Month: October 2006

"ECHO": ON THE VERGE OF CONFRONTATION

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
Oct 17 2006

What does Iran attempt to build on occupied territories of Azerbaijan?

Today authorities of Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) continue
construction of dam at frontier river Araz, the region of historical
bridge Khudaferin, which unites occupied Jabrail region of our
country and South Azerbaijan. As head of Committee on Defense of
National Movement of South Azerbaijan, Jahandar Bayoglu, informed
"Echo" referring to local population of right bank (Iranian part,
author’s remark) of frontier river Araz, there are working heavy
technics and engineering installations.

It should be pointed out that recently "Echo" has published statement
of the Ministry of Energy of Iran, Parviz Fatahi, who during his
visit to Yerevan (September 28, 2006 – author’s remark) promised
to discuss construction process of dam "Khodaaferin" (Khudaferin,
author’s remark ) with Armenian part.

In this case the matter concerns the area neighboring Khudaferin bridge
on Araz river built in XII-XIII centuries between North Azerbaijan
and South Azerbaijan (Iran of today, author’s remark). On Azerbaijani
part, bridge is situated on now occupied Jabrail region.

Moreover, on the right bank of Araz river of this area there is
Iranian town Khoda-Aferin.

In turn, as Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan informed
referring to Embassy of our country to Iran, the said information is
denied by Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran.

Chief of administration of information policy and press of Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Tair Tagizade, informs that authorities
of Tehran make believe that any information on any works carried out
by Iran on occupied territories of Azerbaijan is false.

At the same time chief of administration of Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Tehran, stresses that Iranian part
recognizes that Iran and Armenia have energy project "being realized
on officially recognized territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan".

Head of the Committee, Jahandar Bayoglu, was not satisfied with
position of head of diplomatic representatives of Azerbaijan to
Tehran. Accordingly to him, our diplomat "decided to insist on denying
the fact of construction of reservoir". Head of the Committee thinks
that such conduct of Ambassador contradicts to national interests
of Azerbaijan. As J. Bayoglu underlines words of Iranian officials
(P. Fatahi, author’s remark) concerning ongoing works on construction
of dam, are confirmed by our officials, living on the region near
Khudaferin bridge, on Iranian bank of Araz.

In this connection he urges authorities of the country to clarify this
issue and to explain what is really going on in the region neighboring
Khudaferin bridge. Bayoglu stresses that local population say that
construction works are not large-scale.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan informed that they intend
"to be content with official response of Iran". "If such information
concerning continuation of construction works is received in future,
then our Ambassador to Iran will have additional tasks", Tagizade says.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs also informs that if after official
assurance of Iran, Azerbaijani part will make effort to clarify any
details again, then accordingly to international practice this stage
will be understood as rather confrontational one.

–Boundary_(ID_8LB6q+wgMJPOnvlQc2h3zg)–

EU WARNS TURKEY TO LET CYPRUS USE PORTS IF IT WANTS TO JOIN

Belfast Telegraph, United Kingdom
Oct 17 2006

Turkey has been given a stark warning that time is running out for
it to salvage talks on its membership of the EU by opening its ports
to Cypriot planes and ships.

Amid frantic diplomatic efforts, the EU’s enlargement commissioner,
Olli Rehn, warned of a "last window of opportunity on the Cyprus issue
in the coming weeks or months for a very long time, perhaps for years".

Yesterday, EU officials sought to encourage Turkey to engage in the
diplomacy, and tried to calm anger in Ankara at last week’s French
parliamentary vote to criminalise those who deny the Armenian genocide.

Mr Rehn met the Turkish Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gul, in Luxembourg
as the countdown began to a year-end deadline for Turkey to end its
embargo on vessels from Cyprus which joined the EU in 2004.

Mr Rehn has already warned that failure to do so would lead to a
"train crash", with Turkey’s membership talks are put on ice. Ankara
is holding out, saying it will only relent if the economic blockade
is lifted in Turkish northern Cyprus.

On 8 November, the European Commission will publish a report on
Turkey’s progress towards membership and is likely to be critical of
the slow pace of reform.

Diplomats said yesterday’s talks with Mr Gul had "a good atmosphere,
a good discussion but no breakthrough".

Finland, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, has launched a
last diplomatic push to reduce restrictions on Turkish-run northern
Cyprus if Turkey, in turn, opens its ports to Greek Cypriots.

