Tweet
Originally posted by lal
View Post
Lal,
You're welcome.
I believe in communication but I also believe it might end up being counter-productive, at least in the short-term.
Let me explain. Armenians and Turks, despite living amongst each other for centuries have many fundemental differences when it comes to how we view religion, freedom, history, group versus individuality, etc. As two groups of people, we stand diametrically opposed on many issues, not just political and historical, and these were very apparent since day one of the Turkish arrival to Asia Minor. I think if you read up on Armenian history, you will see we are generally very cosmopolitan, mercantile, schrewd, and individualistic. Because of these characteristics alone, we were basically pre-ordained not to live well in the Ottoman Empire. At the polar opposite, Turkey is based upon a culture of machismo, group first, ready for battle mentality and they believe this serves them well. If a shift does not occur in Turkish eduaction this process will fail.
The more Armenians and Turks get to know one another, the more the hatred and division could actually grow.
I will say, if Turks were like you I would not hesitate to promote such communication whole-heartedly and I believe it would have a very good chance of being successful.
Should we take that chance? Perhaps. On a personal level, I have a handful of Turkish friends but they are of the liberal variety, self-admitedly, and have come to terms with the fact that Turkish liberals are few in number.
I've been to Turkey enough (as this is where my wife grew up and in-laws still live) to know that their brand of nationalism knows no bounds and they are willing to go to to extremes to protect their dogma. As I think you were explaining in your last post, I'm very aware of their stubborness too. That does not bode well for any sort of "compromise". I apologize for the generalizations but Turks do play a zero-sum game, they do not ever apologize, they do not admit when they are wrong, they do not hesitate to blame others for their defeats and they certainly do not hesitate to scapegoat "the other". They will cut-off their nose to spite their face. Anything less is seen as dishonor. Furthermore, this mentality is encouraged by the Turkish government. It has long served them for the populace to remain paranoid.
There are a minority of Armenians that react in similar ways no doubt and they are certianly loud and active. We have our own fascists. They are not taken nearly as seriously, have no political power, are much fewer in number, and generally ignored. I agree that those type of people are quite embarrassing and only anger the few Turkish liberals willing to engage Armenians and support Armenians.
I also agree with you assertion that Armenians have won the battle of acceptance globally, for the most part. And like the Armenian government said, the truth is not up for compromise. Armenians and Turks should speak about many issues but speaking about the validity of the Genocide is pointless and will alienate and wound Armenians further. It is also pointless for Turkey to hold back diplomatic relations with Armenia. If the two sides are prevented from talking at an official level, that will certainly doom any third-party communication efforts to failure. Armenia has no pre-conditions with Turkey regarding diplomatic relations but are offered numerous pre-conditions by Turkey that further insult.
There is nothing in the Armenian Costitution relating to the borders with Turkey. Turkey is not even mentioned.
Although the Armenian diaspora is against Turkey joining the EU (as this is seen as an undeserved reward for a fascist nation growing increasingly nationalistic) Armenia supports Turkeys candidacy on an official level.
Perhaps Armenians are so against Turkey in every facet because it is the only restitution they will ever see. Since we won't have any closure on the issue, perhaps we can inflict pain upon Turkey at every avenue. It may not be the best way but it is the only recourse availble at this moment until something changes.
Is Turkey as an EU member safer for Armenia? Maybe. Yet, if they are unwilling to face the past, have open borders, continue to bully Armenia and prevent direct communications then they are not.
Nothing will have changed and Turkey will have been rewarded with EU admission for the sole reason of being strategically important but not on actual merit.
Be that as it may, Turkey can choose the correct way forward. They have the power, not Armenians. If they choose the wrong direction, they cannot blame anyone but themselves. Despite Armenian misgivings and their efforts to thwart Turkey, perhaps Turkey should move ahead with reforms for their own good and like I said, not cut off their nose to spite their face.
Regarding the war in Artsakh, Armenians and Azeris were near an agreement but the Azeris changed their positions and have essentially chosen the path of war. They anticipate they will attack at some point in the future when they feel powerful enough. Not much Armenia can do unless they were willing to give in to Azerbaijan. Doing so would result in 150,000 more Armenians left for dead at the very least and Azerbaijan via their actions in 1988-1992 haver shown just what treatment Armenians living in Azerbaijan can learn to expect.
:
Comment