It has been argued that the murderer targeted Turkey, Turkish democracy, stability or the reconciliation efforts between the Turkish and Armenian communities. There is some truth in these analyses. But above all, the assassin shot dead a living person, not a collective or abstract entity. The most profound and permanent pain has been felt by those individuals close to him. We may take this or that measure to strengthen democracy and stability, and to deepen our reconciliation efforts, but nothing we do will bring Hrant Dink back to his family. The best we can do is to share in their grieving. And this has been done by millions.That said, we cannot help observing that the murder of Dink will certainly have significant implications on Turkish domestic politics and foreign policy. To open a breathing space for Turkey, those who are in power should move fast.
The first thing to do is to take concrete steps to forward reconciliation efforts between Turkish and Armenian communities, as was sought by Dink himself. I think the first step in this direction has been taken by the people who joined Dinks funeral chanting “We are all Hrant Dink, We are all Armenians.” This deep enthusiasm for embracing Dink’s memory and mission of reconciliation will hopefully soften the hearts of many diaspora Armenians who opposed Dink’s quest in his life-time.
What should the Turkish government do? Opening the borders with Armenia should be the very first move. In an environment of understanding following the loss of Dink, this would be a perfect gesture to tell the people of Armenia of Turkey’s goodwill, and show the world that Turkey is ready to a rapprochement with Armenia.
Secondly, article 301 of the penal code should be repealed without any delay. It is a shame upon the record of this reformist government. We can’t wait any longer for the implementation of the law, as repeatedly requested by Foreign Minister Gul. Writing 301 off the penal code now is the new threshold, not only for freedom of expression in Turkey, but also for the reformist credentials of the AK Party government. Unless it is removed from the penal code, it will continue to give a legal ground to the conservative judiciary to prosecute reformist intellectuals that will further endanger the government’s EU bid and its international standing.
Third, the latest legislation on minority foundations vetoed by the outgoing President Sezer in last November should be taken up immediately by the parliament. This will demonstrate that the government is determined to go along with its reformist stand despite the resistance of pro-status quo forces.
There are also things to be done by Turkey’s friends and allies abroad. Some Armenian diaspora groups will now try to use this unfortunate occasion to pass genocide decisions by national parliaments including the USA Congress. If such a bill is approved by the US Congress it will certainly peak anti-Americanism in this country, which has been growing, according to the latest BBC poll. The reformists in Turkey will further lose ground in the face of nationalist uproar to be fueled by the decisions of foreign parliaments. Let me say this: the nationalists, who would think that they are vindicated, will even claim that Dink was murdered by those foreign forces who wanted to speed up and justify the process of Turkey’s acceptance of Armenian genocide claims.
My advice is that Turkey’s allies in the west should not strengthen the nationalist perception and arguments by adopting genocide claims, but support the reformists who are eager to engage in dialogue and reconciliation.
What the nationalists want is to isolate Turkey in the world, break its ties with the EU, and portray the west as plotting against Turkey. It is time to be sensible and further engage Turkey in the west, including the EU, not isolate it. We have seen some right moves recently from the EU as it voted again for direct trade with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) and opened the way for starting negations in three new chapters. Let’s not throw Turkey into a nationalist quagmire.
