Anatolian Times, Turkey
Jan 31 2007
Relations With Yerevan
BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- How will the atmosphere created by the murder of Hrant Dink
influence Turkey’s foreign relations in terms of Yerevan? Will this
incident cause a rapprochement between Ankara and Yerevan and the
Armenian diaspora? How will it be reflected in certain countries’
tendency to enact pro-Armenian legislation? Firstly, the shock
created by Dink’s murder created hope after certain positive signals
coming mostly from Turkey. The Turkish nation’s criticism, the
government’s sensitivity, the capture of the gunman and other
suspects and the participation of important people from Armenia and
the diaspora in the funeral created surprise and sympathy in foreign
circles. Certain European newspapers even claimed that this tragic
incident could be an opportunity to melt the ice between Turks and
Armenians and defuse the so-called Armenian genocide as a source of
tension. Repercussions of this hateful attack reminded people of the
rapprochement between Turkey and Greece following our devastating
1999 Marmara earthquake. Of course, these two incidents are very
different, but the similarity is that civil society gave an immediate
and sincere response and took a step for mutual understanding and
sympathy.
The basic thought in the rapprochement between Turkey and Greece was
that the leaders of the two sides knew that they could have solved
the problem between them quickly and easily. However, they also
thought that dialogue must certainly be established so the two
neighboring countries can live peacefully. Likewise, an atmosphere of
softening initiated by civil society dominated thanks to this policy.
Actually, the political disagreements are still unsolved, but the two
sides learned how to live with their problems. Can such a model be
applied in normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia?
Diplomatic relations don’t exist, the borders are closed and there
are no official contacts between the two countries. Ankara stipulates
certain preconditions to establish normal relations. For example, it
wants Armenia to end its occupation of Karabagh and reconcile with
Azerbaijan. Turkey also wants joint commission set up to examine the
genocide claims. Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian,
who came to Istanbul to attend Dink’s funeral, suggested that
relations be established unconditionally. However, the two sides only
repeated their usual positions.
Actually, it’s not so easy to normalize relations between Ankara and
Yerevan. There are certain complications for the two sides. However,
these difficulties can and should be overcome with political will and
courage. Ankara’s establishing relations with Yerevan can ensure a
better understanding with the diaspora and even prevent certain
countries supporting the genocide claims. Of course, there’s no
guaranteed such an opening would prevent the US Congress from passing
an Armenian resolution or stop the campaigns of diaspora militants.
However, the policies we’ve followed up to now haven’t been very
effective, and Turkey’s relations with many countries have been
harmed for this reason. The atmosphere which emerged after Dink’s
murder can create an opportunity to try new strategies. Now it’s time
for the two sides to take steps in this direction.