Month: November 2006

RUMSFELD RESIGNS IN WAKE OF REPUBLICAN DEFEAT
By Ali Halit Aslan, Washington
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 9 2006
U.S. President George Bush was defeated in the midterm elections,
in what became a referendum on his Iraq policy. The outcome of the
elections has to a great extent changed the overall political structure
as well as the composition of Congress.
Above all, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the leading engineer
behind the Iraq invasion, was most affected. Former CIA Director Robert
Gates was appointed for that post. For the first time in 12 years,
the Republicans lost their control over the House of Representatives
to Democrats, who also won control of the Senate.
Describing the elections results as “disappointment,” Bush said he
wanted to work with the Democrats on a number of issues, including
the Iraqi situation. The Democrats will seek a new policy orientation
toward Iraq. The new House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, in an attempt to
explain the reason for their demand for a new policy, said, “I hope
the departure of Mr. Rumsfeld will mark a fresh start toward a new
policy in Iraq, signaling a willingness on the part of the president
to work with the Congress to devise a better way forward.”
According to the unofficial results, the Democratic Party has
229 seats in the 435-member House of Representatives, while the
Republicans have 196. The Democratic Party secured 50 seats in the
100-member Senate. With the narrow majority of one seat, Democrats
now are guaranteeing the majority in the upper wing of the American
Congress. In Virginia, Democrat Jim Webb edged out the Republican
George Allen. Allen has 10 days to request a re-count in this
critical state.
In a press conference held at White House, President Bush admitted
that his policies, especially the one pursued in Iraq, contributed
to the defeat in the elections. Bush, who said he congratulated
the Democrat leaders for their success, noted that the voters gave
him a clear message: “The American people want their leaders in
Washington to set aside partisan differences, conduct ourselves
in an ethical manner, and work together to address the challenges
facing our nation.” Bush assured the public that he would consider
the views of the Democrats and independent Baker-Hamilton commission,
especially on the controversial Iraqi policy.
Meanwhile, it is uncertain how the Democratic Party’s domination
in the House commissions would affect Turkish-American relations,
given the sympathy the Democrats have toward the Armenian allegations.

OSMAN: ONE POSTCARD AT A TIME
By Franny Osman/ Guest Commentary
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 9 2006
Last month I joined a student fast to bring people’s attention to
the genocide now happening in Darfur, Sudan … even though I am not
a student, and despite my skepticism that my fast could make anyone
aware of anything except me to my stomach’s grumbles.
On the way to the school bus stop, I mentioned the dilemma of
the ineffective fast to a neighbor who suggested that I buy some
postcards and sit in front of the supermarket and let people write
to our lawmakers about the atrocities. Yes! Instead of one letter
from me, there would be many. Now, to prepare.
I spent two hours on the Web, mostly at savedarfur.org. I collected
president and congress addresses. I printed sample letters and current
articles about the rape and torture, 400,000 dead in three years,
more than two million civilians forced from their homes.
The first genocide of this century. I cringe as I write, “the first,”
as if I fully expect more to come. May it never be.
I recalled the advice of an activist friend, “You can’t get it if you
don’t ask,” and made the dreaded call to the manager of Roche Brothers
to request permission to sit outside the store. I was so afraid I would
be rejected from a place on the sidewalk by a frustrating policy. But,
as they have so often in the past, Roche Brothers proved extremely
helpful and friendly. “Just not political campaigns,” the manager
explained. “No, it’s not. As long as you’re against rape and murder,”
I said, and he agreed with an ironic laugh.
When I bought the postcards, I explained my plan to the clerk who said,
“Darfur? That’s familiar. What’s that?” That communication was the
first positive result of my morning’s work: one more person reminded
of what is happening right now, today, to human beings.
