news.am, Armenia
Feb 13 2010
Ankara protracts ratification process: RA President
16:52 / 02/13/2010RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s interview with Al
Jazeera given in the frames of his visit to UK, February 9-11, 2010.
Q.: Mr. President, what will follow the ratification of Armenia-Turkey
Protocols by both countries’ parliaments and what `happy end’ you want
the process to reach?
A.: The Protocols are in my office and on return I am going to send
them to the RA National Assembly for ratification. Both for us and
everyone Turks’ statements that Armenian side protracts the
ratification are questionable. Conversely, it is them who do so.
Q.: Do Turks protract the ratification?
A.: Yes, explicitly, as we have stated and last time as a head of
ruling party dominating in the parliament I voiced this statement
yesterday, I rule out the possibility that RA Parliament fails to
ratify the Protocols if Turks ratify them without preconditions.
Q.: Mr. President, what is the next step after the ratification by
both sides so that the process will be finalized and relations between
the countries will be settled?
A.: After the Protocols’ ratification and their entry into force the
border should open, an intergovernmental commission should be formed
with its sub-commissions and we will open the dialogue. That is
ratification is a beginning of the process, not the end.
Q.: Border opening for you is crucial from commercial and new vistas’
viewpoint. In your opinion, whether border opening is significant for
other states, like Russia and U.S.?
A.: I believe so. And here is why Russia, U.S. and EU assist the
process, as it’s not about border opening only, but of the
establishment of relations.
Q.: Do you plan to expand ties with Russia and U.S. being between those powers?
A: Armenia has good relations with Russian Federation, we are
strategic partners and presented jointly in many organizations and our
ties are deepening. Meanwhile, we are on friendly terms also with the
U.S., where we have a large community that serves as a bridge between
Yerevan and Washington. To us, favorable state of affairs is having
good relations between Russia and the U.S.
Q.: You’ve rightfully mentioned that Armenians are spread throughout
the world. Many migrated to maintain their families. Do you plan to
get them back to Armenia in any way?
A.: Yes, both Armenians migrated from the country after its
independence and those spread all over the globe after the Genocide in
Ottoman Turkey assist their families and our economy. Armenians of
Diaspora always aid and support us. According to our estimates, over
10 million Armenians reside throughout the world, of which 3 million `
in Armenia. And would be happy to have the rest 7 million back to
motherland. At that we realize that it is unlikely. Our goal is to
have at least those born in Armenia be back.
Q.: What would you say to the U.S. President who stated `U.S. deserves
a leader who can tell the truth about Armenian Genocide and justly
respond to all genocides. I am going to be that leader.’ These are
Barack Obama’s words. Does he do so? Is he that President?
A.: He did respond, not to the extent he pledged before assuming the
office. But he literally said that did not change his stance on the
matter.
Q.: That is you keep hoping for his assistance?
A.: Well, if saying the word `genocide’ is taken as assistance, you
can say so. I reckon that speaking of the truth is the admission of
justice.
Q.: Would you like him to say that word?
A.: Definitely.