Month: October 2006

EURLINGS: "TURKEY REPORT IS FAIR"

ABHaber, Belgium
EU-Turkey News Network
Sept 27 2006

Parliament adopts tough but fair Turkey Report. Camiel Eurlings MEP

Today European Parliament adopted Camiel Eurlings’ report on Turkey’s
progress towards accession with an overwhelming majority (429 in
favour, 71 against).

MEPs from nearly all political groups in Parliament shared the
conclusion that the reform process in Turkey has slowed down during
the last year. Camiel Eurlings MEP said: "This is a tough but fair
signal. I hope it will be perceived by Turkish politicians and the
Turkish public as an encouragement to restart the reform process."

Debating the report in plenary Eurlings said freedom of expression
in Turkey, and in relation to that issue article 301 of the new penal
code, raised many doubts.

Eurlings said: "The reconfirmation of the sentence of Mr. Hrant
Dink proves that Article 301 has to be changed or repealed. I ask
the Turkish Government and the Turkish people to recognize the need
for this. It is important for the freedom of the Turkish people,
it is important for the image of Turkey in the wider world."

Eurlings also said that much needs to be done as regards freedom of
religion and that schooling facilities should be reopened. Eurlings
said: "Give back the properties to the religious minorities and change
the proposed law on foundations so that seized church property can
be given back, or that there is a good compensation for the minority
churches. For a country that wants to be European, it is very important
that it should be as easy to build a Christian church in Turkey as
it is to build a mosque in the current Member States of the EU."

Eurlings is worried about the situation in south-east Turkey:
"I strongly condemn the PKK and all terrorism; there is never any
excuse for terrorism. But at the same time I ask Turkey to try to
find peaceful interlocutors, try to find a political way and invest
in the social and economic development of the south-east."

Concerning Cyprus this report makes it clear that the European
Parliament wants to see more efforts by the EU in the northern part of
the island in terms of trade arrangements. But, at the start of the
accession negotiations, Turkey accepted hard conditions from Europe,
including the normalisation of the relations with the Republic of
Cyprus, by signing the Ankara Protocol. As the Council did before the
Parliament demands the full implementation of the Ankara Protocol
before the end of 2006. Eurlings: "Big trouble lies ahead with the
negotiations if the implementation of the Ankara Protocol is not
settled this year."

Regarding the Armenian question European Parliament adopted a strong
position. Parliament reached the political conclusion that it is
indispensable for a country on the road to Europe to come to terms
with and recognise the past. This political conclusion was adopted by
a large majority. The fact that this decision, without implying that
it is formally one of the Copenhagen accession criteria, does not
make the position of Parliament weaker but more credible and thus
stronger. I urge Turkey to accept a committee under the auspices
of the UN and to accept its conclusions and in the shortest term to
stop sending people to jail when they express that they personally
recognize the Armenian Genocide.

This report states the position of Parliament very clearly. We are
committed to the accession process of Turkey but we ask a quick proof
that Turkey is committed as well. Only if Turkey restarts reforms in
a vigorous way can the future of the process be guaranteed.

EARLY EU WARNING FOR ANKARA

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Sept 27 2006

The European Parliament approved on Wednesday a report on Turkey,
after dropping a section making recognition of the so-called Armenian
genocide a precondition for membership, but stressed that "it is
indispensable for a country on the road to membership to come to
terms with and recognize its past."

The report drawn up by Dutch conservative MEP Camiel Eurlings passed
easily by a vote of 429-71 among the 625 deputies present. There were
125 abstentions.

The MEPs rejected an amendment proposing a special partnership for
Turkey, in lieu of full membership, but underlined that the accession
talks are an open-ended process whose outcome cannot be guaranteed
beforehand.

While the EP withdrew the most contentious issue of making recognition
of the Armenian genocide claims a precondition for membership, it
criticized Turkey for its policy on this historical issue as well as
its policy towards neighboring Armenia. The report underlined that
Turkey has to "come to terms with its past" in its accession process
and called on Ankara to open its land border at an early date, and
to establish diplomatic and good neighborly relations with Armenia.

On the Cyprus problem, the MEPs urged Turkey to open its ports and
harbors to Greek Cypriots before end of this year and warned that
otherwise Ankara will face problems in overall progress in its EU
accession talks. The report underlined that recognition of all EU
members, including the Greek Cypriot administration, is "a necessary
component of the accession process" and it also called upon Turkey
to take concrete steps for the normalization of relations with the
Greek Cypriot administration.

The report did not express support for Turkey’s proposal to
simultaneously lift all restrictions on Cyprus by all parties,
but asked the European Council to make renewed efforts to reach an
agreement on direct trade with the Northern Cyprus.

The report strongly criticized the slowdown of the reform process. It
noted "persistent shortcomings" in areas such as freedom of expression,
religious and minority rights, the role of the military, policing,
women’s rights, trade union rights and cultural rights, and urged
Turkey to "reinvigorate" the reform process.

The report recognized the improvements in legislation resulting from
the Turkish government’s efforts since 2002 for a zero tolerance
policy towards torture, but stressed that more effective implementing
measures were needed.

"It is important that the reforms be given impetus from within the
country by the authorities themselves and are not merely the result
of pressure from outside Turkey," the report underlined.

The MEPs urged Turkey to bring its penal code in line with European
standards for freedom of expression. They said that Ankara must
abolish clauses such as Article 301 under which insulting the state
and its institutions is considered an offence which could lead to a
sentence of three years in prison.

With regard to freedom of religion in particular, MEPs deplored the
absence of progress and reiterated Parliament’s previous calls to the
Turkish authorities to fulfill their commitments and to take concrete
steps to eradicate obstacles facing religious minorities. While
respecting the sensitivities of a country with a large majority of
Sunni Muslims, the report nevertheless reminded Turkey of the important
cultural and historic heritage "handed down to it for safekeeping by
the multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious Ottoman Empire."

Looking at the situation in the southeast, the committee strongly
condemned the resurgence of terrorist violence on the part of
the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and expressed concern about the
tensions in this region, which constituted a serious threat to peace
and stability. The Turkish government was urged to pursue a democratic
solution to the Kurdish issue inter alia by promoting political
dialogue and the economic and social development of the southeast,
possibly using the EU pre-accession assistance.

Dutch MEP Camiel Eurlings, who prepared the report, welcomed the
result and said with Wednesday’s amendments the report had become
close to its earlier form, with striking out last-minute changes that
caused fears that the report would undermine those who are driving
reforms in Turkey. Eurlings described his report as "fair but tough"
and expresses hope that it would further motivate Turkish officials
to move forward with reforms.

Asked to comment on the discussions on Armenian genocide claims which
overshadowed the other significant contents of the report, he said,
"Officially, formally, recognition is not a criterion [for accession],
which is the truth, but it is indispensable for a country on the road
to membership to come to terms with its past. So, let the message
not be misunderstood. We really urge Turkey, together with Armenia,
to get over the past."

Eurlings said that formally, recognition of the mass killings as
genocide cannot be held to be a criterion for EU entry as no other
candidate country has had to recognize it.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER: AZERBAIJAN UNDERMINES "MINSK PROCESS" BY HANDS OF ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 28 2006

YEREVAN, September 28. /ARKA/. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia
Vartan Oskanian told "Azatutyun" (Freedom) radio in New York that
Azerbaijan tried to undermine "Minsk Process" of Karabakh conflict
by Armenia’s hands.

Oskanian said that we had confirmed our consent to the principles
laid on the negotiation table by his statement at the United Nations
General Assembly 61-th session, while Azerbaijan – all the time showed
between the lines, not evidently, that it tries to deviate from the
agreements, which had been achieved till then", he said.

In this connection Oskanian pointed out that Azerbaijan’s such position
proved that all that had taken place till the present time was aimed
at undermining the Minsk process.

He finds that diplomacy must be directed in a way that Azerbaijan could
not achieve its aim and its aspirations were exposed. In that Oskanian
said that we would be able to reanimate the existing document within
the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Minks Group and force Azerbaijan
not to repudiate its promises and return to the negotiation table.

He also informed that the document still contained the idea of
referendum in Karabakh. "When we resume the negotiation process this
idea will become one of the key issues", he said.

DUFF: MEPS IGNORANT OF TURKEY’S GEOPOLITICAL IMPORTANCE

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Sept 27 2006

Andrew Duff, vice chair of the European Union-Turkey Joint
Parliamentary Commission, yesterday criticized the European
Parliament’s passage of a report on Turkey, saying that many EP members
are ignorant of the geopolitical importance of fully embracing the
country within the European family.

Duff, a British Liberal Democrat MEP, said, "The EP has taken two steps
forwards and one step back in its approach towards the controversial
issue of Turkish EU membership," urging the Union to encourage Turkey
to continue developing a European brand of Islam that will help to
unite East and West, despite the country’s many current difficulties.

"Without Turkey the EU will hardly succeed in building a serious
common foreign, security and defense policy," Duff said.

He also criticized the article approved by the MEPs on Cyprus, saying,
"It is a pity that we have missed our chance to add value to the
search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The EU
still needs to fulfill its commitment to ending the isolation of the
Turkish Cypriot community."

Stressing that the rejection of an article in the report, prepared
by MEP Camiel Eurlings, that aimed to make Turkey’s recognition of
the Armenian genocide claims a precondition for EU membership, is
"good news," Duff urged Ankara to strengthen its efforts to adapt to
EU standards, especially with respect to freedom of expression.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION DISCUSSED AT OSCE-ORGANIZED CONFERENCE IN YEREVAN

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

Sept 28 2006

YEREVAN, 28 September 2006 – The implementation of the law on freedom
of information in Armenia was the theme of an OSCE-organized conference
and awards ceremony held in Yerevan today.

It brought together government officials, international and
non-governmental organizations, the media, as well as the Armenian
Ombudsman, Armen Harutyunyan.

"Public access to information is a fundamental precondition for
building a democratic and pluralistic society," said Ambassador
Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "It also
ensures every citizen’s right to know and participate in the country’s
political and public life."

Armen Harutyunyan, added: "It is impossible to build civil society
and a real democracy without a full-fledged practice of the freedom
of information."

The event, organized together with the Freedom of Information Centre
and the United States Agency for International Development in Armenia,
was linked to the Right to Know Day, celebrated in several countries
on 28 September each year. It marks the right of individual access
to information held by public bodies and the benefits of transparent,
accessible government.

Following the conference, the annual freedom of information awards
were handed out to the Kotayk Governor’s Office and the official
web-site of the Armenian Prosecutor’s Office, Vanadzor Office
of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, to citizen Artak Zeinalian and to
Hripsime Jebejyan, a journalist working for the Aravot daily.

"During my journalistic career I have always tried to make sure my
own right to information is protected, and that officials do not
violate this law," said Hripsime Jebejyan.

The OSCE Office assists Armenia in improving implementation of
the freedom of information law by organizing training courses for
journalists, State officials and the general public.

3 TURKS EXCLUDED FROM DUTCH ELECTIONS FOR REJECTING ‘GENOCIDE’

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Sept 27 2006

Three Turkish-origin candidates have been removed from the Dutch
elections list for not recognizing the Armenian genocide claims,
ahead of the early general elections in the Netherlands set for Nov 22.

The removal of the three Turkish-origin candidates — Erdinc Sacan from
the Dutch Labor Party (PVDA) and Ayhan Tonca and Osman Elmaci from
Christian Democratic Party (CDA) — is the result of the activities
of the Armenian lobby in the Netherlands.

The activities of the Armenian lobby started last week when they sent
a letter to the CDA’s administration saying that its two candidates
back Turkey’s policies vis-a-vis the Armenian genocide allegations.

The campaign also found backing from the Dutch press.

Dutch Premier Jan Peter Balkenende’s CDA announced late Tuesday
the removal of Turkish-origin candidates, Tonca and Elmaci, from the
party’s candidate list. Although Tonca and Elmaci previously expressed
support for the CDA’s stance towards the Armenian genocide claims,
the Armenian lobby claimed that they lied about their support, a move
resulted in them being removed from the elections list.

Sacan’s removal from the PVDA’s list of candidates was announced by
party leader Michiel van Hulten late Tuesday. Van Hulten stated that
ambiguity on the party’s stance towards the Armenian genocide claims
is unacceptable and therefore he had no other choice.

The PVDA, which is supported by Turks in the Netherlands, is expected
to win the most of seats in the elections.

Both parties that have removed Turkish candidates from their lists
stated that their parties recognize the Armenian genocide claims
based on an Armenian proposal submitted by the CDA to the Parliament
on Dec 21, 2004 and approved by all political parties.

PARLIAMENT REPORT PUTS EU-TURKEY RELATIONS TO THE TEST

EurActiv, Belgium
Sept 28 2006

In Short:

The Parliament has voted on a report that puts Turkey under pressure
to reform further. Nevertheless, a controversial clause on Armenian
genocide recognition was dropped.

RELATED

Turkey accession and Cyprus
Background:

Accession negotiations with Turkey were officially opened in October
2005. In this process, the European Parliament’s opinion on Turkey’s
progress on preparing for membership is of considerable importance.

Even though the Parliament has so far not used its veto, it must give
its agreement to any new Union member.

Issues:

The report was supported by a majority of 429 to 71 against with 125
abstentions. A controversial clause, making recognition of the Armenian
genocide a "precondition" to Turkey’s EU accession, was amended.

Rapporteur Camiel Eurlings of the Christian Democrats (EPP-ED) said
the report was "tough but fair". The report points out the main
stumbling blocks in the way of Turkey’s accession to the EU. These
are mainly reforms in the area of freedom of religion and freedom of
expression, especially the notorious article 301, which has served
as a basis for so-called "Turkishness"-cases against writers and
journalists. Another concern is the opening of Turkish ports and
airports to vessels from Cyprus.

Positions:

The Finnish presidency noted that there has been much achieved,
but insisted that more "tangible results were needed". Minister for
European Affairs Paula Lehtomaki said that Turkey needs to give new
impetus to the pace of the political reform and vigorously pursue
the reform process. Full and effective implementation of the reforms
is of utmost importance for Turkey to ensure the irreversibility and
sustainability of the changes.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn also regretted the "lack of progress
in reforms". He underlined that negotiations were "an open process"
with no automatic guarantees. "The integration of Turkey would be
of mutual benefit," he said, adding "the EU needs a prosperous and
stable Turkey".

Rapporteur Camiel Eurlings (EPP-ED) said its basic conclusion was
that the EP regretted the "slowdown in reforms" in Turkey, although
he did compliment the Turkish government on its 9th reform package.

Christian Democrat MEP Elmar Brok (EPP-ED) stressed the issues of
human rights, minority rights, freedom of religion and of expression.

These, he said, were "preconditions" for EU membership. So far it
had not even implemented the Ankara Protocol. He also emphasised that
the financial aspects of the negotiations must be dealt with and that
the EU had "no financial leeway" under the Financial Perspective.

Liberal Andrew Duff (ALDE) stressed that EP’s role was "to promote
parliamentary democracy in Turkey". This meant encouraging Turkey’s
modernisation not putting up "spurious blocks" to the process. If there
were a "train crash" in Cyprus, there would be two trains involved:
one carrying "Turkey’s efforts to create a viable reform of European
Islam, where the prophet meets the Enlightenment", the other carrying
Europe’s efforts to develop a strong common foreign and defence policy,
to which Turkey could make "an extraordinary contribution".

Joost Lagendijk (Greens) said there was a big problem with the
paragraphs in which, following amendments instigated by lobby groups,
recognition of the Armenian genocide by Turkey was described as a
precondition for Turkey to join. He said the parliament must "support
people in Turkey who are fighting for the same things as us".

The Turkish ARI Movement warned that this development could weaken
Turkish enthusiasm and ambitions in the reform process.

Latest & next steps:

The Commission’s progress report on Turkey has been postponed and is
due on 8 November 2006.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2007

Regnum, Russia
Sept 28 2006

On September 28, the Armenian government approved draft law ‘On State
Budget 2007,’ which will be submitted to parliamentary discussion,
at its regular session.

As REGNUM was informed at the Armenian governmental press office,
taking into consideration program of governmental actions, program
of strategy, aimed at poverty overcoming, anti-corruption strategy,
the draft law envisages orientation of country’s economy policy
towards preservation of achieved rate of economic growth, guaranteeing
micro-economical stability, increasing population’s standard of living,
especially one of poor strata, gradual overcoming poverty’s level,
prolonged increasing poverty, and solution of social and economic
questions.

It is recorded in the draft law; total revenue of budget-2007 will
total 587.3bn of drams ($1.545bn), total expenditures – 655.6bn of
drams ($1.725bn), budget deficit – 68.3bn of drams ($180mln). Revenue
of the total budget will increase by 90.3bn of drams, i.e. by 18.3%;
its expenditures – by 88.8bn of drams, i.e. by 15.6%. It is supposed;
revenue and expenditures of budget of obligatory social insurance
will total 106.4bn of drams each. According to forecasts; communities’
budgets will total 39.2bn of drams each (including official transfers,
received from state budget).

Revenue of the budget 2007 is approved at the rate of 489.5bn of
dramas ($1.288bn); its expenditures – 557.8bn of drams ($1.467bn);
its deficit will total 68.3bn of drams ($179mln). Comparing with
budget-2006, revenue of the budget-2007 increased by 77.2bn of drams,
i.e. by 18.7%, its expenditures – by 75.6bn of drams, i.e. by 15.6%.

ARMENIAN TECHNICAL SECURITY CENTER TO INVESTIGATE CAUSES OF EXPLOSION AT "NAIRIT" PLANT

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Sept 28 2006

YEREVAN, September 28. /ARKA/. The RA National Center of Technical
Security is to investigate the causes of the explosion at the Yerevan
"Nairit" plant last Saturday. The press service of the RA Prosecutor
General’s Office reports that criminal proceedings have been initiated.

The RA Prosecutor General issued a decree remitting the case to the
Yerevan Prosecutor’s Office.

Earlier the case was in charge of the Prosecutor’s Office of Yerevan’s
Shengavit community.

The RA Rescue Service reports that the explosion caused a chemical
leakage, which caused water-supply problems in the Shengavit community.

Four citizens received burns and other bodily injuries.

Specialists of the Chemical-Biological Laboratory, RA Rescue Service,
took water and air samples.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COURSES FOR REPORTERS OF REGIONAL MASS MEDIA TO BE ORGANIZED IN ARMENIA

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Sept 28 2006

YEREVAN, September 28. /ARKA/. Under the program "Mass media’s role
in monitoring Government’s activities" implemented by the Armenian
office of the British Council, three-day courses for journalists will
be organized in October-November 2006.

According to the information reported to ARKA, the goal of the program
sponsored by the British Government and the UN Development Program is
improving journalists’ professional skills in covering and commenting
on the government bodies’ activities.

The applicants must have at least 2-year experience in journalism
and work for a regional mass media outlet.

The mass media outlets who representatives will take part in the
courses will take part in a grant contest for the creation and
broadcasting of TV and radio programs.

The deadline for applications is October 6, 2006.