TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIAN: OPENING OF TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDER IS IMPOSSIBLE

Today
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Nov 23 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with member of Turkey’s Grand National Assembly
(parliament), Nationalist Movement Party Deputy Chairman Mehmet
Shandir.

Day.Az: The U.S. and the European Union reportedly put pressure on
Turkey to ratify the Turkish-Armenian protocols. Will Turkey be able
to stand pressure?

Mehmet Shandir: Despite all the pressure, the NMP will further assert
Azerbaijanis’ interests in Turkey. Azerbaijanis need not worry about
it. It is impossible to open Turkish-Armenian border and establish
good relations between the countries until complete withdrawal of
Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories.

The protocols were signed under pressure from the U.S. and the EU.

These protocols will not be ratified till Armenian occupation
is put an end. The government has sent these protocols to the
parliament. But the NMP would not discuss these protocols in the
foreign affairs commission and bring up them for the parliamentary
debates. We will closely watch the implementation of the promises
of the Turkish Republic to Azerbaijanis. No reason can not call the
Turkish-Azerbaijani friendship into question.

Q: The American and Armenian media are discussing the possibility of
U.S. recognition of the "Armenian Genocide" in the case of Turkey’s
refusal to ratify the protocols. What measures will Turkey take if
it happens?

A: Recognition of "Armenian genocide" by the United States does
not mean anything for Turkey. Recognition of any country except
Turkey does not play any role. These claims are directed against
Turkey who will pay tribute is in the worst case. Recognition of a
third country may hurt us, but not replace the truth. Only Turkey’s
recognition plays a role in this issue. Turkey will never recognize
the "genocide." No one will force us to do so. Even the pressure by
world powers such as the U.S. and the EU will not force us to call
our grandparents killers. The Turkish nation has never in its history
committed genocide against any people. The government does not provide
decent resistance to outside pressure and makes concessions.

Q: Nearly 50,000-60,000 illegal Armenian migrants work in Turkey. The
authorities immediately expel illegal migrants from other countries.

But why there are different rules for Armenians?

A: This is a wrong policy. Turkey has unemployment of more than 15
percent. It is not a wise step to turn a blind eye to illegal foreign
labor force in such circumstances. But it is not so important,
because Turkey is not closing its doors to people who come for a
piece of bread, and does not involve politics in this issue. The more
important for us is end to occupation of Karabakh and continuation
of Turkish-Azerbaijani friendship.

Q: What is NMP vision of resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

A: The Karabakh conflict is a problem of international level. Solution
to this problem without support of international community seems to
be impossible. Turkey should closely watch activities of the OSCE
Minsk Group and not only contribute to the solution of this problem.

Turkish-Armenian protocols can be implemented only after the resolution
to the Karabakh problem.

We demand the Turkish government to fully use the Turkish-Armenian
protocols for a just solution to the Karabakh conflict. We propose
a new version of the Turkish-Armenian protocols. Ending Karabakh’s
occupation stands in fore front in our new version, then denial
of the Armenian territorial claims against Turkey and only after
this establishment of bilateral relations. Armenians may have every
attitude to such an option. It’s their problem. But, we are aware
of the seriousness of the issue and will impede by any means the
implementation of protocols different of ours.

Q: Some Turkish media have recently competed in a demonstration of
love for the Armenians. How are sincere these feelings?

A: These media outlets make a grave mistake. These are false
statements. Their authors do not really understand what they
say. Our media are independent. Each of them approaches this issue
from standpoint of their interests. Such cases require us to be more
cautious. We can get a blow from a quite unexpected direction. Not
views of the Turkish media, but that of the Turkish nation are
important. The Turkish nation will never abandon its brotherhood with
Azerbaijan for the sake of dubious relations with Armenians. It will
never accept the Armenian claims against Turkey and Azerbaijan.