Month: October 2006

AZG Armenian Daily #196, 14/10/2006

Turkey

MESROP MOUTAFIAN AND HRANT DINK ON FRENCH BILL ON DENIAL OF ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE

According to Turkish Milliet newspaper, Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of
Agos, stated that after the adoption of the French bill on the
Armenian Genocide Turkey appeared in more beneficial position that
Armenia. He explained this by the fact that the international
community had always considered the Armenians as victims in this
issue, while at present; the Turks have occupied this favorable
position. At the same time, Dink stated that the adoption of the
French bill was a shame from the viewpoint of the freedom of speech.

According to the Turkish newspaper, Mesrop Moutafian, Patriarch of
Constantinople, stated that the French bill made great harm to the
tense Armenian-Turkish relations. He added that the bill is
anti-democratic, as it hinders the right of the freedom of speech.
Besides, Moutafian said that the Armenian residents of Turkey follow
the developments with concern and expect pressures from the Turks
after the adoption of the abovementioned bill.

In his turn, Famous Turkish writer Elif Safak said in the interview to
the French Le Monde, that the adoption of the bill would not
contribute to the recognition of the historical issue (the Armenian
genocide). At the same time, he added that that the Turks should share
the grief of the Armenian people, respect that and get along with the
past. He expressed hope that the Turks are able to discuss the mistake
committed by their ancestors.

By Hakob Chakrian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Toronto Star
Oct 13 2006

France’s Armenian genocide bill hurts Turkish EU bid
Oct. 13, 2006. 01:00 AM
SANDRO CONTENTA
EUROPEAN BUREAU

LONDON – A French bill making it a crime to deny that Armenians
suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks is being widely
described as a blow to Turkey’s chances of joining the European
Union.

The bill – also denounced by critics as an attack on free speech –
was approved by France’s lower house of parliament yesterday. But
either the Senate or President Jacques Chirac is expected to block it
from becoming law.

Still, the vote caused a political storm, not least because some
interpreted it as a bid by leading candidates in the presidential
election next year to exploit anti-Turkey feelings in France.

France’s Armenian community, one of the largest in Europe at an
estimated 500,000, had pushed hard for the bill. It sets the same
penalty as a French law that makes denial of the Nazi genocide of
Jews a crime – a one-year prison term and a 45,000 euro ($64,000)
fine.

"Does a genocide committed in World War I have less value than a
genocide committed in World War II? Obviously not," Philippe Pomezec,
an MP with the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), said during
the parliamentary debate in Paris. Turkey denies the premise of the
bill, that some 1.5 million Armenians, most of them Christians, were
systematically massacred or starved to death during the
disintegration of the Ottoman empire in 1915.

It argues that thousands of Turks and Armenians died during
inter-ethnic violence when Russia invaded the empire’s eastern
provinces in World War I. Modern Turkey, an officially secular state
with a largely Muslim population of 70 million, was established in
1923.

The bill passed the same day that Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk won
the Nobel Prize for literature.

Pamuk was recently charged with "insulting Turkishness" after telling
a Swiss newspaper that no one in Turkey dared mention the Armenian
massacre. The charges were dropped during the trial.

To some defenders of free speech, France’s bid to criminalize denial
of the massacre was no different than Turkey’s attempts to punish
those who mention it.

"Voltaire must be spinning in his grave," said Andrew Duff, a British
member of the European Parliament, referring to the 17th century
French philosopher and civil libertarian.

France’s centre-right government didn’t support the bill – proposed
by the opposition Socialist party – but allowed its UMP members to
vote freely. The government promised to block the bill in the Senate,
but Turkey said the damage had been done.

"French-Turkish relations … have been dealt a severe blow today as
a result of the irresponsible false claims of French politicians who
do not see the political consequences of their actions," the Turkish
Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Turkish analysts said the vote exposes the depth of anti-Turkey
feeling in France, a founding member of the European Union.

They predicted a backlash in Turkey that boosts nationalist sentiment
and weakens support for the legal reforms necessary to join the
25-nation EU.

The possible entry of the first Muslim nation into what is now an
exclusively Christian club raises anxieties in a number of European
countries, even though negotiations between Turkey and the EU are
expected to last at least a decade.

AZG Armenian Daily #196, 14/10/2006

OSCE

OSCE: FIRES IN SOME AREAS OF KARABAKH HAVE NATURAL CAUSE

Defense minister of Armenia Serge Sargsian received yesterday head of
the OSCE Yerevan office Vladimir Pryakhin.

According to Defense Ministry’s press release, at the meeting Pryakhin
presented the results of a recent study of fires in Nagorno Karabakh
by OSCE representatives. The study revealed that the fires in Nagorno
Karabakh have natural cause and that Azerbaijan’s accusations have no
ground. Those areas need creation of reliable anti-fire systems.

