In case U.S. Congress adopts so called Armenian genocide resolution, Turkey may play the Incirlik military base card in return.
Publishing an article titled as “zero progress,” English “The Economist” magazine wrote that United States follows the process of normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia closely. The protocols that Turkey and Armenia signed last October seemed like an achivement for Turkish government’s policy of “zero problems” with neighbours. Two old hostile countries agreed to establish diplomatic relations and open land borders. The deal also proposed establishment of a committee of historians for solving the historical disputes between two countries related to 1915 events.
The article that is published in the Economist wrote that Turkey and Armenia could not leave the hostilities behind so easily. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that protocols cannot be implemented unless Armenia withdraws from Nagorno-Karabakh, although there is no mention in protocols related to this issue.
Stating that Turkey is not pleased with the current situation, the Economist wrote that the Armenian constitutional court has approved protocols as long as they conform with the founding principles of the state, which include seeking international recognition of so called Armenian genocide. The Economist wrote that Turkey has demanded for Armenia to retract the reasoning of Armenian court.
The Economist wrote, “Many people think that Turkish government is squeezed between nationalists in Turkey and Azerbaijan and therefore using the ruling of Armenian court to justify its qualms. Armenia has sent protocols to the parliament for ratification.”
TURKEY LOOKS ISOLATED
Stating that Turkey looks isolated, the Economist claimed that Turkey’s most important ally and the biggest supporter, Washington has taken Armenia’s side. Both Moscow and Washington consider that the processes of normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia and resettlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem should not be connected to each other.
On the other hand, protocols is not universally backed in Armenia. While making the judgement on protocols, Armenian constitutional court may have been paying attention to the view of Armenian nationalists, who condemns recognition of Turkey’s territorial integrity. Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan has declared that Armenia will not ratify Zurich protocols before Turkey does.
ANKARA MAY PLAY THE INCIRLIK AIRBASE CARD
Reminding that United States follows the process closely, Economist magazine wrote that U.S. Congress will be free to recognize 1915 events as a “genocide” if the process of rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia fails. This may trigger anti-American opinions in Turkey and under these circumstances, Ankara would not have any other choice but to retaliate. One option would be to kick out Americans from strategically located Incirlik Airbase.
　
