Month: October 2006

"First Dynasty Mines" Company of Canada invested US $22, 1 in gold extraction in Azerbaijan territories

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 20 2006

[ 20 Oct. 2006 18:11 ]

"First Dynasty Mines" (FDM) Company of Canada invested US $22, 1 in
gold extraction in Nagorno Garabagh, occupied Azerbaijan territories.

It plans to invest US $12mn in Armenia’s gold extraction by the end of
next year," Arif Iskenderov, the chief of Ecology and Natural Resources
Ministry Ecology and Nature Protection Policy Department told the
APA. He said that Armenian government negotiates with International
Financial Corporation of World Bank and other foreign banks. FDM
invested US $4mn in geological exploration in Armenia and occupied
Azerbaijan territories. The company plans to extract over five tones
of gold in Kelbejer, occupied Azerbaijan region. It established a lab
of US $70 00 in Soyudlu field in Kalbajar. It plans to establish the
same in Ararat gold extraction.

73 percent of Soyudlu field is situated in occupied Azerbaijan
territory. The exploitation of the field was stopped in 1992. US
specialists began geological exploration of the field in 1996.

Armenian Industry and Commerce Ministry and FDM Company signed a
contract of US $63, 3mn in 1997. Sterlite Gold Ltd owns assets of
FDM Company. The same company bought stocks of Ararat Gold Recovery
Company in 2002 and became its owner.

12 000 employees of FDM work in Armenia and occupied Azerbaijan
territories. Their average monthly salaries are US $150-160. /APA/

Is There any Strategy in Boycotting France?
By IBRAHIM OZTURK

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 20 2006

10.20.2006 Friday – ISTANBUL 22:36

As a nation, our judgment is easily clouded. It’s our Achilles heel
to win the hard way but lose easily. We still haven’t learned how
to solve possible crises by adopting long-term strategies or using
intelligence and know-how.

A fine example of this phenomenon is the French controversy, perfectly
timed just before the EU progress report on Turkey is released. It is
as if the French wanted to seek help from Turkish sentiments that can
lose control and direction easily. While France and other like-minded
countries try to provoke us, so to speak, there are "customers" who
are ready to buy this turmoil at home because their interests fit
snugly into each other. I insist that the Algerian genocide should
not be used to extract vengeance against France. This would burn
bridges, whereas our duty is to build foundations and bridges for
better dialogue and understanding.

The tension we experienced because of Italy’s stance on the PKK and
the street protests it triggered are still fresh in our memory. But
remember Italy’s full support for us to obtain an exact date for EU
full membership negotiations. International relations are determined
neither by love nor by hatred, but by national interests guided by
common sense. Can’t you see that today Japan and America are like
identical twins, despite the two atomic bombs America dropped on its
present-day ally? While discussing today’s matters, we should not ruin
future relations. In fact, France does not prefer Armenia, a country
of five million poor people, over Turkey with this action. As is well
known, Europe has had this France problem for quite some time. It is
the same country that opposed Britain’s full EU membership in the past,
and that also rejects the current EU constitution. This notorious
country is now trying to use Turkey as a scapegoat for its problems
with the EU. What Turkey has to do is try to avoid being part of the
problem, with little patience and sound strategy.

The other side of the equation is our homemade problems. Those who,
until recently, had been tormenting people in order to impose
European values on them are now pretending to be against the
European Union. Since they are in search of a strategy to change
course smoothly, they acted hastily in finding similarities between
France’s attitude and the present EU situation. Take a guess: What
is the religion of our old aunt who yelled, "Religion is becoming
lost?" As always, one of the most legal grounds is Ataturk. He said,
"We have to reach the level of contemporary civilizations, not the
European level." He meant rationalism, didn’t he? But how can all
this be combined with economic and political unity?

Let’s not digress; I do support boycotting French products. But mine is
a well-founded embargo. If a foreign product has a Turkish equivalent
with the same quality, and if it can withstand the price competition, I
would prefer the homegrown products. A stance and preference spreading
across all parts of life with national consciousness is essential, not
feelings that are set ablaze with tensions and then burnt away. For
instance, rescuing the present volatile campaign launched against
France from its narrow bounds and turning it into a campaign using
homegrown products would be the most viable long-term strategy. On
the other hand, punishing French capital that is assisting successful
investments in our country, contributing to production and employment
by launching a boycott, will amount to sawing away at the branch
we are sitting on. Instead, not buying imported French products and
brands would be the best way to boost the boycott spirit.

