Interview with Prof. Dr. Tayyar Ari, Uludag University, Head of Department of International Relations, Bursa-Turkey.
Q: How would you comment on the famous scandal with WikiLeaks ? May this information harm US-Turkish relations?
A: Most of the documents released by WikiLeaks are ordinary cables which are widely used by other embassies to inform their country about the political developments and/or political figures for foreign policy process. But it is not normal that the documents which should be stay as confidential and not to be known by the public. In this context one of the immediate consequences of the WikiLeaks scandal is that diplomats as well as the politicians would hardly talk frankly especially with their American colleagues and all of them will be more cautious than before even the conversations are set as off the record basis.
When the US-Turkish relations regarded, I don’t think that this scandal would change the relations radically. It is not realistic to expect that WikiLeaks would harm the general trend of the relations between Turkey and the United States. But from now on, most probably they would also be more cautious than before.
Q: And what about Azeri-Turkish relations? Are you sure that WikiLeaks won’t affect the strategic relations between our countries?
A: Turkey and Azerbaijan probably will not consider this issue seriously. Both sides have such strong relations and these unbreakable relations cannot be jeopardized by the alleged conversations. Since such kind of information depend on personal assessments of ambassadors or American diplomats documents released should not be taken as serious by both friend countries. It is also noticed that the objective of publication of documents are dubious, there are some suspicions about the way of revelations of documents. There might be certain reasons behind these processes like aiming to manipulate the relations of other countries and to create a crisis of confidence among them. So we should be very careful for this kind of traps and manipulations to create some problem of confidence between us.
Q: How could you estimate this year for the Turkish policy in the South Caucasus? How successful it was?
A: The success of Caucasus policy also depends on the willingness of Armenian side to set normal relations with its neighbors. Therefore, Turkish initiatives would probably continue to reach a comprehensive solution to attain peace in the region. But as I pointed out before, the pressure of Armenian Diaspora and the policies of global powers would certainly determine the process. Let me include that Turkey is very sincere about her relation with Azerbaijan, and Turkish determination about the ending of occupation of Karabakh should not be underestimated by the Armenian side.
Q: Do you expect progress in the Karabakh settlement in 2011?
A: I am not sure that Karabakh issue could be solved by the end of 2011. First of all, to come to an end on this issue, a multilateral and sincere approach is needed. In this context, Turkey’s desire is to reach a solution by consistent initiatives. As Turkish Foreign Minister stated, Turkey is ready to start new initiatives to boost relations and to strength the solidarity among Turkic countries. But Turkey’s efforts would not be sufficient. So, even Karabakh problem would be taken in to account and come to table in 2011, the problem would not be solved unless the support of others is not given.
Q: Armenia has been accusing Turkey in delay of normalization process between the two countries. How soon it will be possible to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations?
A: As I stated that both problems are very linked to each other. The normalization process depend on the mutual commitments to protocols signed in Zurich at 2009, but as far as ratification is concerned Armenian side is not willing to comprehend the link the issue with the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. So as long as occupation continues, Ankara would insist not to introduce the protocol for vote to parliament and open the borders. It is very important to arrive at a comprehensive solution in Caucasia. In short, Turkey is against to separate both issues. Turkish position is very obvious. If normalization desired, first Armenia must withdraw from occupied territories and its historical claims about Turkish history.
On the other hand, Armenian lobby in Washington as a last resort is trying to encourage speaker Pelosi to introduce the debated Genocide resolution which was voted by House Foreign Relations Committee in March 2010. This initiative has a real potential to spoil not only the relations between Ankara and Washington but also Ankara and Yerevan. As long as Armenians reiterate the long lasting historical claims for the events of 1915, the normalization is hardly moved ahead. It is obvious that the passage of the so-called resolution in the House will most probably kill the normalization process and not make constructing contribution, while creating a new phases of crisis with Washington. Still internal policy of Armenia and the position of international Armenian community are obstructing the positive developments in bilateral relation to boost the peace in Caucasia.
Aliyah Fridman
News.Az
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
