But the ANM-ARF differences will never be eliminated. The discussion organized in “Hayeli” club was a good proof for it.
Kiro Manoyan, the head of office of ARF Hay Dat and political issues criticized at the beginning of the meeting the international conference “Economic and social consequences for opening Armenian-Turkish border” by title, which was held last week. “It was anxious that the sponsors wanted to tell the Armenians that in case of opening the borders, your situation will be improved, saying by implication, that we should go for some political concessions to get those economic advantages. It was more than a pretext, as during the conference one of the representatives of sponsor organization, USAID, alluded to the participants of conference”. But Kiro Manoyan noted: “It is obvious, there is no need to assure each other, that opening the border, having open borders is positive for economic development”. But David Shahnazarian, the ANM administration member very positively marks such conferences. And marked as a progress: “Thank God, that Mr. Manoyan said that it would be better for the border of Turkey to open . It means that your party doesn’t observe it as a front any more. It gladdens me.”
As for political concessions instead of opening Armenian-Turkish border, Mr. Shahnazarian said: “If it is spoken about denial of the Armenian Genocide, it is nonsense, but that issue is out of discussion. But it is another question that it is wrong to consider the question of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide as number 1 aim of our foreign policy. Instead, it would be very right, Mr. Manoyan, that your government consider opening the borders with Turkey as one of the goals of the RA foreign policy.” Kiro Manoyan objected: “Till 1998, when you were in power, the border was closed, when there was no problem for the Genocide recognition on the agenda of foreign policy.” And as a real reason for not opening the border, he mentioned that Turkey wants our country to be a weak country “it may bring 40 reasons to keep the borders closed”.
David Shahnazarian mentioned as the achievements of former authority that they succeeded in importing bread from Turkey in the hardest years and keeping Turkey away from military involvement in the NK conflict. “Today, God forbid, if Armenia finds itself in such a condition with the help of your strategic partner, Russia, that it needs in such imports, I don’t think your authority will be able to solve it. And if with the help of your policy, a war starts, it won’t be possible to prevent Turkey’s interference”.
Kiro Manoyan objected: ”You have signed the agreement for strategic partnership”. In answer to it Mr. Shahnazarian opposed: “ Armenians are safer in your hostile Turkey than they are in Russia”.
Arman Kirakosian, the deputy foreign minister has declared during the last conference: Armenia has mentioned for many times that it can establish diplomatic relations with Turkey without any prerequisites.” But the ARF administration member doesn’t believe in it: “I don’t consider the making efforts enough”. The ARF representative is also dissatisfied: “The efforts were more than it was needed”.
NK conflict settlement became another point of dispute. Kiro Manoyan noted: “As a politician from the opposition, Mr. Shahnazarian is well informed. Either the authorities inform or do not know who. It means something in both cases.”
David Shahnazarian told that he was informed from international and Azerbaijani sources.