Historyoftruth.com: Turkey has lost the war of propaganda against Armenians. Do you think that Turkey will be able to get rid of this information pollution which has been supported by forgery and even terror? What are the necessary steps that must be taken concerning this subject?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: It is true that Turkey has not been able to effectively resist the propaganda initiatives conducted by Armenians for the last sixty years especially on the genocide allegations. The main reason for this is Turkey being unprepared for such initiatives, Turkish scholars not focusing upon the Armenian Question sufficiently, difficulties arising in publishing some valuable historic studies outside of Turkey, and the Turkish governments not always giving priority to the Armenian question within this rather long timeframe.
When Turkey has not been scholarly strong enough to refute the Armenian genocide allegations, combating Armenian propaganda has been left to diplomacy. Diplomacy has been a success in some countries like the US, while it has failed in some others. In this situation also, the assessment of the various Turkish Governments have taken on the main role.
The Ottoman archives contains the main documents relating to the situation of the Armenians before and during the First World War, their revolts, their cooperation with Russia, their relocation as a result of this cooperation, as well as Armenian terror and propaganda. Based on these documents, it is necessary to increase the numbers of the scholarly works and to first and foremost publish these in foreign languages and in foreign countries. Books advocating the genocide allegations have practically never made use of the Ottoman archives. Therefore, studying Ottoman sources by foreign researchers must be ensured and for this purpose, scholarship must be provided when necessary.
Even if these take place, since Armenian propaganda has influenced public opinion for a long time, changing the false perceptions, especially concerning the subject of genocide allegations, will take many years.
Lastly, the cooperation of the Turks living abroad must be assured much more than today.
Historyoftruth.com: Are there any existing Armenian scholars and Armenian sources which reject the so-called genocide? Is their any research being conducted concerning this subject?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: I do not know of any Armenian scholar who rejects the Armenian genocide allegations. Generally, extremist tendencies dominate the Armenian Diaspora communities and the Armenian scholars. No matter how scientifically just it is, rejecting the genocide allegations and even conveying any doubts about it is not possible for an Armenian scholar. Looking at it from this point of view, it is possible to say that the Armenian scholars are not really free or independent, they are obliged to accept and even defend the genocide allegations being put forth by the Armenian Church and the political parties in which the Dashnaks are at the forefront, otherwise they will be alienated by their own societies.
It is difficult to reach any clear ideas from the Armenian sources concerning the 1915 events, because first of all, these sources are not open to everyone and especially Turks who have not been permitted to examine these sources. To give an example, up to now, only one Turkish researcher has been accepted to the Armenian archives in Yerevan which has been persistently stated as being open to everyone; however, he has later on been arrested and imprisoned under the pretense of smuggling old books which is not convincing at all. This person has been rescued as a result of the initiatives of the American University he studied in and the intervention of an American Presidency candidate. As to the Diaspora archives, no Turkish scholar has been accepted to the Dashnak Party Archives in Boston or the Bogos Nubar Pasha Archives in Paris. If the Turkey-Armenia protocols signed in October 2009 is ratified by the parliaments of both countries and the “Historical Dimension Sub-commission” functions well, then opening all of the Armenian archives to Turkish researchers can be anticipated.
Historyoftruth.com: In the resolution of the Armenian problem, what kinds of responsibilities do the Turkish communities in the US have?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: The US is the country the Armenian Diaspora is the most active in. In fact, the Armenian activities in the US are more than the total of all the activities in other countries. Within this scope, it would not be wrong to say that an “Armenian Genocide Industry” exists in the US. In reality, there are many activities being “produced” in the US to defame Turkey and to introduce Armenian views, these are being “bought” by the Armenian communities, and many individuals, most of them permanently, work within this “sector”. Therefore, our “industry” comparison is not wrong.
Since these types of activities are considered as freedom of expression, it has been proved that they cannot be prevented by diplomatic means. For that reason, it is necessary to respond to them with the same method, and the Turkish communities in the US (and in other countries) have an important role to play in that field.
