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Mustafa Kabakci: â€œLiberation of the occupied Azerbaijani lands is a duty number one for Turkeyâ€ â€“ EXCLUSIVE

Mustafa Kabakci: â€œLiberation of the occupied Azerbaijani lands is a duty number one for Turkeyâ€ â€“ <font color=red>EXCLUSIVE</font>

08 December 2009 09:14 (UTC +04:00)

- On October 21 the Turkish parliament held general hearing on the protocols signed with Armenia. What a phase this issue is now?

- Turkey has very exact position on these protocols. Our president, prime minister and foreign minister made very clear statements, which were addressed not only to the Turkish community. These statements were made in France, Switzerland and Germany and at the Azerbaijani parliament as well. Now we are waiting for the processes going around the Karabakh issue. Everybody should do his duty. First article of the OSCE Athens agenda was Nagorno Karabakh problem. Foreign ministers seriously discussed this issue. At first we will see the Karabakh processes and then discuss to put it to vote at the parliament or not.

- What do you mean under Karabakh processes? Do you mean liberation of the Azerbaijani lands from Armenian occupation?

- Of course, I am talking about the liberation of the occupied lands. This is duty number one for Turkey. Turkey was always together with Azerbaijan in the Karabakh issue and will continue to do that. No one can hesitate.

- There are â€œgenocideâ€ slanders in the West. What is your opinion, how can Armenian Diasporaâ€™s claims against Turkey effect on the processes?

-I will tell you a story. Once there lived an Athenian philosopher named Totaris. He was appointed member of the Senate by the king. One day the king tells him not to come to the senate. The philosopher tells the king to dismiss him, if he does not want him to come to the Senate. The king says he can not dismiss him and tells him not to speak. The philosopher says â€œI will not speak if you do not ask. If you ask, I will give right answers.â€ The king says he will kill him if he tells the truth. The philosopher says to the king:
â€œMy work is to tell the truth, your work is to kill me. Let everybody do his work.â€

Now, let Armenia do its work, Turkey its work and so does Azerbaijan. There was Armenian lobby yesterday, and it exists today. But Turkey has changed. Turkey is much stronger now and no pressures can be exerted on it. On March 1, 2003, Turkey rejected the draft decision on sending the US troops to Iraq and demonstrated its force. I only want to say to my Azerbaijani brothers: this is based on confidence and trust. Letâ€™s continue confiding in each other.

-Are there any signs of the resentment between Turkey and Azerbaijan observed in the spring and autumn of 2009?

-This is transient. Transient things can not stir up discord between the brothers. This arose from misunderstanding. It has been completely eliminated. During my recent visit to Baku I saw Turkish flag on one side of the handcart of a salesman and Azerbaijani flag on the other side. I opened the window of the car and told the salesman our flags will always be high. You also see the flags of Turkey and Azerbaijan on my table. Our flags will always be high.