Armenian Assembly of America Board of Trustees Members participate in
debate on Armenian-Tukish Protocols
12.12.2009 14:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Board of
Trustees Member, Peter Kezirian and Assembly Western Region Director
Yeghig Keshishian participated in a panel discussion hosted by the
Armenian Law Student Association (ALSA) of Southwestern Law School in
conjunction with the Law School’s Diversity Affairs Office regarding
the recently signed protocols to establish normal relations without
preconditions between the Republics of Armenia and Turkey.
The panel also included Steve Dadaian and Vicken Sonentz Papazian
representing the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Following the opening remarks by Stella Pogosyan, President of the
Armenian Law Student Association at Southwestern, the Assembly and
ANCA each discussed the protocols. Keshishian opened his discussion
looking at the geopolitical situation in the South Caucasus, noting
that the Republic of Armenia, since its independence in 1991, has
sought formal diplomatic relations with Turkey without preconditions.
Turkey meanwhile has insisted on preconditions such as concessions on
Nagorno Karabakh and demands that Armenia renounce international
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Turkey’s 15-year plus blockade
of Armenia also reflects part of Turkey’s strategy to attempt to
isolate and marginalize Armenia.
Referring to the actual text of the protocols, Keshishian noted that
they do not threaten the veracity of the Armenian Genocide, nor do
they require Armenia to abdicate its treaty rights on territorial
issues or require concessions on Nagorno Karabakh as many have
speculated.
Steve Dadaian, speaking on behalf of the ANCA, attempted to use legal
arguments to argue that the Protocols undercut particular interests of
the Armenian Republic and accused the current government of not having
the position or moral authority to deal with these concerns.
Papazian and Dadaian argued that the Protocols are poorly drafted and
will help Turkey’s accession to the European Union, which require open
borders.