More Protocol News

Turkey, Armenia to restore ties
Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2009/09/27 20:57:49 GMT

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his country will
sign a deal to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia on 10
October.

Mr Erdogan said the deal would still need parliamentary approval in
Turkey and Armenia after being signed by their foreign ministers.

The two countries remain deeply divided over the fate Armenians
suffered under Turkish Ottoman rule.

A roadmap for normalising relations between them was agreed in April.

Anticipation of a diplomatic breakthrough had been growing ahead of a
planned visit by Armenian President Serge Sarkisian to Turkey on 14
October.

He is due to attend the return leg of a World Cup qualifying football
match between the two countries.

Turkey has resisted widespread calls for it to recognise the mass
killing of Armenians during World War I as an act of genocide.

Armenia says 1.5 million people died. Turkey insists it was not
genocide and that that figure is inflated.

www.asbarez.com

CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II ISSUES ANNOUNCEMENT ON PROTOCOLS
Sep 30, 2009

ETCHMIADZIN (A1plus)-His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II convened a
special meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Holy Sea of
Etchmian on Wednesday where he issued an announcement on the ongoing
Turkey-Armenia normalization process and the two protocols that will
establish diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Below are his remarks:

The Supreme Spiritual Council welcomes the process to establish
diplomatic ties free of preconditions between Armenia and Turkey and
the process to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations, for the sake
of regional security, preservation of peace and the development of
regional cooperation. The Supreme Spiritual Council positively assesses
the pan-Armenian discussions currently taking place surrounding
this process.

The Supreme Spiritual Council considers as natural and understandable
the concerns of Armenians living in Armenia, Artsakh and the
Diaspora, within the context of the bitter historical experience
of our people with Turkey, Turkey's official policy of denying the
Armenian Genocide, Turkey's intolerant position expressed toward the
Republic of Armenia, as well as the formulations contained in the
yet to be signed protocols regarding Armenian-Turkish relations that
have caused various interpretations, and the unacceptable statements
coming from the Turkish side associated with this process.

In this regard, the Supreme Spiritual Council reconfirms that
the Armenian Genocide is an indisputable fact, as is the right
to independence for the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and the
self-determination of the Armenians of Artsakh. Our people and
authorities shall never abdicate the pursuit and defense of our
just national rights. The Supreme Spiritual Council exhorts all sons
and daughters of our nation to show utmost vigilance and reason to
avoid nation-damaging polarization, and united together, to face the
challenges before our people.

The Supreme Spiritual Council appeals for the assistance of our Lord
Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the authorities of
the Republic of Armenia, so that they lead the process of normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations to a successful conclusion, for the sake
of our people's cherished and vital interests.

ARAM I APPEALS TO SARGSYAN ON ARMENIA-TURKISH
PROTOCOLS
Yerkir
23.09.2009 19:38
Yerevan

Yerevan (Yerkir) - His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia, on Monday sent a letter to President Serzh Sargsyan
expressing concerns over the Turkey-Armenia protocols and urging
the president to engage the entire Armenian nation in this critical
pan-national issue.

In his extensive letter, the Catholicos outlines concerns, more vocally
about the threats the protocols bring to the veracity of the Armenian
Genocide, the Karabakh conflict resolution process and the imperative
of addressing this critical issue from pan-national perspective.

Aram I pointed out that the very existence of the Diaspora is a direct
result of the Genocide and forced upon the Armenian nation.

"The recognition of and reparations for the Armenian Genocide are
part of our national struggle. Thus it is imperative to approach the
matter carefully and with the great deal of sensitivity," said the
Catholicos in his letter warning that the Genocide issue cannot be
part of the negotiation process, as it is know fact.

"In a set of conditions, Turkey is likely to pressure Armenia. Ankara
will pursue to expunge the memory of 1.5 million slaughtered
Armenians," said the Catholicos who urged the president and his
administration to have a firm position on the Genocide.

