Month: March 2007

P LEADER STANDS TRIAL FOR DENYING ‘GENOCIDE’
E. BariÞ AltintaÞ

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 6 2007

The leader of the leftis neo-nationalist Turkish Workers’ Party (ÝP),
Doðu Perincek, will stand trial today in a Swiss court after he called
the alleged genocide of Armenians in 1915 an "international lie"
during Turkish rallies in the city of Lausanne two years ago.

The ÝP is convinced that the decision to come out of the case has
much significance for the "Armenian question" — whether the mass
deportation of Armenians at the hands of the Ottomans in 1915
constituted genocide. In a statement he made shortly before his
departure to Lausanne on Sunday, Perincek promised to bring back
"good news to our nation from Lausanne," at a press conference at
Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport.

"Turkey will win this case," Perincek said, asserting his belief that
Swiss legislators were likely to abolish a law making it a criminal
offense to deny Armenian genocide claims.

Swiss Justice Minister Cristoph Blocher in a recent meeting with his
Turkish counterpart, Cemil Cicek, said the Swiss law, which refers to
"grossly minimizing or justifying genocide," should be changed.

Perincek is facing charges under that law.

"We will explain with documents that no genocide has ever taken place,"
ÝP Secretary-General Nusret Senem told Today’s Zaman on his way to
the airport shortly before taking off for Lausanne. "Our defense
statement is based on documented evidence; it explains that Perincek
was defending his country."

Senem strongly dismissed claims that Perincek’s genocide denial
had anything to do with racism. "We uphold values of revolutionary
thought. How can we possibly have any racist sentiments?" The ÝP
secretary-general expressed his certainty that they would fly back
to Turkey with a legal victory.

Turkey History Institute head (TTK) Yusuf Halacoðlu, who also faces
charges under the same Swiss law, also believes that the trial
has international significance. "At least it will show the rest
of the world whether it is the Turks or others who are two-faced,"
he explained to Today’s Zaman.

A law that considers not accepting genocide claims tantamount to
racism stands out as odd and hypocritical in a country that claims
to have an advanced democracy, Halacoðlu said.

According to former Ambassador and Foreign Minister Ýlter Turkmen,
the decision that will emerge from the court process is not likely
to have any relevance to the Armenian question for the international
community. "It’s a law of Switzerland. It is not binding for anyone
else."

Trial stirs up Switzerland

The trial has also sparked controversy in Switzerland, where Swiss
Justice Minister Blocher’s reportedly indicated his view that the
law Perincek is being tried under should be changed during a visit
to Turkey last weekend. However, a spokesperson from Livio Zanolari
later said the trial "was not a subject of discussion" between the
two ministers.

Incidentally, the meeting occurred just a day before Perincek flew
into Switzerland to stand trial. Monday’s newspapers in Switzerland
criticized the timing of the meeting for being "provocative".

Turkey fiercely rejects the label to describe the 1915 killing of
Armenians under the Ottoman Empire. However, the Swiss lower house
of parliament recognized the massacre as genocide in December 2003
and the issue has sporadically soured Turkish-Swiss relations.

–Boundary_(ID_O/nsMA2F8ZaN8VKgQhahrg) —
From: Baghdasarian

SEZER APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF NEW POLICE DIRECTOR GENERAL

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 7 2007

Oðuz Kaðan Koksal, the current governor of the Aegean city of Ýzmir,
on Tuesday was appointed the new police director-general, a post
that has been temporarily occupied by an acting official. Koksal’s
appointment decree has been approved by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

The post had remained unfilled since the retirement of Gokhan Aydýner
due to age, leading to criticism of the president’s reluctance to
appoint officials selected by the Justice and Development Party (AK
Party), particularly following the murder of the Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink in January.

The government and Sezer reached agreement on the appointment of
Koksal to the post, and the relevant decree was approved by Sezer.

The government will appoint governors for five cities including
Ýzmir, which will be empty after Koksal’s departure. Newly appointed
Police Director-General Koksal is well known in Turkey as a long-term
governor, as he has governed the cities of Tekirdað, Malatya, Denizli,
Adana, Bursa and Ýzmir for the last 20 years.

–Boundary_(ID_gBToDlK/3OHhv43EP/r6yw)–
From: Baghdasarian

PERINCEK BEFORE SWISS COURT, SUPPORTERS NOT ADMITTED

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 7 2007

The leader of the neo-nationalist Turkish Workers’ Party (ÝP), Doðu
Perincek, went on trial in the Swiss city of Lausanne for calling
the alleged genocide of Armenians in 1915 an "international lie"
during Turkish rallies in Lausanne two years ago.

Nevertheless, 160 members of the Talat Pasha Committee who traveled
to Lausanne in show of support to Perincek were not allowed to enter
the court hall, as well as the Turkish journalists who wanted to
watch the trial.

The Talat Pasha Committee, which aims at combating Armenian
allegations, is named after an Ottoman interior minister whom Armenians
claim had a key role in the alleged Armenian genocide.

Talat Pasha was killed in 1921 by an Armenian gunman in Berlin.

A Swiss official said the Turkish group — most of whom were wearing
red scarves and waving Turkish flags — should have had written
accreditation earlier from Swiss authorities to enter the court,
the Anatolia news agency reported, noting that meanwhile, a group
of Swiss and foreign journalists based in Switzerland and a group of
Armenians living in Switzerland were allowed to enter the court hall.

The trial, which started yesterday, will continue for four days,
the agency also reported from Lausanne.

Among Perincek’s supporters was Rauf Denktaþ, the first and former
president of Turkish Cyprus. "We’re not going [to Switzerland] for
enmity, we’re going to see whether we can lay the foundations of a
friendship … In order to be friends, parties should avoid insults. We
hope that cantons and governments in Switzerland eventually draw
the conclusion that a years-long smear campaign is not something
necessary for world peace," Denktaþ said on Monday ahead of his
departure for Switzerland.

If found guilty, Perincek will be the first person sentenced under
Switzerland’s anti-racism law for denying the alleged genocide. In the
past, a Bern court acquitted 12 Turks facing similar charges in 2001.

Turkey vehemently denies that Armenian subjects under its predecessor
the Ottoman Empire were victims of genocide. Facing a mounting Armenian
campaign to get international recognition for the alleged genocide,
Turkey called for a joint committee of Turkish and Armenian experts
in 2005 to study the allegations. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan
sent a letter to Armenian President Robert Kocharian proposing the
establishment of such a committee. Nevertheless, Yerevan hasn’t given
a positive answer to Ankara’s proposal up to date, instead arguing
that such a committee should be inter-governmental.

American historian Professor Justin McCarthy was also in Lausanne
yesterday in order to stand before the court as a witness for the
defendant. McCarthy has become a well-known name in Turkish public
opinion in recent years.

McCarthy said at the time that the source known as the "Blue Book,"
chosen by Armenians to prove their claims of genocide, was one
of the products of the British war propaganda bureau’s efforts at
misinformation during World War I. Turkey also argues that Armenian
allegations in the book, formally titled "The Treatment of Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire, 1915-1916," are not factually supported and
the book as a whole was wartime propaganda by the British.

–Boundary_(ID_XZBSx/9ZXpEn9Si02C1SjQ)–

TURK GOES ON TRIAL IN SWITZERLAND FOR DENYING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

International Herald Tribune, France
March 7 2007

GENEVA: A Turkish politician went on trial Tuesday in Switzerland for
denying that the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during
World War I amounted to genocide.

Dogu Perincek, head of the Turkish Workers’ Party, called the Armenian
genocide "an international lie" during a speech in the Swiss city of
Lausanne in July 2005.

The state prosecutor has called for a six month prison term for
violating a 1995 Swiss law that bans denying, belittling or justifying
any genocide. The maximum penalty is three years.

Perincek told the Lausanne criminal court that there had been no
genocide against Armenians, but there had been "reciprocal massacres,"
according to Swiss Radio.

"I defend my right to freedom of expression," Swiss Radio quoted
Perincek, 65, as saying in German. "There was no genocide, therefore
this law cannot apply to my remarks."

The case has further soured relations between Switzerland and Turkey.

Ankara criticized the decision to prosecute the case and later canceled
an official visit in 2005 by Joseph Deiss, who was the economy minister
at the time.

If found guilty, Perincek would become the first person to be convicted
under the law. Twelve Turks were acquitted of similar charges in 2001.

Turkey denies charges by Armenia and other countries that 1.5 million
Armenians died in a systematic genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks
beginning in 1915.

Turkey says that hundreds of thousands of both Muslim Turks and
Christian Armenians died in a conflict during the collapse of the
Ottoman Empire.

A verdict is expected Friday.

ARMENIAN EXPERT: ANYHOW, THERE WILL BE A U.S. ATTACK ON IRAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.03.2007 13:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Anyhow, there will be a U.S. attack on Iran, the
whole matter is how it will be fulfilled," political scientist Levon
Melik-Shahnazaryan stated to a news conference in Yerevan. He said,
The United States has worked out three directions, which are supposed
to be acted in case of military operations. "The first way is "target
bombings" like in Belgrade, when industrial objects and infrastructure
of the country are being destroyed.

The second is direct land invasion like in case of Iraq. And
finally, the third variant is the "traditional" one- that is,
to create destabilization within the country, to set at variance
between Turkish speaking and Iranian speaking Persians and to set a
pro-American regime in the country," he stressed. In this regard the
Armenian political scientist noticed that in case of latter variant
Azerbaijan’s role increases rapidly, with the Southern border of
which resides the Turkish speaking population of Iran, totally 12-16
million people. "And just Azeri FM Elmar Mamedyarov’s coming visit
to Washington relates to Azerbaijan’s possible participation in the
solution of Iranian problem," Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan said.

As to Armenia, in his opinion, in case of any situation she will
be the loser. "Whatever the United States decides towards Iran,
Armenia’s isolation will be full. Unfortunately, Armenian cannot
change anything here. But we have a very influential Diaspora, which
must take measures not allow full isolation of the country," he said,
adding that US’s treatment towards Armenia is the most loyal. "We
cannot ignore the fact that only Armenia is allowed to trade with
Iran," Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan told.

IN CASE OF WAR AGAINST IRAN ARMENIA TO OCCUR CUT FROM WHOLE WORLD

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.03.2007 14:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad constantly
states that in case of U.S. military aggression Iran will strike
Washington’s allies. And first of all these are Israel, Azerbaijan
and Georgia," Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan stated to a press conference in
Yerevan. In his opinion, Iranian missiles can reach the above mentioned
countries without particular difficulties, while Americans need
military bases in the Middle East. "Already today Tehran has marked
900 targets in territories of Israel, Azerbaijan and Georgia. And if
the war breaks out Armenia will occur cut from the whole world, since
Georgia too can be attacked by Iran. But the danger of humanitarian
catastrophe threatens not only Armenia, but Also Azerbaijan. Such
a motion of refugees will not sustain any economy, moreover the
Armenian one.

Don’t forget, there are 80 million population in Iran, almost half
of which resides near Armenian, Azeri and Turkish borders," Levon
Melik-Shahnazaryan told.

As to Turkish "Incirlik" Air Base, in expert’s opinion, it may become
a terminal station for U.S. air forces, but "Turkey, as usual, will
demand concessions, particularly abolition of the Armenian Genocide
resolution."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

3,294 TOURISTS VISIT NKR IN 2006

Arka News Agency, Armenia
March 6 2007

STEPANAKERT, March 5. /ARKA/. 3,294 tourists from 50 countries of
the world visited the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in 2006.

As the NKR Statistical Service reported the number of tourists reduced
by 426 (11.5%) as compared to 2005.

2,971 tourists (90.2%) visited the country aiming to have rest and
leisure, 289 (8.8%) – on business and 34 people (1.0%) for other aims.

