CAN TURKEY USE DINK TRAGEDY TO OPEN DIALOGUE WITH ARMENIA?
By Lale Sariibrahimoglu
Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 6 2007
The tragic and devastating 1999 earthquake that hit western parts
of Turkey, killing thousands of people, which was followed by a
relatively minor earthquake in neighboring Greece brought the two
countries closer in what was dubbed "earthquake diplomacy." Though
deep rooted sovereignty disputes in the Aegean Sea and over Cyprus
continue to deter complete normalization of relations between NATO
members Turkey and Greece, at least we are witnessing more mature
relations between both the military and the political leaders of the
two countries. It was the 1999 earthquake tragedy that paved the way
for opening a dialogue between Ankara and Athens.
Now is it possible for Turkey and Armenia to open a dialogue, moving up
from the existing undersecretariat levels to, for example, ministerial
levels, following the tragic murder of prominent Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink in January?
The Turkish people have already helped to create a positive image by
displaying their disgust with the murder when hundreds of thousands
attended his funeral, strongly protesting his slaying and carrying
placards in many cities of the country condemning this ethnic violence.
However, we have not yet seen the reflection of the Turkish people’s
outcry against the Dink murder at the official level, a reflection
which could be demonstrated, for example, by opening a high level
dialogue between the two neighbors in an attempt to make something
positive out of the tragedy of Hrant’s slaying. Perhaps we may see some
gestures on both sides following the end of the 40 days of mourning for
Hrant Dink. Who knows? The 40-day mourning period for Dink will come
to an end soon. But we may also soon see the adoption of an Armenian
genocide resolution by the Democrat Party-dominated Congress, carrying
the potential of inflicting another blow on relations between Turkey
and the USA. The two NATO allies have had to heal the wounds of the
Turkish rejection of a decree in March 2003 that did not allow the
opening of a second front for US troops invading Iraq from the north
through Turkey.
Turkey denies allegations of genocide while urging Armenia to sit
at a table and discuss the issue with Turkish historians. But the
balance in both the US Senate and the House of Representatives has
changed in favour of the Democrats following the November mid-term
elections last year, increasing prospects for the adoption of the
so-called Armenian genocide bill by US lawmakers.
Turkey recognized Armenia together with all the other states of
the Caucusus and Central Asia that declared independence after the
dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, Turkey has not yet
resumed diplomatic ties with this country due to Yerevan’s ongoing
claims over some parts of the Turkish territory, as well as Armenia’s
participation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan,
with whom Turkey attaches special importance in relations.
Nagorno-Karabakh is an Armenian-dominated enclave officially located
within Azerbajian and had been the scene of fierce clashes between
Yerevan and Baku until a ceasefire was announced in May 1994.
Though at the moment there are several thousand Armenian workers based
in Turkey and charter flights are flying between Yerevan and Ýstanbul,
because of the above mentioned disputes the Turkish-Armenian borders
remain closed, standing as one of the main factors preventing humane
interaction between the two neighbors.
Despite the Turkish constraints on opening a tangible dialogue with
Armenia, the Turkish-Greek rapprochement following the tragic 1999
earthquake could set an example for both Ankara and Yerevan to start a
high level dialogue. After all, Turkish-Greek "earthquake diplomacy"
has not yet contributed to the resolution of deep-rooted disputes
but at least helped both countries to solve disputes through dialogue
rather than threats.
If we could not prevent Dink’s murder then we must develop our
capacities and, despite this tragedy, open a dialogue with Armenia.
Equally, Armenia should act sincerely in improving ties with Turkey
that would benefit the peoples of both countries.
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