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RUBEN SAFRASTYAN: TURKEY FEARS CONSEQUENCES OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL
As Armenia is marking the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in
Western Armenia, Turkey authorities intensify their actions against
international recognition of that fact. Ruben Safrastyan, Director
of the Institute of Oriental Studies, National Academy of Sciences
of Armenia, comments on the Turkey's denial policy and the recent
actions at the request of ArmInfo.
by David Stepanyan
Tuesday, March 17, 17:38
Turkey's political gestures concerning the Gallipoli and the Genocide
of Armenia show its endeavors to bring the world before a dilemma on
April 24 - either the tragedy of Armenians or the victory of Turk. Do
you think that such policy of Ankara is promising?
The Armenian Genocide Centennial events do not at all make the world
make a choice. On April 24, 2015, Armenians worldwide are going to
pay a tribute to the 1.5 mln Armenians, who became the victims of
the Genocide. Turkey, in turn, has launched a rampant campaign by
doing its best to overshadow the centennial of the crimes committed by
Young Turks. Ankara resorts to rather dirty methods to do that. One of
such methods is to postpone the date marking the Battle of Gallipoli
from March 18 to April 24. Ankara has done this to make the heads of
the leading countries of the world make a moral choice between the
festive events in Turkey and the mourning events in Armenia. most of
the countries perceive these Turkish tricks as a dishonest step. It
is Turkey's business not to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to
hinder its recognition by other countries. But making other countries
choose between the events in Armenia and Turkey demonstrates Ankara's
attempts to shift its problems off its own shoulders onto others. No
one likes this, as a matter of fact. I think the heads of the states
will express their stand by 24 April 2015 and I do hope that they
will not yield to Ankara's dirty tricks.
How would you describe Ankara's current efforts towards its denial
policy?
Turkish officials responsible for the policy towards Armenia appear to
be in confusion. At least look at the latest hasty steps in Turkey's
genocide denial policy, "the Gallipoli undertaking" and the January
meeting of Turkish ambassadors with UNESCO Secretary General Irina
Bokova, and the attempts to use the parliamentary and cultural
diplomacy. Those, often contradictory actions in all fronts bring
that confusion to light. It appears to me that in Ankara they fear
consequences of that policy. They are well aware what it all may
turn into.
What consequences?
It is a very serious issue. As far as I think Turks fear big losses
as a country that not only denies the Genocide but also acts beyond
the present-day world perception, which is fraught with isolation.
West's policy to control Turkey has to some extent isolated the
country and restricted its ambitions, hasn't it?.
Sure, this shows the West's distrust in Turkey. Nevertheless, Turkey
continues to suffer from its dependence on the United States, first
of all. As a NATO member, Turkey receives weapons from the U.S. and
there is no escaping from that. Actually, Turkey's failures in the
Middle East make it even more dependent on the U.S. Neither it can
turn to the East unless it has normal relations with Egypt.
What really holds Turkey from following suit of Germany and avoiding
the consequences of the Genocide committed by the Young Turks?
It is a very complicate question. There are at least five reasons
why Turkey cannot follow suit of Germany and avoid the consequences
of the Genocide committed by the Young Turks. First, the founders
of the Turkish Republic were historically the people that directly
participated in the Genocide of Armenians, except Ataturk. Second,
the Armenian people were robbed and in Turkey they increased their
wealth due to those robbed funds. Third, the major goal of the
Genocide was to exterminate the Armenian people in their historical
motherland - Western Armenia, which was an attempt 'to settle' the
Armenian Cause. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide will not only
imply Turkey's responsibility for that crime but also the recognition
of the present Eastern Anatolia as the original Western Armenia. The
fourth reason is that Turkey fears the consequences of the Genocide
recognition i.e. Armenia's compensation demands.
The fifth reason is of moral nature. Given my personal meetings with
Turks of the last 25 years, I have arrived at a conclusion that they
perceive the issue of the Genocide recognition as a national and moral
issue. They think that by recognizing the Genocide, the authorities
will label the Turkish people as a people that committed Genocide.
