ARMENIA OFFERS ‘FRESH START’ TO TURKEY

[MosJan]

ARMENIA OFFERS 'FRESH START' TO TURKEYPresident

 

Serzh Sarkisian appealed to Turkey on Wednesday with a fresh initiative

to normalize its

• historically strained relations with Armenia. "The time has come for a fresh effort to break this deadlock, a situation that helps no one and hurts many," he said in an op-ed article published by "The Wall Street Journal." "As president of Armenia, I take this opportunity to propose a fresh start – a new phase of dialogue with the government and people of Turkey, with the goal of normalizing relations and opening our common border." Sarkisian noted that Turkey's President Abdullah Gul was one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate him on his victory in Armenia's recent presidential election. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan sent similar messages to their newly appointed Armenian counterparts in April. They both said Ankara wants to engage in dialogue with Yerevan to address problems hampering the normalization of Turkish-Armenian ties. It remains unclear, however, whether Turkey is ready to drop its preconditions for establishing diplomatic relations and opening its border with Armenia. One of those preconditions is an end to the Armenian campaign for international recognition of the 1915 massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. The Erdogan government has suggested that the issue be dealt with by a commission of Turkish and Armenian historians, rather than foreign governments and parliaments. Signaling a policy change, Sarkisian said last month Yerevan will not object to the creation of such a commission if Ankara agrees to unconditionally normalize bilateral ties. The move was condemned by the Armenian opposition and prompted concern from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), a junior partner in the governing coalition. Dashnaktsutyun leaders say Sarkisian has clarified that the would-be commission should study "details of the genocide," rather that determine whether the mass killings constituted a genocide. In his article, Sarkisian appeared to further backpedal on his June statement and revert to his predecessor Robert Kocharian's belief that the genocide issue should be tackled by a Turkish-Armenian inter-governmental body. "Establishing normal political relations would enable us to create a commission to comprehensively discuss all of the complex issues affecting Armenia and Turkey," he wrote. "We cannot expect tangible progress without such structured relations. Only through them can we create an effective dialogue touching upon even the most contentious historical issues." Sarkisian also reaffirmed his invitation to Gul to arrive in Yerevan on September and watch a World Cup qualifier match between the Armenian and Turkish national football teams. "Whatever our differences, there are certain cultural, humanitarian and sports links that our peoples share, even with a closed border," he said. "This is why I sincerely believe that the ordinary people of Armenia and Turkey will welcome such a gesture and will cheer the day that our borders open." Meanwhile, a leading Dashnaktsutyun member on Wednesday played down the significance of Sarkisian's invitation but did not exclude that his party could organize demonstrations to protest against Gul's possible arrival in Armenia. "It is natural that Armenian society can not receive a high-ranking Turkish official as calmly as it would receive the president of, say, the Czech Republic or France," Aghvan Vartanian told RFE/RL. In a statement on Tuesday, Dashnaktsutyun's leadership reaffirmed its strong opposition to the idea of a Turkish-Armenian commission of historians. Vartanian insisted that it was not a warning addressed to Sarkisian. "Let us not look for subtexts," said the former labor minister. "It's just that this issue has been a subject of discussions in the last 10-15 days as a result of that statement by the president of the republic." (Photolur photo)
• By Emil Danielyan and Ruzanna Khachatrian

[MosJan]

“The Wall Street Journal” published the article of the President Serzh Sargsyan

 

The famous “The Wall Street Journal” published today the article of the President Serzh Sargsyan.

 

WE ARE READY TO TALK TO TURKEY

 

The problems of newly independent nations attempting to build a novel, democratic way of life did not end with the break-up of the Soviet Union. Armenia, a small country strategically located between Turkey, Russia, Iran and the energy-rich Caspian region, is a case in point. Postindependence Armenia's potential for peaceful development has not been realized as best it could.

 

During the Nagorno-Artsax conflict, Turkey closed its border with Armenia as an expression of ethnic solidarity with Turkic Azerbaijan. The regrettable result is that for almost 15 years, the geopolitically vital border between Armenia and Turkey has become a barrier to diplomatic and economic cooperation. It is closed not only to Armenians and Turks who might want to visit their neighboring countries, but to trade, transport and energy flows from East to West.

 

Strategic projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the projected Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad bypass Armenia, while the existing railway between Turkey and Armenia remains shut. And the Armenian people are not the only ones who have suffered from these restrictions and detours. All countries in the region, and the broader community of European nations, pay a high cost for these unnatural barriers to commerce, progress and international cooperation.

 

The time has come for a fresh effort to break this deadlock, a situation that helps no one and hurts many. As president of Armenia, I take this opportunity to propose a fresh start – a new phase of dialogue with the government and people of Turkey, with the goal of normalizing relations and opening our common border.

