Will it always be like this? I’m tired of this. All of Turkey has first talked about what decision will be made in the U.S. Congress regarding the genocide issue and then which two words will come out of President Obama’s mouth. Columns have been written and discussions made on TV.
The administration has spent an enormous effort and energy over this for the past six months. The prime minister has made international visits. And we experienced weeks full of unnecessary correspondence and statements harming relations with the United States.
Many of us hoped that the genocide issue for at least some time would be off of our agendas due to these protocols.
The protocol process
It didn’t happen. Never mind who ever made a mistake at what point, fact is that this process has not been managed well. The impression in the international public is that Erdoğan after signing the agreement has backed up due to great pressure from the Azerbaijani and started insisting too much on the Karabahk pre-condition that has lead the protocols to get stuck in a swamp.
Let’s not forget that perception of the public is more trustworthy than the reality. This is how we arrived at this point. We all are sick and tired. And the ones to gain from this situation were the Armenians. They reminded the genocide issue to the entire world putting it back on the agenda and what’s even better is they froze the protocols without cancelling them despite pressure from Washington, Paris and Moscow.
This means despite them being the victim they have placed themselves in a position where they will make up a bill to put on their table without being on different terms with them.
And we remained in a position in which we seem cranky and spoiling the game in which we drive relations into a difficult position.
What will happen next year?
This year passed. Now I’m sure, we’ll say, “Let’s see what tomorrow brings” and forget about it. We’ll get busy with other things like the Constitution, referendum and general elections. Months will pass in no time and before we know one year will pass. What will happen on April 24th of next year? Will we experience the same? Don’t we pity this country?
And besides, let’s not forget, if we don’t change this course, then one day (2015 the latest) the White House will announce genocide. For, we may ignore it as much as we want, but in the conscience of the public genocide has been real and we have already been judged. Turkey won’t be able to use its strategic importance to continue pressuring Washington any longer. The only way for now to get rid of this situation without formally accepting genocide is to find a formula to revive and implement the protocols that are frozen for now.
I don’t know if you are to convince the Azerbaijanis or pressure them. Aliyev does not seem to be happy about the situation today. For, Baku seems to be the party running from this dispute. But, whatever anyone says, there is no other way out of this genocide issue other than these protocols. And what’s even more important is that they change Turkey’s general attitude. Hasan Cemal said it correctly. Is it a bad thing to share the sorrow of the Armenians? We know how to share sorrow. We can show them that we understand their feelings.
We can only get rid of this genocide stain by creating a difference in our general attitude. And the person to do it easily is Erdoğan. Otherwise, same time next year we’ll spent time talking about the same subject again. See you next April 24th.
Prime minister should go to Athens with Bartholomeos
Hakan Çelik made an extremely rational, constructive and communicative proposition to the prime minister last week. I do agree with him. Let me tell you why. The prime minister will make an historical visit to Athens on May 14 and 15. This visit is extremely important for the relationship between Turkey and Greece and will give start for a new period. It will be a trip that has not been made in many years and mutual goodwill shall prevail.
Just imagine he will take with him 10 ministers of the Turkish Republic and sign agreements in many respects. Maybe for the first time in history instead of settling any disputes they will talk about enhancing our friendship. I’ve been following Turkish-Greek relations for 40 years now but never witnessed an atmosphere like this. In such a positive atmosphere it would be a great gesture for the prime minister to take Patrik Bartholomeos with him on his delegation.
Imagine the aircraft of the Turkish Prime Minister landing on the Athens International Airport and Erdoğan leaving the aircraft in front of hundreds of TV cameras together with religious leader of the Orthodox world, Patriarch Bartholomeos. There couldn’t be any more sensational image on an international arena than this.
It would be so rich in messages transmitted and it would create such a great communication impact that is unimaginable.
This event is not just about winning the Greek people’s heart it also means embracing the Orthodox world. And can you imagine Erdoğan announcing the reopening of the Halki Seminary during the same trip?
Mehmet Ali Birand/Hurriyet Daily News
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