It should immediately be noted that there are Turks in the US who have been struggling for many years with great sacrifices against the Armenian allegations. However, they are few in numbers and their average ages are rather high. We believe that the main issue to cope with right now is to make sure that young Turks in the US and other countries deal more with Turkey’s interests. It is pleasant to see in the recent years that some positive developments have started to take place regarding this issue. However, much more progress is needed within this scope.
Historyoftruth.com: What is the point of view of the Armenian community in Turkey towards the problem?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: A great majority of the Turkish Armenians is devoted to the principles of the Republic and is faithful to their motherland. Besides religious maters, almost all of them have adopted the Turkish Culture. Generally they are wealthy. Those having financial problems have the opportunity to easily migrate to some countries like Canada or the US.
Armenians of Turkey have been very uneasy during the Armenian terror of the 70’s and 80’s targeting Turkish diplomats as well as the Armenian genocide allegations. They have been worried that these issues can cause conflict between themselves and native Turks. Besides this, the Armenians of Turkey practically have no problem of political nature.
The AGOS newspaper starting to be published in 1996 has aimed at changing this stance of Turkish Armenians, but a great majority of them has preferred to stay out of subjects carrying political motives such as genocide allegations.
Historyoftruth.com: Do you think that the Western world and American media has shown the necessary reactions towards the terrorist actions of the Armenian organization like ASALA conducted towards Turkish diplomats?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: Unfortunately, it is true that the media of Western countries and the US have not reacted strongly enough towards the Armenian terror targeting Turkish diplomats. Various factors play a role in this. First of all, it is right to state that Diaspora Armenians have presented themselves as the victims of Ottomans/Turks even before the events of 1915 and as innocent Christians being tortured by Muslims. Unfortunately, these allegations have been widely accepted. In 1970 when the Armenian terror first started, despite the Cyprus Peace Operation of 1974 being entirely legal, it has been considered by the US and European countries as an invasion of Cyprus. On the other hand, the Turkish military government of 1980 has also increased the negative stances towards Turkey and Turks. The Armenian terror occurring during this period has almost been accepted with some kind of tolerance in the US and Europe. When the Armenian terror has begun to harm others besides Turks such as the 1983 Paris/Orly Massacre, the situation has changed. The terrorists have been pursued more closely, US and European media has although reluctantly, condemned the Armenian terror. Eventually, the Armenian terror targeting Turkish diplomats has ended in 1986, but some individual Armenian terror events have taken place until 1992.
Historyoftruth.com: Is their a link between the Armenian terror organization ASALA and the separatist terror organization PKK?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: Very serious problems have taken place between Armenians and Kurds in the past. Especially in the 19th century, conflicts, sometimes bloody, concerning land ownerships and other matters have existed among the two communities living in the same region. The Hamidiye troops consisting mostly of Kurds have played an important role in suppressing Armenian rebellions. It is known that during the 1915 Armenian relocation, some Kurdish tribes have attacked Armenian convoys for the purpose of robbery and committed massacres. During the partition of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War, Armenians and Kurds have requested the same territories. Despite the existence of these problems, after the Second World War and especially in 1970, separatist Kurds and Armenian terror organizations have attempted to join their forces together towards the “common enemy”. Within this framework, PKK and ASALA have issued a joint declaration on April 8, 1980 stating their decision to establish an “Armenian-Kurdish Federal State” and to carry out a joint activity towards Turkey. There has been some news in the press that after the Armenian terror ended, some Armenian terrorists have joined the PKK.
Today, good relations exist between Diaspora Armenians and separatist Kurds. Some Kurds (for instance the former DPT Leader Ahmet Türk) consistently apologizing to the Armenians have made it easy for these kinds of relations to develop.
Historyoftruth.com: How would you assess the American administration’s financial aid to the so-called Karabakh Republic under Armenian control? Can this be seen as a support to the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijan?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: The US should not aid the Karabakh region which is not recognized by any country, including Armenia, and which is not really poor due to the assistance of Armenia and the Diaspora. However, the American Armenians’ political influence has caused this aid to be given to Karabakh. With this, it should be emphasized that this aid does not mean the Karabakh Administration is recognized by the US. On the other hand, this aid is not big enough to create any political results.