Mr Gul said he "will constructively support the Finnish presidency’s
proposal", which is thought to propose opening the northern Cyprus
seaport of Famagusta to free trade with the EU. In return, the Turkish
side should give control of the abandoned town of Varosha to the
Greek Cypriots.

But the Turkish side is resisting any concession over Varosha,
arguing it cannot do so outside of UN talks on the future of Cyprus.

It is also calling for direct flights to be started to the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus which is not internationally recognised.

In 2004, Greek Cypriots voted against a UN-backed plan aimed at
reuniting the country on the eve of its entry into the EU. Turkish
Cypriots approved the plan.

Mr Rehn repeated that the Cyprus customs issue could prove to be
the breaking point in Turkey’s membership talks which began in
October 2005.

He said there were "tensions in EU-Turkey relations" but the problems
could not be resolved "by dramatising them". He said: "Instead,
we have to work prudently and with full determination in order to
find solutions. Both communities and all parties should now show
political will."

The talks were also aimed at soothing Turkey after French lawmakers
approved legislation that would criminalise denying that First
World War killings of Armenians was genocide. The legislation still
needs approval from the French Senate and president. Turkey does not
accept the label of genocide, saying the Armenians were killed in a
partisan war.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANKARA SIGNALS AMENDING ARTICLE 301 AHEAD RELEASE OF PROGRESS REPORT
By Abdulhamit Bilici, Selcuk Gultasli

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 17 2006

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has signaled that Turkey may amend
article 301, which has been used to prosecute intellectuals and
journalists for "insulting Turkishness."

He said so while attending the EU troika meeting in Luxembourg
yesterday, but made no mention of a specific time frame to do so.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that he was pleased with
Turkey’s willingness to amend article 301.

Diplomatic sources stressed that Turkey made a promise to the European
Union about the amendment of article 301 but particularly refrained
from mentioning a schedule to do so.

Following the adoption of the Armenian bill in the French National
Assembly on Thursday, the amendment of article 301 seems difficult
to accomplish before Nov. 8. However, it may be dealt with before
the EU Summit on December 14-15.

Monday’s meeting between Turkey and the EU is the last before the
release of the EU Commission’s critical progress report due November 8.

The two sides discussed issues such as article 301, Cyprus, the 9th
reform package, along with regional issues.

Minister Gul directed harsh criticisms toward France in a news
conference where Rehn asked for either the abolishment or amendment
of article 301.

In response to a question, Rehn said that freedom of expression should
be ensured in Turkey as soon as possible; however, it may take a long
time to reach a consensus on amending article 301 he warned.

Gul, in response to Rehn, said that Turkey would not make the same
mistake that France made.

The parties did not discuss EU term president Finland’s Cyprus plan
at the ministerial level, though lower levels did go over the plan.

Rehn reiterated that the Finnish plan might be a "last opportunity"
for a solution on the island.

Progress Report Gains Importance

Diplomatic sources pointed out that yesterday’s EU troika meeting
was a fruitful one as they stressed Rehn’s contentment with the 9th
reform package and his reaction to the Armenian bill.

The progress report due on Nov. 8 has gained more importance because
of the debates on article 301 and Cyprus.

EU leaders will outline decisions about Turkey on December 14-15
according to the upcoming progress report. The EU leaders will
evaluate options like suspending membership negotiations or freezing
the chapters regarding the Customs Union according to this report.

AS THE GOVERNMENT EMPHASIZES THE EU AGENDA…
By Abdulhamit Bilici, Luxembourg

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 17 2006

[NEWS IMPRESSION] — When I was invited to take part in Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul’s trip to Luxembourg, I assumed the number of
journalists accompanying him would be no more than five.

I realized I was mistaken when I entered the small VIP hall of
Ankara’s Esenboga Airport and was greeted by a large number of media
representatives, the likes of which I’d only seen on critical dates
such as Dec. 17 and Oct. 3.

Major newspapers’ Ankara correspondents as well as columnists
Taha Akyol, Cengiz Candar and Mehmet Altan were invited. The
editor-in-chiefs of certain newspapers were also invited, but Referans’
Eyup Can was the only one who came.

TV channels were not forgotten either. A Turkish Airlines Airbus was
chartered for the occasion because the number of attendees was so high.

At first I wondered if the Oct.16 troika meeting had an important
aspect we hadn’t considered yet. While it was certainly important,
it was not a meeting where historical decisions would be taken. The
troika meeting is routinely held once during each six-month EU term
presidency.

This particular meeting could almost be considered symbolic, for it
nearly coincided with the anniversary of Oct. 3, the starting date
for Turkey’s EU membership negotiations.

