THE CALL BY THE ARMENAKAN-LIBERAL PARTY (RAMKAVAR)

12/22/ramkavar
December 22, 2009

The republican department of the Armenakan-Ramkavar Liberal Party
issued a statement today:

"Two months have passed since the signing of the Turkey-Armenia
interstate Protocols (October 10), but there is still no progress
toward ratification of the Protocols. The Turkish side is delaying the
ratification of the Protocols as it continues to link this process
with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan is taking advantage
of this policy by coarsening its position and continuing its policy
of threats with bellicose statements.

At the time, the Armenian authorities did not save efforts to explain
to all Armenians the importance of the ratification of the Protocols
in terms of being an alternative, having a transit road, economic
development and strengthening of political positions in the region.

Another important reason was that Armenia must once and for all
establish diplomatic relations with neighboring Turkey and lead a
dialogue by standing in equal positions.

According to the Armenakan-Ramkavar Liberal Party, in the current
conditions when Turkey continues to set preconditions at different
levels, the official Yerevan must coarsen its position and set its
conditions as well. The current international political state created
in the region after the signing of the Protocols is rather favorable
for Armenia and we think that Armenia should take the road toward
coarsening of the political position. The attempts by Turkey to link
the issue of the Protocols with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict clearly
show that the official Ankara is not sincere in its declarations
about normalizing relations with Armenia and is trying to impede the
process of a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Armenia must call the world’s attention to the fact that the
establishment of normal relations between both countries will
contribute to the improvement of the political climate in the
region and create an atmosphere of mutual confidence. In regard to
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Armenia must enhance its
policy and continue to raise the issue of Genocide recognition at
international courts and condemn Turkey for its policy of denial.

In order to lead a policy of initiator, the Armenian authorities
must join a number of conventions, particularly the well-known UN
Convention on "Transit Trade of Land-Locked States" of which Turkey
is also a member. If Armenia joins this international convention,
it may demand that its neighboring countries create the best possible
conditions for transit. By joining this UN Convention, Armenia will
have additional levers.

The Armenakan-Ramkavar Liberal Party calls on the Armenian
authorities to lead daring and active policy on the ratification of
the Turkey-Armenia Protocols. The time has come for the Republic of
Armenia to replace the former defensive policy with daring positions
and coarsen its approaches," as stated in the statement.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress