Important Protocol Update
The Armenian Weekly
IAGS President to Sarkisian,
Erdogan: Acknowledgement Must Be First Step
October 12, 2009
On Oct. 8, William Schabas, the president of the International Association of
October 12, 2009
On Oct. 8, William Schabas, the president of the International Association of
Genocide Scholars (IAGS), addressed an open letter to Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Armenian President Serge Sarkisian, in which he
said: “Acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide must be the starting point
of any ‘impartial historical commission,’ not one of its possible conclusions.”
Below is the full text of the letter, acquired by the Armenian Weekly.
***
Dear Prime Minister Erdogan and President Sarkisian,
The proposed protocols between Armenia and Turkey call for an “impartial
historical commission” to investigate what the world knows as the Armenian
Genocide of 1915.
As the leading scholarly organization engaged in the study of genocide, we
welcome continued investigation that will enhance our understanding of the
1915 massacres. However, we are extremely wary of any call for allegedly
impartial research into what are clearly established historical facts.
Acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide must be the starting point of
any “impartial historical commission,” not one of its possible conclusions.
The world would not accept an inquiry into the truth of the Nazi Holocaust,
or the extermination of the Tutsi in Rwanda, and nor can it do so with the
genocide of the Armenians.
William Schabas,
President, International Association of Genocide Scholars
BALL IS IN TURKEY'S COURT: SERZH SARGSYAN
Tert.am
12.10.09
Speaking to journalists today, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
responded to yesterday's statements made by Turkish officials.
"Unfortunately, our public familiarizes itself with those statements
from Azerbaijani websites, the authors of which, naturally, try
to misrepresent Turkish officials' statements. However, there were
such statements. I think those statements are, in the first place,
addressed to an Azerbaijani audience," Sargsyan.
Sargsyan stated that, otherwise, a very strange for him situation
emerges.
"If, in fact, the Turkish side will not ratify the Protocols, why did
they sign them? Perhaps they thought we wouldn't show enough will and
would take a step back by withdrawing. Perhaps. In all circumstances,
the ball today is in their court and we have patience to wait for
the course of the developments. We have publicly announced our
steps and, without hesitation, we'll move in that direction. If the
Turkish side ratifies the Protocols, we'll go about the confirmed
schedule and continue the process. If they don't ratify them, we
have nothing to constrain us, and we will do what we have announced,
" the president said.
Tert.am
12.10.09
Speaking to journalists today, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
responded to yesterday's statements made by Turkish officials.
"Unfortunately, our public familiarizes itself with those statements
from Azerbaijani websites, the authors of which, naturally, try
to misrepresent Turkish officials' statements. However, there were
such statements. I think those statements are, in the first place,
addressed to an Azerbaijani audience," Sargsyan.
Sargsyan stated that, otherwise, a very strange for him situation
emerges.
"If, in fact, the Turkish side will not ratify the Protocols, why did
they sign them? Perhaps they thought we wouldn't show enough will and
would take a step back by withdrawing. Perhaps. In all circumstances,
the ball today is in their court and we have patience to wait for
the course of the developments. We have publicly announced our
steps and, without hesitation, we'll move in that direction. If the
Turkish side ratifies the Protocols, we'll go about the confirmed
schedule and continue the process. If they don't ratify them, we
have nothing to constrain us, and we will do what we have announced,
" the president said.
RFE/RL Report
Sarkisian Confirms Turkey Trip, Again Warns Ankara
Armenia -- President Serzh Sarkisian speaks to journalists.
12.10.2009
Armenia's President Serzh Sarkisian announced on Monday his decision
to visit Turkey this week to attend a football match between the two
neighbors, while questioning Ankara's commitment to honor the fence-
mending agreements with Yerevan. (UPDATED)
Sarkisian suggested that Turkish leaders' weekend statements linking
the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations with a settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh were `primarily addressed to the Azerbaijani
audience.'
`Otherwise, it would seem strange to me: if the Turks are not going to
ratify the protocols, then why did they sign them [in Zurich on
Saturday] in the first place?' he told journalists. `Maybe they
thought that we might not display sufficient will and take a step
back. Maybe.'
`In any case, the ball is in the Turkish court today, and we have
enough patience to await further developments,' said Sarkisian. `If
the Turks ratify the protocols, if they stick to the agreed timetable,
we will continue the process. If not, we will not be bound by anything
and will do what we have announced.'
In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, Sarkisian likewise
implicitly threatened to walk away from the controversial agreements,
which have put him at odds with nationalist groups in Armenia and its
influential Diaspora, if Ankara fails to implement them `within a
reasonable timeframe.' Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
stated on Sunday that the establishment of diplomatic relations and
reopening of the border between the two states hinges on a
breakthrough in the Karabakh peace process.
