Armenian Genocide: Turkey keeps up policy of blackmail and threats
Turkey doesn't openly speak of the steps it's planning to take if the Armenian Genocide Resolution is passed, ARF Bureau's Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Director, Kiro Manoyan told a news conference in Yerevan.
"Statements on restricting the U.S. military's use of Incirlik air base, a logistics hub for the Middle East, are just words. Turkey, as always, resorts to the policy of blackmail and threats. We have witnessed it when the French National Assembly passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial. However, the two states are cooperating at the moment. The point is that all statements by the Turkish government are meant for formation of public opinion within the country," he said.
"Turkey needs the U.S. and EU much more than they need Turkey. However, I do not think that Ankara will take a turn to the East. The incumbent government is oriented for the West. This can be proved by Turkish President Gul's recent intention to review Article 301, which provides for criminal penalty for mention of Armenian Genocide," Mr Manoyan said.
"Statements on restricting the U.S. military's use of Incirlik air base, a logistics hub for the Middle East, are just words. Turkey, as always, resorts to the policy of blackmail and threats. We have witnessed it when the French National Assembly passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial. However, the two states are cooperating at the moment. The point is that all statements by the Turkish government are meant for formation of public opinion within the country," he said.
"Turkey needs the U.S. and EU much more than they need Turkey. However, I do not think that Ankara will take a turn to the East. The incumbent government is oriented for the West. This can be proved by Turkish President Gul's recent intention to review Article 301, which provides for criminal penalty for mention of Armenian Genocide," Mr Manoyan said.
