TANER AKCAM: TURKISH POLICY OF DENIAL IS A STRATEGY OF BUYING TIME
Ruzan Khachatryan
"Radiolur"
16.09.2009 18:48
There are two separate problems between Turkey and Armenia. You could
define the first as the normalization of relations and the second
as the problem of reconciliation as a result of what occurred in
history. These two problems should be dealt with entirely separately,
and normalization of relations should be achieved immediately,
without any precondition," Taner Akcam, who holds the chair in
Armenian Genocide Studies at Clark University, said in an interview
with daily Taraf.
"The establishment of diplomatic relations should follow the opening
of the borders. Azerbaijan should be made to understand that its
objections are unjustified and that the normalization of relations
between Turkey and Armenia is in its own interest also," he said.
As for turning the discussion to the problems related to history,
Taner Akcam notes the late Hrant Dink would say, "The real problem
is the normalization of relations and the opening of borders. Without
that, you can’t solve any problem."
The interview was reproduced by the Armenian Reporter today with
Professor Akcam’s permission.
Professor Akcam does not believe that either Armenia or international
circles will accept the formation of a commission based upon the
recommendation of the Turkish government to "research the claims of
Agenocide." "This idea is based on some false presumptions. First
of all is a presumption that operates from an idea that there is an
unknown out there, and that if historians were to get together and
publish what they knew, this unknown would disappear. In fact, this
is not the case, either for the Armenians or for the international
academic world. What we have before us is Turkey’s policy of denial.
According to the professor, the subject bears a close resemblance to
the Kurdish issue. "For 90 years, Turkey claimed that there were no
Kurds, and that these people were really Turks who happened to live
in the mountains. Telling Kurds today, "Let’s form a commission and
study the problem scientifically, and if the commission determines
that Kurds do exist, we’ll move forward from there," makes about as
much sense as saying, "We will accept the decision of a commission
formed for the purpose of making a decision on the events of 1915."
"Secondly, this belief rests on a false presumption that if the
commission were formed and a conclusion were reached, everyone would
agree and accept that conclusion. Neither Armenians nor the interested
academic world expects or needs this," he said.
If the job of examining the archives is given to a future commission
or commissions, isn’t there a danger that finding a solution to the
problem gets postponed even further?
"This is in fact a ve ry possible risk. The now 90-year-long Turkish
policy of denial is in reality, a strategy of buying time. This
strategy is what is behind pouring millions of dollars into Washington
lobbyists. Every time the question is on the agenda, what’s been said
is, "Let’s get past this headache one more time. We’ll pay any price
now and think about it later." If Turkey tries to link the resolution
of the problem to research conclusions of the commission or commissions
to be formed, then it falls right into this "buying time" playbook,"
Accoridng to the professor, the enlightenment of Turkish society is
a priority; to help people who have been spoon-fed lies for over 90
years learn the truth. "Society’s lack of information and the need
to address that is a priority. In order to do that, you need candid
and free discourse on the subject. I have my doubts that this can
be achieved without rescinding Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal
Code. There are intellectuals among us who are still being prosecuted
and punished for using the word "genocide." Before you start forming
commissions, you need to remove the obstacles that prevent an honest
and open discourse."
"Of course you can form commissions. Those commissions could be
bestowed with the duty of creating the kind of atmosphere that
will lay the groundwork for a positive reception, by each country’s
public opinion, to a resolution. The most fundamental=2 0problem is
the creation of trust. The commissions should really be formed not
to come to a conclusion about history but to create trust between
the two countries. Starting with the parliaments of each respective
country, commissions that would oversee various organizations should
be formed on the civil society level, and these commissions should
endeavor to promote mutual understanding and growing trust between
these societies," Taner Akcam said.