Month: October 2006

GEORGIAN PRIME MINISTER: "WE FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH TURKEY"

Regnum, Russia
Oct 24 2006

Countries, involved in project of construction of
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku (Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia – REGNUM)
railway have sufficient will and capital, which enable saying that
the project will be realized; Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and State
Minister for European and Atlantic Integration Giorgi Baramidze said
in an interview with the Turkish Daily News.

According to the minister, Georgia has no doubts that a proposed
railway project linking his country with Turkey and Azerbaijan will
be realized despite recent decision by the US Senate to block any
funding for it from the US Export-Import Bank. Responding to question
whether the US Senate’s decision, backed by US Senate pro-Armenian
group, would affect the fate of the project, Baramidze said: "Not at
all. There is already money coming from Turkey and Azerbaijan. There
is the will of three countries to do this. So it will happen."

Armenia opposes the Kars (Turkey)-Javakheti (Georgian area, populated
by ethnic Armenians)-Tbilisi-Baku railway project, which would bypass
Armenia from the north. Pro-Armenian groups in the USA argue against
the project, saying the regional countries have already been linked by
railway passing through Armenia. However, the route is not functioning
because of blockade, imposed on Armenia by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, Georgi Baramidze is sure that the Kars-Akhalkalaki project
is economically viable. According to him, if it is realized, it may
be of benefit for all regional countries, including Armenia.

According to Baramidze, Armenia should demonstrate constructive
approach, rejecting its position, according to which the region
does not need new railways because there is the existing one which
is inactive due to serious problems between Turkey and Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Baramidze believes that if the railway via Armenia were active,
investors would not have thought about building another one. Also,
he pointed to fact that it was difficult to say when the existing
railway could ever become operational, given the rising tension between
Turkey and Armenia. "Because the existing one is not functioning,
certainly the new one should be functioning, making a profit."

It is worth stressing; Turkey has ignored the decision of the US
Congress, stating the project never needed financing from countries
not involved in the project.

As for French National Assembly’s bill criminalizing public denial
of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, the Georgian state minister
stressed that "such decision would not contribute to normalization of
relations between Turkey and Armenia and regional safety." According
to him, such decision does not contribute to healthy dialogue between
Turkey and the EU, too. "We support Turkey’s joining NATO," Baramidze
stressed. In its turn, the Turkish periodical stresses that "Georgia,
complaining of what it calls Russian imperialistic ambitions in
its region, is eager for integration with Western institutions,
most notably NATO." Baramidze said that his country was eyeing
stronger ties with Turkey, particularly economic ones. Turkey and
Georgia are negotiating a preferential trade agreement. "Georgia’s
economic borders are wide open to Turkey, and the Georgian economy
is practically becoming part of the Turkish economy, as we feel very
comfortable with Turkey," Baramidze stated.

TURKEY, FRANCE: FRENCH FIRMS SET TO SUFFER FROM TURKISH ANGER OVER ‘GENOCIDE’ BILL

Monday Morning, Lebanon
Oct 23 2006

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has appealed for
calm and opposes launching a campaign which might end up hurting
Turks more than the French

But the government is still weighing other responses which may hit
French firms, from blocking the country’s defense and energy companies
from bidding for multi-million euro (dollar) contracts to the more
symbolic, such as lawmakers replacing their official Peugeot cars.

And although an official ban is unlikely, consumers and businesses
are set to cold-shoulder French goods, nearly five billion euros
(6.25 billion dollars) worth of which entered Turkey last year.

On October 12 the French National Assembly, the lower house, passed
a bill making it a crime to deny that the 1915-1917 massacres of
Armenians by the Ottoman Turks constituted genocide.

The bill, which stipulates a prison sentence of up to three years and
a fine of up to 45,000 euros, must be approved by the French upper
house and by President Jacques Chirac before it becomes law.

The result has caused widespread dismay, not only in Turkey — several
hundred people rallied outside France’s consulate in Istanbul —
but also from French historians and European Commission President
Jose Manuel Barroso.

Turkey says 300,000 Armenians, and at least as many Turks, died in
civil strife when Armenians took up arms for independence and sided
with invading Russian troops as the Ottoman Empire fell apart during
World War I. But it refuses to accept this was genocide.

Armenians, who constitute a sizeable minority in France, say up to 1.5
million of their forbears were slaughtered in orchestrated killings,
which they maintain can only be seen as genocide.

In 2005 France and Turkey exchanged goods worth more than eight billion
euros, and French imports to Turkey were worth 4.7 billion euros.

Commercial ties between the two countries run deep. Some 250 French
companies have strong links with Turkey stretching back many years.

