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BERİL DEDEOĞLU b.dedeoglu@todayszaman.com Columnists

Opposing the protocols


The foreign ministers of Turkey and Armenia signed protocols during a ceremony that was watched live in many parts of the world with excitement.

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This historic event took place at the University of Zurich, where in 1946, Sir Winston Churchill delivered his famous speech about European integration. This was a supplementary signal indicating that this agreement inaugurates a new period.

This accord has disturbed those who are incapable of defining themselves or justifying their presence without foes or without conflict. No matter what, this deal constitutes the first step of a long process, allowing people to analyze their views. It also demonstrates that reaching an agreement is possible even when serious bilateral problems remain unresolved and that courageous initiatives are conceivable elsewhere, too, for example between India and Pakistan, Palestine and Israel or Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The joint decision of both the Armenian and Turkish governments to deal with their bilateral problems through a series of initiatives has put pressure on third countries and politicians who were benefiting from the actual antagonist situation. That's why we hear loud protests. It's not even necessary to look at foreign countries; a quick look inside Turkey is enough to observe the anxiety this development has created.

The protocols were signed in a difficult atmosphere marked by many crises. Notwithstanding their content, the very existence of these protocols represents high risks for both countries' political authorities who have chosen to enter into a minefield. Their respective oppositions are eager to see these “mines” explode one after another, but they shouldn't forget that this event is far bigger than the Turkish or Armenian governments. This process is strongly supported by the United States, Russia and the European Union, and that's why refusing this rapprochement is nothing less than opposing the basic dynamics of the global system.

In Turkey, the main opposition party is convinced that the text of this deal was dictated by Armenia and that the Turkish government has accepted it without any objection. They are also convinced that there exists only one political current in Armenia or that all Armenians can be represented by the nationalist Dashnaktsutyun Party. If you believe the opposition, Armenia has asked for “everything,” which means that the Armenian government wanted to modify the border and claimed territory from Turkey and then the Turkish government said, “OK, no problem.” In addition, the opposition supposes that Turkey has also accepted a compromise about the “genocide” issue. If this is true, why do people throw eggs at President Serzh Sarksyan shouting he's a traitor? According to our opposition, these protesters are unnecessarily worried; they are simply ignoring the fact that Turkey has submitted to every condition imposed by Armenia.   

When someone asks the opposition why Turkey had to sign such a negative deal, which is presented as something like a new version of the 1920 Treaty of Sèvres, they have an explanation: Foreign powers have forced Turkey to sign these protocols and to accept rigid (!) conditions such as establishing diplomatic relations with Armenia or launching a process of cooperation. These are the same foreign powers that are also doing everything possible to destroy, divide or destabilize Turkey. So if we follow this logic, we must believe that US President Barack Obama, who has just won the Nobel Peace Prize, has decided to divide Turkey by using Armenia. Here comes the conclusion: As long as Turkey's opposition parties remain as such, implementing these protocols will not encounter many obstacles. 

14 October 2009, Wednesday
BERİL DEDEOĞLU
Comments on this article

alpteginturkey , Nov 11 2009 09:53, Wednesday
I don't participate your opinion about EU's support for Turkey's initiatives. EU doesn't support these movements. Domes...

Click to read the details of comments
   
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ABDULHAMİT BİLİCİ
ABDULLAH BOZKURT
ALİ BULAÇ
ALİ H. ASLAN
AMANDA PAUL
ANDREW FINKEL
ASIM ERDİLEK
AYŞE KARABAT
BEJAN MATUR
BERİL DEDEOĞLU
BERK ÇEKTİR
BÜLENT KENEŞ
BÜLENT KORUCU
CHARLOTTE MCPHERSON
DOĞU ERGİL
EKREM DUMANLI
EMRE USLU
ETYEN MAHÇUPYAN
FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK
FİKRET ERTAN
GÜRKAN ZENGİN
HASAN KANBOLAT
HÜSEYİN GÜLERCE
İBRAHİM KALIN
İBRAHİM ÖZTÜRK
İHSAN DAĞI
İHSAN YILMAZ
KATHY HAMILTON
KERİM BALCI
KLAUS JURGENS
LALE KEMAL
MEHMET KAMIŞ
MICHAEL KUSER
MUHAMMED ÇETİN
MÜMTAZER TÜRKÖNE
NICOLE POPE
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ORHAN KEMAL CENGİZ
PAT YALE
ŞAHİN ALPAY
SELÇUK GÜLTAŞLI
SUAT KINIKLIOĞLU
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