YEREVAN (Combined Sources)—Armenia’s foreign minister, Eduard Nalbandian, Friday slammed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for announcing that without a resolution to the Karabakh conflict, the protocols would not be signed. Nalbandian also urged him to respect the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and their descendants.
“If the current Turkish authorities are unable to recognize the fact of the Genocide during the Ottoman Empire, then the least they can do is to show respect toward the survivors of the Genocide and their children,” said Nalbandian in a surprise departure from his usual modus operandi.
Nalbandian was responding to comments made earlier on Friday by Erdogan, who was quoted by the Milliyet daily as saying that Turkey would not open its borders with Armenian without a final resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
“We told them [Armenia] about that,” said Erdogan, adding “[Azeri President Ilham] Aliyev, [Russian President Dmitry] Medvedev and [Armenian Presdient Serzh] Sarkisian have intensified negotiations recently. We are closer to the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that ever. It is impossible for us to open the borders without solution of this problem”.
“The Turkish side has been informed and we are certain that they know that we are against steps for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict to be addressed within the framework of normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations,” said Nalbandian.
The Armenian foreign minister said efforts to tie the two together can hinder both processes.
“Many countries have expressed the same position, among them the Minsk Groups co-chair countries, who have announced on several occasions that normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey must take place without precondition,” announced Nalbandian.
“If the Turkish leadership has issues with signing the protocols, then it must not attempt to address those concerns by going against the goals, the letter and spirit of the documents,” added Nalbandian.
“The signing and realizing the agreed upon protocols is a process fraught with complications. However, Armenia is ready to respect the agreements, in order to move forward,” explained Nalbandian.
In his remarks, Erdogan also said that Armenia should be freed from the influence of the Diaspora.
“The Diaspora does not bring any advantage to Armenia. On the contrary, it takes away from Armenia,” said Erdogan.
Nalbandian’s prompt response to Turkey’s ongoing enmity is commended. As the protocol processes advance, the Armenian authorities should be vigilant to proceed with the same level of respect they are anticipating from Turkey.
Typical Neo-Ottoman / Turkish government duplicity – agree to unlink Azerbaijan – Armenian relations IN WRITING and then immediately announce the opposite . It is possible that majority of Turkish citizens are brainwashed with limited capacity for independent thought but in an age of global communication this is an absurd way of negotiating and nothing has changed, only the names of people.
It is clear that this is 1908 all over again but more insidious – this time the Armenian nation is to be destroyed by de-linking the Diaspora and the citizens of Armenia as if there is any difference. The Turkish leadership should study their own archives. 99% of Armenians today had great grandparents who originated in historical Armenia – we have ended up in different countries precisely because of the Armenian Genocide.
The Turkish leadership is full of never-ending myths and legends that belong in a Lord of the Rings novel like ‘Christian Turks’, ‘Mountain Turks’, ‘Civil War of 1915’, ‘Ottoman archives are open’, ‘Armenians are from Albania’, ‘Armenians and Turks were brothers for 600 years until the Tashnags’, etc. It seems now that some portions of the Turkish population is resisting brainwashing attempts (‘traitor Turks’) which is a consequence of a global communication network which makes it harder to conceal endless criminal acts by their military against ‘rebellious Kurdish villagers’ who are being killed by a special organization acting outside the military (ring a bell?)
I would propose an indefinite freeze on all diplomacy until the Turkish leadership publicly states the truth, which is that nothing on Artsakh and the liberated territories is linked to this protocol and it seems even the leadership in Armenia today can only be humiliated so far..
Does these mistakes Mr. Nalbandian intensionally, or by naivity? He made sound like, Turkey makes for Armenians more difficult signing of the paper, which they are eager and happy to sign at given form? Who cares about his personal views, while he is a co-producer of this shameful official expression of his vision of the armenian cause? Is Mr. Nalbandian worse or better than Comrade Mravian?
Finally!
