ARMENIANS MAY BENEFIT FROM PRES. OBAMA BEFRIENDING TURKEY
Harut Sassounian

AZG DAILY
27-02-2009

Turkey’s two top leaders were elated that Pres. Obama called them
last week. Pres. Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan used glowing terms
to describe their talks with the President of the United States.

At a time when Turkey is facing a series of political setbacks —
antagonizing Israel and American Jews by siding with Hamas in the
Gaza conflict; failing in its self-appointed mediating role between
Syria and Israel; and prompting Cyprus to threaten to veto Turkey’s
application for European Union membership due to its continued
occupation of Northern Cyprus — Gul and Erdogan are desperately
trying to exploit every opportunity to prop up their country’s image
and gain support from their constituency at home before next month’s
crucial local elections.

The newspaper Sabah headlined its article on Pres. Obama’s Feb.16 phone
calls as "Double Praise for Ankara." It claimed that the U.S. President
told Gul: "We appreciate the leadership displayed by Turkey in the
region. You are putting forth important efforts in Afghanistan and the
Caucasus." Obama then reportedly told Erdogan: "I want to state that
your personal leadership is vital in the Middle East peace process."

Moreover, Sabah reported that during the "25-30 minute" conversation,
the two presidents discussed Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Caucasus,
the Middle East and the European Union. Pres. Obama "emphasized the
importance of Turkey’s strategic cooperation" and stated: "America will
always approach Turkey’s concerns with understanding." In response,
Obama allegedly expressed the hope that his administration would
"collaborate with Turkey in numerous issues, including achieving peace
in the Middle East, bringing an end to the PKK terrorist organization,
as well as relations with Armenia."

According to the Anadolu news agency, Erdogan "highlighted Turkey’s
sensitivities regarding Armenia and the Middle East, expressing the
importance of fair and impartial stance of the United States to secure
that the relations between the two countries were not damaged."

The Hurriyet newspaper provided additional details of the phone
calls by reporting that "the issue of the 1915 incidents was high
on the agenda of Obama-Erdogan discussion." Gul supposedly told
Obama that an Armenian Genocide resolution "should not be put before
Congress." Erdogan was quoted as saying: "America’s fair and impartial
approach is important in order to prevent any damage to bilateral
relations." According to Hurriyet, "the U.S. president welcomed the
recently restored dialogue between Turkey and Armenia, signaling
that under the existing circumstances he would refrain from taking
any steps that would harm these efforts."

There are two serious problems with the foregoing Turkish reports:

1. Given the Turkish leaders’ self-interest in making exaggerated
claims, coupled with the tendency of the Turkish media to publish
rumors, no one knows if the reports of what was discussed during these
phone calls are accurate. Such suspicions are validated by the fact
that the White House, in its official announcement, did not make any
reference to Armenia or the Armenian Genocide.

2. The Turkish leaders probably misjudged Pres. Obama’s intent in
making these phone calls as well the implications of his words. During
his long presidential campaign, Pres. Obama repeatedly spoke about
bringing a new approach to both domestic and foreign policy. Rather
than threats or harsh language, Pres. Obama prefers to use polite and
respectful words to win over foreign heads of state. The new American
president’s approach is to find common ground with Democrats and
Republicans at home, as well as friends and foes overseas!

After reading the self-serving Turkish reports, most Armenians were
displeased as they too misjudged Pres. Obama’s intent in making these
phone calls. In my opinion, cordial or even friendly relations with the
leaders of Turkey do not in any way detract from Pres. Obama’s sympathy
towards Armenians or his commitment to affirm the Armenian Genocide.

On the contrary, having a warm personal relationship with Turkish
leaders would make it easier for Pres. Obama to use gentle persuasion
when necessary. He could explain to them that commemorative
congressional resolutions were adopted in 1975 and 1984 and a
presidential statement was issued by Pres. Reagan without harming
U.S.-Turkish relations. Consequently, acknowledging a genocide that
took place almost a century ago should not detract from current
friendly ties between the two countries. Indeed, opposing such an
action is neither necessary nor wise!