Month: June 2005

EU-sought penal code takes effect in Turkey despite criticism
KurdishMedia, UK
June 2 2005
01/06/2005 AFP
ANKARA, June 1 (AFP) – 10h19 – Turkey’s new penal code, a key reform
demanded by the European Union, took effect Wednesday after months of
political wrangling and despite criticism that it severely restricts
press freedoms.
Controversy has haunted the code ever since the government rushed it
through parliament last September as part of reforms that helped Turkey
win an EU green light for accession talks scheduled to start this fall.
The law has been welcomed for introducing a more liberal criminal
justice system, in particular increasing penalties against human
rights abuses and torture and significantly improving the rights of
women and children.
But some parts, notably those concerning the media, triggered a
widespread campaign against the law, forcing Ankara to put it on
hold just days before it was due to take effect on April 1 to allow
parliament time to amend several provisions.
Parliament passed the amendments last week, but President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer, who has two weeks to study the articles, had not signed them
into law by midnight Tuesday, which means the code took effect in
its original form.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul played down the prospect of Sezer
vetoing the amendments, insisting that the main reforms demanded by
the EU were part of the code’s original version.
“The issues of concern to the EU — in other words, provisions related
to the (EU) political criteria — have already been amended,” Gul said.
Turkish newspapers greeted the new code with protests and scepticism.
“Freedom of the press is in danger,” declared the daily Aksam, while
Milliyet headlined: “Sour start to a new era.”
The Radikal newspaper lashed out at the government for failing to
address the complaints of press groups, which argue that under the new
code, journalists may still end up behind bars although jail sentences
were purged from the press law in an earlier reform last year.
Experts say articles concerning the media contain terms vague enough
to leave prosecutors and judges with room for arbitrary decisions
that may threaten freedom of expression.
One article of particular concern foresees up to 15 years imprisonment
for those who disseminate propaganda via the media against “fundamental
national interests” in return for material benefits from foreigners.
The article raised alarm when it emerged that explanatory notes in
the draft said it targets those who may, for instance, advocate the
withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus or support claims that the
massacre of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire was genocide.
Press groups also say provisions pertaining to the protection of
privacy and the secrecy of judicial proceedings until suspects are
formally charged are too restrictive and will deal a heavy blow to
investigative journalism.

Armenian leader criticizes government for illegal housing deals in quake zone
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
1 Jun 05
[Presenter] Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today held a working
meeting with members of the government to discuss ways of solving the
housing problems of refugees and families living in the disaster zone
[1988 earthquake].
This is the first time that the state budget has solved housing
problems in the disaster zone by issuing certificates, he stressed.
The Armenian president described this as a successful way of solving
the housing problems but pointed out that he is not satisfied with
the pace of issuing housing certificates and the quality and process
of finishing incomplete buildings.
Kocharyan noted that research carried out by the president’s
inspectorate testifies that although the lists of recipients are
permanently clarified, they contain the names of citizens who do not
meet essential requirements.
[Kocharyan] I instructed the inspectorate and they are dealing with
this problem. We noticed after the inspection that 20-30 per cent of
the names had been included on the lists illegally. I want you to
understand that we will not tolerate this situation, our programme
will be under close scrutiny and if anyone takes an unfair action,
they will be brought to book. We have cleared the lists several times,
but there are still lists that contain the names of people who have
no right to receive these houses. What is going on? Five months have
already passed. When will we start issuing certificates to homeless
families. This is the goal of our meeting.

Three Syrian officers “running” election campaign in north – Lebanese paper
Al-Mustaqbal web site, Beirut
31 May 05
Text of unattributed report entitled “Three Syrian security officers
running election battle in the north” published on Lebanese newspaper
Al-Mustaqbal website on 31 May, subheadings as published
In the wake of the big victory achieved by the lists of the martyr
Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri in the three constituencies in the
capital and amid public welcome of the success of the lists of national
partnership, which Sa’d al-Hariri described as “solidarity by the
people of the capital with 14 March”, several election developments
took place yesterday in a number of constituencies in the districts,
foremost of which is the information on three Syrian security officers
working shifts in the north to run the election battle against the
opposition.
