AZG DAILY #20, 06-02-2010

Opinion

Update: 2010-02-06 01:33:20 (GMT +04:00)

AZERBAIJANI MP: U.S. CONGRESS’ RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WOULD
PLAY INTO TURKEY’S HANDS

Day.Az interview with member of Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (parliament)
Gudrat Hasanguliyev.

– Many expert argue that the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict requires shift in positions of the great powers. Do you
expect any changes in their positions?

– I do not think that the position of states involved in the Karabakh
peace process has changed in recent times. They remain committed to
their opinion ignoring interests of Azerbaijan which requires to
resolve the conflict based on international law. Besides, I do not see
prospects for a shift in the positions of these powers. All these do
not promise bright prospects for a peaceful solution to the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

– In your opinion, can the U.S. Congress neglect the country’s
national interests and recognize the Armenian genocide if Turkey fails
to ratify the Zurich protocols signed with Armenia?

– I believe when we talk about neglect of national interest in U.S.
relations with Turkey, we should not refer to future. Washington has
already neglected its relations with Ankara. As you know, many
Congressmen and other U.S. officials are dependent on the Armenian
diaspora in the States. Therefore, the issue of Armenian genocide is
regularly raised in the United States which also provides support to
Karabakh.

The U.S. Congress is constantly blackmailing Ankara by recognition of
the Armenian genocide seeking to control Turkey’s foreign policy. Of
course, the U.S. Congress is less likely to adopt such a decision
because it would mark end of the Turkish-American strategic
partnership.

But I think U.S. Congress’ recognition of the Armenian genocide would
play into the hands of Turkey. Because this would end Washington’s
blackmail to Ankara enabling Turkey to pursue more free foreign
policy. At present, Ankara wants to establish closer cooperation with
the Turkic countries, as well as with Russia.

Moreover, I believe that in event the United States recognizes the
Armenian genocide, Turkey should withdraw from NATO and join together
with Azerbaijan the CSTO, which already has a Turkic state. I think
that Turkey’s withdrawal from the pro-Western NATO and accession to
the CSTO is much easier than NATO accession for other Turkic states.
Thus, influence of the Turkic countries in the military-political
organization like CSTO will increase many times, and, most
importantly, our countries will be together in one organization.

– Does not Armenia’s presence in the CSTO bother you?

– Not at all. This should bother neither Azerbaijan nor Turkey. On the
contrary, Armenia could lose one-sided support of Russia in the
Karabakh issue, even in the event of resumed hostilities. Moreover, in
case of war with Armenia, Russia will no longer be able to
unequivocally support Yerevan. I think accession to the CSTO is in
line with common interests of Moscow, Baku and Ankara since the West
has already denied support to Azerbaijan.