Month: March 2007

GEORGIAN PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER LEFT RECORDS IN MOURNING BOOK IN RA EMBASSY

Arminfo
2007-03-29 10:46:00

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and FM Gela Bezhuashvili
, as well as tens of representatives of Georgian authorities,
parliamentarians, public figures have left records in the mourning
book in RA Embassy in Georgia on March 28, open in view of death of
the Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian.

As the Georgian FM told the journalists, "Andranik Margarian was a
respectful person in Georgia, he had done much for the development
and strengthening of the Georgian-Armenian relations. G. Bezhuashvili
reminded that the Georgian delegation, headed by the Prime Minister
of Georgia Zurab Nogaideli, had left for Yerevan to participate in
the funeral of RA PM.

GATES DENOUNCES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

AP
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
March 28 2007

The U.S. defense secretary said Tuesday that both Turkey and the
United States needlessly damage their relations by sniping at each
other and said they should stop it.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates mentioned no concrete examples but
clearly referred to a resolution pending in the U.S. Congress that
would accuse Turkey’s predecessor state of committing genocide against
its Armenian neighbors a century ago.

"Our two nations should oppose measures and rhetoric that needlessly
and destructively antagonize each other," Gates said in a speech
to the American Turkish Council, a business group that promotes
U.S.-Turkish relations.

Gates continued: "That includes symbolic resolutions by the United
States Congress as well as the type of anti-American and extremist
rhetoric that sometimes finds a home in Turkish political discourse."

Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sent joint identical
letters two weeks ago to House leader Nancy Pelosi and the chairman of
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Tom Lantos, both Democrats,
and the leader of the Republican minority, John Boehner, that said
passage of the resolution would put U.S. security at risk.

UKRAINIAN DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN FUNERAL OF ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER ANDRANIK MARGARIAN

NRCU – Ukrainian Radio, Ukraine
March 28 2007

The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Arseniy
Yatsenyuk. Within the framework of his stay in Yerevan, the Foreign
Minister met with his Armenia opposite number Vardan Oskanian.

The interlocutors discussed bipartite relations and exchanged
opinions on EuroIntegration prospects of the countries. The parties
also stressed a positive development of the Ukrainian -Armenian
cooperation in the trade and economic sector.

HURDLES THE E.U. MUST GET OVER
By Muhsin Abay

Turkish Press
March 28 2007

TURKIYE- Although the European Union has racked up many
accomplishments, it now faces a number of problems awaiting
resolution. The bloc’s art of achievements for the past 50 years
doesn’t guarantee its future success.

The members of the EU are trying to develop a European society unified
by common values, and a way of living. But they haven’t agreed on
the common values in question.

There is a strange faction envisioning ‘a sterile Europe’ divorced
from religion and decency.

Last year’s Muhammed cartoon crisis was the result of this situation.

They say that they did this in the name of freedom of speech, but
they don’t tolerate Muslims expressing themselves.

Many others think that Christianity is in the essence of their common
values. They extend the borders of Europe as far as Christianity
goes. In the long term, Ukraine, Russia, Armenia and Georgia seemed
to be included in its borders. With certain arrangements, they are
even seeking ways for Lebanon to join.

On the other hand, they have been trying to find thousands of reasons
to exclude Turkey, which is still carrying out negotiations and in the
middle of the enlargement area. This fact lies under the all issues put
forth to Turkey such as absorption capacity, cultural harmonization,
the Cyprus issue, etc.

When it comes to human rights and democracy, supporters of both
‘sterile Europe’ and ‘Christian Europe’ say that everyone is equal.

But, in fact, they always hold themselves one rank higher.

This is in no way pluralism or democracy. But one day they will
overcome this problem.

We Muslims have many things to do to help them with this. We should
help them as good examples.

The EU’s other basic issue lies in its decision-making mechanism.

While keeping the identities of the separate member states, the bloc
should have a democratic structure which makes effective decisions
and puts them into effect. If it can’t do this, it will lose cohesion
even more, or even freeze up.

Europe should move quickly to fill cover its democratic vacuum. The
European Parliament, the bloc’s only directly elected organ, today
seems like window dressing. The real authority is held by the
unelected European Commission. The final word rests with European
summit of 27 leaders led by powerhouse leaders such as Germany,
France, and Britain…

Although the EU is the world’s largest trading bloc, it has not been
able to develop structures to boost its diplomatic influence. It
couldn’t formulate common foreign and security policies. With its
current 27 member states, and tomorrow 30 or more, the bloc, in
its new borders, can be an organized power speaking and acting in
lockstep. This depends on the governments’ acceptance of the end of
the era of absolute national sovereignty. In other words, it depends
on them giving up their sovereignty to some extent, to leaving behind
deep-rooted hostility and assumptions of superiority, and to unify
their powers within the framework of democratic freedom.

AZERBAIJAN’S COMMITMENTS TO PACE DISCUSSED IN PACE MONITORING COMMITTEE

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 28 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku/ Trend corr. I. Alizadeh / Samad Seyyidov, the Head
of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Delegation to PACE, has told Trend
that the report on Azerbaijan’s fulfilling its commitments to PACE
has been discussed during the meeting of the PACE (Parliamentary
Assembly of Council of Europe) in Strasburg today.

He noted that the discussions, which have been held in the Monitoring
Committee, had been very fruitful.

"We expected that these discussions would be held fruitfully, and it
passed as we had expected. During the meeting of the PACE Monitoring
Committee, the report about Azerbaijan’s commitments to PACE, prepared
by the PACE Co-Rapporteurs for Azerbaijan was discussed.

Andreas Herkel, the Co-Rapporteur for Azerbaijan, also gave a speech
during the meeting. The other Co-Rapporteur, Tony Lloyd, sent a letter,
since he was not able to participate at the meeting. His letter
was read to the participants. Therefore, it was a very important
issue. Those who gave their speeches during the meeting, highly
appreciated the level of Azerbaijan’s fulfilling its commitments to
the Council of Europe," added Mr. Seyyidov.

He noted that after the discussions, the participants made a decision
to discuss another report concerning our country’s fulfilling its
commitments to PACE, but with taking into consideration proposals put
forward by the Azerbaijani party, particularly those ones connected
with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during the forthcoming spring
session to be held in April.

Mr. Seyyidov said that the report prepared by the Co-Rapporteurs might
be considered as a satisfactory one for Azerbaijan. "The report may
be subjected to constructive criticism. But, on the whole, we have
been satisfied with this document," he said.

The Head of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Delegation to PACE also added
that the last incident happened in the Azerbaijani Parliament of the
Milli Majlis , as well as the detention of a Member of the Azerbaijani
Parliament, Husseyn Abdullayev had not been included into the report,
which had been discussed by the PACE Monitoring Committee.

AZERI ENVOY IN CANADA MEETS CHIEF OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Today, Azerbaijan
March 28 2007

Ambassador in Canada Fakhraddin Qurbanov met with Chairman of the
House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade Leon Benoit.

The Ambassador informed the Canadian parliamentarian about Azerbaijan’s
economic reforms, its investment climate and large-scaled projects
it is participating in.

Fakhraddin Qurbanov stressed Azerbaijan is a world leader in the Gross
Domestic Product’s growth rate, adding the country is an initiator
of regional energy and transport projects.

The Ambassador said the opening of Canadian Embassy in Baku will give
the impetus to further enhancement of the bilateral ties between the
two countries.

Mr. Qurbanov also informed Mr. Benoit about the current peace talks
regarding the long-running dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan
over the Nagorno Karabakh territory.

The Ambassador pointed to Azerbaijan’s just stance on the conflict,
saying Armenia occupied twenty percent of his country’s territory,
AzerTAg reports.

URL:

MINISTER: ARMENIA CONDUCTS IDEOLOGICAL WAR AGAINST AZERBAIJAN

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 28 2007

Russia, Moscow / corr. Trend R.Agayev / "The Armenian State and
diasporas conduct ideological war against Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis
all over the world, as well as in Russia. It may be explained as
unbridled theft by the Armenians, of rich historical and cultural
heritage of the Azeri people, including national music, cuisine, works
of art and many other things,. Fabricating the history and culture
is the key direction of Armenians’ activities," the Minister of Culture

In addition, he said that the aggressive military action of the
Armenians in the territories of Azerbaijan against the Azerbaijanis
have now transferred to ideological war and therefore the Armenian
diasporas carry out active anti-Azerbaijani activities all over the
world. " Azerbaijan needs time to prove that the military actions
between Azerbaijan and Armenia have not occurred in just one centimeter
of the Armenian territories. The military actions have happened in
the territories of Azerbaijan and as a result, the Azerbaijan land
has been captured.

At present, the policy of appropriating the music, national cuisine,
national culture, works of the Azerbaijani composers and painters,
etc. is a continuous ideological fight. We need to become more active,
but the media should also do more. Music DVDs are already issued,
but this should be disseminated by individual persons. We have not
had the opportunity to issue large numbers of DVDs to be spread
worldwide. The reality of the situation needs to be publicized. We
invite foreign media representatives to Azerbaijan. At the moment,
the media representatives of France are in Azerbaijan and the
journalists from Germany will visit in the near future. We do not
support falsification, we support the truth. But everyone inaccurately
blames the State, the Azerbaijani diasporas should also be active
everywhere, especially in Russia. It needs to uphold its ideological
fight on all fronts," the Minister said.

Garayev stressed that a monument has been erected in Yerevan
for the musical instrument of Azerbaijan (balaban) and the
measures to propagate the culture of Azerbaijan are response
measures. "The activities of Armenia in the sphere of culture are
the open continuation of the occupant policy of Armenia state and the
saturated idea "Great Armenia from sea to sea". Recently the President
of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, stated that the present territories of
Armenia are the old lands of Azerbaijan (Irevan khanate). 180 years
ago we sheltered Armenians in the territories of Azerbaijan and in
response we have received aggression from them.

This year we will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the creation
of the Irevan Theatre which testifies that 70% of the population of
Armenia were Azerbaijanis at that time and that the Azerbaijanis have
created this theatre. Therefore, it does not need to be surprised at
the tricks of the Armenians, but to be more active and participate
in all measures," the Minister underlined.

Speaking about the results of his visit to Moscow, Garayev said that
he held a number of useful meetings with the Culture Minister of
Russia, Alexander Sokolov, Head of the Federal Agency for Culture
and Cinematography, Mikhail Shvidkim, Head of the Agency’s Moscow
Department, Khudyakov. Garayev stressed that he has been invited to
attend the jubilee of Mistislav Rastrapovich who will be honored with
the presence of the Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev. In addition,
Garayev said that the Year of Russia successfully took place in
Azerbaijan. He said that the Year of Azerbaijan will take place in
2008 in Germany.

"In April the Culture Days of Azerbaijan will be held in Moscow,
Samara, Chelyabinsk, Saint-Petersburg, Krasnodar and other cities
of Russia. We have discussed two projects on joint movies and the
cinematographers of Azerbaijan will be represented at the International
Cinematographic Film Festival in Moscow. In addition, a very important
agreement has been reached with regards to bibliography and museum
work. Moreover, preparation is made for the cultural conference
which will take place in Baku. We have reached an agreement on a
State student exchange between Azerbaijan and Russia," Garayev said.

Garayev underlined that he attended two tourism exhibitions in
Moscow and held productive talks with the heads of four large tourism
companies in Russia.

The Minister said that the Culture Days of Azerbaijan will be held
in Moscow between 16 and 19 April and Culture Days of Moscow in
Azerbaijan in September.

Attending the conference, the Department Chief of Federal Agency
for Culture Azerbaijan is the closet spiritual colleague of Russia,"
she said.

