Ratification is a type of American football
Director of the Armenian Center for Strategic and National Investigation Richard Kirakosian believes that Armenia is going through a new phase in Turkish-Armenian relations as it moves from the Protocols to ratification. According to him, the issue of ratification is more than "football diplomacy".
"This is much more a type of American football where force is applied. We hear rhetorical words and demands from Turkey," he says, adding that this is not something new. "But what's new is that there are challenges from Armenia."
Richard Kirakosian emphasized that the issue of Karabakh is of new significance in the Turkish-Armenian diplomatic relations as far as Turkey's demands connected to Karabakh are concerned. Kirakosian is of the opinion that nothing should be expected from the Turkish parliament's ratification until early 2010 because the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is still ahead. Nevertheless, Kirakosian says that Armenia can't remain patient and there are many expectations from Turkey. In addition, Washington has addressed Turkey to fulfill the duties in due time.
According to Richard Kirakosian, there are clouds gathering in the region and if things continue at this rate, a war may restart, but 10-12 years later.
"Another danger is not that a country is officially declaring war, but that it is doing it with no desire," he said.
