinced that Armenia’s isolation caused by the occupation of
Azerbaijan’s territories was sooner or later bound to increase external
and internal problems of this country. After all, we are dealing with
a classic case of "boomerang effect", when evil launched to the sky
returns back in a form of very painful sensations. Years have passed
and growing number of citizens in Armenia begin to understand this. I
hope that leaders of this country will also understand it.

I would be appropriate to quote Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev who
said: "Personally, I have no doubt that the Azerbaijani lands will be
liberated from the invaders. The main question is whether by peaceful
or military ways." To be exact, Azerbaijan will never reconcile with
the loss of its land and is ready to return them in any way. Remember
the thesis by Winston Churchill’s, brilliant politician and diplomat
who brought the theory about what losses can a state afford during
a war without undermining foundations of its nationhood and gene pool.

Azerbaijan is ready to return Armenian-occupied territories through
military means without risking to undermine the foundations of
statehood and gene pool. Armenia, on backdrop of its current poor
economic and demographic status, is not ready for hostilities
and they could be the beginning of end of its statehood. This is
the most powerful argument for the Armenian leadership to take a
truly constructive stance in the negotiation process to settle the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.