First, Gen Michel Awn has continued to attack the election results
in the capital, saying that “the petrodollar has swept Beirut” and
referring to “a kind of serious factional control over the country”.
He said that “the citizen in Beirut does not act spontaneously and
is guided”. He also announced that the “mourning period (over prime
minister Al-Hariri) is over”. The interesting thing is that Awn,
who attacked what he described as the “guided citizen” in Beirut,
addressed a delegation from the Kisrawan-Jubayl constituency and
told them: “Follow us and we will handle the responsibility of (…)
[ellipsis as received] I will show you the way and if you want to
take that road, you will rid yourselves and Lebanon (…)” [sentence
as published] He also attacked the “petrodollar in Kisrawan-Jubayl”.
It was also interesting that there was convergence between Awn and
[former] Prime Minister Salim al-Huss, who said that “the results were
settled in advance”, adding that the “poor turnout raises questions
about their legitimacy”. He also “observed” that “the factors which
decided the result are religious and sectarian bias, political money
and the emotional reaction to the heinous crime”.
Secondly, Awn continued with the alliances with the symbols of the
era of Syrian custodianship. After he settled the alliance with MP
Talal Arsalan in the B’abda-Aley constituency, Al-Mustaqbal learned
that progress had been made in the negotiations on the alliance with
the former interior minister, MP Sulayman Franjiyah, but full details
are not yet known.
Regarding the elections in the north, informed sources have told
Al-Mustaqbal that a Syrian team made up of three security officers,
who were part of the Syrian security agency which operated in Lebanon
in the past, is running the election process from Tripoli to confront
the opposition lists. The team held several meetings with candidates
and “key” figures. The three officers are Muhammad Khalluf (former
security official in Beirut), Nabil Hushaymi (who was in charge of
the Syrian security in Akkar) and Khalil Zughayb (former security
official in Tripoli).
B’abda-Aley
Thirdly, in the B’abda-Aley constituency, it was learnt that
negotiations between the Progressive Socialist Party [PSP] and the
National Liberal Party are making progress towards adding Ilyas
Abu-Asi, a leading figure in the Liberals, to the opposition list
in the constituency. Parallel to this possible development, the
coordination committees between the PSP and the “Forces” in the
constituency have been active (the candidate of this constituency is
Dr Edmond Na’im). These committees are organizing meetings for the
staff of the two sides and also conducting tours in various areas.
In the meantime, there was a “surprising” shift by candidate Shakib
Qurtubawi from the Qurnat Shahwan [Gathering] to the Free National
Current. Awn will announce today the list of the alliance between him
and Arsalan. The list includes a Shi’i, Ramzi Kanj. It also includes
Shakib Qurtubawi, Hikmat Dib, Naji Garyus and Ghalib al-A’war, in
addition to Arsalan, Marwan Abu-Fadil and As’ad Abu-Ra’d.
MP Walid Junblatt, head of the Democratic Forum, paid a visit yesterday
to Al-Musaylih, where he met with Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih
Birri. part of the discussion focused on the elections in B’abda-Aley.
Al-Matn-Kisrawan-Jubayl
Fourth, in Al-Matn al-Shamali [northern Al-Matn], sources in
the opposition have told Al-Mustaqbal that the formation of the
opposition list is still in collision with the “Armenian factor”
because of [former] President Amin al-Jumayyil’s wish not to nominate
an Armenian on the list. On the other hand, MP Nasib Lahhud is keen
on nominating Rafi Madayan. It was understood that Al-Jumayyil does
not want Al-Tashnaq to declare mobilization against the opposition
list, while Lahhud believes that this does not change anything and
that Madayan can secure Armenian votes for his list.
As for the Armenian factor, there is a discussion about the possibility
of not forming a closed list, while the Catholic seat seems to favour
Roger Ma’luf (from the Liberals). With regard to the Free National
Current, it is apparently heading towards forming a dual list that
includes Edgar Ma’luf (Catholic) and Ibrahim Kan’an (Maronite). Awn
did not deny the alliance with MP Michel al-Murr and said that he had
expressed his thanks to Al-Murr “if he wants to give us his votes,
but we do not have anything to give him in return”.
