Turkish-Armenian relations...?

Question

Hello everyone...
I know here isn't politics section, but since I wanted Turkish users idea I ask it here. (Armenians, you also feel free to answer):

Do you think Turkey and Armenia should establish political/diplomatic relations [without preconditions]?

And take a look at this:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3b4deb44-a857-11dc-9485-0000779fd2ac.html

First, thanks everyone for your answer.
I usually don't like to write something to my answerers, but now something seems very important to remind.

Tanju, I didn't think I have to give this explanation, but I have to because you wanted me.
OK.
What I posted for you from Financial Times was representing "official" view of Armenia told by Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister.
There are many parties in Armenia, and many writers and journalists as well... Each of them telling their views and comments to public via the press. Official view of Armenia is NOT what was written in AZG. Has any Armenian official (President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister etc.) commented such thing?!

Had you seen Turkish newspaper, GUNES published the map, considering Armenia, Cyprus, Iraqi Kurdistan and parts of Syria as part of Turkey?!
After all, parties are very important for political life of society. They should be free to publish their views.
Armenian government cannot block them, because they don't fit in official views of Armenia. That's non-democratic.

My answer was clear :

Do you think Turkey and Armenia should establish political/diplomatic relations [without preconditions] ?

I welcome every answer, specially the ones appropriate with the subject.

Tanju, here is the link you wanted:
http://www.gunes.com/2007/11/21/manset/manset.html
(Original link but unfortunately only in Turkish)

In English:
http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=24156

BTW, I don't think we have to make discussions on Turkish and Armenian press. ;)

Dear All,
No more discussions on what Armenian/Turkish press say, please. Thanks.

Answer 1

I am for Turkish membership in EU. I think it is a very good opportunity for Armenia and Turkey to come to terms.

Trade, transportation, import, and export will benefit both countries especially Armenia.

I dont care what you all think (Armenians and Turks) but I consider Young Turk as a good friend, who is looking at the situation from both sides, and he is very open to talk to and understand.

The problem with Armenians is that they are straight forward and simply call it a Genocide. Yet Turks just vehemently deny that anything close to genocide ever happened. Both sides need to learn to talk about what really happened.

What really happened...

Is that the government of Ottoman Empire ordered all the killings, and it was done by the Army. General public were all living together, there was a lot of interracial marriages, between Armenians and Turks ,people were cousins, relatives, families. A lot of Armenians were saved by the (Turks). It is very sad that Armenians were slaughtered, deported, lands lost... during the Armenian Genocide, but thats the past we can NOT change anything about it, its gone. We have to understand each others pain, frustration and point of view, you dont have to agree to every sentence, but at least we will come to common terms, and look for a bright future.

I hope I made a point to everyone here. Dont just read my name and give thumbs down, read my whole comment then give thumbs down.

Geographically Armenia and Turkey are stuck together forever, they will always be neighbors. Good neighbors will benefit both countries. Bad neighbors will not take us any further than this stupid arguments.

Answer 2

Well here is the thing.... All those pictures could very easily be dead ARMENIANS... The links with Turkish Diplomats being killed....How does that show that Ottoman empire didn't commit a genocide? That just shows there are pissed off Armenians about something. Did Armenians Kill Turks? Of course they did!!! But it was 99% in the form of Defense and Gurilla warfare.... I didn't see any documents stating the Armenians were massacaring the Turks...... I'm glad you admit that the Ottoman Government Killed Armenians but your just saying it was retaliation to Armenians killing Turks.... THIS IS IRRELIVANT Don't you see that this just justication and not mitigation?? Please I know this is very very sencitive and contencious topic.... But if your mitigating the actions (out of respect to the asker i wont refer to it as the Genocide) of the Ottoman government the burden of proof is on you to prove that their actions don't meet the defenition of gen·o·cide - the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group I don't care WHY the Ottoman government did it....but it seems to me that they were trying to get rid of the Armenian Population....

Answer 3

Turkey is Armenian Kurdish and Greek land.Turkey is an artificial country.

Answer 4

Yes, It is not an issue of looking back it the issue of being able to look forward.

Beginning a diplomatic exchange now is so important, there will be a time of in the future when Turkey and Armenia will have to support each other together, in order to overcome tough times.

Diplomatic relations is so much about the journey, and the process as well as the end result.

Answer 5

Well, we all know this is just an utopia. There is nothing unconditional in politics (if one party don't point a gun to the other one) and there will never be.

Besides EU idea fades away among Turkish people. I personally believe there's no need for that.

Of course Armenians and Turks should live together with good relations after sharing close cultures for a thousand years. But i don't see it's happening very soon.

Answer 6

"After all, what do we gain, what do the Turks gain, from the present situation? Even in the time of the cold war, when Armenia was part of the Soviet Union and Turkey was in Nato, we used to have a certain relationship with Turkey. "

"A railway line was built through Armenia to Turkey. A high-voltage electricity line was built between the two countries. Why should my wish for relations not be logical now?"

A part of Azerbaijan territory was not under Armenian occupation at the time.

So what should we do? Should we establish official relations with Armenia, which is :

http://www.armenianreality.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=86&Itemid=19

I do not think Turkey should as I agree with the article above 100 per cent. The one needs the other is Armenia, not Turkey, so Armenia could never put any preconditions.

Answer 7

Good Morning Vahe,

I got it your question, and My answer is; I am not sure, Turkiye and Armenia should establish political/diplomatic relations (without preconditions) ...

Well, Yesterday I read a column from AZG Armenian Daily Newspaper and I copied here ...

'There is no country in recorded history whose borders have remained unchanged. Mighty empires have come and gone. Likewise, the Republic of Turkey will not have the same borders forever. No one knows what can happen in the next 30 years or 300 years, but if Armenians relinquish their claims now, they would have lost the chance of recovering anything forever. Armenians must continue to remind their offspring for generations to come that those lands which were unjustly stolen from them will eventually return to their rightful owners.

Rather than demanding genocide recognition, Armenians should seek justice.

By Harut Sassounian, Publisher, The California Courier'

Ref : http://www.azg.am/?lang=EN&num=2007121401

Would you please say me you or any Armenian Friends (Armen, Alana, Lady or anyone ) about this column ...

I got it, he says, Armenia wants divide Turkiye Republic like PKK ...

Any Answer ?

Best Regards and Thanks all Answers
********
Edit : Vahe, I did not see like that map .
Would you please send me the link ? I wondered ...
Thanks ...

Answer 8

Yes. Why not? It will be beneficial for us all. I think especially economically, it will help armenia a great deal. And trade is just a starting point. We will start understanding and knowing each other. And definitely this will help solving problems between armenia and azerbaijan. It is the right thing to do and the time is now.

I agree with kelly that armenia was trampled several times but at least it did not vanish which is a thing armenians should be happy about. In this age no one will trample no one and reaching the hand won't hurt.

Of course, all diaspora armenians including Alana don't care about armenia's well being, from the comfort of their homes in the US. I hear in the US everyone is fed up with you so be careful with your hatred, it might come back to you someday.

EDIT: Tanju Abi:
Harut Sassounian, Publisher, The California Courier'
This is the words of an american, not armenian.
There is this turkish proverb "It is easy to give lectures from the outside"
It is unheard of that a country gives its territories to another country without a war.
So is this what america-first diaspora armenians are wanting? Maybe they think that their fathers the US will take the territories for them? What an imagination!
I also have another turkish proverb for this situation, "To have the first night with someone elses ****"
Is territory what you really want? Switzerland does not have the territory but they have superb relationship with their neighbors.

Why not try to become switzerland of caucasus, instead of trying to destroy your neighbors? Armenia has the potential to become a better country.

And it is logical to back turkey for EU, because armenia will be the next to join after turkey. Then, the territory question will also be over.

Dr. Beemer, I'll buy you a drink come when you come to istanbul. Warmongering armenians are not welcome though.

Answer 9

No,I think Armenia should ally itself with Cyprus and the two nations should vehemently petition the U.N. for sanctions against Turkey until it returns the territory they've stolen. They're worse land-grabbers than the jews in Palestine.

Answer 10

Of course we want to discuss and start a new beginning...

But I agree with my friend Ooh-Yeah : At first, Armenians should make some changes before we sit on the table.