Posted on 09/05/2001 7:03:56 AM PDT by Voronin
Unfortunately, some of the peoples with the greatest longevity in the world live near the Caspian. I don't see 'tricky' Aliev checking out anytime soon. His game for the moment seems to be upping the pressure in the region, possibly as a way of strengthening his position before a general Caspian agreement and a wider agreement with Armenia and Russia, though he knows at the end of the day, the US and Turkey are too far away physically to be much help. I don't quite yet see Turkish (or even US soldiers) dying for Azerbaijans 'democracy' (ho ho ho).
VRN
It is out in the open. The US administrations and Congress of the past have consistently voted down every single armenian attempt to get it recognized officially. On one occaision (1986?), Turkey threatened to cut of diplomatic and political relations with the US. We saw last year when the French parliament 'recognized' these events that France lost several major arms contracts. 'Turkey' cannot behave in such a similar way now due to their economic problems and their wish to join the EU.
This should not be seen as an attack on the Turkish people, but as a very important part of history. The problem is that once you start to question the official line about it, then you start to unravel and aske questions about Attaturks 'modern secularist Turkey'. Those in charge feel threatened of course (and that's not even mentioning the Islamic opposition).
VRN
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