By the time my preparations were complete, I had only half an hour to
sit that morning at Roche Brothers. I hung cardboard signs from the
card table. “Write postcards here, now, about the genocide in Darfur,
Sudan.” It was hard for me to sit there, embarrassing. How much do
I know about this? I can’t tell others about Sudan unless I am a
complete expert on the matter. What if someone asks me a question I
can’t answer?
Socially, it was a study in balance, wanting to catch people’s eyes and
say hello but not wanting to put pressure on busy people. I know more
than anyone how hard it is to see tables in front of the supermarket,
want to stop, but have a soccer team waiting for oranges or be on a
break from work.
During my short stint, I had only about four visitors, but they meant
a lot to me and I hoped they would relate the information to their
friends at home. One man took a postcard and promised to use it. He
said he knew genocide; his family had lost 129 members in the Armenian
genocide in the early 20th century.
Another man with a grey beard said he traveled to Sudan when he did
the Peace Corps in Northern Africa many years ago. He wrote a card to a
Sen. Edward Kennedy. Two women spent a long time reading the articles
I had printed, and wrote postcards to lawmakers. One even asked me
a question I couldn’t answer. “What is the Clinton amendment within
the Defense Authorization bill?” she asked, referring to one of the
sample letters. Neither of us knew which Clinton wrote it and what
it said. I simply told her I would check, at home. Not so shameful.
One mother entered the store with her little girl. When they wheeled
their food out a while later, the mother said she had her work cut out
for her with all the daughter’s questions. That was it for contact
with the public during that one “pilot” half hour, outside of many
curious stares from rushed shoppers and basket-toting employees.
I had reached a few people and sent a little more conversation about
this present-day horror out into the community. And when I return to
my table, I will know about the Clinton amendment.
Is it worth my time to sit in front of the supermarket? I believe,
yes. A few letters and phone calls can mean faster action by
our government and by the UN. Martin Luther King said, “He who
passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps
to perpetrate it.” Every day we move up the end to this horror, we
stop suffering. The large population of Sudan means that a little
change affects many. If I can contribute to change that helps save
one woman from rape, a man from torture, or a child from losing his
home to fire or bombs, it is worth my time.
Franny Osman is an Acton resident and member of Acton’s No Place for
Hate organization.

TURKISH GOVERNMENT TALKS TOUGH TO AVOID ELECTION DEFEAT
Deutsche Welle, Germany
Nov 9 2006
Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Turkish politicians
worried EU could cost them the election
The Turkish government wants to avoid election defeat at all cost, even
if it means snubbing EU demands. Despite tough talk from both sides,
negotiations over Turkey’s EU accession are unlikely to be scrapped.
The EU and Turkey seem at an impasse. On Wednesday, the European
Commission released a report demanding Turkey open its ports and
airports to Cyprus by mid-December if they want to keep accession
talks going. Turkey hit back, saying its ports will stay off-limits
to Cyprus until the EU keeps its promise to recognize the breakaway
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
This hard-line stance shouldn’t be viewed as Turkey rejecting the EU,
Suat Kiniklioglu, director of the German Marshall Fund’s Ankara office,
told AFP. Rather, it’s a sign of the political reality in Ankara. With
presidential elections next spring and the legislative elections the
following fall, the ruling Justice and Development Party doesn’t want
to look like pushovers, Kiniklioglu said.
“In the current tense political atmosphere in Turkey, it is impossible
for Ankara to make any concession on Cyprus in an election year,
unless the EU makes one first,” he said. “Otherwise, it would be
political suicide.”
Cyprus continues to rankle
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:
Cyprus remains a tricky issue for Turkey’s EU membership bid Turkey’s
stance towards Cyprus is fundamental to its foreign policy.
Voters would likely view anything appearing to be reconciliation as
“selling off” the Turkish Cypriots, analysts believe. In Turkey,
public support for the EU is also dwindling, making it a hard sell
politically.
On one of Istanbul’s main shopping streets, there appeared to be
universal anger against Brussels as news of the critical EU report
spread.
