‘A DOCUMENT CREATED ON MUTUALLY ERRONEOUS CALCULATIONS’: OSKANIAN ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS
Tert.am
16:41 ~U 29.01.10
Taking into account the importance of improving Armenia-Turkey
relations, a new approach and review in the issue is necessary,
said founder of the Civilitas Foundation & former Foreign Minister
of Armenia, Vartan Oskanian, who, upon Tert.am’s request, turned his
attention to the latest developments in the process of establishing
Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as the possibility of the process’
failure.
"In this issue, I am of the same opinion as I was in the beginning
of the process. This is a document created on mutually incorrect
calculations.
"The Armenian side’s erroneous calculation was based on the conviction
that
1. The opening of the Armenia-Turkey border is a life-or-death
issue for the development of stability in Armenia’s inner policy
and economy, 2. Turkey will easily go against Azerbaijan’s interests
3. If in the document it doesn’t mention the words "Kars Agreement,"
"Genocide" or "Nagorno-Karabakh," wording that has to do with these
issues can be presented to the Armenian people as harmless wording –
making use of the state propaganda.
"The Turkish side’s erroneous calculation was based on the conviction
that
1. The opening of the Armenia-Turkey border is so necessary for Armenia
that it will be possible to put wording favouring Turkey, obtained
through diplomatic maneouvers, into practical application/use,
2. The issue of Genocide and demands for recognition are purely
Diaspora issues and are of no interest to residents of Armenia,
3. The resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is imminent, and
the Armenian-Turkish Protocols having been signed and connecting
the ratification process with Nagorno-Karabakh, that can become an
additional stimulus for the Armenian side to expedite the process or
at least ‘return’ certain territories to Azerbaijan.
"Taking into account the importance of improving relations between
Armenia and Turkey, a new approach and review in the issue is
necessary.
"The process of improving relations cannot crowned with success if it
is built on Armenia’s and Turkey’s authorities’ short-term policy gains
or on the ignorance of historical or political complexities. It must
be established on the sincere knowledge of all the issues and battle
cries, if the purpose is truly reaching real and stable improvement."