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news.am, Armenia
Nov 27 2010
Armenian-Turkish protocols contain unmentioned implications
November 27, 2010 | 01:34
By Heghine Manukyan
On the occasion of Turkish Premier Recep Erdogan's visit to Lebanon,
as well as in connection with the Armenian-Turkish protocols, the
NEWS.am Agency interviewed Mr. Sebouh Kalpakian, a Lebanese MP and
Vice-Chairman of the Central Office, Social Democrat Hunchakian Party
(SDHP).
Question: Mr. Kalpakian, as a member of the Armenian community in
Lebanon, what is you opinion of the Turkish Premier's visit to
Lebanon?
Answer: The Turkish Premier's visit has two sides. If his visit is
viewed in the context of Lebanon, it can be called rather successful.
During his visit, Erdogan was making most balanced statements, without
missing chances to note Turkey should extend a helping hand to Lebanon
in resolving the country's problems. He participated in the opening
ceremonies of a school and a hospital constructed on the Turkish
Government's funds. A number of agreements were signed.
Besides, the Lebanese Armenians had rather hard days - both as
Lebanese citizens and as ethnic Armenians. Not everyone was could
favorably accept our position. The situation is most difficult in
Lebanon, the country is going through crucial times, and the Armenian
community's ambitions (actions of protest) were misunderstood by many.
We were told the following: `Decide on whether you are Armenians or
Lebanese.' However, some forces supported us. An unprecedented think
happened: the three leading parties we printed and put up posters in
the streets, demanding a fair settlement of the Hay Dat (Armenian
Cause) issue. However, the night before the Turkish Premier's visit,
Lebanese law-enforcers took the posters off. Earlier, every April 24
we put up similar posters, but this time, due to the Government's
interference, they have for the first time been taken off. In any
case, our common aim is to remind Lebanon, as well as the entire world
that by paying a visit the Turkish premier cannot make Lebanese,
including Armenians, forget their problems. We must remain committed
to Hay Dat ideals.
You know that Turkey is now maintaining close ties with Syria, Iran
and Lebanon. The three states have always respected the Armenian
people, without missing a chance to commend it. During the Turkish
Premier's visit I called on the three states to make use their ties
and persuade the Turkish Government to apologize to the Armenian
people - for the wall to be destroyed, and for us to close this
chapter in our history and open a new one.
If the leaders of the states can step in, in Armenians' favor, may
they do so, and we will be grateful.
Question: Turkey, in the person of its leaders, has lately made
statements in favor of Armenia and Armenians. On November 26, in
Switzerland, Turkish President Abdullah Gul stated Turkey was
determined to put the Armenian-Turkish protocols into practice and,
for the process to succeed, expects the Armenian President to remain
committed to his style as a leader and statesman. What conclusion can
be drawn from Turkey's behavior?
Answer: Life has shown the Armenian-Turkish process has remained on
paper, and the Armenian-Turkish protocols will not get an all-Armenian
`yes vote.' Without national unity, the State cannot act by itself.
The same can be said about Turkey. The situation was tense there after
the Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed. Turkey decided to launch a
new policy of settling conflicts with its neighbors. With this end in
view, it has been able to resolve its problems with Syria and open a
new chapter in its relations with Iran and Lebanon. Turkey is
obviously seeking peaceful relations with Armenia, at least for Europe
to see it in a certain light, but there is an obstacle.
Question: What is the obstacle? Especially in the context of the
protocols that guarantee the relations?
Answer: I would like to ask the same question. Why was the
ratification process frozen? Who is hindering it? What happened? What
were the reasons why the process was not developed? The Armenian
President is supposed to answer the questions. We have the answers: at
first they claimed the Nagorno-Karabakh problem was an obstacle to
ratification. I think that turkey planned to get concessions on
Nagorno-Karabakh by means of the protocols and thus calm down
Azerbaijan. Now it is time for the Armenian president to shed light on
the obscure aspects of the Armenian-Turkish process and explain the
reasons why thing went wrong.
What has changed? Why is Turkey calling on the Armenian authorities to
act? We doubt that they are demanding concessions on Nagorno-Karabakh
from Armenia. Armenia is in a difficult situation, as it is up to
Nagorno-Karabakh to decide. Under the circumstances, Armenian and
Nagorno-Karabakh authorities may have disagreements as well. Even if
the protocols are put into practice after the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict has been settled, we will not accept it because of some
points, particularly the one of a group of historians. The Armenian
authorities are thus ignoring the efforts the Diaspora has been making
for 98 years. They are seeking a compromise with Turkey over our
heads. This is an insult for the Armenian Diaspora, particularly for
traditional parties.
Question: Before signing the Armenian-Turkish protocols, the Armenian
President made a pan-Armenian tour to convince the Armenians the
protocols did not contain any anti-Armenian wordings. Do you think it
is worth making another tour and explaining to the Armenians in all
the parts of the world the reasons why Armenia suspended the
ratification process? May be you, the Diaspora, will make such a
demand?
Answer: When we feel the work at the protocols has resumed, you can be
sure Lebanon will be the first to respond. The Armenia President has
made a tour of the Diaspora, probed into the sentiments of the
Armenian communities and made sure of the disapproval of the
protocols. He explained to us that the approval of the protocols must
be gradual, but life has shown the opposite. Surely, the protocols
contain implications, which are not mentioned by anyone. This is the
reason why the ratification was suspended.
