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TURKEY NEEDS TO DEVISE A 2015 STRATEGY
Today's Zaman
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-270139-turkey-needs-to-devise-a-2015-strategyby-mehmet-fatih-oztarsu*.html
Jan 31 2012
Turkey
The recent step by France with respect to the 1915 incidents represents
a great victory for the Armenians before 2015, the 100th anniversary
of the incidents.
The rising image of France, which kept its promises to the Armenians,
may appeal to the leaders of other countries where the Armenian
diaspora has been active. Leaders who exerted efforts to attract the
support of Armenians in elections have more often than not changed
their attitude and stance after the elections; in most cases, they
failed to keep the promises they made during their election campaigns.
This situation has now been changed.
Yerevan welcomed the French move, as evidenced by joyous demonstrations
held around the French Embassy by Armenians and political party
representatives. In particular, old ladies hugged the French diplomats
and officers there and sobbed; this sends a clear message and signal
as to what sort of sensitivities should be held on the matter. Turkey,
which failed to appreciate and notice the growing French investments
in Armenia following an important visit by Nicolas Sarkozy to Yerevan
in October, was shocked by the French move and started new discussions
on French policy.
As these discussions now focus on what kind of attitude Turkey should
adopt vis-à-vis France, the Armenian side refers to this ironic
situation as surprising; it seems Turkey has been ignoring the main
points -- that is to say, the 1915 and Armenian issues. Armenian
experts note that Turkey should develop dialogue with Armenia
immediately and recall that they do not understand why Turkey is
focusing on potential measures against France.
The Armenian authorities last year set up an international commission
for the remembrance and commemoration of the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian genocide; the commission has so far engaged in lobbying
activities and carried out a number of studies as well as completed
scientific research concerning 2015. Likewise, Armenia has intensified
its ties with the diaspora; to this end, they held meetings where they
decided to generate policies focusing on the link between Armenia,
the diaspora and Nagorno-Karabakh.
In fall 2011, at the Pan-Armenian Congress, where a number of Armenians
from different countries participated and which focused on the
intensification of ties with the diaspora, domestic and international
developments were discussed; the congress also discussed several
matters on youth, language and education, preparations towards the
100th anniversary of the genocide and improvement of relations with
the diaspora.
'The diaspora should be fed by the homeland'
President Serzh Sarksyan, who said, "Our formulation is clear: We
want the maximum of the homeland opportunities for the diaspora and
the maximum of the diaspora opportunities for the homeland," stated
the need for the diaspora and the importance attached to it at the
Pan-Armenian Congress as follows: "The diaspora and the homeland
should ensure their mutual survival. The diaspora should be fed by the
homeland in political, cultural, scientific, health and sports terms;
and the homeland should also be fed by the diaspora as well."
The gains of Armenia and the diaspora may of course be linked to the
decision of the Jewish lobby in the West to no longer support Turkey.
However, this could only have a limited impact based on the political
reflex considering the intricate web of relations in the Caucasus,
particularly along the Israel-Azerbaijan and Iran axis. In addition,
some unexpected developments may take place with regard to the
Armenian genocide up until 2015. In this case, Turkey needs to devise a
short-term strategy on 2015 and drop its longstanding traditional and
routine policies. This strategy should complement the normalization
process with Armenia and focus on existing problems rather than
imitating the steps of the diaspora. Turkey should realize that
the publication of some books in response to thousands of scholarly
accounts on the historical aspect of the problem will not do anything
influential; instead, focusing on public diplomacy may alleviate the
fever. Considering that it is not possible to train genocide experts
in a very short time, it will be appropriate to rely on civilian
democracy and the improvement of economic relations.
Institutions which have firsthand ties with Armenia should be supported
to create a common bridge in Turkey. This should be considered in
reference to additional efforts on educational, economic, cultural
and political relations. As part of bilateral educational cooperation,
comprehensive programs may be developed to attract students in Turkish
studies departments in Armenia and Armenian youngsters who speak
the Turkish language. The Yunus Emre Institute has been pursuing a
similar strategy in a number of countries.
In order to improve commercial ties with Armenia, the relevant think
tanks focusing on economic affairs might be supported to resolve the
problems in bilateral commercial relations through joint action.
Considering that 70 percent of the Armenian people support this type
of action, it becomes apparent that immediate steps should be taken on
this matter. In cultural terms, an approach of civilian diplomacy by
which both sides would recognize each other should be advanced. The
parties and people who have never seen an Armenian or a Turk in
their whole life should be brought together. Political relations
will represent the final stage of this process, where Turkish foreign
policy will secure great achievements in this conflict-torn region.
By approaches that consider the sensitivities and demands of the
Armenian side without turning a blind eye to the reality and truth,
Turkey may gain a more prestigious place in the eyes of the Armenian
people than the one France has gained and facilitate the resolution
of common problems. An Armenia which has to buy agricultural devices
from Belarus will be able to have the chance of purchasing its needs
from Turkey after the resolution of its problems. If reconciliation
is desired, increased attention should be paid to the process of
normalization.
*Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu is a strategic outlook expert with the Yerevan
European Regional Academy.
Today's Zaman
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-270139-turkey-needs-to-devise-a-2015-strategyby-mehmet-fatih-oztarsu*.html
Jan 31 2012
Turkey
The recent step by France with respect to the 1915 incidents represents
a great victory for the Armenians before 2015, the 100th anniversary
of the incidents.
The rising image of France, which kept its promises to the Armenians,
may appeal to the leaders of other countries where the Armenian
diaspora has been active. Leaders who exerted efforts to attract the
support of Armenians in elections have more often than not changed
their attitude and stance after the elections; in most cases, they
failed to keep the promises they made during their election campaigns.
This situation has now been changed.
Yerevan welcomed the French move, as evidenced by joyous demonstrations
held around the French Embassy by Armenians and political party
representatives. In particular, old ladies hugged the French diplomats
and officers there and sobbed; this sends a clear message and signal
as to what sort of sensitivities should be held on the matter. Turkey,
which failed to appreciate and notice the growing French investments
in Armenia following an important visit by Nicolas Sarkozy to Yerevan
in October, was shocked by the French move and started new discussions
on French policy.
As these discussions now focus on what kind of attitude Turkey should
adopt vis-à-vis France, the Armenian side refers to this ironic
situation as surprising; it seems Turkey has been ignoring the main
points -- that is to say, the 1915 and Armenian issues. Armenian
experts note that Turkey should develop dialogue with Armenia
immediately and recall that they do not understand why Turkey is
focusing on potential measures against France.
The Armenian authorities last year set up an international commission
for the remembrance and commemoration of the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian genocide; the commission has so far engaged in lobbying
activities and carried out a number of studies as well as completed
scientific research concerning 2015. Likewise, Armenia has intensified
its ties with the diaspora; to this end, they held meetings where they
decided to generate policies focusing on the link between Armenia,
the diaspora and Nagorno-Karabakh.
In fall 2011, at the Pan-Armenian Congress, where a number of Armenians
from different countries participated and which focused on the
intensification of ties with the diaspora, domestic and international
developments were discussed; the congress also discussed several
matters on youth, language and education, preparations towards the
100th anniversary of the genocide and improvement of relations with
the diaspora.
'The diaspora should be fed by the homeland'
President Serzh Sarksyan, who said, "Our formulation is clear: We
want the maximum of the homeland opportunities for the diaspora and
the maximum of the diaspora opportunities for the homeland," stated
the need for the diaspora and the importance attached to it at the
Pan-Armenian Congress as follows: "The diaspora and the homeland
should ensure their mutual survival. The diaspora should be fed by the
homeland in political, cultural, scientific, health and sports terms;
and the homeland should also be fed by the diaspora as well."
The gains of Armenia and the diaspora may of course be linked to the
decision of the Jewish lobby in the West to no longer support Turkey.
However, this could only have a limited impact based on the political
reflex considering the intricate web of relations in the Caucasus,
particularly along the Israel-Azerbaijan and Iran axis. In addition,
some unexpected developments may take place with regard to the
Armenian genocide up until 2015. In this case, Turkey needs to devise a
short-term strategy on 2015 and drop its longstanding traditional and
routine policies. This strategy should complement the normalization
process with Armenia and focus on existing problems rather than
imitating the steps of the diaspora. Turkey should realize that
the publication of some books in response to thousands of scholarly
accounts on the historical aspect of the problem will not do anything
influential; instead, focusing on public diplomacy may alleviate the
fever. Considering that it is not possible to train genocide experts
in a very short time, it will be appropriate to rely on civilian
democracy and the improvement of economic relations.
Institutions which have firsthand ties with Armenia should be supported
to create a common bridge in Turkey. This should be considered in
reference to additional efforts on educational, economic, cultural
and political relations. As part of bilateral educational cooperation,
comprehensive programs may be developed to attract students in Turkish
studies departments in Armenia and Armenian youngsters who speak
the Turkish language. The Yunus Emre Institute has been pursuing a
similar strategy in a number of countries.
In order to improve commercial ties with Armenia, the relevant think
tanks focusing on economic affairs might be supported to resolve the
problems in bilateral commercial relations through joint action.
Considering that 70 percent of the Armenian people support this type
of action, it becomes apparent that immediate steps should be taken on
this matter. In cultural terms, an approach of civilian diplomacy by
which both sides would recognize each other should be advanced. The
parties and people who have never seen an Armenian or a Turk in
their whole life should be brought together. Political relations
will represent the final stage of this process, where Turkish foreign
policy will secure great achievements in this conflict-torn region.
By approaches that consider the sensitivities and demands of the
Armenian side without turning a blind eye to the reality and truth,
Turkey may gain a more prestigious place in the eyes of the Armenian
people than the one France has gained and facilitate the resolution
of common problems. An Armenia which has to buy agricultural devices
from Belarus will be able to have the chance of purchasing its needs
from Turkey after the resolution of its problems. If reconciliation
is desired, increased attention should be paid to the process of
normalization.
*Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu is a strategic outlook expert with the Yerevan
European Regional Academy.