Turkey & Armenia

Turkish and Armenian relations are taking small, teetering steps toward reconciliation, but Turkey has its britches all in a wad again. The United States and Sweden have labeled Turkey's deportation and murder of Armenians during WWI as genocide. Turkey acknowledges that Armenians were deported and some of the died, but is vehemently denies that it was genocide. They are now threatening to deport 100,000 Armenians.

Turkish-Armenian Relations

Turkey & Armenia continue to work towards normalizing their relationship, but some see Turkey as taking a step back by suggesting that opening the borders will require Armenia to cease occupation of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan.

However, Armenia's former foreign minister, Vartan Oskanian, says that Armenia has "lost the battle," by allowing Turkey to determine when and how the border will be opened while gaining nothing in return.

Turkey & Armenia

Armenian and Turkish officials continue their talks in an effort to settle old disputes and reopen the borders between the countries.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister has taken a leading role in communicating with Armenia. His efforts are not only a bid to join the EU, but also to improve relations with Turkey's neighbors: Bulgaria, Syria, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, and, of course, Armenia. Turkey's pro-US stance has been at the expense of the relations with these countries, and Erdogan seeks to make Turkey's national interests paramount.

Previously, Armenia has demanded that Turkey openly and publicly acknowledge the Armenian massacre as genocide. In Turkey, however, it is actually a crime to label the massacre as genocide. Erdogan has agreed to a joint commission with Armenia to study the issue, an impressive compromise for both sides.

According to Judy Dempsey (New York Times), the US and the EU could lose their influence in the region, while Russia and Turkey regain their historical influence. However, the talks between countries is hardly being met with open arms.


(Interesting side note, the talks between Armenia and Turkey began after the Armenian president visited during a World Cup qualifying match between the Armenian and Turkish soccer teams.)

Armenian Genocide

During his time as senator and during the campaign, Obama repeatedly used the word "genocide" to describe the deaths and deportation of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire starting in 1915. He still says he wants "a full, frank and just acknowledgement of the facts," but as president, he hasn't used the word "genocide." (Here is the Turkish version of events.)

If we don't feel the need to placate the Germans about their genocide, then why should we placate Turkey? Let's call it what it is, recognize that Turkey isn't the same country they were 100 years ago, and encourage reconciliation between today's Turks & Armenians. I'm sure reconciliation is easier said than done, but don't say you'll recognize the deaths as genocide and then decline to use the word.