Turkish MP Blames Armenian Diaspora for Failure to Improve Ties
Akarcali to Armenian reps: "I am more Armenian than you are"
BBC, Monitoring International Reports, June 20, 2002 - Turkish MP and former Health Minister Bulent Akarcali has told the Armenian newspaper Aykakan Zhamanak that the Diaspora is the major obstacle in the way of improving Armenian-Turkish relations. He criticized the Diaspora for failing to invest in Armenia or bring their skills to the country. He said he has always championed the cause of improving relations between the two countries and thought they were capable of establishing good relations, and suggested that the USA would exert pressure on them if they failed to do so themselves.

The following is an excerpt from Nikol Pashinyan report by Armenian newspaper Aykakan Zhamanak on 20 June entitled " ‘I am more Armenian than you are,’ the Turkish deputy told Diaspora representatives."

An interview with the Turkish MP, former health minister and president of the Turkish Democracy Foundation Bulent Akarcali. We met him in Ankara during a meeting of Armenian, Turkish and Azerbaijani journalists. Passage omitted: names of Armenian journalists attending meeting.

Aykakan Zhamanak correspondent -- Mr Akarcali, could you name the two main obstacles preventing improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations?

Bulent Akarcali -- I think there is only one obstacle. That is the Armenian Diaspora. The main problem for the Diaspora is self-preservation, not helping to develop Armenia's statehood. I can prove this with figures. W

Israel was created in 1948, its population was 0.5m, while today it is 6m.

When Armenia gained independence in 1991, its population was 3.5m. Today it is less than 2m. During my meetings with representatives of the Diaspora, I always ask them: why do you not make serious investments in Armenia? Why do young people not foresee their future in Armenia? Why is it that Diaspora specialists do not go to develop Armenia? Jews left their top posts in different countries and went to create their state in the desert. The Armenian Diaspora, drinking wine in France and whiskey in America, wants to use Armenian statehood to strengthen its capacity for self-preservation. To achieve this they first of all use their anti-Turkish position.

During one meeting with Diaspora Armenians, I told them that I am more Armenian than they are. They were born Armenian. In 1991 I was a minister and made every effort to get Turkey to recognize Armenian independence. Today, in my political life, I work to improve Armenian-Turkish relations. In doing so I became convinced that the Diaspora is the main obstacle to regulating relations. Recently, during a meeting in Denmark with representatives of the Armenian Diaspora, I told them: do not abandon your demands, but try at least once to demonstrate a self-critical attitude. For 20 years now you have been seeking recognition of the genocide in the parliaments of different countries. What have you gained from all this? For two years give your money, time and ideas as a gift to improve Armenian-Turkish relations, and you will see the results. I think that since Armenian independence, the Diaspora's attitude towards Turkey has been wrong.

Correspondent -- There is a view that Turkey is a constant threat to Armenia. Could you comment on this?

Akarcali -- Turkey is the latest threat for Armenia. Turkey has existed as a republic for 80 years, and during this period it has not threatened any of its neighbors. Two million Turks live in Bulgaria, but we have not even attempted to interfere in the domestic affairs of that country. One million Turks live in Iraq, the same in Syria, but we did not interfere.

You can call Turkey anything you like, but you cannot call us stupid. If it made some moves against Armenia today, the whole East would stop Turkey. We should recall the example of Iraq and Kuwait. Turkey is not foolish enough to permit such a thing. I would like to underline the following: I have twice been a member of a Turkish government, and know from the inside that our country is no threat to Armenia. On the contrary, our country may turn out to be the one which encourages Armenia most of all.

Correspondent -- Do you think it is possible for Armenian-Turkish relations to be settled quickly?

Akarcali -- This is not only possible, but also inevitable. If the two countries do not willingly move towards regularizing their relations, the USA will force us to do it. Because this is not only a sphere of state interests for Armenia and Turkey. The interests of the USA are also at stake. And the USA is neither pro-Armenian nor pro-Turkish. But I am sure that Armenia and Turkey are able to develop their relations themselves, and direct Armenian-Turkish contacts at the level of foreign ministry representatives and foreign ministers bears testimony to this.

Source: Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan, in Armenian 20 Jun 2002, p. 3.