When we say ‘good idea gone bad,’  we mean it.  The Armenia-Turkey protocols are unacceptable because they have begun our bilateral relations from an unequal footing. “First Step – Capitulation”, Mr. Oskanian has called it.

But, we’ve also said, that healthy, normal Armenia-Turkey relations are not only acceptable but desirable and necessary. Towards that end, Civilitas will continue to analyze, study, assess and comment on ongoing Armenian-Turkish relations – both at the governmental level, and between representatives of civil society.

Last month, we proudly invited and hosted Turkish journalist and historian Osman Koker who presented his enormous, moving, unique collection of Armenian postcards representing the life of Armenians in Turkey 100 years ago. Osman stayed for several weeks, worked in our office, met with scholars of Turkey and gave tours of his exhibit to students and teachers. For him, this collection, this exhibition and the accompanying tome are important because they present inarguable documentation of an aspect of Turkish history that is intentionally ignored. In turn, his efforts brought about an increase in our own knowledge and awareness about our own history.

At the conclusion of the exhibition, our monthly Civilitas Public Debate featured Armenian journalist Boris Navasartian and Turkish journalist Yavuz Baydar (Zaman) in a dialogue about the image of each society about the other, and the expectations of each. Moderated by Alex Sardar, the forum reflected the personal journeys of all three participants in coming to an examination of the difficult political issues that come to the surface in a study of the genocide and its consequences.

In other words, don’t expect simplistic black and white positions from us. Civilitas events, publications and statements reflect the complexities and nuances of this and every other domestic and regional issue facing us. Stay tuned!