Turkish society taken by surprise

Turkish press actively responded to the lawsuit of two Armenian-Americans against Turkey. Leading Turkish newspapers, specifically, stress that it is the first-ever lawsuit against the state of Turkey.

Specifically, Sabah reported that Armenian Diaspora that has always made material claims now takes concrete steps in that sphere. Milliyet hints that this lawsuit will befall the same fate as the lawsuit brought to California Federal Court (California Federal Court judgement dismissed the suit on classing the events of 1915 as genocide: Aysor).

According to Zaman, Turkish experts consider the lawsuit from political point of view mentioning that irrespective of the lawsuit outcome, all this is done to keep the issue of Genocide on the agenda. Zaman also mentioned that the “lawsuit of Armenian-Americans can have a negative impact on Armenian-Turkish normalization.”

Besides, Turkish media report that the lawsuit is also discussed at political forums, and common citizens also express concern over the issue.

Turkologist Artak Shakaryan considers that “Turkey is scared, many Turkish analysts assure Turkish society that the lawsuit is merely of political nature, is hasn’t a legal basis… The United States cannot bring case against Turkey… If the United States decides something, it can have no influence on Turkish banks, etc.”

According to Shakaryan, the Turks have not studied the issue, they do not imagine that one day Armenia can demand the compensation in this way or, in general, can make a demand to Turkey.

“The concept that the Turks are very strong, clever, Turkish diplomacy calculates things 7-8 years ahead is not true; they are just beginning to study, and it will take them at least 6 months to study the issue,” Turkologist said adding that Turkish side’s responses are rather protective, they aim at calming down society.