NON-MUSLIM SOLDIERS’ EXPERIENCES IN THE TURKISH ARMY
Today’s Zaman
Sept 20 2011
Turkey
Last year, writer Tuba Candar published a biography of Hrant Dink. In
addition to interviewing a number of people who knew Dink, Candar also
talked to Dink himself for the book: In that interview, he narrated
his memories of his military service.
It was interesting to learn what mandatory military service means
for non-Muslims in Turkey, where the minorities, including Greeks and
Armenians, have been suffering with mistreatment and discriminatory
practices for a long time. Dink said: “I have been subjected to
discrimination my whole life just because I was Armenian. One of
these occurred during my military service. During my service in the
Denizli 12th Infantry Regiment in 1986, all of my friends except me
were promoted to an upper military rank after the military training. I
was an adult with two kids; maybe I should not have cared about it. But
this discrimination really hurt. Everyone was sharing their joy with
their relatives at the ceremony; but I was alone, sobbing behind the
barracks.” This topic attracted my attention after reading Dink’s
account. Recently another book has been published which may answer my
questions. Researcher and writer Rýfat Bali interviewed 80 non-Muslims
who served in the Turkish army, and published the interviews in
a book titled “Gayrimuslim Mehmetcikler: Hatýralar-Tanýklýklar”
(Non-Muslim soldiers: Memoirs-Witnesses). I have just bought the book;
I am still reading it. Some of Bali’s interviews were also published
in various Turkish newspapers. He makes some interesting statements in
these interviews. Below are some excerpts from different interviews
he gave to different newspapers, namely Milliyet, Agos and Radikal,
which I found interesting:
“Perhaps it is no coincidence that most of those who responded to your
call were Jewish and that only a few Armenians told you their stories?
‘Only a few responses came from Armenians. Of course, there are some
differences between the experiences of Jews and Armenians in terms of
the specific problems they met with as well as their relations with
the state. The problems of the Armenian soldiers generally revolve
around 1915 [when Armenians were forced to leave Turkey]. While
enlisted in the army they witness anti-Armenian propaganda relating
to the incidents of 1915, which they find offensive.’
Who are in the most delicate and difficult position?
‘Armenians. They are being tested and questioned because of the 1915
controversy. They have to prove themselves and their patriotism.’
But is not far more difficult for a Jew serving in the army now?
True: they may face offensive remarks about Israel and Zionism. The
answer to such remarks is simple: ‘I am a Turkish citizen; the
disagreements with Israel are none of my business.'” (Milliyet)
“You are saying that Armenians encounter the most serious problems
during their military service; why is that?
‘The 1915 incidents become a matter of discussion every year;
Armenians experience serious problems in their military service
because of this. The difficulties that the Jews encounter because of
the ongoing row with Israel are not comparable to the troubles that
Armenians experience.'” (Agos)
“What changed after the 1990s, and have things gotten better?
Non-Muslims were viewed as dangerous through the late 1970s. They
were considered dangerous particularly because of their commercial
activities. But this changed in the 80s. Now the shrunken non-Muslim
population is enjoying the benefits of affirmative action, which has
been in place for over the last 15 years.” (Radikal)
Below are excerpts from a former non-Muslims soldiers’ memories
related in Balcý’s book:
Yosi Kastoryano says: “When they separated the illiterates, former
convicts and non-Muslims from the rest in the selection of staff for
different positions, I wondered why I was being considered together
with the illiterate and the former cons…”
Arsen Yarman says: “A high-ranking military officer came in, with
a list on his hand. He said: ‘Those whose names I call, take one
step forward.” Then, he called out: ‘Garo Halepli, Agop Yeþil, Ardaþ
Altýnay.’ We were nine soldiers, all Armenian. He said: ‘You others
go get your equipment.’ We were looking at each other, afraid for
our lives. We thought they were going take us to another place and
kill us. It turned out that they had chosen us for appointment as
sergeants. But we were thinking that we were going to be deported.”
I hope that Turkey will someday fully confront its discriminatory
and racist practices, and that this valuable work by Rýfat Bali is
used as a textbook in out children’s history classes.