“IMPERIALISM IS THE MAIN OBSTACLE ON THE WAY OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH
RELATIONS; NEITHER TURKS NOR ARMENIANS ARE TO BLAME” — Dr. Hasan Oktay
Assures

AZG Daily
09/08/2004

By Hakob Chakrian

Hasan Oktay of the Institute of Armenian Studies in Ankara together
with a coworker Banu is in Armenia these days. On September 3 Oktay
visited Azg Daily publishing house and had a talk with editor-in-chief
Hakob Avetikian. Apparently, the Turkish scientist is interested
in the position of the Azg Daily as regard to the international
acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, Armenia-Turkish relations
and the border-gate opening.

Oktay’s interview with Hakob Avetikian will be presented as soon as
the former returns to Ankara. For that very reason we present our
own interview with the head of the Institute of Armenian Studies. The
interview was interesting regardless any disagreement over issues.

Q: What’s your main purpose for visiting Armenia?

A: To see the neighboring Armenia, to go sightseeing. When you see
everything with your own eyes you become fond of it.

Q: As a head of an institute you must be interested in scientific
establishments of Armenia. Which of those will you visit?

A: I shall be at the National Academy of Sciences, particularly at
the Institutes of Oriental Studies and of History, I’ll also visit
the Yerevan State University, Department of Oriental Studies and the
Institute-Museum of Armenian Genocide.

Q: Have you visited other places besides Yerevan?

A: We had time only to visit Etchmiadzin. We’ll leave for Gyumri for
3 days, then we’ll visit the Sardarapat National Museum.

Q: What is your impression of Armenia?

A: I expected to see a better country. Armenia could have been in
a better condition and Yerevan more orderly. Saying “better” I mean
the reflection of economy on the city.

Q: What do you think of Armenian-Turkish relations?

A: I think they will improve in the near future.

Q: What do you consider the main obstacle on the way of development
of these relations?

A: I consider the imperialism the main obstacle on the way of
Turkish-Armenian relations; neither Turks nor Armenians are to blame.

Q: What about Turkey’s close cooperation with such imperialistic
state as the USA?

A: The Turkish-US relations are not on a healthy ground at present.

Q: If the imperialists are to blame, why is Turkey striving for the EU?
After all, such imperialistic states as France and Germany are there.

A: No matter how hard Turkey tries, it will never be a member. It
seems to me that Turkey is being tricked. Don’t you think so?

Q: What do you think of Azg Daily’s online edition?

A: There in Turkey many people consider Azg Daily to be the only
Armenian newspaper with a daily online edition. Turkey is attentive
to Azg Daily’s publications. And we know that Turkey is always at
the spotlight of Azg Daily.

Q: What can you say about the Institute of Armenian Studies?

A: Our Institute was founded in May of 2001 and operates within
the frameworks of the Center for Eurasian Research. The Institute
publishes 2 editions in Turkish and English. And we have 9 scientists
at the Institute.

Q: What kind of researches are you carrying out?

A: We try to contribute the development of Armenia-Turkish
relations. We want the world to understand the Armenians of Turkey
correctly. Meanwhile we try to respond through researches to those
attempting to spoil relations between the two nations. Our studies
include the history of Armenia from ancient times till our days. We
approach the historic issues from social, psychological views as well
as from the angle of international relations.

Q: Do you have any message to deliver?

A: I appeal to Armenian people and the intelligentsia to join us in
our efforts of raising Turkish-Armenian relations to the level of
blessed old times.