The Catholicos also expressed his deep concern about the negative
conseque nces of the protocols on the fragile Karabakh conflict
resolution. He urged the president to ensure that the Turkey-Armenia
normalization does not adversely impact the Karabakh process.

He advised that the matter of the relations should be discussed
nationally and a solution to confront the challenges facing the nation
should be given by Armenia, Karabakh and Diaspora in unison.

RFE/RL Report

26 September 2009, Saturday
Turkey's Armenians express support for opening of border

Turkish Armenians have expressed hope regarding the opening of the
border between Armenia and Turkey, saying such a step would help the
two peoples remember that they do not have only sad memories of each
other, but also have a long common history.

On Aug. 31, Ankara and Yerevan announced that after talks which have
been continuing under Swiss mediation, they have decided to launch an
internal consultation process on both sides before signing two
protocols aiming to normalize relations by opening the closed border
between the two countries and re-establishing diplomatic ties after 16
years. Earlier this week, speaking in New York, Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip ErdoÄ?an stated that he expects to present Parliament
with documents on establishing diplomatic ties with Armenia by early
October. In its latest edition, the bilingual Agos newspaper spoke
with Armenian citizens of Turkey concerning the recent
developments. The founder of Agos, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant
Dink, was shot dead outside the newspaper's offices in January
2007. Dink's murder trial is still ongoing.

Lerna Kuyumcu, a 67-year-old housewife, voiced her pleasure over the
protocols, saying she believed they would serve for the good of both
countries, while Tabita Toparlak, an 18-year-old student, reflected
her enthusiasm over the developments.

`Open the borders so that both of the countries can breathe fresh
air. We have gradually become rusty, since we remained closed [to one
another],' Toparlak was quoted as saying by Agos.

A middle-aged finance employee, Vartkes Hergel, 43, was cautious in
welcoming the developments. `As a Turkish Armenian, I consider the
signing of these protocols as a beautiful start, though I'm not very
hopeful. Despite dragging their feet, supporters of the status quo on
both sides will not be able to block the rapprochement of the two
peoples. Progress will continue on this road on which Hrant Dink took
big st
ne day together with my Turkish friend Å?afak, hand in
hand. Even if Å?afak and I cannot do this, our children will
make it happen,' Hergel added.

Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic ties and share a history of
animosity stemming from the killings of Anatolian Armenians by Ottoman
Turks during World War I. Turkey denies the 1915 killings amounted to
genocide but has agreed to set up a commission of international
experts on the issue under a protocol it signed with Armenia.

Ankara has said it hopes to open its border with Armenia by the end of
the year and establish diplomatic ties. Anticipation over an
Ankara-Yerevan thaw has been growing ahead of a planned visit by
Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan to Turkey on Oct. 14, when he is due
to attend the return leg of a World Cup qualifying soccer match
between the two countries.

Jeweler Hagop Can Hulyar, 49, was critical of the main opposition
Republican People's Party (CHP), which has not lent its support to the
government's steps for rapprochement with Armenia. `I never vote for
the CHP, and I will never do so. I also have the conviction that a
sane Armenian indeed should not vote for the CHP,' Hulyar said.

RFE/RL Report

26 September 2009, Saturday
TODAY'S ZAMAN ANKARA

Erdogan Again Links Armenia Ties With Karabakh Peace
Azerbaijan - Prime Minister of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with
officials during a working visit to Baku, 13May2009
28.09.2009
Emil Danielyan

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was reported on Monday to
have again linked the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations with a
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that would satisfy
Azerbaijan. (UPDATED)

`We will not take steps contradicting Azerbaijan's interests,' Erdogan
told the Azerbaijani Trend news agency in an interview. `We can
accelerate the process of the adoption of the agreement [with Armenia,]
but that will depend on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.'

`Azerbaijan's interests have always been important to Turkey. We will
never betray Azerbaijan,' he said.

Azerbaijan has repeatedly made clear that it would consider the
reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border before a Karabakh settlement a
serious blow to its national interests. Baku reiterated that immediately
after the August 31 publication of two Turkish-Armenian draft protocols
envisaging border opening and diplomatic relations between the two
states. Neither document makes any reference to the Armenian-Azerbaijani
dispute.

