Turkish MP: Our policies related to Armenia will contain more radical plans

How do you assess the move by the U.S. Congress House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs to adopt a resolution recognizing the so-called "Armenian genocide" ?

I feel disgust and anger at this move. The adoption of the so-called "Armenian genocide"  resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs is a treacherous move targeted against the Turkish state and its people. It is an insult for all Turks. They accuse Turkey of a crime against humanity which really never took place.

Authors of this decision should have a look at their recent past and discuss the genocides that were committed by them. Americans allowed not only the Armenian nationalists, who have committed genocide in Karabakh, to accuse us of murder, but they themselves, joining Armenian nationalists, accused our ancestors of murder. They preferred justice to finance of falsifiers. Dealing treacherously with our history, they discredited themselves in the eyes of Turkey.

In your opinion, why did the U.S. take this step?

Unfortunately, no U.S. interests, but that of lobbying groups were taken into consideration. Draft resolution on "Armenian genocide" has been in the U.S. Congress for  35 years. But, due to Turkey’s efforts, this remained only as a draft. In this matter, we received full support from the Jewish lobby. But, unfortunately, our misguided policies have led to undesirable results.

Representatives of Turkey's ruling part have reiterated many times that the Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed to get insured against the "genocide" ambitions. As you can see, the protocols did not changed anything. On the contrary, Turkey’s prestige suffered as a result. In your opinion, what would be the continuation of the protocol process?

We have convened an urgent meeting of our party’s leadership and have decided to call the AKP government to openly withdraw from the  protocols. Conditions that made the protocols necessary do not exist any more. The Armenia Constitutional Court decision should have led to Turkey’s withdrawal from the protocols long ago. The decision by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs finally put an end to this process.

Before the protocols were signed, we warned the government to be cautious in regard to the Armenian side. We said that it is useless to talk with Armenia in a civilized language and it is not worth spoiling relations with Azerbaijan for this. Unfortunately, they did not listen us, and the Armenian side, despite Turkey’s good will, insisted on U.S. Congress committee’s adoption of the so-called "Armenian genocide" resolution.

In your opinion, will Barack Obama utter the word "genocide" during his speech on April 24?
    
Barack Obama did day the word "genocide" last year. He uttered this word not in English, but in Armenian. Turkey should seriously try to ensure that this does not happen again. Turkey believed that "we have done everything they said, and the Armenian side will not act against us." This confidence has led to the well-known result. So, one can expect all sorts of surprises from the United States. We need to make efforts so that decision of the Committee on Foreign Affairs will not pass through the House of Representatives.

How do you see continuation of this process? How will the relations between the U.S. and Turkey continue?

We want Turkey to maintain normal relations with all. The U.S. is  long-time ally of Turkey. Turkey should try hard so that these relations will not spoil. Turkey needs the U.S. as much as the U.S. needs it. Turkey’s political and military power and geopolitical location makes it indispensable for the United States.

Therefore the U.S. must also take into account Turkey’s interests. Furthermore, neither the Obama administration nor the AKP government have a right to further aggravate relations between the U.S. and Turkey. Governments are temporary in nature, but interstate relations are eternal.

The U.S.-Turkey ties have showed signs of a rift in recent years. There is a need to address them. This year is an election year for Turkey. The NMP will state its priorities to eliminate errors in the relations with the United States and other countries. Our policies related to Armenia will contain more radical and concrete plans. This year is crucial for Turkey's future.


Day.Az