Turkish resigned diplomat Ozdem Sanberk\’s exclusive interview to
“Mediamax” agency.
Ambassador Ozdem Sanberk was Prime Minister of Turkey Turgut Ozal\’s adviser on foreign political issues in 1985-1987. He was the Ambassador of Turkey in the EU from 1987-1991, from 1991-1995 he was holding the post of Deputy Foreign Minister. Sanberk was the Ambassador of Turkey to the Great Britain. He was resigned in 2000 and was heading Turkish TESEV research institute till September 2003. Ozdem Sanberk was the member of “Armenian-Turkish Reconciliation” Commission.
– In your opinion which is the main obstacle in improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations?
– There are several obstacles. All are essential but none of them is insuperable. First obstacle is: there is a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. If we settle that conflict, everything will be much easier. Second, there are issues about territorial solicitation, historical campaigns, and international prejudice towards Turkey. We need in disengagement in this. Third, the problem of psychological readiness is also important. We need in an ice-breaker, what we need should be recognized publicly and symbolically.
I would like to note that psychological hostility in Armenian-Turkish relations is a new phenomenon. People do not realize that it is a result of campaigns against Turkey since 1975. When I was young, Armenians had their special role in every event of Turks. The murders of Turkish diplomats and officials and the huge campaign against us stopped it, at least publicly. In those cases when the politicians don\’t interfere, even in those places such as California, there are a lot of similarities between Armenians and Turks.
– Why doesn\’t the proposal of Yerevan to establish diplomatic relations without any preconditions satisfy Ankara?
– There is a conflict, and there are problems. It is meaningless to build a house, which will be destroyed by a wind. Diplomatic relations should be based on clear understanding and consensus approach, at least round the most important issues. When Suleiman Demirel met with Robert Kocharyan for the first time in 1998, he asked him which is the reason of hostility between 6 year old Armenia and 75 year old Turkey. Demirel proposed: we can help your young republic to be integrated in the world; your citizens have a right to expect more after fruitless 70 years.
– There is a standpoint in Armenia that making the decision on closing the border, Turkey hoped to relieve the Armenia\’s position in NK conflict. Since it didn\’t happen, it is difficult for the Turkish authorities to admit it.
– No I think we have another standpoint round that issue. Turkey made that decision because of occupation of Azerbaijani territories and exile of the residents. It was a human tragedy for us. We haven\’t changed our minds but we welcome all efforts which are aimed to the settlement.
– Turkey often accuses the Armenian Diaspora. Don\’t you think that the factor of Diaspora has become a proper circumstance for Ankara?
– We sincerely want to improve our relations, which will give enormous profits to the both parties. But Diaspora, it is better to name it “uncompromising political Diaspora”, is a reality. We are often attacked politically, which tries to blame anyone who tries to defend our standpoint.
– Which are the attitudes of Turkey towards the existence of Russian military unit and the declarations of the Armenian officials that the potential threat of Turkey is the main reason to keep Russian military forces in Armenia?
– First of all there is no military threat by Turkey. The issues of Armenian-Russian relations should be solved by Armenians and Russians. Nobody should be against it, on conditions that the purpose of the military unit is to defend and not to attack.