After my election in February, my Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, was one of the first heads of state to congratulate me. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested that the doors are open to new dialogue in this new period.

 

There is no real alternative to the establishment of normal relations between our countries. It is my hope that both of our governments can pass through the threshold of this new open door. Establishing normal political relations would enable us to create a commission to comprehensively discuss all of the complex issues affecting Armenia and Turkey. We cannot expect tangible progress without such structured relations. Only through them can we create an effective dialogue touching upon even the most contentious historical issues.

 

Already, on a more personal scale, many Armenians and Turks have found ways to get around the closed border. They take advantage of regular charter flights from Yerevan to Istanbul and Antalya. There are numerous bus and taxi routes through Georgia, and container trucks even make the long detour, enabling some trade between our two countries.

 

And just as the people of China and the United States shared enthusiasm for ping pong before their governments fully normalized relations, the people of Armenia and Turkey are united in their love for football – which prompts me to extend the following invitation.

 

On Sept. 6 a World Cup qualifier match between the Armenian and Turkish national football teams will take place in Yerevan. I hereby invite President G?l to visit Armenia to enjoy the match together with me in the stadium. Thus we will announce a new symbolic start in our relations. Whatever our differences, there are certain cultural, humanitarian and sports links that our peoples share, even with a closed border. This is why I sincerely believe that the ordinary people of Armenia and Turkey will welcome such a gesture and will cheer the day that our borders open.

 

There may be possible political obstacles on both sides along the way. However, we must have the courage and the foresight to act now. Armenia and Turkey need not and should not be permanent rivals. A more prosperous, mutually beneficial future for Armenia and Turkey, and the opening up of a historic East-West corridor for Europe, the Caspian region and the rest of the world, are goals that we can and must achieve.

[Aratta-Kingdom]

way to go Serzh he just offered the turks a two sided sword.

[Yervant1]

way to go Serzh he just offered the turks a two sided sword.

Exactly my sentiments, let them run for cover and excuses.

[MosJan]

kaprenq k@tesnenq - isk hima miyayn mek ban e hastat or hakarakord@ p@ntrtuqi mej e te inch nor sut yev inch barbajanq e horinelu

[Yervant1]

kaprenq k@tesnenq - isk hima miyayn mek ban e hastat or hakarakord@ p@ntrtuqi mej e te inch nor sut yev inch barbajanq e horinelu

El shunere chen karogh gortsatsel ayd sut@ de irenq namak grestin 2005-in vor hamatsaynin yev hashtvin.

[Aratta-Kingdom]

qani der turqer@ irenc hajord qayler@ chen voroshel, teryevs mtatsenq irenc mi nor anaknkali berenq.

 

turq@, inchpes yev hrean, yerbeq aranc 2rd 3rd dzragir unenalu voch mi qayl chi anum. jamanakn e es genetik taptpuknerin irenc isk xagi mej partutyan matnenq.

 

 

[MosJan]

TURKISH, ARMENIAN DIPLOMATS HELD SECRET TALKS IN SWITZERLAND?

 

*

 

article's photo

Turkey and Armenia held a series of secret meetings in the capital of Switzerland on July 8, Hurriyet daily reported. A high-level official from the Foreign Ministry headed the Turkish delegation during the talks which led to a positive atmosphere between the two countries, according to the report. This meeting came after Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal for "a fresh start" with the goal of normalizing relations with Turkey and opening the border. Sargsyan also invited Turkish President Abdullah Gul to watch a football match between the two country’s national teams on Sept 6 to mark "a new symbolic start in the two countries’ relations". Turkish officials said the invitation has been evaluated and did not rule out accepting it since it would not be an official visit. Ertugrul Ozkok, editor-in-chief of Hurriyet daily, wrote in his column that a high-level official from the foreign ministry confirmed the report, but asked not to publish the story. "He told me that if the story is published, then it would be formally denied," Ozkok wrote in his column. President Abdullah Gul’s attendance will depend on developments between the two countries, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said earlier.

[Aratta-Kingdom]

EAFJD: ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION IS TURKEY'S MORAL, LEGAL AND POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY

 

PanARMENIAN.Net

17.07.2008 17:45 GMT+04:00

 

Recently elected Armenian President Serge Sargyan made overtures to his

counterpart in the Turkish Government this week, inviting President

Abdullah Gul to join him in Armenia's capital Yerevan to watch the

upcoming soccer match between Turkey and Armenia on September 6th, says

the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).

 

Sargsyan also renewed the offer, made by previous Armenian presidents,

to establish normal diplomatic relations with the Turkish Government,

with no preconditions. The announcements were made in a peace of

opinion published in The Wall Street Journal earlier this week, which

also called for the creation of an inter-governmental "commission to

comprehensively discuss all of the complex issues affecting Armenia

and Turkey".

