Zurich protocols, keys to the peace and stability in Caucasus, propose opening of borders and normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia, awaits for ratification in the parliaments of both countries.
Justified decision of Armenian constitutional court about protocols and adoption of so called Armenian genocide in the Foreign Affairs Committee of U.S. House of Representatives and in the Swedish Parliament put the peace process in the region in stuck. Recently, the statements of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton related to solution of "genocide" dispute between Turkey and Armenia through a joint committee of historians annoyed Yerevan. Continuing occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani lands, Armenia rejects to agree giving Nagorno-Karabakh to the control of Azerbaijan.
Regnum news agency's political expert and historian Stanislav Tarasov commented on the recent developments in the Caucasus to Cihan news agency. According to Tarasov, Turkish-Armenian protocols that was signed in Zurich is a historical occasion for establishment of peace in the Caucasus. The process can be progressed in parallel with the peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Karabakh. Although it seems like the chances are missed, the process can be accelerated again with a good timing.
GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS ARE NOT THE JOB OF PARLIAMENTS
Stressing that 1915 incidents should be investigated by historians, Russian expert Tarasov said that all the countries should open archives related to Armenian allegations. Tarasov said that the issue is not only about Armenia but an international problem. He said that there is not any document in the archives of Russia that support Armenian allegations related to 1915 incidents.
Stressing that he does not accept Armenian allegations as a historian, Tarasov said, "I do not call it genocide. So much people were killed. That is the right way of expression. Other than that, it was not unilateral. Armenians killed Turks too. Historians should write about that too. The issue should be evaluated in historical dimension. There are documents in the Russian archives about this issue. Like, Armenians killed this much Turks from this village and Turks killed this much Armenians from this village. But there is no document in the Russian archives that supports genocide allegations." Tarasov stresses that Germans, Frenches and Russians are also responsible from the incidents in 1915.
Stressing that parliaments have nothing to do with genocide allegations, Russian historian said that history and politics should not be mixed to each other and the issues should be approached objectively. Commenting on the recognition of Armenian allegations by Russian parliament, Tarasov said, "That is not an issue of today's agenda. Russian parliament never brings the issue on the agenda and the issue is not used against Turkey as an instrument of pressure. Moscow is aware of Turkey's influence in the region and wants to cooperate. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will make a visit to Turkey in May. Turkish-Russian cooperation has reached to the level of strategical partnership. In this aspect, Russia would not favor damaging Turkish-Armenian ties."
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