“POLITICAL PRISONERS SHOULD BE RELEASED”
Support A1+!“I do not think that the diplomatic relations will better after the borders are opened,” Armenia’s ex Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian told a press conference today. We shouldn’t allow Turkey to decide whether the mass killings of 1915 can be called genocide or not. We have nothing to surrender.”
As to Serzh Sarkissian’s agreement to setting up a commission of Armenian-Turkish historians, Vartan Oskanian said it was merely a slip-up. “If we accept the possibility of setting up the commission, it means we question the issue of the Armenian Genocide.” Although Serzh Sarkissian later edited his statement made in Moscow, Vartan Oskanian thinks the international community and Turkey have a vague understanding of this since the following actions and statements of the Armenian side gave rise to ambiguous perceptions. Vartan Oskanian does not understand Serzh Sarkissian’s idea that after opening the border Armenia will be ready to discuss any issue.
As to the possibility of Turkey’s mediation in the Karabakh conflict settlement, Vartan Oskanian said: “Turkey is not ready to be a mediator because it keeps the border with Armenia closed, the railway is not operating, and consequently it is a conflict side.”
Armenia’s ex Foreign Minister says the Armenian diplomacy should not allow Turkey to make the impression that it is carrying out an observation mission.
Reporters asked the ex FM to comment on Gul’s recent visit to Armenia. In this respect Vartan Oskanian said the visit was unprecedented but did not specify whether it is positive or negative. “Time will show if the decision to invite Gul was right or wrong. There is one benchmark for the improvement of the Armenian and Turkish relations-the opening of the border.”
The ex-foreign minister says if the border is not opened in the upcoming few months or at least the railway is not operated, it means Turkey manipulated the invitation of Armenia with its typical diplomatic skill. Therefore, Vartan Oskantan advises to wait for several more months to evaluate the invitation.
According to the ex FM Gul’s visit was favourable for both countries and increased the countries’ rating.
When speaking about Armenia’s image Oskanian focused on the tragic events of March 1. He voices hope that the Armenian authorities will meet the CoE recommendations and release the political prisoners. He also hopes that Serzh Sarkissian will declare amnesty in his presidential address to the National Assembly on October 2.
“Armenia has a good chance today to restore its reputation, and its high time the opposition and government settled home issues through negotiations as the home problems hinder Armenia to be a key actor in the region.”
Vartan Oskanian also dispelled the rumors that he would be the axis and even the leader of the so-called third force.
