Protocol News - the Turkish reaction‏

(read in particular the last sentence in the final analysis article)

AHMET DAVUTOGLU: TURKEY-ARMENIA RELATIONS ENTERED A NEW PERIOD

/PanARMENIAN.Net/

12.10.2009 10:04 GMT+04:00



/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said

Sunday the crisis experienced yesterday in Zurich prior to the

ceremony of signing the protocols between Turkey and Armenia was

"a procedural matter".



Speaking on Turkey's state-run TRT TV channel on Sunday, Davutoglu

said that the signing of the protocols was a "crucial step".



The protocols are a reflection of Turkey's peaceful vision, Davutoglu

stressed. "The crisis lived prior to the signature ceremony was a

natural component of the process. The crisis was a procedural issue. It

concerned statements to be made during the ceremony and was overcome

after both sides agreed not to make remarks," Davutoglu said.



"Turkey's perspective is comprehensive peace. This would be

possible if all sides tackle problems in a just and equal way,"

he noted. "Relations between Turkey and Armenia have entered a new

period. With this new period, people of Turkey and Armenia will be

able to understand each other more accurately."



At that the Turkish FM emphasized that resolution of the

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is crucial and Turkey has taken

relevant steps.



"It is out of question for Turkey to leave Azerbaijan alone whatever

the conditions may be," Davutoglu said.



"Since the Kars Treaty, Turkey and Armenia have signed the first

different document. The protocol signed defined Turkish-Armenian

relations and placed relations within a frame. Once the protocols

go into effect, relations between Turkey and Armenia will be

normalized. The protocols will facilitate greater cooperation

between Turkey and Armenia at international forums and will help end

mutual pre-conceived notions in the minds of our peoples. Turkey has

confidence in itself. The engine of surrounding countries is Turkey. We

do not want a poor neighbor. Our neighbor should get richer but should

have respect for the rights of another neighbor," Davutoglu said.



"The Treaty of Kars was one that defined the borders o not lose

legitimacy even if the governments do not exist any more. The protocol

signed on Saturday has a provision that refers to recognition of the

existing borders (between Turkey and Armenia). We have no concerns

about it," he concluded, World Bulletin reported.

The Journal of Turkish Weekly
Historical Protocols Signed by Turkey and Armenia
Sunday, 11 October 2009

ZURICH - Turkey and Armenia have agreed to establish diplomatic
relations.

The "Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the
Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia" was signed by Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Armenian counterpart Eduard
Nalbandian in Swiss city of Zurich on Saturday.

The protocol envisages mutual recognition of the existing border
between the two countries.

Under the protocol, Turkey and Armenia reconfirmed their commitment,
in their bilateral and international relations, to respect and ensure
respect for the principles of "equality, sovereignty, non-intervention
in internal affairs of other states, territorial integrity and
inviolability of frontiers".

Turkey and Armenia also condemned all forms of terrorism, violence and
extremism irrespective of their cause, pledging to refrain from
encouraging and tolerating such acts and to cooperate in combating
against them.

* TURKEY AND ARMENIA SIGN PROTOCOLS - PROTOCOL ON

DEVELOPING RELATIONS
BETWEEN TURKEY & ARMENIA SIGNED

- Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Armenian
counterpart Eduard Nalbandian signed Saturday a protocol on developing
relations between their two countries.

The "Protocol on Developing Relations between the Republic of Turkey
and the Republic of Armenia" was signed by Davutoglu and Nalbandian in
Swiss city of Zurich.

The protocol aims to facilitate the development of relations between
Turkey and Armenia in all fields and took significant steps within
this frame.

One of the steps has to do with the opening of the Turkish-Armenian
border two months after the protocol goes into effect. The two
countries have decided to establish committees in various fields and
at various levels. An historical sub-committee will be established
with the participation of international experts.