Besides, this troika would be held just a week the screening process
was completed. This presented a good opportunity to evaluate the
previous year and to handle the upcoming term in a sense.

It was also important for it would be the last top level meeting before
the expected Nov. 8 Progress Report. The Cyprus issue that could cause
a "train crash" in the EU process along with the Finnish proposals
would be discussed in this meeting, though nobody was expecting a
final Cyprus solution to emerge.

After having considered these possibilities one by one, I thought this
trip’s intended message, with such a crowded media contingent, was
more important than the troika meeting itself, especially considering
that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) had been criticized
lately for slowing down EU reforms.

In political terms, there were some points vindicating this slowing
down. For instance, domestic support for the EU was rapidly falling,
partly because of Europe’s unjust statements on the Cyprus and
Armenian issues.

Support in Turkey regressed to 40 percent, an EU poll revealed.

Moreover, dealing with the issues of Cyprus and article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code, the solutions of which could be regarded as
concessions in an election atmosphere, also complicated support for
the EU issues.

However, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement that he
instructed State Minister Ali Babacan to spend one week of every
month in Europe was the first signal that the government had decided
to handle the issue again.

As a matter of fact, Babacan, accompanied by journalists, visited
three EU capitals last week. Erdogan met Tony Blair on the way back
from the United States and hosted German Chancellor Angela Merkel
when he returned to Turkey.

As such, Erdogan made his own contribution to this process. Probably
for this very reason, Minister Gul decided to travel to the Troika
meeting accompanied by a large delegation.

Though the increasing frequency of these visits reinforces the image
that the European Union agenda has not been forgotten, the government,
claiming it is distancing itself from a populist discourse, will be
mainly tested on the issue of article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.

This is the right time to take a step for freedom of thought and gain
the approval of the EU because its attitude toward Turkey softened
after France’s ban on freedom of expression.

However, the government’s wait-and-see approach has resulted in a
slowing down, and as a result, our criticisms against France weaken.

CONCERN OVER FRENCH LEGISLATION ON GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS

SR International – Radio Sweden, Sweden
Oct 17 2006

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has expressed concern after the
passage of legislation in the French Chamber of Deputies making it
a crime to deny the 1915 massacre of Armenians in Turkey.

Turkey, which is a candidate to join the European Union, has reacted
strongly to the legislation. In Turkey the event is played down as
mutual attacks between Turks and Armenians because of World War I.

EU foreign ministers are discussing relations with Turkey in a meeting
in Luxembourg Tuesday. Carl Bildt says the French legislation can
cause problems in negotiations over issues such as opening Turkish
airports and harbors to traffic from Cyrpus.

He says, however, that the French bill may never become law, since
it still has to be approved by the Senate and signed by President
Jacques Chirac.

hetssidor/artikel.asp?ProgramID=2054&Nyheter=& amp;artikel=973877

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE FRENCH BILL IN SPECIAL SESSION
By Cihan News Agency

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 17 2006

The Turkish parliament is set to convene on Tuesday afternoon with a
special agenda to discuss the French parliament’s decision to approve
a bill that criminalizes denying that the World War I-era deaths of
Armenians in Turkey were genocide.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will brief Turkish lawmakers
on the latest developments following the adoption of the bill in the
French parliament.

For further information please visit

ARMENIA ARMED FORCES FIRES ON AZERBAIJANI POSITIONS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 17 2006

Armenian Armed Forces continue to violate the ceasefire, Azerbaijani
Defense Ministry press service told the APA.

Armenian Armed Forces units in one km north -east of occupied Sarijali
village of Aghdam region fired on opposite positions of Azerbaijan
Armed Forces with submachine beginning from 23.30 to 23.35 on October
16. The enemy was silenced by response fire. No casualty was reported.

Armenian Armed Forces also violated the ceasefire in Fuzuli front,
APA Garabagh bureau reports. Armenian Armed Forces units in occupied
Mehdili village of Jebrail region fired on opposite positions of
Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Jojug Mercanli village of Jebrail region
with submachine for 15 minutes beginning from 21.40. The enemy was
silenced by response fire. No casualty was reported.

OZDEMIR: GIVING BACK THE LEGION D’HONNEUR MEDAL: NOW THAT’S THE WAY TO PROTEST

Hurriyet, Turkey
Oct 17 2006

Historical truths sit clearly, right in the middle for everyone to
see. But for some reason, we don’t seem to be able to convey them or
explain ourselves. Why? It always happens this way: first of all,
disaster befalls us, or is made to befall us (read: the Armenian
genocide bill in France). Then we start to feel the aches and pains.

But from time to time, the reactions we show are actually funnier
than the events themselves.

For days now we have been talking about the French genocide denial
bill. Developments in France and Holland brought this whole issue
onto our agenda again. We are a people who forgets fast though.

Otherwise, those who even slightly followed history would know that:
genocide allegations do not stick to us, and cannot be made to stick
to us.

The events of 1915 were mutual slaughter. Turks and Armenians died.

But the individual Armenian terror which began in 1973 turned into
organized terror by 1975, and since then, 42 of our diplomats and 4
foreigners have lost their lives as a result of it all.

***

Does it always take a catastrophe to bring us to our senses? We
should know by now which "headaches" will appear before us from time
to time. And we should really be prepared. And armed with knowledge.

Known as a faithful sector of the Ottoman Empire, the Armenians were
provoked by the West in 1915, as they being provoked by the West
today. By which I mean, in 1915, the West was a supporter of the
mutual slaughter, and today, is a partner in the baseless accusations.

Speaking to journalist Can Dundar, Ismail Cem pointed out recently
"Chirac’s apology to Erdogan was like a joke. Chirac seems to see
Turkey, the Turkish public, our press, but mostly Prime Minister
Erdogan, as ‘naive.’ If he was even in the slightest bit genuine, he
would have spoken these words of apology not in a private telephone
call, but in front of the world." Don’t you think Ismail Cem is right
about this?

***

Today you will read in the Turkish newspapers about a response
appropriate for Chirac: that Tezic, the president of the Turkish
Board of Higher Education, has decided to return his medal of honor to
France. It had been awarded to him in 2002. In his letter to Chirac,
Tezic underscores the problem, as he sees it, with Chirac’s quick
rush to deny support of the recently accepted "genocide denial" bill:

"In statements, you bring to attention over and over again that the
French government was outside of and not involved in this initiative
by parliament members to approve the bill. But during an official
visit to Armenia at the start of October, you expressed the view that
‘Turks did commit a genocide against the Armenians.’ In saying so, you
clearly made this issue French state policy…..I can no longer carry
the ‘Commandeur de la Legion d’Honneur’ medal which was awarded to me."

Tezic, in returning his Legion d’Honneur, has become the first person
ever to do so. These actions need no more words to explain them;
when you say ‘protest,’ this is the way to do it.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR?

WaluEurope
Tiscali Europe, UK
Oct 17 2006

New EU poll sheds light on countries from the Caucasus to the Atlas
mountains

The latest Commission survey looks over the fence at countries
bordering the European Union. This ‘Special Eurobarometer’, published
in October, asked the opinions of 30,000 people across the EU25, as
well as accession countries Bulgaria and Romania, candidate countries
Croatia and Turkey, and finally Northern Cyprus.

The questionnaire probed our knowledge and attitudes towards Europe’s
nearest neighbours, as well as EU policy on the ‘arc’ stretching
from the Caucasus to the Atlas mountains. First and foremost, it
revealed that just one in five people across Europe has even heard
of the European Neighbourhood Policy – but they still have opinions
on a wide range of issues.

When asked about Europe’s neighbours, we look first to countries
sharing a land border with the EU (Ukraine 58% and Russia 57%) before
those on the southern or eastern shores of the Mediterranean, also
known as the Maghreb and Mashrek respectively.

Close on three quarters (72%) of those interviewed say they are in
favour of more countries joining the club so long as the process is not
rushed. A similar proportion (70%) also back more special relationships
that stop short of full EU membership – mirroring the views of German
chancellor Angela Merkel and French interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy.

European public opinion is, however, more divided over whether the
EU should treat neighbouring countries in the same way as any other
third countries after the current enlargement process (52% the same
way vs. 36% not the same way).

"Perception is strong and sight weak," said warrior-philosopher
Miyamoto Musashi. And though some capitals do not see eye to eye with
Ankara among others (France last week passed a law banning denial of
the Armenian genocide) the general public tends to have a positive
perception of relations with neighbouring countries. Some 60% of
respondents say these countries do not share the same values as the
EU, but they still believe that cooperation is good for both sides.

FRANCO-TURKISH RELATIONS STRAINED

ISN, Switzerland
Oct 17 2006

A bill to penalize Armenian genocide denial has put tension on
relations between France and Turkey, as the latter attempts to shore
up support for its quest to join the EU.

Commentary by Federico Bordonaro in Rome for ISN Security Watch
(17/10/06)

The French National Assembly on 13 October passed a bill, which,
if approved by the Senate and signed by President Jacques Chirac,
would penalize anyone denying the Armenian genocide at the hands of
the Ottoman Turks with a fine of up to ~@45,000 (US$56,000) and one
year in prison.

The bill was proposed by the Socialist Party.

The French decision infuriated Turkey, whose government accuses Paris
of using the memory of the Turkish-Armenian clash in a demagogic way
and for domestic political reasons, as France prepares for the 2007
general elections.

Presidential candidates, according to an official in Ankara, are
trying to win the votes of those citizens opposed to Turkey’s EU
accession bid. Moreover, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
administration believes that France is "permanently hostile" to
Ankara’s EU integration.

Armenia claims that between 1915 and 1923, the Ottoman Empire
systematically murdered 1.5 million ethnic Armenians when Ankara
forced them out of its eastern regions. Turkey, however, says that
Armenian casualties were between 250,000 and 500,000, and denies that
any systematic genocide took place.

Chirac expressed his view during a phone conversation with Erdogan
on 14 October, reportedly saying that although France recognized the
Armenian tragedy as a genocide, the proposed law was "useless." The
French president’s attempt to appease Ankara came after Turkey
threatened the possibility of economic retaliation.

However, the controversy is far from over, and its economic and
political fallout is already spreading.

Turkish citizens protested against France over the weekend, while
Turkish Economy Minister Ali Babacan told media that although
the Erdogan government would not start a boycott campaign, other
organizations in Turkey might.

In fact, on 16 October, the Turkish daily Hurriyet quoted Bulent
Deniz, president of the Turkish Consumers’ Federation, as saying
that "a boycott against French products has already resulted in an
observed 30 percent drop in sales of goods for […] Total," a French
oil company and one of Paris’ top players in Turkey.

Moreover, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said in an official
statement on 14 October that Ankara had warned Paris that "if such a
bill were passed by its parliament, the loser would be France. Paris
will always be embarrassed by this."

France’s strategic and commercial relations with Turkey may be damaged
in such a way that large industrial interests, as well as defense
and energy-related cooperation projects, could be hindered.

Frederic Saint-Geours, CEO of Peugeot Automobiles, said last week
that economic retaliation by Turkey against French goods was "almost
certain," and would likely be painful for Peugeot, which holds between
5 and 6 percent of Turkey’s automobile market.

The Franco-German defense giant Eurocopter, which is owned by the
European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, competes with other
big groups to provide Ankara with some 52 civilian and military
helicopters. The company could also suffer from the deteriorating
bilateral relations.

Lucrative contracts for civilian nuclear power plants and the massive
infrastructure of the fast-growing Turkish economy are also being eyed
by big French corporations. Should Ankara decide to boycott Paris,
the economic damage for France could be substantial.

However, the dispute is a politically thorny issue for Paris and
the EU. The French Parliament’s move comes at a time of increasing
difficulties in Euro-Turkish relations.

Prominent politicians in France, Germany and the Netherlands have
taken a hostile stance to Turkey’s EU integration, and now openly
speak in favor of a mere "special relationship" between the EU and
Ankara as opposed to its accession.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Erdogan on 5 October that "Turkey
must fully recognize [Greek-controlled] Cyprus" if it were to join the
EU. Since Germany will take the helm of the EU’s rotating presidency
next January, the announcement was a sign that Merkel would again
put pressure on Ankara.

Although Turkey remains crucial for European security, including in the
area of energy, Western European leaders appear increasingly sensitive
to cultural aspects of the integration issue, as the intellectual
debate over the political and social aspects of Islam is heats up
in Europe.

While Chirac may work to annul the bill, his chances of success are
not high, and the short-term outlook for Franco-Turkish relations is
bleak. Nicolas Sarkozy, the Union for a Popular Movement’s candidate
for the French presidency next year, is wagering on his electorate’s
opposition to Ankara’s accession, while the Socialists do not show
any enthusiasm for it, either. More generally, Euro-Turkish relations
appear to be deteriorating even as Ankara remains determined to join
the EU.

Federico Bordonaro, based in Italy, is an analyst of international
relations and geopolitics with the Power and Interest News Report
and Strategic-Road.com. He is an expert on the new structure of the
international system after the Cold War, the European integration
process, security and defense issues and political realism.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author only,
not the International Relations and Security Network (ISN).