"Good relations with Turkey are more important for the White House, than the hurt feelings of the Armenian Diaspora"

What is your point of view on Barack Obama’s speech on the 24th of April?

The strategic interests of the U.S. traditionally are more important than the promises made during the election campaign, as well as the pressure coming from the narrow part of the electorate. Today, good relations with Turkey are more important for the White House, than the hurt feelings of the Armenian Diaspora.

The reality is that the direct responsibility devolves upon the man chosen for the U.S. presidency is far superior to the responsibilities of political candidates and representatives of other governments. It is interesting, that such a difference between reality and the campaign promises of politicians the American public is confronted in virtually every election season for a variety of issues, most of which do not relate to the Armenian issues.

How did Armenians of the United States react to all that, in particular the Armenians in California?

For the second year the U.S. president uses the term against the Armenian events of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire. If last year such a creative, an approach made some impression because of its novelty, this time it was clear that the terminology of the Armenian language is used as a way to once again avoid the word "genocide." Naturally, this caused a serious negative reaction from the Armenian diaspora. It is of course being felt in California, where numerous Armenian Diaspora members are.

Frankly, it is unfortunate that the tragic events of World War I in Anatolia, during which suffered numerous representatives of various nations, including Turks, Azeris, Kurds, Armenians and Georgians, were the subject of political bargaining in some countries. Indeed, the history should be studied by historians, because one vote does not change the facts of history. Such approach hardly reflects any respect for the memory of those who lost their lives, regardless of their ethnicity.

How, in your opinion, will the US-Armenian, and US-Turkish relations go on from here?

All this fuss about the relations between Armenia, Turkey and the United States is useless. One thing is clear: until we deal with the regional problems at hand, other issues will not be touched upon. Symbolic steps are a bad substitution for the real progress. The main problem in the region still remains -  the illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia. Therefore, its in interests of Turkey, Armenia and the U.S. to have some real progress and settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

However, the key to a peaceful solution to the conflict remains Armenia's rejection of non-constructive policy of extremism, as well as a more objective approach and commitment on the part of the OSCE Minsk Group. President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly spoke out of Azerbaijan’s realistic position on this issue, which is based on strategic vision of the future of our region. Today, Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to the achievement of lasting peace in the region. The question is,if Armenia is ready for it, and the representatives of the international community as well…


/Day.Az/