SERZH SARGSYAN MANAGED TO PERSUADE DIASPORA WHILE TURKEY IS NOT ABLE TO PERSUADE AZERIS, TURKISH JOURNALIST SAYS

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 17, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. "We accept the Armenian-Turkish
protocols without preconditions but real life is different: the
Turkish government is pressed by society and Azerbaijan," Badri
Gursey, a correspondent of the Milliyet newspaper, who arrived in
Yerevan, declared at a December 17 press conference. "I do not think
that against Azerbaijan’s opinion the protocols can be ratified," he
mentioned emphasizing that the Azeri moods are used by the Turkish
opposition. According to B. Gursey, the opposition protests saying
that Azerbaijan’s interests are violated and therefore the issue of
protocols has reached a deadlock.

The Turkish journalist expressed an opinion that at the price of
losing Azerbaijan Turkey will move forward only in some cases and in
certain situations but found it difficult to mention in what
situations concretely. B. Gursey also stressed that the
Armenian-Turkish relations regard not only the two countries but also
the whole region and in order to succeed Azerbaijan should also take
part in the negotiations process.

The other speaker, CNN Turk TV channel’s correspondent Ferhat Boratav,
declared that today Armenia and Turkey "do not dance tango two
together," another three states, including U.S. and Russia, also dance
that tango. Turkey and Azerbaijan, as he mentioned, are players of a
big game which is called "axis of East-West energy carriers." "No one
imagined at first that Azerbaijan can leave the game," F. Boratav
said.

He mentioned that at the stage of discussion of the protocols
President Serzh Sargsyan visited Diaspora’s communities, gave
explanations to Diasporan Armenians, and the Turks considered it
natural. Just this way, according to F. Boratav, Turkey considers it
necessary to consult with Azerbaijan which is also a natural
phenomenon. However the difference, according to him, is that S.

Sargsyan managed to persuade the Diasporan Armenians while Turkey is
not able to persuade Azeris.

In response to the question of whether he is ready to personally
apologize for the Armenian Genocide B. Gursey declared that he is not
at the court. And F. Boratav in connection with the same question
mentioned that not apologizing but knowing and accepting the truth is
important. He also expressed an opinion that not historians but
lawyers and the court can give a final conclusion on the Genocide.