Author: Talalian Arpi

BREACH BETWEEN ERDOGAN AND DAVUTOGLU FOR OBAMA’S STATEMENT

news.am
April 26 2010
Armenia

"Despite avoiding the word ‘genocide’ in describing the events of 1915
during his Saturday commemoration statement, U.S. President Barack
Obama’s wording still riled the Turkish Foreign Ministry," Hurriyet
Daily News reads.

Nonetheless, while Turkish FM Ahmet Dvutoglu was upset with Obama’s
statement calling occurring of the World War I "one of the worst
atrocities of the 20th century," Turkish PM put out a positive
statement, that brought out a breach between the Foreign Ministry
and Government.

"Regretfully, it is a statement reflecting a one-sided and mistaken
political view," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a written
statement on Saturday. "Subjective memories are the biggest enemy of
historical truths. No nation can impose its own memory on others,"
source says.

However, Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Obama’s
words, stating that the U.S. President "took Turkey’s concerns into
consideration," while Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu declared the
speech was "unacceptable."

"Deniz Baykal, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s
Party, or CHP, criticized Erdogan for contradicting the Foreign
Ministry. "Turkey voices one reaction in solidarity. Mr. Prime
Minister should advocate for his country, not for what Obama said,"
source quotes Baykal.

TURKISH GOVERNMENT VAINLY HOPED FOR PROGRESS ON KARABAKH DISPUTE: ZAMAN

news.am
April 26 2010
Armenia

"US President Barack Obama, in his statement commemorating the start of
forced deportation of Armenians by the Ottoman government on April 24,
1915, avoided, as he did last year, the use of the word &’genocide’ to
describe the events. He did the right thing, mainly for two reasons,"
reads the article by Sahin Alpay in Turkish Zaman daily.

"Firstly, because &’genocide’ declarations by leaders and resolutions
by parliaments of third countries do not help the people of Turkey
face the question of what happened to the Ottoman Armenians. Such
statements and resolutions are exploited by nationalist politicians to
suppress the domestic debate and scholarly research on the question,
which has been flourishing during at least the last five years. The
people of Turkey at large who have been kept ignorant by authorities
of the mass deportation and killings of Ottoman Armenians during
World War I, in retaliation for Armenian nationalist groups seeking
independence from the empire, require more time to reach a sound and
objective understanding of what really happened," the source reads.

"Secondly, the range of international problems, especially those that
relate to the Middle East, necessitate close cooperation between the
governments of Turkey and the US. Surveys indicate that the highly
negative attitudes toward US policies in the region among the Turkish
public since the invasion of Iraq have only partially been mollified
by the election of President Obama and his visit to Turkey last year.

It would not have been reasonable for President Obama to make a
statement that would further fan anti-US sentiment in the Turkish
public opinion," the daily says.

"How then has the ratification of the protocols gotten stuck? There
is no doubt that both sides have made mistakes in the process. The
mistake of the Armenian government was to submit the protocols to the
constitutional court for approval, which ruled that the documents were
in accordance with the Armenian Constitution and 1990 Declaration of
Independence, which states that &’The Republic of Armenia stands in
support of the task of achieving international recognition of the 1915
Genocide in Ottoman Turkey and Western Armenia.’ The Turkish government
viewed this ruling as adding new conditionality to the protocols,
demanding guarantees that it did not do so," the source reads.

"Thomas de Waal, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
points to the fact that the Turkish side &’hoped to see progress on
the Karabakh dispute in the months after the Zurich ceremony, giving
them political cover to ratify the protocols.’ He goes on to state:
&’Turkish officials, perhaps as a result of undue US assurances,
had an overly optimistic impression of how well the Karabakh peace
negotiations were going. When the officials learned in December 2009
that the talks were deadlocked, they found themselves boxed in,’
the source says.

"Is there, then, a chance for a breakthrough in the Karabakh
negotiations that would open the way for the ratification of the
protocols by Turkey? Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had declared
in Baku, five months prior to the signing of the protocols: "The
occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh is a cause, and the closure of the
border is an effect. Without the occupation ending, the gates will
not be opened." Why, then, did the Turkish side sign the protocols,
which did not made any reference to the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh
dispute?" the daily informs.

"As an ardent supporter of reconciliation in the
Turkey-Azerbaijan-Armenia triangle, I strongly hope that Huseynov’s
expectations materialize," the source concludes.

Vardan Oskanian: Armenian Genocide recognition is long process

April 24, 2010 – 20:29 AMT 15:29 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Armenian ex-minister of foreign affairs Vardan Oskanian said that,
unfortunately, the Armenian Genocide has not found a fair solution.
However, the number of countries recognizing the Armenian Genocide is
continuously growing, Mr. Oskanian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. `I
hope that the justice will triumph until the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide,’ said Oskanian, adding that the Armenian Genocide
recognition is a long process. `The justice will triumph irrespective
of anything,’ stressed Oskanian.