AZG Armenian Daily #196, 14/10/2006

Visit

NATO IS FOR PRESENT FORMAT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH REGULATION

Robert Simons Visits Armenia

NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative to the Caucasus and
Central Asia, Robert Simons, stated at a joint press conference with
Vartan Oskanian on Oct. 12 that progress was achieved in all
directions of Armenia’s Individual Action Plan that aims at boosting
cooperation with NATO. He stated that he is glad to support the
Armenian Government, particularly the sphere of defense. Oskanian and
Simons discussed regional issues, spoke about the current
Russian-Georgian relations, and Oskanian informed about the present
stage of Nagorno Karabakh regulation.

Simons stated that NATO supports the Minsk Group process in the
Karabakh issue adding that he hopes the sides will come to
terms. "NATO is not part of the negotiation process. We are grateful
that the two sides keeps us informed but assessment should come from
the Minsk Group co-chairs. That’s the Minsk Group’s work, not the
NATO’s," said Simons.

Vartan Oskanian, on his part, said that a council affiliated to RA
President was set up to systematize works with the NATO, EU and the
CE. The need for such a council has arisen as documents are huge and
require individual approach. If there is a project within NATO that
Armenia does not opt in, it is not because NATO has left Armenia out
but because neither side had a desire to participate. Mr. Simons added
that NATO, EU and CE have a unique direction of activity and that they
have division of labor and mutual assistance.

As to Georgia’s membership to NATO, Mr. Simons said that Georgia is
now at the first stage and it’s untimely to speak of its membership.

Asked what’s his opinion about Armenia’s goal to join the European
Union, Mr. Simons said: "Contrary to Georgia, neither Armenia nor
Azerbaijan have taken a decision of joining the NATO, and we respect
this stance. We are satisfied with the steps that are being taken
within the framework of the Individual Action Plan."

By Tamar Minasian

AZG Armenian Daily #196, 14/10/2006

Home

RA GOVERNMENT HANDS MANAGEMENT OF HAYPOST TO DUTCH ING COMPANY

Andranik Manukian, RA Transport and Communication Minister, informed
at yesterday’s press conference that RA Government hasn’t received any
official application letter from OTE Greek Company. He said that they
have promised to submit the competition results next week. He added
that the purchase of "ArmenTel" cant’ take place without the consent
of RA Government.

Besides, he said that Ra Government handed the management of "HayPost"
to Dutch ING company. As for the fact of handing the management of
"HayPost" to "Converse Invest" company a year ago, Mr. Manukian said
that if needed this company can consider the government decision to
hand "HayPost" to Dutch ING company at the court. At the same time, he
added that within a year, "Converse Invest" made investments in the
company and will certainly get their share of profits.

By Ara Martirosian

Kathimerini, Greece
Oct 13 2006

Nicosia puts foot down on Turkey

Cyprus cannot act as if all is well in Turkish negotiations with the
European Union when Ankara persistently refuses to fulfill its
obligations as an EU candidate state, Cypriot Foreign Minister
Giorgos Lillikas said yesterday ahead of talks with Dora Bakoyannis
in Athens.

«We are simply implementing a policy which Nicosia had declared early
on to the European Union presidency and the European Commission,»
Lillikas said.

He was elaborating on an earlier declaration by Cypriot government
spokesman Christodoulos Pasiardis according to which Nicosia will
block progress in Turkish accession talks until Ankara opens its air
and sea ports to Cyprus.

According to Greece’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos
Koumoutsakos, Ankara’s failure to extend its customs agreement to
include Cyprus is «politically illogical.» «The obligations (Ankara)
has undertaken as regards the protocol are autonomous and
established,» he said.

Koumoutsakos also criticized Ankara for threatening France over its
draft law that aims to make it a crime to deny that the 1915-1917
genocide of the Armenians took place. «Threats or insinuations and
the aggressive tone of public statements do not befit a country on
the road to joining the European Union,» he said.

The Greek Parliament voted in 1996 to condemn the Armenian genocide
but Koumoutsakos said, «In the modern world, the past should not act
as a hindrance to the future.»

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #196, 14/10/2006

Culture

MONTHS OF ITALIAN CULTURE TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

Hasmik Poghosian, RA Culture and Youth Affairs Minister, and Marko
Clemente, Italian Ambassador to Armenia, informed at yesterday’s joint
press conference that they have decided to hold a number of cultural
arrangements in Yerevan in November, December and January. Hasmik
Poghosian stated in her speech that on April 13, 2003, RA and Italian
governments signed an agreement for cooperation in the cultural,
educational, scientific and technical spheres. As a result of close
relations between our countries, the Armenian artists have frequently
visited Italy and the Italian men of art arrived in Armenia. "This
year, we have specified the our plans for cooperation. In August, we
held "Archeology and Renovation of Monuments" seminar in Armenia," We
will complete the year by implementing the program elaborated by Mr.
Clemente and financed by the Government of Italy," Mrs. Poghosian
stated.

