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Historian Taner Akcam says Armenian border should be opened for
normalization of relations
16:08 20.04.2013
As the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaches, historian
Taner Akcam suggests Turkey open its borders with Armenia as a step to
normalize relations between the two countries. Talking to Today's
Zaman Akcam claims that the Armenian issue cannot be solved unless
diplomatic ties are established.
Akcam, who describes the 1915 events as `genocide,' says that Turkey
should stop wasting its time with the argument that 1915 was not
genocide `by exploiting people's ignorance about this matter and
creating an unnecessary debate.' He argues that 1.2 million Armenians
were forced to relocate under the rule of the Committee of Union and
Progress (CUP) during the Ottoman Empire.
He also argues that thirst, hunger and diseases were among the main
reasons for the deaths, but the groups that were forced to migrate
were intentionally led to take the longer routes and were not provided
water and food during their journey.
`Few people know this, but the Armenian genocide was one of the main
reasons why the word `genocide' was first coined. Raphael Lemkin is
the person who coined this word and admits that the Armenian genocide
was decisive in this coinage,' Akcam said.
Asked how the Armenian issue can be solved, the historian said: `I
think we should focus on a `Turkish issue' rather than on the
`Armenian issue.' First of all, we, Turks, must learn to talk about
what happened in the past. We must learn both what the truth was and
how we can discuss it. To know the history and to talk about it are
two different things. In my opinion, the first thing to do is to learn
how this can be understood and share sorrows. We must be able to
listen to Armenians as they talk about their heart-wrenching
experiences.'
`On the state level, a government which really intends to solve this
issue must first change its wording and style. The language of peace
and fraternity is different from that of strife. First of all, a
language that would facilitate the settlement must be created. To this
end, the publications including official websites of certain
ministries that are rife with hatred and animosity against Armenians
must be shut down. The Board of Coordination for Combating Unfounded
Genocide Claims, subordinated to the National Security Council (MGK),
must be abolished. As long as there is such a board, it is a fancy to
believe Turkey will launch an initiative about genocide,' he said.
`The second step is to open up border crossings. We can solve a past
issue only by normalizing ties today. As long as the border crossings
are kept closed and no diplomatic ties are established with Armenia,
this issue cannot be solved. If people don't know each other and if
they don't talk to each other, how will they settle a problem among
themselves? Dialogue is a sine qua non component of communication
among people. If Turkey opens up the border crossing with Armenia and
calls it `Hrant Dink Border Gate,' this would be a good gesture,' the
historian continued.
Taner Akcam believes the third step is to pay an apology. `In our
time, heads of state and government pay apologies in connection with
past tragedies. When they do, this does not humiliate them. Rather
this boosts their prestige. Turkey must take this step. Given the fact
it expected Israel to pay an apology for an attack against a vessel,
Turkey should know that Armenians nurture similar expectations about
the death of about 1 million people in 1915. This problem cannot be
solved if the Turkish government does not accept the fact that 1915
incidents were a crime that cannot defended ethically. For two
societies and sides to make peace, Turkey must denounce the crimes
against the Ottoman Armenians in 1915 and declare that those crimes
were morally/ethically unacceptable.'
`The fourth step is to launch a number of moves to compensate for the
past's losses. In this scope, Armenians who have roots in Anatolia may
be automatically granted Turkish nationality. Another step may be to
recognize and promote the Armenian cultural heritage in Turkey. In
this framework, religious, cultural and historical Armenian buildings
may be renovated. Reviving the destroyed or damaged Armenian cultural
heritage and civilization in Anatolia will be the best response to the
past's subversive mentality.
Another symbolic yet significant step might be to return the churches,
buildings and fields seized in Çukurova region that belonged to
SisKatolikosChurch, which is of secondary or even equal importance to
Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin,' Mr. Akcam said.
`Another thing we can do is to raise awareness of people. To ensure
public access to correct information and eliminate the negative
effects of 100-year old brainwashing and denial policies, programs may
be organized to inform the public, through participation of Armenian
scholars, and via the press. Joint committees at various levels
(Parliament, universities, etc.) between two countries may be
established and civilian initiatives to boost relations may be
developed,' he said.
As for the expectations from 2015, the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, the Turkish historian said: `If Turkey does not
seriously change its policies and if the US, the UK and Israel do not
modify their stance, I don't think anything special will happen. And
there is nothing to suggest that these countries will change their
position. I think people will conduct demonstrations and repeat the
same arguments. And then April 25 will come.'
