Calling all Turks

[ardakilic]

I'd like Turks and historians to discuss that openly and freely. I also think that in Turkey they are afraid to open these tabou questions of minorities (Greek, Christian, Jews, Kurds, Alevis, etc)

I would like it too. Without insulting, without questioning my ethnical roots, without insulting my family, without ultra-nationalist ecstase, i would like to discuss those issues with denialist Turks.

[Joseph]

I am a Turk living abroad and Armenians are my friends. I believe that there is a big probability it was a genocide. I'd like Turks and historians to discuss that openly and freely. I also think that in Turkey they are afraid to open these tabou questions of minorities (Greek, Christian, Jews, Kurds, Alevis, etc) because they think it can literally divide the country, as they lived just that in the Ottoman times. History explains current Turkish reactions (indeed there were plans to destroy the Ottoman empire, using minorities or financial pressure). And what made Turkey advanced compared to other Muslim countries was indeed our unity as a country. Many think that recognising the genocide would mean paying financial compensation to Armenians (personally I am opposed to that).
My message to Turks would be: don't be afraid, you are strong enough, you are not guilty, you are not going to collapse. Take the initiatives, make peace with yourself, don' t be too emotional, you can make peace with your old enemies.
My message to Armenians would be: be patient and tolerant, support us in our discussions, use direct dialogue and not international pressure. Civil society is and will be ready to discuss more easily in a peaceful atmosphere.
I hope Turks will, in the very near future, celebrate 24th of April with our Armenian friends, commemorating ALL victims of WW1 and after.
I also believe that the first steps would be to respect each other, not denigrating, because many times what I can read in both sides is not good for reconciliation-justice (isn't it what we all want?).

Stick around! We have much to discuss.

[veritas]

Hi friends, I am here too

[Joseph]

Hi friends, I am here too

Welcome.

[Albatros]

Re: Calling all Turks

While I don't see the reason behind calling all the turks to show their "true faces", as turkish cypriot I hereby declare that Armenian genocide happened as stated in my earlier posts.
Concerning the petition "ozur diliyoruz", my educated guess is that the participants would have been higher in numbers however, the intimidation campaign coming from both so-called democratic-minded government as well as from nationalist circles is now in full fury.
Suffices to follow TV channels such as ART.

[Joseph]

Re: Calling all Turks

While I don't see the reason behind calling all the turks to show their "true faces", as turkish cypriot I hereby declare that Armenian genocide happened as stated in my earlier posts.
Concerning the petition "ozur diliyoruz", my educated guess is that the participants would have been higher in numbers however, the intimidation campaign coming from both so-called democratic-minded government as well as from nationalist circles is now in full fury.
Suffices to follow TV channels such as ART.

I appreciate your sentiments Albatros.

Regarding the intimidation campaigns, it seems you are correct and the Turkish Judiciary is going to go after the academics who started the petition. This is a shame. My only hope is that somehow common folks get fed up with the nationalists and the embarrasment they are causing Turkey. Keep us posted.