“Really, we don’t need Europe. They are making politics about Cyprus,
about genocide of Armenians, about Kurdish men,” teacher Mustafa
Bagci told DW-RADIO.
A recent survey conducted by International strategic Studies Institute
(USAK) found that 81 percent of the Turkish public feels the EU’s
treatment of Turkey is “insincere and unjust.”
A full 70 percent felt Turkey should suspend membership talks if the
EU doesn’t change its stance on Cyprus, AFP reported.
EU talks unlikely to end
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:
EU’s Olli Rehn had tough words for Turkey this week “This is likely to
be the last opportunity to make real serious progress for some years
to come on the issue of Cyprus,” EU enlargement commissioner Olli
Rehn told DW-RADIO. “The Commission will make relevant recommendations
ahead of the European Council in December, if Turkey has not fulfilled
its obligations.”
Yet despite the tough talk on both sides, most analysts see no risk
of Turkey’s EU membership talks being suspended, even if deadlock
remains on the Cyprus issue.
Yet there could be a quiet period where, while talks aren’t officially
suspended, there is also no progress made, Kiniklioglu told AFP.
“There will be a lull in which the two sides will try to gain time,”
Kinklioglu predicted. “After the elections, the new government will
take up the issue with new blood.”
There’s concern that Germany, which takes over the EU presidency
after Finland, will put Turkish membership in a deep freeze, making
talks even more difficult to revive and keep on track.
,2144,2 234052,00.html
–Boundary_(ID_N9sYxRFAekwMC7EgeYI Flw)–

STRATEGY OF NATIONAL SECURITY OF ARMENIA AND METHODS OF ITS DEVELOPMENT: INTERVIEW WITH ARMENIAN DM ADVISOR
Regnum, Russia
Nov 9 2006
The press releases of the Inter-Department Commission on the
Development of the Strategy of National Security of the Republic of
Armenia report that the draft strategy has been approved by the leading
professional centers of Washington, Moscow and Brussels. The press
attache of the Armenian Defense Minister, Colonel Seyran Shakhsuvaryan
has asked the Secretary of the Commission, Maj. Gen. Hayk Kotanjyan
to give some explanations concerning the development process.
The director of this project Hayk Kotanjyan is the advisor of
the Armenian Defense Minister. He has acquired his knowledge and
experience in leading scientific centers of Russia, the US, and
Western Europe. He got the highest qualification in national security
at the Russian Academy of Public Administration, the Center for the
Methodology of International Relations Studies of the Russian FM
Diplomatic Academy and the Department of Military-Political Sciences
of the Military Academy of the Russian AF General Staff. Kotanjyan
is doctor of political sciences. He studied counter-terrorism at the
National Security School of the US National Defense University. He
is graduate of the Marshall European Center for Security Studies and
the Defense and Security Analysis Program of the Graduate School of
the RAND corporation (US).
Dr. Kotanjyan, could you give your explanations concerning the methods
of development of the Strategy of National Security of Armenia…
The Armenian Defense Ministry has been working in this sphere since
1992, since the very birth of the Armed Forces of independent Armenia,
in close cooperation with progressive experts analyzing the strategy
of transitional political processes in post-perestroika democratic
Russia. We received great assistance from our Russian colleagues from
the Center for the Methodology of International Relations Studies of
the Russian FM Diplomatic Academy and the Russian Academy of Public
Administration, who closely cooperated with experts on transitional
processes from Harvard and Yale. We also had fruitful contacts with
the experts of the Russian National and International Security Fund
and the Russian Academy of Military Sciences. The updating of the
“Basic Principles of the Military Policy of the Republic of Armenia:
The Military-Political Aspect of National Security” was started in
2000 when Serzh Sargsyan became Defense Minister.
Well aware of the Russian methods of national security concept
development, Sargsyan providently decided to enlarge the scope of
theoretical-methodological national security knowledge of our ministry
due to the leading research centers of the US and Europe.
