Below is an interview given to NEWS.am by Sebouh Kalpakian, a Lebanese MP of the “March 14” Union and member of the Social-Democratic Party Hnchakyan.

By Heghine  Manukyan

Mr. Kalpakian, what is your opinion of the present stage of the Armenian-Turkish process? Many experts point out the process is dead, while others say it is still alive to be revitalized at the right moment?

I regard as praiseworthy Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s step to suspend the process. I think the Armenian-Turkish relations need to be further discussed and specified. Later the international community will try to sum up the results and resume the process. It does not mean, however, we can sit by. Rather, we must continue working with the Armenians to mature the process and be ready to continue it as a whole people. We must all understand the purposes of establishing relations with Turkey, where we are going and what we can benefit and lose from it.

Although claims have over this period been made that the protocols do not contain any preconditions, we all are well aware of the fact that a precondition does exist – the resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We see the Artsakh problem is at a most critical stage now – even war may be resumed. We are against war, and we think we must not yield our historical homeland gained with blood.

What should Armenia do as long as the Armenian-Turkish process is on hold?

We propose that Serzh Sargsyan form a committee of traditional parties. Let the committee try to study the Armenian-Turkish process again, work out proposals, point out the possible difficulties and consult the Armenian authorities on how to overcome them. We, the Diaspora, have been struggling for decades. We have been holding our flag high and we have wider experience that the Armenian authorities.

Many people hold the opinion that the documents should have been thrown out, and a new agreement should have been signed with Turkey. Do you think relations with Turkey have to be built anew?

This is one of the options. Also, the protocols can be specified, and the process can be continued. However, as long as Turkey denies the Armenian Genocide, all this should be postponed.

What is your opinion of the closer Russian-Turkish contacts? How can they influence the Armenian-Turkish process?

At first sight the Russian-Turkish relations are poor. I should say that Turkey has recently been pursuing an open door policy toward all countries as it were. For example, Lebanon and the neighboring countries. You cannot imagine the favorable attitude to Turkey in Lebanon. The Middle East, Syria and all other countries seem to have fallen in love with Turkey. Turkish and Lebanese officials have recently held meetings, Syria and Lebanon have opened their borders and you can visit Turkey without a visa. All this is evidence of Turkey’s cunning policy to us. Ankara has an aim: putting an end to the Armenian Cause in this way.

Every year the Armenian community of Lebanon marks the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The country’s top officials have always attended the events. This year, however, when we marked the 95th anniversary, Lebanese officials would not attend. This means an end has to be put to a hard line toward Turkey. So any closer relations between Turkey and other states will have its impact on Hay Dat (The Armenian Cause).

What, do you think, makes Turkey keep the border closed?

The answer to your question has to be found in the documents signed in addition to the Armenian-Turkish protocols. What promise was given without being kept, and what is the reason why the process was suspended? The answer can be found in these questions. I think the Armenian authorities signed all that was demanded from them. But, there must be something not signed, but arranged about, and we do not know about it.