Armenian Studies at Galatasaray?

If, following President Gül’s historic visit to Armenia last month, Armenian and Armenian Diaspora nationalist groups have intensified their activism to slow down or stop the normalization of relations between the two countries, in Turkey – luckily – the dynamism is more on the side of progressist forces, pragmatists and those whom we can call the “curious segment" of the population.

The most recent and to some extent unexpected voice in support of reconciliation came from Mr. İlber Ortaylı, the Director of Topkapı Palace. Topkapı, now a museum, was the seat of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. In 1985, it was recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“I have been working to establish Armenian Studies departments at universities for a long time,” Ortaylı told Turkish Daily News. “… one has been established at the Erciyes University in Kayseri. But, in fact, such departments should be established in Istanbul. Those who want could learn to speak Armenian. We have thought about opening an Armenian Studies department at Galatasaray University.”

Founded in 1481, Galatasaray University is a Francophile university with strong focus on humanities and social sciences.

A historian by education, Mr. Ortaylı said that President “Gül's visit to Armenia was a uniquely good step … if he had called me, I'd definitely have gone. The attitude pursued so far cannot provide a solution to the problem. If they had included me, a historian, in the delegation, I'd have gone without hesitation. Turks and Armenians breathed the same air for centuries”.
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The Military to Draft All Male Students

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Armenian government intends to abolish temporary exemptions from military service that have long been enjoyed by university students, a senior lawmaker confirmed on Monday.

Armenian law has until now allowed draft-age men enrolled in state-run universities to perform the two-year compulsory service after completing their undergraduate and/or graduate studies.

Reports in the Armenian press have said that the government has drafted legal amendments that will scrap the deferments. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian and other top government officials have pointedly declined to refute those reports.

Mr. Armen Ashotian, the chairman of the Armenian parliament's committee on science, education and youth affairs, went farther, indicating that the amendments' submission to the National Assembly is a matter of time.

He said the government and the National Assembly should put in place financial and other incentives that would encourage demobilized soldiers to complete their higher education.