Hachikian: Why Do US Officials Allow Themselves to Be Used as Props in Erdogan’s Farce?
WASHINGTON—Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian responded today to U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Daniel Baer’s Dec. 17 statement citing Turkeys “valuable” role in the Nagorno-Karabagh peace talks.
“This administration’s shameful legacy of endlessly caving in to Turkish threats—at the expense of our own values and interests as a nation—is truly a national disgrace—an embarrassment beneath the dignity of the American people,” Hachikian remarked, adding, “Tearing down the firewall between Turkey and the Karabagh talks would only result in adding more fuel to the fire, setting back the cause of lasting peace.”
Baer’s statement came following a comment by Aleksandr Lukashevich, the Russian ambassador to the OSCE headquarters in Vienna, who criticized Turkey’s position as member of the Minsk Group, and its unconditional support to Azerbaijan. Commenting on Turkey’s stance, Lukashevich noted that “attempts to defend one of the parties to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabagh are absolutely destructive and cannot have any continuation.”
Baer rejected such criticisms, defending Turkey’s “constructiveness” in the peace talks. “We note recent statements that have called into question Turkey’s constructiveness as a Minsk Group member and disagree with that assessment. Turkey has been a valuable member of the Minsk Group and has worked cooperatively with the co-chairs on finding a way forward in peace talks,” read a part of Baer’s statement.
In his statement, Baer welcomed the news that Armenia’s President Serge Sarkisian and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev are scheduled to meet on Dec. 19 in Bern, Switzerland, in a meeting mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. Baer also expressed “hope for intensified dialogue in 2016.”
In his strongly worded statement, Hachikian highlighted Turkey’s “pro-Baku bias,” and criticized the international community for its unwillingness to “call them out on it.”
“Ankara makes no secret of its pro-Baku bias, and long ago abandoned any pretense of neutrality. Look at the facts: The Erdogan government actively supports Aliyev’s virulent anti-Armenian positions, openly providing military aid and training to the Azerbaijani military, while, at the same time, blockading Armenia, contrary to international law, and seeking to isolate Yerevan in the international arena. Turkey’s strategy—and the international community’s unwillingness to call them out on it—has emboldened an aggressive and intransigent Azerbaijan to increase its attacks—leading to over 43 Armenian deaths in 2015 alone,” read Hachikian’s statement.
Hachikian said U.S. officials were being “used as props in [Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan’s farce.” “Why…do U.S. officials allow themselves to be used as props in Erdogan’s farce, pretending that the Turkish government will—against all evidence—play the role of some sort of impartial mediator?” asked Hachikian, adding, “Why is it that U.S. leaders can’t seem to find our moral compass when it comes to Turkey—on issues ranging from justice for the Armenian Genocide and a peace for Syria to freedom for Nagorno-Karabagh?”
Earlier today, in an ANCA social media posting regarding Baer’s comments, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian noted, “Instead of making such transparently unfounded excuses for an increasingly antagonistic ally, the Department of State and the OSCE leadership should publicly press Azerbaijan to lift its objections to the immediate implementation of the life-saving Royce-Engel peace proposals.
Below is Hachikian’s statement.
***
In the wake of Ambassador Baer’s recent reckless statement, it is clear that the leadership of our State Department needs to exercise considerably greater caution and thoughtfulness regarding officials who encourage a direct Turkish role in the Nagorno-Karabagh peace process.
Ankara makes no secret of its pro-Baku bias, and long ago abandoned any pretense of neutrality. Look at the facts: The Erdogan government actively supports Aliyev’s virulent anti-Armenian positions, openly providing military aid and training to the Azerbaijani military, while, at the same time, blockading Armenia, contrary to international law, and seeking to isolate Yerevan in the international arena. Turkey’s strategy—and the international community’s unwillingness to call them out on it—has emboldened an aggressive and intransigent Azerbaijan to increase its attacks—leading to over 43 Armenian deaths in 2015 alone.
Why then, do U.S. officials allow themselves to be used as props in Erdogan’s farce, pretending that the Turkish government will—against all evidence—play the role of some sort of impartial mediator?
Why is it that U.S. leaders can’t seem to find our moral compass when it comes to Turkey—on issues ranging from justice for the Armenian Genocide and a peace for Syria to freedom for Nagorno-Karabagh?
This administration’s shameful legacy of endlessly caving in to Turkish threats—at the expense of our own values and interests as a nation—is truly a national disgrace—an embarrassment beneath the dignity of the American people.
Tearing down the firewall between Turkey and the Karabagh talks would only result in adding more fuel to the fire, setting back the cause of lasting peace.
***
Ambassador Baer’s Dec. 17 statement is available at: http://anca.org/assets/graphics/2015/121715_OSCE_Baer_Turkey.pdf.
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Turkey needs to be taught the kind of lessons it likes to teach others.
Russia needed, and still needs, to shoot down a Turkish jet. Or two. Or three. Nato will do nothing but bark because it knows that Turkey started this fight. Putin has failed badly in this respect.
Russian forces can also shoot down a Turkish jet or helicopter if it happens to violate Armenian airspace.
HI, DARK SCENARIO WRITER. SO YOU DO NOT WANT TO LIVE IN A PEACEFUL WORLD. LOOK !… INEXPERIENCED CIVILIAN…. TURKISH AIR FORCE DOES NOT VIOLATE ANY COUNTRY’S SOVEREIGNTY RIGHTS. AS FOR THE NATO, IT IS A PACT WHICH OBEYS WHAT IT HAD SIGNED. TURKEY WAS LIKE AN OUTPOST FOR NATO FOR FOTHY YEARS AND HELP KEEPING NATO NATIONS OUT OF WAR. DO YOU UNDERSTAN WHAT I AM TRYING TO TEACH YOU?
A Turkish helicopter did violate Armenian airspace a few weeks after Russia started operating in Syria. Russian planes were skirting the Syria-Turkey border and may have crossed it briefly. Turkey then intentionally sent a helicopter across the Armenian border after that.
Not sure shooting down Turkish jets will be good for Armenia since Turkey will take it out on Armenia. Unless Turkey really gets aggressive towards Armenia or towards Russian forces in Syria.
I won’t be surprised if few of those Turkey’s F16 fighter jets disappear and end up on top of Mount Ararat, due to “mechanical failure”! So far Obama said downing of Russian Su24 bomber was between Turkey and Russia. This is a bad news for Rajab Oghloos’s dream to bring NATO against Russia, Turkey will be left alone to fight against mighty Russia’s arsenal, where Kurds are waiting for a right moment!
About 500 years ago mighty Christian Roman Empire was the gate keeper against Muslim invaders, (Turks and Arabs) away from sleepy Europe, where Christianity kept alive until they matured up with their European Renascence. Turkey will never become the role of gate keeper…in one hand they ask for NATO’s help and with the other hand sending terrorists into Europe and US. USSR is not alive and NATO do not need double standard Muslim country, where their goal is destruction of European civilization!
What does Baar think of the Columbia University reports that puts Turkey in bed with Isis and radical jihadis?
What’s the problem, Baer, afraid of Turkey?
I said many time, our enemy is Russia more than Turkey, Russia is guilty one because give all Armenian territory give to Azerbercan and now he can not correct his mistake and do not have authority to protect Armenians rights, If Turkey try to invade Armenia, I guaranty he do not care about, I do afraid it will be very soon.
president Charles de Gaulle said, “l’union fait la force”.
what are we waiting for. it’s time to retaliate. 3 more servicemen
dead…. how many more.
it’s time for the lesson.
I said so many time, Russia more enemy than Turkey, Russia Give all Armenian Lands to Azerberjan and now he do not have any power for protect Armenia’s right. God for bad If Turkey invade to Armenia Russia will not help Armenia, Because Russia want Armenia with out Armenians.
In the case of Turkey, the United States:
1. Looks the other way when ISIS ships oil across the border into Turkey.
2. Applauds Turkey’s sovereignty action when it shoots down a Russian plane that flew over its territory for less than 10 seconds.
