GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR: TURKEY IS NOT SERIOUS ABOUT NORMALIZING RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA
Today.Az
s/55384.html
Sept 8 2009
Azerbaijan
Professor of Government and Politics in the Department of Public and
International Affairs at the U.S. George Mason University Mark Katz
spoke to Day.Az in an interview.
Day.Az: Turkey refuses to open the borders with Armenia without full
resolution of the Karabakh conflict, while the protocol between Armenia
and Turkey doesn’t mention the conflict at all. Do you believe that
the Nagorno Karabakh problem will be the main topic of discussion in
the Turkey-Armenia negotiations?
Mark Katz: Many here in Washington believe that because Turkey set
resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a pre-condition for Turkey
opening its border with Armenia, the Turkish government is, in fact,
not serious about normalizing relations with Armenia. It doesn’t seem
likely that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved any time
soon. Turkey’s willingness to even talk about normalizing relations
with Armenia seems aimed more at improving Turkey’s relations with
the Obama Administration.
Q: The opposition parties of both Armenia and Turkey are against
normalization of relations between the two countries. Do you think
both countries are ready for the next step in their relations?
A: It seems that on a person-to-person level, Turks and Armenians are
able to deal with each other. Many Armenians now vacation in Turkey. I
understand that there are also now direct flights between Turkey and
Armenia. Trade between the two nations is also increasing. Still,
politicians on both sides who wish to cooperate with the other
are vulnerable to nationalist criticism in their own country. And
politicians are usually not likely to take risks if they see them as
jeopardizing their careers.
Q: The U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan has not yet been named. Given
the high interest in the South Caucasus region at this time, the
new ambassador will probably be named very soon. Among the possible
candidates is Matthew Bryza. Do you believe anyone else who could be
appointed to this position?
A: I have met Matthew Bryza on several occasions and believe that he is
exceptionally talented. He would certainly be a good U.S. ambassador
to Azerbaijan. I wonder, though, if the Obama Administration sees
him as a Bush Administration holdover, and would prefer to appoint
someone more closely associated either with Obama or Clinton. Of
course, the appointment process is moving so slowly that it may be
awhile before anyone is appointed.