Armenians are waiting for discussion of so called “genocide” resolution in the U.S. Congress and the speech of U.S. President Barack Obama on April 24. Convincing parliaments of the several countries in Europe and South America, Armenians are now getting closer to the last and biggest castle — the only superpower of the World, United States.
First of all, the number of member of U.S. Congress that supports the “genocide” resolution is bigger and they want to make their final shot in 2010. The second one is that the White House and the State Department do not seem eager to stand against this resolution. And the third is that Jewish lobby in US that have been on Turkey’s side against Armenian resolutions also is not going to support Turkey’s position due to the strain in the relations between Turkey and Israel.
On the other hand, Ankara administration can prevent the progress of the process in Washington with one simple move. For that, Turkish Grand National Assembly should ratify the protocols that were signed with Armenia and open the borders with the neighbouring country. But Ankarahad promised Azerbaijan that borders with Armenia will not be opened unless Armenian occupation in Azerbaijani lands is ended. Barack Obama and other U.S. officials call Ankara to ignore the interests of Azerbaijan and immediately open the border with Armenia.
Therefore, Baku should not leave Turkey alone in this process. Azerbaijani administration is needed to take action and establish contact with Washington regarding to this issue. Because bringing so called Armenian genocide resolution on the agenda of U.S. Congress and usage of the word “genocide” by Barack Obama in his April 24 speech will affect Azerbaijan negatively. By recognizing “genocide,” United States will pass to the side of Armenia. Therefore, Washington will lose its impartiality in the process of resettlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and will no more be different from Russia; the strategical partner of Armenia.
Making a speechduring the recent sessions of Azerbaijani Parliament, one of the leading figures of New Azerbaijan Party, Mubariz Gurbanly has touched the same issue, “Turkey is under pressure as she will not ratify protocols before the resettlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We need to support Turkey in this process.” Azerbaijani MP calls the parliament to write a protest letter to the U.S. Congress and to send a parliamentary delegation to Washington for lobbying against Armenian resolution.
Mubariz Gurbanly is right but I do not think that Azerbaijani administration has the same opinion. Because if Azerbaijan has the approach of “How can we assist Turkey?,” then Azerbaijani officials should immediately send a protest letter to U.S. Congress and create a parliamentary delegation to make a visit to Washington regarding to this issue. But it is hard to tell that the parliament is in such preparation. U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs William J. Burns was in Baku a few days ago. Did anyone in Baku tell American diplomat that recognition of “genocide” will also damage the relations between Azerbaijan and US besides American-Turkish relations? I did not hear.
In fact, it is hard to accuse Washington. American officials see that Azerbaijani-Turkish relations are not good that two fraternal states are still arguing on determination of natural gas prices. On that aspect, Washington does not expect Azerbaijani-American relations to be damaged in the case of recognition of Armenian allegations related to 1915 incidents. Washington should take the reaction of Azerbaijan into consideration too.
Elhan Sahinoglu/Blog.milliyet.com.tr
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