"Vartan Oskanian is to apologise to Armenians"
Armenia's former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian yesterday made a statement on the pre- signed Armenian-Turkish Protocols saying he would never dare put a document like that on the negotiation table.
Senior representative of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), Levon Zurabian, says the former FM "made a wonderful statement" saying "he is not envious of the person who is to sign the document on Armenian-Turkish relations."
"In fact, Robert Kocharian and Vartan Oskanian stand behind the whole process," Levon Zurabian said to A1+.
"The current state of Armenian-Turkish relations is resulted by Robert Kocharian's prompt decision to involve the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the agenda of Armenia's foreign policy. Turkey seized the opportunity and made use of Kocharian's mistake which enabled Turkey to suggest formation of an interstate commission to inquire into the 1915 massacres and to present its responsibility in the light of an Armenian-Turkish interstate variance.
"Today Serzh Sargsyan does nothing more Robert Kocahrian was ready to do in time," Levon Zurabian said regarding Serzh Sargsyan's policy on Armenian-Turkish relations.
"After Turkey suggested setting up an interstate commission, Kocahrian sent a letter to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirming his approval of the common commission and suggesting formation of a sub-commission to study the genocide issue."
Does it mean that the formation of a historians' sub-commission was initiated by Robert Kocahrian?
Responding to A1+, Levon Zurabian said:
"Surely, it was. Serzh Sargsyan has no intent to refuse from Kocharian's heritage. Being an indispensible part of the clan, Serzh Sargsyan cannot act by himself or correct Kocharian's grave mistake."
Levon Zurabian thinks Vartan Oskanian should be made accountable like Robert Kocharian. "If today Oskanian speaks frankly he must shoulder responsibility for the March 1 clashes and apologise to Armenian people for becoming a tool in the hands of this kleptokratic regime and imposing a state of emergency throughout the country. I am sure that Armenians are generous enough to forgive Vartan Oskanian."
