HOPES AND CONCERNS OF TURKISH ARMENIANS

news.am
Nov 26 2009
Armenia

In the light of recent developments in Armenian-Turkish relations,
various sources over the globe touch upon this topical issue. Thus,
Arabic-language news network Al Jazeera issued an article under
"Turkish Armenians hope for new era" head, that describes life,
concerns and hopes of Armenian community in Turkey.

The Armenia-Turkey process was of large significance especially
for Armenians of Turkey, "one community that has been watching this
process with a mixture of both hope and trepidation is the Armenian
community of Istanbul."

"Numbering between 60,000 to 70,000, these are the last descendants
of a community that once numbered millions throughout the territory
of Turkey’s predecessor, the Ottoman Empire," the e-source
reads, underlining that Armenians are presently the largest
"officially-recognized minority group with a history in the city
[Istanbul] that stretches back to medieval times" in the country.

According to Al Jazeera, despite numerous problems, Armenians and Turks
have "generally good on personal level." However, "this rapprochement
has been both welcomed and feared by the Turkish Armenian community,"
the source says.

Turkish Armenians hail positive ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP) government. Commenting on the policy of ruling AKP party, the
editor of Armenian Turkey-based Marmara newspaper Robert Haddeler
told Al Jazeera, "For the first time, we have felt that the mood in
government has changed. Now we are hoping that this change of mood
will take place amongst the population at large."