Month: November 2006

BRITISH MEPS LAUNCH FORMAL ATTACK AGAINST FRENCH GENOCIDE LAW
ABHaber, Brussels
EU-Turkey News Network
Nov 20 2006
3 British MEPs Michael Cashman (Labour), Richard Howitt (Labour)
and Andrew Duff (Liberal Democrat) have joined forces to launch an
official attack against the French National Assembly’s recent adoption
of an amendment to a law which seeks to criminalise denial of the
‘Armenian genocide of 1915’.
The MEPs have tabled a written declaration (80/2006) in which they note
their concerns regarding the content and context of the French law.
Speaking about the reasons for launching this initiative Michael
Cashman said:
“It seems clear to me that this law has been drawn up simply for
reasons of political expediency and it will be exploited by those
who oppose Turkish entry into the EU in an attempt to stall accession
negotiations.
This is a dangerous political tactic and an unwelcome addition to
the serious issue of reaching agreement on EU enlargement” continued
Michael.
“Our goal must be to help not hinder EU Turkey relations and this is
why I’d encourage all MEPs to sign our written declaration”.
concluded Michael
Richard Howitt MEP added:
“Turkey obviously has a long way to go before being ready to become
a member of the EU. What politicians should be doing is encouraging
Turkey to modernise, adapt and reform – not attempting to change the
rules by throwing more obstacles in Turkey’s path.
When the EU has rightly been calling on Turkey to drop their Article
301 which restricts free speech, this action by the French National
Assembly reeks of the worst kind of hypocrisy and provocation. That
is why I co-signed this written declaration” continued Richard.
For his part Andrew Duff MEP said:
“This law contradicts the universal fundamental right to freedom of
expression, a key value for all EU Member States and a value which,
ironically, stems from the principles of the French Enlightenment”.
Such actions by a Member State government do nothing to assist on-going
negotiations between the EU and Turkey nor do they improve relations
between Turkey and Armenia.
It is for these reasons that I felt co-signing this written declaration
was the best way for me as an MEP to express my feelings on this
important European issue”.
The British MEPs are hoping the written declaration will gain
signatures from a significant number of MEPs and provide a clear
signal that not all of Europe, or even all of France, agree with the
French Parliament’s position on this issue.
“I’d encourage all those who agree with our assessment of this
important issue to contact their MEPs and ask them to sign our written
declaration”. concluded Michael
WRITTEN DECLARATION
pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure
by Michael Cashman, Andrew Duff and Richard Howitt
on the French National Assembly’s adoption of a law criminalising
denial of the ‘Armenian genocide of 1915’
Lapse date: 23.2.2007
0080/2006
Written declaration on the French National Assembly’s adoption of a
law criminalising denial of the ‘Armenian genocide of 1915’
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the law adopted on 12 October 2006 by the French
National Assembly known as ‘reconnaissance du genocide armenien
de 1915’,
– having regard to the Council’s approval on 3 October 2005 of a
framework for negotiations with Turkey on its accession to the EU,
– having regard to its resolution of 27 September 2006 on the progress
of the Turkish accession negotiations,
– having regard to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human
Rights,
– having regard to Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights
of the European Union,
– having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the European Parliament does not believe that recognition
by Turkey of the ‘Armenian genocide of 1915’ should be a precondition
for EU membership,
1. Deplores the French National Assembly’s decision to adopt a draft
law criminalising denial of the ‘Armenian genocide of 1915’;
2. Believes that such a law would contradict the universal fundamental
right to freedom of expression, which stems from the principles of
the French Enlightenment;
3. Fears that this action is entirely unhelpful to those in Turkey
who are campaigning to ensure full respect for the freedom of opinion
and expression, precisely at a time when the EU should be deepening
its links with Turkey and encouraging more open and honest dialogue;
4. Does not find that this initiative is designed to improve relations
between Turkey and Armenia;
5. Regrets that this law would set a dangerous precedent by
criminalising the denial of an event that has not been officially
recognised by all of the principal parties involved;
6. Calls on the French Senate to reject the draft law;
7. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with
the names of the signatories, to the European Council, the European
Commission, the French National Assembly and the French Government.

