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WHAT DOES ERDOGAN'S 1915 MESSAGE MEAN?
Today's Zaman, Turkey
April 25 2014
Column by Orhan Kemal Cengiz
It was the first time in the history of Turkey that a prime minister
issued a message on the anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915,
which is commemorated on April 24.
I have no intention of undervaluing this historic step at all. It is
important, meaningful and promising; there is no doubt about it.
When I was reading the message, the full text of which was
published on the Today's Zaman website on Tuesday (It can be read
here http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail.action?newsId=345906),
I underlined a few parts that I believe have special importance.
Erdogan said in this message, "In Turkey, expressing different
opinions and thoughts freely on the events of 1915 is the requirement
of a pluralistic perspective as well as of a culture of democracy
and modernity.
Some may perceive this climate of freedom in Turkey as an opportunity
to express accusatory, offensive and even provocative assertions
and allegations.
Even so, if this will enable us to better understand historical issues
with their legal aspects and to transform resentment into friendship
again, it is natural to approach different discourses with empathy
and tolerance and expect a similar attitude from all sides."
We can read these words as promising for more and more freedom
of expression on the discussion of the Armenian genocide. And in a
diplomatic manner, Erdogan accepts that they will not have any problem
with the G-word, although they themselves refrain from using it.
Erdogan also said in this message, "The people of Anatolia, who
lived together for centuries regardless of their ethnic and religious
origins, have established common values in every field, from art to
diplomacy, from state administration to commerce." This message is
also important to the extent to which it recognizes the heterogeneous
structure of Turkey.
And finally, he said that "...we wish that the Armenians who lost
their lives in the context of the early twentieth century rest in
peace, and we convey our condolences to their grandchildren."
After all these years of complete denial, these words are important
from a humanitarian point of view and a clear break with the classic
official Turkish lines when it comes to the 1915 tragedy.
I believe these words will create an immediate effect on freedom of
expression on the Armenian question; they will encourage more open
and more honest discussion.
And these words may create a much more lasting effect if they are
accompanied by some policy changes. For example, we do not know if
the Foreign Ministry has stopped encouraging Turkish embassies to
make preparations for 2015 along the old official Turkish lines. We do
not know if these words will encourage rapprochement with Armenia and
help Turkey be free of Azerbaijan taking Turkish-Armenian relations
hostage. We do not know if these words will have any effect on the
Turkish Historical Society (TTK), which is a staunch defender of
genocide denial. We do not know if Erdogan will start to include
Armenians and other non-Muslims in the mosaic of Turkey that he very
often describes as "Kurd, Arab, Turk and others," a group that only
includes Muslims.
There are so many unknowns about the list of events that are going
to be triggered by this unprecedented message from the prime minister.
However, this announcement, no matter how late and insufficient,
is something quite meaningful moving towards full recognition of the
Armenian genocide.
From: A. Papazian
Today's Zaman, Turkey
April 25 2014
Column by Orhan Kemal Cengiz
It was the first time in the history of Turkey that a prime minister
issued a message on the anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915,
which is commemorated on April 24.
I have no intention of undervaluing this historic step at all. It is
important, meaningful and promising; there is no doubt about it.
When I was reading the message, the full text of which was
published on the Today's Zaman website on Tuesday (It can be read
here http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail.action?newsId=345906),
I underlined a few parts that I believe have special importance.
Erdogan said in this message, "In Turkey, expressing different
opinions and thoughts freely on the events of 1915 is the requirement
of a pluralistic perspective as well as of a culture of democracy
and modernity.
Some may perceive this climate of freedom in Turkey as an opportunity
to express accusatory, offensive and even provocative assertions
and allegations.
Even so, if this will enable us to better understand historical issues
with their legal aspects and to transform resentment into friendship
again, it is natural to approach different discourses with empathy
and tolerance and expect a similar attitude from all sides."
We can read these words as promising for more and more freedom
of expression on the discussion of the Armenian genocide. And in a
diplomatic manner, Erdogan accepts that they will not have any problem
with the G-word, although they themselves refrain from using it.
Erdogan also said in this message, "The people of Anatolia, who
lived together for centuries regardless of their ethnic and religious
origins, have established common values in every field, from art to
diplomacy, from state administration to commerce." This message is
also important to the extent to which it recognizes the heterogeneous
structure of Turkey.
And finally, he said that "...we wish that the Armenians who lost
their lives in the context of the early twentieth century rest in
peace, and we convey our condolences to their grandchildren."
After all these years of complete denial, these words are important
from a humanitarian point of view and a clear break with the classic
official Turkish lines when it comes to the 1915 tragedy.
I believe these words will create an immediate effect on freedom of
expression on the Armenian question; they will encourage more open
and more honest discussion.
And these words may create a much more lasting effect if they are
accompanied by some policy changes. For example, we do not know if
the Foreign Ministry has stopped encouraging Turkish embassies to
make preparations for 2015 along the old official Turkish lines. We do
not know if these words will encourage rapprochement with Armenia and
help Turkey be free of Azerbaijan taking Turkish-Armenian relations
hostage. We do not know if these words will have any effect on the
Turkish Historical Society (TTK), which is a staunch defender of
genocide denial. We do not know if Erdogan will start to include
Armenians and other non-Muslims in the mosaic of Turkey that he very
often describes as "Kurd, Arab, Turk and others," a group that only
includes Muslims.
There are so many unknowns about the list of events that are going
to be triggered by this unprecedented message from the prime minister.
However, this announcement, no matter how late and insufficient,
is something quite meaningful moving towards full recognition of the
Armenian genocide.
From: A. Papazian