Nurettin Baykal: Abdullah Gul and Recep Tayyip Erdogan ready to
recognize Armenian Genocide

April 24, 2010 – 21:43 AMT 16:43 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Nurettin Baykal, a Turk residing in Australia, said that around 10 of
100 Turks support Armenians, 20 of them – are against Armenians, and
70 – are indifferent to this nation. Armenians should activate their
national mentality, if they want to gain the Genocide recognition,
Baykal told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. He added that the resolution
of the Kurdish issue is a priority for Turkey, followed by the problem
with Armenians. `Possibly, the two issues will be solved
simultaneously.’

Baykal stressed that President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan are ready to recognize the Armenian Genocide, but they
are afraid of not being supported by Turkey’s population.

FANTASIES WITHOUT BORDERS: ARMENIA SEES UNITED STATES AND TURKEY AS INSTIGATORS OF WAR

Today
April 23 2010
Azerbaijan

The frost is getting much, much worse. Armenia is seriously discussing
Turkish-U.S. attempts to provoke Azerbaijan and resume hostilities.

The first symptoms of the disease appeared prior to talks in Washington
between the presidents and foreign ministers of Turkey, Armenia and
the United States.

Yerevan invented a scenario, according to which Ankara would make every
effort to ensure that Azerbaijan attacks Armenia if the Washington
talks fail, thus forcing Turkey to try to bank the fire.

The logic is simple. Turkey thinks Azerbaijan would force Armenia to
become flexible in the negotiations with both Baku and Ankara.

Meanwhile, Armenia boasted the "invincibility" of its army, which can
allegedly withstand a blow from Azerbaijan, launch a counterattack
and win an overwhelming victory, capturing even more territory.

Following the failed talks in Washington, Armenia claims that
Azerbaijan now has another "provoker." This time, it is the United
States, which is also a OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. Allegedly, the
Americans have decided to side with Azerbaijan from here on in.

Armenia believes that Washington is dreaming of radical changes in the
South Caucasus and sees no other way out than war. Armenia supposes
that Azerbaijan will shape the region in the way most advantageous
for the United States.

Terrible logic, isn’t it? In a similar way, Armenian analysts can
figure out what would happen to Russia. And, why not, if they have
such an unbridled imagination?

In the meantime, the reality contradicts Yerevan’s suppositions. Let’s
start with Turkey.

Ankara has obligations to NATO. Besides, as a NATO member, it cannot
get directly involved in conflicts. NATO, as is well known, is not
involved in the Karabakh issue and is not willing to get involved
(except indirectly by promoting the peace process).

Resuming large-scale hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan
can only exacerbate Turkey’s headache in the region. It is worth
remembering that in August 2008, the Turkish leadership advanced
an initiative called the "Platform for Cooperation and Stability in
the Caucasus." The platform has not yet been approved, just like the
Armenian-Turkish protocols that emerged later.

To get involved in another war (either directly or indirectly) will not
benefit Turkey at all. Of course, Turkey wants the Karabakh conflict
to be resolved through peace, not war. Otherwise, it would not have
engaged in various and often risky diplomatic games with covenants
and protocols.

How could Armenia invent U.S. "provocation?" The brain of a Homo
sapiens is unable to comprehend why the United States needs this,
and why Azerbaijan should yield to White House provocation.

The United States simply has no reason to do this at all.

Armenian thinkers need to know that Azerbaijan does not need any
provocation. The country has enough reasons to start a war. Mediators
brought a document fit for both sides to the negotiations table after
years of talks. Azerbaijan approved them, while Yerevan has been slow
to do so.

In the meantime, Armenia is the major provoker. Let Armenia accept
the aforementioned document and eliminate any chance of war. No
"third powers" are involved here.

WHAT WILL THE FATE OF ARMENIA-TURKEY DIALOGUE BE AFTER SARGSYAN’S STATEMENTS?

Today
April 23 2010
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Head of the Conflict Science Department at the
Azerbaijan-based Institute of Peace and Democracy Arif Yunus.

In your opinion, what does the Armenian government’s decision to
suspend ratification of the Armenia-Turkey protocols mean?

Of course, this is consequence of the Washington meetings which were
a complete failure and where America put pressure on both Armenia
and Turkey.

Each party pursued its own goals there. But I do not see any tragedy
about Sargsyan’s statement, because, in fact, it is quite a common
situation. For some reason we rush for the final result, assuming
that ratification of protocols and opening of borders should happen
quickly. Actualy, it is a process which will often see force majeure
situation. This is like the process of Karabakh negotiations which has
seen crises, the shooting in parliament and many other things so far.

But the process continued, because it was understood that a war is
the only alternative. We witness the same case at the moment. The
sides are going to make more and more statements.

I do not exclude that in the future the Turkish side may take a
similar step. Nevertheless, neither Turkey nor Armenia will dare
to halt the ratification process completely since each of them is
interested in this. I would even say that Armenia is more interested
than Turkey. This move by Sargsyan is a kind of blackmail. But Turkey
believes it does not need to hurry. Of course, it will ratify the
protocols. But this will be done in the right time.

Situation in Armenia is different. Sargsyan does not enjoy strong
position inside the country and faces constant pressure because of
these protocols. That’s why he wants to speed up this process. And
this step is merely an attempt to exert pressure on Turkey. The
United States will try to play a role in this matter because it is
very interested in the process. So, I do not think that the process
is completely dead. It will continue.

Why did he decide not to listen to calls by Obama, Sarkozy and Medvedev
not to pause, and continue the process?

A lot of things may happen during any process. Serious pressure or
even sanctions are last resort undertaken at the last minute. No one
will put pressure on Armenia at the moment. It’s voluntary on both
sides of the process of rapprochement. Armenians will be persuaded
again and after a while everything will come again in motion and the
negotiations will continue.

Sargsyan also said that he was confident he took the only right
decision that meets national interests of Armenia. Is this a trick
of some sort? What does he have in mind?

When saying national interests, he has in mind that recognition of the
so-called "genocide" is the issue number one for Armenia and, secondly,
they are against linking establishing relations with Turkey with the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In reality, Turkey also does not want to
spoil relations with Azerbaijan, and therefore tries to somehow link
the two processes. Armenia is totally against this.

Armenian President means these two points when saying national
interests of Armenia.

Can the ongoing events impact the Armenia-Azerbaijan talks?

There can be no direct impact. First, Armenia has not given a clear
answer whether it accepts or rejects the updated version of the
Madrid principles.

Generally, we may draw some analogy between Sargsyan’s current
statement and what we often see in the course of the Nagorno-Karabakh
process. Because when the talk were suspended or stalled because of
Armenia, Azerbaijan announced it is possible to resort to alternative
ways to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, that is, by force of
arms. It is a specific mechanism to influence the opposite side.

Armenia is using precisely this method to exert pressure on Turkey in
order to somewhat change course of negotiations on the normalization
of Armenian-Turkish relations. Armenia is unlikely to succeed one
way or another. The ratification process will be restored, anyway.

V. HOVHANNISYAN: PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS AND SUSPENDING OF PROCESS POSITIVELY ASSESSED

Panorama.am
24/04/2010

"I could hail positively President’s address and suspending of the
process. But it would be better if Armenia totally aborted the process
and withdrew its signature. The mission shouldn’t be suspending but
rejecting the ratification of those particular protocols," ARF fraction
chairman Vahan Hovhannisyan told the reporters after putting flowers
on Genocide monument.

According to him some threats still may alarm Armenia, as when Turkey
even partially softens the preconditions, definite pressures will be
made on Armenia.

Mr. Hovhannisyan says he thinks if Armenia hasn’t signed those
protocols, the world would recognize Armenian Genocide more
intensively.

FRANCE CALLS ARMENIAN AND TURKISH AUTHORITIES TO MAINTAIN THE DIALOGUE

ARMENPRESS
APRIL 23, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS: President of France Nicolas Sarkozy
has got acquainted with the statement of Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan on the process of establishment of diplomatic relations
between Armenia and Turkey and on opening of the border.

"French President welcomes the confirmation of the assumed commitment
by Armenian President in favor of regulation of Armenian-Turkish
relations, despite the difficulties faced in the process of
ratification of the protocols signed in Zurich on October 10, 2009.

France calls the Armenian and Turkish authorities to maintain the
dialogue and to double the efforts directed toward timely reaching
the implementation of the mentioned protocols, which will make an
outstanding contribution to consolidation of peace and security in the
whole region," the statement spread by French President’s office runs.

ARMENIA HALTS RATIFICATION OF TURKEY PEACE DEAL

New York Times
APril 22 2010

YEREVAN (Reuters) – Armenia on Thursday suspended ratification of
peace accords with Turkey, setting back to square one U.S.-backed
efforts to bury a century of hostility between the neighbours.

Christian Armenia and Muslim Turkey signed accords in October last
year to establish diplomatic relations and open their land border,
trying to overcome the legacy of the World War One mass killing of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks.

But the process was already deadlocked before Thursday’s decision,
with each side accusing the other of trying to re-write the texts
and setting new conditions.

Neither parliament has approved the deal, which would bring huge
economic gains for poor, landlocked Armenia, burnish Turkey’s
credentials as an EU candidate and boost its clout in the strategic
South Caucasus.