Erdogan was quoted as telling Turkish media chiefs earlier this month
that Ankara will not lift its long-running economic blockade of Armenia
`as long as Azerbaijan's occupied territories are not returned.' The
Armenian government criticized the remarks, with Foreign Minister Eduard
Nalbandian saying that they run counter to `the letter, spirit and aims'
of the Turkish-Armenian agreements.

Ending a visit to the United States, Erdogan told journalists on Sunday
that the two protocols will be signed by Nalbandian and his Turkish
counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10. The AFP news agency cited an
unnamed Turkish official as saying that the signing ceremony will take
place in Zurich, Switzerland.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry declined to confirm or refute the
information. But President Serzh Sarkisian's spokesman, Samvel
Farmanian, indicated that no dates have been set for the ceremony yet.
`When there is clarity about the next phases of the process, we will
make a statement,' he told the News.am information agency.

The agreements, welcomed by the United States, the European Union and
Russia, need to be ratified by the Armenian and Turkish parliament in
order to come into effect. Erdogan told Trend that his government will
send it to the Turkish parliament ratification `if we don't encounter
some obstacles and if that step does not take into account only domestic
political interests.' He did not elaborate.

The Turkish-Armenian rapprochement was reportedly on the agenda of
Erdogan's weekend meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama held on the
sidelines of the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. According to `Hurriyet Daily
News,' the Turkish premier told Obama that the U.S., Russian and French
mediators `would make things easier' if they pressed for an
Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement on Karabakh `more actively.'

Armenian Weekly

Angry Picketers Greet Sarkisian in New York

Demand Rejection of Protocols
By Weekly Staff

4 October 2009

Armenian Americans answered the ARF’s call to form a picket line today

across the street from the New York Palace Hotel, where Armenia President

Serge Sarkisian was scheduled to meet with representatives of eastern

United States Armenian American organizations to discuss the controversial

Armenia-Turkey protocols.

Blockades and guardrails contained picketers who held signs proclaiming,

“Don’t compromise Armenia’s future!” “Armenians Want Justice!” “Turkey

Accept the Genocide!” and “No to the Protocols!” Picketers held small Armenian

flags and chanted, “Sarkisian, tavajan [traitor],” “Sarkisian, can’t you see?

You can’t sell our legacy!” and “No more protocols, No more lies!” A large banner

directed to Sarkisian declared, “Do Not Betray the Armenian Nation!”

From the picket’s start the mood was serious and the demonstrators were

indignant and angry. The atmosphere quickly grew intense with chants of

“Turkey is guilty! Turkey must pay!” Early on, the crowd sang Armenia’s national

anthem, “Mer Hairenik” (“Our Fatherland”).

Sarkisian and meeting attendees were already in the hotel when the picket began

at 4 p.m. The meeting was scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and last for over two hours.

The area inside and outside the hotel was heavily guarded by New York City police

officers and plain-clothed agents, as well as Sarkisian’s own security guards.

In the hotel, a small group of protesters representing the Association of Concerned

Young Armenian Americans attempted to deliver a letter to Sarkisian expressing

their opposition to the protocols. They were met with resistance. During a heated

discussion with members of the president’s security team, they demanded to deliver

their letter personally to Sarkisian, saying that too much discussion on the protocols

was occurring behind closed doors and challenging Sarkisian to honor his earlier

promises to hear all opinions on the protocols during his tour of major diasporan cities.
Security permitted one of the young people to enter the secure area near the meeting

room to deliver the letter, only if the others left the building. The association’s

representative was told to wait until Sarkisan’s meeting concluded to deliver the letter.

After waiting for over three hours to deliver the message from Armenian American youth

—with no response from Sarkisian—the representative departed with the letter in hand.

