Thursday, February 11, 2010
Turkey and Armenia - on the brink of collapse?
The Boston Globe published an article by David L. Phillips, titled "Turkey and Armenia - on the brink of collapse". The author's statement that "Turkish officials wavered at the last minute." is a blatant distortion of what happened on 10 October 2009. It was in fact the Armenian side, who wavered at the last minute, objecting to the statement Turkish FM was planning to make after the signing of the protocols. Looking at any photograph of the parties at the table after the signing makes it manifestly clear whose arm Hillary Clinton had to twist. The Turkish FM Ahmet Davudoglu was very calm and smiling, whereas his Armenian counterpart was nervous, red faced and visibly shaken.
Contrary to the author's claim, the ball is in the Armenian court. Armenian Constitutional Court's reference to Article 11 of Armenian declaration of independence is ridiculous and is squarely aimed at destroying any friendly relationship between the two country. For God's sake, can someone tell me what "Western Armenia" means? It refers to territory that is under Turkish sovereignty. No serious country in the world would engage in relations with another country not respecting its territorial integrity. Would the US accept Russia to call Alaska "Eastern Russia"? Would France accept Germany to claim that Alsace-Lorraine is eternally German? Would a British prime minister visit Dublin and speak under a map that showed Northern Ireland as part of the Irish Republic? Not a chance!
Clearly, Armenia is the aggressor here. It refuses to accept the internationally recognized borders of Turkey, while continuing its brutal occupation of 20% of Azerbaijan's territory, not to mention the autonomous Karabagh enclave. While thousands of Azeri refugees are living in camps, the international community is watching this clear violation of Azeri sovereignty in silence.
Armenia must shake up, and act as a responsible member of international community. That's the only way to achieve peace and stability in the region.
Contrary to the author's claim, the ball is in the Armenian court. Armenian Constitutional Court's reference to Article 11 of Armenian declaration of independence is ridiculous and is squarely aimed at destroying any friendly relationship between the two country. For God's sake, can someone tell me what "Western Armenia" means? It refers to territory that is under Turkish sovereignty. No serious country in the world would engage in relations with another country not respecting its territorial integrity. Would the US accept Russia to call Alaska "Eastern Russia"? Would France accept Germany to claim that Alsace-Lorraine is eternally German? Would a British prime minister visit Dublin and speak under a map that showed Northern Ireland as part of the Irish Republic? Not a chance!
Clearly, Armenia is the aggressor here. It refuses to accept the internationally recognized borders of Turkey, while continuing its brutal occupation of 20% of Azerbaijan's territory, not to mention the autonomous Karabagh enclave. While thousands of Azeri refugees are living in camps, the international community is watching this clear violation of Azeri sovereignty in silence.
Armenia must shake up, and act as a responsible member of international community. That's the only way to achieve peace and stability in the region.
