TURKEY AND ARMENIA SEEK TO END A CENTURY OF ANTAGONISM
by Bruno Waterfield

The Vancouver Sun (British Columbia)
September 2, 2009 Wednesday

Turkey and Armenia are seeking to end almost a century of hostility
by opening diplomatic relations, a move that will help smooth the
way for Ankara’s membership in the European Union.

The neighbours announced the deal by setting a six-week deadline to
put diplomatic protocols in place for the first time. It came despite
continued bitterness between the two countries. Turkey rejects Armenian
claims the Ottoman Empire committed genocide by massacring up to 1.5
million Armenian civilians in 1915. Ankara contests the number of
Armenians killed and defines the conflict as a civil war.

In a major concession by Turkey, the agreement says both countries
will "implement dialogue on the historical dimension with the aim to
restore mutual confidence."

President Serzh Sarkisian of Armenia said: "It is important that
historical justice be restored. It’s important that our nations are
able to establish normal relations."

The prosecution in Turkey of people who supported the genocide claims
— including Orhan Pamuk, the Nobel Prize-winning author — has been
a major stumbling block to Turkey’s EU ambitions.

The deal, which was brokered by Switzerland, was hailed as a
breakthrough for Turkey’s EU campaign and a sign of hope for stability
in the South Caucasus region.

Turkey’s government has also been discussing easing restrictions
on its Kurdish minority, with plans to end laws that prohibit free
expression of political beliefs and suppress Kurdish culture.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress