Month: October 2006

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
October 18, 2006

Feast of the Holy Translators and
Presentation of the Album of Armenian Paleography in Holy Etchmiadzin

The Feast of the Holy Translators, one of the most beloved and celebrated
days among the Armenians, was noted with special significance in the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin this year.  On Saturday, October 14, the Armenian
translation of the "Album of Armenian Paleography" was officially unveiled
and presented to the public in the headquarters of the Armenian Church.  The
event took place in the Pontifical Residence of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the
presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians.

The original English language version of the album was published by the
Aarhus University Press in Denmark in 2002.  The editors of this definitive
work are Professors Michael E. Stone, Dickran Kouymjian and Henning
Lehmann.  The album comprehensively studies and interprets ancient forms of
Armenian writing.

On the occasion of the 1600th Anniversary of the Creation of the Armenian
Alphabet, His Holiness Karekin II authorized the "Karekin I Armenological &
Theological Center" of Holy Etchmiadzin to pursue the Armenian translation
of this seminal work with the goal of having it published by the Mother
See.  The primary benefactor for the publication of the Armenian translation
of the album is the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund (USA).

The translation and editing work of the Armenian version was accomplished
through the endeavors of Aram Topchian and Gohar Muradian, researchers at
the "Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran" Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in
Yerevan; and Azat Bozoyan, Director of the "Karekin I Armenological &
Theological Center".  The album was published by the Tigran Mets Publishing
House.

As the ceremony began, Azat Bozoyan welcomed the attendees and expressed his
gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians for the creation of this
important contribution to Armenian culture and science.  He noted the
significance of continuing the mission of the Mother See in publishing
similar works, which were initiated by Karekin Hovsepiants of blessed memory
(later Catholicos of Cilicia) in 1913 in Holy Etchmiadzin.

On behalf of the authors, Professor Dickran Kouymjian, Chair of the
Department of Armenian Studies at California State University in Fresno,
spoke on the history of the nearly three-year process of creating the
Armenian translation of the album.  He conveyed the appreciation and
gratitude of the authors to the Pontiff of All Armenians for his support and
sponsorship in publishing the work.

The event concluded with His Holiness Karekin II addressing those present
with his message of blessing.  The Armenian Pontiff expressed his
appreciation to the authors, translators and editors for their devoted and
conscientious work.  He also specifically thanked M. Haigentz of the Dolores
Zohrab Liebmann Fund for their generous financial gift, as well as Vrezh
Markosian, Director of the Tigran Mets Publishing House, for the diligent
efforts of his entire staff.  His Holiness highly evaluated the role of both
the English and Armenian versions of the album in the sphere of Armenian
Studies, noting, "This work will have the most important significance for
researchers and scientists engaged in the history of the Armenian characters
(letters), Armenian art and culture.  We are confident that the joint
volumes, which complement one another, will greatly serve the study of our
manuscripts and ancient writings by Armenians and non-Armenians alike."

In attendance for the ceremony were members of the Brotherhood of Holy
Etchmiadzin, members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, professors and
lecturers of the Gevorkian and Vaskenian Theological Seminaries, and
scientists, intellectuals, and artists from throughout Armenia.  Throughout
the evening, musical presentations of Bach, Komitas, and Babadjanian were
performed by the string quartet of the Armenian Chamber Orchestra.

##

–Boundary_(ID_13gV04RQDPn8SxarVrE zRw)–

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: George Shirinian

DATE: October, 16 2006
Tel: 416-250-9807

Zoryan Awarded Encyclical from His Holiness Karekin II for 25 years
of Service

Toronto, Canada- His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
has awarded the Zoryan Institute an Encyclical "in recognition of 25
years of service to the Armenian people." Honouring the Institute on
this occasion, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada organized
a banquet held on October 7, 2006 in the Great Hall of Hart House at
the University of Toronto.

The Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Berge Papazian, graciously opened the
celebration by highlighting the uniqueness of Zoryan’s work and
the admiration that Armenians worldwide have for the Institute’s
achievements.

He added that this was manifested by "the participation of all 18
Toronto region Armenian organizations – Churches, cultural groups
and political parties, a testament of their genuine support."