1,118 tourists (33.9%) who visited the NKR were from the USA, 463 or
14.1% from France and 267 or 8.1% from Canada.

YEREVAN AND MOSCOW CONTINUE WORKS ON FOUNDING SPACE MONITORING CENTER IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.03.2007 14:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Co-Chairs of inter-governmental commission
on economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and the
Republic of Armenia Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin and
RA Minister of Defense Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting in Moscow, the
Russian Ministry of Transport Press Office reports. At the meeting
the two sides discussed realization issues of the protocol from 8th
session of inter-governmental commission, situation in the development
of contract-legal base of cooperation, perspectives of development
of bilateral trade-economic relations, as well as cooperation in
the sphere of fuel and energy complex, transport and communication,
humanitarian sphere. Particularly, the two officials underlined the
successful realization of agreement between "Gazprom" and Armenian
government over "Gazprom’s" participation in gas and energy projects
on the Armenian territory.

"In the framework of this project "Gazprom" has invested $112 million
in Armenian economy.

At the meeting S. Sargsyan and I. Levitin underlined the necessity
to activate works on establishing a Russian Consulate in Gyumri and
an Armenian diplomatic representation in Russia. The Armenian side
informed that it has given a land in Gyumri without compensation to
Russian Federation within 49 years, as well as financial means for
construction of Russian Consulate building.

The sides agreed to order "Roskosmos" and Armenian rescue service to
keep on joint works on establishing and founding a Center of Space
Monitoring in Armenia.

At the meeting the two countries confirmed their interests in issues
concerning development of Armenia’s uranium source of raw materials
and her participation in the International center of uranium enrichment
(Angarsk town).

Armenian side informed about signing a Memorandum with "Reserve Capital
Enterprises Corp." corporation over organizing Kavkaz-Poti-Kavkaz
direct international train-ferry communication. The sides agreed that
in the shortest possible time Russia will inform Armenia about possible
usage of ferry complex in "Kavkaz" port in connection with installation
of a ferry-line of "Reserve Capital Enterprises Corp." corporation. A
protocol was signed in the result of the meeting. The sides agreed to
hold the 9th session of the inter-governmental commission on September
of 2007 in Yerevan.

RUSSIA CALMLY TREATS POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. AIR DEFENSE RADAR IN CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.03.2007 15:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia calmly treats the possible deployment of
American radiolocators in Caucasus, which are components of air defense
system, Moscow is sure that they will not be directed to the Russian
territory, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasili Istratov stated
commenting on information about United States’ intentions to deploy
elements of air defense system in South Caucasian countries. "First of
all, this issue must relate the country, which is going to construct
the system and the country, on the territory of which it will be
deployed. That is to say, it’s a decision between two states, which
does not concern Russia. As we understand, the system will hardly be
installed towards Russia," the diplomat said.

Alongside, Istratov added, "If it is directed towards Russia,
we will react with corresponding measures. But since most likely
the system will be oriented towards other directions, accordingly,
Russia will watch it very carefully. However, as much as I can judge,
we cannot talk about any decisions of such character, since I do not
know any country, which would confirm that American radiolocators
are being scheduled to be installed on its territory," Istratov told,
Interfax reports.

ARMENIA-ROMANIA COOPERATION ESPECIALLY IS IMPORTANT IN ARMENIA’S EUROPEAN INTEGRATION CONTEXT

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.03.2007 16:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today newly appointed Romanian Ambassador to
Armenia Crina Rodica Prunariu presented copies of her credentials
to Armenian President Robert Kocharian. At the meeting Armenian
President stated that Armenian-Romanian political dialog is rather
active and dynamic, stressing the sufficient contract-legal base for
enlargement of cooperation, which acquired a special significance after
Romania’s membership to the EU this January. Robert Kocharian said,
Armenian-Romanian relations play a particular role in the context of
Armenia’s European integration.

The Armenian President added that European Neighborhood Policy gives
serious chances to deepen relations.