The carmaker Renault, for example, employs hundreds of people at a
factory in the Northwest of the country.

As a result, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, together with
the country’s more liberal newspapers, has appealed for calm and
not to launch a campaign which might end up hurting Turks more than
the French.

"What do we have to win or lose by boycotting products? … We should
consider that with a great deal of caution", Erdogan said recently,
adding that his government would proceed with calm.

Lutfu Yenel, head of the Turkish affiliate of the French telecoms group
Alcatel, said he was astounded by calls for a boycott of his company.

But although an official ban is unlikely, Turkish consumers and
businesses are expected to vent their anger by not buying French.

The country’s consumer organization, for instance, has said that a
boycott would begin at the 500 gasoline stations in Turkey owned by
France’s Total.

Every week there would be an appeal to boycott products from a new
French firm until the genocide bill is scrapped, the organization
threatened.

"From today onwards, we’re going to boycott every week a French brand
and show our reaction in a language that France can understand,"
said Bulent Deniz, the group’s president.

In some commercial centers in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, shops
were calling on Turks not to buy French — although it was business
as usual at an outlet of French chain Lacoste in the city.

Ankara’s merchants’ association has also decided to post on billboards
in the capital pictures of products that will be boycotted such
as perfumes and cosmetics, according to the group’s head Mehmet
Yiginer. And across the country, commercial groups and businessmen
have called on their fellow citizens to cold-shoulder French brands.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GAZPROM SEEKS TO CONTROL IRANIAN-ARMENIAN GAS PIPELINE
By Andrea R. Mihailescu – UPI Energy Correspondent

United Press International
Oct 24 2006

Russia has tightened control over Armenia’s power distribution network
after a subsidiary of Russia’s state-controlled Unified Energy Systems
purchased $73 million of the Electricity Networks of Armenia, on
Sept. 26.

It remains unclear why it took so long and the deal was formalized
one year after Yerevan approved Russia’s decision to buy ENA from
Midland Resources Holding, a British-registered firm that privatized
the once loss-making network in 2002.

Armenian media reports suggested UES, which is expanding its operations
throughout the region, was re-examining ENA’s books and discovered
serious financial irregularities.

But the Armenian firm is desperately in need of capital and the
Russian energy giant said it will invest $20 million in ENA over the
next 12 months.

Critics are concerned the deal will further increase Armenia’s
dependence on Russia. Gazprom controls Armenia’s largest thermal
power plant and is the country’s only supplier of natural gas.

Russian gas is used for generating nearly 40 percent of Armenia’s
electricity. ENA also saw its Russian gas prices double when Gazprom
decided to increase the price of its gas for all three South Caucasus
states.

Gazprom also initially confirmed, but later denied reports that it
will acquire ownership of an incomplete Armenian pipeline, which
is slated to start pumping gas from Iran early next year. Armenia
remains concerned over these reports.

According to Armenian media reports, Moscow also reportedly wants to
ensure that the pipeline diameter is not large enough to allow Iran
to re-export its gas to Georgia or Eastern Europe. Tehran and Yerevan
are considering building a second pipeline 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," Gholamali Haddad-Adel,
the speaker of Iran’s parliament, told reporters during a recent
visit to Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE TRIBECA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PRESENTS: JAZZ IN PROGRESS-MONK IN MOTION-THE NEXT FACE IN JAZZ

All About Jazz, PA
48
Oct 24 2006

Borough of Manhattan Community College

Presenting, In Concert, The Top Three Finalists
In The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition

Tigran Hamasyan – November 20
Aaron Parks – November 27
Gerald Clayton – December 18

The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, in partnership with the Thelonious
Monk Institute, proudly presents Jazz In Progress-Monk In Motion,
featuring in concert, the top three finalists of the prestigious
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, now celebrating its
20th anniversary. This year the renowned competition was devoted to
jazz piano, and the three finalists, pianists Aaron Parks (Washington),
Gerald Clayton (born in the Netherlands, currently residing in
California), and Tigran Hamasyan (Armenia, currently residing in
California), were singled out from a strong field of twelve semi-
finalist musicians by the competition’s distinguished panel of judges,
including Herbie Hancock, Andrew Hill, Danilo Perez, Renee Rosnes,
Billy Taylor and Randy Weston.

Each of the three concerts of the Jazz In Progress-Monk In
Motion Series will feature one finalist leading their ensemble,
demonstrating the perpetually diverse nature of jazz, and showcasing
three of the plethora of exciting, young musicians making jazz
their life’s work. Tickets are $25 General Admission, $15 Students &
Seniors. To order tickets and for additional information click on
or call the box office at 212 220 1460. The Tribeca
Performing Arts Center is located at 199 Chambers Street, New York,
NY 10007.

