We were talking to a high-level U. S. Diplomat. He asked us about the aftermath of the Turkey-Armenia protocols. He was wondering that how much time will it take for Turkish parliament to ratify the protocols. And then he reminded, “Actually there is not much time. The pressure of April 24 and genocide recognition will be started very soon again.”
Indeed, Armenian diaspora organizations are already getting prepared for the next year. They hope for Turkish parliament not to ratify the protocols. So they will again have their empty field to ride their horses on.
The attitude of U.S. official was more like a serious warning than a simple reminder. And we told him that if this attitude becomes loud, Turkish community will consider it as a ’threat’. And we reminded him the statements of a high-level Turkish diplomat on probable April 24 pressure by United States, “Then we would just abandonthe protocols with a ceremony.”
American diplomatwas silent and he seem like he wasthinking deeply. Maybe he remembered Turkey’s military operation to Cyprus in 1974 despite the warnings of United States. Or maybe he remembered that Turkish parliament did not let U.S. army to use Turkish territory by rejecting the March resolution.
There is a common view in Turkey like United States is behind any development in Turkey, from Ergenekon case to Armenia opening. But the ones who follow Turkey’s policies from Washington, know that U.S. does not have such influence on Ankara.
When a reporter asked U. S. DeputyForeign Minister State Philip Gordon whether the Kurdish opening is an American project, he replied as, “I wish we had such influence.”
If United States had such influence on Ankara, today Turkey would not have bad relations with Israel and would not be making love with Iran and Syria. Of cource I do not tell that Washington has no influence on Turkey.
On the other hand U.S. has great influence on Caucasus countries; Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. Although it could not be efficient in the issue of resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It is important that U.S. officials admit the relation between the process of normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations and the process of resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Briefly, United States is aware of the big game in Caucasus. And it would not put its interests in the region for the sake of Armenian diaspora. And because Turkey is also in the big game, it would notabandon Turkey-Armenia protocols. On the other hand, an American policy of forcing Turkey to ratify protocols by warnings on April 24 would be wrong. It is obvious that such a step would bring more harm more benefit.
Semih Idiz /MILLIYET
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