Bullets shot at Hrant Dink were aimed at Liberal Turkey

Of course, the revision of 301st article is a positive step in Turkey's European integration way. The 301st article is rather tough and foresees criminal punishment from 6 months up to 2 years not only for "insulting Turkish national identity", but also for insulting the state, parliament, government, army and security services. It is the relic of Kemalism, which badly reflects on Turkey's international image. If you remember, some changes were initiated by EU's demand in 2002. The fact that demonstrations are being carried out in Turkey for the favor to make amendments or fully cancel the 301st article, we only welcome that.

As I have already said, there exist two kinds of Turkey: one is Turkey in "Taksim Square", it is a smaller part of the country with European values. And just there Hrant Dink's funeral and demonstrations took place, it is that 100 000 people. This Turkey includes some towns of European part, part of Ankara. The other greater part of Turkey is nationalistic and Islamic country. Truly, here Islam is not so strong as in Afghanistan or Iran, but Islamists are rather strong. An attempt of military coup is possible there, which, principally, is not new for Turkey when country's direction changes from West to Islam, that is to say, from the state created by Ataturk to more Islamic. I am sure, the bullets shot at Hrant Dink were directed at liberal Turkey.

"The state within the state" is a worked out mechanism and it exists in all countries, but for some reasons, only Turkey is being talked much about. May be it is some kind of Turkish specific character, but 'deep state' exists in any country, beginning from Armenia and ending with the U.S.A. As you know, it is a circle of people: political leaders, experts, businessmen and military commanders who decide state's foreign and home policy. They make decisions, which then the first persons of the country sound. I repeat, this is everywhere.

The resolution of recognizing the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. Congress does not mean anything and does not change anything itself. It does not have power of law. The resolution is just a call, which makes initiate some changes. The Armenian Genocide recognition factor can become a tool to exert pressure for Armenia. Armenia is a tiny nation and it cannot influence on Turkey but it can do that through the U.S.A.

It should be "not from down to up, as it is now, but from up to down." We must be concerned with the events in the neighboring country, welcome all positive changes and wish it not only as Armenians, but also as Europeans, as members of the Council of Europe. We must understand and try to help. Let's just imagine what a difficult way Turkey must cover on the way of democracy, freedom of speech and human rights protection. For Armenia it is important not Turkey's membership to the European Union, but the process of it. The same concerns and the borders: not the opening of borders, but talks over it. Once I have said, that we should swing the carrot in the form of EU membership in front of Turkey's nose and now I repeat it.