Month: October 2006

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 21 2006

Internalizing Orhan Pamuk

ETYEN MAHCUPYAN
10.21.2006 Saturday – ISTANBUL 22:33

Societies which are unable to get out of their communal mentality
have always had trouble grasping the concept of the individual,
created by modernity, because being an individual requires, above
all, looking at oneself from out of one’s community.

This is already the very definition of the intellectual and this
difference also points out why the "enlightened" in Turkey fail to
become intellectuals. As for communities, they only create
"enlightened." These are people who think they know what is true and
assume a mission of promoting the progress of society toward these
right goals. While doing so, they also pursue a goal of making the
values of their community dominate the demands of others. Such people
would not be awarded a Nobel Prize, for instance. All those who have
been awarded Nobel Prizes so far are people who succeeded in
developing a critical viewpoint toward their lands and created a new
localism out of this criticism. Therefore, it is not surprising that
Orhan Pamuk is perceived as a stranger because of the communal
perception in Turkey. In fact, Pamuk is even on the margins of the
secular circles in Turkey, not to mention the conservative ones.

However, for this very reason, his critical view toward every point
about himself made him real and enabled him to raise a localism with
a universal meaning to an intellectual level. In his book Istanbul:
Memories and the City, the author deals with his childhood, family
and the cultural structure around him. He describes the background of
Istanbul in such a way that he alienates and marginalizes while
localizing himself by making it a part of the world he is talking
about.

This novelist was awarded a Nobel Prize in literature for his ability
to handle his novels with this deep point of view. Those who say
Pamuk was awarded this prize for political reasons probably think his
books were translated into so many foreign languages and became
best-sellers as a result of lobbying activities. A parvenu culture of
keeping books on shelves instead of reading them is widespread in our
society but such a custom almost never existed in Western societies.

For over a decade Pamuk has been regarded as a "pioneering" writer,
in Western literary circles, reflecting the futuristic novel on the
present day. Hadn’t he dealt with political issues that much, perhaps
Pamuk would have already been awarded this prize because Pamuk’s real
strength lies in his distance from his objects and the courage to
declare this openly, as well as his ability to unite his high
intelligence, power of observation and expression within a literary
tradition. Pamuk also pushes the limits of the novel while doing so.

The remarks of those who criticize him show the abysmally low number
of people who possess the same intelligence and courage in our
society and how hard it is for a man of letters to look at himself
and things from out of his community.

Being a universal man of letters does not only imply an ability to
write well. Even intelligence and courage are not enough.

Synthesizing this in a way to address people’s minds and hearts also
requires honor. As for honor, it does not mean an official discourse
charged with preserving the national outlook as some people consider
it to be. It requires dealing with the society and history in a
conscientious way. Those claiming that Pamuk was awarded the Nobel
Prize because he had said a million Armenians were killed in this
country are apparently trying to say that this statement should not
be made by a "good" man of letters because a person with a conscience
cannot say the opposite. There may be various views on why these
events took place but rejecting the existence of the event just
reveals one’s fear in confessing his or her lack of ideas.

Pamuk is not that kind of a man. He is an honest person who combines
his extraordinary talent with intelligence, courage and conscience.

It is certainly difficult for communities to "internalize" such
people.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HARVEST FESTIVAL 2006