France may risk losing Turkey in an economic sense because Turkey is
as good as a pill to cure an earthquake as far as French imports and
exports are concerned. That would not move a leaf in France. However,
France is our fifth-largest trading partner. More importantly,
it seems as if similar things will occur with other countries,
whether they’re EU members or non-EU members. Almost 70 percent of
Turkey’s foreign trade is with European countries. We should reduce
our dependence on Europe by expanding to new horizons, discovering
new abilities and developing new long-term strategies. Furthermore,
to increase our bargaining power we should be able to create other
power sources. Otherwise any action taken by us would seem ridiculous.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US attacks France over EU-Turkey ‘polemics’

EUPolitix.com, Belgium
Oct 20 2006

The US has criticised the French decision to criminalise denial of
the Armenian genocide.

Speaking in Brussels on Friday, the US assistant secretary of state for
European affairs Daniel Fried hit out at French polemics on the issue.

"The US shares that view that legislation criminalising discussion
of an issue does not make sense," Fried told reporters.

"The US has spoken out about terrible events of Ottoman empire but
we have not used the term genocide."

Calling on Turkey to carefully consider its history, the Washington
official said every country has "parts in its history that it is not
proud of."

Last week the French lower house approved a bill making it a crime
to deny Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks.

The move sparked outrage in Ankara where officials fear ties between
the Nato allies will be badly affected.

"This will be an unforgettable shame on France," said Turkish foreign
minister Abdullah Gul.

"France can never describe itself as a country of freedoms again."

Tan: French govt opposition to Armenian bill ‘a relief,’ but not enough

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Oct 20 2006

The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated yesterday that although the
French government’s opposition to their Parliament’s passage of the
Armenian "genocide" bill is a relief to some extent, it doesn’t solve
the problem.

Speaking during a weekly press conference, Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Namik Tan said, "France has lost its privileged position
in the eyes of Turkey. Reparation for this damage is impossible
through an administrative decision or a law."

Stressing that France should have taken constructive steps before the
passage of the bill by Parliament, Tan said, "We expected France to
act in accordance with the acquis and to act with common sense. But
we experienced great disappointment over the issue. From now on,
France will live with this embarrassment."

Tan rules out recall of Turkish ambassador

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also ruled out the recalling of the
Turkish ambassador from Paris, saying that Ankara’s representative
should be present in France to effectively convey its views.

"The decision not to withdraw the ambassador shouldn’t be seen as
a weakness," said Tan, pointing out the different ways for Turkish
people to show their reaction against the French Parliament’s move.

"Some of these steps have already been taken,and some are planned to
be taken in the future," Tan added.

"We are in favor of acting in a cool-headed and logical way. We’re
trying to base our strategy and take steps in line with those two
principles," Tan added.

Kazakh diplomat presented credentials to Armenian president

Kazinform, Kazakhstan
Oct 20 2006

ASTANA. October 20, 2006. KAZINFORM – Today Kazakh Ambassador Aimdos
Bozzhigitov has presented credentials to the President of Armenia
Robert Kocharyan in Yerevan; Kazinform has learnt from press service
of Kazakh MFA.

In the course of the meeting the parties considered expansion of
bilateral cooperation in trade and economic sphere. Special attention
was paid to the issue of Kazakhstan’s agricultural and oil products’
export, investment into Armenian banking sector and attraction of
Armenia to the joint information technologies projects.

Armenia considers Kazakhstan as a leader in Central Asian region, R.

Kocharyan noted. He stressed necessity of further interaction
enhancement. Since Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations with
Armenia in 1992 cooperation between them has been developed in the
spirit of mutually beneficial partnership.

Basic documents regulating bilateral relations are two agreements –
on fundamentals of relations and on friendship and cooperation.

Scientific and cultural collaboration is being realized as well.

Turkey defined sanctions against France

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 20 2006

[ 20 Oct. 2006 17:47 ]

Turkey defined the preliminary sanctions against for the adoption of
law by France Parliament that makes it crime to deny false Armenian
genocide, APA reports.