Therefore, at least the current generation of the Turkish authorities
will do their best to avoid that label.
Irrespective of the political vector, do you see any need in restoring
the relations with Turkey?
The Pan-Armenian Declaration expressing the people's united will in
achieving the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
the recall of the Armenian-Turkish protocols from the parliament of
Armenia almost coincided. What was the political goal of those steps?
The PanArmenian Declaration is an unprecedented phenomenon in our
reality, for the Armenians from all over the world have finally
reached a consensus. We need to stay strong in the pursuit, we must
show cooperative participation in every single important endeavor. The
consensus of the Armenians can guarantee our future achievements. The
PanArmenian Declaration is a spectacular example of the endeavor's
success. I was expecting the protocols to be recalled before April 24.
I think "dead" protocols could not be of significance in the politics.
Commemorating the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, we could not
have such a document in the Armenian parliament. It is important that
Turkey torpedoed the reconciliation process, not Armenia.
The problem of the Armenian Genocide recognition will hardly be on the
first place of Turkey's foreign policy. What challenges and problems
has Turkey faced?
Turkey is facing serious problems in its foreign policy (regional,
particularly). The problems come from Erdogan's ambitious goals that
do not meet Turkey's potential and true political weight. AKP's
desire to bite more than it can chew is bigger than Turkey's real
opportunities and that desire engenders a number of problems in the
country's regional policy. Besides the problems with Syria, such a
policy will bring to the deterioration in relations with Egypt, and
Iran. Erdogan's attempt to lead an independent foreign policy incurs
Turkey's western partners' displeasure. Remaining a NATO member and
tending to access the EU, Ankara does not coordinate its actions with
the western partners, but also acts contrary to their interests.
There is a third aspect that is not to be underestimated. To reach
its ambitious goals, Turkey is ready to rely on the ISIS.
"Islamic State..."
And the IS too. To some extent, ISIS is the result of the Turkish
policy. By present the ISIS militia units' commanders keep receiving
medical treatment at hospitals on the Turkish territory. Until quite
recently terrorists were getting arms via Turkey. There are still facts
about it. Turkey's refusal to join the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition
is a hard argument for Turkey's reluctance to deteriorate relations
with ISIS. This comes from Turkey's desire to get rid of Assad and
achieve Syria's non-existence as a state that has a long frontier
with Turkey. First of all, Turkey uses ISIS in its fight against
Assad's regime. The united and strong Syria stands on Turkey's way of
becoming the regional leader. This is why Ankara intervened Syria's
inner affairs.
Armenian Foreign Minister's visit to Israel passed quite
unnoticed. Why?
I have no specific information, however, I can say that three years
ago Dr. Cohen, a high-rank member of the Israeli MFA and a qualified
specialist in regional problems, paid a visit to our Institute. He
became the first Israeli official to declare of his country's
determination to recognize the Armenian Genocide. And that despite
the fact that there are people who oppose the recognition.
The truth of the matter is that the Israeli political elite has not
yet agreed a united approach to the issue of the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. Based on my meetings with the Israeli colleagues,
I can say that even various MFA departments do not have agreed a
united approach to the problem. Thus, it is all about political
operations and is used by Israel in its anti-Turkish policy in
response to Ankara's anti-Israeli policy. However, both countries
continue their relations. We got used to the fact that our tragedy
is made use of in foreign countries' policy. I believe, it is time
to speak of our interests as well.
As for Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian's recent visit to Israel
and his meeting with the President of Israel, it should be considered
as an effort towards Israel's recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
You mean that the Armenian Foreign Ministry has much to do in Israel,
don't you?