Mr. Ara Boyajian, the Diocese Council Treasurer and one of lead
organizers of the evening, explained the rationale for this initiative
by saying there is "only one organization with a unique mission,
only one organization not duplicating the good work of others,
doing behind-the-scenes academic work open to all, in the pursuit
of universal human rights." He commended "Zoryan for its unwavering
dedication and its uncompromising stand towards national and global
issues, and its relentless efforts to increase awareness on issues of
genocide prevention and human rights violations." His remarks were
followed by Mr. Jack Stepanian, Chair of the Diocese Council, who
presented an informative overview of Zoryan’s activities, publications
and achievements over the past twenty-five years, which drew sustained
applause from the audience.

In expressing his appreciation for Zoryan’s universal approach,
His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of Canada, said to
the audience, "My friends, is it not God’s amazing grace that you,
as the descendants of a massacred race, have grown ever strong to the
extent that now you are not only discussing your own pain but more
importantly, through the Zoryan Institute, are standing up to defend
and help prevent similar crimes occurring today to our fellow man,
regardless of his race, colour, or religion? This is what we have
become as a people." He then presented the official Encyclical from
His Holiness Karekin II, which was received by Zoryan’s Director
of Genocide Research, Professor Vakahan Dadrian, and President,
Mr. K.M. Greg Sarkissian.

The Chairman of Zoryan’s Academic Board, Professor Roger W. Smith,
was unable to attend, but he sent his regards saying that "It has
been my great pleasure to be associated with Zoryan for over twenty
years. Zoryan has been an inspiration and encouragement for me and
many others to pursue research on genocide.. Its focus is on the
Armenian Community, but its concern is for the human rights of all."

Professor Dadrian took the opportunity to state that "as someone
who has spent a half-century in the academic world, I think that we
desperately need to move from description of events of the tragedy
of genocide to analytical studies of the Armenian Genocide. This. is
the reason why I am affiliated with the Zoryan Institute. (It) is the
only institution that is intent on exploring the Armenian Genocide in
a scientific frame of reference. Zoryan needs encouragement, but above
all complete tangible support." He "thinks the Armenian community,
in the Diaspora in particular, should come to terms with the acute
need of (Armenian Genocide) studies that have gravity and seriousness
in order for the Armenian Genocide to achieve its durability as a
major event in modern history."

In acknowledging the honour bestowed by the Diocese, Mr. Sarkissian
stressed that "no single person can claim recognition for this
honour.it goes to all the many, many people who have helped make
the Institute what it is today, including the founders, academic
specialists, strategists, financial supporters and hundreds of
volunteers worldwide, who believe in the concept of the Zoryan
Institute and contribute to it realization."

One such specialist, Professor Stephen Feinstein, Director of the
University of Minnesota’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies,
one of Zoryan’s academic partners, observed that "the result of our
relationship with the Zoryan Institute over the last six years has
been the training of more than 200 teachers and advanced students in
the history and methodologies of genocide and human rights. But it
is important to remember that neither private nor public universities
will fund these programs on their own.

Teaching and research about the Armenian Genocide does not come
free. To maintain scholarship and memory, not only funding but
endowments are necessary, so the past remains in the present."

He was followed by Professor Yair Auron, who remarked that "I first
met Zoryan at the genocide conference in Yerevan in 1995. There were
lectures not only about the Armenian Genocide, but also about other
genocides. It was there I realized that there are a people whose
genocide, though unfortunately not recognized, have the openness to
deal with other genocides. Why couldn’t we do that in Israel? The
legacy of the Holocaust and the Genocide, for me, is the sanctity and
equity of all human lives, be they Jewish, German, Armenian, Turkish,
Tutsi, Roma-Gypsy or Palestinian. It seems to me that in the Zoryan
Institute, I have found people who share these views."

Next to speak was Professor Taner Akcam. He told the receptive audience
that "Facing the truth about our history is an essential ingredient
for the establishment of human rights and democracy in Turkey, where
Genocide recognition is the most critical part of that process.. After
90 years of denial, there is a total lack of knowledge. This denial,
which is contrary to the interests of the Turkish people, must be
broken. This could happen if Turkish society is empowered with the
knowledge it is now so eagerly seeking.Original and authoritative
documents about what happened in 1915 must be collected, translated,
edited, published and made available to Turkish society.. Zoryan is
at the forefront of this field on all levels.

