294) Mehmet Ali Birand: Çömez's Armenia experience was very different

TDN
Wednesday, June 15, 2005

 

 

AKP deputy from Balikesir Turhan Çömez went to Armenia on a three-day visit. He returned with some interesting impressions. Prime Minister Erdogan should listen to what Çömez has to say. I'm sure what he hears will change Turkey’s outlook on Armenia.

 

Mehmet Ali BIRAND

 

  First I saw it in the newspapers and then invited him to the "Manset" program when he returned. Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy from Balikesir Turhan Çömez's three-day visit to Yerevan surprised not only him but also those who followed him from Turkey.

 

  What was most interesting was that during his speech at Yerevan University he said, “The events of 1915 upset us deeply,â€� and the atmosphere of the entire hall changed.

 

  Çömez said, “A Turk going all the way there and saying he was upset about what had happened amazed them, and the way they looked at me changed immediately.â€� He explained the reaction by saying: “Their perception of Turks is so bad that even saying that created quite a shock. They were so convinced that Turkey totally ignored what had happened in 1915, let alone being upset, that such statements created a shock.â€�

 

  Çömez went to Armenia, on his initiative and his objective was to better understand the Armenians.

 

  Bravo. I hope other deputies learn a thing or two from him.

 

  Çömez's impressions in Armenia are very interesting.

 

  “The Armenian people are so convinced the genocide happened that it's no longer possible for them to let go. Calling on them to renounce such claims or setting that as a precondition to discussions will lead to no progress.â€�

 

  “However, what the Armenian people really want is to be taken seriously by Turkey and the establishment of a dialogue.â€�

 

  Çömez is absolutely right.

 

  He says: “We have no dialog with the Armenians. We have turned our backs on them.â€�

 

  Unfortunately, Turkey really doesn't take the Armenian people seriously. We get angry with the government and totally ignore the people. We saw how effective Çömez's personal initiative was and how much a single sentence, “We are upset,â€� touches people.

 

  So what needs to be done?

 

  Çömez has a long list.

 

  - Student exchange programs between Turkey and Armenia.

 

  - Journalists' groups meeting and making statements.

 

  - Allowing Armenian tourists access to the Ani ruins at least once a month. The opening of the border between Turkey and Armenia just for this purpose for special groups.

 

  The list goes on.

 

  There's one thing we need to know. If we are not to fall into the international genocide trap, we need to win the hearts and minds of the Armenian people.

 

  Çömez will brief Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on what he saw.

 

  I believe he will repeat what he said on the "Manset" program and will be listened to by all with great interest.

 

  What happens next is very important.

 

  Will his impressions be ignored or will they be taken seriously? Will the attitudes towards Armenia be revised?

 

  Actually, the next step is quite easy. Can there be a more natural thing than the establishment of a dialogue and mutual visits between the Turkish and Armenian peoples?

 

  There's nothing to fear from this. Just the opposite. If a broad dialogue is established, problems will become less intense and the nations will know each other better.

 

  Even if the Armenians don't renounce their genocide allegations, they will know how we feel. Of course, we will also better understand their sensitivities.

 

  If we say: “Who cares about what the Armenians think? It's none of our business,â€� we will cause more problems for ourselves. We would provide more opportunities for those who want to entrap our country.

 

  It would be good to listen to Çömez.