Analysts said the Armenian decision, two days before the 95th
anniversary of the killings, was not the end of the road, but an
attempt to increase pressure on Turkey.

Armenia was angered by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan saying
that ratification would depend on Armenia reaching terms with
Azerbaijan, Turkey’s close ally and energy trading partner, over the
disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"We have decided … not to exit the process for the time being,
but rather, to suspend the procedure of ratifying the protocols. We
believe this to be in the best interests of our nation," Armenian
President Serzh Sarksyan said.

He said in an address to the nation that Armenia would keep its
signature to the accords "because we desire peace."

"… We shall consider moving forward when we are convinced that there
is a proper environment in Turkey and there is a leadership in Ankara
ready to re-engage in the normalisation process."

Erdogan said in Ankara Turkey remained committed to the process. "We
have frequently expressed our commitment to the protocols in word
and in spirit and our goal to fulfil them."

But he gave no sign that he would withdraw the condition that Armenia
and Azerbaijan reach a deal on Nagorno-Karabakh, something that has
evaded mediators for more than 15 years.

"We have expressed clearly, to all parties concerned, our intention
to achieve comprehensive peace in the region."

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey said Washington hoped the
process would continue but added it was up to Ankara and Yerevan to
end their differences.

OBAMA STATEMENT

Analysts noted the wording of the Armenian decision was a suspension,
not a withdrawal.

"This was a lot weaker than feared," said Yerevan-based U.S. analyst
Richard Giragosian. "This is a political tactic rather than a shift
in strategic policy."

Both governments face opposition at home, and in Armenia’s case from
its huge diaspora, many of whom trace their roots to the World War
One killings and deportations.

Armenian opponents say the accords betray Armenian efforts to have
the massacres internationally recognised as genocide.

Turkish critics say the deal is a betrayal of fellow Turkic-speaking
Azerbaijan, an oil and gas exporter and one of the West’s key hopes
for gas for the planned Nabucco pipeline.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with
Azerbaijan during the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, when ethnic Armenians
backed by Armenia threw off Azeri rule with the collapse of the
Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan says the frontier must stay shut until ethnic Armenian
forces pull back, and has lashed out at Washington for backing
the thaw.

Armenia’s decision came as the country of 3.2 million approaches the
April 24th anniversary of the killings, when tens of thousands lay
flowers at a hilltop monument in the capital.

U.S. President Barack Obama will issue a statement to mark the
anniversary of the massacres, a defining element of Armenian national
identity and a thorn in the side of modern Turkey.

Muslim Turkey accepts many Christian Armenians died in partisan
fighting beginning in 1915 but denies that up to 1.5 million were
killed and that it amounted to genocide — a term used by some Western
historians and foreign parliaments.

Armenians are again pressing Obama to fulfil a campaign pledge to
label the killings as genocide, something he appears unlikely to do
for fear of alienating NATO-member Turkey.

ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIANS OF EUROPE CALLS ON ARMENIANS WORLDWIDE TO UNITE THEIR POTENTIAL IN FAIR FIGHT FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

ArmInfo
2010-04-22 15:36:00

ArmInfo. In 2010 the Armenians scattered all over the world mark the
95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and recall to the world
once again that this was a crime against the humanity and the culprits
should be condemned, says the statement of the Assembly of Armenians
of Europe.

The first pages of XX century were written with the blood of Armenians
subjected to the Genocide in 1915. 95 years later, in XXI century the
humanity has not yet managed to prove its civility by condemning this
inhuman crime. At the beginning of XXI century Armenian people still
have to carry this burden upon their shoulders, fighting and hoping
for the justice to triumph at last, the statement says.

The authors of the statement point out that the Ottoman Turks
deprived Armenian people of their historic motherland, killed 1.5
mln Armenians, and robbed them. The historical and legal assignees
of Ottoman Turkey are still denying the crime of their ancestors and
propagating similar ideology. 95 years later they are threatening
to deport Armenians illegally living in Turkey by means of the same
policy and psychology. Ankara is striving to demonstrate to the world
that it can have normal and friendly relations with all its neighbors;
however, at the same time it blockades Armenia.

Using the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations,
Turkey tried to cause discord in Armenian people over the past
two years and break the unity of Armenian people in the matter
of the Armenian Genocide. Ankara is trying to call on the Armenian
authorities to influence Diaspora for the latter to stop its activity
related to international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The
authors of the statement point out that today the whole progressive
humanity, including Turkish intellectuals and scientists, support
Armenians in their fight for international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. Though the Turkish intellectuals supporting Armenians are
few, but they ignore the threats of the Turkish fascist regime and
demand recognizing the Armenian Genocide and restoring the justice.

The Assembly of Armenians of Europe calls on Armenians worldwide
to unite their potential in the fair fight for recognition of the
Armenian Genocide and restoring the usurped rights.