Protocol News - the unwritten link with Karabagh
|
|
|
| Sent: | Tue 10/13/09 6:33 AM |
|
|
|
Fox News
Turkey: Armenia Must Pull Out of Nagorno-Karabakh
Sunday, October 11, 2009
ANKARA, Turkey - One day after Turkey signed a deal the U.S. helped
salvage to end a century of enmity with Armenia, Turkey's leader set a
tough condition for normalizing ties on Sunday: Armenia must withdraw
from the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The statement appeared to be an effort by Turkey to appease its close
ally Azerbaijan, which said the new agreement will aggravate the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Nagorno-Karabakh is an Armenian-occupied
enclave in Azerbaijan.
On Sunday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the
agreement to establish diplomatic ties with Armenia and reopen their
border. He called such steps with a former bitter foe an "important
step" that would lead to cooperation and dialogue.
However, Erdogan said the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute must be resolved to
enable Turkey to take steps to normalize ties and for the deal to be
approved by parliament. To take effect, the agreements must be ratified
by the Turkish and Armenian parliaments, but the accord faces stiff
opposition in both countries.
"We want all conflicts to be resolved and we want all borders to be
opened at the same time," Erdogan said. "(But) as long as Armenia does
not withdraw from occupied territories in Azerbaijan, Turkey cannot
take up a positive position."
"If problems be
tween Azerbaijan and Armenia are resolved the public
would more easily accept Turkish-Armenian relations. Approval in the
Turkish National Assembly would be so much easier," he said.
The agreement signed Saturday at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland,
would establish diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia and
open the joint border, which was sealed after the 1993 Armenian
invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh. The enclave is inhabited primarily by
ethnic Armenians.
The contentious issue of whether the killing of up to 1.5 million
Armenians during the final days of the Ottoman Empire amounts to
genocide is only hinted at in the agreement, as is the dispute over
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Asked in an interview with French media if Turkey is ready to recognize
the World War I killings as a genocide, Turkish President Abdullah Gul
said: "We are very open on the subject, but if there is such an
allegation ' which we don't accept, by the way ' who is going to
decide?"
He said Turkey has said a committee of historians should decide whether
the killings were genocide. The Armenian-Turkish agreement calls for a
panel to discuss "the historical dimension" of the killings, including
"an impartial scientific examination of the historical records and
archives to define existing problems and formulate recommendations."
However, Gul said, "I think we have to move past this. There is a new
period starting. ... It's a period of peace, stability, confidence,
security and cooperation."
Saturday's ceremony in Zurich went ahead after a last-minute hitch over
Turkish and Armenian objections to language in statements to be read
after the signing was overcome ' by having neither side make a
statement.
In last-minute diplomacy, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton intervened to save the accord, which had been brokered by
Switzerland, after a dispute over the statements the countries would
make sparked a delay.
The Azeri Foreign Ministry said Sunday that the agreement "clouds the
spirit of brotherly relations" between Azerbaijan and Turkey. It said
Turkey should not have re-established diplomatic ties with Armenia
before the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh was settled.
Turkey's opposition party criticized deal on Sunday, saying it does not
serve Turkey's interests.
Onur Oymen, deputy leader of the Republican Peoples' Party, said since
the deal does not mention an Armenian pullout from Nagorno-Karabakh,
Turkey would be forced to open the joint border without assuring a
withdrawal from the enclave in return. "These protocols will serve
Armenia's interests," Oymen said. "Turkey is faced with a difficult
process ahead."
The enclave in Azerbaijani territory is occupied by Armenian troops.
Turks have close cultural and linguistic ties with Azerbaijan, which is
pressing Turkey for help in recovering its land. Turkey wants Armenia
to withdraw some troops from the enclave area to show good will and
speed the opening of the border.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
ANKARA, Turkey - One day after Turkey signed a deal the U.S. helped
salvage to end a century of enmity with Armenia, Turkey's leader set a
tough condition for normalizing ties on Sunday: Armenia must withdraw
from the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The statement appeared to be an effort by Turkey to appease its close
ally Azerbaijan, which said the new agreement will aggravate the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Nagorno-Karabakh is an Armenian-occupied
enclave in Azerbaijan.
On Sunday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the
agreement to establish diplomatic ties with Armenia and reopen their
border. He called such steps with a former bitter foe an "important
step" that would lead to cooperation and dialogue.
However, Erdogan said the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute must be resolved to
enable Turkey to take steps to normalize ties and for the deal to be
approved by parliament. To take effect, the agreements must be ratified
by the Turkish and Armenian parliaments, but the accord faces stiff
opposition in both countries.
"We want all conflicts to be resolved and we want all borders to be
opened at the same time," Erdogan said. "(But) as long as Armenia does
not withdraw from occupied territories in Azerbaijan, Turkey cannot
take up a positive position."
"If problems be
tween Azerbaijan and Armenia are resolved the public
would more easily accept Turkish-Armenian relations. Approval in the
Turkish National Assembly would be so much easier," he said.
The agreement signed Saturday at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland,
would establish diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia and
open the joint border, which was sealed after the 1993 Armenian
invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh. The enclave is inhabited primarily by
ethnic Armenians.
The contentious issue of whether the killing of up to 1.5 million
Armenians during the final days of the Ottoman Empire amounts to
genocide is only hinted at in the agreement, as is the dispute over
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Asked in an interview with French media if Turkey is ready to recognize
the World War I killings as a genocide, Turkish President Abdullah Gul
said: "We are very open on the subject, but if there is such an
allegation ' which we don't accept, by the way ' who is going to
decide?"
He said Turkey has said a committee of historians should decide whether
the killings were genocide. The Armenian-Turkish agreement calls for a
panel to discuss "the historical dimension" of the killings, including
"an impartial scientific examination of the historical records and
archives to define existing problems and formulate recommendations."
However, Gul said, "I think we have to move past this. There is a new
period starting. ... It's a period of peace, stability, confidence,
security and cooperation."
Saturday's ceremony in Zurich went ahead after a last-minute hitch over
Turkish and Armenian objections to language in statements to be read
after the signing was overcome ' by having neither side make a
statement.
In last-minute diplomacy, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton intervened to save the accord, which had been brokered by
Switzerland, after a dispute over the statements the countries would
make sparked a delay.
The Azeri Foreign Ministry said Sunday that the agreement "clouds the
spirit of brotherly relations" between Azerbaijan and Turkey. It said
Turkey should not have re-established diplomatic ties with Armenia
before the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh was settled.
Turkey's opposition party criticized deal on Sunday, saying it does not
serve Turkey's interests.
Onur Oymen, deputy leader of the Republican Peoples' Party, said since
the deal does not mention an Armenian pullout from Nagorno-Karabakh,
Turkey would be forced to open the joint border without assuring a
withdrawal from the enclave in return. "These protocols will serve
Armenia's interests," Oymen said. "Turkey is faced with a difficult
process ahead."
The enclave in Azerbaijani territory is occupied by Armenian troops.
Turks have close cultural and linguistic ties with Azerbaijan, which is
pressing Turkey for help in recovering its land. Turkey wants Armenia
to withdraw some troops from the enclave area to show good will and
speed the opening of the border.
Turkey says deal with Armenia not in effect until Armenia withdraws
from Nagorno-Karabakh
Suzan Fraser
taragana.com
October 11th, 2009
Turkey: Armenia must pull out of Nagorno-Karabakh
ANKARA, Turkey ' A day after Turkey signed a deal to end a century of
enmity with Armenia, the Turkish prime minister called on Armenia to
withdraw from the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, saying Sunday
the deal cannot come into force until that happens.
The statement appeared to be an effort by Turkey to appease its close
ally Azerbaijan, which said the new agreement will aggravate the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
On Sunday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the
agreement to establish diplomatic ties with Armenia, which has been a
bitter foe, as an `important step' that would lead to cooperation and
dialogue.
Erdogan said however, the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute must be resolved.
Nagorno-Karabakh is an Armenian-occupied enclave in Azerbaijan.
`We want all conflicts to be resolved and we want all borders to be
opened,' Erdogan said. `(But) as long as Armenia does not withdraw from
occupied territories in Azerbaijan, Turkey cannot take up a positive
position.'
Erdogan also said a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue would ensure
that the agreement is approved by Turkey's parliament. To take effect,
the agreements must be ratified by the Turkish and Armenian
0Aparliaments, but it faces stiff opposition in both countries.
The agreement signed Saturday at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland,
would establish diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia and
open the joint border, which was sealed after the 1993 Armenian
invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is inhabited primarily by ethnic
Armenians.
The ceremony went ahead after a last-minute hitch over Turkish and
Armenian objections to language in statements to be read after the
signing, was overcome ' by having neither side make a statement.
The contentious issue of whether the killing of up to 1.5 million
Armenians during the final days of the Ottoman Empire amounts to
genocide is only hinted at in the agreement, as is the dispute over
Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Azeri Foreign Ministry said Sunday that the agreement `clouds the
spirit of brotherly relations' between Azerbaijan and Turkey. It said
Turkey should not have re-established diplomatic ties with Armenia
before the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh was settled.
The enclave in Azerbaijani territory is occupied by Armenian troops.
Turks have close cultural and linguistic ties with Azerbaijan, which is
pressing Turkey for help in recovering its land. Turkey wants Armenia
to withdraw some troops from the enclave area to show good will and
speed the opening of the border.
With the agreements signed, attention has turned to an Oct. 14 soccer
World Cup qualifier between Turkey and Armenia.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended an initial game in Armenia last
year, but Armenian President Serge Sarkisian has said he will not
attend the return game in Turkey unless there is progress toward
opening the border.
`I strongly believe that he will come,' Erdogan said. `I hope this game
will turn into a match of total friendship.'
from Nagorno-Karabakh
Suzan Fraser
taragana.com
October 11th, 2009
Turkey: Armenia must pull out of Nagorno-Karabakh
ANKARA, Turkey ' A day after Turkey signed a deal to end a century of
enmity with Armenia, the Turkish prime minister called on Armenia to
withdraw from the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, saying Sunday
the deal cannot come into force until that happens.
The statement appeared to be an effort by Turkey to appease its close
ally Azerbaijan, which said the new agreement will aggravate the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
On Sunday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the
agreement to establish diplomatic ties with Armenia, which has been a
bitter foe, as an `important step' that would lead to cooperation and
dialogue.
Erdogan said however, the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute must be resolved.
Nagorno-Karabakh is an Armenian-occupied enclave in Azerbaijan.
`We want all conflicts to be resolved and we want all borders to be
opened,' Erdogan said. `(But) as long as Armenia does not withdraw from
occupied territories in Azerbaijan, Turkey cannot take up a positive
position.'
Erdogan also said a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue would ensure
that the agreement is approved by Turkey's parliament. To take effect,
the agreements must be ratified by the Turkish and Armenian
0Aparliaments, but it faces stiff opposition in both countries.
The agreement signed Saturday at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland,
would establish diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia and
open the joint border, which was sealed after the 1993 Armenian
invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is inhabited primarily by ethnic
Armenians.
The ceremony went ahead after a last-minute hitch over Turkish and
Armenian objections to language in statements to be read after the
signing, was overcome ' by having neither side make a statement.
The contentious issue of whether the killing of up to 1.5 million
Armenians during the final days of the Ottoman Empire amounts to
genocide is only hinted at in the agreement, as is the dispute over
Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Azeri Foreign Ministry said Sunday that the agreement `clouds the
spirit of brotherly relations' between Azerbaijan and Turkey. It said
Turkey should not have re-established diplomatic ties with Armenia
before the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh was settled.
The enclave in Azerbaijani territory is occupied by Armenian troops.
Turks have close cultural and linguistic ties with Azerbaijan, which is
pressing Turkey for help in recovering its land. Turkey wants Armenia
to withdraw some troops from the enclave area to show good will and
speed the opening of the border.
With the agreements signed, attention has turned to an Oct. 14 soccer
World Cup qualifier between Turkey and Armenia.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended an initial game in Armenia last
year, but Armenian President Serge Sarkisian has said he will not
attend the return game in Turkey unless there is progress toward
opening the border.
`I strongly believe that he will come,' Erdogan said. `I hope this game
will turn into a match of total friendship.'
ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: THE PARTIES ARE CURRENTLY
FOCUSING ON DISCUSSION OF KEY ISSUE - NAGORNY KARABAKH'S
STATUS
ArmInfo
2009-10-12 12:08:00
ArmInfo.Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are currently studying
the principles of the Madrid document. More precisely, they are
focused on the two principles. In meditation of the Minsk Group, the
parties are trying to bring their stands closer, Edward Nalbandian,
Foreign Minister of Armenia, says in an interview with the Russian
Daily Kommersant.
