Armenian expert in Turkish studies tried to assess Armenian-Turkish relations in a press conference today, four months after the murder of Hrant Dink, editor of Agos newspaper. Artak Shakaryan, an expert in Turkish studies, believes the murder was organized by nationalists and it will bring them credits during the parliamentary elections. Speaking about the demonstrations after the murder, the speakers differed in their opinion. Shakaryan believes the organizer was the Turkish government, otherwise, it would suppress the rallies. A. Hovanisyan, another expert in Turkish studies, believes that the rallies were not initiated by the government since participants made up only a minor part of Turkey with 70 million population. The rallies were an opportunity for Turkey to say it is democratic, Hovanisyan said. The Turkish expert believes Turkey allows democracy to the level it is not out of control. The speakers said the atmosphere of fear is getting worse in the country and Agos is getting letters of threats every day. The speakers said Turkish-Armenian relations are becoming very difficult if not impossible. Armenian-Turkish relations are in deadlock, Hovanisyan said. Dink used to say Turkey is more afraid of the awakening of its own people that external pressures. Today, the Turkish society is silent, they said.
Published on May 22, 2007
http://www.armtown.com/news/en/prm/20070522/18267/