Month: March 2007

RUSSIAN ACTIVIST AWARDED AT ONE WORLD FILM FESTIVAL

Prague Daily Monitor, Czech Republic
March 1 2007

Prague, Feb 28 (CTK) – Russian film maker Svetlana Gannushkina was
awarded the prize Homo homini at the beginning of the ninth Czech
festival of documentary films One World today.

The festival is held in two places in Prague.

Gannushkina deals with the human rights abuse in the former Soviet
Union.

"I greatly esteem the award from the People in Need, one of the
first organisations to have helped Chechnya," Gannushkina, a trained
mathematician, said.

She highlights the growing xenophobia in Russia. As early as 1990 she
established the first organisation dealing with the problems of war
victims in Nagorno Karabakh and further conflicts. Three years later,
she helped found the association Memorial and at present she heads
the project Migration and Law.

Human right abuses in Russia is the theme of the film Operation
by German film director Kerstin Nickig, shown after the prize Homo
homini was awarded. The film takes place in the autonomous republic
Bashkortostan in December 2006, when almost 350 people spent a night
in a police cell without any apparent reason.

The festival One World, staged by the group People in Need, offers
123 documentaries from almost 40 countries, seminar, concerts and
exhibitions.

PACE COMMITTEE ON CULTURE, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION MEETS

Today, Azerbaijan
March 1 2007

The next meeting of PACE Committee on culture, science and education
was held.

The committee organized colloquium on religions and intercultural
dialogue after the meeting. Azerbaijan was represented by the member
of Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Rafael Huseynov in both meetings.

The meeting of the committee covered discussions over the situation of
democracy and human rights as well as on religions and intercultural
dialogue, APA reports.

The main point of the report made by Portuguese parliamentarian
Milon was on development of freedom of speech and media in his report
"Situation of human rights and democracy in Europe". Rafael Huseynov
also made report "Professional education and training of journalists
in Europe".

The reports had been adopted after discussions in the meeting of
the committee in the frame of PACE winter session. He said a draft
resolution will be made on the basis of his report at the meeting of
the PACE Standing Committee on March 16 in Paris.

Rafael Huseynov will represent the Council of Europe in the symposium
on religions and intercultural dialogue to be held on March 27-31
in Istanbul.

Mr. Huseynov stressed that Azerbaijan is an example of religious
tolerance. Saying that Islamic, Christian, and Jewish monuments exist
in Azerbaijan, and tolerance can be come across.

He also noted that Armenia is mono-ethnic country and said over
300,000 Azerbaijanis were banished from their lands. He underlined
that Armenia contradicts religions and intercultural dialogue and
humanist slogans of international organizations.

URL:

‘OPENING OF AKDAMAR CHURCH GESTURE TO ARMENIANS’

New Anatolian, Turkey
March 1 2007

Recognized as one of the most important examples of Armenian
architecture, the Akdamar Church, whose restoration was recently
completed, will now be opened on April 15, after controversy over
the date.

Yusuf Halacoglu, head of the Turkish Historical Society (TTK), said
that if his schedule allows, he will attend the church’s reopening.

"We don’t have anything to hide," he said. "Opening the Akdamar Church
will be a gesture to Armenians and the whole world."

Armenian officials, leaders and culture ministers from European
countries will be invited to the opening of the church.

The restoration of the church was started three years ago and the
country has spent around YTL 4 billion on the project.

Speaking to Anka, Halacoglu said that after the conquering of Anatolia,
the Turks didn’t damage foreign assets, even in Istanbul, which was
conquered by war, nothing was destroyed. "In this way, these assets
have survived through to today," said the historian, adding that in
the Balkans, where there were once 22,000 cultural assets, there are
only 2,000 now.

Halacoglu asserted that other countries don’t give enough attention
and sensitivity as shown by Turkey. "The Mostar Bridge was destroyed
in Bosnia just because it was a Turkish work of art," he said. "Can
you imagine such a mentality treating buildings so brutally as human?

We don’t have anything to hide. Opening the Akdamar Church will be
a gesture to Armenians and the whole world."

The opening of the church located on Akdamar Island was delayed
until April 24 by the Culture Ministry, but as that day is regarded
by Armenians as marking the so-called genocide, the ministry earlier
decided on April 11.

