Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Let us not be Incited by Provocations
by Semih Idiz - STAR, 23-11-2000
Posted: Tuesday, November 28, 2000 08:59 pm CST

Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the recent developments in Turco-EU relations. A summary of his columns is as follows: "Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is correct. At present, Turkey is faced with various provocations coming from Europe. The visit by Armenian President Robert Kocharian to Athens and the statements he made with his Greek counterpart Kostas Stephanopoulos reveal that these provocations will go on for some time to come. In another development, news appearing in the Russian Press show that a group of Russian Armenians have plans directed at Northeast Anatolia. They are after pipe dreams such as forming a government-in-exile, forcing Turkey for compensation, and returning to their historical land. They are dreaming, but others are encouraging them. On the other hand, Ocalan case has begun to be tried at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and Kurdish organizations settled in Europe and their supporters can be expected to participate in this current of provocations. Some are trying to get Turkey into trouble by stirring up Armenians, Greeks and Kurds. The reason for provocations is to draw harsh reactions from the opposite side and use it for one's own interests. The greater the reaction, the greater the success of the provocation. Therefore, at present Turkey has to stay calm and collected and not give in to provocations as those working against the country are turning every single nervous statement to their advantage. They are saying, 'You intend to take them into the European Union but they have not changed at all. The old threatening Turk is the same.' Recent articles I have read reveal that the Greek-Armenian axis is pleased with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's latest statement saying that Turkey would review its relations with the European Union. They believe that the farthest they can move Turkey away from the West the more it will be to their advantage. The reason for this is simple. They would like Turkey to be ousted as the strategic ally of the West. They know that with its present strategic location, Turkey cannot be ignored by the West. The day before yesterday, an editorial in 'Wall Street Journal' titled 'Stop Thrashing Turkey' appeared. I was surprised when I read the article. It was in favour of Turkey and I thought,' Now the Greeks and Armenians will allege that Turkey has bought off Wall Street Journal'. The editorial strongly supports Turkey's views on all Turkey's arguments, whether it regards Armenians, Cyprus or the EU. For example, it gives the number of Armenians who died in the First World War as 600,000 saying that these were the losses suffered during the War in armed conflicts, due to sickness and other causes. It claims that Greece is the one which has to pay compensation to Turkey for its invasion of Anatolia in 1919. It goes on to blame Europe with short-sightedness by turning its back on Turkey which had served Western security during the Cold War. It seems that some are disturbed by continual thrashing of Turkey as this country holds great importance and is indispensable for them. In short, I would like to say that Turkey is not alone in the world as some suggest. Therefore we have to be calm as the British, cautious as the Danish and do not give in to provocations."

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Turkey

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