That is why my Center at the University of Minnesota and I cooperate
with Zoryan."

Upon concluding dinner, Zoryan’s Executive Director, George Shirinian,
commented "that Zoryan’s work is for all of us, scholar and lay
person, Armenian and non-Armenian, old and young alike. Its work is
often focused on the past, but its goal is our future. Our programs
are designed to help develop the next generation of thinkers, and I
ask everyone present to join us in investing in our youth to carry
the torch of the Smiths, Dadrians, Akcams, Aurons and others for the
betterment of our world."

During the cutting of the birthday cake, one such youth, Zoryan staff
member, Torrey Swan, who also turned twenty-five this year, said that
"Since I have been at Zoryan, I have been amazed to see the real
work that it takes for the academic resources I took for granted as a
university student to become available. As a Canadian in the largest
city in Canada, the most multicultural city in the world, I truly
feel at home in an organization like Zoryan, which is dedicated to the
universal preservation of human rights and the prevention of genocide."

October 18, 2006

Press Release

Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

WESTERN PRELACY ANNOUNCES BOARD OF REGENTS APPOINTMENTS

His Eminence Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Executive
Council of the Western Prelacy are pleased to announce the new
appointment of members to the Board of Regents of Prelacy Schools.

The newly appointed Board of Regents consists of the following members:

Dr. Armine Hacopian

Mrs. Sossi Hovsepian

Mrs. Marisa Sarian

Mr. Avo Kechichian

Dr. Vartkes Tomassian

Mr. Chris Keosian

Mr. Ara Bedrosian

Mr. George Chorbajian

Mr. Mark Guedikian.

On Monday, October 16, at the presence of Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian,
Vice-Chair of the Executive Council and Representative to the Board
of Regents, the new Board convened its first meeting, during which
the election of the divan took place. The new divan is as follows:

Mr. Avo Kechichian Chairman

Dr. Armine Hacopian Secretary

Mr. Mark Guedikian Treasurer

The Prelate and Executive Council congratulate the new members of
the Board of Regents and divan, wishing them success in their daily
endeavors as they guide the new generation of Armenian students.

SECRETARIAT, WESTERN PRELACY

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE

ARMENPAC, The Armenian-American Political Action Committee
421 E. Airport Freeway, Suite 201
Irving, Texas 75220
Contact: Jason P. Capizzi, Esq.
Tel: (972) 635-5347
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ARMENPAC MEETS HIGH-LEVEL LEADERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION IN THE WEEKS
APPROACHING THE MID-TERM ELECTIONS

Irving, TX – ARMENPAC recently attended several exclusive events in
support of various congressional leaders and had the rare opportunity
to meet with several key members of the Administration. Most notably,
ARMENPAC discussed Armenian-American issues with United States
President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and Department of
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

"Engaging in these meetings during the weeks approaching the mid-term
elections sends a clear message to our country’s leaders that
the Armenian-American community is politically active and supports
candidates who champion pro-Armenian and Nagorno Karabakh initiatives,"
said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah.

ARMENPAC Co-Chair Edgar Hagopian had the opportunity to speak with
United States President George W. Bush while at an event for United
States Senate Candidate Michael Bouchard (R-MI). ARMENPAC Co-Chair
Hagopian updated the President on the current political and economic
conditions in Armenia, and encouraged the Administration to foster
stronger ties with Armenia. "Armenia has and will continue to achieve
economic prosperity; Her Westward-looking government sets Her apart
as a leader and steadfast Western ally among a number of tumultuous
governments in the South Caucasus region," said ARMENPAC Co-Chair
Edgar Hagopian. Mr. Hagopian also took advantage of the opportunity
to express the Armenian-American community’s desire that the United
States reaffirm its record on the Armenian Genocide and that the
President uphold his yet unfulfilled campaign promise and properly
recognize this tragedy.

ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah recently discussed various issues with
First Lady Laura Bush, including the educating of our youth, while at
an event for America’s Fund for Afghan Children. ARMENPAC applauds
the First Lady’s support of domestic and global literacy initiatives.
"The future of America and the rest of the world depends on our
youth; the Administration’s Global Literacy Initiative is a step in
the right direction to ensure world-wide progress and success," said
ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah. Mrs. Totah pointed out to the First
Lady that 99.98% of Armenia’s population is literate, and stressed
the continued need for United States support as Armenia continues to
implement initiatives toward economic success and democratic stability
in the region.

While at a Gala for American Friends of Lubavitch, ARMENPAC Co-Chair
Annie Totah and ARMENPAC Executive Director Jason Capizzi met Secretary
of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. ARMENPAC commended Secretary
Chertoff on his efforts to combat terrorism, and reiterated that
Armenia has been an ally of the United States in the war against
terror. The Department of Homeland Security, under the leadership of
Secretary Chertoff, has been instrumental in enhancing border security
and controlling widespread illegal immigration. "It is important for
the Armenian-American community to support initiatives that create
peace, security, and stability in the Caucasus region and the United
States," said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah.

It is critical for the Armenian-American community to support
ARMENPAC’s efforts to attend and represent Armenian-American issues at
events in support of pro-Armenian congresspersons. ARMENPAC’s ongoing
presence at such events sparks recognition among congressional and
administration leaders, and eases the burden of garnering their
support on issues of importance to the Armenian-American community
when they arise.

ARMENPAC is an independent, bipartisan political action committee
with a nationwide membership. ARMENPAC raises awareness of,
and advocates for, policies that help create peace, security and
stability in the Caucasus region. ARMENPAC provides financial support
to federal officeholders, candidates, political action committees
and organizations that actively support issues of importance to
Armenian-Americans. For more information and how to join ARMENPAC,
please call (877) 286-1046 or visit our website.

###

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

CHAIR MAN OF THE ARMENIAN LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S CENTRAL COMMITTEE
VISITS HIS HOLINESS

The chairman of the Armenian Liberal Democratic Party’s Central Committee,
Mr. Mike Kharabian, visited His Holiness Aram I on October 16 along with the
chairman of the party’s committee in Lebanon, Mr. Babayan.

The party leader and His Holiness discussed various issues related to
Armenia and the Diaspora and their mutual relations, particularly in light
of the third Armenia-Diaspora conference convened recently in Yerevan.

The Catholicos stressed the importance of the united approach by the three
Armenian political parties towards the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

He expressed satisfaction for the efforts exerted to this effect until now.

He also emphasized the importance of creating harmony inside Armenian
communities and assembling around pan national values and concern.

Mr. Kharabian affirmed the readiness of the Armenian Liberal Democratic
Party to contribute to the achievement of Armenian national goals, the
strengthening of Armenia and Armenian national unity.

##
View photo here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

FIDE PRESIDENT APPRECIATES ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES EFFORTS ‘TOWARD CHESS DEVELOPMENT’

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 18 2006

YEREVAN, October 17. /ARKA/. President of the Federation Internationale
des Echecs (International Chess Federation – FIDE), President of
Kalmykia Kyrsan Ilumzhinov appreciates the Armenian authorities’
efforts toward the development of chess. At his meeting with RA
President Robert Kocharyan and President of the Chess Federation
of Armenia, RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan he stated that
serious attention on the part of the country’s authorities produces
good results – Armenian chess-players’ achievements. Ilumzhinov said
that in FIDE rating Armenia ranks 4th among 165 countries.

In his turn, President Robert Kocharyan pointed out that the Armenian
chess-players’ great achievements have recently inspired many people
and added to the popularity of chess.

During the meeting, Ilumzhinov, Kocharyan and Sargsyan exchanged
views on further development of chess in Armenia, addressing the
possibility of optional training in schools.

Kyrsan Ilumzhinov is in Yerevan to take part in the world junior
championship held in Armenia on October 2-16, 2006. 17-year-old Zaven
Andreasyan (Armenia) won the championship.