Through fellowship programs our DM specialists studied the programs
of the US National Defense University, the RAND and the Marshall
Center. In order to keep pace with the constantly transforming
external security environment, we also studied the NATO strategy of
transformation in the international security system.
Does this mean that our strategy has been copied from the American
or Russia original?
This is an important question. The military-political leadership of
Armenia knows well what problems one Central European country faced
after just making a copy of the American document. We also know that in
some post-Soviet countries national security strategies were written
by foreign experts. The documents were later translated into national
languages, while local departments just feigned they worked on them.
The chairman of the Inter-Department Commission was indisputably right
when he said that each country has a unique security environment,
national interests and goals and peculiar ways and priorities of their
use for ensuring national security. That’s why, based on the most
advanced methodological achievements and the advice of the leading
professional schools of Russia and the West, our Commission chose the
only right way – namely, to work out the national security concept
on its own.
They in the press call the document differently: “concept” or
“strategy” of national security. Can you explain the difference?
The European tradition says that national security documents should
be worked out in two stages. They in Europe stipulate that one should,
first, develop the “concept” – to answer the question “What?”
– and then, on its basis, the “strategy” – to answer the question
“How?”
The modern methodology of national strategy development is based on
a system approach to both question: “What?” and “How?”. Armenia has
chosen this dynamic model because it not only systematizes views and
theorizes on threats and counter-measures but also clearly says that
democratic reforms are the primary way to ensure the secure development
of the Armenian society.
What is the peculiarity of the Commission’s product?
In terms of the content, the strategy is peculiar for its attempt
to ensure a multi-vector balance of security orientations and to
transform the society by means of democratic reforms and integration
into the world community. One more important peculiarity is that the
Commission is simultaneously developing two interrelated products:
the Strategy of National Security and the portfolio of department
programs for ensuring its implementation in all spheres.
What is the basis of your work?
At the preparatory stage, we systematized the results of our many-year
cooperation with Russian experts. We also used our monographic research
“The Development of the National Security Concept of the Republic
of Armenia in the Context of the Regional Security Architecture of
the South Caucasus” – the work we defended at the National Security
School of the US National Defense University. The basis of our work
was the Armenian Defense Minister’s report “The Key Directions of
the Strategy of National Security of the Republic of Armenia.”
Experts from Moscow, Washington and Brussels said that the DM’s
report was a well-grounded professional document and recommended it
as a basis for our project.
As the secretary of the Inter-Department Commission, how would you
characterize its work?
It is quite effective. During the first meeting the Chairman of the
Commission said that we should work professionally and transparently.
Special attention was given to the problem of methodological
compatibility of representatives of 18 different departments and MPs.
The experts of the Russian Academy of Public Administration consulted
us on the matter. US experts also helped: highly-qualified specialists
of the US National Defense University held a methodological seminar
for the deputy ministers and equivalent officials involved in the
Commission.
The on-line schedule of the Commission’s meetings says that the
Commission has considered the content of the draft twice: first,
when there was a mosaic of proposals based on the text of the DM’s
report and, then, when the edited draft was consolidated. All the
work was carried out with the use of modern computer technologies
and traditional methods of documentation.
615 proposals were made during 7 meetings and were analyzed and
included in the text through collective expert consultations with
the commissioners.
I would like to point out that most of the commissioners showed
high professionalism and responsibility for the quality of personal
contribution in the collective product. I would also like to stress
the tolerant and consolidating approach of the chairman towards the
controversial and sometimes conflicting opinions of representatives
of different departments.
The information about the Commission’s agenda said that the draft was
to be approved by leading foreign centers. Could you tell about them?
The Chairman of the Commission preferred the modern standard of
open professional discussions in the most authoritative expert
centers. In fact, the configuration of the draft approval reflects the
multi-vector character of Armenia’s security policy: Moscow, Washington
and Brussels. All our partners had been notified that the process of
approval would be nontrivial and complex. I am pleased to note that US
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Russian Security Council Secretary
Igor Ivanov and NATO officials readily responded to Serzh Sargsyan’s
official request for organizing external approval of the document.
