ISTANBUL ARMENIANS GENERALLY SUPPORT THE PROTOCOLS
Kristine Aghalaryan

2 009/10/13 | 03:58

Region

They note, however, that the community has all been forgotten in
the process.

"While the whole world is talking about the Armenians of the diaspopra,
both Armenia and Turkey have forgotten about the Armenian community
in Istanbul. The signing is the cause of great jubilation since now
the road to Armenia will be opened."

This is what Virjihan Ziflioghli, a young Armenian journalist with
the Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet", had to say about the signing of
the Turkish-Armenian protocols in a converstaion with "Hetq".

She added that Armenians in other diaspora countries could make their
voices heard but what could the community in Istanbul say against
the nation in which they live.

"If we look at the issue from a modern perspective, then the
protocols are a positive step," she said, avoiding comment about
preconditions. "We cannot say what are the positive or negative sides
to the protocols. In other words, the Armenian side must express its
point of view."

She reaffirmed the Turkish position that the border wouldn’t be opened
unless the Karabakh conflict was settled.

Bagrat Estukian, Armenian editor with the newspaper "Agos", said
that the Istanbul Armenian community welcomed the protocols. "The
community here has always been in favor of the normalization of
relations between the two nations," he said.

Aris Nalj, another editor at "Agos", the paper founded by Hrant Dink,
stated that the protocols would serve as a second bridge between
Armenia and the Armenian community in Turkey.

"But if the border opens, the Turkish-Armenian community has its
work cut out for it. For instance, there is a great demand for
Armenian-Turkish translators and vice-versa. These professional must
come from the community here. Then too, if diplomatic relations are
established, the kids of Armenians from the RoA can attend our schools
here. That will serve as a rebirth of our educational institutions,"
Aris stated.

He also believes that an open border might lead to more people from
Armenia and the diaspora visiting western Armenian sites like Moush,
Van, Kars, etc.

Aris added that the Armenian community in Turkey wasn’t ready for
the border to be opened, since no one has remained who speaks eastern
Armenian fluently.

"Students at our schools speak poorer Armenian than I do. We do
not know our language to a sufficient degree and don’t know our own
history," he argued.

The Agos editor said that Armenia also wasn’t ready for the large
capital influx awaiting it if and when the border opens. "Everything
can become Turkish. Armenia must have the will to prevent this from
happening so that it develops a healthy economy."

Asked if he saw any preconditions in the protocols, Aris Nalj responded
that there was nothing in the document about the Genocide or Karabakh.