Today.Az » Politics » Turkish MP: It is impossible to open Armenia-Turkey border in current situation
02 March 2010 [16:32] - Today.Az
Day.Az interview with Oktay Vural, Deputy Chairman of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party, member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (parliament).
In your opinion, why did Armenia bring up the Turkey-Armenia accords for parliamentary discussions, but later refused to ratify them?
I think the sides had no any preconditions before the protocols were signed, for example, on amendments by the Armenian Constitutional Court. It should be noted that if it had not been for dynamic steps and reaction of Azerbaijan, the parliamentary majority in Turkey would long have debated the protocols in the Parliament ...
Armenia wanted Turkey to ratify the protocols first. Seeing that things are not moving, Armenia resorted to pressure. It forwarded the protocols to the Parliament to get more international support and increase pressure on Turkey and to show the U.S. and others that allegedly they do everything and now it is Turkey’s turn to take action in this regard.
When it was stated that the protocols would not be ratified until the Karabakh conflict is resolved, Armenia refused to ratify them. I think that Armenia will not fulfill Turkey’s requirements on the Karabakh issue and will not change the Constitutional Court decision. So, Turkey has every right to refuse to ratify the Armenian-Turkish protocols.
We have always stated that Turkey should not have signed the protocols until the Karabakh problem is solved. But our views and as well as the Turkish public opinion were ignored. In my opinion, the government has finally realized its mistake in this matter.
I think that it is necessary to abandon the process and start it again. But this time, the protocols should reflect such conditions as the Karabakh conflict, Armenia's rejection of the so-called "Armenian genocide" claims and excluding items on Armenia’s territorial claims against Turkey from the Armenian Constitution.
The Armenian side has stated that Karabakh issue was not set as a condition when the protocols were signed…
At the beginning of a dialogue with Armenia, we warned that Turkey cannot establish ties with Armenia until Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is restored, Armenia officially recognizes Turkey’s borders and renounces "Armenian genocide” claims. At the initial stage of the dialogue, we said that these conditions must be taken into account once an official document will be signed.
How do you see end of this process?
It is impossible to open the Armenian-Turkish border under current circumstances. Members of our parliamentary group visited the border with Armenia and clarified our position for the public. We explained that trade relations and incomes are not superior to honor and dignity of the Turkey and Turkish nation. A neighbor who is at war with our brother, who has occupied the land and committed massacre against Turks, cannot sit at the same table with us without understanding and correcting its mistakes. Let the Armenian side accept our demands without conditions. Then we will take a response step.
In your opinion, will Barack Obama use the word "genocide” after all these processes in his speech he will deliver on April 24?
During last year's speech Barack Obama did not utter the word "genocide" and attributed it to negotiations held to normalize elations between Armenia and Turkey. In fact, Turkey wanted to use the protocols as a trump card against the "Armenian genocide". Since no change is expected to take place regarding the protocols until April 24, I think that this year the pressure on Turkey will be even stronger. But if the United States recognizes the "genocide", the relations between Turkey and U.S. will be spoiled to a great extent. The U.S. President cannot simply call my nation "murderer".
According to Turkish media, PM Erdogan will trip to the United States in early April. In your opinion, what is the reason behind this visit?
Of course, the Armenian-Turkish relations, "Armenian genocide", the Karabakh and other regional issues will top agenda of the meeting. Certainly, Erdogan will say the fact that the Turkish parliament has not debated the Turkey-Armenia accords is due to the parliament’s unreadiness to do so. He will say that the executive branch has done what it could, and it has no leverage to influence the parliament, but eventually this process will move forward and Turkey will try to fulfill its obligations. So, the Prime Minister will try to gain time.
He is expected to be accompanied by a MP group during the U.S. trip. We will try to meet every American parliamentarian and explain the essence of the "Armenian genocide". We will make it clear for them that recognition of 'Armenian genocide' may mark end of the relationship between the U.S. and Turkey. Also, we will promise them to do our utmost to address the problems relates to Armenia. We will also explain that the Turkish nation has a strong pressure on the parliament in this regard. It is also clear that the U.S. will try not to deviate from its position.
18 years have passed since the Khojaly genocide was committed. What steps does the Turkish parliament take to recognize it?
We have urged to recognize the crimes committed against humanity in Khojaly as genocide in the Turkish Parliament for many years. We have submitted the related bill for the consideration to the parliamentary commission. Armenians have to answer for atrocities committed in Khojaly. We use resources of our party and NGOs in this regard.
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