Fifth, as for Kisrawan-Jubayl, which the opposition describes as
the “mother of battles”, the alliance is settled between two MPs
Mansur Ghanim al-Bawn and Faris Sa’id with the Lebanese Forces and
the National Bloc through its dean Carlos Iddah, and the Democratic
Renewal Movement, which has nominated former MP Kamil Ziyadah.
B’alabakk-Al-Hirmil
Sixth, in the B’alabakk-Al-Hirmil constituency, and while Hezbollah
has not yet decided the name of the candidate who will replace the
Ba’th candidate, Al-Mustaqbal has learnt that a strong list will
confront Hezbollah’s list, including former MP Albert Mansur (facing
the nationalist candidate Marwan Faris); Tariq Habashi (facing MP Nadir
Sukkar, candidate of the Baqraduni Phalanges Party); and two Sunni
candidates, Husayn Sulh and Husayn or Mustafa al-Hajjiri. There are
efforts to include former MP Yahya Shams, who is described as strong
in the constituency since he enjoys the support of the tribes and
families of Al-Hirmil area, and to include Rif’at Nayif al-Masri,
Hafiz Amhaz, Hasan Nabha and Ali al-Musawi for the Shi’i seats.
Meanwhile [former] parliament Speaker Husayn al-Husayni is standing
in the elections on the alliance list with Hezbollah.

Georgian Armenians: Dr. Ardziv Papazian lectures on Javakhk
Azad-Hye, Dubai
May 29 2005
The Armenian Community in Sharjah had the opportunity to meet Dr.
Ardziv Papazian on 23rd May 2005 and got amazed by his wonderful and
most accurate lecture about Javakhk.
Being a member of Non-Governmental Organization in France (named
Shen-France) he had the opportunity to visit Javakhk several times
and he even participated in building a hospital there, something the
people needed badly.
Dr. Papazian began his lecture with a DVD movie (prepared by L.EM.,
Lebanon), followed with a slideshow on Javakhk: the people, churches,
roads, schools and landscape. He explained thoroughly with his most
delicately prepared maps how Javakhk is Armenia~Rs only open boarder
not populated with ethnic Turks. If we loose this land, he stressed,
we will be 100% surrounded by ethnic Turks.
Then he went over our history and reminded us with the victories of
Sartarabad, Pash Abaran and Gharakiliseh (May 1918), adding to this
list a fourth battle (fought in Javakhk), which unfortunately was
lost. This battle was rarely mentioned, because Armenians in those
days needed to hear good news from the frontline, he explained.
Dr. Papazian also talked about the hard time the Georgian Government
is giving to the Armenians in Javakhk, resulting in evacuation from
the ancestral land. It is unfortunate that in present day Georgia
some of the old Armenian churches are reconfigured to Georgian ones
by adjusting the eastern entrances (making it towards the south)
and demolishing the belfry structures in those churches, because they
are characteristically in Armenian style.
Dr. Papazian added that Javakhk is a poor country with no electricity,
no educational institutes, no proper for vehicles, with long and cold
winters, no trees but plenty of pastures. It is a perfect country for
farming and breeding animals. It can provide, if properly managed,
all the meat and diary needs of Armenia itself.
And last but not least Javakhk has so many water sources. Quoting Dr.
Papazian, the lake Parvana ~Shar yev nman e Sevana lijin~T (it is so
much like the lake Sevan).
LIZA / SHARJAH
Additional Information: Javakhk is an area of land within Georgian
borders, adjacent to Armenia and populated with Armenians. The
population lives in extremely difficult economic situation, especially
that the central government in Georgia is not in a position to
financially sport any of social or economic projects in the region.
Recently the Georgian Public Prosecutor paid an official visit to
Armenia, during which he met Church figures and higher governmental
officials in Armenia and discussed with them the problems of Georgian
Armenians, especially the case of the Georgian nationalists who are
trying to put under their control Armenian churches or real estate
belonging to the Armenian Church in Georgia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UAE Armenians: Sharjah Armenian School’s Final Celebrartion 2005
Azad-Hye, Dubai
June 1 2005
Ohannesian Armenian School’s final celebration was held on 26th May
2005 in Sharjah (Armenian Community Hall).
