The Armenian Question that become a current issue on Senate towards march and come to our minds leading us think about will the president call it "genocide" is our agenda with the acceptance of the case in Parliament of France in which denying genocide allegations is a crime. Turkish Government responded classically; recalling its ambassador and reviewing the relations. As every year, big amounts of money were given to the parliaments and lobbies in which the proposal is discussed. This is the point where the wrong policy of Turkey in Armenian Issue started.
Turkey supposed to solve the Armenian Question in Treaty of Lausanne but remembered it in 1976 with the terrorist attacks of ASALA. So to speak it has been stranger to it. For Armenians, immigrating to the four corners of the world after 1915 and ensoul the Turk hatred, the struggle was about to start. As stated by Prof. Dr. Abdulkadir Cevik: "In identical structures of Armenians there is either their base components and the components of Turks. Even though they want to avoid from it they can't. For this reason by sublimating their one part of identity intentionally they externalize the other part. Armenians firstly have to face this problem. " For Armenian State and Armenian Diaspora, establishing its identity on Turkish hatred and having a national struggle, it is must for Turkey to change its strategy towards 100. anniversary of genocide allegations. Accordingly in October 2009 after "Football Diplomacy", Turkey proved that it wanted to reveal determination and stability with the protocols between Turkey and Armenia. But with no conducting the process, with no taking into consideration of public diplomacy, extemporaneousness of Armenian Public and not being satisfied of brother country Azerbaijan bring the process to a standstill.
Towards 100.Anniversary of genocide allegations, Turkey's attitude should be exempting the third parties from the process. Because, this problem can be solved by Turkey and Armenia, not by any other countries. Neither Russia, achieving its continuance and efficiency Caucasus Southern from controversy of Armenia and Karabakh, nor France, using this problem as a politic football, nor European Minsk Group want to solve this problem. As stated by Hrant Dink: “Turks and Armenians are like patients in aspect of relations. Armenians are the doctors of Turks; Turks are teh doctors of Armenians. Apart from that there is no other doctor, medicine or anything."
To make a good dialog, primarily two sides should overcome the counter perception. To destroy this perception in the points where state relations come to a standstill civil diplomacy and social effect should be put into action. Turkey will have chance to practice own thesis as long as this effect happens. Nongovernmental organizations, academicians and think tanks can practice this effect and mending the fences with each other may help create a public opinion. In this context, Public Diplomacy Coordinatorship and institutions like Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TCDA) serving for Turkish Foreign Policy should be used efficiently in this process.
Turkey must differ Armenian State and Armenian Diaspora. There is a great pressure of Armenian Diaspora and Armenian Opposition on Armenian Government. In the process of subscriptions of protocols between Turkey and Armenian, Armenian Government and heavy criticisms about Sargsyan and public opinion caused not examining the subject effectively by Armenian government. It seems impossible unless Armenian Government take the whole initiatives.
Turkey should communicate to Armenian Diaspora and Lobby with the hand of Turkish diplomats in abroad. As stated by Ahmet Davutoglu: "Armenian Diaspora is our diaspora. Because, those people immigrated to America, France from this country." Every yer big amount of money is given by Turkey when this subject becomes a major point on America's and France's agenda; bur Turkish lobbying should not be funneling money. Turkey should creat its own public diplomacy in those countries. It's should not be forgotten that Armenians living in Turkey have a great importance as interceders between Turkey and Armenia.
The acceptance of the case in Parliament of France in which denying genocide allegations is a crime show us that Turkphobia and Islamaphobia are used as political goals. It also shows that West politics still perform policy obsessively. The decision of Parliament of France harms not only relations between Turkey and EU but also dialog process between Turkey and Armenian. The boundaries of authority of Turkish foreign policy will be imposed restriction.
Conclusion:
Turkey reorient both in domestic and foreign policy towards 100. anniversary of Armenian genocide allegations. The Armenian Issue is too serious to be rent matter for politicians and it means the shared history, future and dignity of two nations. Turks and Armenians are embittered sons of same mother. How Anatolia would embraces everybody? For this reason, the solution of Armenian Question is not in USA or Parliament of France but in Anatolians in holding numerous societies and civilizations.
Ümit Nazmi HAZIR
Translated by Doğanay Durmuş
[1] ‘’Türkiye Ergenlik Döneminde’’ Artanç Savaş, 09.01.201 http://www.sabah.com.tr/Pazar/2011/01/09/turkiye_ergenlik_doneminde
[2] Vassaf, Gündüz, ‘’Hrant Dink Harvard’da’’ Radikal Gazetesi, 04.03.2007
[3] ‘’Davutoğlu:Ermeni diasporası da bizim’’ Tuğba Tekerek, 03.04.2011 http://www.taraf.com.tr/haber/davutoglu-ermeni-diasporasi-da-bizim.htm
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