TURKISH OPPOSITION CRITICIZE AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN

YEREVAN AND ANKARA
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.10.2009 12:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Opposition parties of Turkey have criticized an
agreement signed between Turkey and Armenia on Saturday to establish
diplomatic relations by describing the move a "step backward" in
Turkish foreign policy.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Onur
Oymen said that the protocol signed in Zurich is evidence that Turkey
has taken a step back in its fundamental foreign policy regarding
Armenia for the past 17 years.|

Indicating that a process of normalization with Armenia "can only take
place if Armenia withdraws from Azerbaijani territory", Oymen argued
that Turkey had made unilateral concessions with the agreement. "There
will be great pressure in Turkey following these signatures because
the protocol texts include articles about Turkey opening its border
and establishing diplomatic ties, but there is not even the slightest
sign that Armenia will withdraw from the territories it invaded. There
is not the slightest reference to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute,"
Oymen said.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said the day
the agreement was signed was a "black day." He said protocols signed
with Armenia were not based on reciprocity and that they were not
equal and balanced.

Felicity Party (SP) leader Numan Kurtulmus, also joined the critics of
the protocol, describing it a "historic mistake." He said this issue
first being handled in Parliament, which represents the will of the
nation, was the necessity of democratic ethics. "The [Justice and
Development Party] AK Party's concessive attitude under the cover
of its 'zero problems policy' not only undermines Turkish foreign
policy, it also casts a shadow over Turkey's prestige," Kurtulmus,
said, reported Today's Zaman.


TURKISH PARTY KEEPS ON CLAIMING ABOUT INTERCONNECTION

OF NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA WITH KARABAKH

CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
ArmInfo
2009-10-12 11:26:00

ArmInfo. The Turkish party keeps on claiming about interconnection
of normalization of relations with Armenia with the Karabakh conflict
settlement.

As APA reports quoting the Turkish news agencies, Prime Minister
of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the following when commenting
on signing of the Armenian- Turkish Protocols: "If Armenia doesn't
withdraw from the Azerbaijani lands, its normal relations with
Turkey are impossible". "The Turkish government opened this way. Our
intention is that the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh conflict
to be solved. If this problem is solved, our people will support the
normalization of relations yet more and it will ease the approval
of protocols at the parliament", Erdogan said and added that the
parliament will certainly review the process of solution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani problem. "We have sent some messages and
made some steps since 2003. We eased visa regime for the Armenian
citizens. I proposed to the Armenian president in 2005 to leave their
claims, to establish historical fact-finding commission, to research
archive materials and to make decision after the experts' opinion",
the Turkish PM said.

RFE/RL Report

Turkey -- Bursa city residents protest as local authorities banned to
wave Azeri flags at the Turkey-Armenia football match due on October
14, 11Oct2009

Sarkisian said on Monday that `sufficient prerequisites' are now in
place for the landmark trip. `Turkey's president, Mr. Gul, had
responded to my invitation and come to Armenia [in September 2008,]
and I now see no serious basis not to accept his invitation,' he said.
`My counterpart has sent a written invitation, and unless something
extraordinary happens in the next two days, I will go to Bursa and
cheer for my favorite team.'

The president answered journalists' questions at Yerevan's Zvartnots
as he prepared to fly to Moscow for what his office described as a
brief working visit. Shortly before his departure, Sarkisian sent a
letter to U.S. President Barack Obama thanking Washington for its
active role in the Turkish-Armenian dialogue.

"I am convinced that without the decisive help of the United States it
would have been impossible to make effective efforts in this
direction," he said after "warmly" congratulating Obama on winning the
Nobel Peace Prize.

Meanwhile, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said later on
Monday that the Erdogan government will send the protocols to the
Turkish parliament `next week.' `The assembly will decide whether to
approve or reject them," Cicek told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
But he underlined that the `parliament will undoubtedly follow
developments in Armenia during this process.'

According to the AFP news agency, Cicek described the pacts as a
`sincere and serious show of will' by Turkey. But he reiterated that
lasting peace in the region also depends on the resolution of the
Karabakh dispute.