From: A. Papazian
Nov 27 2010
Armenian-Turkish protocols contain unmentioned implications
November 27, 2010 | 01:34
By Heghine Manukyan
On the occasion of Turkish Premier Recep Erdogan's visit to Lebanon,
as well as in connection with the Armenian-Turkish protocols, the
NEWS.am Agency interviewed Mr. Sebouh Kalpakian, a Lebanese MP and
Vice-Chairman of the Central Office, Social Democrat Hunchakian Party
(SDHP).
Question: Mr. Kalpakian, as a member of the Armenian community in
Lebanon, what is you opinion of the Turkish Premier's visit to
Lebanon?
Answer: The Turkish Premier's visit has two sides. If his visit is
viewed in the context of Lebanon, it can be called rather successful.
During his visit, Erdogan was making most balanced statements, without
missing chances to note Turkey should extend a helping hand to Lebanon
in resolving the country's problems. He participated in the opening
ceremonies of a school and a hospital constructed on the Turkish
Government's funds. A number of agreements were signed.
Besides, the Lebanese Armenians had rather hard days - both as
Lebanese citizens and as ethnic Armenians. Not everyone was could
favorably accept our position. The situation is most difficult in
Lebanon, the country is going through crucial times, and the Armenian
community's ambitions (actions of protest) were misunderstood by many.
We were told the following: `Decide on whether you are Armenians or
Lebanese.' However, some forces supported us. An unprecedented think
happened: the three leading parties we printed and put up posters in
the streets, demanding a fair settlement of the Hay Dat (Armenian
Cause) issue. However, the night before the Turkish Premier's visit,
Lebanese law-enforcers took the posters off. Earlier, every April 24
we put up similar posters, but this time, due to the Government's
interference, they have for the first time been taken off. In any
case, our common aim is to remind Lebanon, as well as the entire world
that by paying a visit the Turkish premier cannot make Lebanese,
including Armenians, forget their problems. We must remain committed
to Hay Dat ideals.
You know that Turkey is now maintaining close ties with Syria, Iran
and Lebanon. The three states have always respected the Armenian
people, without missing a chance to commend it. During the Turkish
Premier's visit I called on the three states to make use their ties
and persuade the Turkish Government to apologize to the Armenian
people - for the wall to be destroyed, and for us to close this
chapter in our history and open a new one.
If the leaders of the states can step in, in Armenians' favor, may
they do so, and we will be grateful.
Question: Turkey, in the person of its leaders, has lately made
statements in favor of Armenia and Armenians. On November 26, in
Switzerland, Turkish President Abdullah Gul stated Turkey was
determined to put the Armenian-Turkish protocols into practice and,
for the process to succeed, expects the Armenian President to remain
committed to his style as a leader and statesman. What conclusion can
be drawn from Turkey's behavior?
Answer: Life has shown the Armenian-Turkish process has remained on
paper, and the Armenian-Turkish protocols will not get an all-Armenian
`yes vote.' Without national unity, the State cannot act by itself.
The same can be said about Turkey. The situation was tense there after
the Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed. Turkey decided to launch a
new policy of settling conflicts with its neighbors. With this end in
view, it has been able to resolve its problems with Syria and open a
new chapter in its relations with Iran and Lebanon. Turkey is
obviously seeking peaceful relations with Armenia, at least for Europe
to see it in a certain light, but there is an obstacle.
Question: What is the obstacle? Especially in the context of the
protocols that guarantee the relations?
Answer: I would like to ask the same question. Why was the
ratification process frozen? Who is hindering it? What happened? What
were the reasons why the process was not developed? The Armenian
President is supposed to answer the questions. We have the answers: at
first they claimed the Nagorno-Karabakh problem was an obstacle to
ratification. I think that turkey planned to get concessions on
Nagorno-Karabakh by means of the protocols and thus calm down
Azerbaijan. Now it is time for the Armenian president to shed light on
the obscure aspects of the Armenian-Turkish process and explain the
reasons why thing went wrong.
What has changed? Why is Turkey calling on the Armenian authorities to
act? We doubt that they are demanding concessions on Nagorno-Karabakh
from Armenia. Armenia is in a difficult situation, as it is up to
Nagorno-Karabakh to decide. Under the circumstances, Armenian and
Nagorno-Karabakh authorities may have disagreements as well. Even if
the protocols are put into practice after the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict has been settled, we will not accept it because of some
points, particularly the one of a group of historians. The Armenian
authorities are thus ignoring the efforts the Diaspora has been making
for 98 years. They are seeking a compromise with Turkey over our
heads. This is an insult for the Armenian Diaspora, particularly for
traditional parties.
Question: Before signing the Armenian-Turkish protocols, the Armenian
President made a pan-Armenian tour to convince the Armenians the
protocols did not contain any anti-Armenian wordings. Do you think it
is worth making another tour and explaining to the Armenians in all
the parts of the world the reasons why Armenia suspended the
ratification process? May be you, the Diaspora, will make such a
demand?
Answer: When we feel the work at the protocols has resumed, you can be
sure Lebanon will be the first to respond. The Armenia President has
made a tour of the Diaspora, probed into the sentiments of the
Armenian communities and made sure of the disapproval of the
protocols. He explained to us that the approval of the protocols must
be gradual, but life has shown the opposite. Surely, the protocols
contain implications, which are not mentioned by anyone. This is the
reason why the ratification was suspended.
From: A. Papazian