Criticizing the date change for the opening of the church,
Turkish-Armenian community head Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan has said
that he won’t attend the opening.

Assassinated journalist Hrant Dink claimed in one of his last articles
that the change of date was planned and that April 11 is the same
date as April 24 going by the Ottoman calendar.

ARMENIA TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH POLAND

Arka News Agency, Armenia
March 1 2007

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan
met with Poland’s Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga in Yerevan.

The President’s press service said that during the meeting the sides
highly estimated the present level of bilateral relations and pointed
out that there is a good potential for development.

Kocharyan said that Armenia is interested in wide-ranging relations
with the hugest country of Eastern Europe which has the biggest
economy in the region.

For practical purposes, he pointed out the necessity of some
institutional steps, in particular, to finish the formation of the
Armenian-Polish intergovernmental commission as soon as possible.

Kocharyan pointed out the importance of the bilateral cooperation
within the frames of Armenia’s Euro-integration policy. The main
development resource is the existence of effective reforms. "We strive
for fully and effectively using the possibilities enabled by the EU
‘New Neighborhood’ policy. In this context, we consider Poland one
of our main partners," said Kocharyan.

In her turn, Fotyga said that it is her first official visit to the
region and it coincided with the 15th anniversary of establishing
diplomatic relations between Armenia and Poland. Fotyga expressed
confidence that as a result of the visit the friendly relations
between the countries will go on enlarging and developing, including
new spheres of cooperation.

The sides also discussed the regional issues, the relations of
immediate neighbors and the present situation of the Karabakh conflict
settlement.

VOTER-CANDIDATE RELATIONS INVOLVE MANY CORRUPTION RISKS IN ARMENIA

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Feb 28 2007

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. The voter-candidate relations involve
many corruption risks, Secretary of Armenia’s Central Electoral
Commission Hamlet Abrahamian said at the international seminar on
prevention, identification and investigation of election frauds.

Abrahamian attributed this situation to the existing electoral system.

Money and other instruments of influence on people’s minds "work"
in the sphere, and in this particular electoral system it is very
difficult to differentiate between election bribes and charity,
Abrahamian said.

He pointed out that granting an immunity status to chairmen of
territorial election committees that is currently under consideration
may give cause for mass election fraud.

"In this respect it is very important to increase self-consciousness
of Armenia’s citizens," Abrahamian said.

A two-day seminar is held in Yerevan on prevention, identification
and investigation of election fraud.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH GDP MAKES AMD 61,885.9MLN

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Feb 28 2007

STEPANAKERT, February 28. /ARKA/. According to the preliminary
statistics, the GDP of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic made AMD
61,885.9mln in 2006 against AMD 51,379.4mln in 2005.

The NKR Statistical Service reported that the real rise of the GDP
made 110.1%, the GDP index-deflator -109.4%.

In 2006, the NKR factual prices of industrial production made AMD
24,203.6mln, a 16.3% rise as compared to 2005.

The average payroll number of the industrial factory personnel made
4,869 staff members, a 5.7% rise as compared to 2005. The production
realized by one employee of industrial organizations made AMD
4,971.0ths, a 10.0% (AMD 453.8) rise as compared to 2005.

In 2006, the capital construction realized in the country totaled
AMD 17,602.0mln, a 39.7% rise as compared to 2005. Building and
assembly jobs realized in the volume of capital construction made
AMD 15,218.9mln or 86.5%.

In 2006, 47.4% (AMD 8,342.2mln) of the capital construction accounted
for the NKR state budget. ($1 -AMD 353.61).

POLITICAL PARTIES VIE FOR POPULAR NAMES IN BUREAUCRACY
Ercan Yavuz Ankara

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 1 2007

Turkey is focused on the elections scheduled for fall. Combined with
the presidential elections process which will start in April and end
on May 16, the bureaucracy has virtually come to a halt.

As bureaucrats are trying to be in included on the candidate lists of
political parties, the parties are seeking to set up their "A Teams"
recruiting successful bureaucrats. The ruling Justice and Development
Party (AK Party) will attract those bureaucrats who worked with the
AK Party during its 4.5 years of government and who consider those
years successful.