In his turn, Mr. Clemente emphasized the importance of the
Armenian-Italian multi lateral cooperation and thanked the mass media
for highlighting the events within the framework of the cultural
programs. "The culture is a bridge that unites two peoples, that have
thousand years of history," he said. Mr. Ambassador informed that the
months of Italian culture will begin in the performance of the
contemporary dance by Francesca Silva’s dance group at Alexander
Spendiarian Opera and Ballet Theatre. The retrospective session of
Italian cinema will be held in one of Yerevan’s cinemas. It is
envisaged that in December, two young Italian singers will perform in
two concerts. All the arrangements in the cultural program are for
free. "This is our concept. We want to bring the art to the people
that have no sources to freely enjoy the miracle of art. Thanks to
this program, we will contribute to the cultural development and to
education of the next generations," Mr. Ambassador
said. Mrs. Poghosian congratulated the journalists with the "Day of
the Armenian Press" at the end of the press conference.

By Marietta Makarian

Financial Mirror, Cyprus
Oct 13 2006

French Assembly votes to penalise Armenian Genocide denial

13/10/2006

In a historic move, the French National Assembly has voted
overwhelmingly to adopt a law imposing legal penalties on deniers of
the Armenian Genocide.

The legislation, introduced by Christophe Masse, Didier Migaud et
Martine David (Socialist group), seeks "to counter the denial of the
Armenian Genocide." The measure, adopted by a vote of 106 to 19, adds
a second article to the 2001 law through which "France publicly,
acknowledges the Armenian genocide of 1915."

In a direct reference to the law already in place imposing penalties
for the denial of the Jewish Holocaust ("Loi Gayssot"), the measure
approved this week states that, "those who contest the existence of
the Armenian Genocide through methods recorded in its article 23 will
be sanctioned through article 24-2 of the 28 July 1881 Law on the
press liberty."

"We welcome this historical move, which demonstrates, once again,
that France continues to lead the international community’s progress
on human rights and the dignity on man. State-sponsored denial of
genocide represents a calculated form of incendiary hate speech that
threatens both public safety as well as the ability of society to
organize itself, through open discourse, to prevent the repetition of
genocides in the future. We offer our profound thanks to the
individual political leaders and the broader movement that have moved
this cause forward,"
said Hilda Tchoboian, the Chairperson of the European Armenian
Federation.

"We do hope that the Senate will adopt this same text in the very
near future, so that this measure will become the law of France at
the first opportunity," added Tchoboian.

The European Armenian Federation notes with interest that the path to
the adoption of this measure in France was paved by the recent
electoral defeat of Armenian Genocide deniers in Belgium, the
exclusion of Armenian Genocide deniers from electoral lists in the
Netherlands, and the ban on Armenian Genocide denial demonstrations
in Germany.

"The time is now for a global European law that would penalize the
Armenian Genocide denial, as well as the other Genocide denials
occuring in Europe" concluded Tchoboian.

TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 2006

Azeri NGOs Require to Debar France from Co-chairmanship in OSCE Minsk
Group

Source: Trend
Author: S.Ilhamgizi

13.10.2006

The French Parliament’s adoption of the law penalizing the denial of
the so-called `Armenian genocide’ once again testifies how France is
not in line with the principles of objectiveness and justice with
regards to Turkey, Trend reports with reference to the statement of
the National Forum of Non-governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan
(NFNGOA) disseminated on October 12.

It is stated in the NFNGOA document, which brings together 400 NGOs,
that France, as a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, once again openly
demonstrated its support for Armenia.

Adoption of this law by the French Parliament has brought serious
problems to all democratic values, free ideas and free speech and has
broken the security and co-operation in Europe.

`We consider that France, as a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, is
losing its confidence, and the country has no moral right to continue
its mission as mediator in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. From this point of view, Azerbaijan should abandon the
mediation mission of France and ensure the removal of this Country
from the Minsk Group’, the statement read.

A1+

DEMONSTRATION OF GRATITUDE TO THE EMBASSY OF FRANCE
[05:35 pm] 13 October, 2006

Over a hundred young people organized a demonstration from the Opera
square to the French Embassy in order to express their gratitude to
the French Parliament for adopting a draft criminalizing the negation
of the Armenian Genocide. Students of the Yerevan State University and
members of the youth wing of Hnchakyan Party participated in the
«demonstration of gratitude».

The participants of the demonstration called on other countries to
follow the example of France and voiced hope that sooner or later
Turkey will adopt a similar draft. By the way, seeing the group of
people walking towards the Embassy, many passers by joined them.

Reaching the Embassy, the participants of the demonstration read out
their letter of gratitude. Ambassador Henry Cuny himself came out in
order to meet them. «France recognized the Armenian Genocide long
ago. I think now its time for you to think about your relations with
your neighbor. Good relations with neighbors are important for any
country», the Ambassador mentioned.