DO TURKISH GENERALS STAND BEHIND TAYYIP ERDOGAN’S STATEMENT "BORDER WITH ARMENIA WILL NOT BE OPENED WITHOUT NAGORNO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT"?
NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 26, 2009
ANKARA
The latest developments in the process of normalization of relations
between Armenia and Turkey had called forth just a hysteria in
Azerbaijan. And only after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
made a statement a few days ago that "Turkey will open the border
with Armenia if only the Armenian side stops the occupation of Azeri
territories" the Turkish-Azeri strained relations as if discharged
to some extent.
Turkish press touching upon such a development of events, reports that
country’s army had a direct influence on this statement of Erdogan.
The Sabah daily reports that before leaving for Baku Erdogan
participated in National Security Council’s sitting where the generals
made him understand that they "cannot lose Azerbaijan."
"We wish the process launched between Turkey and Armenia to continue.
However, we cannot lose Azerbaijan," Turkish generals stated.