In short, the diagnosis was as follows: the Academic Committee of
the US National Defense University – “the inter-department process
for developing the Strategy of National Security of the Republic
of Armenia and its product comply with the modern methodological
standards”; the Modern Expert Group of the national security and
international relations departments of the Russian Academy of Public
Administration – “The draft Strategy of National Security of the
Republic of Armenia is the mature product of systematized efforts of
the Inter-Department Commission”; the International Advisor Group for
Security of the NATO European members – “The draft is comprehensive
and scientifically substantiated.” The recommendations of professional
schools are especially valuable. It should be noted that the experts
just recommended as they clearly understood that it is for the Armenian
authorities to develop a document of national importance.
As the director of the Institute of Strategic Studies of the Defense
Ministry, what can you say about the Institute’s role in this process?
The recently founded Institute named after General Drastamat Kanayan is
the analytical, coordinating and editorial link of the Inter-Department
Commission. Here we are analyzing and summarizing both internal and
external recommendations and are working out own proposals for the
Commission. At the same time, the development of the national security
strategy is a good instrument for calibrating the Institute’s future
activities in the sphere of national strategic studies.
What are your next steps for promoting the document?
In Nov we are planning to discuss it with the Yerevan State University
Council, the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences and experts
from scientific centers and NGOs. The Chairman of the Commission
Serzh Sargsyan has asked the rector of YSU, professor Aram Simonyan
and the president of the NAS, academic Radik Martirossyan to organize
the discussion.
By Dec we are planning to organize an open parliamentary hearing of
the document. After that, the Commission will submit the document
for the Government’s approval.

MINISTER OF SO-CALLED NAGORNO GARABAGH REPUBLIC RECEIVED IN GREECE OFFICIALLY
Azeri Press Agency
Nov 9 2006
The Foreign Minister of so-called Nagorno Garabagh Republic Georgi
Petrosyan visited Greece to participate in the ceremony held on the
occasion of 10th anniversary recognition of Armenian Genocide by
Greek Parliament, APA reports quoting to Regnum agency.
Greece Parliament vie-speaker Georgios Surlas received him together
with Vaan Ovannisian, the deputy chairman of Armenian parliament.
They thanked Greek Parliament for recognition of Armenian genocide
happened in1996. Surlas stressed that Ottoman Empire pursued policy on
ethnic cleansing of Armenians and Greeks. The sides also touched on the
Nagorno Garabagh problem and expand of Armenian-Greece relations. The
chief of Foreign Ministry Press and Information Policy Department
Tahir Taghizadeh said that Azerbaijani embassy will investigate the
case and appropriate measures will be taken.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HOPES TO ACHIEVE PROGRESS DURING UPCOMING MEETING WITH AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
The Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan and the Co-coordinator of
the American Assistance for Europe and Eurasia Tomas Adam voiced their
hope that at the time of the forthcoming meeting of the Azerbaijani
and Armenian Foreign Ministers on November 14 in Brussels, progresses
will be achieved in the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Vardan Oskanyan and Tomas Adams discussed the realization of
the programs within the Fund “Challenge of Millennium” and duly
implementation of the obligations undertaken by Armenia, Mediamax
reported quoting press-service of Armenian Foreign Ministry.
Adam said that the USA will continue assisting in strengthening the
democracy in Armenia, mentioning the importance of conformity of 2007
parliamentary elections with the international standards.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

POLAND STANDS IN ITS POSITION TO RESOLVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT CONSIDERING TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND SELF-DETERMINATION RIGHT – POLISH SPEAKER
Author: S.Agayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
Poland stands in its position to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict taking into consideration the territorial integrity and
self-determination right, the Chairman of the Polish Senate Bogdan
Borusevich said on November 9, as a result of his visit to Azerbaijan,
Trend reports.
