TURKEY MUST OPEN BORDER – VAHRAM TER-MATEVOSYAN
21:58 * 17.03.15
Expert in Turkic studies Vahram Ter-Matevosyan does not see any need
to focus on who will be in Armenia or in Turkey on April 24.
Of higher importance are the messages different countries’
representatives will bring to Armenia and the benefit their presence
in Armenia could bring to all-Armenian programs, Mr Ter-Matevosyan
told Tert.am.
He shares Cem Ozdemir’s opinion that events to mark the Battle of
Gallipoli in Turkey on April 24 will backfire and can by no means
overshadow the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
According to Mr Ozdemir, if he had a meeting with Turkish President
Recep Erdogan he would urge him to open the Armenian-Turkish border
as a special step on the threshold of the Armenian Genocide centennial.
As to the possibility of Turkey opening its border with Armenia this
year as demonstration of good will or even as a propaganda stunt,
Mr Ter-Matevosyan said:
“First, I should say that Cem Ozdemir is an influential political
figure in Germany and it was no coincidence that parallels were once
drawn between him and US President Barack Obama. Ozdemir is said to
have a great political future ahead of him. His party is an important
actor, so such a statement is of importance. As regards your question
proper, I can say the following: Turkey will continue its policy,
and I do not see any grounds for it to backtrack. I do not accept
the wording ‘act of good will’ regardless of how well it is packaged.
About 25 years have passed since Turkey unilaterally closed the
border thus violating international law, and Armenia’s economy has
been sustaining huge losses. One more important factor is that any
steps will prove a surprise for Armenia. I do not want Armenia to
only get information and face the consequences.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Francois
Hollande are expected to visit the Memorial to Armenian Genocide
victims in Yerevan. The Armenian side does not provide any information
on numerous official delegations and individual officials that are like
to arrive in Armenia to attend events marking the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide. It may be a tactical step.
Asked which state leaders are likely to arrive in Armenia and go
to Turkey and the possibility of US delegations’ visits to both the
states, Mr Ter-Matevosyan said:
“Several months ago Turkey stated that representatives from over 30
countries would arrive in Turkey. It is difficult to say whether it
correspondents to the facts and which states Turkey is seeking to
make an impression on. As Ozdemir noted events to mark the Battle of
Gallipoli in Turkey on April 24 will backfire, and the events can by
no means overshadow the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The real reason for and dishonest purpose of changing the date is
common knowledge. As to which states will be represented in Armenia,
I think that of higher importance are the messages different countries’
representatives will bring to Armenia and the benefit their presence
in Armenia could bring to all-Armenian programs.”
The Armenian Genocide centennial is an “object” of the Armenian-Turkish
propaganda war.
“Both the sides have invested huge financial and human resources.
Armenians are logically holding great expectations as Armenians
are making demands. Turkey is defending itself, employing all the
instruments typical of this policy. It is too early to speak of
results. I am sure that it will even be too early to speak of it on
April 25. I hope it will develop into a process, which will give new
impetus to the Armenian people’s struggle,” Mr Ter-Matevosyan said.
One hundred Turkish Christians are expected to arrive in Armenia on
April 24 to apologize to Armenians on behalf of the Turkish people
and offer a common prayer.
As to what percentage of Turkish society has similar views, the
expert said that any figures can hardly be cited, however, the fact
is that self-identification process is continuing g in Turkey. It is
especially seen among Armenians and even the European Commission’s
report on Turkey’s progress for 2012 mentioned the fact.