VARDAN OSKANYAN: WILLINGNESS TO OPEN BORDER WITH UNCOMPROMISING NEIGHBOR IS A CONCESSION IN ITSELF
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2009 19:57 GMT+04:00
"If the Armenian and Turkish Foreign Ministries’ joint statement
was not really induced by foreign powers, then Armenian authorities
are indifferent towards our general feelings. If the statement was
calculated to impose certain concession on us, then the issue of
Genocide recognition has become a subject of bartering, and this is
impermissible," RA ex-Foreign Minister V. Oskanyan said.
"Since gaining independence, Armenia has expressed willingness to
re-establish ties with Turkey without preconditions. However, the
official Ankara did not respond to our proposal on overcoming our past
with joint efforts. Willingness to open border with uncompromising
neighbor is a concession in itself. To shake hands with a Government
denying the Armenian Genocide is a very serious concession which may
have a security impact," former RA FM says in his statement.
Denying its own history, Turkey in the meantime is abusing the
Armenian government’s good will. "I don’t want any of us to have
doubts about sincerity of our authorities’ desires. However, after
expression of such good will, the situation has changed to so much
and so many preconditions have been advanced that the process is now
in a state of uncertainty," V. Oskanyan stresses.
According to ex-Foreign Minister, RA authorities have always managed to
resist the Turkish and Azerbaijani efforts towards provoking Armenia
into concessions. "I hope present-day authorities will be as sensible
and determined as their predecessors," Mr. Oskanyan said.