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TURKEY'S ARMENIAN SUB-ETHNICITY: WHAT KURDS BEWARE
One should understand that a big Armenian sub-ethnicity is living in
Turkey which considers Turkey their homeland and link their future
to the political, economic, social processes in this country. This
population lives on vast territories from Svas and Dersim to the
borders of Syria, Iraq and Iran, forming majority in most regions
and sub-regions. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish between
different groups of Armenians: crypto-Armenians, Muslim Armenians,
Armenian-Alavis, as well as assimilated Armenians.
This population has complicated relations with Kurds. In some cases
they are partners, in other cases they are in obviously unfriendly
relations. These relations depend on such factors as use of land and
other economic factors, as well as political ambitions and aspirations,
first of all, of Kurdish politicians.
The heads of leading political parties are trying to observe the
rules of the game, agreed with different ethnic groups in Anatolia,
including the Armenian sub-ethnicity. It is widely known that there
are not only constant Kurdish-Armenian relations but also certain
agreements which are considered in a link with certain developments.
By political views, it is possible to distinguish the Armenians of
Anatolia in the following way: those who think that Turkey cannot exist
as a whole and support the Kurdish movement (different organizations);
those who link their future to democratization and human rights
in Turkey.
Now the moods and intentions of Kurdish political centers which are
hostile to the Armenians are well known, the factors and motives of
such relations, as well as the relations between different Kurdish
groups of insurgents and political organizations regarding Armenia are
well-known. Certain groups of the Armenian sub-ethnicity are well-aware
of this and are trying to control these moods and intentions.
Currently these groups are going through a period of coordination of
relations which has led to a new situation in Turkey's eastern vilayets
which the Kurdish political organizations cannot help to react to. Of
course, the Turkish state has every possibility to kindle hostility
and lack of confidence among different ethnicities and groups,
and the relevant services have worked out ways of managing this
situation. However, one may assert that some complications between
Kurds and Armenian ethnic groups in Turkey are caused by competition
between the two main branches of the Kurdish national movement,
the Kurdish Labor Party and the Party of Democracy and Peace.
It is known that the second party separated from the Labor Party,
keeping close relations with it by the principle of the well-known
Irish political parties. Armenians are represented significantly
to both parties, which influences certain decisions, and discussion
mainly covers the extent of radicalism. Aside from this, problems of
personality occur and Armenians also play a role in this.
Currently, the national Kurdish movement is working on different
strategies, which needs to be approbated in certain circles, and in
this line of activities the Armenians play an even bigger role. For
example, disputes occurred on the plans of Kurdishizing the Republic
of Azerbaijan, which has caused a lot of issues in the Kurdish circles.
Now the Kurdish national movement and the entire population of
Eastern Anatolia is under threat caused by the failure of Turkey's
democratization, as well as economic and social decline. Now certain
political circles in Ankara will most probably prefer violent methods
in these vilayets with a view to changing the political setting in
the country. A wave of chauvinism and racism will rise, which is able
to cause a tough struggle with democratic organizations.
Here is a simple and tested scheme used in Turkey for many times. This
will further aggravate Turkey's relations with the U.S. and NATO,
as well as the European Union but Turkey and Russia may support each
other though in the foreign political aspect. The domestic situation
is much more important, and the external stakeholders will hardly be
interested in the real prospects related to the situation in Turkey.
The West will face the task of matching strategic and regional
interests relating to Turkey. So far the West has preferred a balance
between the requirements of democracy and military partnership with
Turkey. What should be done further if more radical developments take
place in Anatolia?
However, this does not mean that nobody in the West works out
projects on the future of Anatolia. Both left and right projects
are being worked out simultaneously. This is not the first year but
the developments in Syria and Iraq, as well as normalization of the
American-Iranian relations and attempts at rapprochement of Turkey and
Russia let the Americans and Germany, their chief partner in Europe
regarding the problems of Turkey, understand that it is necessary to
activate the implied initiatives in the form of political projects.
Now there are too many complications on the way of at least partial
implementation of both projects. The Americans believe that this
policy will be supported by NATO and leading states of Europe and
the Near East. There has not been such a situation. Before NATO's
upcoming leap towards the big diagonal in Western Asia it is necessary
to resolve several complicated issues.
Not a long time ago a man of original analytical thinking and political
author Haik Balanyan guided me onto the thought on possible integration
of Iraqi Kurdistan with Turkey, and this suggestion was put forth when
there were no premises for it. However, a more or less thorough study
of this scenario has led to the understanding of many and different
lines of conduct, and most importantly, the understanding of whose
project it is.
Apparently, it is time the developers show the cards which would be
a global sensation. It is not acceptable to ignore details when big
politics is concerned. Therefore, the problems of small ethnic groups
may become an important factor in global politics. This contains
threats and hopes for a break through such a fossilized geopolitical
configuration.
