ONE ISTANBUL WAITER’S COURSE IN DIPLOMACY TO ARMENIANS

Tert
Sept 21 2009
Armenia

Opening the border with Turkey is a breath of fresh air for the
economies of both Armenia and Turkey. A server who worked in one of
downtown Istanbul’s many fish restaurants was quick to share with
us one such deduction, knowing that he was serving visitors from
Armenia. "Albania, Alemania [Germany]," right away, Ahmet didn’t
understand us. "Ermenistan," we explained ("Armenia") and with that,
inciting a long monologue from the educated server.

A son of Osmanian Turks, Ahmet moved to Istanbul from Bulgaria. He is
a man of about 40 years old, bald-headed, with thin-framed glasses;
his reserved actions make him seem like an employee of the Ministry of
Education, a serious person, someone who is sent to "complicated" press
conferences. Ahmet doesn’t like football, like nearly everyone in the
country; he is more interested in the economy and "as a consequence,
politics." And it is with that principle that he decides the topic
of his lecture: not expecting "dirty mass media who have a wide reach."

"It’s understandable that Turkey is not concerned with
improving relations, but for small, blockaded Armenia, it’s
a real salvation. Average Turks are removed from that process;
it’s not necessary for them. And neither [is it necessary] for the
leadership. That’s all coming from the United States, who is under
pressure from your lobby," notes Ahmet, carefully moving away and
giving us time so that we may finally understand what we are here to
eat: what we have been served has already become a little difficult
to digest.

The server, returning with a plate of fried crabs, and not having
yet reached our table, began:

"At one time, the Turkish government decided to place a large tax
on non-Turkish residents. For this reason, the Jews, Bulgarians,
Armenians and Greeks began to leave Turkey. The leaders wanted it,
so that only Turks would live here."

We asked, "Around what time period are you referring to?"

"Beginnning from 1915," he answered.

Armenians, according to the Bulgarian Turk, were abandoning
"unfavourable Turkey and going to progressive France, U.S.A., where
life is better, than in either Armenia or Turkey."

Today, according to Ahmet, Armenians living in civilized countries
think about how they can cause harm to Turkey. "They are not troubled
by Armenia’s and Turkey’s citizens. It is necessary that the Armenian
Diaspora and Armenia’s leadership work together."

Taking into consideration that sugary sweet hospitality, which though
traditionally accepted while being served here, and congenial for
us, was a little bit short at the time, Ahmet rushed to expound his
thoughts with greater conviction. Simultaneously complaining about
the restrictions on the country’s freedom of speech, he said "it’s
necessary for this government to be heavy-handed."

We completed our meal, but the discussion continued near the
restaurant’s entrance. Not waiting to find out where Ahmet’s
meditations would lead to next, we inquired about his political and
philosophical interests. "I am more so a socialist, and I see Turkey’s
future to be in alliance with Russia."

And it was at that point that our sensitive journalists’ nerves
could take no more… though at that time, Ahmet rushed to join his
co-workers to welcome the next group of visitors.