TURKEY’S PARLIAMENT CONDEMNS FRENCH GENOCIDE LAW

Focus News, Bulgaria
Oct 17 2006

Ankara. The Turkish Parliament adopted a declaration condemning the
law which Paris adopted a few days ago according to which everyone
denying the mass killings of Armenians in Turkey during World War I
will face legal sanctions, Reuters reports.

"With the adoption of this law the French parliament is causing
irreversible damage to the political, military and economic relations
between Turkey and France," the declaration reads.

RUSSIA TIGHTENS CONTROL OVER THE ARMENIAN ENERGY SECTOR
Emil Danielyan

EurasiaNet, NY
Oct 17 2006

After more than a year of negotiations, Russia has completed the
acquisition of Armenia’s power distribution network, tightening its
grip on the Armenian energy sector. The Armenian government says
the $73-million takeover will breathe new life into the Electricity
Networks of Armenia (ENA). But government critics have denounced it
as a further blow to the country’s energy security.

The shares in ENA were formally transferred to an offshore-registered
subsidiary of RAO Unified Energy Systems (UES), Russia’s
state-controlled power utility, at a September 26 ceremony in Yerevan,
attended by senior Armenian officials and UES executives.

The deal was formalized one year after the government in Yerevan
announced and approved the Russians’ decision to buy ENA from Midland
Resources Holding, a British-registered firm that privatized the
once loss-making network in 2002. [For background see the Eurasia
Insight archive].

The Russian takeover of the Armenian power grid was first made public
in June 2005, presented as a long-term "management contract" signed
by UES and Midland. The World Bank and other Western donors questioned
the legality of that deal, arguing that it was cut without the approval
of Armenian regulatory authorities. But the donors acquiesced when UES
and Midland decided afterwards to sign a formal acquisition agreement
and follow relevant legal procedures.

It remains unclear why UES has taken so long to complete the
purchase. Unconfirmed reports in the Armenian press suggested that the
Russian energy giant, which has aggressively expanded its operations
in former Soviet republics, had second thoughts about buying ENA after
examining its books and discovering serious financial irregularities.

Officials in Yerevan maintain the deal strengthens the local energy
sector by injecting badly needed capital investments in ENA. Andrei
Rapoport, the UES vice-chairman, announced during the share transfer
ceremony that the Russian company will invest $20 million in ENA over
the next 12 months.

Critics, however, claim that Armenia’s energy dependence on Russia
has reached a critical level, posing a serious threat to the
Caucasus state’s sovereignty. According to Eduard Aghajanov, an
economist critical of the government, ENA’s sale all but completed
the country’s "energy colonization" by Moscow. "It is inadmissible
to give everything to one state, especially in the area of energy,"
he told EurasiaNet. "Russia is now in a position to impose its will
on us in both the economic and political spheres at any moment. We
are tying a noose around our neck."

UES already owns a cascade of Armenian hydroelectric plants and
manages the finances of the nuclear power station at Metsamor.

Another state-run Russian energy giant, Gazprom, controls Armenia’s
largest thermal power plant, and is currently its sole supplier of
natural gas. Russian gas is used for generating nearly 40 percent
of the country’s electricity, with another 40 percent coming from
Metsamor.

ENA’s sale was preceded by an equally controversial Russian-Armenian
energy agreement that was announced last April following Gazprom’s
decision to double the price of its gas for all three South Caucasus
states. Under the terms of that deal, Gazprom paid $250 million to
take control of another incomplete thermal plant located in the town
of Hrazdan in central Armenia. Most of the payment, $188 million,
is to be made in the form of free-of-charge supplies of Russian gas.

This means that the overall price of Russian fuel for Armenia will
remain virtually unchanged until the end of 2008.

Defending the April deal, Armenian leaders argued that it also commits
the Russians to spending at least $150 million on completing the
Hrazdan facility in the next few years. "This agreement will only
reinforce our energy security," Prime Minister Andranik Markarian
said at the time.

The head of the World Bank office in Yerevan, Roger Robinson, likewise
described the gas settlement as "very beneficial" for Armenia. Robinson
made the point that there is "nothing fundamentally wrong" with Russian
ownership of Armenian energy facilities. "The important thing is to
have a very strong regulator that sets the rules and monitors the
rules for the delivery of public utility services," he said.

