A few weeks ago, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) demanded the resignation of RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan. One of the principal reasons for the ARF’s position was the Armenian side’s inconsistency in the negotiations over the roadmap with Turkey, writes Jorge Rubén Kazandjian, Editor of Diario Armenia.

The mistake was not recognized, as the Armenian Government’s steps were not properly understood. The response to the ARF’s demands that the details of negotiations be published was as follows: there are no preconditions nor will there be any concessions that would run counter to our demands in any way. Nevertheless, this confidence vanished soon after the Turkish Government announced its position through some of the high-ranking officials. Ankara made it clear that the Turkish-Armenian border would not be reopened nor any diplomatic relations be established until a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem acceptable to Azerbaijan was found.

On this evidence, Minister Nalbandayn was expected give a response, which was not done – except for languid denials of statements made by Turks. Seeing the palsy of its Armenian counterpart, the Turkish foreign office launched unprecedented activities, especially in the countries where the Armenian communities succeeded in getting the Armenian Genocide officially recognized.

Supported by USA-based Jewish politicians, the Turkish lobby gained its first great victory when it forced U.S. President Barack Obama to renege on his campaign promises to officially recognize the 1915 evens as genocide.

What was the argument? A very simple one: Armenia and Turkey started a rapprochement process, which comprises numerous issues. Of course, Turkey’s activities aimed at making the Nagorno-Karabakh problem part of the roadmap context just a few days after the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide are by no means coincidence. The Turkish foreign office showed comprehension: its “dialectics” applied in the United States was similar to that applied in Europe and Middle East. After President Obama reneged, Turkey launched diplomatic operations in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil. The Turkish ambassadors to European countries proved to be “up to the mark” as well. As regards Ankara’s representative in Baku, he had a special mission…

Armenia has never been able to do anything to “temper” that strong contrary wind. Ankara is reaping dividends from the political scenarios, whereas Armenia proved impotent.

The results of Turkish diplomats’ activities can be felt in Argentina as well. News about the developing ideology of Genocide denial keep on coming. Meetings with parliamentarians and officials, as well as invitations to journalists and other people to visit Turkey, have become usual practice. Against this background, the sluggish Armenian diplomacy strikes the eye. So the demand for Edward Nalbandyan’s resignation fits in with the context, which is unfavorable for both Armenia and the Diaspora. This is an issue to be considered in all seriousness.