A New Phase:Discussing the Armenian Genocide in Turkey
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I salute the editor of Armenian Observer Professor OsheenKeshishian for the recent article he published in his newspaper’s July 17, 2013 issue, titled ‘We have to Apologize to the Armenians’ written by BurakBedil of Hurriyet Daily. In this article-to any Turkey watchers great astonishment-, a secularist writer was advocating justice to his Islamist counterparts to go ahead and tell the Islamist government of Erdogan to move forward to recognize “full list of Turkish atrocities in the 20th century, decorated further with an official apology to the victims and their relatives”. He further adds that, although he is a secularist but not a Kemalist, he does not think that secular Turks are the reason for Turkey’s inability to recognize its darker past.
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My motivationof writing this column is not to analyze the intention of the writer and/or the message which he is trying to convey; but rather,to emphasis to the fact that, how important it is to share this type of articles with the Armenian reader forbetter understanding of the changing dynamics within Turkey, especially when it comes to the recognition of The Armenian Genocide. It appears the discussion of the Armenian Genocide has reached to a new level in Turkey, where opposing political sides are encouraging the other side to go ahead and to do the right thing! Although, the Armenian Observer always been at the fore front since the beginning stages-the Armenian conference of Istanbul in 2005-, informing its readers about the changing debate in Turkey in regards to the Armenian issue, many other Armenian publications are still hesitant to follow suit. As if any positive development in Turkey in this aspect, somehow,is always too marginal to recognize and not worthy to report, or it is nothing more than political maneuvering on the side of some pro state point of view Turkish intellectuals, or maybe even fearing that it may be interpreted as a “bad thing” by their readers. Contrary, it is extremely important for us Armenians to follow this change and debate in Turkey about the 1915 rather closely, so that we can also configure how to re approach Turkish denialists when we are discussing this issue based on these new realities, since the ultimate goal is the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
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More than a decade ago, when Professor TanerAkcam as a Turkish scholar -Akcam is the first Turkish scholar, who openly recognized the Armenian Genocide in 1999- first visited LA as guest speaker, invited by Organization of Istanbul Armenians, to lecture about the Armenian Genocide, many in the audience could not believe what they were hearing from this Turkish scholar’s mouth. Nowadays, Prof. Akcam is a regular face in the Armenian circles, as the leading professor teaching the Armenian genocide in an American University. Since Akcam’s first appearance in the Armenian circles in LA, other Turkish nationals followed suit, Prof.CengizAktar-organizer of the “we apologize campaign”-, Journalist HasanCemal, Umit Kurt of Clark University to name the few. As the Armenian audiences heard these Turks discussing the Armenian Genocide openly, most of us were amazed to hear the sincerity in their voice. Especially, in my opinion, Journalist HasanCemal ( the grandson of Cemal pasha) openly using the “G” word-first time ever on his part in a public forum-, in front of a pack audience in UCLA, invited by AGBUAsbedsin 2011, followed by a book by the same, called 1915: the Armenian Genocide in Turkish, becoming a best seller in Turkey,is a remarkable change which need to be recognized by all of us. In my opinion, we Armenians should not hesitate to acknowledge,to applaud, and most importantly to readjust our thinking and our approchement to this vital issue, by looking at it from the angle of this new political reality on the ground. After all, time after time it is becoming clear and obvious that, forcing Turkey’s hand via third countries mainly by the West is a “wishful thinking” on our part. At the end of the day, West always finds itself directly or indirectly on the side of its economic and political interests, and not necessarily supporting what is just or a historical reality in the name of “correctness or humanity”! Therefore, expecting the West to turn its back to Turkey (17th largest economy of the world),during post 9/11 era, when its most important political priority is to limit maneuvering capacity of radical Islam (Turkey being the most moderate Islamic model), is,at besta demonstration of a wishful thinking, if not a political naivety.
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This does not mean that we should not continue to put energy behind to do more of the same, and use the Armenian lobbying power to move forward in our struggle for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. But, it means, if we want to get results,nowadays we also have new options, and now, it is time to attempt to develop a new game plan for our struggle, utilizing these options. Firstly, we need to recognize what these options are, but most importantly at an organizational level we need to facilitate working relationship to reach and start working with these progressive Turks who are at the fore front of the same struggle we are in to have the Turkish State to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Secondly, let’s accept it, talking about the Armenian Genocide, and openly calling it as such, in Turkey as a Turk, is, far riskier task than doing the same as a westerner or as an Armenian living somewhere in the West or in Armenia. Therefore we must give the credit where it is due, and as Armenians we must get connected with these individuals and extend the support they need for our common cause rather than doubting, underestimating their efforts. It is possible some of that these Turk’s motivation in this struggle may differ from the Armenian side –e.g. faster democratization of Turkey by accepting its darker past-, but so what? End result matters the most! Last, but not least, Armenian media should exercise due diligence in reporting all these events and debates related to the Armenian Genocide taking place in Turkey to the Armenian public, to keep us informed and to help us to keep pace with the changes and the new political realities. Adjustment to the right approach, and new way of thinking can only be developed if we are well informed and understand the changing realities.
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In conclusion, once again I like to remember what Hrant Dink said in his last appearance in USA in November of 2006, couple months before his assassination, “change in Turkey should be expected from within, bottom up, not dictated by outside forces, or from top down”. Is there anyone out there who is questioning this Armenian martyr’s wisdom and his understanding of the governing realities within Turkey? If not, than, what are we waiting for? Change is happening now; therefore, we need to ask, when, will weArmenians be doing our share to be connected with this change and exercise new options to get results, rather than only doing more of the same?
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Kurken Y. Berksanlar
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Woodland Hills, California