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
Oct 17 2006

On October 8 the second harvest festival took place in Stepanakert,
in Sasuntsi Davit Street. Tigran Arstamyan, a senior official of the
Ministry of Agriculture, who was the head of the organizing committee,
said this year harvest was poor and they feared that the communities
would not take part in the festival. Nevertheless, the participants
were many. Tigran Arstamyan said if the harvest were good, more
farmers would arrive for the fair. "Our greatest achievement is that
the participants of the previous festival inquired all the time when
the next festival would be. Besides, there are very many farmers
who participate for the first time," he said. This year, besides
the Artsakh-based processing factories, several Armenian factories
participated as well. Despite this enthusiasm, the organizers failed
to lay out stands for display and sale of products. Last year this
question was raised but there was very little or almost no change this
year. The farmers were supposed to take care of stands. Some people
brought small tables, others arranged the produce on the ground,
or sold from their car. This disorder caused long queues. In fact,
nobody minds queues, which are also part of such fairs, but everyone
would agree that it is necessary to provide conditions for normal
trade. "We wanted to hold the fair this year in a special area and get
stands, but this is costly," said Tigran Arstamyan. The communities
have a lot of problems, of course, but many farmers found time to
come to the capital and sell their products. Moreover, despite the
poor harvest, the number of participants from some regions grew,
including participants from Kashatagh. This year 11 cars arrived
from this region. Suren Abunts, the mayor of the village of Saratak,
took part in both festivals. He thinks such events are very important
and encouraged the farmers of his community to participate. 3 out of
the 11 cars from Kshatagh were from Saratak. "Buyers often like our
produce and want to buy in big amounts," he says. As for the buyers,
they came to the fair not only out of interest but also because
the prices of some products, such as grapes, potatoes and pork,
were lower than on the market, although the prices of other products
were not, and the reason is poor harvest, the problem of transport,
etc. Despite the different opinions people have, the harvest festival
is becoming part of their lives. Tigran Arstamyan said the second
Sunday in October will become the official day of the Harvest Festival.

NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
17-10-2006

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 21 2006

Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister called on UN to implement resolution
on Nagorno Garabagh conflict

[ 21 Oct. 2006 15:28 ]

Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Khandogiy addressed the UN
General Assembly meting dedicated to the cooperation with the regional
organizations yesterday.

He said that the UN should strengthen the relations with regional
countries, APA reports. The minister also said that it is important
for UN to activate its plans on the solution of ongoing conflicts in
Georgia, Moldavia and Azerbaijan.

"International Organization, especially the UN and OSCE should make
practical steps on the solution of conflicts in the region," he said.

Xandogiy thanked General Assembly for putting the problem of
"The prolonged conflicts in GUAM region and their influence on the
development and security of international organizations" to the agenda
and said that he hopes this step will help to solve the conflicts
in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldavia. He called on the conflict sides
to execute the resolution of UN Security Council and OSCE on Nagorno
Garabagh and Abkhazia-Georgia conflicts and to start the execution of
the plan offered by Georgia President on peaceful solution of South
Ossetia-Georgia conflict. The diplomat also talked about Ukraine
president’s initiative on "The regulation of Trans-Dnestr conflict
on Democratic Principles". He said that economic security is very
important for Europe. The Minister also stressed the necessity of
Black -Caspian Sea region in safe energy recourses’ transfer to Europe.

"GUAM states are ready to participate actively in the implementation
of energy projects by Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization,"
he said. /APA/

"WE MUST LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF ARMENIANS"

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
Oct 17 2006

On October 7 the repaired building of Arevik Children’s Medical
Center was opened, the reconstruction of which started in 2003. At the
ceremony the president, the speaker and the prime minister, as well
as members of government, health workers and the benefactors were
present. In her speech Minister of Health Zoya Lazarian thanked the
French Aida for Armenia organization (President Stepan Berberian),
as well as everyone else, who had contributed to the reconstruction
and equipment of the hospital. The minister of health said the
project implemented for several years now was also supported by the
ministry of health, as well as several local businessmen. Although
part of the building was repaired, over 360 thousand euros was spent
on this project. Stepan Berberian said when six years ago he first
visited Artsakh and saw the state of the children’s hospital, he
decided to take up its reconstruction. He was helped by his parents
and uncle. Stepan Berberian, the president of Aida for Armenia,
thanked the NKR government, people living in France and Artsakh who
contributed to the project. President Arkady Ghukassian said in his
speech that hopefully the other part of the building will be repaired
too. "We must take care of the health of our people for them to feel
safe here and not have to leave for other cities to get treatment. We
must live up to the expectations of Armenians for them to be sure
that the money they donate for one purpose or another reaches its
destination," said Arkady Ghukassian.

LAURA GRIGORIAN.
17-10-2006

PRESIDENT GHUKASSIAN MET WITH ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
Oct 20 2006

On October 15 NKR President Ghukassian met with the foreign minister
of Armenia Vardan Oskanian visiting Stepanakert. They discussed the
current stage of the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict
and the prospect of a resolution. They also discussed the results
of the OSCE mission, which monitored the state of environment of the
areas along the Nagorno-Karabakh – Azerbaijani border.