Historyoftruth.com: The normalization process of Turkey-Armenia is almost entirely dependent on the Karabakh conflict. What are your opinions on the resolution of this conflict?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: The Karabakh conflict consists of two separate conflicts which are linked to each other. The first and main one is what will be the political status of this region in the future. Just as during the Soviet Union period, Azerbaijan wants this region to be under its jurisdiction with an extensive autonomy. On the other hand, Armenia insists on Karabakh becoming an independent state. But, it is clear that this suggestion means Karabakh will be annexed by Armenia, because in a short period of time after Karabakh’s independence, they will decide on joining Armenia through a referendum. Co-chairs of the Minsk Group responsible in securing the resolution of the Karabakh Conflict propose that the subject of the status of Karabakh should be dealt with in the future.
The second conflict is the Armenian occupation of the seven Azerbaijani provinces surrounding Karabakh. Although it can be understood from the news in the press that an understanding has been reached on the evacuation of at least five of these provinces by Armenian forces and Azerbaijani refugees returning to their homes, it seems that the implementation of this measure depends on the determination of the future status of Karabakh. In conclusion, the Karabakh conflict seems like a vicious circle.
Historyoftruth.com: How would you assess Turkey’s role in the resolution of the Karabakh Conflict?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: The resolution of the Karabakh conflict has been left in 1992 to a group of countries named the Minsk Group, which also includes Turkey. In 1997, the Minsk Group has passed on their task to their co-chairs consisting of US, Russia and France. For more than ten years, the co-chairs have not been able to find a solution to this problem. The main reason for this is that the co-chairs do not want to apply any pressure or sanctions on Armenia who is occupying Azerbaijani territory.
Since Turkey is not among the co-chairs, she has no function in the pursuit to find a solution. But recently, Turkey linking the ratification of the Turkey-Armenia protocols to the ending of the Armenian occupation of Karabakh has been an important pressure on Armenia.
Turkey’s policy consists of establishing security and cooperation in the whole of the southern Caucasus. It is indeed difficult to consider the resolution of the problems between Turkey and Armenia while the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is continuing. It is even possible that the normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations can complicate the resolution of the Karabakh Conflict, because after securing the opening of the Turkish border, Armenia will surely avoid giving any concession for the Karabakh issue and since the co-chairs are unwilling to pressure Armenia, the Karabakh conflict will remain unsettled.
Historyoftruth.com: How would you explain Armenia’s insistence on their occupation of Karabakh and other Azerbaijani territories and their anti-Turkish policy although the economic situation is very bad and the isolation is rather suffocating the country?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM:In years 2000-2007, a critical development has taken place within the Armenian economy and the national income has shown an increase over 10% each year during this period. In 2008 Armenia’s national income per capita is approximately 4,000 dollars. Therefore, it is not possible any more to mention Armenia’s economy being bad or this country being very poor.
It is also difficult to say that the Turkey-Azerbaijan border remaining closed and Armenia being left out of the energy transfer routes (Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tblisi-Erzurum gas pipeline) greatly harms Armenia’s economy.
Armenia does not owe the improvement of its economy to the industrial and agricultural developments, but to obtaining foreign financial resources with great ease. These resources can be listed as follows: aid from the Armenian Diaspora, money sent by Armenians working outside of Armenia, credits obtained from various international organizations, bilateral financial and technical assistance provided by some countries with US being at the forefront, and investment in Armenia by some countries, especially Russia.
Despite this positive picture, the Armenian economy is very fragile. As a matter of fact, Armenia is among the top countries that have been affected the most by the latest financial crisis. Due to this crisis, the national income has decreased in 2009 by 14.4% which is a great loss.
Considering to what degree the opening of the Turkish border will contribute to the Armenian economy, it is expected that in a short period, Turkey’s exports will increase by two or even three times. But, since the exports are still around 150 million dollars, such an increase does not represent a great amount. As to the increase in Armenia’s exports to Turkey or to any other country, it depends on the increase of its production. It must not be expected that an important increase in Armenian production will take place in a short or even medium term.
There are two reasons for Armenia’s insistence on opening the Turkish border which has for the time being nothing to do with economics. The first is to create tension or even a conflict between Turkey and Azerbaijan. The second is not to be dependent on Georgia’s routes, taking into account the political instability of this country.
