IF one were to choose a sporting encounter to help pave the way for difficult diplomatic negotiations, soccer would probably be low down on the list; if its players do not make trouble the supporters can be counted on to do so.
Ping-pong has shown its usefulness in the past but not everyone plays that game. One of the most sensitive of diplomatic relations is that between Turkey and Armenia, because of allegations of genocide committed by Turkish troops against Armenians in 1915, yet their soccer teams met in a World Cup qualifying game last Sunday and the event passed off without any serious trouble. The 30'000 Armenian fans booed the Turkish national anthem lustily, but that was to be expected; Turkey's 2-0 win was also to be expected and caused no repercussions.
President Gul, Turkey's recently appointed Muslim president, attended the game - the first Turkish leader ever to visit Armenia's capital, and sat with the Armenian president, Serzh Sargsyan, behind bullet proof glass.
Afterwards they spoke of finding ways of ensuring that the hostility between their peoples should not be carried on to future generations. An effort is certainly needed. In the streets Armenians were carrying banners demanding Turkey admit your guilt and 1915 never again. Similar counter demonstrations can be expected in Turkey when the second leg of the game is played next year, to which the Armenian president has been invited.
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