Armenia and Armenian government should stop representing the Armenian Diaspora. They should immediately stop using Armenian Genocide as bargaining tool with Turkey. Armenian government is hindering Diaspora’s Armenian Genocide efforts in United States and other countries all over the world. Who elected the Armenian government to represent the Armenians in Diaspora? Mr. Eduard Nalbandyan, “Askan charik te moranan mer vortig togh voughch ashkhar hayoon garta nakhadik.”
the backtracking is on…sounds like this was the first shot to back out of this disasterous deal….
It’s about time the the coward took a position.
The leadership in Armenia needs to clearly see the MAIN GOAL of these protocols.
The main goal is to severe the ties of the Diaspora with Armenia. The Diaspora has been typically the one pursuing justice for the victims of the Genocide and the recognition of the Genocide. It has also been Armenia’s life line as far as economic investments, monetary support, tourism etc. Turkey is much more concerned with the Armenian Diaspora than it is with Armenia itself, mainly because in recent years the Armenian Diaspora secured recognition for the Genocide from major European countries, 42 states in America, and has a decent chance of getting the American federal government to acknowledge the Genocide. Turkey is so concerned, that it is spending millions buying off American congressmen, coming up with lawsuits, smear campaigns, misleading information on the Internet, bribing and the list goes on. What a better way than for Turkey to come up with a list of protocols that drill at the hearts of the Diasporan Armenians and HAVE ARMENIA AGREE TO THEM. Turkey is banking on Armenia’s ultimate betrayal of the Diaspora, and at the same time it is brainwashing Armenia that it is falling behind because of Diaspora’s activities, while in fact Armenia is falling behind because of Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s illegal sanctions. Turkey is asking the Armenian government to chose between Turkey ( forgetting the Genocide and accepting the legitimacy of the borders so that one day the borders open) and the Diaspora (continuing to fight for justice for the Genocide victims/lands at the expense of borders being “illegally” closed). So far it seems that Turkey is winning. The only thing that is puzzling me is that for all of Diaspora’s sell off, Armenia is not even bothering to get any guarantees for the opening of the borders, or any promise of fair trade by Turkey once the borders are open. The protocols want Armenia to cut the ties with the Diaspora NOW by forgetting the Genocide and accepting the borders as legitimate, but they do not spell out THE DATE at which the borders should open once Armenia signs for these concessions, and they do not offer any specific trade protocols. One thing I am very impressed on the part of the Turks, is that they are very disciplined as far as staying on the message, and the message is “to crush the Armenians”. Why wouldn’t they? Afterall, we have also been very consistant in one aspect; we have always been GULLIBLE, spineless and materialistic. While debating the protocols, the Armenian government should also research what kind of economic losses it will endure if it voluntarily antagonizes and pushes away the Diaspora. Diaspora… or Turkey…. ? While the Turks want to secure lands that belonged to us, we want to secure more money for Mercedeses and bigger mansions. What kind of a nation throws away its history, abandons its citizens and their rightful claims? A divided nation. I congratulate the Turkish nation, for having the discipline for committing THE PERFECT CRIME. Look at the payoff! They hid the truth and planned ahead for a century for this perfect storm, … we are planning for the next Mercedes.
TODAY, NALBANDYAN SLAMS ERDOGAN ? SO WHAT ? ……………………………………………………………………………………..
MR. NALBANDYAN IT’S TO LATE FOR YOU… TURKISH “ROULETTE” ALWAYS HAD BEEN DIFFERENT THAN RUSSIAN ROULLETE. A REAL POLITICIAN SHOULD KNOW THIS BEFOREHAND.
Armenian Foreign Minister
Dear Mr.Nalbandyan
You asked “what kind of changes can Armenian foreign ministry suggest to the already agreed upon protocols”
Sir, Your wrong policy brought Armenian nation into this crisis. Maybe You are right it’s hard and late to change protocols as Armenian said (TKADZE LIZEL) In this case you have only one choice for Saving Face. Accept Failure and Resign with Honor Immediately. Otherwise we are sure that sooner or later the Armenian people will force you to resign.
How can I agree to a historical commission to analyze the existence of the Armenian Genocide? when my own mother witnessed my grandfather’s (Sarkis’) head smashed between 2 stones by Turks during the Armenian Genocide
Sir any high school student can understand that this so-called “Road Map” or “Protocols” in their present shape are not in our national interests.
