OpinionSpecial Reports
Soccer Diplomacy and the Road not Taken
An alternative perspective for building peace between Turkey and Armenians
Truth and Mercy have met together;
Peace and Justice have kissed.
Psalm 85
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
“The Road Not Taken”
By Robert Frost
In this article[1], I examine the recent heightened diplomatic activity between Armenia and Turkey and the reasons behind the lack of progress in the negotiations despite the confidence
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The author is correct that a complete Turkish Armenian participation is necessary for any serious effort. Unfortunately, despite the “apology” campaign, the general Turkish populace is far from ready for any semblance of truth, mercy, justice and peace.
But author does not says the reason behind Turkey’s decision to close border – the one of them is Armenia does not accept its border with Turkey as such and claim some territory from them . Secondly Armenia refuses to discuss so called genocide although that was offered numerous times by Turkish officials to make a open scientific study on genocide claims based on archives from both Armenia and Turkey plus Russian. Armenia refuses that. The TSK published study on so called armenian genocide on their web site . That was based on archive materials :
http://www.tsk.mil.tr/8_TARIHTEN_KESITLER/8_1_Ermeni_Sorunu/Ermeni_Sorunu.htm
What on earth is TSK?!
Every other reputable organization on the planet (IAGS, ICTJ, EU Parliament, TARC, UN, Holocaust Institute in Jerusalem, 23 governments based on their archival material…) has affirmed the fact of the Armenian Genocide. Given such overwhelming evidence and recognition, tactics by Turkey to call for a “historical commission” is a transparent attempt to delay its own coming to terms.
Moreover, please explain to me how a ‘historical commission’ can function when it is illegal in Turkey to utter the words ‘Armenian Genocide’.
Lastly, Armenia has stated that it will gladly engage in a historical commission, but in the context of normal bilateral relations.
Hey, Azeri, I don’t believe that Ataturk founded the Turkish Republic. Maybe you and I should engage in a “historical commission” to figure it out, and until we do, everyone else should not weigh in on the matter.