Igor Muradyan, Political Analyst 18:04 17/01/2014 Story from Lragir.am
News: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/31742
One should understand that a big Armenian sub-ethnicity is living in
Turkey which considers Turkey their homeland and link their future
to the political, economic, social processes in this country. This
population lives on vast territories from Svas and Dersim to the
borders of Syria, Iraq and Iran, forming majority in most regions
and sub-regions. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish between
different groups of Armenians: crypto-Armenians, Muslim Armenians,
Armenian-Alavis, as well as assimilated Armenians.
This population has complicated relations with Kurds. In some cases
they are partners, in other cases they are in obviously unfriendly
relations. These relations depend on such factors as use of land and
other economic factors, as well as political ambitions and aspirations,
first of all, of Kurdish politicians.
The heads of leading political parties are trying to observe the
rules of the game, agreed with different ethnic groups in Anatolia,
including the Armenian sub-ethnicity. It is widely known that there
are not only constant Kurdish-Armenian relations but also certain
agreements which are considered in a link with certain developments.
By political views, it is possible to distinguish the Armenians of
Anatolia in the following way: those who think that Turkey cannot exist
as a whole and support the Kurdish movement (different organizations);
those who link their future to democratization and human rights
in Turkey.
Now the moods and intentions of Kurdish political centers which are
hostile to the Armenians are well known, the factors and motives of
such relations, as well as the relations between different Kurdish
groups of insurgents and political organizations regarding Armenia are
well-known. Certain groups of the Armenian sub-ethnicity are well-aware
of this and are trying to control these moods and intentions.
Currently these groups are going through a period of coordination of
relations which has led to a new situation in Turkey's eastern vilayets
which the Kurdish political organizations cannot help to react to. Of
course, the Turkish state has every possibility to kindle hostility
and lack of confidence among different ethnicities and groups,
and the relevant services have worked out ways of managing this
situation. However, one may assert that some complications between
Kurds and Armenian ethnic groups in Turkey are caused by competition
between the two main branches of the Kurdish national movement,
the Kurdish Labor Party and the Party of Democracy and Peace.
It is known that the second party separated from the Labor Party,
keeping close relations with it by the principle of the well-known
Irish political parties. Armenians are represented significantly
to both parties, which influences certain decisions, and discussion
mainly covers the extent of radicalism. Aside from this, problems of
personality occur and Armenians also play a role in this.
Currently, the national Kurdish movement is working on different
strategies, which needs to be approbated in certain circles, and in
this line of activities the Armenians play an even bigger role. For
example, disputes occurred on the plans of Kurdishizing the Republic
of Azerbaijan, which has caused a lot of issues in the Kurdish circles.
Now the Kurdish national movement and the entire population of
Eastern Anatolia is under threat caused by the failure of Turkey's
democratization, as well as economic and social decline. Now certain
political circles in Ankara will most probably prefer violent methods
in these vilayets with a view to changing the political setting in
the country. A wave of chauvinism and racism will rise, which is able
to cause a tough struggle with democratic organizations.
Here is a simple and tested scheme used in Turkey for many times. This
will further aggravate Turkey's relations with the U.S. and NATO,
as well as the European Union but Turkey and Russia may support each
other though in the foreign political aspect. The domestic situation
is much more important, and the external stakeholders will hardly be
interested in the real prospects related to the situation in Turkey.
The West will face the task of matching strategic and regional
interests relating to Turkey. So far the West has preferred a balance
between the requirements of democracy and military partnership with
Turkey. What should be done further if more radical developments take
place in Anatolia?
However, this does not mean that nobody in the West works out
projects on the future of Anatolia. Both left and right projects
are being worked out simultaneously. This is not the first year but
the developments in Syria and Iraq, as well as normalization of the
American-Iranian relations and attempts at rapprochement of Turkey and
Russia let the Americans and Germany, their chief partner in Europe
regarding the problems of Turkey, understand that it is necessary to
activate the implied initiatives in the form of political projects.
Now there are too many complications on the way of at least partial
implementation of both projects. The Americans believe that this
policy will be supported by NATO and leading states of Europe and
the Near East. There has not been such a situation. Before NATO's
upcoming leap towards the big diagonal in Western Asia it is necessary
to resolve several complicated issues.
Not a long time ago a man of original analytical thinking and political
author Haik Balanyan guided me onto the thought on possible integration
of Iraqi Kurdistan with Turkey, and this suggestion was put forth when
there were no premises for it. However, a more or less thorough study
of this scenario has led to the understanding of many and different
lines of conduct, and most importantly, the understanding of whose
project it is.
Apparently, it is time the developers show the cards which would be
a global sensation. It is not acceptable to ignore details when big
politics is concerned. Therefore, the problems of small ethnic groups
may become an important factor in global politics. This contains
threats and hopes for a break through such a fossilized geopolitical
configuration.
Igor Muradyan, Political Analyst 18:04 17/01/2014 Story from Lragir.am
News: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/31742