Sure, there is a huge field for Armenian Foreign Ministry's activity
in Israel. Not only Armenia is interested in the cooperation, but
the Israeli side as well, given its policy in the Southern Caucasus
and despite the relations with Azerbaijan.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=4F3FC8B0-CCB3-11E4-975F0EB7C0D21663
From: Baghdasarian
As Armenia is marking the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in
Western Armenia, Turkey authorities intensify their actions against
international recognition of that fact. Ruben Safrastyan, Director
of the Institute of Oriental Studies, National Academy of Sciences
of Armenia, comments on the Turkey's denial policy and the recent
actions at the request of ArmInfo.
by David Stepanyan
Tuesday, March 17, 17:38
Turkey's political gestures concerning the Gallipoli and the Genocide
of Armenia show its endeavors to bring the world before a dilemma on
April 24 - either the tragedy of Armenians or the victory of Turk. Do
you think that such policy of Ankara is promising?
The Armenian Genocide Centennial events do not at all make the world
make a choice. On April 24, 2015, Armenians worldwide are going to
pay a tribute to the 1.5 mln Armenians, who became the victims of
the Genocide. Turkey, in turn, has launched a rampant campaign by
doing its best to overshadow the centennial of the crimes committed by
Young Turks. Ankara resorts to rather dirty methods to do that. One of
such methods is to postpone the date marking the Battle of Gallipoli
from March 18 to April 24. Ankara has done this to make the heads of
the leading countries of the world make a moral choice between the
festive events in Turkey and the mourning events in Armenia. most of
the countries perceive these Turkish tricks as a dishonest step. It
is Turkey's business not to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to
hinder its recognition by other countries. But making other countries
choose between the events in Armenia and Turkey demonstrates Ankara's
attempts to shift its problems off its own shoulders onto others. No
one likes this, as a matter of fact. I think the heads of the states
will express their stand by 24 April 2015 and I do hope that they
will not yield to Ankara's dirty tricks.
How would you describe Ankara's current efforts towards its denial
policy?
Turkish officials responsible for the policy towards Armenia appear to
be in confusion. At least look at the latest hasty steps in Turkey's
genocide denial policy, "the Gallipoli undertaking" and the January
meeting of Turkish ambassadors with UNESCO Secretary General Irina
Bokova, and the attempts to use the parliamentary and cultural
diplomacy. Those, often contradictory actions in all fronts bring
that confusion to light. It appears to me that in Ankara they fear
consequences of that policy. They are well aware what it all may
turn into.
What consequences?
It is a very serious issue. As far as I think Turks fear big losses
as a country that not only denies the Genocide but also acts beyond
the present-day world perception, which is fraught with isolation.
West's policy to control Turkey has to some extent isolated the
country and restricted its ambitions, hasn't it?.
Sure, this shows the West's distrust in Turkey. Nevertheless, Turkey
continues to suffer from its dependence on the United States, first
of all. As a NATO member, Turkey receives weapons from the U.S. and
there is no escaping from that. Actually, Turkey's failures in the
Middle East make it even more dependent on the U.S. Neither it can
turn to the East unless it has normal relations with Egypt.
What really holds Turkey from following suit of Germany and avoiding
the consequences of the Genocide committed by the Young Turks?
It is a very complicate question. There are at least five reasons
why Turkey cannot follow suit of Germany and avoid the consequences
of the Genocide committed by the Young Turks. First, the founders
of the Turkish Republic were historically the people that directly
participated in the Genocide of Armenians, except Ataturk. Second,
the Armenian people were robbed and in Turkey they increased their
wealth due to those robbed funds. Third, the major goal of the
Genocide was to exterminate the Armenian people in their historical
motherland - Western Armenia, which was an attempt 'to settle' the
Armenian Cause. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide will not only
imply Turkey's responsibility for that crime but also the recognition
of the present Eastern Anatolia as the original Western Armenia. The
fourth reason is that Turkey fears the consequences of the Genocide
recognition i.e. Armenia's compensation demands.
The fifth reason is of moral nature. Given my personal meetings with
Turks of the last 25 years, I have arrived at a conclusion that they
perceive the issue of the Genocide recognition as a national and moral
issue. They think that by recognizing the Genocide, the authorities
will label the Turkish people as a people that committed Genocide.
