OBSERVATION ON RECONCILIATION: TURKISH SOCIETY CHANGING AS GOVERNMENT POSITION DOESN’T
GENOCIDE | 23.04.15 | 14:03
GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Armenian and Turkish political analysts write that positive change
has occurred in Armenian-Turkish relations among members of society,
but that a solution to the larger questions of friendly relations can
be reached only through face-to-face dialogue of the two governments.
On Thursday in Armenia at a discussion themed “Obstacles and necessary
developments of the regulation of Armenia-Turkey relation in the period
following the Centennial” noted writer and professor of political
science Chengez Akhtar said that the Turkish society is not united
any longer, it is dissolved and there are groups whose opinion does
not coincide with the official position of Turkey.
“One of the most important developments for the Turkish society is
the restoration of the memory of the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish
society does not agree with the government’s opinion that there
was no genocide. In Anatolia the Genocide is considered the loss of
intellectuals,” Akhtar said.
Caucasus institute director, political analyst Alexander Iskandaryan
concurred.
“Only 10 years ago those who spoke like Chengez would either be exiled
or sitting in prison. When I met Hrant Dink (Armenian journalist
assassinated in Turkey), he did not even have a document, neither a
capability to come to Armenia. Turkey changes in a very dynamic way.
What people see from Armenia is Ankara and their government. The
problem Armenians see with Turkey has one name – Erdoghan, Davutoglu,
Ankara,” Iskandaryan said. He added that sooner or later the border
with Turkey will open, and Turkey will recognize the Genocide, however,
according to the political analyst, the Armenian government is not
yet ready for the events that will come following Turkey’s recognition
of the Genocide.
The head of the Analytical Center on Globalization and Regional
Cooperation, political analyst Stepan Grigoryan is sure that Armenia
and Turkey must solve their problems through a direct dialogue.
“Through other countries we try to make Turkey recognize the Genocide.
We came to this platform first of all by the policy led by Turkey.
Turkey did not adopt our protocols; it continued keeping the border
closed, it continues the denial policy. There is only one path – this
issue must be solved though a face-to-face dialogue,” Grigoryan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
