WASHINGTON BLAMES ANKARA FOR TROUBLE IN ARMENIAN ISSUE
Hurriyet
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Feb 22 2010
Turkey
The signed historical protocols with Armenia are losing their
attractiveness with each passing day. General evaluation by Washington
shows that Ankara is to be blamed for the point we arrived at. The
Obama administration is very negative about the future of this protocol
and the "genocide" resolution.
If we gather evaluations and statements made by those monitoring
upper-level authorities in Washington closely in this regard, then
a totally different scenario from what we assumed emerges.
One of the very first steps taken by the Obama administration in order
to get rid of this genocide dilemma was to bring Turkey and Armenia
together for a long process of discussion. Those who characterized
this as a "step taken deliberately" complain, "We spent a lot of
effort and time."
The same circles that draw attention to the process that started
with a visit by the president and continued with Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton focusing on this issue say that Turkey is responsible
for what happened later on.
According to the Americans, Turkey was not able to effectively convince
Azerbaijan in time. People believe that after the signing the protocols
it surrendered to Baku’s brisk reaction too soon.
The prime minister linking the condition of signing the protocols
in Parliament to the Karabakh issue is perceived by them as a
"fatal stroke."
And the decision of the Armenian Constitutional Court they perceive
as an "intelligible reaction" that does not hinder the protocol in
harmony with the country’s general atmosphere.
‘Genocide’ resolution may pass this time
It is being called attention to how the Obama administration will
react when this now in Washington prioritized issue of "genocide"
resolution in respect to Turkey comes up in Congress.
During Obama’s election campaign he attracted attention saying that
he would acknowledge the Armenian genocide and if there was no further
development he’d be forced to continue his attitude.
The same authority says "the shortest and most effective way to change
this situation is for Turkey to separate the Armenian protocols from
a solution in Karabakh," knowing how difficult this is. But he can’t
restrain himself from saying, "There is no other way out."
You see there are again black clouds gathering in Washington, as
typical each year. The same scenarios will be played. Mutual threats,
unnecessary tension and relations harmed.
Will Washington just observe this situation?
The following is the answer we get:
"Can you tell us what Turkey does to make Obama not lose his bonus
by taking back his promise? Why should we put the president into a
difficult situation only to please an Ankara that constantly beats
Israel or is at adverse terms with us regarding Iran?"
Recently opponents of the AKP in Washington are able to more
effectively make their views public. In the beginning the Obama
administration did not pay much attention and continued supporting
Erdogan. But this support has slowly eroded. They say, "We no longer
can pretend not hear their voices. We have started to feel that
something is fishy about Turkish foreign politics."
This is the latest situation in the Armenian "genocide" resolution,
to the attention of all those who are related to the subject.