U.S. President Promised Help To Resolve Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Turkish MP

Today.Az
10 December 2009 [11:55]

Day.Az interview with member of Turkey’s Grand National Assembly
(parliament), former foreign Minister Yasar Yakis.

Day.Az: How do you assess Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
recent visit to the U.S.?

Yasar Yakis: This visit took place at the best level, and the parties
have done everything possible to address their concerns and bring
the relations between the countries to a higher level. Erdogan
has got answers to questions that the Turkish people are concerned
over. Obama also had a chance to get a clear picture of what he can
expect from Turkey.

During his U.S. visit, Erdogan did his best for Azerbaijan at the talks
with the U.S. president. Azerbaijan can be sure that Erdogan spoke
of Azerbaijan as his own country and asked Barack Obama’s support in
addressing Azerbaijan’s problems. The U.S. is one of the two countries
that can resolve the Karabakh conflict. Erdogan asked for U.S. help
to accelerate the solution to this problem taking advantage of its
position in the world and in the Minsk Group. It should be noted
that the Minsk Group has recently intensified efforts, but there are
no results yet. Obama promised to help resole the Karabakh problem
within his capabilities. The visit proved very useful for our region
and nation as a whole.

The Turkey-Armenia protocols were one of the major issues debated at
the meeting…

At a press conference held after the bilateral meeting, the Armenian
journalist asked Erdogan: "While signing the protocols, you said
that the issue is not related to Karabakh. But later at a speech in
the Azerbaijani parliament you said that the protocols will not be
fulfilled until the Karabakh problem is resolved. Don’t you think
these are contradictory statements?"

Erdogan answered that by signing the protocols, the Turkish government
demonstrated its will. These protocols should be ratified by the
parliament. Turkish prime minister clearly stated that the parliament
will not approve the protocols until the Karabakh problem is resolved
just as the act of the March 2003 which enabled the U.S. to attack
Iraq from Turkish territory. But the parliament did not approve
it. If a similar case happens with the Turkish-Armenian protocols,
Armenia will win nothing from this.

Did Obama voice his wish for Turkey’s opening borders and establishing
relations with Armenia again?

Obama noted a need to accelerate steps to normalize relations with
Armenia and ratify the protocols. Erdogan also stressed that the
government has fulfilled its task and signed the protocols. Now it is
up to the parliament to decide future of the protocols. The parliament
is very sensitive about this issue. These protocols are unlikely to
be discussed even by the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs
until there is progress in resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

The executive branch can not put pressure on the legislature. Erdogan
made it clear to Obama, and noted that Turkey is a democratic country
where all issues are solved by voting. You can not force the Congress
to adopt a decision. Similarly, the Turkish government can not dictate
anything to the parliament. Everything depends on the parliament’s
will. It is not only legal procedures, but also political will. Today
the Turkish society and the parliament are not ready for this process.

Was the so-called "Armenian genocide" discussed at the meeting?

The so-called "Armenian genocide" was not a key issue discussed at
the Obama-Erdogan meeting. Obama said that prior to Erdogan’s visit
to the United States, the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) appealed to the White House to exert pressure on Turkish
prime minister to recognize the "genocide". In response, Obama said
ANCA that he places great importance on Turkey, and, if they wish
to normalize relations with Turkey, they themselves should also take
necessary steps.

It is wrong to accuse Turkey unilaterally. If you want something
from Turkey, you must also make some concessions. The process of
normalization of relations should be mutual. Obama also sees solution
to the so-called "genocide" in the normalization of Turkish-Armenian
relations. He knows that this issue will be resolved by a joint
commission to study the history of Turkish-Armenian relations. The
historians will say the final word.

What progress has been made on regional energy projects, especially
on Nabucco?

I do not have sufficient information about details of the discussions.

But, I am aware of Erdogan’s position on the matter. Erdogan has a
normal attitude to Russia-backed "South Stream" project. This project
could meet great part of the European demand while Nabucco will meet
only 10 percent. However, there always will be a need for Nabucco.

Azerbaijan’s Gunashli field and Iraqi fields are main sources to fill
up Nabucco.

Nabucco needs Iranian gas as well to increase its profitability.

Turkey support transport of the Iranian gas via the pipeline while
the U.S. does not. For fear of sanctions by the United States, no one
dares to support Iran’s accession to Nabucco. This situation increases
concerns about the fate of Nabucco. But the U.S. is one of the main
supporters of Nabucco. The White House is interested in this project.

Obama Administration has undertook lobbying Nabucco. Obama asked
Erdogan to support regional projects which are great importance for
the United States.

Society for suppression of unlawful claims about so-called "Armenian
genocide" has filed a suit with the European Court of Justice against
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on charges of Khojali genocide ..

In order to appeal to the European Court on Human Rights with such
charges, first they must have relevant decisions of the Armenia
courts. If these decisions do not satisfy the plaintiff, he may appeal
to the European Court. Only in this case financial compensation may
be imposed. In other words, Sargsyan can be forced to pay compensation
to the victims of the tragedy or his property may be seized.

As to legal assessment of Khojaly events and holding Sargsyan
criminally accountable, this trial can be held in the UN. UN has
already organized courts on Rwanda and Yugoslav events. The forces
that wish to achieve justice in this matter could bring Sargsyan to
the court-martial on charges of committing war crimes.

But the process of filing suit with the European Court on Human Rights
will fail. They must first apply to the courts of Armenia.