Interview with M. Kemal Kaya, senior fellow at the Stockholm and Washington-based Institute for Security and Development Policy.
Q: President Obama didn’t use the word "genocide" in his annual message to the Armenian community, saying instead the Armenian words “Mets Yeghern” (which translates as great calamity). Will the Turkish side be content with that?
A: Turkey's Foreign Ministry condemned the message of President Obama. It is not the first time that the term “Mets Yeghern” has been used by the US authorities. However, there is no escalation of the issue between the US and Turkey as the Armenian side wanted.
Q: What are the prospects for Turkish-Armenian reconciliation while the Armenians try to get the “genocide” recognized in the world?
A: Although the protocols, which envisage the normalization of relations between the two countries, have not been cancelled officially, there is practically no chance of them being applied in the near future. The “genocide lobby” in Armenian circles has different targets and many of them were against the reconciliation protocols. It is no surprise that they are active on 24 April in the USA.
Q: Turkish embassies in Georgia and other countries received threats from ASALA (the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia) saying that, if Turkey supports Baku in the event of an Azerbaijani attack on Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, “then the list will be finished” - a clear reference to the list of Turkish diplomats murdered by ASALA. How serious is this threat?
A: This is a very old-fashioned approach to the problem and reflects the brutal side of the ASALA terrorist organization and their supporters. For the time being, I don’t envisage any escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, the military option is still on the table, considering the uncompromising approach of the Armenian side. In the event of a military conflict, it is natural to expect an alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Q: Some people say that the Turkish side is not active enough (at least not as active as the Armenians) in providing the international community with the real facts about events in 1915. Do you agree and, if so, what should be done to change the situation?
A: Yes, Turkey is not active enough in presenting to the world its claims about 1915. Diaspora Armenians started to convince and shape world public opinion well before Turkey. However, it is never too late to show the world our claims. But I am not optimistic about Turkey giving due importance to the issue, since Turkey has many foreign policy priorities.
Q: Is collaboration between the Turkish and Azerbaijan diasporas a good mechanism to achieve a common goal and raise awareness amongst the international community about Armenian policy in the region?
A: Collaboration between the Turkish and Azerbaijan diasporas on the issue is extremely useful and establishes a base for the wider cooperation of the two countries. Sometimes we can see that diasporas are much more realistic and cooperative to each other than official authorities. Both sides share their past experience with each other about Armenian strategy in the region. As an oil-rich country Azerbaijan has more access to different Western circles. At the same time, Turkish NGOs are becoming more active in the important capitals. This will create a greater power base to deal with Armenian claims and the occupation of Karabakh.
Leyla Tagiyeva
News.Az
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