A TV Debate On Armenian-Turkish Relations

Ara S. Ashjian
An Iraqi Armenian settled in
Yerevan, Armenia
15-01-2008 13:51:05 – KarabakhOpen

On Jan. 12, 2008, a friend of me in Yerevan invited me to attend a TV
debate on Armenian-Turkish relations managed by Armenia TV channel. The
debate was between Armenia s ex-prime minister and political leader
Khosrov Harutunyan and political scientist Dr. Armen Ayvazyan. As I
knew Dr. Ayvazyan s views on this issue I accepted to sit with the
group of attendees in the program who would support Dr. Ayvazyan in
this issue.

The debate was especially concentrated on one matter of the
Armenian-Turkish relations; the closed borders between Armenia and
Turkey. Harutunyan defended normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations, and
that Armenia should make initiatives to change Turkey s policy, at the
same time considering the EU as a natural ally to Armenia in this
issue.

Dr. Ayvazyan finds that opening the borders between Armenia and Turkey,
which currently is not possible as Turkey put several unachievable
preconditions to do that, will threaten Armenia s interests. This is
because opening borders between the two countries would offer the
opportunity to Turk professionals and companies to enter Armenia s
economy widely and allows Turkey s intelligence to infiltrate Armenia.
Dr. Ayvazyan sees that Armenia does not have defensive mechanisms in
economic and national security to face such a case. He also finds that
Armenia must follow efficient policy to face the hostile policy
followed by Turkey and its strategic partner Azerbaijan towards
Armenia. Dr. Ayvazyan stated events from which it can be decided the EU
might not be considered as Armenia s natural or strategic ally . He
also stated Armenia can t survive on the current area of 29.8 thousand
kilometer square, besides territories of former "Autonomous Region of
Mountainous Gharabagh".

Thus, it must raise the issue of the Armenian lands of Western Armenia
occupied by Turkey, which is essential in solving the Armenian issue
instead of seeking alone the international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.

Harutunyan stated countries in Europe which have small areas, like
Armenia, that had normalized its relations with neighboring countries
with greater areas. The comparison here was improper as these
countries, unlike Turkey, used to solve their problems in civilized
ways. Besides, the people of these countries did not suffer from
genocide, and even Germany, unlike Turkey, admitted the dark page of
its history and recognized the Holocaust. It also seemed Harutunyan
doesn t realize that normalizing relations between parties in conflict
can t be achieved till solving existing problems and restoring justice.
The successive Turkish regimes seem not to be ready to do this by
following hostile policy towards Armenia and denying the Armenian
Genocide.

The three jury members in the program out of four voted for Harutunyan
s opinions. They were either young or not specialized people (a young
female student in religions, a young man who is the director of an FM
radio station, the head of the Photographer s Union and the director of
an NGO!!). The attendees should have given the right to voice their
opinions on this important issue.

The program will be broadcast on Tuesday (Jan. 15 at 9:15 p.m. Armenia
local time) and will receive votes on both views to decide which view
is more accepted by the voters.
Dear reader, which view is more practical and closer to you?

With best regards,