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06/30/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Schiff Introduces Bill Urging End to Turkish Blockade of Armenia 2) Erdogan Visits Azerbaijan to Boost Ties 3) Germany~Rs Turkish Intellectuals Want Turkey to Recognize Armenian Genocide 4) New Karabagh Assembly Elects Leaders 5) Oskanian Arrives in Lebanon 1) Schiff Introduces Bill Urging End to Turkish Blockade of Armenia Chairman Hyde agrees to mark-up bill in committee WASHINGTON, DC--Late yesterday, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced a bill urging the President and Secretary of State to call on Turkey to immediately lift its ongoing blockade of Armenia. Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) was an original co-sponsor of the bill. This bill also requires a report from the Secretary of State within 30 days of final passage that will outline steps taken by the US to end Turkey's blockade of Armenia. The State Department has estimated that the blockade is inflating Armenia's transportation costs by 30-35%. The blockade also prevents the US and international humanitarian assistance from crossing its borders, which is a violation of US law and international humanitarian standards. House International Relations Committee Chairman, Henry Hyde (R-IL), has agreed to a subcommittee mark-up on Schiff's bill in July and a full committee mark-up shortly after the August recess. A mark-up is the final obstacle a bill must overcome before a vote by the full House of Representatives is possible. "It is time to step-up pressure on Turkey to lift the draconian blockade of Armenia, allowing desperately needed humanitarian assistance into the country, and permitting Armenian businesses to compete fully in the global economy. I am grateful for Chairman Hyde's commitment to a timely hearing on my bill," said Schiff. "President Bush and the Secretary of State can no longer stand by and allow Turkey to blockade Armenia without voicing any opposition or concern," said Congressman Frank Pallone. "The time is long overdue for Congress to send the Bush administration a strong message that it's time to terminate this blockade so Armenia can realize its full economic potential." "The Armenian National Committee of America welcomes Congressman Schiff's legislation, requiring a State Department report on any steps it has taken--and any actions it plans to take in the future--to bring an end to Turkey's illegal blockade of Armenia," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America. "We look forward to helping Congressmen Schiff, Pallone, and other sponsors of this measure to work toward final passage in the House of Representatives." Congressman Schiff is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations committees. He represents California's 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, and Temple City. 2) Erdogan Visits Azerbaijan to Boost Ties BAKU (Combined Sources)--Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan began his two day official visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday, in an effort to boost already close ties and trade links. Marking his first official visit to the country as Prime Minister, Erdogan met with Azeri president Ilham Aliyev to discuss issues including cooperation in the oil-and-gas industry and steps toward a possible settlement of the Karabagh conflict. Thanking the Prime Minister for Turkey's position and support on the Karabagh conflict, Aliyev expressed confidence that the visit will serve as an important catalyst for further development of the political, economic, and cultural relationship between the two countries. Recalling Heydar Aliyev's "One nation, two states," slogan, Erdogan noted, "Turkey has always been side by side with Azerbaijan, and this policy will be continued in the future." He said that in addition to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines, which "were of exceptional significance for Azerbaijan and Turkey," the countries would also develop their trade cooperation. On the issue of the Russian military base transfer from Georgia to Armenia, Erdogan clarified that Turkey could only serve as a "passive onlooker" in the situation, "without trying to sway Russia's decision." On May 30, Russia and Georgia agreed that Russia's two bases pull out by 2008. The withdrawal of military hardware from the Akhalkalak base near the Georgian-Armenian border is scheduled for 2006 and the facility's closure is due the following year. The Batumi base, on the Black Sea coast, will close in 2008. Reports have said the Turkish leader is also expected to urge Azerbaijan to pursue democratic reforms ahead of the country's November elections. Earlier this week in an interview with CNN-Turk television, Aliyev said he ruled out the possibility of a popular uprising in Azerbaijan similar to those that occurred in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. Aliyev, however, pledged that the November vote would be "bright, democratic and transparent." Erdogan is expected to address Azeri parliamentarians and meet with Turkish and Azeri business people. 3) Germany~Rs Turkish Intellectuals Want Turkey to Recognize Armenian Genocide BERLIN--A group calling for an end to Turkey's official denial of the Armenian genocide held a vigil on June 29 in Berlin, directly across the Turkish Consulate there. Interestingly, the gathering was organized by a group of Turkish intellectuals, who call themselves "Turks of Berlin." Approximately 25 people--Turks and Germans alike--conducted the 5-hour vigil, calling on Turkey to officially recognize the genocide of Armenians by the government of Ottoman Turkey, and to issue an apology to the descendents of the Genocide. The group displayed a banner that read in Armenian, German, and Turkish: "I denounce the genocide of 1915, and apologize to the Armenian people." They also made available photos depicting the Armenian genocide, and lit candles. The following day, Turks and Armenians debated the topic: "Were Armenians the Victim of Genocide 90 years ago, in the Ottoman Empire." According to German Security Services, Turkish nationalist groups in Germany, including Milli Gorus (National Vision) organized an exhibit to counter the efforts. Milli Gorus is an organization of Turkish immigrants in Europe, composed of members of the former Turkish Welfare Party and the fascist Gray Wolves. Their aim is to shield Turkish immigrants from Western cultural and political influences. Organizers of the debate, which took place in Bremen, were not concerned with the efforts of the Turkish groups. 4) New Karabagh Assembly Elects Leaders YEREVAN--Karabagh's new parliament held its first session on Thursday and elected its leadership. The new speaker of the local assembly is Ashot Ghulian the leader of the Democratic Party of Artsakh (AZhK). Ghulian resigned as Karabagh's minister of education and culture before taking up the new post. He had previously served as foreign minister. In his acceptance speech, Ghulian pledged to adhere to "good traditions of the previous parliament." The parliament's deputy speaker, Rudik Hyusnunts, is a senior member of the Azat Hayrenik (Free Fatherland) party that finished second with 10 seats. Other Azat Hayrenik deputies, including the party's leader Arayik Harutiunian, were elected as chairmen of two of the Karabagh National Assembly six standing committees. Ghukasian, insisting that the election, monitored by over a hundred representatives of foreign non-governmental organizations, was "truly free, fair and transparent," urged lawmakers to be "active" in their work in order to make government more efficient. 5) Oskanian Arrives in Lebanon BEIRUT--Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday evening to take part in the celebrations dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Beirut-based Armenian Haigazian University. Oskanian will serve as keynote speaker. During his three-day visit, Oskanian will meet with Lebanon's top government officials, as well as with family members of the late former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Oskanian is also scheduled to meet with Catholicos Aram I, Haigazian University faculty, and members of the local Armenian community. 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