Gazprom initially confirmed, but then denied reports that the deal
will also give it ownership of an incomplete Armenian pipeline,
which is scheduled to start pumping gas from neighboring Iran early
next year. The Armenian government also denied this. Still, Russia’s
Prime-Tass news agency quoted Gazprom Deputy Chairman Aleksandr
Ryazanov as saying on June 30 that the Russian monopoly is keen
to control the pipeline, which was originally intended to reduce
Armenia’s dependence on Russian energy resources.

Moscow has already reportedly forced Yerevan to make sure that the
pipeline’s diameter is not large enough to allow Iran to re-export
its gas to Georgia and possibly Eastern Europe. "We trampled on
our national interests in favor of Russia just because it [Moscow]
does not want to face any competition in the European gas market,"
complained Aghajanov.

There have been indications, though, that Yerevan and Tehran are
considering building a second pipeline that would serve to deliver
Iranian gas to third countries. "Naturally, when Iranian gas starts
flowing into Armenia, perhaps it will be exported to other countries
as well," the speaker of Iran’s parliament, Gholamali Haddad-Adel,
told reporters during a recent visit to Armenia.

Despite the potential for securing alternative gas supplies, President
Robert Kocharian’s administration seems increasingly convinced that
Armenia’s long-term energy security hinges on the construction of
a new nuclear power plant in place of Metsamor’s aging Soviet-era
reactor. The reactor is expected to be shut down by 2016. Earlier
this year, the Armenian parliament allowed the government to start
searching for foreign private investors. The estimated construction
cost of a new nuclear power plant is at least $1 billion.

The United States has already made it clear that it is less than
enthusiastic about the idea. Tom Adams, a senior State Department
official coordinating US aid to ex-Soviet states, argued during a May
visit to Yerevan that Armenia’s location in a seismically active zone
prone to powerful earthquakes should be taken into consideration. "I
think our view right now is that there are probably better alternatives
to a second nuclear plant," Adams said without elaborating.

Editor’s Note: Emil Danielyan is a Yerevan-based journalist and
political analyst.

KURDISH QUESTION IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
By Khalid Khayati

Kurdish Aspect, CO
Oct 17 2006

The European Parliament voted in September on a report detailing
Turkey’s progress towards accession to the European Union.

A resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority that called on the
Turkish authorities to bring about further improvements in several key
areas, including that of the Kurdish question. The European Parliament
also urged the Turkish government "to take concrete steps for the
normalization of bilateral relations" with Cyprus, under the United
Nations’ settlement process. As with an earlier resolution in September
2005, the new European Union text calls on Turkey to recognize the
Republic of Cyprus and withdraw its military forces from the island,
as well as lift its embargo and end all port and airport restrictions.

Human rights abuses in Turkey were another area of concern highlighted
by the European Parliament. Whilst recognizing some recent limited
progress in this field, the parliament strongly criticized the Turkey’s
human rights record and current practices.

The MEPs were particularly concerned with the lack of religious
freedom, the inadequate protection of ethnic and cultural communities,
the use of torture and the severe curtailment of freedom of
expression. The criticism of denying ethnic minorities rights was
an obvious allusion to the Greeks of Pontos and the Assyrians, who
similarly to the Kurds, have been systematically denied their identity
and the right to political and cultural recognition. The report calls
on the Turkish government to "implement more effective measures"
for dealing with abuses of human rights by Turkish authorities.

Previous reports have deplored the lack of gender equality in Turkey’s
civil and penal codes, and the pervasive problem of domestic violence,
polygamy and forced marriage particularly among Turkey’s Kurdish
population. The report is particularly concerned with so called honor
killings and urges all involved to make an effort to put an end to
such atrocious practices. The document reemphasizes the right of
Turkish women to education.

The death penalty was another issue of concern. The issue has been
raised in the past in connection with the case of PKK leader Abdullah
Ocelan. According to the report, the European Parliament maintained
"pressure on the Turkish authorities until they abolished the death
penalty in 2002."

