Interview with Dr. Svante E. Cornell, Research Director of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute.
Q: How would you comment the decision of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives on “Armenian genocide”?
A: It is an unfortunate decision, although it was predictable. It is not the first time it happens on the level of the Committee. Interestingly, the vote was very close, which suggest great opposition to the politicization of history and an understanding of the dangers for US national interests of this largely symbolic US move.
Q: Will this decision harm US-Turkish relations?
A: Of course. But the main damage would be if the full House of Representatives votes in the same way, which is not certain.
Q: Doesn’t it mean the end of ratification of Turkish-Armenian protocols and normalization of relations between the two countries?
A: It will be extremely difficult to envisage the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations under these conditions, and it is one further example of how the U.S. Government, including the Obama administration as well as Congress, have mismanaged this issue from the start.
Q: Could it be any negative impact on the Karabakh process after the decision of US congressmen?
A: The impact will primarily be on Turkey and Turkey’s relations with the US and with Armenia. That, in turn, affect Azerbaijan and the Karabakh conflict. However, it is important for Azerbaijan not to be excessively involved in the issue. This is not Azerbaijan’s fight.
Q: Is Turkey strong enough to overcome a pressure from US on the “Genocide” issue and border problem with Armenia?
A: American pressure, in the current Turkish domestic environment, risks being extremely counter-productive. If American leaders believe the threat of genocide recognition would make Turkey more likely to open the border with Armenia, they are likely making a huge mistake. It would make it almost impossible for a Turkish politician to support the opening of the Armenian border, since it would be seen as giving in to undue and unjust pressure from the United States.
Q: Turkish authorities say that they never open border with Armenia after withdrawal Armenian troops from Azeri land. Do you believe that US will finally take into account this position?
A: US diplomats not long ago understood this issue, and followed a constructive policy pushing in parallel for the Turkish-Armenian and Armenian-Azerbaijani reconciliation processes. Unfortunately, the Obama administration adopted a different approach, which has clearly failed. It is to be hoped that a more realistic approach gains ground in the U.S. Government.
Dr. Svante E. Cornell is Research Director of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program Joint Center and a co-founder of the Institute for Security and Development Policy.
News.Az
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
