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TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS AND PUBLIC OPINION
Diplomatic Courier
Oct 25 2013
Oct 15, 2012 Written by Vahram Ayvazyan, Guest Contributor
Recent political developments in the historical Asia Minor and
Trans-Caucasia region beg the question: are state governments the right
institutions to rely on and work with to puzzle out the overarching
challenges the nations are facing concomitantly?
Ongoing dramatic changes in the Middle East in general, and in the
South Caucasus in particular, pose a threat to a peaceful coexistence
within the region. For decades, the Turkish government has been in
a perpetual state of genocide denial, while a series of blunders and
miscalculations made by the Armenian and Turkish governments vis-a-vis
regional policy have sparked tensions. While governments refuse to
cooperate on such issues, direct dialogue between people of Armenia
and Turkey on the one hand, and between the Armenian diaspora and
Turkish diaspora on the other hand, must be a long-term strategy.
Closed borders and current glacial Turkish-Armenian relations
notwithstanding, dialogue and better future are attainable goals.
First and foremost, a tremendous gap exists between true public opinion
and a so-called "published opinion" in quasi-democratic states and
in states in transition. Turkish government officials deny the early
20th century conflict resulted in a genocide of Armenians, but have
not yet succeeding in filling that vacuum with "adequate alternative
stories." They have not yet grasped that media and information can no
longer be controlled by the state, and the the drastic development of
information and communication technologies within Turkey and outside
its borders is gradual, but constantly changing perceptions of history
among ordinary Turks. How long will the Turkish government succeed
in keeping official denial dominant over the real public opinion? It
is only a matter of time.
Yet it is civil society organizations, think-tanks, and NGOs that can
harness the power of ordinary citizens and make their voice heard in
the decision-making processes of governments. Turkish society feels as
though it is on the threshold of a new life. Many Turks are keen on
facing their own history and entering into dialogue with Armenians,
but their thirst for change is hampered by that policy of published
opinion--imposing the Turkish government's denial on Turkish citizens.
It is of utmost significance to engage as many Turkish students,
academics, civil society servants, activists, and ordinary citizens as
possible in dialogue with their Armenian colleagues that will spur an
increase in public awareness of their own history among Turks, as well
as more independence and leverage vis-a-vis their government. Despite
a number of successful projects, more must be done by both sides.
What do Armenians and Turks need for a future of coexistence? The
answer is clear: Armenians need recognition in order recovering from
psychological trauma and dishonor, as well as peaceful coexistence
rather than perpetual unease between two people. Turks need recognition
for a modernizing and democratizing Turkey for entering in a new
era where coexistence replaces enmity, where Turkish society will be
robust enough to overcome 21st century's challenges. Both Armenians
and Turks need to assure themselves that public opinion will win
a decisive victory over state-led published opinion and open new
horizons for two people.
The 100th anniversary (1915-2015) of the Armenian Genocide is fast
approaching. It could prove to be a major breakthrough in genocide
recognition and Armenian-Turkish Dialogue.
Vahram Ayvazyan is a 2012 graduate of the Genocide and Human Rights
University Program at the International Institute for Genocide and
Human Rights Studies in Toronto.
http://www.diplomaticourier.com/blog/1881-turkish-armenian-relations-and-public-opinion
Diplomatic Courier
Oct 25 2013
Oct 15, 2012 Written by Vahram Ayvazyan, Guest Contributor
Recent political developments in the historical Asia Minor and
Trans-Caucasia region beg the question: are state governments the right
institutions to rely on and work with to puzzle out the overarching
challenges the nations are facing concomitantly?
Ongoing dramatic changes in the Middle East in general, and in the
South Caucasus in particular, pose a threat to a peaceful coexistence
within the region. For decades, the Turkish government has been in
a perpetual state of genocide denial, while a series of blunders and
miscalculations made by the Armenian and Turkish governments vis-a-vis
regional policy have sparked tensions. While governments refuse to
cooperate on such issues, direct dialogue between people of Armenia
and Turkey on the one hand, and between the Armenian diaspora and
Turkish diaspora on the other hand, must be a long-term strategy.
Closed borders and current glacial Turkish-Armenian relations
notwithstanding, dialogue and better future are attainable goals.
First and foremost, a tremendous gap exists between true public opinion
and a so-called "published opinion" in quasi-democratic states and
in states in transition. Turkish government officials deny the early
20th century conflict resulted in a genocide of Armenians, but have
not yet succeeding in filling that vacuum with "adequate alternative
stories." They have not yet grasped that media and information can no
longer be controlled by the state, and the the drastic development of
information and communication technologies within Turkey and outside
its borders is gradual, but constantly changing perceptions of history
among ordinary Turks. How long will the Turkish government succeed
in keeping official denial dominant over the real public opinion? It
is only a matter of time.
Yet it is civil society organizations, think-tanks, and NGOs that can
harness the power of ordinary citizens and make their voice heard in
the decision-making processes of governments. Turkish society feels as
though it is on the threshold of a new life. Many Turks are keen on
facing their own history and entering into dialogue with Armenians,
but their thirst for change is hampered by that policy of published
opinion--imposing the Turkish government's denial on Turkish citizens.
It is of utmost significance to engage as many Turkish students,
academics, civil society servants, activists, and ordinary citizens as
possible in dialogue with their Armenian colleagues that will spur an
increase in public awareness of their own history among Turks, as well
as more independence and leverage vis-a-vis their government. Despite
a number of successful projects, more must be done by both sides.
What do Armenians and Turks need for a future of coexistence? The
answer is clear: Armenians need recognition in order recovering from
psychological trauma and dishonor, as well as peaceful coexistence
rather than perpetual unease between two people. Turks need recognition
for a modernizing and democratizing Turkey for entering in a new
era where coexistence replaces enmity, where Turkish society will be
robust enough to overcome 21st century's challenges. Both Armenians
and Turks need to assure themselves that public opinion will win
a decisive victory over state-led published opinion and open new
horizons for two people.
The 100th anniversary (1915-2015) of the Armenian Genocide is fast
approaching. It could prove to be a major breakthrough in genocide
recognition and Armenian-Turkish Dialogue.
Vahram Ayvazyan is a 2012 graduate of the Genocide and Human Rights
University Program at the International Institute for Genocide and
Human Rights Studies in Toronto.
http://www.diplomaticourier.com/blog/1881-turkish-armenian-relations-and-public-opinion