Re: Armenian-Turkish Relations
On a societal level you're probably right, even if its on a small scale. But at the government level (where it really counts) there is no change to speak of. Turkey did everything in its power to wipe out Armenians, in fact the only reason we have a country at all is because of the last stand battles made by the remaining Armenians in 1918. Ever since then, Turkey knows the eyes of the world are on the region, and so it pretends to be civilized with Armenia. But even in the modern era, a time when Turkey cannot directly attack Armenia because of Russia's open military support, Turkey has nonetheless taken every aggressive action against Armenia short of full-scale warfare. It supported ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Azerbaijan by giving Azeri bandits weapons and political support (which it still does) and it closed its border with Armenia, which by itself is an act of war under international law. The only thing more aggressive than these policies, is open warfare, which Turkey actually threatened to do in 1993 by putting over 50,000 troops on the Armenian border. This is just a continuation of all the crimes they committed against us under the Ottoman Empire (genocide, pogroms, cultural/political suppression, janissary slavery, harem slavery, etc). No civilized person would want diplomatic relations with such a country, especially when THEY are asking US for preconditions. If anyone should be asking for preconditions and security guarantees, its Armenia.
The Turkish government won't have any ties with Armenia for two reasons: Turkey wants Armenia to give up Karabagh (even though it has always been an Armenian province), and Turkey wants Armenia to sign the illegal Kars treaty. They basically want us to give up our lands. Thats the bottom line.
If you truly feel like that then it shows you are civilized... however, I'm afraid you are a small minority with no power. As for the Armenians in Istanbul, they are nice because they are scared to death of provoking the Turks in any way, shape or form. This includes censoring their own thoughts and speech, so they won't end up like Hrant Dink, murdered by a police agent. His murder is a prime example that Armenians in Turkey are STILL actively persecuted by the government and their mobs if they even think about speaking up about any injustices. If you live in Turkey, you know that what I'm saying is true.
Originally posted by sephirosuy
The Turkish government won't have any ties with Armenia for two reasons: Turkey wants Armenia to give up Karabagh (even though it has always been an Armenian province), and Turkey wants Armenia to sign the illegal Kars treaty. They basically want us to give up our lands. Thats the bottom line.
Originally posted by sephirosuy
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