Turkey: a permanent threat to Armenia

by David Boyajian

Published: Friday August 03, 2012

Turkey has in recent years increased military sales to Azerbaijan, most recently of Turkish-produced T-155 heavy howitzers pictured. Wikimedia

Later came the devastating Istanbul riots of 1955. Did we mention Turkey's massacre of Greek Cypriot civilians and ongoing occupation of northern Cyprus? The death squads and torture chambers? The repression, deportation, and massacre of Kurds and other minorities, and thejailing of dissidents and journalists?

All the while, we are told that Turkey is "reforming."

Turkish syndrome

In addition to Turkey's policies, its political leaders pose a danger because of what one may term Turkish Political Personality Syndrome.

This syndrome is on full display today in "modern" Turkey's constant threats, chest-beating, belligerence, malignant narcissism, hypocrisy, extortion, despotism, cruelty, crudeness, lies, broken pledges, and, of course, the use of violence. One cannot think of even one positive Turkish political quality.
The countless victims of Turkish violence down through the centuries are proof of Turkish leaders' disordered state of mind.

There is little indication that either Turkey's policies toward Armenians or their leaders' disorder will ever change. Indeed, they may grow more threatening.

Yet, Armenians still hope that Turkey will change. How to make them aware that the Turkish threat is here to stay? Education.

Education

Young people will, of course, become the adults who conduct the political, economic, cultural, and military affairs of Armenia. They must be equipped intellectually and psychologically to deal with Turkey.
From a young age, Armenian students must study -- but not in Turkish schools -- Turkish history, geo-politics, and language, and their application to present-day Armenian-Turkish relations.

The Turkish political personality and its violent and deceitful tendencies must be dissected and understood.

This is not easy, for two reasons. First, Armenians are bombarded by pro-Turkish and "reconciliation" propaganda from around the world and even by some Armenians. Second, we Armenians are unlike Turks and often have difficulty understanding their political culture.

Ultimately, future generations of Armenians will have to choose whom to believe. Will it be the allegedly "reformed, modern" Turkey? The international media that kowtows to Turkey? Countries that historically have betrayed Armenia?

Or will Armenians learn from the past and the hard-earned wisdom of their forebears?

Their decision may determine whether Armenia lives or dies.