PACE CO-REPPORTEUR ON AZERBAIJAN ADDRESSES TO LETTER TO MONITORING COMMITTEE

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 28 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / Òrend corr A. Gasimova / Tony Lloyd, a Co-repporteur
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
Monitoring Committee, failed to participate in the meeting of the
organization, but sent a reporting letter.

"Our report reflects the efforts made by Azerbaijan in definite
spheres, such as ongoing cooperation with the Venice Commission
on reconsideration of the Elections Code and the Law on Freedom of
Assembly, foundation of the Justice Academy, increase of the number of
judges and organizing exams for administration of new judges with the
support of the Council of Europe, recent adoption of the National Acton
Plan on Human Rights Protection, as well as the Azerbaijani President’s
constructive position on the Karabakh conflict," the letter states.

Lloyd said the report stresess the spheres that should ensure holding
the Presidential elections in accordance with the international
standards, the dialogue between the overwhelimg majority and the
opposition, rise in number of the attorneys, necessary conditions
for independent press and the final decision on the ANS Broadcasting
Channel issue.

–Boundary_(ID_HB9vHdpaZg5ErWB8iDWfnQ)–

THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS ON LAKE VAN REOPENED BUT ONLY AS A MUSEUM
by Mavi Zambak

AsiaNews.it, Italy
March 28 2007

Built in the X century it lies in one of the country’s most
beautiful areas, the very site of the Armenian genocide occurred. The
journalist Hrant Dink, killed a months ago, had asked for the churches
restoration and reopening. For years the ancient frescos had been
used for target practice; the sacred building blackened by barbecue
smoke for picnics. Armenian religious authorities protest.

Patriarch Mesrob II refuses to participate in the ceremony.

Ankara (AsiaNews) – Tomorrow March 29 the Turkish government will
reopen – as a museum – the ancient Armenian Church of the Holy Cross
on Akdamar island in the middle of lake Van, on eastern Turkey’s
border with Armenia. The date had been moved over 4 times.

Tomorrow Turkish authorities will be present at the ceremony, including
prime minister Erdogan, but the Armenian spiritual authorities will
not be present. In fact the Ankara authorities have denied the use
of the building as a Church and has also refused to place a cross at
the summit of the dome, as the original Church once had.

Frescos destroyed and blackened

Lying in a splendid salt water volcanic lake, this suggestive church is
reached by a short 15 minute baost trip. It is one of the most precious
examples of Armenian tenth century art in existence, an architectural
creation of rare beauty (view the photo album at following address:
).

In the past the Turkish journal Milliyet, had denounced the alarming
story that the bas relief which decorate the facade of the Holy Cross
and depict scenes from the New and Old testament, were being used as
target practice. In order to prove the damage caused they published
photos illustrating the extent of the bullets destruction. Moreover,
on hearing of a hidden treasure present on the island, local residents
became "hunters" in search of the presumed riches, committing untold
acts of vandalism in the process.

As if that was not enough, the island, a popular destination for
holiday picnic makers, was literally invaded by barbeques some even
installed within the church itself, with the tragic consequence that
the frescos on the church interior were blackened beyond recognition.

In 2004 the newspaper Zaman also raised the alarm about the degraded
state of Holy Cross Church, despite the fact that it is a tourist
location of renowned popularity among visitors from all over the world,
above all the Armenian Diaspora. In fact it is widely known that
this area – among the most beautiful landscapes in Turkey – is sadly
infamous for having been one of the sites of the Armenian genocide of
1915. Today for many Armenians, wherever they may be, Akdamar remains
a place dear to their hearts, so much so that many try to visit it
before they die. The sight of elderly Armenians falling to their knees
in prayer as they set foot on the sacred island is not a rare one.

A year and a half ago, the Turkish authorities decided to restore
this artistic patrimony, a plan to preserve the historic identity
of the church was laid out and after 15 months of intense work the
restoration- which cost over 2 million euros and was carried out by
the Turkish architect of note Zakerya Mildanoglu -has finished.

But not without controversy.