Because,
1. Armenians shall no longer hold any ancestral territotial claims against Turkey by recognizing the Turkish border.
2. The “protocol” endangers the International (including US) recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
3. Karabakh’s self-determination and independence are not safeguarded.
Once again, if you disregard the above Armenian principal interests, We Armenian will neither support nor trust you. We hope you will reconsider the logics.
Respectfully
Ishkhan Babajanian MD
USA
Sept. 19, 2009
Wake up and smell the Turkish coffee!!!!!
Levon Ter Petrosian, Serj Sarkissian and their entire gang are danger to the existance of Armenia. How fool can we be not to see what is happening to us. They are selling Armenia and Garabagh to turks and azeris.
Perhaps Baron Nalbandian should first heed his own advice and respect genocide survivors, our martyrs and their rights himself before making senseless demands from Turkey’s PM who he knows very well only seeks to undermine our very existence left alone show any respect.
I am not impressed by this pathetic outburst from Armenia’s government and see it as irrelevant especially in light of what has already been put on paper. The drafting and signing of these ridiculous protocols is a testament to both the Armenian and Turkish governments disrespect for genocide survivors, victims and our rights.
The ARF should slam Nalbandian on these points.
Armenian government and officials of this ruling elite. Should stop cheating and lying to Armenian nation and just announce:
The security of Armenian, Arstakh, and Armenians in Javakh are of the highest priority. This requires starting helping people. this is to stop plundering the sate budget- start fighting corrupting, start fight women trafficking to Antalia and dubia etc , start helping farmers and villagers, start fighting corrupt officials and criminal gangs .. Be aware that Armenia is not only Cafes around Opera in Yerevan!
And finely do not allow criminal Turkey to divide Armenian nation! Armenian Diaspora will continue to fight the Turkish denial of Armenia Genocide, as it does during Soviet rule! But please stop cheating and stop lying and start helping people in Armenian villages m in Arstahh and in Javakh!!
Finally, a reasonable answer from our Minister. Turkey starts showing its regular and real hypocritic face. We should and can not trust that country. Our history is full of terrible consequences due to Turkish empty promises. We ALL armenians from all over the world, from all parties should unite and try to have the best for Armenia. We should not appear as fractured and divided that”s what Turkey tries to do. KArabkg and Armenian border issues has no whatsoever link !
What is “new” about New World Order.
Today as never before Armenian people are close to the resolution of two main problems – a) Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey and b) Recognition of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) in protocols be issued by the UN and EU and the rest of the world.
The difficulties of the national economics congregate into an unstable seed of an incoming unpredictable economic disaster, which will be dragging in the political, social disasters as well. The process develops fast. Today is visible that all initiatives of the superpowers are either dead- or, ill-born, unfortunately. The very base of the economics changes from the oil-based to the wind- and the still-searched-source to power industries.
The lack of moral consistency in foreign politics of superpowers has transformed from being a single event into a standard in foreign policy making of unions of countries.
Armenian people pioneered many high spirited, exemplary paths for humanity – an avangardism adoption of Christianity – the most progressive, although bitten down by other nations; creation of the alphabet for the reasons of securing the national identity; battle of Avarair for the protection of the national values. Do not let anybody make us forget about where Armenians come from. “Mi kharnek mez dzer vairi arji tsegheri het” (Do not confuse us with your wild tribes), Vahan Terian.
None part involved in the “South-Caucasus” problem needs stabilization more than the USA and the Russia. They both have an attitude and a power to claim, that “everything possible” (read William J. Burn speech at Georgetown University) can be done to make it happen. Including the Armenian part making clear that the above stated Recognitions must be enforced. Gorbachev have used Armenian cause for pushing his agenda. Problem of Nagorno-Karabakh was lifted from the historical protocols. Today, nearly 22 years apart, foreign politicians are playing same cards to push the agenda of the “New World Order”. Now, you say who will win.
So, if “everything is possible”, people of Armenia and Armenians of the Diaspora unite for another first-step to the future! The whole planet hopes we take a right direction.
finaly!!