The audience enjoyed the lovely songs and poems recited by the
students, in addition to the graceful folklore dances performed by
the 8th grade girls. The themes covered the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. There were also 2 pieces played by the Sunday
school and the kindergarten children.
Beautifully dressed as pets (bunnies, spiders, snails, etc.) the
children did their best to sum up what they learnt during the year.
As a remarkable enlargement of the school’s role in the society this
year a special class was introduced for non-Armenian speaking
children of Armenian origin who aspire to learn the essentials of the
language. We can proudly announce that the children of this new class
have done their utmost to move on from initially learning the
alphabet to forming whole and accurate sentences by the end of the
given semester.
At the end of the ceremony the headmaster handed over the diplomas
and the medals for excellent students, reminding them that what
acknowledgment they receive today is actually the first step towards
their real life, during which they are called to honour their
Armenian heritage.
The ceremony came to an end by playing a shourchbar Armenian
traditional round dance, to make a connecting bridge with the
Armenians who were scheduled to gather two days later around Mount
Arakadz, celebrating the first republic’s day on 28th May.
Hopefully we will see the day when all the Armenians will have their
Shourchbar dance around our Mount Ararat.
Article by: Liza / Sharjah
Note: Photo: Ohannessian Weekly School in Sharjah (2005)

Belgium: Armenian Bill Postponed
Journal of Turkish Weekly
June 2 2005
The Belgium Senate Justice Commission has once again postponed the
voting of an amendment that envisions monetary fines and jail terms
for those who deny the Armenian allegations.
During Commission’s May 31 session, heat debates took place for the
motion. Emir Kir of Turkish origin Belgium politician was targeted as
“denier”.
A proposal to invite experts to the Commission to discuss the
Armenian claims was also rejected. The conclusion for the discussions
at the Commission is expected on Tuesday, June 7. Observers
indicating supporters of the Armenian thesis have lost ground during
the May 31 discussions, claim that the likelihood of the draft’s
approval according to the demands of theArmenian lobby has
diminished.
A Senate member of Turkish origin Belgian , Fatma Pehlivan also took
the floor on May 31 and highlighted the drawbacks of the amendment
motion.
The May 31 session became the stage for a battle of words between
Belgian Minister of Justice Laurette Onkelix and Senator Alain
Destexhe. When Destexhe asked: “Kir denies. Why don’t you condemn
him?” by targeting Kir as an example, Onkelinx accused Destexhe of
running after petty calculations.
Dr. Nilgun Gulcan argued that the Armenians try to prevent any
different approach.
2 June 2005

RSF, Concerned of New Turkish Penal Code
KurdishMedia, UK
June 2 2005
01/06/2005 Bianet.org
Parliamentary amendments drawn up ahead of 1st June to the Turkish
Penal Code on freedom of expression related articles are very
inadequate, says international journalists rights organization RSF.
They share concerns of Turkish colleagues.
BIA (Paris) – Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it shared the
concerns of Turkish journalists over threats to press freedom from
a new criminal law that still needed major amendments before coming
into force on 1st June.
Despite revisions voted by parliament after it was adjourned on 31
March 2005 following strong media protests, the organization repeated
its call for the removal of prison sentences for press offences.
“Far from bringing Turkish law into line with European law on freedom
of expression, some articles of the code on the contrary would
facilitate arbitrary legal action against journalists and entailing
a climate of self-censorship damaging to press freedom”, it said.
Several articles of the new code are particularly perilous. Article
305, which punishes acts that go against “fundamental national
interests” by prison sentences of three to ten years, threatens
journalists and the right of the public to be informed.
Any claim to do with the “Armenian genocide” or “withdrawal of Turkish
armed forces in Cyprus” would be considered as against “fundamental
national interests”.
Dozens of journalists have been imprisoned in the past for having
simply expressed their opinion on this type of subject.
Turkish deputies did nevertheless agree to remove paragraph 2 of
the article which set out a 50 percent increase in sentences if the
offence was committed via the press.
Article 301 that is to replace 159 has been used in the past to
severely punish any criticism of parliament, the justice system or
the security forces.
It will be termed in future “Humiliation of Turkish identity, the
Republic, state institutions and bodies”.
It will allow wide scope for interpretation and threaten anyone
criticizing Turkish identity, the state or parliament with a prison
sentence of six months to three years. Any person who attacks the
government, justice system or the security forces moreover faces six
months to two years in prison.
Article 285 threatens with four and half years in prison anyone
“violating the confidentiality of an investigation”. This could be
a serious threat to the right of journalists to protect their sources.
Article 277 punishes anyone trying to “sway the justice system” with
two to four years in prison and potentially puts in danger journalists
covering court proceedings.
Under Article 267 of the new code, defamation in the press with the
aim of exposing someone to a judicial investigation is liable to a
one to four-year prison sentence.
Article 216, formerly 312, punishes with one to three years in prison
“deliberate incitement of a section of the population to hatred
and hostility through discrimination on the basis of race, region
or membership of a religious group, against another section of the
population” that causes “a clear and direct danger to the public”
(paragraph 1).
“Humiliation of a section of the population due to social, religious,
sexual or regional differences” is liable to a sentence of six months
to one year in prison (paragraph 2). “Overt humiliation of a person
because of their religious principles is liable to six months to one
year in prison if the offence threatens social peace” (Paragraph 3).
This “humiliation”, a very vague legal concept, capable of being
interpreted very widely by jurisprudence, directly threatens freedom
of expression both for journalists and for the general public.
This is not an exhaustive list. Turkish journalists and press freedom
organisations see parliamentary amendments drawn up ahead of 1st June
to the version of the code as it was to have been applied on 1st April,
as very inadequate. They consider that only six of the 20 problematic
points have been revised Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. (YE)
Call for major amendments to new criminal code that threatens press
freedom

Ethiopian Armenians: Armenian life in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Azad-Hye, Dubai
May 28 2005
In the 29th April 2005 issue of “Addis Tribune” (a publication of
Tambek International, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, established in 1992)
printed an article by Garbis Krajian, under the title: “Genocide 90
years ago – and Denial”
Garbis Kradjian is a graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government
and a teacher of ethics courses. His current assignment is in Ethiopia
and Zambia.
The article was more than a tribute to the memory of the victims
of the Genocide. It was a blend of memories on personal, communal,
national and trans-national levels, all intermingled in an interesting
way. After all, our life is a reflection of the reality within those
four circles.
The article begins with the following statement:
As a form of introduction, I was born in Ethiopia from Armenian
parents. My family’s history in Ethiopia goes back over 150 years.
>>From my father’s side, I am fortunate to trace my genealogy back
five generations. From my mother’s side, I am only able to go back
as far as my grandfather. Nonetheless!
I grew up in the Arat Kilo region and still remember many of my
childhood friends. I became fluent in Amharic [the majority language
in Ethiopia] and loved doing everything a child would do in our
neighborhood. Ethiopia became my home country and home to almost all
Armenians who live in Ethiopia. Right after the fall of the Emperor
I left Ethiopia for Canada.
After living abroad for thirty years, I have returned to Ethiopia
as an educator. Upon my arrival I learned that the once vibrant and
prosperous Armenian community that numbered around 1,500 has dwindled
to less than one hundred. The remaining twenty families still run
the community school, a club and a church.
On April 24th, like it has been done for the last 90 years, I also
went to my church to pray for the soul of my ancestors.
It is estimated that over ten million Armenians and friends in one
hundred fifty-two countries gathered in churches, community centers,
and national assembly halls to commemorate the 90th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide.
I was one of sixty Armenians who congregated at St. George (Kevork)
Armenian Church [in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia] to pay
tribute to my ancestors who were victims of the atrocities committed
by the Turkish Ottoman Empire during the First World War.