As was the case in previous elections, the primary preference of
bureaucrats will be the ruling AK Party. When the first "A Team"
of successful bureaucrats, set up by Turgut Ozal, was triumphant in
politics, this practice was assumed by other political parties. In the
1995 elections, True Path Party (DYP) Leader Tansu Ciller established
her A Team with Ayfer Yýlmaz, Hayri Kozakcýoðlu, Unal Erkan, Necdet
Menzir, Tekin Enerem, Jefi Kamhi, Gencay Gurun, and other famous
figures.

The AK Party is the front-runner for bureaucrats for the nearing
elections. Many bureaucrats who have dreams of being deputies have
already set to establishing close contacts with the headquarters of
the AK Party. The AK Party currently has 350 seats in the parliament
and it is difficult for the senior management of the party to decide
who will run for parliament in the approaching elections. Relatively
at ease in formulating the candidates lists in the elections of Nov.

3, 2002, the AK Party seems to be finding trouble for the coming
elections. This is because the existing deputies will try to maintain
their places while celebrities and bureaucrats will attempt to figure
out how to replace them. The AK Party management is not eager to see
the re-election of some people who were elected as deputies in 2002.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoðan has plans to recruit successful
bureaucrats to replace them and this issue is likely to give him
some headaches.

The most likely bureaucrat to step into the political arena is
Prime Ministry Undersecretary Omer Dincer. Dincer, whose appointment
decree has been repeatedly vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer,
will be elected as a deputy from his hometown Karaman. Other likely
names to run for the parliamentary elections include Health Ministry
Undersecretary Necdet Unuvar, Education Ministry Undersecretary
Necati Birinci, Sumerbank General Director Sezai Ensari, Public
Works and Settlement Ministry Undersecretary Sabri Erbakan, Savings
Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) Chairman Ahmet Erturk, Culture Ministry
Undersecretary Mustafa Ýsen, Education Ministry Personnel General
Director Remzi Kaya, Foundations General Director Yusuf Beyazýt,
Youth and Sports General Director Mehmet Atalay, State Waterworks
Administration (DSÝ) General Director Veysel Eroðlu, Housing
Development Administration (TOKÝ) Chairman Erdoðan Bayraktar, and
Ziraat Bank General Director Can Akýn Caðlar.

AK Party’s favorite celebrities: Ozhan and Kurtoðlu The AK Party is
also planning to include celebrities in its A Team.

These celebrities include famous singers Ahmet Ozhan and Cengiz
Kurtoðlu. Previously, actor Tamer Yiðit and singer Yasemin Kumral
had become members of the AK Party. They will definitely be nominated
for the nearing elections, sources say.

CHP Leader Deniz Baykal will set up its A Team from people who were
victimized by the ruling AK Party. Professor Dr. Yucel Aþkýn, the
former president of 100 Yýl University in Van, is one person Baykal
is trying to enlist. It was alleged that Education Minister Huseyin
Celik launched an investigation against Aþkýn, who was later arrested
on charges of fraud. The Democratic Left Party’s (DSP) former Finance
Minister Zekeriya Temizel and Chief Inspector Hamza Kacar, who were
removed from office in connection with the recent "mole scandal" in the
Finance Ministry, were also on the CHP’s list of possible candidates.

Baykal is also trying to make his party a magnet for significant
figures of the DSP, including former Finance Minister Zekeriya Temizel,
former Foreign Minister Þukru Sina Gurel and former Education Minister
Necdet Tekin. Turkish Pipeline Company (BOTAÞ) General Director Necdet
Pamir, regarded as a prominent figure in energy issues in Turkey,
will be transferred by the CHP. From the military bureaucracy, the
CHP is planning to recruit retired Lt. Gen.

Erdoðan Karakuþ, the former commander of the Office of the Chief
of General Staff Military Historical and Strategic Studies Center
(ATESE), who unearthed important documents and evidence against the
Armenian genocide claims.

Derviþ Gunday, the Chairman of Turkish Confederation of Trade Unions
of Artisans, who frequently made polemics with the government, will
be nominated for parliament by the CHP. Former Higher Education
Board (YOK) President Kemal Guruz, who was previously claimed to
be supporting the Motherland Party (ANAVATAN), is very likely to be
included in CHP A Team. Actress Þehnaz Cakýralp will definitely be
nominated by the CHP for parliament in the nearing elections, sources
say. In a television series depicting the period of the Democratic
Party (DP), considered as the pioneer of the Turkish center-right,
Cakýralp played the role of DP deputy’s mistress.

