ASBAREZ Online [06-08-2005]

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06/08/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) House Members Urge Pres. Bush to Raise Serious Issues with Turkey's Prime Minister 2) Rep. Rothman Takes Lead in Calling Attention to Turkey's Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism 3) Bush Upholds Turkey's `Democracy' as Example 4) Oskanian Vienna Meeting Concludes, in Washington to Meet US Officials 5) South American Countries Expand Armenian Genocide Recognition Efforts 6) Prime Minister Opens Armenian Pavilion at World Expo in Japan 7) His Holiness Karekin II Opens Arakel and Shake Aghasarkissian Diocesan Library 1) House Members Urge Pres. Bush to Raise Serious Issues with Turkey's Prime Minister Blockade of Armenia, anti-American sentiment and anti-Semitism among key issues discussed in Congressional letters to Pres. Bush WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--In the days leading up to Wednesday's meeting between Pres. Bush and Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, members of the US House of Representatives raised serious concerns about Turkey's 12-year blockade of Armenia, growing anti-Americanism, and anti- Semitism. In a June 3 letter, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) were joined by Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) in urging Pres. Bush and Secretary of State Rice to "again call upon Turkey to comply with your Administration's long-standing position that in order to restore economic, political, and cultural links with Armenia, Turkey should immediately lift its ongoing blockade with Armenia." The House members detailed the high cost of Turkey's blockade on Armenia's struggling economy. "A recent State Department report estimated that the blockade is inflating Armenia's transportation costs by 30-35%, thereby stifling its trade and economy," noted the letter. "This report also stated that opening the border would catalyze commercial opportunities for Turkey and Armenia in the fields of energy, trade and tourism, valued at $1 billion per year." The letter concludes that "if there is to be a resolution of conflicts in the region and a reduction of tensions along borders, it is essential that Turkey move forthwith to lift this destructive blockade." 2) Rep. Rothman Takes Lead in Calling Attention to Turkey's Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism On the eve of Pres. Bush's meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan, Rep. Rothman was joined by 10 House Colleagues in sending a meticulously documented letter to the President, detailing rampant anti-American and anti-Semitic sentiment in the Turkish press. The June 7 letter noted the rise of anti-Semitism, citing as one example, that "some of Turkey's best selling books this past year include Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, which has been published at least 45 times between 1940 and 2005 in Turkey and is not being marketed by 11 publishers." It goes on to detail the complex ways anti-Semitism manifests itself, including "animosity toward Jews and Judaism;" and, "a hostile approach towards the Jewish citizens of Turkey, including questioning their loyalty, accusing them of treason and blaming them for the fall of the Ottoman Empire..." In detailing anti-Americanism in Turkey, House members cited "last year's BBC poll, which found Turkey to hold the most anti-American sentiment in the world." The letter also notes "Turkish government officials comparing the US to Nazi Germany and President Bush to Adolph Hitler." Joining Rep. Rothman in cosigning the letter were Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mark Souder (R-IN), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Diane Watson (D-CA), and Anthony Weiner (D-NY). 3) Bush Upholds Turkey's `Democracy' as Example WASHINGTON (AP)--President Bush held up Turkey's democracy as an important example for other Mideast nations Wednesday during an Oval Office meeting with the country's prime minister in which both leaders declared a strong relationship after differences over Iraq. "We're happy that we were able to confirm that our strategic relationship will move and take place in the future as it has been done in the past," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Bush thanked Erdogan for Turkey's support in building democracy in Afghanistan and working with the Palestinians to build an independent state. "Turkey and the United States have an important strategic relationship," Bush said. "I told the prime minister how grateful I was that he is a strong supporter of the Broader Middle Eastern Initiative." Erdogan said they also discussed plans to reunify Cyprus, a tiny island in the Mediterranean Sea that has been divided since 1974 between a Greek Cypriot-controlled south and the Turkish-occupied north. Turkey alone recognizes the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north, and keeps 40,000 troops there. The issue has become vital for Turkey as it pushes to join the European Union, which already includes the divided island. The United States supports Turkey's bid for membership in the EU. Erdogan said he and Bush also discussed Iraq, but neither leader provided any details about what was said. They did not take questions from reporters but only gave brief statements at the end of their meeting. Turkey's relations with the United States showed some strain after Ankara refused to allow US troops in the country for the Iraq war. Erdogan's trip to Washington has been seen as a fence-mending visit and both leaders said he also encouraged US investment in Turkey. Bush said the visit was extensive and that they focused on "foreign policy and shared interests between our countries." "Turkey's democracy is an important example for the people in the broader Middle East, and I want to thank you for your leadership," Bush said to Erdogan in front of the cameras. 4) Oskanian Vienna Meeting Concludes, in Washington to Meet US Officials VIENNA (Combined Sources)--After meeting with OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen in Vienna, Armenia's Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said that a set of issues on the regulating the Mountainous Karabagh conflict were discussed. According to the Armenian Foreign Affairs Ministry press services, Oskanian and the co-chairs the Steven Mann (US), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) and Bernard Fassier (France) also specified details about the June 17 meeting between Oskanian and his Azeri counterpart, due to take place in Paris on June 17. Okanian then departed for Washington, DC where he is expected to hold a news conference on June 10 at the National Press Club to discuss, developments in the South Caucasus, the Mountainous Karabagh Peace Process, and Armenian-Turkish Relations. The Minister is also scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, National Security advisor Stephen Hadley, other Bush Administration officials, and members of Congress to discuss these and other issues, including Armenian forces in Iraq as part of the multinational coalition. 5) South American Countries Expand Armenian Genocide Recognition Efforts MONTEVIDEO (Combined Sources)--Parliament members of Uruguay have initiated a signature collection campaign under a petition appealing to the European Union to urge Turkey to acknowledge its 1915 genocide of Armenians. Similar campaigns have also been launched in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The action was initiated by deputy of the Uruguayan parliament Lilian Kechichian. All Armenian organizations functioning in Latin America have signed-on in support of the initiative. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has already responded with a note of protest, which says, in part, "The Paraguayan authorities support groundless statements of Armenians." Uruguay was the first nation to officially recognize the Armenian genocide in 1965, while Argentina recognized it in 1985. On April 24 of this year, Uruguayan President Tabare Vasquez addressed the Armenian community in Montevideo, in unveiling a monument honoring the Armenian genocide victims. 6) Prime Minister Opens Armenian Pavilion at World Expo in Japan AICHI (Combined Sources)--Armenia marked its national day at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi State, Japan on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Andranik Margarian opening Armenia's pavilion dedicated to the National Day of Armenia. Welcomed by a wave of Armenian flags and the playing of the national anthem, Margarian told guests and participants that similar events help to promote integration among nations by establishing not only economic and commercial relations between peoples and states, but promoting cultural and humanitarian ties. "In the age of scientific and technological progress, economic development is necessary to create opportunities to unite nations and target opportunities for cooperation," Margarian said. He stressed that International integration and unification can only be possible via the development of each sovereign state and knowledge of the history and culture of each people. "I assure that we brought the best from the heart and the soul of sunny Armenia, and it has been peculiar to the Armenian people throughout the ages, and remains today and in the future," he stressed. Armenia's pavilion, "Art of Life," presented the culture, history, economic and intellectual potential of Armenia, as well as the co-existence of existence man and nature, and the country's process of international integration. After attending a reception in their honor in Nagoya city, the Armenian delegation departed to Tokyo for bilateral meetings with Japanese officials. The Expo, in which 200 nations are partaking, began on Monday with Japan Day with Crown Prince Naruhito and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on hand for the opening ceremony. "As the host country of the exposition, we have a unique opportunity to let the people of the world know what efforts we're making to leave a better Earth for future generations," the crown prince told the 2,000 guests. "On Japan Day, I hope we can increase people's awareness of Earth and environmental problems, and deepen understanding among the people of the world about Japan's endeavors in this regard," he said. Koizumi said he believed that economic development could go hand in hand with environmental protection and that science and technology were key to achieving this. "I hope the people of the world will work together and think about a future where people and nature can exist in harmony," he said. 7) His Holiness Karekin II Opens Arakel and Shake Aghasarkissian Diocesan Library BURBANK--Singing the hymn "Hrashapar," His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, began the opening ceremony for the Arakel and Shake Aghasarkissian Diocesan Library. Following the reading of the Gospel, His Eminence Archbishop Derderian thanked benefactors Mr. and Mr. Harout Aghasarkissian and Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis Aghasarkissian for their generous support. His Holiness congratulated the Diocese on the occasion, and conveyed to the faithful in attendance his blessings form the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He concluded with the Benediction. Attending the ceremony were Consul General of the Republic of Armenia Gagik Kirakosian, and Aghasarkissian family friend, former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress