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Istanbul Armenians Generally Support The Protocols

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  • Istanbul Armenians Generally Support The Protocols

    ISTANBUL ARMENIANS GENERALLY SUPPORT THE PROTOCOLS
    Kristine Aghalaryan

    http://hetq.am/en/region/istambul-4/
    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.
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