REPORT ON OPENING OF ARMENIA-TURKEY BORDER PIECE OF MISINFORMATION - OPINIONS
19:28 * 04.07.14
Considering Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political personality, as well as
the upcoming presidential election in Turkey, he is most unlikely
to sacrifice nationalists' votes and open the border with Armenia
expert in Turkic studies Ruben Melkonyan told Tert.am as he commented
thereport by the Taraf newspaper.
"In our age of infowars the mass media are used for addressing
messages and, sometimes, for probing into the stance of the public
and political circles. This statement raises certain questions as the
report says that Erdogan has issued an instruction for the opening
of the border. However, the opening of the border is supposed to be
preceded by certain procedures - the ratification of protocols and
establishment of diplomatic relations," Melkonyan said.
This should mainly be considered in the context of infowars and,
sometimes, disinformation. The ground for this opinion is the
Turkish PM's political personality, especially the possibility of
the upcoming presidential election dealing a blow to his political
rating, as his rivals will make use of it to win over nationalistic
and anti-Armenian voters.
Melkonyan does not rule out Erdogan's rivals using it to "entrap" him.
Expert in Turkish studies Hakob Chakryan believes that the Taraf
report is misinformation. Even if such an initiative were undertaken,
Turks will derail it.
Turkish press also notes that Turkey will open the border under the
US pressure. But the border opened under pressure can easily be closed
again or resistance can be shown, with new problems for Armenia.
As to whether it may be a step on the threshold of the centennial of
the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, Chakryan said:
"Since 1991, Turkey's policy toward Armenia has not seen any progress.
They keep on speaking of opening the borders, but they start
bargaining over it and the issue is closed. I do not think Turkey has
a sincere intention to open the border. Turkey is pursuing a clearly
anti-Armenian policy now irrespective of whether it will open the
border. They should begin with establishing interstate relations,
and the border will mechanically be opened."
In any case, the Turkish foreign office is directing the mass media,
the expert said.
Head of the ARF-D Hay Dat office Giro Manoyan told Tert.am that the
likely reason for the report by the Taraf newspaper was to discredit
the Turkish premier. The newspaper has problems with the Turkish
authorities and rumor has it may be shut down.
As to any links with the approaching centennial of the Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, Manoyan said, "Everything's possible."
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