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/04/20/historian-taner-akcam-says-armenian-border-should-be-opened-for-normalization-of-relations-3/
normalization of relations
16:08 20.04.2013
As the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaches, historian
Taner Akcam suggests Turkey open its borders with Armenia as a step to
normalize relations between the two countries. Talking to Today's
Zaman Akcam claims that the Armenian issue cannot be solved unless
diplomatic ties are established.
Akcam, who describes the 1915 events as `genocide,' says that Turkey
should stop wasting its time with the argument that 1915 was not
genocide `by exploiting people's ignorance about this matter and
creating an unnecessary debate.' He argues that 1.2 million Armenians
were forced to relocate under the rule of the Committee of Union and
Progress (CUP) during the Ottoman Empire.
He also argues that thirst, hunger and diseases were among the main
reasons for the deaths, but the groups that were forced to migrate
were intentionally led to take the longer routes and were not provided
water and food during their journey.
`Few people know this, but the Armenian genocide was one of the main
reasons why the word `genocide' was first coined. Raphael Lemkin is
the person who coined this word and admits that the Armenian genocide
was decisive in this coinage,' Akcam said.
Asked how the Armenian issue can be solved, the historian said: `I
think we should focus on a `Turkish issue' rather than on the
`Armenian issue.' First of all, we, Turks, must learn to talk about
what happened in the past. We must learn both what the truth was and
how we can discuss it. To know the history and to talk about it are
two different things. In my opinion, the first thing to do is to learn
how this can be understood and share sorrows. We must be able to
listen to Armenians as they talk about their heart-wrenching
experiences.'
`On the state level, a government which really intends to solve this
issue must first change its wording and style. The language of peace
and fraternity is different from that of strife. First of all, a
language that would facilitate the settlement must be created. To this
end, the publications including official websites of certain
ministries that are rife with hatred and animosity against Armenians
must be shut down. The Board of Coordination for Combating Unfounded
Genocide Claims, subordinated to the National Security Council (MGK),
must be abolished. As long as there is such a board, it is a fancy to
believe Turkey will launch an initiative about genocide,' he said.
`The second step is to open up border crossings. We can solve a past
issue only by normalizing ties today. As long as the border crossings
are kept closed and no diplomatic ties are established with Armenia,
this issue cannot be solved. If people don't know each other and if
they don't talk to each other, how will they settle a problem among
themselves? Dialogue is a sine qua non component of communication
among people. If Turkey opens up the border crossing with Armenia and
calls it `Hrant Dink Border Gate,' this would be a good gesture,' the
historian continued.
Taner Akcam believes the third step is to pay an apology. `In our
time, heads of state and government pay apologies in connection with
past tragedies. When they do, this does not humiliate them. Rather
this boosts their prestige. Turkey must take this step. Given the fact
it expected Israel to pay an apology for an attack against a vessel,
Turkey should know that Armenians nurture similar expectations about
the death of about 1 million people in 1915. This problem cannot be
solved if the Turkish government does not accept the fact that 1915
incidents were a crime that cannot defended ethically. For two
societies and sides to make peace, Turkey must denounce the crimes
against the Ottoman Armenians in 1915 and declare that those crimes
were morally/ethically unacceptable.'
`The fourth step is to launch a number of moves to compensate for the
past's losses. In this scope, Armenians who have roots in Anatolia may
be automatically granted Turkish nationality. Another step may be to
recognize and promote the Armenian cultural heritage in Turkey. In
this framework, religious, cultural and historical Armenian buildings
may be renovated. Reviving the destroyed or damaged Armenian cultural
heritage and civilization in Anatolia will be the best response to the
past's subversive mentality.
Another symbolic yet significant step might be to return the churches,
buildings and fields seized in Çukurova region that belonged to
SisKatolikosChurch, which is of secondary or even equal importance to
Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin,' Mr. Akcam said.
`Another thing we can do is to raise awareness of people. To ensure
public access to correct information and eliminate the negative
effects of 100-year old brainwashing and denial policies, programs may
be organized to inform the public, through participation of Armenian
scholars, and via the press. Joint committees at various levels
(Parliament, universities, etc.) between two countries may be
established and civilian initiatives to boost relations may be
developed,' he said.
As for the expectations from 2015, the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, the Turkish historian said: `If Turkey does not
seriously change its policies and if the US, the UK and Israel do not
modify their stance, I don't think anything special will happen. And
there is nothing to suggest that these countries will change their
position. I think people will conduct demonstrations and repeat the
same arguments. And then April 25 will come.'
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/04/20/historian-taner-akcam-says-armenian-border-should-be-opened-for-normalization-of-relations-3/