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Monday, 12 October 2009
Armenian Diaspora is Egoist
Sunday, 11 October 2009

Armenian people is one of the ancient tribes. They created a great
civilization and contributed to the humanity and other civilizations a
lot. They established kingdoms and states as well. However as they
settled mainly on the crossroads of the civilizations, religions,
sects, races and great kingdoms, they could not maintain their
independence. As a result they have generally lived under the other
nations' sovereignty. Iranian Empire, Byzantium Empire, Russian
Empire, Arab Kingdoms, Seljuki and Ottoman Empires and Soviet
`Empire'. They enjoyed great freedom under Seljuki and Ottoman Empires
however many Armenians were tortured and deported by the Byzantium
Emperors due to the religious disputes. Most of the time, they could
not become soldiers or governors.

In brief the main problem for the Armenian peoples was lack of a
state.

When the French Revolution triggered the nationalist movements in the
world, the Armenians were not ready for such a radical change:

The Ottoman Armenians were enjoying a great religious freedom and they
were among the most wealthiest class in the empire. Many Armenian
bankers, businessmen, doctors and intellectuals were very close to the
Palace. The Ottoman Armenians in the towns and rural areas were mostly
bankers, businessman or craftsmen. The Armenians with the Ottoman
Greeks dominated the Ottoman export and import. Moreover the Ottoman
Armenian population was not majority in any region. About 1 million
Armenians were scattered around the huge Ottoman territories. In
another word the Ottoman Armenians were not ready for a separatist
nationalist revolt. They were actually happy with the existing
system. The Church in particular had great privileges before the
Ottoman State and a great power over the Armenian citizens.

Under these circumstances, the Armenian nationalism was developed in
diaspora namely in Switzerland and Georgia. Tashnak and Hinchak
`parties' were estab ng and inexperienced in politics. They had no
enough power and financial support to struggle against the
Empires. Apart from these, the young Armenian idealists set a
formidable task for the Armenian nationalism: To unite all Armenians
in the Ottoman, Russian, Iranian Empires and other Armenians in the
region under a separate Armenian State.

So, they needed foreign assistance, and the great imperial powers were
very eager to `undermine' the Ottoman Empire. The British, French and
Russian Empires gave a great encouragement to the Tashnaks and other
Armenian groups. However they did not fully keep their promises and
when they reached agreements with the Istanbul Government the Armenian
nationalists failed.

Furthermore the Armenian nationalists were encouraged but not fully
supported when needed. Another problem was that the Ottoman Armenians
did not strongly join the Armenian nationalists. Many Armenians in the
Ottoman towns were against the Armenian militants. Therefore the first
target to be destroyed was seen as the Ottoman Armenian leaders.

Many Armenian leaders were murdered by the Tashnak and other Armenian
militants. They accused all Armenian opposition of being traitor. The
Armenian terrorism killed more Armenians than the Muslims in the
beginning of the 20th Century. The Armenian businessmen were
threatened and forced to give `tax' to the illegal Armenian
groups. The Tashnak militants transferred a huge amount of weapons,
provided by Russia and Britain, to the Ottoman towns. They were
preparing a war and revolt against the Istanbul Government. They
organized many terrorist attacks against the politicians and
institutions. In 1876 the Armenian militants attacked the Ottoman Bank
and exploded bombs before the bank. They further organized an
assassination against the Sultan (Head of State) II. Abdulhamid.

When the First World War erupted, the Armenian extremists saw the war
as an opportunity and the co-operation between the Armenians and
Allied States increased. The Russian, British and French Emp
e in war against the Ottoman Empire, Germany and Austrian Empire,
considered the Christian minorities as a tool against the
Ottomans. Thus the Armenian nationalists were encouraged for more
terrorist attacks, revolts and weapon transfers to Anatolia. The Van
Revolt was one of the most vivid examples for the Armenian
Revolts. The Tashnaks in the Van Revolt aimed to `clean the region
from the Muslims'. Thousands of Muslims were killed or forced to leave
the region. At the end the Armenians declared their independence in
Van province and then handled the city to the Russian occupying
forces.

The Armenian nationalist `adventure' ended with a tragedy which cost
500.000 Muslim and more than 110.000 Armenian lives. About Thousands
of Armenians were relocated, and many died due to the war
circumstances.

The Armenians rioted against the Government in many towns and attacked
their Muslim neighbors with the French, Russian and British
encouragement. However the occupiers did not keep their promises and
with the end of the war the Armenians could not return their
homes. Many immigrated to the European and North American states.

The cost of the revolt was very high for the Armenian
nationalism. Nevertheless they could establish a tiny state in
Caucasus under the Tashnak rule. It is unfortunate that the Tashnaks
could not learn anything from the Ottoman Armenian experience and they
started a `revenge campaign' (NEMESIS) against the newly-established
Turkish State. As a matter of fact that the last thing Independent
Armenia needed was a `revenge conflict' with the Turks. Armenia was a
`country of dead' at that time. Armenian population was suffering from
famine and epidemic diseases, and more than 200.000 Armenians died
under these circumstances in the Tashnaks' Independent
Armenia. However the Armenian `leaders' did not focus on their own
economic development, social and cultural problems and political
relations with the neighboring countries while the newly Turkey's
Government sole dealt with the problems. The Armenian terrorists killed
many former Ottoman ministers. But the Tashnak attacks not only killed
the Turkish targets but also ended the independence of Armenia.

Armenia lost its independence and became a Soviet Republic under
Moscow rule.

Armenians once more had to immigrate to the West. They suffered a lot
from lack of an independent state. They had no reasonable leader who
could lead them under the realistic and pragmatic principles instead
of purely naïve emotional motivations.

Under the lack of leadership, Armenians were exposed the great powers
national interests. Moscow, Washington, Paris and London abused the
Armenian issue.

Armenia gained its independence once more in 1991 after the decades
when the Soviet Empire collapsed. It is unfortunate that the Diaspora
Armenians and Tashnaks again just focused on their own interests
instead of saving the newly-established Armenia. Tashnaks played a
crucial role in declaring war against the Azerbaijanis. The Diaspora
encouraged more wars and tension to capture the `lost territories' in
Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

While the other former Sviet republics tried to decrease their
dependency on Russia, Armenia more and more became a `Russian orbit'
in the region. When Russia lost its military bases in Azerbaijan and
Georgia, Armenians invited the Russians to their country. As a result
of dependency on Russia, Armenia has been isolated and when they could
not repay the credits the energy, communication and transportation
infrastructure have been sold out to the Russians.

The new Armenian nationalists and Diaspora saw Turkey the most deadly
enemy, though Turkey was one of the first states who recognized
Armenian independence. Actually Turkey considered Armenian State as an
opportunity to normalize the Turkish-Armenian relations. However
Armenian Diaspora was seriously reluctant in normalizing the relations
because it established the Armenian identity on anti-Turkishness. The
1915 Legacy and anti-Turkish accusations have been the only uniting
factor in the diaspora. They feared th Armenians in the West could be
accelerated.

The Church and the political parties have used the Turkish-Armenian
problems for decades in cementing the non-homogenous Armenian
society. Moreover anti-Turkish Armenian Case was financial and
prestige source for many Armenians and Diaspora institutions.

In another words the Diaspora Armenians abused the problems with Turks
for their personal and institutional interest at the cost of
Armenia. Their priority was not State of Armenia but the
Diaspora. They knew that the land-locked and relatively poor Armenia
had to solve its disputes with Turkey in order to survive. However
they sacrificed Armenian state once again as they did in 1918.

To conclude, the foremost priority for the whole Armenians must to
protect and survive the young Armenia, instead of strengthening the
Armenian diaspora. Armenia should not be part of the adventurous games
of its Diaspora and Russia.
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