IV.
Armenian Question in a Psychological Context
The Psychological Dimension of
the Armenian Problem (the unnoticed side) (summary of the Turkish Article)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erol GÖKA*
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This article will explain the unnoticed psychological dimension of the
Armenian problem in order to facilitate the study of the subject.
Armenians are claiming that they have been victims of a genocide. As oppose
to this, the Turks are stating that there is no "genocide" as the result of
a premeditated policy. During World War I, a civil war had occurred as the
Armenians collaborated with the enemy and fought against state forces. The
displacement policy has been adopted as a measure to overcome that
situation.
The Armenians at present are full of hatred towards the Turks. After World
War I, they have murdered the leaders of the Union and Progress Party and
much later on assassinated Turkish diplomats during the years 1970 and 1980.
Besides terrorism, the main activity of the Armenian diaspora is
concentrated on the recognition of the Armenian "genocide". The recent
increase of the Western countries’ recognition of that "genocide" is due to
the activities financially supported by the diaspora Armenians. Every
decision that has been adopted on that subject causes great tension between
the concerned country and Turkey, also negatively affecting Turkey-Armenia
relations. On the other hand, the claims on compensation and territorial
demands could cause dangerous tensions between the two countries.
Caucasia’s jeo-stratejic and geo-economic importance plays a great role for
putting forward the Armenian issue on today’s agenda. Apart from this, there
is the psychological dimension of the issue that has been unnoticed until
now.
The Jewish holocaust constitutes the frame of this issue. This holocaust has
caused for generations a victimization and a sense of guilt among Western
Christian countries and especially among the Germans. Some try to take
advantage of victimization since it is accepted to be a positive condition
by the public opinion. This pseudo-victimization should be prevented,
otherwise the parliaments and the international law courts of justice will
be full of "genocide" claims.
Under the victimisation psychology lies the "excuse psychology". To claim
that Hitler learned to commit genocide from the Turks is equivalent to
saying that "We do not do such things, we have learned this from the Turks".
That kind of thoughts leads to excuse himself and to get rid of his own
sins. In such a situation it is the real victims who will suffer. The
Israelis who support the Armenian "genocide" could be a good example in this
case.
Saying that Hitler is not a first degree culprit, supports the thesis that
Armenians founded the first Christian state. This is in fact the Western
Christian conscience which takes advantage of the Armenians to absolve
himself.
The Armenian diaspora is in a real identity crises and is trying to cure
this by a victimization psychology and by hostility towards the Turks. The
second and the following generations of the diaspora Armenians have never
seen Turkey. Consequently their hostility is based on imagination rather
than reality thus this leads to deeper feelings of enmity. The first
Armenian generation who had suffered is not so deeply opposed to Turks.
The Turks and the Armenians should realize that by emphasizing their
respective negativeness, they are kept in constant conflicting status.
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*Head of Psychiatry Clinic at Numune Education and Research
Hospital, member of ASAM.
Konrad Adenauer Caddesi No: 61 06550 Yıldız – Çankaya ANKARA
Tel: +90 312 491 60 70 Fax: +90 312 491 70 13
e-mail:
info@eraren.org web:
http://www.eraren.org/