"No reason to give up on Turkish-Armenian rapprochement"

Wednesday, 24 February 2010 08:32

Interview with Dr Michael M. Gunter, professor at the Tennessee Technological University and the International University in Austria.

Do you believe that the current process of normalization between Turkey and Armenia will be successful after all the accusations in genocide in the early 20th century?

I think the current process of normalization has already led to some success for Turkey by showing the world that it is trying to settle its problems with Armenia.

What are the prospects for the ratification of the Turkish-Armenian protocols?

The ratification process was never going to be easy, but there is no reason that we should not continue to pursue it.

Do you think that President Obama will use the word “genocide” in his speech on 24 April, as Armenians hope?

I don't think President Obama will use the g-word.

What is the future of US-Turkey relations if Obama’s administration recognizes the genocide?
US-Turkish relations are on the mend, and hopefully the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement will continue, so why should Obama destroy all this progress by using the g-word? Leave it to the two parties to the dispute to decide on all this.

Turkey’s attempts to mediate between Azerbaijan and Armenia are said to have failed. Do you agree?

The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute will not be settled overnight, so the Turkish role as a mediator will not be easy and will be a long continuing process.

Can increased economic cooperation between Turkey and Russia bring positive results for the South Caucasus?

Economic cooperation is the engine of economic progress, especially in this case.

Turkey and Azerbaijan say that there is a link between the Turkish-Armenian process and Karabakh process, but Armenians say there is no link between these issues. What is your opinion?

Clearly there is an important link here.

The is 18th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre is approaching. The Azerbaijani authorities try to get recognition of this massacre as an act of genocide by Armenians against Azerbaijani civilians. Do you think that the international community is ready to recognize it?

Genocide implies many deaths. Khojaly was a regrettable massacre, not genocide. Most people in the international community have never even heard of Khojaly. Let Turkey and Azerbaijan discreetly mention it when the broader issue between them and Armenia comes up. It will show that the Armenians are not as innocent as they try to present themselves.

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