Jazz In Progress-Monk In Motion Concert Schedule:

Tigran Hamasyan – Monday, November 20, 2006 at 7:00 PM Tigran Hamasyan
was born in Gyumri, Armenia and began playing piano at age 10. He
currently attends the University of Southern California where he is
studying jazz piano. Influenced by Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk,
Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, Miles Davis and Bud Powell, Hamasyan began
writing his first piano compositions at a young age. He recently won
first prize at the Monaco Jazz Soloist Competition and has performed
at concerts, competitions, festivals throughout Europe.

Aaron Parks – Monday, November 27, 2006 at 7:00 PM Aaron Parks was
raised in Seattle, Washington and began playing piano at age 10,
learning mostly by ear. He began is career in jazz at the age of 16
after leaving the University of Washington to focus more intently
on jazz studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Parks
won first place in the 5th American Jazz Piano Competition and is a
Cole Porter Fellow of the American Pianist Association. Currently,
he tours with Terence Blanchard and is featured on Blanchard’s CDs
Bounce and Flow.

Gerald Clayton – December 18 at 7:00 PM Gerald Clayton was born in
Utrecht, The Netherlands and was raised in Los Angeles. He began
playing piano at the age of five. Currently, Clayton is pursuing a
Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern
California. In addition to his studies, Clayton performs frequently
and has played with a host of well-respected musicians including
Benny Green, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Baron, and Clark Terry. He recently
appeared on Back in the Swing of Things with the Clayton Brothers.

Since 1987, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz has presented the
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, the most prestigious
jazz competition in the world. Each year, more than $60,000 in
scholarships and prizes are awarded to talented young musicians
and composers. The scholarships help pay tuition for college-level
jazz education studies and provide funds for private, specialized
instruction. The competition focuses on a different instrument every
year and features an outstanding all-star judging panel. Branford
Marsalis, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck,
Marian McPartland, and Diana Krall have all served as judges at
past competitions.

The Institute has presented competitions for piano, bass, drums, hand
drums, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, vocals and trombone. In September
2006, the competition once again showcased piano, in celebration
of the Institute’s 20th Anniversary, with the semifinals taking
place at the Smithsonian Institution’s Baird Auditorium and the
finals at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater. The judging panel
and special guests featured a number of distinguished jazz artists,
including Herbie Hancock, Andrew Hill, Quincy Jones, Danilo Perez,
Renee Rosnes, and Billy Taylor.

This year, Quincy Jones, Phylicia Rashad and Billy Dee Williams hosted
the event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Herbie
Hancock served as chairman with Bill Cosby and Billy Dee Williams as
co-chairs. Honorary co-chairs included Madeleine Albright and Alma
and Colin Powell.

The 20th Anniversary Celebration was sponsored by General Motors
and Northrop Grumman. The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano
Competition was sponsored by G.M.A.C Financial Services. For more
information visit

Located on the campus of the Borough of Manhattan Community College
(a CUNY school), the mission of Tribeca Performing Arts Center is
to provide a professional season of culturally diverse arts programs
of high quality for the Metropolitan New York area, the residential
communities of Lower Manhattan and the college community in which it
is located.

Tribeca PAC maintains two theatres: a 913-seat theatre and a
262-seat theatre. The company offers an extensive 9-month long
season of programming that includes jazz concerts, dance, theatre
and family performances. The company also offers a year long Artist
in Residence program to 8 different artists (4 choreographers and 4
theatre directors/playwrights) and presents their new, original work
every Spring in the annual "Work and Show Festival". Tribeca PAC also
hosts many critically acclaimed events during the season, including
the Tribeca Film Festival in the Spring and Resfest in the Fall.

TOBB DELEGATION LEAVES FOR FRANCE

Turkish Press
Oct 24 2006

ANKARA – Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB)
delegation left for Paris, France on Tuesday.

Holding a news conference at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, TOBB
Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that if a draft law which aims to
criminalize denial of so-called Armenian genocide is approved in the
French parliament, France would suffer much.

"Turkey opened its archives regarding so-called Armenian genocide.

France should also open its archives. Historians shall decide whether
there is a genocide or not," Hisarciklioglu noted.

"We will convey Turkey’s views on the matter to French business
executives during our visit to France," he added.
From: Baghdasarian

LIPPONEN HOLDS A NEWS CONFERENCE

Turkish Press
Oct 24 2006

ANKARA – The Party of European Socialists (PES) group co-chairman,
Finnish Parliament Speaker Paavo Lipponen said that he would meet
secretary general of Socialist Party in France to discuss the bill
(aims to criminalize denial of so-called Armenian genocide) which
would be voted in the French parliament this week.