DOVLET BAKHCHALI: JDP FOREIGN POLICY DOES NOT EVEN CONSIDER THE OCCUPATION OF AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIES BY ARMENIANS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
Congress VIII of Nationalist Movement Party (NMP) was held in Ataturk
Sport hall on November 19, APA Turkey bureau reports.
Dovlet Bakhchali, the leader of the party accused Justice and
Development Party (JDP) in presence of local and foreign mass media.
He accused JDP of being under the influence of globalization and not
being devoted to the significant values of the country and said that
this policy constitutes danger for the unity and equality of Turkey.
Bakhchali stressed that the only policy against the globalization is
to unite around the party and preserve the structure of the country.
Criticizing Rajab Tayyip Erdogan government’s fight policy of against
the terror, NMP leader touched upon the issues of foreign policy.
“Foreign policy of JDP does not even consider the occupation of
Azerbaijani territories by Armenians and tragic drama of one million of
refugees. Instead of it, the government looks for the ways of dialog
with Armenian leaders. At present, Armenia tries to lift embargo,
to open the borders and to make Turkey to recognize the genocide by
the support of West,” he said.
The leader also said that they will win in the next elections and
move lifer Abdulla Ojalan, the leader of PKK to the F jail. Dovlet
Bakhchali said that their party is open for the displaced “bozgurds”
and invited all of them to join NMP.
After the leaders’ speeches, the authoritative bodies of the party made
their reports. Dovlet Bakhchali was elected to the post again getting
1127 votes of 1183 representatives. Umit Ozdag was removed from the
party with the decision of the court because of illegal membership.
Nearly 30 000 men watched the congress of the party. Jemil Hassanli
who was invited from Azerbaijan to participate in the congress told
the APA that he was pleased with the congress.
“Bakhchali’s speech was excellent. I am sure that the party got more
powerful after the congress,” he said.
Hassanli also said he is sure the party will get most of the votes
in the elections.

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES DIVISION BEGAN MILITARY TRAININGS IN OCCUPIED AZERI TERRITORIES
Author: Sh.Jaliloglu
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
The division of the Armenian Armed Forces began large-scale military
training in the occupied territories of Agdam district of Azerbaijan
from 16:20, Trend reports. The training is mainly held in the Uzundere
village. Explosions can be heard in the territories where the Armenian
Armed Forces hold training. Observation of the training was deterred
by cloudy weather.

EC PRESIDENT BARROSO: “I’M CONCERNED ABOUT TURKEY NOT MEETING ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER ANKARA PROTOCOL”
Turkish Press
Nov 20 2006
In remarks published over the weekend, European Commission President
Jose Manuel Barroso said that Turkey ‘s not implementing its
obligations coming from the Ankara Protocol would affect all membership
negotiations. Speaking to German daily Tagesspiegel, Barroso said,
“I am concerned about developments,” adding, ” Turkey hasn’t yet
fulfilled its commitments emanating from the Ankara Protocol. The
European Union requested this last year. If Turkey doesn’t fulfill its
commitments, all membership negotiations would be affected.” In related
news, French daily Le Figaro claimed that there was a conspiracy
against Turkey ‘s EU membership. Writing on “Who’s against Turkey
‘s EU membership?” question Writer Alexandre Adler argued that Turkey
‘s real enemies lie among the fundamentalist Christians inclined to
racism, not Armenians, Greek Cypriots or Greeks.

RUSSIAN VICE-SPEAKER: RUSSIA SHOULD NOT CARE FOR OTHERS. WE SHOULD DEFEND OUR INTERESTS
Author: R. Aghayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
Vladimir Jirinovskiy, Vice-Speaker of the Russian Duma, distinguishing
with his own peculiar visage of many international processes, commented
on gas problems that Georgia and Armenia face, in the interview with
TREND SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT in Moscow
– Vladimir Wolfovich, Georgia has stated that starting from the next
year, they refuse to buy Russian gas at the price of $230 per 1.000
cubic meters. How could you comment it?
– Very nice, let them not buy anything – neither gas, nor anything
else from us until the day when they dismantle their museum of
occupation. I am for Russia suspending all ties with Georgia. We do
need any relations with this country. Let them head for Turkey, EU,
US, and exist the way they like. And we shall wait and see how they
begin spitting all over. They are not a country yet. They are just
supported and provided by other states. And everything comes from it.
Let us see, for example, yesterday they showed how they made a
poor-quality home brew wine. This is present Georgia.
– How do you think, could Georgia prohibit using its territory as a
transit for Russian gas, to Armenia, in particular, if the conflict
expands? How will Russia help Armenia in this case?
– Sure, they may do it. Let Armenians themselves think what to do.
Let them turn to their atomic power plant, and construct another power
block somewhere not far from Yerevan. That is their care. Why should
we care for and think about it?! Let every country itself care for
itself. And we shall advocate and defend Russian state interests.
And as to Georgia, it is a hazard, ballast, and abscess on our foot
in the Caucasus. Therefore, the faster they will go away from us,
the better it will be for us
– How do you think, when Russia will acknowledge the independence of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia?
– Russia might acknowledge it whenever it likes.
– And when it might happen?
– That will not happen in the near future. We should wait and see
how Kosovo is being handled, so we are not approached with the fact
that we destroy other states. Let them acknowledge Kosovo, and then
we shall do the same with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO VISIT ARMENIA TODAY
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov, Matthew Bryza, Bernard
Fasie and special representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Anjey
Kasprzyk will visit Armenia today, Russian Foreign Ministry work
group on Nagorno Garabagh told the APA.
Later the co-chairs are expected to visit Azerbaijan.
In the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers Elmar
Mammadyarov and Vardan Oskanyan held in Brussels an agreement
was reached on the meeting of the Presidents of two countries. The
meeting is planned to be held in Minsk within CIS presidents’ summit
on November 28.

ARMENIAN IM STAFF DEPARTMENT CHIEF VISITED BAKU
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
Armenian delegation participated in the 4th meeting of CIS member
states’ Interior Ministries Staff Department chiefs in Baku on November
16-17, APA reports quoting to IM sources. IM Press Service affirmed
the information.
Press Service officer Ehsan Zahidov told the APA that the
representatives from CIS member states, as well as from Armenia will
participate in the event. The Armenian IM Staff Department chief
participated in the meeting.
The development of cooperation among Interior Ministries, the problems
of struggle against organized crimes and international terrorism were
discussed in two-day meeting.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO VISIT BAKU ON NOVEMBER 22
Author: E.Huseynov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry informed Trend that the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs on the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will visit Baku on November 22.
An agreement on the mediators’ tour of the region has been recently
achieved in a meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers
in Brussels, Vardan Oskanian and Elmar Mammadyarov, as well as the
Minsk Group co-chairs. The tour will start from Yerevan where the
mediators will land on November 21, 2006.
The mediators intend to hold talks with the leadership of these
countries to discuss the last initiative on the resolution of the
conflict. It is planned to mull the organization of the next meeting
between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia scheduled for November
28, 2006 in Minsk.

