Considering the fact that Erdoğan is normally sensitive to the problems of groups that are discriminated against, analysts say a feeling of betrayal by the countries approving the “genocide” resolution as well as an attempt to win nationalist circles’ appreciation in the lead-up to the approaching general elections might be the possible reasons for Erdoğan making such a blunder.“Erdoğan is someone whose eyes can easily fill with tears and who does not attempt to hide this; this shows his openness to understand pain. How can Erdoğan use the word ‘deportation’ while trying to correct a historical mistake that was caused as a result of the forced deportation of Armenians?” asks Yeni Şafak’s Fehmi Koru, who tries to understand Erdoğan’s motivation for making such a statement. Koru says it is impossible for a politician like Erdoğan not to notice how his statements were given different meanings by many and how they were used against him and his country by many around the world. “There is a mistake here, a mistake we fail to see at first glance,” says Koru. In his view Erdoğan might have made such a statement out of a feeling of having been betrayed in the wake of “genocide” resolutions approved by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee and Swedish Parliament, as he saw these countries as the closest supporters of Turkey.
In consideration of the big process of transformation that is taking place in Turkey regarding non-Muslim minorities and given that the government is taking steps that former governments could not even dare, Koru says, “In addition to a feeling of having been betrayed by two countries he saw as closest to Turkey, Erdoğan might have made that controversial statement because these countries failed to appreciate his courageous steps and took a step that discouraged Erdoğan.”
Sabah’s Emre Aköz questions why the same Erdoğan who earlier complained: “Members of different ethnicities were deported from this country due to their ethnicity. This was actually the result of a fascist approach,” has made such a statement now that contradicts this earlier statement. In Aköz’s view, the reason is Turkish-style politics. “Turkey’s pressing issues are obvious: Kurds, Cyprus, Armenians. When these issues are in question, the opposition parties and also the bureaucracy intervene. So, the government has to be very careful when touching these issues. For instance, timing is very important. You may have trouble when you deal with these issues when the elections are approaching. So, you do not expect Erdoğan to walk in a different way when the elections are approaching. One step forward, two steps back,” explains Aköz.
