By Alexei Vlasov, exclusively to VK
The whole situation with the Armenian genocide recognition bill in France reminded me of my recent conversation with a prominent Ukrainian diplomat whom I met during the “European debates” in Kharkov. He told me an interesting story related to the recognition of Kosovo by Washington.
The diplomat (whose name I will not mention for obvious reasons) depicted a bright picture of the session of high-ranking Ukrainian diplomats assembled when it became obvious that the US is going to cross the ‘Kosovo Rubicon’. Even these politicians most experienced in so-called ‘multi-vectored’ politics were at a loss as to how to react to this whole situation. It was obvious that if Kosovo’s sovereignty is recognized by the US, the problems of Karabakh, Transdniestria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia will flare up again. However, in this case ex-Soviet republic would have to deal with this mess, and not the US who actually started it.
This story came to my mind in connection with a similar situation yet played out by completely different actors: Ankara, Paris, Yerevan and Baku. It is obvious that all these parties have their reasons of turning a debated incident of Armenian-Turkish history into a time-bomb that can destroy all prospects of Armenian-Turkish protocols ratification, of Turkish EU membership, of France’s successful performance as a mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict…
Weighing ‘pros and cons’ of the Armenian genocide recognition isn’t the point of this article: both parties are ready to demonstrate volumes of convincing arguments proving exactly opposite positions. In cases like this only patience and long-term research can resolve the issue. However, after Nicolas Sarkozy has tipped the balance, time is a luxury one can’t afford. The only obvious result of the official genocide recognition by France is that all parties immediately involved in the situation have lost.
No matter what happens next, the US took up a winning position. As Hilary Clinton said, one of the US “great strengths is we do not criminalize speech. People can say nearly anything they choose, and they do, in our country. And so other countries, including close friends and allies like France, have different standards, different histories, but we are, I hope, never going to go down that path to criminalize speech."
Some French politicians who are known to be far from supporting Turkey or Azerbaijan expressed similar position – it is quite unwise to burn all bridges when global politics is slipping into a state of complete chaos.
Experts point out that the bill had a lot to do with the successful Armenian lobby in the French Parliament. However, Azerbaijani lobby is also strong, but it still fails to make the world notice and investigate the Khodzhaly tragedy. Unfortunately, we do live in the era of double standards. But what is even more unfortunate, some politicians who aspire to shape today’s world gladly accept the rules of this double game thus allowing themselves to be manipulated. It seems that the Kosovo precedent has taught them nothing.
