The Economist: If the deal collapses, US Congress would pass Armenian
Genocide resolution

19.02.2010 14:37

Yerevan (Yerkir) – After Armenia-Turkey protocols were signed in
Zurich `it looked like a clear achievement for its policy of `zero
problems’ with its neighbors,’ an article in The Economist magazine
says.

It says that just a day after the deal was signed, `Turkey’s Premier
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that it could not be implemented until
Armenia withdrew from Nagorno-Karabakh, which it has occupied since
the war.’

Commenting on the Armenian Court ruling that the Protocols are
constitutional, the Economist mentions that `Turkey is throwing a
fresh tantrum.’

`Turkey looks isolated. America, its most important ally (and the
deal’s biggest backer), has taken Armenia’s side. Russia argues that
Turkish-Armenian relations should not be linked to Nagorno-Karabakh, a
view shared in Washington,’ the article reads.

`If the deal collapses, the way would be left open for Congress to
pass a resolution recognizing the 1915 killings as genocide, something
it has long threatened. This in turn could trigger anti-American
feelings in Turkey strong enough to leave Ankara feeling that it has
no choice but to retaliate. One option would be to kick the Americans
out from the strategically located Incirlik airbase,’ the author
concludes.