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Claims that Turks are more civilized is only partially true ` opinions
from Armenia
12:29 ¢ 09.08.14
Tert.am has talked to Armenian Turkologists over Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's recent remark that being called an Armenian by the media has
been a big insult to him over the years of tenure.
Artak Shakaryan said he believes that the Turkish premier tried in
that way to attract the more nationalistically-disposed voters who
feel a kind of hesitant about electing Ekmeleddin Ä°hsanoÄ?lu, the joint
candidate of the Republican People's Party.
`But I believe that apart from the pre-election campaign, Erdogan also
expresses the very idea of being an anti-Armenian. Our statements that
the Turkish society has changed, becoming more civilized, applies only
to a class of people in Istanbul, as a matter of fact. The
overwhelming majority, who predominantly reside outside of Istanbul,
still feel insulted about being called an Armenian,' he explained.
Shakaryan noted that the phenomenon is observed mutually, with the
word Turk often provoking negative emotions in the Armenian society.
`If a politician here is accused of being an offspring of a Turk, it
will probably be viewed as a racist statement. But I think that it
will be an essential insult for the given politician,' he added.
Commenting on Kurdish candidate Selahattin Demirtas's promise to
recognize the Armenian Genocide in case of being elected, Shakaryan
said that politician, who is the first ever ethnic Kurd to join a
presidential campaign in Turkey, as little if any chances to be
elected.
The expert added that Turkey, which has never abandoned its
pan-Turkist ambitions, continues making paces in that direction.
`The Soviet Union's collapse offered them an essential chance, but
Turkey was weak and unable to benefit from that then. Now Turkey is
just waiting for a better chance; it is more neo-Osmanist than
pan-Turkist,' he added.
Addressing Erdogan's statement, Hakob Chakryan said he expects it to
increase the incumbent premier's electorate.
`It is insulting for our people, and expressions of the kind are not
becoming of not only a statesman but also an ordinary citizen. That
demonstrates that Erdogan ` sensible though he may be ` never gives up
the Armenophobia specific to nationalists when it comes to the
Armenians. It is insulting for not only the Istanbul-Armenian
community but also the other non-Turkish citizens,' he added.
Asked about the Kurdish candidate's pre-electoral pledge, Chakryan
replied, `He is a very smart personality, and he has spoken a lot in
favor of the Genocide recognition. He makes positive statements about
all nations. But that doesn't bring him votes, as the Turkish society
and government are unanimous on the Armenian Genocide issue.'
Chakryan added that he doesn't expect Erdogan's strong anti-Armenian
views to essentially impact the country's policies on Armenia. `Turkey
will change its policies when it faces pressures by the United States
and Europe. Erdogan pursues hostile policies in general,' he noted.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/08/09/shaqaryan-chaqryan1/
From: A. Papazian
from Armenia
12:29 ¢ 09.08.14
Tert.am has talked to Armenian Turkologists over Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's recent remark that being called an Armenian by the media has
been a big insult to him over the years of tenure.
Artak Shakaryan said he believes that the Turkish premier tried in
that way to attract the more nationalistically-disposed voters who
feel a kind of hesitant about electing Ekmeleddin Ä°hsanoÄ?lu, the joint
candidate of the Republican People's Party.
`But I believe that apart from the pre-election campaign, Erdogan also
expresses the very idea of being an anti-Armenian. Our statements that
the Turkish society has changed, becoming more civilized, applies only
to a class of people in Istanbul, as a matter of fact. The
overwhelming majority, who predominantly reside outside of Istanbul,
still feel insulted about being called an Armenian,' he explained.
Shakaryan noted that the phenomenon is observed mutually, with the
word Turk often provoking negative emotions in the Armenian society.
`If a politician here is accused of being an offspring of a Turk, it
will probably be viewed as a racist statement. But I think that it
will be an essential insult for the given politician,' he added.
Commenting on Kurdish candidate Selahattin Demirtas's promise to
recognize the Armenian Genocide in case of being elected, Shakaryan
said that politician, who is the first ever ethnic Kurd to join a
presidential campaign in Turkey, as little if any chances to be
elected.
The expert added that Turkey, which has never abandoned its
pan-Turkist ambitions, continues making paces in that direction.
`The Soviet Union's collapse offered them an essential chance, but
Turkey was weak and unable to benefit from that then. Now Turkey is
just waiting for a better chance; it is more neo-Osmanist than
pan-Turkist,' he added.
Addressing Erdogan's statement, Hakob Chakryan said he expects it to
increase the incumbent premier's electorate.
`It is insulting for our people, and expressions of the kind are not
becoming of not only a statesman but also an ordinary citizen. That
demonstrates that Erdogan ` sensible though he may be ` never gives up
the Armenophobia specific to nationalists when it comes to the
Armenians. It is insulting for not only the Istanbul-Armenian
community but also the other non-Turkish citizens,' he added.
Asked about the Kurdish candidate's pre-electoral pledge, Chakryan
replied, `He is a very smart personality, and he has spoken a lot in
favor of the Genocide recognition. He makes positive statements about
all nations. But that doesn't bring him votes, as the Turkish society
and government are unanimous on the Armenian Genocide issue.'
Chakryan added that he doesn't expect Erdogan's strong anti-Armenian
views to essentially impact the country's policies on Armenia. `Turkey
will change its policies when it faces pressures by the United States
and Europe. Erdogan pursues hostile policies in general,' he noted.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/08/09/shaqaryan-chaqryan1/
From: A. Papazian