‘IS THAT POSSIBLE THAT ERDOGAN WILL LAY A WREATH TO THE MONUMENT?’

AZG Armenian Daily #083, 07/05/2005

Armenian Genocide

This is the question that chairman of Turkish Press’ Council Oktay
Eqsi posed in his May 6 article of Hyurriet indicate point at the
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial of Genocide Victims. A “suspicious” question,
as the author dubbed it, opens the article, “Is that possible that
the Turkish prime minister will some day lay a wreath to the monument
of genocide victims in Yerevan?” and added, “I think yes. But before
that, there is a vital issue to triumph over.”

What’s that issue? Oktay Eqsi writes that he watched a program on
Turkish NTV recently during which Murad Belge said that people like
him (those who tell the truth) are threatened.

Belge’s words apparently bewildered Eqsi. He accepts that there are
fanatics in every society and compares Turkish fanatics with those
of Armenia and then concludes that Turkish society’s past is less
stained than Armenia’s but still asks, “How are we going to discuss
this issue? Those recognizing the fact of genocide will offer their
opinion but we will not be able to oppose it. Why? Out of fear that
something will happen to them. Unfortunately, this fear took roots in
all of us. Moreover, countries like Switzerland are taking measures
to jail those who deny the genocide. It also binds our hands”.

Eqsi wanders for a way out, “Well, so what are we to do? To accept
the unacceptable thesis that Turks eliminated Armenians without any
reason? I rebel against it because my approach opposes to those who
accept facts and those who reject the facts. I see the early 20th
century one full of tragic events. Not only Armenians underwent
hardship but Turks did too. But I am sure that Armenians saw more
of it. Deportation is indeed the symbol of that period that worries
Turks much. Even though today’s generation and government is not
responsible for what happened, we are ready to offer our condolences
(to Armenians) on condition that they sympathize with perished Turks
and Kurds. I wrote 5-6 years ago when these issue were not yet on the
agenda, ‘Let us build 2 monuments in Van, one in memory of Armenian
subjects killed in 1914-15, the other in memory of Turkish citizens
killed the same years’. People may lay flowers to whichever monument
they wish. Let us not forget the sorrow of that time and do not allow
that it is forgotten. But let us be just towards both sides”.

Coming back to his question whether it “Is possible that the Turkish
prime minister will some day lay a wreath to the monument of genocide
victims”, Eqsi says, “Yes, and wholeheartedly, let only the monuments
equally reflect responsibility and sorrow. For that to come true we
need Orhan Pamuks, Murad Begles to emerge in Armenia as well in order
to bring counterarguments”.

Turkish official denial of the Genocide remains in force. Though
speaking in his article from official Turkey’s positions, Oktay Eqsi
contradicts himself, thus, perhaps, uncovering the crack in Turkey’s
negation.

By Hakob Chakrian