I wonder why the Turk Erdogan thinks that the diaspora is a hindrance to Armenia? Maybe its because they (the Turks) think that without the diaspora they can trick Armenia into selling the store? Thank God we have a diaspora, one that fully understands the crafty game being played by the Turks. I say to the Turks, since you don’t like the protocols so much, don’t sign them. Instead, just acknowledge and atone for the Genocide, then come back to the talking table.
I • Open Letter To
Armenian Foreign Minister Mr. Edward Nalbandyan
Dear Mr. Nalbandyan
You asked “what kind of changes can Armenian foreign ministry suggest to the already agreed upon protocols”
Sir, Your wrong policy brought Armenian nation into this crisis. Maybe You are right it’s hard and late to change protocols as Armenian said (TKADZE LIZEL) In this case you have only one choice for Saving Face. Accept Failure and Resign with honor Immediately. Otherwise we are sure that sooner or later the Armenian people will force you to resign.
How can I agree to a historical commission to analyze the existence of the Armenian Genocide when my own mother witnessed my grandfather’s (Sarkis’) head smashed between 2 stones by Turks during the Armenian Genocide
Sir any high school student can understand that this so-called “Road Map” or “Protocols” in their present shape are not in our national interests.
Because,
1. Armenians shall no longer hold any ancestral territotial claims against Turkey by recognizing the Turkish border.
2. The “protocol” endangers the International (including US) recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
3. Karabakh’s self-determination and independence are not safeguarded.
Once again, if you disregard the above Armenian principal interests, We Armenian will neither support nor trust you. We hope you will reconsider the logics.
Respectfully
Ishkhan Babajanian MD (Independent)
USA
Sept. 20, 2009
Dear Mr Nalbandyan, Just after I wrote my Open letter to you, We heard that you slammed Mr. Erdogan for his New statements. Sir it’s too late a smart politician would have known this political game long before. This is Turkish Roulette not Russian.
Dear Compatriot Mr. Nalbandyan It’s not Personal. The best way to help yourself and your Nation, YOU SHOULD RESIGN. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. This will also help your Boss to Save Face. Thank you
“The Diaspora does not bring any advantage to Armenia. On the contrary, it takes away from Armenia,” said Erdogan.
GO TO HELL ERDOGAN…
Without Diaspora, Armenia would not survive.. These weak and dangerous protocols are not only going to affect the Armenian people in Armenia but it will also affect ALL ARMENIANS all over the world.. hence, Diaspora has EVERY RIGHT and EVERY INTENTIONS to be part of everything that is going on and will go on in ARmenia.. This goes to show how coniving and misleading Turkey is by openly stating such a statement.. Its officials and its society all together is bunch of murderors, liars and terrorists.. Hope that one day God will bring them to justice. And they will understand once and for all that they will not and can not separate us from our motherland and the truth will stand strong no matter how much they stir everyone away from it..
Long live Armenia and its people
Hye, Baron Nalbandian, the leadership today in our Haiastan saddens me, brings me to tears… especially as I recall our Armenian history, all the selfless patriots, men and women during the Genocide. We named our sons in their memory. Even further, again, 1918-1920 leading the first Armenian republic our patriots who selflessly gave so much of themselves, dedicated to save our people, hoping to save the Armenian nation. They failed, but they saved Sardarabad! Our Armenian nation today.
Yet they were IN THE ARENA for all the right reasons…
In the short history of the Turkish ‘democracy’ there has not been any evidence of truths, by Turks – no honesty, no reliable allegiances to other nations, even to their own Turkish citizens. Turks have signed agreements in the last 100 years (evidently Ottoman mode still prevails into today) for Turks do not honor any such agreements as are accomplished between civilized nations of the world.
Turks planned/perpetrated the Armenian Genocide. As hordes from the Asian mountains, they planned the
elimination of the Christian Armenians, to take all that was Armenian, lands, homes, culture, women and children and more as if allthese were of Turkish their own Turkish culture…
Today there is even evidence that a Turkey steals state secrets from its own greatest ally. And we Armenians shall trust such a Turkey? Again? NO!
Manooshag
Now that our government knows Turkey will not open the borders, after the protokols are signed, without a Karabagh agreement then why bother with it.