CHP Leader Baykal had managed to attract former World Bank Deputy
President Kemal Derviþ, Ambassador Ýnal Batu, professor of theology
Yaþar Nuri Ozturk, singer Zulfu Livaneli and Berhan Þimþek for the
parliamentary elections of Nov. 3, 2002, but failed to keep them in
the party. Except for Berhan Þimþek, all became opponents of Baykal.

Tatlýses goes independent, Ulusoy favorite for all parties Football
Federation President Haluk Ulusoy, who drew attention with the polemics
he made on the government and especially with State Minister for Sports
Mehmet Ali Þahin, is also readying himself for the elections. The
CHP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are in a tug-of-war for
Ulusoy. In the face of Minister Mehmet Ali Þahin’s allegations of
fraud, Ulusoy is expected to make his choice for the MHP and become a
deputy for Trabzon. The MHP is also considering nominating Ambassador
Deniz Bolukbaþý for the parliament.

Bolukbaþý was in the spotlight during the negotiations with the US in
connection with the American request to stage part of the invasion
of Iraq in 2003 from Turkey and sources say that he may enter the
political arena on the insistence of the MHP.

Another celebrity who has plans for politics is famous singer
Ýbrahim Tatlýses. Tatlýses, who is on trial in connection with the
"Sauna Gang" probe and who may be sentenced to up to six months in
prison, announced that he would run as an independent for his hometown
Þanlýurfa. The past of Turkish politics is rife with cases of people
accused of important offenses who try to acquire immunity by becoming
parliamentary deputies.

–Boundary_(ID_u+cJrUAwTVfV7lKUTXVzYQ)- –

FINDING FAITH
By Linda Wallace, columnist

Mount Shasta Herald, CA
March 1 2007

Our forefathers had faith. This country was based on faith. Our money
carries the words, "In God we Trust." When we trust, we have faith.

If you recently read the American Profile – Western Edition, you’d
know George Washington, the father of our country, was guided by
his Christian faith. America’s spiritual roots were prevalent in
George Washington, born 275 years ago on Feb. 22. Did you know that
Washington took his oath of office on Inauguration Day using a Bible?

The article said George alluded to scripture in the Bible as "Holy
Writ."

Why are we thinking, as Americans, that this country’s greatness did
not come from our belief in the almighty God. The article brought out
the fact, 50 years ago, George Washington’s picture hung in every
classroom in America. Have you seen his picture in your child’s
classroom lately? Is he becoming faceless in America? I sure hope
not. All of us look at him each time we spend our one-dollar bills.

In 2005, college seniors were polled. Bill Clinton had a much higher
score of approval than George Washington, according to the article.

We need to keep teaching our children our country’s history. I
can’t help wondering, where are we heading in America? History is
important. Are we loyal to our government? What do we think about
our government?

Our world, I believe, is much more interconnected. The Internet
allows us to communicate with someone on the other side of the globe
any time we want to. Sadly, the have-nots are not able to do this as
easily as people who have money to buy computers.

I recently became aware, via e-mail from an Armenian, that my
"Armenian Mission" column dated Feb. 7, 2007 is being read on the web
by thousands of Armenians. The e-mail came from a gentleman in Newton,
Mass. I received another e-mail from an Armenian and also spoke
to Roger and Mary Benton who were contacted, via e-mail, about the
article by an Armenian website. Mary and Roger did not know about the
website. I certainly didn’t think my article would be read in Armenia,
but technology makes this possible. We all can learn from each other.

Our first president had the courage to stand strong and not give up
at Valley Forge. In one of his letters he said, " You can tell where
the soldiers have walked, not just by their footprints in the snow,
but by the bloodstains that are there."

His men were dying of exposure and starvation, eating only flour and
water. If it weren’t for Washington’s faith, his courage, and his
character to accomplish the job he had been given, America, as we
know it today, would not exist. What is our legacy today?

How can you not love a leader that shivered with his men at Valley
Forge in the dead of winter? After the houses were built for the
soldiers, he moved into his headquarters. He was a true leader,
who believed in all the rights he helped write in our constitution.

Washington knew all about faith.