Historyoftruth.com: Just as they do at certain time intervals, the US has again brought a draft resolution to the agenda which recognizes the so-called Armenian genocide. How would you assess the possibility of the draft resolution being adopted?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM:Indeed, for the last ten years during each legislative period of the House of Representatives; in other words, once every two years, a draft resolution foreseeing the recognition of the Armenian genocide allegations has been presented to the House and sometimes to the Senate. A majority of the members of the House of Representatives are in favor of the adoption of the drafts. However, the situation in the Senate changes according to the years.
Turkey has absolutely opposed these drafts and has stated that their adoption will negatively effect Turkey-US relations. Taking this attitude of Turkey into consideration, the US governments, by using their influence, have blocked the adoption of the drafts.
What is different from the previous years is that unlike his predecessors, President Obama has stated during the election campaign that if he is elected, he will recognize the Armenian genocide allegations. However, after being elected, President Obama taking into account the Turkey-Armenia normalization process has refrained from recognizing these allegations.
Whether the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia on October 10, 2009 will be ratified or not in the parliaments of both countries is still unknown. If Turkey’s non-ratification of the protocols becomes certain, it can come to mind that President Obama will use the word “genocide” in the declaration issued each year on April 24 for Armenian Remembrance Day and will be unwilling to prevent the adoption of the draft resolutions pending in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
However, as Turkey has clearly stated that the adoption of the genocide drafts will negatively effect bilateral relations with the US, it is not logical to think that the American Government will endanger their cooperation with Turkey for an issue concerning a relatively small number of voters after several times affirming that they need Turkey’s cooperation for the problems with Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, and for the missile defense project.
Historyoftruth.com: How do you think that Turkey can prevent this subject from being used as a political instrument acting against her over and over again?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: The genocide allegations are used as a political instrument against Turkey because the Armenian Diaspora has political influence in many countries, especially the US. Changing this situation through diplomatic means is not possible. The ideal solution is for the Turkish communities in those countries to also have political influence and by creating a balance in such a way, to make the Armenian allegations marginal. Although much progress has been made in that direction compared to the previous years, it is still not possible to say that Turks living abroad, with very few exceptions, have a notable role within the political life of the countries they reside in.
Historyoftruth.com: Is there a chance that the Western countries using the Armenian genocide allegations as a political instrument of pressure against Turkey will spread to Eastern countries? Do Armenians carry out propaganda activities in big countries such as China and India?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: It is true that generally speaking, Western countries use the Armenian genocide allegations as an instrument of pressure against Turkey. The main reasons for this is that some of them have fought against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War, all of them are Christian, and Armenian minorities exist in almost all of them. To prevent Turkey’s membership into the EU, some member countries use the Armenian Question to that end.
As to the Eastern countries, Turkey is on friendly relations with them, although at different levels. Most of these countries are Muslim; those who are not Muslim are not against Islam. Last of all, significant Armenian communities do not exist within these countries. Therefore, the possibility of the adoption of the genocide allegations by these countries is very limited. However, we understand from the press news that the Armenian Diaspora especially in India has these types of expectations.
Historyoftruth.com: Do you think that the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement will create positive results in the long run?
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: It is believed that normal relations will develop between Turkey and Armenia on a date not too far away, but which will not be determined from now. If normal relations are established, the genocide allegations and the efforts to get other countries in recognizing these allegations will decrease, if not totally disappear.
The only reason for this is Armenia’s need to develop normal relations with Turkey. If not now, the opening of the Turkish border in the near future will have vital importance for the Armenian economy. Moreover, it is in Armenia’s favor to cooperate in all areas with Turkey, its great neighbor. It must be expected that after a certain time, this reality will soon be recognized by all political circles in Armenia. In other words, constantly having conflicts with Turkey is not in Armenia’s favor.
Historyoftruth.com: Last of all your suggestions and recommendations please…
ÖMER ENGİN LÜTEM: I believe that to overcome the Armenian issue, two matters must be fulfilled. The first is by using Ottoman archives, to clearly put forth the true features about the 1915 relocation in such a way that will not raise any doubts. The second is to ensure the cooperation of Turks living abroad in order to counter the Armenian propaganda.
Historyoftruth.com
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