Il restauro e il genocidio armeno

Armenian Turkish journalist Hrant Dink – killed in Istanbul on
January 19th – wrote an article for the Turkish paper Birgun which was
republished by Milliyet the very day of his assassination: "Ten years
ago I first appealed to the Van authorities. "Instead of inventing
a monster in the lake to attract tourists why don’t you take care of
the work of art which lies right under your nose. What need is there
to waste your time on stupidities? Van is a veritable treasure from
an Artistic point of view. Why do you not act seriously and sit down
to ask yourselves: What if we restore the region? – And even if then
Armenians did arrive, let them come to visit the birth place of their
forefathers, what harm could they possibly do? " And I even added:
"If you need help we are ready. Turkey’s Armenians and those of the
Diaspora are ready to volunteer their services, we are at your orders,
let this be known! Come let us restore not only the Church but also
our disenchanted souls". Finally after a long wait restoration on
Akdamar are completed (…) we are deeply indebted to Cahit Zeydanli
for his meticulous work, he consulted experts from Armenia and also
with architect Zakarya Mildanoglu, and Armenian from Turkey. They did
their best and they have created something splendid. The did great
things, but alas then politicians and bureaucrats became involved and
the inauguration could not take place. Once the opening was put of
from November 4th 2006 for reasons of inclement weather to April the
24th, as explained by Culture Minister Atilla Koc. Reactions were not
short in coming. The Armenian Patriarch Mutafyan made known that in
the case the inauguration actually happened on April 24th no Armenian
should attend. Last week the question even arose in Parliament. CHP
(Peoples Republican Party) deputy Erdal Karademir asked if the date of
April 24th, the anniversary of the Armenian genocide, was a reflection
of the politics of AKP (Justice and Development Party).

For its’ part the nationalist press presented the event as "the
inauguration of the Van vendetta". They succeeded in transforming
something positive into an error, a farce, a disaster. The government
still has not taken up a clear position regarding the Armenian
question. It is not concerned with resolving the issue, but in scoring
points in a political battle, in basis of their opponents moves. They
lack all credibility. The invite Armenian historians to the discussion
table but then show no scruples in putting people on trial who have a
different view point to the official line on the question. The restore
the Armenian Church to attract tourists to the western Anatolia region,
at the same time showing no sahme in scoring political points from it".

After hypothesising over April 11th, now it has been decioded: tomorrow
there will be the opening ceremony with the presence of prime minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Minister for Culture and Tourism Attila Koc,
the Minister for Armenian Culture Hasmik Poghosyan has also been
invited. But the problems persist.

It is well known that the Border between Turkey and Armenia is closed,
thus after various attempts to have a conduit opened, or a special
airfield made available for the special occasion, so the Armenian
authorities could make their way to Van directly from the Armenian
capital, following Turkey’s repeated no, the group of Architects,
historians and journalists today set out on an arduous 15 hour
journey overland through Georgia, when Van lies a few hundred miles
from Erivan.

A museum without a cross or religious ceremonies

The Armenian Patriarch Karekin Katolikos II has joined Turkish Armenian
Patriarch Mesrob II in refusing to attend. Why? This historic Church
has been transformed into a museum, a request for a cross to be
put in place at the summit of the dome has been refused, there will
be no bells and the opening ceremony will be equal to that of any
secular museum.

"Seeing as it is not considered a Church, seeing as no religious
celebration will mark this reopening, my presence there is really
insignificant", affirmed Patriarch Mesrob II, adding: "I pleaded with
the President and Prime Minister to see that a cross be placed on
the dome, I invited them to establish an annual Armenian festival in
the area, but I have yet to receive an answer. Therefore my presence
there on March 29th really has little sense".

And the delicate relationship between the Patriarch and the Turkish
authorities do not end here.

Days ago Mesrob II travelled under heavy police escort following death
threats to Iskenderun, in ancient Alessandretta, a maritime city on
Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, to celebrate the 225 anniversary of
the local Armenian Church. Well, there in that very city which is
also home to the Catholic Vicariate to Anatolia, the mayor decided to
erect a monument to the Turks killed by French and Armenians during
the French occupation of 1918-38.