At around 7 p.m., as the picket entered its final minutes, dozens of picketers moved

from the picket area across the street to assemble directly in front of the Palace Hotel’s

entrance, where they chanted and sang Armenian patriotic songs. Police moved in to

force picketers out of the area and back across the street from the hotel, where they r

emained until dispersing around 7:30 p.m.

Thousands Rally Against Protocols;

Protesters Await Pres. Sargsyan in L.A.
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

Up to 10,000 protesters held a public rally on September 27 in Glendale
against the Armenian government's plans to sign and ratify two
Protocols negotiated with Turkey which include several highly
controversial issues.

The angry demonstrators expressed their rejection of Pres. Serzh
Sargsyan's conciliatory policies with Armenia's archenemy -- Turkey.
They objected to the Armenian government's concessions to Ankara,
particularly its agreement to set up an inter-governmental
sub-commission to examine `the historical records' -- a Turkish ploy to
undermine the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the international
community. The protesters also objected to Armenia's acceptance of
Turkey's present borders, which would preclude future territorial
claims by Armenians.

The rally was jointly organized by the Social Democrat Hunchakian
Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Democratic League,
and United Young Armenians. Representatives of the sponsoring
organizations delivered fiery speeches against the Protocols. I was
keynote speaker at the rally. My remarks were delivered in Armenian.
Below are excerpts in English:

`Today is a very sad day for me, as well as for all Armenians
worldwide. While Armenia was suffering under the Soviet yoke for 70
years, Armenians worldwide were dreaming of the day when their homeland
would be independent, and they would be masters of their own fate. It
never occurred to us that when that blessed day would finally arrive
and the homeland would be free, we would be compelled to challenge the
authorities of independent Armenia.

`Regrettably, out of concern for Armenia's cherished national
interests, we are obliged to gather here to express our indignation and
protest against these Protocols. Today, Armenians from all walks of
life have come together, regardless of their political and religious
affiliations, immigrants and natives alike, to say a loud NO in unison!

`NO, primarily to Turkey, the successor state to the genocidal Ottoman
Empire! NO, to the dictatorial regime in Azerbaijan! NO, to territorial
concessions on Artsakh! NO, to Russia! NO, to France! NO, to the United
States! In particular, NO to the sub-commission on history that would
question the facts of the Armenian Genocide! NO, to the Treaty of Kars!
And a categorical NO, to the Armenian government's inept diplomatic
initiative on the Protocols!

`We are also gathered here to say YES to all those who defend the
Armenian national interest! YES, to all those who pursue the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide! YES, to all those who demand
compensation from Turkey for damages emanating from the Genocide! YES,
to all those who reclaim our historical lands! Finally, YES, to all
those who support the independence of the Republic of Artsakh!'
I concluded my remarks by citing the ten major objections I had written
about in my last week's column regarding the Armenia-Turkey Protocols.
I expressed "the fervent hope that Armenia's leaders would have the
courage and wisdom to change their minds and not sign and ratify these
Protocols. Should they proceed to conclude these infamous agreements,
however, I fully expect the next President and National Assembly of
Armenia to promptly abrogate them and dump them into the dustbin of
history."

In view of the outpouring of vehement opposition to the Protocols
during the Glendale rally, it is reasonable to expect that a much
larger protest would take place in front of the President's hotel, during his

Los Angeles visit on October 4.

To avoid a deeper split between the Government of Armenia and Armenians
worldwide who outnumber those in the homeland, one would hope that
Armenian officials would find a gracious way out of this terrible
predicament, in order to bring to an end the discord within the global
Armenian family. Armenians need to muster all their resources to
jointly counter a resurgent Turkey and a menacing Azerbaijan.

A modest suggestion to Armenia's leaders, assuming that they are
prepared to listen, would be to take a deep breath before making a
final determination on the fate of the Protocols. They should be in no
rush to sign and ratify them, since the Protocols contain no deadlines.
A way out would be to renegotiate and amend these flawed documents.
Otherwise, future generations would not forgive Armenia's leaders for
the lasting damage they would bring to the national interests of
Armenia and the Armenian Cause.

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