According to him, the position of Poland is that the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved
peacefully and within the international norms and principles. The
OSCE Minsk Group should be only possible solution to the conflict.
According to the Senate, Poland made an initiative to become a mediator
between Turkey and Armenia.
According to him, Poland has good relations with both countries and it
is ready present the interests of Armenia to Turkey, and interests of
Turkey to Armenia. He considers that in this way Poland may mitigate
the distrust between these countries.

NKR PREPARING FOR REFERENDUM DUE DECEMBER 10
PanARMENIAN.Net
09.11.2006 13:04 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
has allocated 40 million AMD for conduction of the constitutional
referendum due on December 10. According to chairman of the NKR Central
Electoral Committee Sergey Nasibian, 280 polling stations will function
on the territory of the republic. One polling station will be opened in
the NKR Permanent Representation in Yerevan. Presently the electoral
rolls are being ascertained. Then the rolls will be put up in the
polling stations two days before the referendum, reports Mediamax.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GODFRY HOPES INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS WILL WATCH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA
Panorama.am
18:20 08/11/06
Anthony Godfry, temporary charge d’affairs of USA in Armenia, expressed
hope today that OSCE observers will watch the parliamentary elections
in Armenia. His optimism is connected with the statement of President
Robert Kocharyan who said an invitation will be sent to OSCE observers
to participate in elections. Godfry also said he had a meeting with
the chairman of Central Electoral Committee who assured the republic
is seriously getting ready for the elections.

AZERI PRESID TO MOSCOW TO DISCUSS RELATIONS, REGIONAL ISSUES
by Sevindzh Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman
ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
November 8, 2006 Wednesday 12:18 AM EST
Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev will begin his three-day working
visit to Russia on Wednesday in order to discuss prospects for the
development of bilateral cooperation and regional problems. Aliyev
is expected to arrive in Moscow in the evening from Brussels where he
has held a series of talks with the European Union and NATO leadership.
Diplomatic sources in Baku believe that during the Azerbaijani head of
state’s meeting with the Russian leadership the sides will consider the
whole spectrum of bilateral relations. The talks’ participants are also
expected to discuss the situation in the Caucasus, ways of regional
conflict settlement, including the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Official
Baku pins great hopes on Russia’s mediator role as one of the three
chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in the Karabakh problem settlement. “We
see that the Russian government takes sincere efforts towards finding
a peaceful solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
It is not ruled out that in the context of regional security the sides
will also consider the situation around the Iranian nuclear programme.
One of the probable subject matters of the talks will be natural gas
supplies from Russia to Azerbaijan in 2007. The Azerbaijani side
has recently repeatedly stated that it does not intend to refuse
from importing Russian gas in the coming years. It is also hoped in
Azerbaijan that gas prices offered by the Russian side will remain
the same or rise not considerably. In 2006, Azerbaijan purchased gas
from Russia at 110 US dollars per 1,000 cubic metres.
Analysts in Azerbaijan has noted the intensification of the political
dialogue and economic relations between the two countries in recent
years. Official Baku has also expressed satisfaction with the state
of bilateral cooperation the level of which is characterised here as
strategic partnership.
Aliyev said in a recent interview to foreign media that Russia and
Azerbaijan have managed to remove all unsettled problems in bilateral
relations. “Not a single problem has remained at present that could
spoil our relations. On the contrary, we have rather good achievements
in the development of cooperation in the economic, political and
cultural spheres,” the Azerbaijani head of state pointed out.
Last year, trade turnover between the two countries for the first time
reached the level of one billion dollars and it is expected to grow
to 1.5 billion dollars by the end of the current year. The Year of
Azerbaijan in Russia in 2005 and Year of Russia in Azerbaijan in 2006
have become major events in the life of both countries that made a
noticeable contribution to the two neighbouring states’ rapprochement.