The Patriarch, could only comment on this gesture as a further
provocation by nationalists to divide the population : "Instead
of building a bridge of dialogue between peoples, in this way they
heighten tensions, this can only be the work of nationalists", he
sadly commented to journalists.

Even regarding Hrant Dink’s assassination, nothing clear has so far
emerged: "If we still cannot find the true perpetrators of this
crime, it means that they are well protected and from on high",
is the Patriarchs embittered response.

DINK INVESTIGATION REVEALS STRIKING DETAILS
Emre Soncan, Ufuk KoroÐlu Ýstanbul

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 28 2007

The local branch head of the nationalist political party BBP, detained
as part of an investigation into the murder of ethnic Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink, had met with one of the key murder suspects
10 days before the killing, a police interrogation uncovered.

Yaþar Cihan, head of the Trabzon branch of the conservative nationalist
Grand Unity Party (BBP), who was detained as part of an investigation
into the January killing of journalist Hrant Dink, was questioned,
first by the police and then by the prosecutors, about the case
on Tuesday.

Five people were arrested on Sunday in Trabzon and taken to Ýstanbul
for questioning, including Cihan and a member of the branch committee,
Halis Egemen. Cihan was picked up after a photo was found of him with
the BBP leader and Erhan Tuncel, one of the suspected masterminds of
the killing and a police informant.

In his testimony, the file of which Today’s Zaman was able to view,
Cihan admitted to having spoken on the phone with Tuncel five or 10
days prior to the murder. Cihan said he had phoned Tuncel to make an
appointment to exchange opinions on political inclinations among youth
groups affiliated with the party, but the meeting never took place as
Tuncel said he had no time due to examinations he was required to take.

Cihan also said Tuncel was a regular customer of his Cihan Coal
Company. Cihan said he had no knowledge about a bombing at a Trabzon
McDonald’s restaurant, carried out by Yasin Hayal, another key suspect
in the case, two years ago. However, Cihan allegedly assisted the
family of Hayal, said to be the inciter of the Dink murder, with YTL
1,000 when he was in prison but insisted it was part of donations he
regularly makes to needy families. Cihan said he first met Hayal in
2001 at a nationalist youth organization that Hayal frequented.

"He seemed to be aggressive. I always kept a distance, thinking his
aggression could one day get out of hand. I don’t know what sort of
people he hangs out with. He once visited me in my office when he
got out of jail," Cihan testified, saying that was the last time he
saw Hayal.

In his testimony, Cihan said he would never have guessed that Tuncel
would take part in such an act, saying: "He was very cultured person;
he read a lot. Occasionally he would say radical things, but I’ve
never heard him speak about terrorism or bombings. He was generally
good at commenting about recent events, and he was much better behaved
than most of the young people I meet."

Cihan said in his testimony he didn’t know O.S., the teenager who
allegedly shot Hrant Dink. Speaking to the media shortly after his
release, the BBP member said he was ready to testify at any time,
if that should prove be necessary.

BBP members detained as result of phone tapping

In related developments, reports on Tuesday said the two BBP members
detained in Trabzon on Sunday were held by the police because of
records showing they spoke to Tuncel on his phone. Sources told Today’s
Zaman that the Trabzon police intelligence unit had been monitoring
the phone conversations of Tuncel, a dark figure said to be a police
informant, information which was neither confirmed nor denied by
authorities. An Interior Ministry report on the murder investigation
by national security chiefs that was leaked to the media accuses
Ýstanbul police chief Celalettin Cerrah of failing to protect Dink,
who was shot dead outside the offices of his weekly newspaper Agos,
even though the Trabzon police had warned their Ýstanbul colleagues
of a plot to kill Dink. News reports had said that Tuncel had warned
the Trabzon police 17 times about the plot before they passed the
message on to Ýstanbul.

–Boundary_(ID_H4ZnxabTZTX05kdIGIc DNw)–