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THE HUGE ASYMMETRY BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE ARMENIAN DIASPORA
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
March 12 2015
by BARCIN YÄ°NANC
When Armenians in the former Republic of the Soviet Union were
discussing declaring independence, some objected to it, saying that
the moment Armenia declared independence Turkey would attack and
kill Armenians.
This anecdote was told to a group of journalist and academics last
week by an Armenian who was present during these discussions. He
also revealed that in 1992-93, when Russia stopped sending supplies,
the Turkish government allowed the Europeans to send supplies via
the closed Turkish border. "Turkey saved us from starvation," he said.
He talked about that incident within the context of the exaggerated
prejudices that are still very strong among Armenians, who believe
that Turks are waiting for any opportunity to harm them. In other
words, he was trying to show the discrepancy between the reality and
the conviction.
The discrepancy between the conviction and the reality during the
Cold War can be explained, to a certain degree, by the fact that
there was no free flow of information behind the Iron Curtain. But
such discrepancies are harder to explain in the information age.
In Turkey, fortunately, the gap between the conviction and the reality
on what happened in 1915 is narrowing. The speed with which it is
narrowing might not be satisfactory to many Armenians, but after
decades of nothing moving, the wheels of change are turning. They
are gaining speed with each day.
Compared to 10 years ago, there is tremendous change. There is less
denialism and more questioning of what happened. Even on the official
level there has been recognition of the sufferings of the Armenians,
reflected in the statement issued by the prime ministry on April 24
last year.
When Turks talk about this important change, the reaction of the
Armenians usually says that it is too little, too slow.
One hundred years after the tragedy, perhaps their impatience can
be understood. Nevertheless, after nearly 100 years of a Turkish
position based on "we have done nothing wrong," the degree to which
this understanding is changing should be appreciated.
The change in motion should at least be known by the Armenian
diaspora. But it seems that they are not too aware of it.
Why is it important that they should know?
It is important because if they are aware of it reconciliation will
be easier. If you see that your interlocutor is making an effort to
change their "red lines," it is easier to build a dialogue.
So as much as change is taking place on the Turkish side, one wonders
whether there is any change in the stance or narrative of the Armenian
diaspora.
It is not easy to answer this question, because the Armenian diaspora
is not a monolithic entity.
Armenians tell us that views about expectations from Turkey differ -
from simple apology to the return of land. It seems that this is also
valid for the younger generations, who keep a sense of common purpose.
However, there does appear to be one significant new factor in the
Armenian camp: The large number of Armenian diaspora members visiting
Turkey. "This is important for the humanization of Turkey. Turks become
real and Turkey becomes real," said one Armenian living in the U.S.
We need a change in the perceptions and convictions on both sides
for a lasting reconciliation. For now, the change on the Turkish side
has more momentum than the change on the Armenian side.
March/12/2015
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-huge-asymmetry-between-turkey-and-the-armenian-diaspora.aspx?PageID=238&NID=79549&NewsCatID=412
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
March 12 2015
by BARCIN YÄ°NANC
When Armenians in the former Republic of the Soviet Union were
discussing declaring independence, some objected to it, saying that
the moment Armenia declared independence Turkey would attack and
kill Armenians.
This anecdote was told to a group of journalist and academics last
week by an Armenian who was present during these discussions. He
also revealed that in 1992-93, when Russia stopped sending supplies,
the Turkish government allowed the Europeans to send supplies via
the closed Turkish border. "Turkey saved us from starvation," he said.
He talked about that incident within the context of the exaggerated
prejudices that are still very strong among Armenians, who believe
that Turks are waiting for any opportunity to harm them. In other
words, he was trying to show the discrepancy between the reality and
the conviction.
The discrepancy between the conviction and the reality during the
Cold War can be explained, to a certain degree, by the fact that
there was no free flow of information behind the Iron Curtain. But
such discrepancies are harder to explain in the information age.
In Turkey, fortunately, the gap between the conviction and the reality
on what happened in 1915 is narrowing. The speed with which it is
narrowing might not be satisfactory to many Armenians, but after
decades of nothing moving, the wheels of change are turning. They
are gaining speed with each day.
Compared to 10 years ago, there is tremendous change. There is less
denialism and more questioning of what happened. Even on the official
level there has been recognition of the sufferings of the Armenians,
reflected in the statement issued by the prime ministry on April 24
last year.
When Turks talk about this important change, the reaction of the
Armenians usually says that it is too little, too slow.
One hundred years after the tragedy, perhaps their impatience can
be understood. Nevertheless, after nearly 100 years of a Turkish
position based on "we have done nothing wrong," the degree to which
this understanding is changing should be appreciated.
The change in motion should at least be known by the Armenian
diaspora. But it seems that they are not too aware of it.
Why is it important that they should know?
It is important because if they are aware of it reconciliation will
be easier. If you see that your interlocutor is making an effort to
change their "red lines," it is easier to build a dialogue.
So as much as change is taking place on the Turkish side, one wonders
whether there is any change in the stance or narrative of the Armenian
diaspora.
It is not easy to answer this question, because the Armenian diaspora
is not a monolithic entity.
Armenians tell us that views about expectations from Turkey differ -
from simple apology to the return of land. It seems that this is also
valid for the younger generations, who keep a sense of common purpose.
However, there does appear to be one significant new factor in the
Armenian camp: The large number of Armenian diaspora members visiting
Turkey. "This is important for the humanization of Turkey. Turks become
real and Turkey becomes real," said one Armenian living in the U.S.
We need a change in the perceptions and convictions on both sides
for a lasting reconciliation. For now, the change on the Turkish side
has more momentum than the change on the Armenian side.
March/12/2015
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-huge-asymmetry-between-turkey-and-the-armenian-diaspora.aspx?PageID=238&NID=79549&NewsCatID=412
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress