NO REASON TO GIVE UP ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT – ANALYST
Aliyah Fridman

news.az
Feb 24 2010
Azerbaijan

Dr Michael M. Gunter News.Az interviews Dr Michael M. Gunter, professor
at the Tennessee Technological University and the International
University in Austria.

Do you believe that the current process of normalization between
Turkey and Armenia will be successful after all the accusations in
genocide in the early 20th century?

I think the current process of normalization has already led to some
success for Turkey by showing the world that it is trying to settle
its problems with Armenia.

What are the prospects for the ratification of the Turkish-Armenian
protocols?

The ratification process was never going to be easy, but there is no
reason that we should not continue to pursue it.

Do you think that President Obama will use the word "genocide" in
his speech on 24 April, as Armenians hope?

I don’t think President Obama will use the g-word.

What is the future of US-Turkey relations if Obama’s administration
recognizes the genocide?

US-Turkish relations are on the mend, and hopefully the
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement will continue, so why should Obama
destroy all this progress by using the g-word? Leave it to the two
parties to the dispute to decide on all this.

Turkey’s attempts to mediate between Azerbaijan and Armenia are said
to have failed. Do you agree?

The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute will not be settled overnight, so
the Turkish role as a mediator will not be easy and will be a long
continuing process.

Can increased economic cooperation between Turkey and Russia bring
positive results for the South Caucasus?

Economic cooperation is the engine of economic progress, especially
in this case.

Turkey and Azerbaijan say that there is a link between the
Turkish-Armenian process and Karabakh process, but Armenians say
there is no link between these issues. What is your opinion?

Clearly there is an important link here.

The is 18th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre is approaching. The
Azerbaijani authorities try to get recognition of this massacre as
an act of genocide by Armenians against Azerbaijani civilians. Do
you think that the international community is ready to recognize it?

Genocide implies many deaths. Khojaly was a regrettable massacre, not
genocide. Most people in the international community have never even
heard of Khojaly. Let Turkey and Azerbaijan discreetly mention it when
the broader issue between them and Armenia comes up. It will show that
the Armenians are not as innocent as they try to present themselves.