On April 22, President Serge Sarkisian made a televised announcement on the process of normalization between Armenia and Turkey. The president said that Turkey was not ready for the normalization process, that the preconditions set forth by Turkey were unacceptable, and that “the pointless efforts of making the dialogue between Armenia and Turkey an end in itself” were also unacceptable. He stated, however, that Armenia will not exit the process, but will suspend the ratification of the protocols.
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has reason to approach this development with guarded optimism. Armenia’s decision to effectively suspend discussions until a change in attitude from the Turkish side is the most open acknowledgment to date of the dangers inherent in this process.
Sarkisian’s announcement also makes it clear that the voice of the Armenian people both in Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora has had an effect on the Armenian government. This is, therefore, also an opportunity for us to redouble our efforts to make our voices fully heard. Hopefully, the Armenian government has also learned to listen to its people before embarking on such adventures in the future.
It must have become abundantly clear to official Yerevan by now that Ankara has no intention to normalize relations with Armenia without preconditions, and is simply using the negotiation process to stall genocide recognition. To steer clear of this ongoing maneuvering by Turkey, Armenia must fully disengage from the process, namely by rescinding its signature from the protocols.
The announcement by Sarkisian also comes two days before President Obama’s statement on the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Last year, also on the eve of April 24, the “roadmap” to the Turkey-Armenia normalization process was announced, and Obama consequently refrained from using the term “genocide” in his annual statement, citing “ efforts by Turkey and Armenia to normalize their bilateral relations.”
“The two governments have agreed on a framework and roadmap for normalization,” Obama had noted. “I commend this progress, and urge them to fulfill its promise.” Now that Ankara has dragged its feet for a year, it is time for Obama to fulfill his promise to properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, paving the way for an honest and open discourse and dialogue that does not hold history hostage.
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