To: me, 2008-07-10 21:20:31 Levon was after something else and he had and has a different approach.. Levon is not a politician but a linguist .. Levon Ter-Petrosyan not only went to Turkey but he met the most fascist politicians in Turkey .. and apparently he made theme some promises … Levon should quit the politic and start writing a book on Armenian Genocide … The fact is that fascism and ultranationalist in Turley are advancing day by day.. 30 + x% of Turks regard current Turkey is not enough racist and nationalistic . almost 100 of AKP parliamentarians would join MHP (ultra nationalist) if AKP is being closed down today .. ( people ,politicians in Turkey change there ideology as one change his socks)

The pure and clear fact is that Robert and Serj have led the country into such an shity situation that don't have a choice anymore than to bend. They have wiped out Armenia's credibility on the World diplomatic scene. I don't thing ANYONE gives a dam about Armenia's position anymore. Turkey and Azerbaijan can get it their way in ANY insitution they want. They have ruined Armenia's economy in a way that it depends on everyone and everything in the World except its own will. So, it is normal to see Serj bend. He will bend and bend until he breaks his back.

it semms armenian did a genocide with turks and now trying to keep good relations with them. And this politics seems very strange.

Hayq, Armenia is am importer not a producer. We have to think carefully on our possible economical relations with Turkey. Already each year 40,000 Armenians fly to Turkey for trades. Armenian market is full of Turkish products and it can be a danger when Turkey remains a threat for Armenia. It's enough for Turkey to invest some hundred million dollars in Armenia to gain control over internal issues of Armenia. Anyway, this step of Serj Sargsyan is positive, but we never should forget that Turkey "owes" to Armenian nation. Gul will come, watch the match with him and will go back. And that's all. Nothing will change.

Will itinerary of this dignitary include planting a tree at Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial? Levon paid respect to ataturk's grave when he visited turkey. If not then I think people should skip that game so these two fags can watch it in privacy. This arrogant prick called two million Genocide victims terrorists and now he will get VIP seat on Razdan stadium? On top of it we should listen to their denialists’ preposterous claims how a stray sheep attacked pack of grey wolves? It was wrong to give in to the Wrong! I hope Serj knows that now that he dropped his pants he will also have to bend over unless he thinks someone else will bend over for him. It reminds me old Armenian Radio joke about when it would be possible to sit down on the hedgehog (vozni) with the naked butt: it's possible if vozni is bold or the butt is not yours. Who’s butt does Serj have in mind? Levon?

What absolutely fascinates me is seeing some of the reactions here; for comments very similar to these in spirit, not even a few months ago Levon Ter-Petrosyan was labeled as a traitor and a Turkish agent. But now, since Serzhik is saying it, people have all of a sudden have experienced this epiphany about the necessity of opening the Turkish border. Levon Ter-Petrosyan has been advocating this exact same thing for over 15 years now, and that's something that he never quite lived down. The hypocrisy is unbelievable. Where are our Dashnak friends? What does this potentially do to their plans of turning Istanbul into a sea of blood?

A good move to start afresh with Turkey. In Turkey, Erdogan and Gul are more prgamatic than their predecessors. Thousands of Armenians are in Turkey as visitors or working informally. It is necessary to have direct relations

I think this was a smart move because now Turkey will look bad if they reject the Armenian proposals and they will be on the defensive. Plus there are poeple in Turkey who are saying "what is Turkey waiting for, open the border". Also, I think that Turkey can have an easier time recognizing the Genocide of a friendly country then of an enemy country.

It is about time that an Armenian president is taking the inititive and making public relations moves ahead of or instead of the Turkish propaganda machine. I hope Serzh is not a one move player, I also hope he keeps on going and corners the Turkes in their own PR game. Lets see what excuses they will come up with now.

I see those Turks you named have a lot in common with Armenian politicians. Do not get me wrong, I honestly don't have much respect for Turks, I only see them as our neighbour. But what's true has got to be said. Levon Ter - Petrosyan... I don't understand what that man wants. He is the maffia itself. Look at him. Just like Sargsyan and Kocharyan. Only the last to have some knowledge of politics.

Serj is doing something for doing something and this will not bring to a result.

Good move! But A Turk will remain A Turk as paranoid and liar as Turkish politicians and turkish nationalist are .. We should not forget Levon Ter-Petrosyan visited twice Turkey and - Once Levon visited gravesite of Attaturk - Levon took at the funeral of Turgut Özal ..he was not even invited by Turkey to take part at the funeral but still e went to Turkey ! Who knows if Gül is still president of Turkey in September? Turkey has at lest three governments - The official one with a “democratic” façade to mislead the world community - Military with connections to the mafia and underground illegal paramilitar - The Hidden state with is criminal gangs, who like “secure” Turkey But which Turkish politicians to whom can Armenians talk to

Ganayk, With the sentence : I used to think like you, I assumed that you're on a hard line on Turkey. I wouldn't say that's naive. To be honest, I couldn't precisely understand from your comments, what you ment, but I did understand that you do not agree with the Armenian president. Perhaps you can clerify what you mean with growing up and joining the ruling elite. I hope you agree with me that by showing my appreciation for Sargsyan's move, that it does not mean I approve his agenda and that I am a HHK supporter. I do approve this move of his, because it is a very good move from a diplomatic point of view. If you had given arguments why you disagree with Sargsyan who's trying to improve relations with Turkey, with a neighbour of Armenia, we could understand each other better. We have to think historically, politically but also economically. Turkey is a huge market. It has the 18th biggest economy of the world. We can survive well without Turkey as we see today. But it can also be a big plus for us if we have economical relations with Turkey. It will open a door for Armenia to easily enter the European market.

Poor move by poor man...

If I were advising Serzh, I would recommend that next he invite himself to Turkey (by crossing the Armenian 'border') and vist historical Armenian cities and teretories to turn the spotlight on that issue also. What do we have to lose?

I completely agree with Vachagan. Serzh made a wise move in political chess game! Another interesting aspect is that he talked about it in Russia.

racist and "historian" Yusuf Halacoglu is so much concernd not only of the territoral integrity of Turkey but Azerbaijan too... Halacoglu is acting again in a way as if Armenians do not know what happend.. Yusuf Halacoglu is not intressted how many Armenians have been killed and in wich way and where ..for Y.H. the important think is hwo big Turkey is or has to be "I receive proposals from Dahsnaks to find out what really happened. If Armenians are sincere, it will be known soon. I will not believe in Serzh Sargsyan’s sincerity unless Armenians recognize territorial integrity of Turkey and stop occupation of Nagorno Karabakh", http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=26576 Mr Halacoglu is involved in politic and is in no way intressted to know the truth on Armenian Genocide...

Armenia and Turkey can NOT have good relations it's a fact and wont change that soon

I don't support SS in a slightest but I congratulate him for this!

We shouldn’t act in a way as if the world community is not aware of the fact of Armenian Genocide! -Armenian media and Diaspora should be carefully while making comments on “Sarkisyan´s move”… to not misinterpret and to give a false colour to the move! Armenians have nothing to discuses by racial motivated Turkish historians and so called retired Turkish diplomats . which have got a brain wash, how to lie and make agitations against Armenians and today each of this "retired diplomats" have it own organisation/NGO targeting Aremenians! But: In some way i was moved by the article of S. Sarkisyan . Such steps are taking by parties/countries who regard themselves “as winner”.. Armenia is inviting the Turkish president to the part of Armenia which has survived the genocide by a miracle! Turkey should indeed be ashamed that such as step comes from Armenia .. But there is no need to exaggerate things. Mr Gul is the brain of AKP and not much better than Taalat Pasha According to Mr Gul There were no Genocide… Turkey had to “relocate” Armenians in 1915 because they were terrorists and Turkey had to fight them Mr Gul asked German Journalist in 2005: “Which Genocide where and when did it happened”? Mr.Gul farther announced “Ottoman government had even to pay for the train-tickets and for deportation cots” http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/div/;art771,2090431 http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/div/;art771,2060439 http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/div/;art771,2060431 As you see one Turkish diplomat is ruder than the other one… Do not pain much hope… but any way we have to make a move and give Turkey a chance to be a bit more "human" PS: Germany and Czech Republic had a kind of "historian commision".. both countries are democratic etc... but as far as i know the work of commision in important parts was "NULL" one can find some information (english version is included): http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Nolanus/Deutsch-Tschechische_Erkl%C3%A4rung German-Czech commision" didn´t change anything: problem was: the expulsion of millions of Germans from Czech after WW II... " IV Both sides agree that injustice inflicted in the past belongs in the past, and will therefore orient their relations towards the future. Precisely because they remain conscious of the tragic chapters of their history, they are determined to continue to give priority to understanding and mutual agreement in the development of their relations, while each side remains committed to its legal system and respects the fact that the other side has a different legal position. Both sides therefore declare that they will not burden their relations with political and legal issues which stem from the past."

Hayq, do not confuse determination with stubbornness. What Serzh is doing shows political maturity and confidence, for a change the Turks don't know how to respond, this move is outsmarting the Turks in public relations and it will only benefit Armenia, albeit only in showmanship. No one should worry, Serzh or anyone else for that matter is going to give up anything or give anything away.

Our relationship with Turkey could be describe with Russian saying “i xochetsya i kolitsya» It would be very difficult for Armenians as well as for Turks to shake the hands to each other. Meanwhile, Armenian economy needs the borders to be open!!!. It is crazy that we have 80% of our borders closed. Thousands of people would get jobs, tourism would drastically increase, we will get cheap transportation channels for our goods and etc. I am sure, it was very difficult for Serzh to go farther and invite Turkish president to Armenia. He knew that he would face criticism in Armenia but he also knows that he needs to create jobs. Yes, there is a risk that huge Turkish capital will flow to Armenia and also might be used in political purposes. In case borders opens, I forecast clash between Russian, Iranian and Turkish capital in Armenian market. Armenia will definitely benefit from it.

Hayq, it is I who understand you completely. I find your comments patronizing, unconvincing and transparent. Translation of your post: "I used to naively think like you, presumed Diasporan dumbbell. Then I grew up and joined the ruling elites."

Ganayk, I understand you completely. A while ago, I used to think the same way. I don't find Sargsyan something either, but I do find this policy of his very laudable. Besides the past, there is a thing called future. Besides holding on to the past, we also have to try to look to the future, without forgetting the past ofcourse. Turkey should be ashamed that this step comes from Armenia. Turkey should have been the first with this step, being a developed country and a EU - candidate. The policy of the Dashnaks does not hold water. It's not productive in any case and for anyone. Eventually, both Armenia and Turkey will be part of the European Union, and if not, no country can grow without its neighbours, it's a fact. You can't achieve anything with being stubborn, you have to play smart. Let's also think long-term. My favourite for Armenia's president is Raffi Hovhannisyan by the way.

Sargsyan is, to use a term coined by Malcolm X., a "house negro" who has been installed in office to do the bidding of the US-Turkey-Israeli axis. Hear Malcolm X's house negro speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUIjP4KWok The 2008 Armenian presidential elections were fraudulent, and Sargsyan should be removed from office immediately. Sign the petition here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ArmenianElections/