AZERBAIJANI POLITICAL ANALYST: IT WOULD BE TOO BIG MISTAKE FOR U.S. TO LOSE TURKEY FOR SAKE OF ARMENIA’S WHIMS
A. Hasanov

Today
3560.html
March 9 2010
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Director of Azerbaijan-based Center for Political
Innovations and Technologies Mubariz Ahmadoglu.

What are your comments on a statement by U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton that the U.S. Congress will not consider the "Armenian
genocide" resolution?

To begin with, the fact that the Committee on Foreign Affairs of U.S.

House of Representatives adopted the resolution on the so-called
"Armenian genocide" is not only erroneous, but also harmful to the
national interests of the United States. But the resolution has been
adopted, and now the White House is in agony, trying to neutralize
the consequences of this erroneous decision, which threatens loss of
Turkey, as an important strategic ally.

What is especially important for the United States is that Turkey
quite successfully undertook mediation mission between the United
States and Iran. In general, it is extremely difficult to overestimate
Turkey’s importance for the U.S. Hillary Clinton’s statement, that the
U.S. Congress will not consider a resolution on "Armenian genocide"
shows that the U.S. leadership is well aware what consequences
pre-existing resolutions by the Committee on Foreign Affairs as well
as further raising of the theme of the mythical "Armenian genocide"
may have for the United States. Fortunately, Turkey’s reaction to
that "comedy", which was set up during the vote on the resolution on
"Armenian genocide" left no doubt on this country’s determination to
reconsider its relations with the United States.

After the U.S. Congress committee passed the above-said resolution,
Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said this is another sign of American
people’s devotion to universal values. A number of Armenian politicians
and political scientists were in the same mood. What will they do when
it becomes evident that U.S. congressional committee will not be able
to further move the "Armenian genocide" resolution? Will they lose
faith "in the devotion of the American people to universal values"?

Temporary bouts of euphoria, which have ultimately caused severe
disappointment, had already taken place in the life of Armenians
around the world. Remembering, that on Oct. 11, 2007 the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives approved 27 votes
to 21 a draft resolution that recognized the "Armenian genocide"
with two abstentions, which, back then, caused a great merry-making
among world’s Armenians. But after former U.S. President George Bush’s
intervention, this resolution did not even reach a vote in the House
of Representatives.

I am confident that the same thing will happen this time. Turkey is
of great importance to the national interests of the U.S.

The Armenians around the world will be strongly disappointed and
they will receive "assurances" that "not now, but some time in future
historical justice will finally be restored."

But all these talks will be an attempt to display a good face on
a bad game. That would be the price paid for the conviction of the
Armenian government that it spreads in the Armenian society.

How do you see future of Turkish-Armenian reconciliation?

On the backdrop of a sharp cooling of the Turkish-American relations
caused by the U.S. Congress Committee’s adoption of the resolution
on so-called "Armenian genocide", it is difficult to even talk about
future process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

I am convinced, that now Turkey has every reason to demand U.S. to
stop speculation about the mythical "Armenian Genocide" through which
Turkey has faced pressure in recent years. Moreover, Turkey has every
reason to demand from the U.S. to increase pressure on Armenia in
terms of liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

Only in case Washington gives such assurances to Turkey, it will be
possible to say current cooling in the Turkish-American ties is fully
eliminated and think about future of Turkish-Armenian reconciliation,
on which the United States insists.

How do you assess Azerbaijan’s position on U.S. Congress committee’s
approving the "Armenian Genocide" resolution?

The position of Azerbaijan is worthy of respect. For example, I highly
appreciate the protest against the decision by the Congress committee
voiced by Baku. Milli Majlis took very correct, wise and fair position
on this issue protesting against the adoption of the resolution.

In general, the entire political elite of our country, regardless of
affiliation to the authorities or the opposition, took an unequivocal
position on this matter, expressing indignation at the decision of
U.S. congressmen and declared its support to the brotherly people
of Turkey.

It is quite possible, that Azerbaijan’s unequivocal position will
play a role in future U.S. policy in regard to Turkey and to the
issue of so-called "Armenian genocide". It would be too big mistake
for the U.S. to lose Turkey and Azerbaijan for the sake of whims of
impoverished Armenia.