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The role of the Muslim minorities in interstate relations in the Balkans

1995; Ankara University; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1501/0002618

2667-5382

İlhan UZGEL,

European Politics and Security

the Megali Idea", "Uniting of Macedonia", "Kosovo, the cradle of Serbian nationhood" are stili in daily use on the verge of the twenty-fırst century.So is the resurfacing of IMRO as a political party in the Republic of Macedonia.When it is considered that the history of the Balkans is full of wars, occupations, great power rivalry, riots and raids, exoduses, struggles for nationhood, assassinations, komitacis, maltreatment of minorities, and enmity among peoples, the picture of the past is nothing but a bleak one.So, that background in mind, one cannot be astonished to see the Balkans as a conflict-ridden region.The Ottoman rule has had an unforgettable impact on the history of the region.While most of the Christian peoples of the Balkans regard this long period as the darkest era of their history, Turks take pride in their just and tolerant rule, especially when they consider the ongoing bloody conflict in the Balkans today.It is an historical fact that the Christian subjects of the Sultan vvere free to maintain and to practice their religious beliefs, and in that sense Ottoman rule vvas not assimilationist.The clear evidence for this fact is that, after five centuries, the churches spearheaded the struggles for national independence from the Ottoman Empire.Since they could preserve their religious, cultural, and linguistic identities under the Ottoman rule, nationalist movements had grovvn in this region.But, on the other hand, Christian peoples of the Balkans blamed Ottoman rule for their backvvardness. 1 Ali the countries of the Balkans gained their independence by fıghting against the Turks.And ironically enough, Turkish people had to fıght for their liberation against their former subjects, that is, the Greeks in 1919-1922, to build their ovvn modern nation-state.Ottoman domination and the settlement of Turks in these lands brought another legacy to the region.The Turkish people left in Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Greece after the vvithdravval of the Ottoman Empire, compelled Turkey to be concerned vvith developments in these countries.In the neighbouring countries the rights and status of the Turkish minorities are guaranteed by intemational treaties as are those of the Greek minority in Turkey.Besides, the modern Turkish state has not been totally indifferent to the Muslims vvho vvere converted to islam in the Balkans (such as Bosnian Muslims and Pomaks in Bulgaria).Their cultural affinity and their immigration in large numbers to Turkey strengthened the contact betvveen Turkey and the Balkan Müslim populations.Turkey has been regarded as a protector by these Müslim peoples.In times of crisis some peoples of non-Turkish origin declared themselves to be Turks as happened in Bulgaria and Macedonia.