CYPRUS PEACE PROCESS GAINS MOMENTUM
Source: The New Anatolian
ABHaber, Belgium
Nov 20 2006
United Nations Undersecretary General Ibrahim Gambari urged Greek and
Turkish Cypriot leaders to immediately begin bilateral talks aimed
at reaching a comprehensive settlement on the island, in his letter
sent to the two leaders.
Gambari in his letter sent to both Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot administration
leader Tassos Papadopoulos, suggested meeting of the leaders at least
once in every month and beginning of direct bilateral talks up until
the end of March.
Gambari also suggested the immediate beginning of activities of
technical committees and study groups.
Speaking to reporters about Gambari’s letter, TRNC Presidency
spokesperson Hasan Ercakica stated that the Turkish Cypriots welcomed
the suggestions made in the letter since they foresee the beginning
of bilateral talks to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus
dispute up until the first quarter of the next year.
Ercakica however expressed concerns over the success of the new round
of talks, saying, “We have reservations and concerns over the letter
since there are some ambiguous parts that could be exploited by the
Greek Cypriots and may also lead to delaying tactics. We will work
to clear these ambiguities during our upcoming consultations.”
Greek Cypriot administration spokesperson Christodoulos Pashiardis,
commented on the letter saying that it concerns practical arrangements
with the aim to accelerate efforts to promote the implementation
of the July 8, 2006 Agreement, adding that “our side will respond
positively to Gambari’s suggestions.”
“Out steady pursuit was and remains the full implementation the
soonest possible of the July 8, Agreement, so as to open the way for
substantive negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem,”
he added.
The suggestion to begin bilateral talks between the Greek and Turkish
Cypriots was first made by TRNC President Talat in move to open way
for efforts to reach a just and comprehensive settlement on Cyprus
dispute. Although the suggestion to begin direct talks was welcomed
by the concerned parties, the process hasn’t started yet.
Talat to push Annan for convincing Greek Cypriots on talks
Talat will meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today in Geneva,
where he will push the secretary-general to convince Papadopoulos
for the immediate beginning of direct talks.
Talat is also expected to ask Annan, the United Nations’ contribution
to the ports and Maras issues which create obstacles for Turkey’s
bid to join the European Union. While asking for UN contribution in
the issues, Talat is expected to underline that finding a solution
to those two issues is the issue area of the UN, not the EU.
Turkey’s refusal to open its ports and harbors to the Greek Cypriots
risks the country’s progress in EU talks. According to the EU progress
report on Turkey and strategy paper released on Nov 8, the leaders
of the 25-nation bloc will make a suggestion over whether Turkey’s
refusal to open ports will negatively affect the relations during
their meeting in mid-December. Ankara says that it won’t open its
ports and harbors to the Greek Cypriots unless the international
community ends the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. EU’s decision to
throw the ball of making final decision on continuation of talks with
Turkey to the leaders’ Summit also aims at keeping the door open to
a possible success of negotiations on the Finnish proposals up until
the key meeting.
While the general outlines of the Finnish proposals have been
disclosed, their details are not clear so far. As part of the deal,
the port of Magosa in TRNC would be opened to international trade
under the supervision of both the EU and UN, in exchange for handing
over control of Varosha to the UN for Greek Cypriot settlement. Then
it is expected that Turkey will open its ports to Greek Cypriots.
Talat sends letter to Barroso to clear Turkish Cypriot stance
TRNC President Talat sent on Sunday a letter to European Parliament
President Jose Manuel Barroso, in which he stressed that the process
of peace talks which began with the agreement of July 8 was initiated
by the Turkish Cypriots.
Underlining that there are some mistakes made in EU’s progress
report on Turkey about the parts on Cyprus, Talat said, “Although the
report makes reference to the beginning of peace process on the island
following Annan-Papadopoulos meeting in February, actually the process
was materialized following the initiatives of the Turkish Cypriots.”
Reminding the continuous calls of the Turkish Cypriots on the
establishment of a mechanism to discuss the daily issues like health,
bird flu, environment and crimes, Talat said in his letter that
the process was materialized following UN Special Envoy to Cyprus
Michael Moller’s letter sent to the two sides in February to launch
the mechanism.
“Following the draft progress report was leaked to the media before its
release, despite our continuous warnings made to UN and EU officials
about the mistakes made on Cyprus, the mistakes took place in such
an important EU document. We regret it,” Talat said.
Stressing that the political interests and realities on Cyprus are
misguided in order to appease the Greek Cypriots, Talat warned that the
continuation of such behavior would distance the sides from reaching
a comprehensive settlement on the island under UN auspices.
“I don’t believe that the real aim of the EU in general and the
European Commission in particular would be such a development,”
he added.
Kocharian to visit Greek Cyprus
Armenian President Robert Kocharian will visit Greek Cyprus in
November, at the invitation of Greek Cypriot administration leader
Tassos Papadopoulos in order to boost bilateral ties.
Greek Cypriot administration spokesperson Christodoulos Pashiardis
said Kocharian’s visit is scheduled for November 22 to 25, a visit
that is expected to draw criticism of Ankara sice Turkey doesn’t
recognize Greek Cyprus and has no diplomatic relations with Armenia.

GORAN LENNMARKER TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN SOON
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
Parliament deputy chairman Bahar Muradova has met with the chairman
of the OSCE PA Goran Lennmarker, APA reports.
The meeting took place during Bahar Muradova’s participation in the
autumn session. During the talks Goran Lennmarker said he pays great
attention to Nagorno Garabagh conflict. The chairman of the OSCE PA
said he is going to visit Azerbaijan soon. He stressed that he will
be the rapporteur on Nagorno Garabagh conflict. Bahar Muradova said
she believed that the OSCE will actively participate in the settlement
of Nagorno Garabagh conflict.