YETVART DANZIKYAN

The government, naturally, opposed Trump’s plan. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in his statement, said: “The issue of deportation is neither something the region nor we can accept. Even considering it is absurd. Even bringing it up for discussion is wrong.” Yes, even bringing it up for discussion is wrong. However, when I saw the term ‘deportation,’ it made me think. I went back 110 years. Is it possible not to remember 1915 when hearing these words?

Hrant ahparig (brother), as is my custom, I sat down at the keyboard to write this year’s letter.

This is a process that started with a five-program broadcast suspension and fine imposed by RTSC for some sentences used on the Açık Gazete program on April 24. Technically, the license was decertfied not because of this, but because –according to RTSC– the fine was not paid, but it is worth taking a closer look at the picture and remembering a precedent-setting decision of the Constitutional Court on this very issue.

It is really interesting that while Islamist, centre-leftist and Kurdish politicians condemn Israel for this operation that amounts to genocide, some nationalist accounts, even on social media, have a different tone when it comes to Azerbaijan. To be honest, i think pessimistically. Because there is hostility towards both Arabs and Armenians.

Paşinyan’s making this remarkable statement is not an unexpected circumstance. It is already stated that Azerbaijan is in a novel preparation period to assault for a while. We can also monitor this through Turkish press.

We talked to Assoc. Prof. Murat Sevinç, a faculty member of Ankara University School of Social Sciences, about the content of the proposed constitutional amendments and their outcomes.

“The Social, Cultural and Economic History of Van and the Region” conference organized by Hrant Dink Foundation was held in Anarad Hığutyun building on November 11 and 12. We talked to Dr. Yektan Türkyılmaz, who was the keynote speaker of the conference, about Van's importance in Armenian and Ottoman history.

Mosul and the National Pact(Misak-ı Milli) became a topic of discussion once again. Recently, President Erdoğan said, “Mosul was ours. Read some history. Some people got disturbed because I mentioned the National Pact. Why do you feel disturbed by my history lessons? We are patriotic, that is why.” This statement made the issue a current debate once again. Prof. Dr. Baskın Oran from Ankara University Political Science Department is one of the most knowledgeable scholars concerning Mosul and the National Pact. We spoke to Oran about the course of these two issues throughout the history of republic and their reflections to the present day.

Declaration of the state of emergency in Turkey caused debates both in Turkey and other countries. We talked to Assistant Prof. Kerem Altıparmak about the recent developments and ongoing debates.