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16.09.2009 18:48
 Ruzan Khachatryan
"Radiolur"
There are two separate problems between Turkey and Armenia. You could define the first as the normalization of relations and the second as the problem of reconciliation as a result of what occurred in history. These two problems should be dealt with entirely separately, and normalization of relations should be achieved immediately, without any precondition,” Taner Akçam, who holds the chair in Armenian Genocide Studies at Clark University, said in an interview with daily Taraf.
“The establishment of diplomatic relations should follow the opening of the borders. Azerbaijan should be made to understand that its objections are unjustified and that the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia is in its own interest also,” he said.
As for turning the discussion to the problems related to history, Taner Akçam notes the late Hrant Dink would say, "The real problem is the normalization of relations and the opening of borders. Without that, you can't solve any problem."
The interview was reproduced by the Armenian Reporter today with Professor Akçam's permission.
Professor Akçam does not believe that either Armenia or international circles will accept the formation of a commission based upon the recommendation of the Turkish government to "research the claims of genocide." “This idea is based on some false presumptions. First of all is a presumption that operates from an idea that there is an unknown out there, and that if historians were to get together and publish what they knew, this unknown would disappear. In fact, this is not the case, either for the Armenians or for the international academic world. What we have before us is Turkey's policy of denial.
According to the professor, the subject bears a close resemblance to the Kurdish issue. “For 90 years, Turkey claimed that there were no Kurds, and that these people were really Turks who happened to live in the mountains. Telling Kurds today, "Let's form a commission and study the problem scientifically, and if the commission determines that Kurds do exist, we'll move forward from there," makes about as much sense as saying, "We will accept the decision of a commission formed for the purpose of making a decision on the events of 1915."
“Secondly, this belief rests on a false presumption that if the commission were formed and a conclusion were reached, everyone would agree and accept that conclusion. Neither Armenians nor the interested academic world expects or needs this,” he said.
If the job of examining the archives is given to a future commission or commissions, isn't there a danger that finding a solution to the problem gets postponed even further?
“This is in fact a very possible risk. The now 90-year-long Turkish policy of denial is in reality, a strategy of buying time. This strategy is what is behind pouring millions of dollars into Washington lobbyists. Every time the question is on the agenda, what's been said is, "Let's get past this headache one more time. We'll pay any price now and think about it later." If Turkey tries to link the resolution of the problem to research conclusions of the commission or commissions to be formed, then it falls right into this "buying time" playbook,”
Accoridng to the professor, the enlightenment of Turkish society is a priority; to help people who have been spoon-fed lies for over 90 years learn the truth. “Society's lack of information and the need to address that is a priority. In order to do that, you need candid and free discourse on the subject. I have my doubts that this can be achieved without rescinding Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Code. There are intellectuals among us who are still being prosecuted and punished for using the word "genocide." Before you start forming commissions, you need to remove the obstacles that prevent an honest and open discourse.”
“Of course you can form commissions. Those commissions could be bestowed with the duty of creating the kind of atmosphere that will lay the groundwork for a positive reception, by each country's public opinion, to a resolution. The most fundamental problem is the creation of trust. The commissions should really be formed not to come to a conclusion about history but to create trust between the two countries. Starting with the parliaments of each respective country, commissions that would oversee various organizations should be formed on the civil society level, and these commissions should endeavor to promote mutual understanding and growing trust between these societies,” Taner Akçam said.
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