Needless to say, I could not think of being anywhere else in the
world at this particular moment than this sacred place in Addis which
is still situated in the same setting where I regularly prayed as a
child until I was 19 years of age. This was the same site, where every
year, on April 24th, a thousand or so Armenian-Ethiopians gathered
to remember their ancestors, the children, and the elderly who were
slaughtered by the Ottoman Army. In fact, what makes my conviction
so much stronger is that I am the grandchild of one of the Forty
Orphans, the “Arba Lijoch,” who survived the genocide and escaped to
Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, these forty orphans were given shelter at
the Armenian Monastery later to be adopted by Emperor Haile-Selassie.
The Emperor brought them to Ethiopia, where they made this lovely
country their home. These forty young men, who were a band had
impressed the Emperor with their musical skills. Upon their arrival
to Ethiopia, they were commissioned, under the directorship of Noubar
Nalbandian, uncle of Nerses Nalbandian, to compose the National Anthem
of Ethiopia. It remained as the anthem, “Teferi Marsh” or “Ethiopia
Hoy,” until the arrival of the Dergue [military committee formed in
1974 after the overthrow of Emperor Haile Sellasie].
Before I move to the topic of my immediate concern, I pay much
gratitude to all Ethiopians, present and past, for giving the Armenians
a home for the last 100 years.
Garbis Krajian then gives a summery of the Genocide explaining why
Turkey should recognize it.
He ends the article by borrowing Reverend Martin Luther King’s “I
have a dream” speech:
I have a dream that one day little Armenian boys and girls will be
able to join hands with little Turkish boys and girls as sisters
and brothers without having to bring up the past. I hope one day,
my daughters Sara and Ani will be able to play with the children of
my very good Turkish friend Serdar, without even going there…there
…there, to the past, a very sad past that is inevitable to surface
when an Armenian and Turk meet.
You can reach Garbis Krajian at the following e-mail.
Complete text available online.
70th anniversary of St. George (Kevork) Church in Addis Ababa.
On the 16th January 2005, the Armenian Community in Ethiopia witnessed
one of its memorable days, the celebration of the 70th anniversary
of St. George (Kevork) Armenian Apostolic Church of Addis Ababa,
the capital of Ethiopia.
The celebration was presided by Archimandrite V. Rev. Fr. Ashot
Mnatzakanyan (Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church
of Egypt and all Africa), Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian, Pastor of the
Community (and other nearby countries such as Sudan) attended the
ceremony. The celebration enjoyed the support of His Holiness Patriarch
Abouna Paulos, the Head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. This fact
in itself was a proof of ages old friendly relationship between the
Oriental Orthodox Churches of both countries: Armenia and Ethiopia.
Catholicos Aram I helps the Ethiopians of Lebanon build their first
church.
Antelias, Lebanon (10 February 2005)- His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of Cilicia, has contributed to the church-building efforts of the
Ethiopian community of Lebanon. The community will soon construct its
first church in the Ainaar village, located in Mount Lebanon. The
land was registered as a property of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
[donated by a Lebanese Christian benefactor].
His Holiness Patriarch Abouna Paulos, the Head of the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church, had visited the Catholicosate two years ago and asked
Aram I to assist the Ethiopian Community of Lebanon. Upon his request,
Catholicos Aram I closely followed the religious activities of the
community during the last two years. The Ethiopian Patriarch’s visit
has paved the way for continual cooperation between the Catholicosate
of Cilicia and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
You can reach Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian, Pastor of the Community at
the following e-mail.
;file=article&sid=187

Soros Downplays Role in Georgia Revolution
By MISHA DZHINDZHIKHASHVILI
The Associated Press
05/31/05 17:53 EDT
TBILISI, Georgia (AP) – U.S. billionaire George Soros on Tuesday
praised Georgia’s “Rose Revolution,” which catapulted opposition
leaders to power 16 months ago, but played down the role of
organizations that received funding from his foundation.
During his three-day visit to the Caucasus Mountain nation, Soros
has been met with protests by Georgian nationalists who allege he
is the power behind the pro-Western government of President Mikhail
Saakashvili.
Soros told a news conference that critics have exaggerated the role
played by organizations who received funding from his Open Society
Institute, which was holding its 10th anniversary commemoration
in Georgia.
“I’m very pleased and proud of the work of the foundation in preparing
Georgian society for what became a Rose Revolution, but the role of
the foundation and my personal has been greatly exaggerated,” Soros
said in response to questions by reporters. “I think you here must
know more than anybody else that the Rose Revolution was entirely
the work of Georgian society.”
Protests against election fraud snowballed into demonstrations that
came to be known as the Rose Revolution. The demonstrations toppled
the corruption-tainted regime of Eduard Shevardnadze and catapulted
Saakashvili to power.
Soros, who met with Saakashvili on Monday, cited the subsequent
popular uprisings in Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan that threw out entrenched
leadership in those two former Soviet republics and brought some
opposition leaders to power.
“And I think that there is an inspiration throughout the region to
build freedom and less oppressive and less corrupt governments. But
the foundation is not engaged in preparing revolutions – that is not
the mission of the foundation,” Soros said.
Some Georgian politicians have alleged that Soros had personally
appointed seven Georgian ministers to their jobs and was paying
their salaries.
Up to this year, some government salaries were, in fact, paid by
international organizations, but as of 2005 the state budget has been
covering them.
“Neither I nor the foundation exerted any influence about the selection
of the people who were entitled to these supplemented salaries,”
he said.
The billionaire also said opposition protests during his visit were
a sign of Georgia’s democratic process.

Rights groups blast Turkish penal code on day one
By Gareth Jones
ANKARA, June 1 (Reuters) – Human rights activists and liberal media
blasted a new Turkish penal code that came into force on Wednesday,
saying it undermined freedom of expression in the European Union
candidate country.
Passing a revised penal code is a key condition for Turkey before it
can start EU entry talks in October.
EU diplomats in Ankara said they would carefully monitor implementation
of the code, but said Turkey had for the time being met their
expectations by passing the legislation on time.
The new code improves women’s rights and imposes tougher penalties
for rape, torture, smuggling of human beings and so-called “honour
killings” in which women are killed by relatives for offences deemed
to tarnish the family name.
But it also envisages jail sentences for those found guilty of
insulting anyone simply for being a Turk or state institutions,
or of harming national interests and security.
“Now you are less free,” said the headline of the liberal Radikal
daily.
“The penal code is an obstacle to freedom of information,” it said,
noting harsher penalties for journalists for a range of offences
including publication of classified information.
Sanar Yurdatapan, a rights activist, told Reuters the code was “worse
than the old one” on matters of free expression.
In a mark of protest, he said he would invite 100 well-known Turks
to sign a declaration containing views outlawed under the new code,
daring state prosecutors to take action.
For example, he said, the signatories would demand the removal of
Turkish troops from Cyprus and would also urge Turkey to recognise
as genocide the killing of Armenians during World War One — both
opinions which could theoretically land them in jail under the terms
of the new penal code.
JUDGES HOLD KEY
“We would have liked to see the government remove all offences
for non-violent freedom of expression from the code. But now the
responsibility lies with the judiciary,” said Jonathan Sugden of
Human Rights Watch in London.
Turkey is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights,
whose provisions take precedence over domestic laws.
“It is politically harder for a government to abolish repressive
articles than it is for a judge to make a ruling at a later date
striking them down. The government probably wanted to duck a fight
with vested interests such as the security forces,” Sugden said.
He said Turkey had a robust civil society which would fight hard to
halt cases brought against freedom of expression.
Turkey’s parliament approved the penal code last Friday but President
Ahmet Necdet Sezer has been studying last-minute amendments. This
means that an earlier — and critics say more restrictive — version
of the code came into force on Wednesday.
Many expect Sezer, a staunch secularist, to veto the amendments because
they include softer penalties for teaching unauthorised courses on
the Koran, Islam’s holy book. Turkish secularists fear this will
weaken the state’s ability to control radical Islamist groups.
But whether he wields his veto or not, the bulk of the present penal
code is expected to remain in force.
Some Turkish newspapers highlighted some of the more progressive
aspects of the new code.
For example, it envisages 25 years jail for those who fire guns
into the air after soccer matches or at weddings. It also increases
penalties for driving through traffic lights when they are red,
playing loud music or using mobile phones on airplanes.
06/01/05 09:37 ET