Originally posted by Vogelgrippe
As for Turkish expectations of reciprocation, I'm not sure what Turkey expects or wants from Armenians. If the purpose of opening the border is to get Armenians to give up their right to acknowledgment of the Genocide, then Turkey's gesture obviously lacks goodwill. If the purpose of opening the border is simply to allow for the flow of trade and commerce between the two countries, then Turkey will not ask for or expect something more from Armenians other than the flow of commerce and trade, in which case, Armenians will not assume that there is lack of goodwill.
One more point I'll make through an analogy: if you are strangling someone and decide to stop strangling him, is it right for you to expect him to give you something in return for your release of him? If there really is goodwill in your decision to stop strangling him, then you will not ask for something in return. Otherwise, it is nothing more than extortion, isn't it?
Originally posted by Vogelgrippe
As for your personal beliefs about what Azeris are willing to concede, please cite just one news article or statement from an Azeri government official or body that has even hinted that Azerbaijan would be willing to give up its misguided claims to Karabagh proper. Armenia and Karabagh have said over and over again that they would be willing to give up 5 of the 7 disputed territories surrounding Karabagh as soon as the Azeris agree to leave Karabagh proper alone. The two territories they refuse to give up are needed to ensure that Karabagh has a lifeline to Armenia so that it is not isolated and vulnerable to another Azeri attack.
Originally posted by Vogelgrippe
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