Today, the president of Armenia Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, just hours ahead of the signing of the protocols between Armenia and Turkey on normalization of relations, issued an address to the nation saying his country's commitment to protocols is not unilateral. "Therefore, if Turkey fails to ratify the protocols within reasonable timeframe or to accomplish its provisions in due time, Armenia will undertake corresponding measures in accordance with international law," said the president.
Due to numerous announcements by the top Turkish officials and those in Azerbaijan that the relation normalization between Armenia and Turkey depends on the progress of Nagorno Karabakh settlement a justified suspicion has risen that Turkey is not sincere in its attitude. Many people compare this situation to the issue of Turkish attitude toward Greek Cypriot ships. Turkey still opposes opening ports to Greek Cypriot ships. Turkey agreed to open its ports to Cyprus, a member of the EU, before the end of this year to meet the union's customs rules or risk derailing its membership bid.
In his recent tour throughout the Armenia Diaspora the president of Armenia listened and heard the powerful Diaspora Armenian concerns and shared his view.
To dispel those concerns Sargsyan in his address today says that "the delay of the ratification of the protocols by Turkey or the possible suggestion of new conditions of ratification will face a corresponding attitude of the Armenian side. Armenia does not assume any unilateral commitment under these protocols. Armenia signs these protocols with a view of establishing normal relations between the two countries."
Sargsyan also addressed three other major areas of concerns raised by the critics.
The Armenian Genocide
He said relations with Turkey or signing the protocols cannot question the fact of the Armenian Genocide. He stressed the protocols call for a "sub-commission of the intergovernmental commission" and not a commission of historians. He said the Armenian genocide is a fact and the humanity must "recognize and condemn" it. This will prevent it from happening again.
Borders and Nagorno Karabakh
Speaking of the border between Armenia and Turkey he said this is a question "to be solved" in line with international law. He said that the protocols "do not provide for more than this." Most Armenians believe that the Kars Treaty that has been signed between Soviet Union and Turkey in 1921 was a violation of the international law and has been forced on the Armenian people after the Armenian genocide. It resulted many Armenians being deprived from their fatherland and is expected that the intergovernmental commission will discuss it in the concept of removing the painful effects of the Armenian Genocide.
Sargsyan also stressed that these relations are "in no way connected and cannot be connected with the settlement of the Karabakh issue." He said the issue of Nargorno Karabakh with Azerbaijan is a separate process. "Armenia does not view the issues of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders as a remark connected with the Karabakh issue," said.
The Armenian President concluded his speech expressing his faith on the wisdom of people and said together the Armenian people will build the future. He said "today we are not the same as a few months ago." Indded, his latest trip was a wake up call to the Armenian diaspora, which showed its power factor and its determination to reach a justified solution to its concerns. The president, who has on many occasions demonstrated his closnest to the Armenian Church, concluded his remarks by asking God's blessing upon "us" - a rare reference to God, which is while common in USA has not been used by two previous Armenian presidents despite their apparent support for the Armenian Church.
In the meanwhile, in Zurich at 9AM EST the press will start to gather to witness the signing of the protocol of Turkish Armenian relationship. Some have reported that only one protocol will be signed and the second will be signed in Turkey when the president of Armenia visits there for the return soccer match on October 14.
Written by Armen Hareyan
HULIQ publisher
The full remarks of the Armenian president can be read at the website of the Armenian Radio.
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