Faith is what we all need. The dictionary defines faith as
unquestioning belief in God, religion, etc. It says anything believed,
having complete trust, confidence and reliance.

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what
we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV) It says in 2
Corinthians 5:7, "We live by faith, not by sight. (NIV)

It is hard to find our faith, but George Washington did.

/28/news/area_news/08secondlook.txt

LESSONS IN TOLERANCE
By Kristin Morency, The Suburban

The Suburban, Canada
March 1 2007

The Tolerance Caravan has officially made its mark on the English
school system.

The interactive program that tries to raise awareness about
discrimination and human rights, has been visiting French high schools
for more a decade throughout Quebec.

Now, thanks to a hefty donation from private donors, Caravan animators
from the Tolerance Foundation last fall translated the program and
in January began the English-school circuit.

According to its website, the Tolerance Foundation was created in
1996 to support the United Nations Year of Tolerance, with a goal
"to continue fighting against stereotypes, prejudice, harassment,
and violence, which are the manifestations of intolerance that many
people face on a daily basis."

"The program is the exact same, but we had to do all the translations
…," explained animator Veronique Laloix.

"We started approaching schools in September, trying to sell the
project to English schools. But they had nothing to see …, so
[it took a few months]."

The Caravan, which remains in each school for about two weeks, has
so far visited Loyola High School in N.D.G. and Lester B. Pearson
High School in the East End. In the West Island, it’s been at John
Rennie High School in Pointe Claire since Feb. 19, and will remain
there until March 2.

The display, set up in an empty classroom in the school, includes
two flat screen televisions, and large panels with photographs and
details about major 20th century genocides, the Quebec charter of
human rights, and definitions for prejudism and discrimination.

At John Rennie, the program is open to students from grades 9 to 11.

Visits are per class (there are about three each day), and last an
hour each.

According to Laloix, she and another animator discuss various concepts
related to tolerance with the students, interspersed with 10-minute
video interviews with people who have been discriminated against due
to age, sexual orientation, skin colour and gender, among other things.

At the end of the presentation, the animators point out how
discrimination based on prejudiced notions can lead to mass murder,
citing genocides (such as the Armenian and Rwandan genocides) as
examples, and show a short film that summarizes six genocides of the
20th century.

When students ask how they can eradicate their prejudices, Laloix
says they are told to keep their prejudiced thoughts to themselves.

"After that, we tell them to get a more critical mind and an actual
opinion, to ask questions to different people about [their prejudice]
or read books and watch different television channels," she Laloix.

She said undoing prejudices is all about "building a critical mind,"
and said travelling is a good way to meet different people and learn
about different cultures.

15093281631551961431154426831&ctid=1000000&amp ;cnid=1010687

TURKISH MPS TO LOBBY AGAINST ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL IN USA

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
March 1 2007

Ankara, 1 March: Turkish lawmakers Aziz Akgul and Egemen Bagis will
send brochures and letters that contain information and documents
related to so-called Armenian genocide, to members of US House of
Representatives and US Congress.

Referring to Turkish historian Yilmaz Oztuna’s assessments saying
"there were reciprocal clashes between Turks and Armenians in 1915"
quoted from Turkish ideologue Ziya Gokalp, Akgul told a joint press
conference today that unfortunately both Turks and Armenians were
killed during those clashes.

"In these brochures, to be sent to US congressmen, we will reveal by
the help of documents and evidences provided by Turkish History Society
that a genocide against Armenians has never happened," said Akgul.

Akgul said US congressmen have not got enough information related to
this issue, noting that congressmen were misinformed and influenced
by some certain institutions.

Another Turkish lawmaker Egemen Bagis said the brochure was printed
in five languages.

"Its cover letter says the bill on so-called Armenian genocide is
full of historical mistakes. It also reminds Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks saying (I am ready to face my history but
Armenia should be ready to face its history too)," Bagis said.

Recalling that 10-12 million Muslim people live in the USA most of
whom are black Muslims, Bagis said W.D. Muhammed, one of the leaders
of them, will be in Turkey from March 6th to 9th.

"He may have impact on lobbying activities in the USA regarding
so-called Armenian genocide claims," he said.

Bagis also noted that a second delegation of Turkish lawmakers will
travel to USA on March 11th to attend a meeting of the American
Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which is the biggest Jewish
organization in the USA.