Therefore, at least the current generation of the Turkish authorities
will do their best to avoid that label.
Irrespective of the political vector, do you see any need in restoring
the relations with Turkey?
The Pan-Armenian Declaration expressing the people's united will in
achieving the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
the recall of the Armenian-Turkish protocols from the parliament of
Armenia almost coincided. What was the political goal of those steps?
The PanArmenian Declaration is an unprecedented phenomenon in our
reality, for the Armenians from all over the world have finally
reached a consensus. We need to stay strong in the pursuit, we must
show cooperative participation in every single important endeavor. The
consensus of the Armenians can guarantee our future achievements. The
PanArmenian Declaration is a spectacular example of the endeavor's
success. I was expecting the protocols to be recalled before April 24.
I think "dead" protocols could not be of significance in the politics.
Commemorating the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, we could not
have such a document in the Armenian parliament. It is important that
Turkey torpedoed the reconciliation process, not Armenia.
The problem of the Armenian Genocide recognition will hardly be on the
first place of Turkey's foreign policy. What challenges and problems
has Turkey faced?
Turkey is facing serious problems in its foreign policy (regional,
particularly). The problems come from Erdogan's ambitious goals that
do not meet Turkey's potential and true political weight. AKP's
desire to bite more than it can chew is bigger than Turkey's real
opportunities and that desire engenders a number of problems in the
country's regional policy. Besides the problems with Syria, such a
policy will bring to the deterioration in relations with Egypt, and
Iran. Erdogan's attempt to lead an independent foreign policy incurs
Turkey's western partners' displeasure. Remaining a NATO member and
tending to access the EU, Ankara does not coordinate its actions with
the western partners, but also acts contrary to their interests.
There is a third aspect that is not to be underestimated. To reach
its ambitious goals, Turkey is ready to rely on the ISIS.
"Islamic State..."
And the IS too. To some extent, ISIS is the result of the Turkish
policy. By present the ISIS militia units' commanders keep receiving
medical treatment at hospitals on the Turkish territory. Until quite
recently terrorists were getting arms via Turkey. There are still facts
about it. Turkey's refusal to join the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition
is a hard argument for Turkey's reluctance to deteriorate relations
with ISIS. This comes from Turkey's desire to get rid of Assad and
achieve Syria's non-existence as a state that has a long frontier
with Turkey. First of all, Turkey uses ISIS in its fight against
Assad's regime. The united and strong Syria stands on Turkey's way of
becoming the regional leader. This is why Ankara intervened Syria's
inner affairs.
Armenian Foreign Minister's visit to Israel passed quite
unnoticed. Why?
I have no specific information, however, I can say that three years
ago Dr. Cohen, a high-rank member of the Israeli MFA and a qualified
specialist in regional problems, paid a visit to our Institute. He
became the first Israeli official to declare of his country's
determination to recognize the Armenian Genocide. And that despite
the fact that there are people who oppose the recognition.
The truth of the matter is that the Israeli political elite has not
yet agreed a united approach to the issue of the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. Based on my meetings with the Israeli colleagues,
I can say that even various MFA departments do not have agreed a
united approach to the problem. Thus, it is all about political
operations and is used by Israel in its anti-Turkish policy in
response to Ankara's anti-Israeli policy. However, both countries
continue their relations. We got used to the fact that our tragedy
is made use of in foreign countries' policy. I believe, it is time
to speak of our interests as well.
As for Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian's recent visit to Israel
and his meeting with the President of Israel, it should be considered
as an effort towards Israel's recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
You mean that the Armenian Foreign Ministry has much to do in Israel,
don't you?
Sure, there is a huge field for Armenian Foreign Ministry's activity
in Israel. Not only Armenia is interested in the cooperation, but
the Israeli side as well, given its policy in the Southern Caucasus
and despite the relations with Azerbaijan.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=4F3FC8B0-CCB3-11E4-975F0EB7C0D21663
From: Baghdasarian