3. Pushed Armenia to lean across the table and shake the hand of Turkish foreign minister Ahmed Davotoglu under the watchful eye of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Dear Ambassador Daniel B. Baer, unfortunately your way of thinking is wrong because you don’t know with whom you are dealing. What the Turks did in the Middle East, you still trust them. Please don’t mix historical facts with politics. Believe me you don’t loose any thing if you forget about them for ever.
This is mind boggling and absurd.
We just had the headline that “The State Department welcomes Royce-Engel Karabagh Initiative” and now we have to deal with this shady character.
Who is Daniel Baer? What is his role as U.S. ambassador to the OSCE-Minsk group?
Why does the OSCE-Minsk group need a U.S. Ambassador, when the co-chair is an American?
No wonder the OSCE-Minsk group has been ineffective. It appears it is simply a bureaucratic organization filled with self absorbed, ill-informed characters.
Vart Adjemian
Fox guarding the hen house!
Turks have a lot at stake in this conflict. Maybe as much as the two beligentrents. This would actually help the cause of peace.
Uyguroğlu Turks have no business sticking their lupine snout into Caucasus.
Get out of Cyprus first.
Get out of Western Armenia next.
Before you invadonomad Turks cause more death and destruction to the indigenous civilizations by getting involved in Caucasus.
And there are no so-called “beligentrents”: there are nomad Turkic invaders from Uyguristan, and there are the indigenous defenders of their homeland, Armenians.
Bozo-Obama’s administration always has been Turkish sympathizer, no secret to any Armenian, our committed unity and support of one another is the way out.
If World leaders realy want peace and prosperity in the World so everyone will have to work together and find the terrain of world peace Stop Wars in World
The Turkish government continues with transgressions against the best interests of the United States (supporting ISIS, limiting air space, provoking the Russsians, etc.). President Reagan was the last official US head of state, while in office, to support the recognition of the Armenian genocide. I would like to know the reasons (‘state secrets’) why so many of the US presidents since Reagan have backed away from their campaign promise for recognition once they assumed office. This latest example by the OSCE ambassador is a continuation of this compromise of the moral values our country was founded upon.
“Ambassador” Baers comment shows that he is allowed to talk the same nonsense as his President, who once promised to acknowledge Armenian Genocide. They are just normal human beings with NO personal and political charisma. History will forget these two within a decade !
AKP Turkey and Rajab Oghloo happily will give up the entire Axeris land to Artsakhi Armenians, if Armenians of the world drop claim of occupied Western Armenia, especially region surrounding Mount ArArAt, Armenian Holy sacred land!
One hundred years. The Genocide aside, the United States never takes the Armenian side. Ambassador Baer joins the long list of Turkophiles. The United States cannot say radicalized Muslims just as it can’t say “Armenian Genocide”.
Baers is a puppet and Obama a fool. Hopefully they will disappear before the end of 2016 but really it is not soon enough.Worst President US has had.Turkey is a meddler and power hungry .
Baer is just saying what he is told to say! That is price to pay for those misguided individuals who will do what they are told to do in order to maintain their status or for promise of future reward. I would like to remind everyone that starting with the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, re: the dismissal of the US ambassador to Armenia over a statement he made in which he recognized the 1915 massacre of Armenians as genocide. The State Department had no immediate comment but a spokesman underlined that all ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president. Skip ahead to the present when Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State went on record as saying the events of 1915 were debatable. She favors a debate between Armenians and Turks on the question of whether the mass killings were in fact Genocide. Hillary Clinton suggestion is an insult to all of the Armenians who perished at the hands of the Turks. She now says that the ISIS killing of Christians should be considered as Genocide. At the centennial commemoration, POTUS was quoted as saying “his views on the mass murders of Armenians in 1915, has not changed.” Wink Wink. Really? Tell us, What are your views? Birds of a feather……Their attitude is:”I know nothing.” The hypocrisy of it all!
One more thing…Just remember you can always find a person to do the dirty work!!