 

To date, Turkey has not responded to Sargsyan's proposal. Turkey

is continuing its devastating 15-year blockade of Armenia, imposed

due to racial hostility stemming from the Armenian Genocide of

1915-1923. Turkey continues to make false accusations as to the

reasoning for the blockade - blaming everything from the Artsax

conflict to articles in the Armenian Constitution.

 

The European Armenian Federation noted that Armenia's call for the

unconditional removal of Turkey's blockade is a matter of international

law and would be beneficial to both countries as well as the region

and international community overall. As such, the Federation calls

upon the European Union to increase its pressure on Turkey, which, as

a candidate for European Union accession, is duty-bound to peacefully

resolve all disputes with neighboring countries in compliance with

International law, as mandated in the Framework of Negotiations.

 

"The scholarly community has long since spoken on this issue. The

International Association of Genocide Scholars has gone so far as

to send an open letter to the Turkish Prime Minister to express the

pointlessness of such a commission. Turkey itself scuttled a similar

committee because that group properly characterized the Armenian

Genocide" said Hilda Tchoboian, the president of the European Armenian

Federation.

 

The Federation regrets that Turkey continues its behind-the-scenes

efforts to tie the establishment of normalized relations with Armenia

with international genocide recognition and reparations - a genocide

of which Turkey is guilty.

 

"The recognition of genocide and the reparations that follow is a

moral, legal and political responsibility that no State can escape,"

continued Tchoboian. "At this point, the only question that remains is

when Turkey will face that fact, stop living in the past, and rejoin

the international community by recognizing the Armenian Genocide,"

she concluded.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

IF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER IS DEBLOCKED, THE Artsax CONFLICT MAY BE RESOLVED OVER A MONTH

 

ArmInfo

2008-07-17 18:08:00

 

If Armenian-Turkish border is deblocked, the Artsax conflict may

be resolved over a month, since in that case Azerbaijan will lose its

the only seeming privilege over Armenia, director of Hay Dut central

office and on political issues of ARF Dashnaktiutyun Kiro Manoyan

told ArmInfo correspondent.

 

He also added that Turkey cannot change its position regarding

the Artsax conflict, nevertheless any positive changing in the

Armenian-Turkish relations will affect the Artsax conflict settlement

process. 'In that case Azerbaijan will understand that it lost. I

understand the anxiety that has already risen in Azerbaijan in this

context', - Manoyan said.

 

At the same time he said the border will be hardly deblocked since

it would be too big strep of Turkey towards Armenia. He thinks

that Turkey will make any positive step towards Armenia for its

propagandist purposes.

 

'At the same time Armenia does not have an opportunity to make

compromises to Turkey as there is no compromise. The only compromise

of Armenia to Turkey could be refusal of the Armenian authorities from

the policy of the Armenian genocide recognition in all over the world,

but I absolutely rule out such a compromise', - Manoyan concluded.

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

Rasim Aghayev: Baku should take retaliatory measures as regards Turkey

19.07.2008

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `I want to remind you that several years ago we all

witnessed resentment of President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev over the

expansion of Turkish-Armenian relations. At that time a group of

business people of Turkey announced that Armenia is a good and

perspective market for Turkish goods and services and there is a need

to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations. And only after Heydar Aliyev

left for Turkey, where he met with the country's leadership and spoke

before the Turkish parliament, it became possible to stop talks about

possible opening of the Turkish-Armenian border, deepening of ties

between Turkey and Armenia. But the very fact of such feeling in

Turkey proved existence of people, who spoke for normalization of the

Turkish-Armenian relations,' Rasim Aghayev said.

 

'It seems that this attitude of mind got support from outside and in

this connection it should be reminded that this very government held a

meeting, condemning the murder of the Armenian journalist Hrant

Dink. All this means that the incumbent leadership of Turkey is ready

to undertake steps for normalization of relations with Armenia.'

 

Aghayev wondered whether Turkey can agree to exchange Nagorno Artsax

for Armenia's rejection of the wordwide campaign for recognition of

the Armenian Genocide. `I think Turkish leadership can do it. But this

will be Turkey's mistake, as concessions in Nagorno Artsax conflict

will be immediately entail concessions in the genocide issue, what

implies compensations to the victims of the genocide and Armenia's

territorial claims,' he said, Day.az reports.

 

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday appeared to confirm a report in

the Turkish media that Turkish and Armenian officials had secret talks

in Switzerland earlier this month. The report in the Hurriyet daily

said the officials met for a few days starting on July 8 and that a

senior Foreign Ministry official headed the Turkish delegation.

 

`Such talks are held from time to time,' Babacan told reporters.