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  • Political Prisoners Should Be Released"

    "POLITICAL PRISONERS SHOULD BE RELEASED"

    A1+
    [07:13 pm] 01 October, 2008

    "I do not think that the diplomatic relations will better after the
    borders are opened," Armenia's ex Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
    told a press conference today. We shouldn't allow Turkey to decide
    whether the mass killings of 1915 can be called genocide or not. We
    have nothing to surrender."

    As to Serzh Sarkissian's agreement to setting up a commission of
    Armenian-Turkish historians, Vartan Oskanian said it was merely a
    slip-up. "If we accept the possibility of setting up the commission,
    it means we question the issue of the Armenian Genocide." Although
    Serzh Sarkissian later edited his statement made in Moscow, Vartan
    Oskanian thinks the international community and Turkey have a vague
    understanding of this since the following actions and statements of
    the Armenian side gave rise to ambiguous perceptions. Vartan Oskanian
    does not understand Serzh Sarkissian's idea that after opening the
    border Armenia will be ready to discuss any issue.

    As to the possibility of Turkey's mediation in the Karabakh conflict
    settlement, Vartan Oskanian said: "Turkey is not ready to be a mediator
    because it keeps the border with Armenia closed, the railway is not
    operating, and consequently it is a conflict side."

    Armenia's ex Foreign Minister says the Armenian diplomacy should
    not allow Turkey to make the impression that it is carrying out an
    observation mission.

    Reporters asked the ex FM to comment on Gul's recent visit to
    Armenia. In this respect Vartan Oskanian said the visit was
    unprecedented but did not specify whether it is positive or
    negative. "Time will show if the decision to invite Gul was right
    or wrong. There is one benchmark for the improvement of the Armenian
    and Turkish relations-the opening of the border."

    The ex-foreign minister says if the border is not opened in the
    upcoming few months or at least the railway is not operated, it
    means Turkey manipulated the invitation of Armenia with its typical
    diplomatic skill. Therefore, Vartan Oskantan advises to wait for
    several more months to evaluate the invitation.

    According to the ex FM Gul's visit was favourable for both countries
    and increased the countries' rating.

    When speaking about Armenia's image Oskanian focused on the tragic
    events of March 1. He voices hope that the Armenian authorities will
    meet the CoE recommendations and release the political prisoners. He
    also hopes that Serzh Sarkissian will declare amnesty in his
    presidential address to the National Assembly on October 2.

    "Armenia has a good chance today to restore its reputation, and its
    high time the opposition and government settled home issues through
    negotiations as the home problems hinder Armenia to be a key actor
    in the region."

    Vartan Oskanian also dispelled the rumors that he would be the axis
    and even the leader of the so-called third force.
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