Interview with Muharram Varli, member of the Turkish Parliament.
Q: Has Turkey done enough for now to prevent adoption of the bill criminalizing denial of the ‘Armenian genocide’ by the French Senate?
A: I note that Turkey, already in 2008, made a mistake by attempting to normalize relations with Armenia. The fallacy of this policy manifested itself in the first days of its implementation. The government should not have gone for it as long as Armenia stood firm in territorial claims against Turkey and Azerbaijan. And now the government is "reaping the fruits" of the process, initiated by it three years ago. In other words, one of the evident causes why France became activated in "genocide" issue is because of "soft policy" of the Turkish government.
As to the scope of work done to prevent the adoption of the bill, it was miserable. Thus, that little portion of work conducted by the Turkish side was unfortunately directed not to making preventive measures. This work was limited to condemnation of facts i.e. adoption of so called ‘Armenian genocide’ in this or that parliament of European countries. Turkey should have explained to Paris that using ‘Armenian issue’ for its internal political goals will do nothing but exacerbate the situation of France itself.
Q: What levers does Turkey have to prevent the adoption of this document by the French Senate in 2012?
A: Turkey along with Azerbaijan should take all possible measures with joint efforts and means. The Azerbaijani and Turkish parliaments should also contribute in these efforts. And it’s long overdue for the parliaments of the two fraternal countries to adopt similar documents like European countries do.
In addition, Azerbaijan and Turkey in advance, you should prepare a list of countermeasures, which they will apply jointly against France in case of adoption of the bill by the Senate of this country. These countermeasures should consider issues concerning reduction of Turkish and Azerbaijani political relations with the official Paris, refusing joint projects with France, as well as refusing import of French products and boycotting goods produced in France. These measures can be the first stage of actions to be taken jointly by Baku and Ankara. They should be continuous. Azerbaijani and Turkey should continue these measures until the French Parliament refuses from the current bill.
Q: Will the measures against France be enough so that it gives up the intention to criminalize the denial of the ‘genocide’?
A: Thez might be enough. France is one of the main countries of the European Union and therefore, it can distrustfully approach to demarches undertaked by Azerbaijan and Turkey. But nevertheless, Baku and Ankara should demonstrate a strict position against Paris not in words but in actions.
Q: If the French Senate adopts the bill, how will be the issue of opening Turkish-Armenian borders?
A: Definitely, the Western countries will have to bury the hope for the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relation and opening borders between these countries once and for all. The French Senate will bury the last hopes for the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations.
Q: Certain groups in the Turkish community think that if Turkey recognizes so called ‘genocide of Armenians’ then, external pressures to the country on this issue will rapidly decrease. How are these expectations justified?
A: I consider that this will untie the hands of Armenia even more. Moreover, it will pave the way for the aggressive policy of Armenia.
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