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ISTANBUL: Being an Armenian in the capital of the bureaucracy (2)

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  • ISTANBUL: Being an Armenian in the capital of the bureaucracy (2)

    Today's Zaman, Turkey
    Jan 6 2014

    Being an Armenian in the capital of the bureaucracy (2)

    A view of a pre-1915 Ulus, Ankara
    6 January 2014 /EMİNE DOLMACI, ANKARA


    Picking up where I left off yesterday, I will share information on a
    new book by the Hrant Dink Foundation titled, "Sessizliğin Sesi 3,
    Ankaralı Ermeniler Konuşuyor" (Sounds of Silence 3, Armenians of
    Ankara Speak), which sheds light on Turkish-Armenians' socio-cultural
    lives in Ankara.

    The book comprises interviews conducted with Turkish- Armenians living
    in Ankara. Ferda Balancar, who directed the group conducting these
    interviews with Turkish-Armenians in Ankara, answers some questions.

    What do they [Armenians] demand in order to confront the past?

    First of all, they demand a sincere and heartfelt apology. They want
    Turkish people to understand the sorrows Armenians have gone through
    not only during the 1915 incidents, but also during the nation-state
    process, without blaming each other.

    What are their expectations of the future compared to other Turkish citizens?

    In fact, they do not have different demands. They want to live in a
    democratic country that respects human rights. They think they would
    have a more comfortable and happy life in such a country.

    Considering the current development level in the country in terms of
    human rights and freedoms, do they feel secure?

    They are also aware of the fact that Turkey has made great progress in
    terms of fundamental rights and freedoms in recent years, but they do
    not feel secure. Because they are concerned that everything may be
    reversed.

    One of the Armenians you interviewed indicated the declining
    population of Armenians in Turkey and said, "We are only a few people.
    What will happen 70 years later?" Do you have an answer for this
    question?

    The Armenian population in Turkey is about 70,000 or 80,000. If they
    continue to have mixed marriages and migrate abroad, there will not be
    an Armenian community in 50 years.

    Some of the witnesses interviewed for the book share their sentiments
    on being an Armenian in Turkey's capital.

    Witness 1: 'I never liked the sense of belonging'

    I would have gone both to the Political Science Faculty and the School
    of Press and Broadcasting at Ankara University. But I did not want to
    go into political science because I thought that I would never be an
    ambassador, governor or bureaucrat because of my Armenian identity. If
    you are an Armenian, the system allocates a very small space for you.
    In 1968, when the street skirmishes between rightist and leftist
    groups were fueled, I went to the School of Press and Broadcasting at
    Ankara University. I never got involved in the clashes between
    rightist and leftist groups, because for both sides, I was irrelevant.
    And no one wanted to lure me to their sides. I have never liked the
    sense of belonging. I have never developed a sense of belonging to any
    group.

    Witness 2: 'Hrant Dink was expressing my feelings'

    Hrant Dink wanted to live as a Turkish-Armenian and serve his country.
    He was expressing my feelings as well. Hrant Dink had a huge influence
    on me. On the day when I learned that he died, I was devastated. Will
    I be a Turk when I say I am a Turk? A person cannot change their
    ethnicity, but I am a good person from Turkey. I carried the Turkish
    flag and read the right poem on Turkish national days. I get emotional
    when I hear our national anthem or see our flag. But I do not want to
    see flags and Atatürk posters everywhere. I am ready and already doing
    my best to unite the common denominators of being from Turkey and
    working the for the sake of this country.

    Witness 3: 'I want to live like a first-class citizen of this country'

    My uncle fell in love with a Greek girl. They ran away together and
    settled in the US. They had five daughters. He opened a tailor's shop
    and he was earning good money. They had a good life. Both my uncle and
    his wife passed away five or six years ago. Although he had good life,
    he always used to say: "I wish hadn't left my country." He went to the
    US, and had a more comfortable life, but he always longed for these
    lands. I do not want to be like my uncle. I want to live in this
    country as a first-class and equal citizen.

    Witness 4: 'I teach Turkish to my grandchildren in Austria'

    When I was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Austria, the
    secretary-general of the party asked me if I had been oppressed while
    living in Turkey because of my Armenian ethnicity. This was the first
    time I understood discrimination. I told her I had never been
    discriminated against, which was the truth. I am an Armenian, but I am
    from Turkey. I love our country. Although I have now lived in Austria
    since 1979, I follow every development in Turkey, and I teach Turkish
    to my grandchildren in Austria.

    Witness 5: 'An era has ended and a new era has started'

    What has changed so that we can discuss the Armenian issue more
    freely? I believe the coup cases have put an end to an era and have
    started a new one. Negotiation is required while trying to do
    something. For example, while talking about the reopening of the Halki
    Seminary on the island of Heybeliada near İstanbul, the issue of
    reopening Turkish mosques in Greece should not be ignored. Allowing
    worship once a year at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross, on the
    Akdamar island in Lake Van, is a symbolic but very important and
    positive move. There are very positive developments, and you cannot
    ignore them.

    Witness 6: 'Since the Armenians have gone, prosperity has been gone too'

    In the recent years, the 1915 incidents and the sorrows Armenians have
    gone through are being discussed. Unlike in the past, the media also
    extensively covers this issue. However, extensively discussing these
    issues has both positive and negative impacts. It is not a good thing
    to twist a knife in that wound. I am cautious about this issue. Look
    at what happened to Hrant Dink. He was working for the sake of this
    country. He wanted to introduce peace between Turks and Armenians. I
    do not understand why the people of this country have gone through
    great pains. Both sides have suffered. There is a saying in Anatolia
    that says, "Since the Armenians have gone, prosperity has gone too."
    But the number of people who think killing Armenians or forcing them
    to migrate was a good thing is not small.

    http://www.todayszaman.com/news-335876-being-an-armenian-in-the-capital-of-the-bureaucracy-2.html


    From: Baghdasarian
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