Official Ankara decided to freeze all bilateral relations, mainly
political and military relations with Paris. France organizations
will be deprived of the rights to participate in the defense and
energy projects of Turkey. France companies will not be involved in
the projects on construction of Atomic Power Plant which costs US
$5bn. Besides it was decided to remove French firms from the tenders
announced by Turkey Armed Forces.

-Eurocopter Company of France submitted bids in the tender for
purchase of 12 helicopters for Gendarme Forces. The Offer will not
be considered.

-France companies will not be let to the tenders for purchase of 54
helicopters for Turkey Armed Forces on different goals.

-The bids for purchase of submarine for Navy will not be considered.

-France company GIAT’s bids for purchase of tank for Land Forces will
not be considered. /APA/

Once again Marios Garoyan is trying to write history.

;c ID=4&pID=87&s=2
18-10-2006

After becoming the first Armenian Cypriot Parliamentarian he is
contesting for the new leadership of the ruling Democratic Party
(Diko), following President Papadopoulos’ decision to step down two
months ago. On the 7th of October during a special political congress
President Papadopoulos gave his farewell speech and resigned.

For the new leadership, two candidates will fight it out on October
22 2006, Nicos Cleanthous MP and Marios Garoyan MP.

Garoyan described his nomination as one of "Collectivity and consensus
with perspective." and added "Diko has the background, the manpower and
the capabilities to become a modern flexible and pluralistic party,
and above all a party that presents the right image and articulates
modern political talk."

>From his part, Nicos Cleanthous, who has been acting party president
for the past 8 years, said that the party needs "Collectivity,
solidarity and unity". "Those who want to be leaders must be
accompanied by courage, sincerity, reliability, dedication, solidarity,
humility and generosity". He added.

Referring to his rival candidate Marios Garoyan he said that his
presence "Strengthened the party convention and gives grace to the
electoral contest."

At this point is should be mentioned that Marios Garoyan officially
reported that his Armenian origin is been exploited by some Diko
members.

According to Diko General Secretary, Vasilis Palmas, about 13,000
Diko members with a voting right are expected to attend the electoral
congress.

The voting will take place in all districts of the island.

If Cleanthous succeeds, the post of Deputy President will be vacant,
an election process is expected to follow for the post and other
vacated offices.

Hayem.org wishes all the best to Marios Garoyan MP.

Amnesty International gives sharp reaction against France

Sabah, Turkey
Oct 20 2006

"The legislative proposal which imposes a penalty to those who
deny the Armenian genocide is violating the freedom of speech. The
legislative proposal is against the 10th article of the European
Court of Human Rights."

Amnesty International has announced that the legislative proposal which
was approved in France last week is "seriously violating the freedom
of speech." In a statement published by the Amnesty International
it was stated that the organization fears of approval of the bill
in the French Parliament. The statement asked Jacques Chirac to
preclude the proposal to become a law. The statement also indicates
that the proposal violates the 10th article of the European Court of
Human Rights.

Report on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be discussed at the NATO PA autumn session

Regnum, Russia
Oct 20 2006

A report on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be submitted for
discussion at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s autumn session,
says the head of the Azeri delegation to the NATO PA Ziyat Askerov.

A source from the Azerbaijani Parliament reports Askerov to say
that the document is almost ready. Not everything is satisfactory
in it though: for example, the report says that "15% of Azerbaijan’s
territories are occupied and that there are 600,000-700,000 refugees
and internally displaced persons." That’s why the Azerbaijani side
has protested against this point and has offered its amendments. "We
have also provided them with documents proving that Nagorno-Karabakh
is Azerbaijan’s historical land and that Armenians were just resettled
there."

The draft of the report was discussed with the chairman of the
Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defense of the NATO PA Defense
and Security Committee Vahid Erdem during his visit to Baku.

EU wishes railway to Europe through Armenia and Turkey instead of
Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars

Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 20 2006

20 October 2006 – TRACECA members – Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey
– supports Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway project but the
European Union doesn’t take this issue positive, Akif Mustafayev,
TRASECA National Secretary for Azerbaijan, told.

He said the EU sides with Armenian and doesn’t want it to be uninvolved
in the regional projects and that the EU wants a railway line from
Azerbaijan to Europe through Armenia and Turkey.

"In fact, it is impossible as long as the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict
remains unsolved. The decision taken by some countries not to finance
this project will not affect implementation of the project. The project
participant countries have decided to finance the project themselves."