Although the European Parliament has not made Turkey’s EU membership
contingent upon its acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide,
Turkey has been urged to establish "good neighbourly relations" with
Armenia, and facilitate the work of researchers, intellectuals and
academics looking at the question of the genocide. However, Turkey
has described France’s recent decision to make illegal denial of the
Armenian genocide a "serious blow" to its relations with France and
has threatened sanctions.

Kurdish question on the agenda

The European Parliament also called on the Turkish government to
recognize "the cultural rights of the Kurdish minority" in Turkey,
whilst praising some positive developments, such as the decision to
permit broadcasting in the Kurdish language. The European Parliament
has also strongly condemned the resurgence of "terrorist violence"
on the part of the PKK, which the resolution accuses of resulting
in the "intimidation of civil society representatives" in Kurdish
areas. The resolution was indeed passed a few days before the PKK
declared a unilateral and unconditional ceasefire with the Turkish
military forces.

The European parliamentary resolution calls on the Turkish side to
pursue a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue following the last
year’s "encouraging statement" by Turkish Prime Minister Receb Tayyip
Erdogan, who admitted the existence of the Kurdish problem and called
for a solution. The report also urges the Turkish authorities to lift
restrictions on political parties such HADEP and to allow the Kurdish
language to be used in the education system and media. Furthermore,
it has been stressed that it was essential "to strike a balance between
the need to control the situation as regards security, avoiding civil
military strains, and effectively promoting the political dialogue
and the economic and social development of the "south-east" region
through a comprehensive strategy supported by adequate means".

What prospects for the Kurds in Turkey?

Although the European Parliament urges the Turkish Government to opt
for a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue through the promotion
of political dialogue and the economic and social development of the
"south-east" region, possibly using EU pre-accession assistance, the
parliament’s message appears muddled and insufficient. The European
Parliament’s resolution fails to deliver a well-formulated and coherent
definition of the Kurdish problem, a necessary prerequisite before
proposing any solution to it. Similarly, the Kurdish political movement
in Turkey for its part has been hitherto unable to bring clarity to
the issue. The unilateral ceasefire that was issued by the PKK on
1st October and that was welcomed by many people, will perhaps open
the way for a general amnesty for PKK members and their inclusion in
the Turkish political process, but this is far from satisfactory.

For the Turkish government, engaged in an "open-ended" process of
becoming a full member of the European Union, it is time to carry
out fundamental changes in its political and judicial apparatus
in order to facilitate a real solution to the Kurdish problem. The
Kurdish question in Turkey concerns the claim of an oppressed but
distinct people to their right to preserve and institutionalize their
national identity. As Abbas Vali has outlined, it is about promoting
the representation of the "marginal" and excluded identities in the
political and legal processes of the country. It is also about the
changing the conditions of citizenship, which insist that the Turkish
identity of the sovereign and all political power is accepted.

It is time for the Kurdish political movement in Turkey to aim for such
a vision. We should remember that achieving the political recognition
for the Kurds in Turkey can only through a purely peaceful struggle
that will give birth to the emergence of a democratic political
culture in Kurdish society.

ERDEM: UN AND NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCES CAN BE PLACED IN THE CONFLICT ZONE AFTER THE PEACE TREATY BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

Azeri Press Agency
Oct 17 2006

Vahid Erdem, head of delegation of NATO Parliament Assembly Future
Defense Planning Subcommittee held a press conference on the results
of his visit, APA reports.

Erdem said that the aim of his visit was to meet with the officials,
non-governmental organizations and mass media representatives and to
get acquainted with the current situation on the integration to NATO.

He will make a final report titled NATO’s role in South Caucasus on
the results of his visit.

"The report will be discussed in the meeting of the committee in
Canada under my leadership soon. Azerbaijani side has some offers to
the report and we will evaluate these offers," he said.

Erdem said that Azerbaijan successfully cooperates with NATO and over
300 servicemen serve in peacekeeping forces in various areas. Showing
his attitude to the problem he said after the peace treaty between
Armenia and Azerbaijan the peacekeeping forces can be placed in
the territory.

"UN and NATO peacekeeping forces can be placed in the conflict
territory after the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia,"
he said.

Vahid Erdem also said that unlike Azerbaijan Armenia has unambiguously
attitude towards NATO.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress