Giving an interview to BBC Turkish, Armenian expert on politics, Alexander Iskandaryan commented on the recent developments in the relations between Turkey and Armenia.
Adoption of so called Armenian genocide resolution in the Foreign Affairs Committee of U.S. House of Representatives has pleased Armenia and Armenian diaspora while it has angered Turkey. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian made a welcoming statement related to adoption of Armenian allegations in the committee. Representatives of Armenian diaspora organizations stated that Turkey’s warnings that Turkish-American relations will be seriously damaged, is nothing but blackmailing as Turkey has normal relations with about 20 countries that already recognize so called Armenian genocide.
Commenting on the impact of the adoption of the “genocide” resolution on Turkey-Armenia relations, Director of Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan said, “Turkey considers this process as an element of pressure against herself. There are already serious problems in Turkey’s domestic policies. A general election in 2011 may come to the agenda. Governing Justice and Development Party seems to have 30% of the votes. Within these circumstances, I do not consider that an external pressure may lead to ratification of Turkey-Armenia protocols. I am not optimistic that Turkey will ratify protocols before April 24.”
Claiming that the party which creates problem in the process of normalization of relations is Ankara, Iskandaryan said, “There is no problem about ratification of protocols in the Armenian Parliament. Armenian Parliament will ratify protocols after Turkish Parliament does. Therefore, the question is how will adoption of ‘genocide’ resolution will affect balances in Turkey’s domestic politics. We need to wait and see to be able to make a certain conclusion.”
Stressing that it is possible for Turkey to shelve protocols following the decision of Foreign Affairs Committee of US House of Representatives, Iskandaryan said, “We cannot tell that the process is wrecked but it should be asserted that chances are not that high.
“It is not realistic to urge Turkey to recognize the ‘genocide.’ Maybe such time will come in the future but that is not the issue of today. It is not possible for Armenia of 3 million population to make Turkey, a power of 70 million population to recognize ‘genocide.’ Even the process of rapprochement is not being continued between Turkey and Armenia only. US, Russia and Europe is included in the process. Armenia does not urge Turkey to recognize ‘genocide’ in the process of normalization of relations,” Iskandaryan said.
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