AA. 20-10-2006

Prime Minister of Belarus to arrive in Armenia October 22

ArmRadio.am
21.10.2006 11:22

Governmental delegation headed by the Prime Minister of Belarus
Sergey Sidorsky will pay a visit to Armenia October 22-24, Head of the
Information Department, Belarus MFA Spokesman Andrey Popov informed. In
his words, in the framework of the visit talks with RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan and President Robert Kocharyan are expected. The
delegtion will be received by the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin
II. Discussions will focus on humanitarian and regional cooperation,
expansion of trade and economic ties, specifically increase of
supplies of Belarus automobile and agricultural equipment," Popov
underlined. Presentation of innovation technologies of Belarus and its
High Technologies Park is planned. A scientific and practical seminar
on new Belarus developments in medicine production is to be held.

Pope’s visit to Turkey will help normalize interchurch relations

ArmRadio.am
21.10.2006 13:14

Ecumenical Patriarch His All-Holiness Bartholomew I has declared that
the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey will help normalize
the relations between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

According to the Turkish NTV, the Greek Patriarch said that the Pope’s
visit is a good chance for normalization of relations between the
Orthodox and the Catholics and to reinforcement of the opportunities
to live in peace with non-Christians. Noting that the main reason of
the Pope’s visit is the improvement of relations between Catholic and
Orthodox Churches, the Greek Patriarch said that as religious leaders
they are obliged to work to make people understand the opportunities
of preventing calashes and solving the discrepancies in a peaceful way.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Vartan Oskanian: Armenia does not mind Turkey’s accession to the EU

ArmRadio.am
21.10.2006 12:07

Turkey’s behavior regarding the adoption of the bill penalizing
the Armenian Genocide denial is not sincere for a country having a
point restricting freedom of speech in its Constitution, RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian said in an interview with the "International
Herald Tribune."

Oskanian noted that this discussion should be held in Turkey and
not in France or Switzerland. It is Turkey that must launch a free
and open dialogue, which does not exist today. "Those who call to
leave the history to historians are challenging the historians." At
the same time Oskanian noted that Turkey minds involvement of third
countries in the discussion.

According to the Foreign Minister, Turkey has made the dialogue between
the two states impossible. Armenia is ready to establish diplomatic
relations with Turkey without any preconditions. Besides, Armenia does
not mind Turkey’s accession to the European Union. "We would like
Turkey to correspond to all European standards and we would like to
see Turkey as an EU member, which would make it possible to cooperate
for creating a safe and prosperous region," the Foreign Minister noted.

Ankara not going to recall its Ambassador from Paris

ArmRadio.am
21.10.2006 13:22

"Official Ankara does not intend to recall its Ambassador from Paris,"
Speaker of the Turkish MFA Namik Tan said in a press conference
in Ankara.

According to the Turkish AT agency, Tan said that existence of
diplomatic mission in Paris is necessary to bring Turkey’s position
to France. "We stand for cool-headed and reasonable behavior and
we’ll continue our activity this way," Tan said.

President Kocharyan received the parliamentary delegation of China

ArmRadio.am
21.10.2006 13:35

October 21 President Robert Kocharyan received the delegation headed
by Deputy Chairman of the All-China Assembly of People Representatives
of the People’ s Republic of China Syu Stzialu.

Syu Stzialu conveyed the warm greetings of the President of the
People’s Republic of China to Robert Kocharyan.

RA President emphasized the high level of the Armenian-Chinese
political dialogue and said: "Armenia is consistent in its intention
to reinforce the relations with China and is interested to have the
bilateral ties be more dynamic and coordinated."

Underlining China’s great role on the international arena, Robert
Kocharyan highly assessed the country’s balanced position toward the
sensitive issues of the South Caucasus.

In Syu Stzialu’s words, Armenian-Chinese cooperation is successfully
developing. He said Robert Kocharyan’s state visit to China in 2004
was pivotal in the expansion of bilateral collaboration.

The interlocutors underlined also the productive cooperation of
Armenia and China on the international arena, noting that the two
countries have similar approaches on a number of questions. They
exchanged views on the situation in the North Korea.