The minister refused to dwell into the negotiation process and said:
"I can only say that the parties are currently focused on discussion
of the key issue - Nagorny Karabakh's status." Asked if it means
that there are no differences on other principles or it is just
the beginning of discussion of the principles, the minister said:
"There was an arrangement that the presidents would speak of specific
principles and when agreements are achieved they will start discussing
the next issues. It is a reasonable approach and all the participants
in the negotiation process understand this. If the parties agree on
the principles, we will start preparing the peace treaty. We believe
that Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan must prepare that document." At
the same time, the minister said he would not like to make any hasty
statements that there will be a breakthrough already tomorrow, or in
a month or two. "Over the last few months, the negotiations on the
basis of the Madrid principles have got off the ground. The start of
the process is in question. The process has positive dynamics," the
minister says. As regards the Minsk Group and Russia's involvement
in the process i.e. if it is a single or two parallel processes,
the minister said these are complementary processes. "If one of the
Minsk Group co-chair-states can help, so why shouldn't it do that? It
must be welcomed. In 2001 France, the French president, had an active
part in the process. The Paris principles were agreed then and the
parties tried to express them in the document known as the Key West
document. Now Russia and the Russian president are playing an active
role in the settlement process," Nalbandian says.
Asked about the "closed" negotiations on Nagorny Karabakh, the
minister said: "I don't think that these negotiations as more secret
than any other ones. Many serious negotiations are conducted without
press conferences and interviews to the press. Negotiations are
negotiations. One beautiful day their content will be made public
like it was with the Armenian-Turkish negotiations. At one point we
decided to make them open on mutual consent of the parties. It was
before the singing, which is generally not practiced.
Agreements are often made public after they are already signed. We
do not welcome secrecy but negotiations are held between two and even
more parties.
In the case of the Karabakh there are three parties," the minister
says.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ArmInfo
2009-10-12 12:08:00
ArmInfo.Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are currently studying
the principles of the Madrid document. More precisely, they are
focused on the two principles. In meditation of the Minsk Group, the
parties are trying to bring their stands closer, Edward Nalbandian,
Foreign Minister of Armenia, says in an interview with the Russian
Daily Kommersant.
The minister refused to dwell into the negotiation process and said:
"I can only say that the parties are currently focused on discussion
of the key issue - Nagorny Karabakh's status." Asked if it means
that there are no differences on other principles or it is just
the beginning of discussion of the principles, the minister said:
"There was an arrangement that the presidents would speak of specific
principles and when agreements are achieved they will start discussing
the next issues. It is a reasonable approach and all the participants
in the negotiation process understand this. If the parties agree on
the principles, we will start preparing the peace treaty. We believe
that Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan must prepare that document." At
the same time, the minister said he would not like to make any hasty
statements that there will be a breakthrough already tomorrow, or in
a month or two. "Over the last few months, the negotiations on the
basis of the Madrid principles have got off the ground. The start of
the process is in question. The process has positive dynamics," the
minister says. As regards the Minsk Group and Russia's involvement
in the process i.e. if it is a single or two parallel processes,
the minister said these are complementary processes. "If one of the
Minsk Group co-chair-states can help, so why shouldn't it do that? It
must be welcomed. In 2001 France, the French president, had an active
part in the process. The Paris principles were agreed then and the
parties tried to express them in the document known as the Key West
document. Now Russia and the Russian president are playing an active
role in the settlement process," Nalbandian says.
Asked about the "closed" negotiations on Nagorny Karabakh, the
minister said: "I don't think that these negotiations as more secret
than any other ones. Many serious negotiations are conducted without
press conferences and interviews to the press. Negotiations are
negotiations. One beautiful day their content will be made public
like it was with the Armenian-Turkish negotiations. At one point we
decided to make them open on mutual consent of the parties. It was
before the singing, which is generally not practiced.
Agreements are often made public after they are already signed. We
do not welcome secrecy but negotiations are held between two and even
more parties.
In the case of the Karabakh there are three parties," the minister
says.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No comments:
Post a Comment