Galust Sahakian, the parliamentary leader of Sarkisian's Republican
Party (HHK), indicated on Monday that Armenia's National Assembly will
start debating the protocols only after they are approved by the
Turkish parliament. `If Turkey makes any reservations, our parliament
will not even include [the issue] on its agenda,' said Sahakian.
Both the HHK and Erdogan's Justice and Development Party have a solid
majority in their respective legislatures.
Sarkisian also made clear that he has accepted his Turkish counterpart
Abdullah Gul's invitation to watch with him the return match of
Armenia's and Turkey's national soccer teams that will be played in
the western Turkish city of Bursa on Wednesday. The Armenian leader
said earlier that he will visit Turkey it only if Ankara takes `real
steps' to normalize bilateral ties.
BAN KI-MOON WELCOMED SIGNING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.10.2009 09:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Secretary-General UN Ban Ki-moon welcomed signing
of two protocols paving the way towards normalizing ties between
Armenia and Turkey, voicing hope that the move will contribute to
peace, security and stability in the South Caucasus region.
"This historic decision constitutes a milestone toward the
establishment of good neighborly relations and the development of
bilateral cooperation between both countries," Mr. Ban said in a
statement issued by his spokesperson.
He also expressed hope that both protocols will be ratified quickly
by the parliaments of Armenia and Turkey to "ensure full normalization
of their bilateral relations.
EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE: NALBANDIAN ON BORDER OPENING THIS YEARSarkisian Confirms Turkey Trip, Again Warns Ankara
Armenia -- President Serzh Sarkisian speaks to journalists.
12.10.2009
Armenia's President Serzh Sarkisian announced on Monday his decision
to visit Turkey this week to attend a football match between the two
neighbors, while questioning Ankara's commitment to honor the fence-
mending agreements with Yerevan. (UPDATED)
Sarkisian suggested that Turkish leaders' weekend statements linking
the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations with a settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh were `primarily addressed to the Azerbaijani
audience.'
`Otherwise, it would seem strange to me: if the Turks are not going to
ratify the protocols, then why did they sign them [in Zurich on
Saturday] in the first place?' he told journalists. `Maybe they
thought that we might not display sufficient will and take a step
back. Maybe.'
`In any case, the ball is in the Turkish court today, and we have
enough patience to await further developments,' said Sarkisian. `If
the Turks ratify the protocols, if they stick to the agreed timetable,
we will continue the process. If not, we will not be bound by anything
and will do what we have announced.'
In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, Sarkisian likewise
implicitly threatened to walk away from the controversial agreements,
which have put him at odds with nationalist groups in Armenia and its
influential Diaspora, if Ankara fails to implement them `within a
reasonable timeframe.' Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
stated on Sunday that the establishment of diplomatic relations and
reopening of the border between the two states hinges on a
breakthrough in the Karabakh peace process.
Galust Sahakian, the parliamentary leader of Sarkisian's Republican
Party (HHK), indicated on Monday that Armenia's National Assembly will
start debating the protocols only after they are approved by the
Turkish parliament. `If Turkey makes any reservations, our parliament
will not even include [the issue] on its agenda,' said Sahakian.
Both the HHK and Erdogan's Justice and Development Party have a solid
majority in their respective legislatures.
Sarkisian also made clear that he has accepted his Turkish counterpart
Abdullah Gul's invitation to watch with him the return match of
Armenia's and Turkey's national soccer teams that will be played in
the western Turkish city of Bursa on Wednesday. The Armenian leader
said earlier that he will visit Turkey it only if Ankara takes `real
steps' to normalize bilateral ties.
BAN KI-MOON WELCOMED SIGNING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.10.2009 09:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Secretary-General UN Ban Ki-moon welcomed signing
of two protocols paving the way towards normalizing ties between
Armenia and Turkey, voicing hope that the move will contribute to
peace, security and stability in the South Caucasus region.
"This historic decision constitutes a milestone toward the
establishment of good neighborly relations and the development of
bilateral cooperation between both countries," Mr. Ban said in a
statement issued by his spokesperson.
He also expressed hope that both protocols will be ratified quickly
by the parliaments of Armenia and Turkey to "ensure full normalization
of their bilateral relations.
Tert.am
12.10.09
Asked if the Armenian-Turkish border would open this year, during
his interview to Russian paper Commersant, Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian stated that it's a possibility.
"Everything is possible. It depends on how the parties will respect
mutual agreements and how they will proceed. Armenia has always
respected and respects agreements, which were reached with other
countries," said Nalbandian.
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