At a news conference in Ankara, Lipponen noted that they had concerns
that if the draft law is approved in the French parliament, it will
yield some unfavorable results in both EU and also Turkey.

Indicating that so-called Armenian genocide would not be a criterion or
condition for Turkey in its EU accession process, Lipponen underlined
that relations between Turkey and Armenia must be normalized.

Replying to a question, Lipponen said that he would convey concerns
regarding the matter to secretary general of Socialist Party in France.

Stressing that PES supported Turkey’s EU accession process, he noted
that they did not consider "privileged partnership" for Turkey,
but full membership.

"I’m sure that Turkish government is resolved to keep fulfilling
reforms. EU appreciates the progress in Turkey," Lipponen said.

Lipponen noted that Turkish parliament would make a decision regarding
the fate of Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK), stating that
however they hoped that something would be made on this article.

In regard to Cyprus issue, Lipponen noted that this matter could be
solved under the UN.

Responding a question, Lipponen stated that Justice & Development
Party (AKP) has become "a reform party", stressing that AKP achieved
important success in Turkish economy.

TURKISH DEPUTIES OBJECT TO ALGERIAN GENOCIDE PROPOSAL

Turkish Press
Oct 24 2006

ANKARA – Chairman of Turkish Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission
Mehmet Dulger and Chairman of EU Adjustment Commission Yasar Yakis
objected to the submission of a draft law to the parliament’s Justice
Commission regarding Algerian genocide, to be debated tomorrow.

"In case of the adoption of a draft on Algerian genocide, we will
reduce ourselves into a position like France," said Mehmet Dulger,
a deputy of ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP). However, Dulger
noted that French products could be boycotted. "We should hurt them.

Maybe this way we can let them see the realities," he added.

Responding to a question about 70,000 Armenians working illegally
in Turkey, Dulger said "we see this fact as a generosity of Turkish
Republic. Moreover 90 percent of MPs in French parliament do not know
about Turkish-Armenian relations and its historical dimension".

Yasar Yakis, another deputy of AKP, also objected to the proposal
about Algerian genocide.

"If there had been a genocide in Algeria, Algerians themselves should
deal with it and pass a legislation. While Algerians have not made
such a law, it won’t be logic for us to make one," he noted.

FELICITY PARTY LAUNCHES BOYCOTT CAMPAIGN AGAINST FRENCH PRODUCTS

Turkish Press
Oct 24 2006

ANKARA – Felicity Party (SP) has launched a boycott campaign against
French products to protest French bill which aims to criminalize
denial of so-called Armenian genocide.

Releasing a statement on Tuesday, SP leader Recai Kutan said there
is no need to wait until the acceptance of legislative proposal.

"Turkey should launch economic sanctions, which is the most
effective sanctions method. We, as Felicity Party, will no longer
use French-origin goods," said Kutan.

Kutan also added that they expect participation into their campaign
from Turkic and Islamic countries.

MUMCU: BOTH THE INVENTOR AND PERPETRATOR OF GENOCIDE CLAIMS IS THE WEST

Turkish Press
Oct 24 2006

ANKARA – "Both the inventor and perpetrator of genocide claims are
Western countries. They inject their own crimes in us and want us
to claim responsibility for those crimes," the Motherland Party
(ANAP) leader Erkan Mumcu said when addressing his party group in
the parliament on Tuesday.

Prior to his speech, Mumcu observed a minute of silence in the memory
of Turkish citizens massacred by Armenians (during WWI).

"The West should go first through a process to get rid of ‘Turk
complex’. Otherwise, their enmity towards Turkey will not end. The
history of the West is hypocritical," he said.

ANAVATAN leader Mumcu underscored that the target of France which
prepares to adopt a draft law (that makes any denial of so-called
Armenian genocide a crime) is to push its hinterland towards east
of Turkey."

On the other hand, Mumcu defended that Turkey was weak on foreign
policy, indicating that Ankara failed to take initiatives on issues
concerning its own fate.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRENCH COMPANIES FEAR LOSING TURKISH MARKET

Turkish Press
Oct 24 2006

ANKARA – French companies began to fear losing the Turkish market,
after a draft law that makes any denial of so-called Armenian genocide
a crime came up at the French parliament.

The draft law will be voted on Thursday, October 12th.

If the French draft law gets approved at the parliament, French
companies will not be able to participate in Turkish government
tenders worth over 20 billion USD.

Some of the sectors where tenders will take place in Turkey are
transportation, energy and defense sectors.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress