Month: October 2006

FROM PASTERNAK TO PAMUK, THE NOBEL AWARD FOR LITERATURE HAS HAD POLITICAL SUB-PLOTS
Eunice de Souza

Mumbai Mirror, India
Oct 25 2006

>From time to time we hear that the Nobel Prize for Literature has been
awarded for "political reasons." Governments which say this usually
mean that there was an ulterior motive for giving the prize to one
of their critics. Ordinary people who say this normally mean that,
other things being equal, a particular writer has been chosen at a
particular time to draw attention to a problem or a crisis in his
country of origin.

Pasternak, who won the prize in 1957, gained a great reputation in the
West, but was reviled in the Soviet Union. The diplomat K P S Menon,
who was posted in Soviet Russia at the time, describes the event and
the abuse which followed. Pasternak was described as "a pig which
fouls its own sty", and an official said it "would be an insult to
a pig to be compared with Pasternak." The Americans thought of the
prize as a "slap in the face for Communism, for Dr Zhivago, which
is a saga of the revolutionary period , is by no means an euology of
the revolution." Eventually, Pasternak declined the prize, because,
as he said, "of the meaning attached to it in the community in which
I live." In a moving letter Pasternak wrote to Khrushchev, he said,
"For me emigration is impossible. I am bound to Russia by my birth,
life and work. I cannot think of existence separately and outside
her. Whatever may be my mistakes and delusions, I could not have
imagined that I would find myself in the centre of such a political
campaign as is being carried on around my name in the West." In the
end, he was not forced into exile, but allowed to continue in peace.

But when he died, it was some days before newspapers mentioned the
fact. Members of the Writers’ Union did not attend the funeral,
but hundreds of students recited his verses at his grave.

Where Harold Pinter was concerned, it was generally thought that it
was because of his campaign against the war in Iraq and all the lies
that had justified it. In fact, Pinter has campaigned against a great
many things, the Nato bombing of Kosovo, the abuse of human rights in
Turkey and many others. He visited Turkey with Arthur Miller in 1985,
and the highlight of his trip is said to be the moment he was thrown
out of the US embassy in Ankara. His biographer Michael Billington
writes, "Pinter remains to his credit, a permanent public nuisance,
a questioner of accepted truths, both in life and art. In fact, the
two persistently inter-act." True, but the plays are full of silences,
and the political speeches passionately articulate. Pinter’s Nobel
Prize speech, Art, Truth and Politics says that politicians quite
naturally have no interest in the truth, but if we are to survive
with dignity, "defining the real truth of our lives and societies is
a crucial obligation."

And now, Orhan Pamuk. Unsurprisingly, given his criticism of the
Turkish government’s refusal to call the massacre of the Armenians
genocide, Armenian writers were extremely happy that he won the
prize. A spokesman said it was "both a literature prize and about
morality." In Turkey, however, he was thought to have "blatantly
belittled Turkishness." The case against him was dropped only because
of Turkey’s hopes of joining the EU. Again, Pamuk has been known
for years. Perhaps the Nobel committee chose this year because of
the worsening Islam-West conflict. "No other writer addresses that
relationship with such humanity and wit," a journalist said when the
prize was announced, while another said it was "a rare if conspicuous
convergence of political motivation with literary merit."

OSKANYAN BRIEFS ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION

Panorama.am
20:04 25/10/06

1939 map was taken as a base for drafting the border of Armenia and
Georgia. It is the only comprehensive document, Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanyan told at the parliament today. He said at
some parts Armenians have entered Georgian territories and at others
Georgianshave violated 1939 map. We have to find golden middle,
Oskanyan said.

Oskanyan said he is going to meet Elmar Mamediarov once against on
November 14 in Brussels. "It is not a secret that return of territories
is part of package deal," Oskanyan said. However, he said, that may
be reflected only "when a final clarification will be made about the
self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh and it future status."

Speaking about Javakhk, Oskanyan said we must be utmost careful in
the question of Javakhk as it may become a "critical point under the
tense situation in the region and Georgia." He said only 3 out of 30
citizens are now under arrest among those Armenians who were indicted
in violating Georgian-Abkhaz border.

KAFKAS OF A.K.P. RESIGNS FROM TURKEY – FRANCE PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP

Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006

ANKARA – Agah Kafkas, a deputy from the ruling Justice & Development
Party (AKP), resigned from Turkey-France Inter-parliamentary Friendship
Group as a reaction to adoption of the draft law criminalizing denial
of so-called Armenian genocide by the French national assembly.

In an interview with the A.A, Kafkas said that the decision was
totally unacceptable.

"I condemn this attitude of France which has ignored democracy and
human rights," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Turkish Parliamentary EU Adjustment Commission Chairman
Yasar Yakis said that France itself would suffer the heaviest loss.

"The bill will damage the image of France in the world. There is a
long process ahead of us. We can still prevent enactment of the bill.

But the measures we will take should not harm Turkey. We cannot reach
anywhere by insulting others," he added.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN MINISTER ASSESSES PARIS MEETING AS NORMAL

Armenian Public TV
Oct 25 2006

[Presenter] The meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign
ministers, Vardan Oskanyan and Elmar Mammadyarov, ended in Paris
yesterday. It was attended by the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group
[for the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict].

The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere and was a continuation
of the discussions on the new principles of settling the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen during
the Moscow meeting of the two countries’ foreign ministers.

In order to clarify their positions even more, the ministers reached
an agreement to continue the discussions at the level of the foreign
ministers. Another meeting is planned to be held in Brussels on 14
November on the sidelines of the Armenia-EU cooperation council.

[Passage omitted: France believes that it is important that the OSCE
Minsk Group deals with the Karabakh settlement]

[Oskanyan] In general, it was a normal meeting. This meeting was a
continuation of the Moscow meeting because during the Moscow meeting
the co-chairmen proposed a number of new ideas regarding which no
agreement has been reached between the foreign ministers so far. The
goal of the negotiations has not changed, and the document that is
on the negotiating table has been discussed by the ministers several
times. But there are major problems on which no agreement has been
reached by the ministers.

We discussed in Yerevan and Stepanakert [Xankandi] the ideas proposed
by the co-chairmen during the Moscow meeting. Today we displayed our
specific positions in Paris. Azerbaijan did the same. The atmosphere
of the negotiations was positive and constructive. I cannot say that
our positions on these problems coincide, but I believe that there
are opportunities to bring our positions closer. With this aim,
we decided to continue the discussions.

M.F.A.: STATES’ RELIABILITY DEPENDS ON THEIR STANDING BY VALUES THEY ADVOCATE

Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006

ANKARA – "The reliability of the states depends on their standing by
the values they advocate," the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) said on Thursday after French national assembly adopted a bill
on criminalizing denial of so-called Armenian genocide.

Releasing a statement, the MFA said, "although enactment of the bill
depends on a long process including approvals of the Senate and the
President, it has caused a profound disappointment in Turkey. We will
maintain our initiatives in all levels within this process."

"Recent strong criticisms against the bill have already unveiled
that even France was not fully satisfied with it and that such an
unfortunate initiative did not receive support of all public opinion.

However, it does not diminish the seriousness of the event," MFA said.

"This bill means a violation of French constitutional order regarding
freedom of expression as superior over all other constitutional rights,
and the relevant European Convention. It also contradicts the spirit
of France which inspired the whole world by defending the concepts
of freedom, equality and brotherhood," it said.

The MFA noted, "when it comes to dealing with France’s own history,
French parliamentarians advocate that it is the responsibility of
historians. However, they consider themselves the authority that
makes a decision on the history of another country. This is nothing
but a contradiction. This bill has also revealed the double-standard
attitude of France in a period when Turkey has been encouraged to
take additional steps on freedom of expression despite all recent
reforms aiming at further improving fundamental rights and freedoms."

"This bill contradicts democratic regime since it prevents freedom of
thought and expression. It has caused a profound sorrow among Turkish
people including our Armenian citizens. 70-million Turkish nation
rejects such a restriction on freedom of thought and expression on
basis of totally baseless allegations. Unfortunately, by adopting the
bill, France has lost its privileged position within Turkish nation’s
point of view," the Ministry added.

AHEAD OF ERITREA
Aram Abrahamian

Aravot, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

RCF famous international organization, recording regress in the
freedom of press in Armenia has put our country in the 101st place
from 168, 12 points lower than it was last year. Our neighbors, Turkey
and Georgia are more ahead. Certainly our authorities may console
themselves from the fact that Ukraine, Russia and Azerbaijan yield
us in the freedom of the press. Not to mention Belarus, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan and Eritrea. RCF mentions that self-censorship exists
in the Armenian private mass media. But it is arguable; when the
president’s residence controls the private TV Companies and forbids
broadcasting any oppositionist without "sanction", it is a complete
censorship.

But in general, the RCF’s remark is objective and very offensive for
our state and people. The Armenians should worry about being before
Eritrea. As the latter doesn’t have a theatre of 2000 years. If
seriously this situation is the exact reflection of our public
apathy. "A1+" was close by the President’s order 4,5 years ago.

People ask me everywhere when "A1+" will be opened and curse the
authorities. But when we say, people if you want "A1+" to be opened
come to the square and demand, 200-300 people will be gathered.

Cowardly and passive public has cowardly and passive Mass Media.

This doesn’t humble the sin of our authorities. The instinct of
self-protection makes them surprise when they aren’t praised. I have
always thought and think that revolution doesn’t threaten Armenia.

Consequently if the authorities are too criticized their posts will
stay unchangeable. How can the head of Nubarashen read articles about
his omission /if he knows reading/. He will punish the reporter for
that article. He will do it, as he knows he won’t be punished for it.

The RCF and other international organizations’ reports are made by
such facts.

Sometimes our authority officials call the politicians and journalists
to "think about the reputation of our country". I want to return that
summon to the authorities, think about the reputation of our country
when you send skinheads to punish the journalists or fill ballots.

DISCUSSION OF FRESH IDEAS

Aravot, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

The imagination of the OSCE MG cochairmen, which was expired a few
months ago, nowadays freshly operates. RA Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanian told "Azatutiun" b/s after his meeting with Elmar Mamedyarov
in Paris, yesterday that they had discussed "fresh ideas" sounded in
the previous meeting in Moscow. In Oskanian’s words the dialogue will
be continued in Brussels on November 14, after which the MG cochairmen
will arrive the region.

WILL THE OSCE OBSERVERS BE INVITED?
Anna Israelian

Aravot, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

Though the authorities give positive answer to this question but the
anxieties after referendum are unsettled.

The U.S. Ambassador to OSCE Julie Finley for not meeting with
R. Kocharian during her visit to Armenia last week joked: "Perhaps
he didn’t meet with me as he thought I had no admiration and was a
bad company". Then she added more seriously: "Perhaps he doesn’t meet
with me supposing I must teach him what and how to do."

Julie Finley said during the same interview with the journalists that
one of the Armenian officials noted during non-official conversation
with her "maybe the authorities won’t invite OSCE observers". And J.

Finley called the journalists: "You must make pressure on you
government to send the invitation just after determining the day
of elections."

Mrs. Finley expressed the same anxiety during her conversations with
the Armenian officials. In particularly, she considered necessary
90-day presence of the OSCE monitoring mission, insisting that the
presence of observers before the elections is as important as it is
during the elections.

Vladimir Pryakhin, the head of OSCE Yerevan office has noted during
his meeting with the NA chairman that the OSCE is ready to send
a monitoring mission in case of receiving the invitation from the
Armenian authorities in time. He has also asked Tigran Torosian to
send invitations till the end of the year for the monitoring mission
of international organizations for the coming parliamentary elections.

V. Pryakhin said to "Aravot" yesterday: "I’m sure, there will be
invitations. Only a technical question worries us. It is better to
send the invitation beforehand, as there is no time. As sooner we
get those invitations as it is better."

NA chairman Tigran Torosian said to "Aravot"; "There is matter
to worry. But as the day of elections isn’t decided yet, it is
meaningless to send invitations". Vahan Hovhannisian, the NA vice
chairman, the head of Armenian delegation in the OSCE PA noted during
the interview with us: "My personal opinion is that we must provide
free, open doors for every observer. I don’t see any problem here."

It seems the problem is expired. But the anxieties aren’t relieved
when we remember the debates before constitutional referendum last
year. Elsy Hastings, the chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
told "Azatutiun" b/s two weeks before the referendum that they had
discussed with the Armenian officials of high rank the question of
inviting OSCE monitoring group to follow duration of constitutional
referendum. V. Hovhanisian replied to that incident /not inviting the
observers/ in the following way: "Referendum is another thing. OSCE had
no experience to monitor referendums. They have never sent observers
for referendum. Why must Armenia become the first?

Elections are another question." V. Pryakhin said on this occasion:
"That’s right, the OSCE was ready to send observers to monitor the
referendum. But the Armenian party didn’t consider it important. They
had right as it is said in the Copenhagen document that the parties
are obliged to invite observers for parliamentary and presidential
elections. Referendums aren’t mentioned there."

We also tried to find out which state body will invite the monitoring
group. Tigran Torosian answered; "Our country has sent invitations
for several elections, there was no problem. I think we’ll invite
by the same mechanism this year." CEC press secretary Tsovinar
Khachatrian informed us that they don’t send invitations: "The RA
government, National Assembly and Foreign Ministry have the right to
send invitations".

WHAT WILL ROBERT KOCHARYAN AND VLADIMIR PUTIN DISCUSS?

Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

While the media reported that if the Russian embassy first informs
about the upcoming visit of Robert Kocharyan to Moscow, it means
Russia does not respect Armenia and the Armenian government, the
leader of the Nor Zhamanakner Party Aram Karapetyan outlined October
25 the framework of the talk of Robert Kocharyan and Vladimir Putin.

The two presidents will first speak about the question of Nagorno
Karabakh. "When the Israeli prime minister arrived in Moscow and it
became clear that the Iranian problem, unfortunately, is proceeding
towards a military settlement, it is clear that in this context it
becomes a vital problem for the United States to control the liberated
territories. The Americans will need to control the Armenian political
sphere in the geopolitical context. It is clear that in this relation
the Russian geopolitical interests presuppose certain actions in
reply," states Aram Karapetyan.

Afterwards, Robert Kocharyan and Vladimir Putin will speak about gas.

"Perhaps, the Russians want definite information on when the
Iran-Armenia pipeline will be operated, because soon there will be a
problem of gas with Georgia. The price of the gas supplied to Georgia
will go up. Iran will supply us," thinks Aram Karapetyan.

The presidents of Armenia and Russia will not forget about the
problems of Javakheti and Georgia. "For Russia, the passive stance
of the Armenian government is not clear."

Besides, Vladimir Putin will inquire about all the developments that
are underway in Armenia, "As a country, which possesses considerable
property in Armenia, Russia is interested in the future developments."

DID THE PLANE TOOK GOLD AND DRUGS TO SOCHI ONCE IN THREE MONTHS?

Lragir.am, Armenia
Oct 25 2006

There is no official statement on the crash of the Armenian A320 May
3 in Sochi, which took 113 lives. According to the initial conclusion
of the Interstate Aviation Committee, the cause of the crash was the
mistake of the pilot. Five months later the Russian media recalled the
plane. In answer to this, the leader of the Nor Zhamanakner Party Aram
Karapetyan stated some questions October 25 in Yerevan, which he will
extend to the Attorney General on October 26. Aram Karapetyan said he
got the information that gave rise to his questions from the media,
as well as the National Security Service of Armenia and his source
in Armavia. This is the only plane crash in Armenia over the past 20
years, and unfortunately, the government is trying to forget about it,
stated Aram Karapetyan.

Q. 1. In the first telegram Yerevan received after the crash of the
plane it was stated, "the plane disappeared from the display of the
radar." According to Aram Karapetyan, experts say such telegrams
are sent when the plane explodes. Did the procuracy pay attention to
this circumstance?

Q. 2. Did a criminal group try to get the plane land in Sochi and
not return to Yerevan? Was there a fight? Was the captain of the
liner beaten?

Q. 3. Why did not the plane return to Yerevan when the dispatcher of
Sochi warned that it is impossible to land there? Who in the territory
of Georgia made the plane return to Sochi, and the plane did not get
to its destination?

Q. 5. Did the security service of the airport check all the VIP
passengers? Did these passengers carry weapon, explosives? Were they
checked? Are there records of the checking? We have learned that the
VIP lounge is under 24 hour surveillance. Were these records and the
video tape confiscated and attached to the criminal case?

Q. 6. Is the information in the Russian media true, or is the reality
different but it is presented this way to settle certain political
problems?

Q. 7. Is it true that after deciphering the information of the data
recorders the French party extended information on 6 parameters
instead of the required 40 to the Russian party?

The cause of the crash was not the mistake of the pilots, states the
leader of the Nor Zhamanakner Party. Considering that nobody gives
explanation or information to the National Assembly, Aram Karapetyan
stated, "In most cases certain government agencies make no efforts,
and it appears that the National Assembly is neglected. The society
cannot get information." This leads to emergence of various rumors.

For instance, Aram Karapetyan has heard that this plane took gold
and drugs to Sochi once in three months.

According to Aram Karapetyan, all the documents of the crashed plane
were in another A320 of Armavia which burnt in the hangar in Belgium
after the crash of A320.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress