Month: March 2007

Turkish minister says independent Kurdistan not viewed as an option

Anatolia news agency
23 Mar 07

Ankara, 23 March: Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul stated that Turkey had the same democracy that existed in
EU member countries and the maturity reached by Turkish democracy
should not be overshadowed.

Participating in a TV programme, Gul commented on recent domestic and
international political developments.

Upon a question on the upcoming presidential election, Gul said
numerous presidential elections were held in Turkey previously and
discussions occurred during all of them.

"Today, we will probably hold the least-controversial presidential
election. "Turkish democracy matured. We are a country negotiating
with EU. The democracy, found in developed EU member states, exists in
Turkey as well. The level of maturity that Turkish democracy reached
should not be overshadowed by anybody," Gul stressed.

Underscoring that Turkish society was "open", Gul said, "Rules of the
election are clear. Everybody has the right to discuss or express
his/her own opinion. We are following these as well".

Stressing that there was not any pressure within the Justice and
Development Party (AKP) concerning the selection of candidates, Gul
noted that no decisions were taken yet regarding a candidate for
presidency.

"These are not easy decisions, Everybody should contribute to the
discussion maturely," said Gul.

Moreover, replying to a question on whether early general elections
would be held following the presidential election, Gul indicated that
they desired to hold the elections to happen according to schedule.

Iraq

Upon a question on recent developments in Iraq, Gul said, "I want to
emphasize once again that we attach great importance to protection of
Iraq’s territorial integrity and political unity.

"Unfortunately, serious developments have been occurring in
Iraq. Sectarian clashes claim lives of people every day. On the other
hand, there are also positive developments. The political process has
been continuing and Iraqi people do not want their country to get
separated. If Iraq is separated, it paves the way for endless
wars. Iraq is one of the richest countries in the world but it is also
in the worst situation. Even Kurdish leaders are aware that

such a separation would not be beneficial," he said.

When asked whether there was the risk of an independent "Kurdistan",
Gul said, "An independent Kurdistan means separation of Iraq. There
is, of course, such a risk. Will Iraqi people approve it? Will the
regional countries allow such a separation? The Middle East has not
managed to solve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute yet. Now, it would
face another problem. Therefore, a separation will never be an
alternative."

Bill on so-called Armenian genocide in USA

Upon a question on the risk of enactment of a bill on so-called
Armenian genocide in the US House of Representatives, Gul said, "Of
course there is still a risk. I am not comfortable yet. We have to
work on it. Next week our third delegation of law-makers will go to
the USA. We are sending all these delegations in a plan and I think
they held very useful talks."

Gul also said Turkish proposal regarding a joint commission of
historians about the Armenian issue was the first "challenge", however
he said this proposal did not come into being.

European Union and Mubarak’s visit

While commenting on EU-Turkey negotiations, Gul said EU membership
should not be considered as taking out an EU passport. He reiterated
that Turkey’s goal is full membership to the EU.

Regarding Egyptian President Husni Mubarak’s visit to Turkey, Gul said
relations between Turkey and Egypt have improved in recent years and
underscored that Mubarak came to Turkey together with his five
ministers.

Gul added that Egypt has suspended its deal with Greek Cypriot
administration regarding oil exploration in the Mediterranean.

ARMENPRESS

ARMENIAN POLICE TRAINING CENTER OPENS AFTER RENOVATION

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian Police
Training Center, renovated as part of an OSCE police
assistance program, opened in Yerevan today.
Under the program, implemented by the OSCE Office
in Yerevan in co-operation with the Armenian Police,
six buildings of the Center have been renovated. They
will be used for training non-commissioned officers.
The Office has also supplied new teaching aids and
equipment.
"The renovation was an important achievement of our
joint Police Assistance Program, and an indicator of
the expanding and deepening co-operation between the
OSCE and Armenia in the field of democratic policing,"
said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the
OSCE Office, speaking at the opening ceremony.
"We will continue to closely work with the Armenian
Police to further develop the Center’s training
curriculum."
Colonel Artashes Andreasyan, the Head of the Police
Training Center, added: "The renovation and
refurbishment of the buildings will contribute to
enhanced teaching of the best international police
practices and human rights standards in our
institution."
The Head of the Armenian Police, Colonel-General
Hayk Harutunian, ambassadors of donor countries and
media representatives got a tour of the renovated
premises.
The renovation of the Center was financed by the
Governments of Belgium, the United States and Sweden.

ARMENPRESS

ARMENIAN NGOs WIN 1.5 MILLION EURO GRANTS FROM EIDHR

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS: Twenty programs,
designed by 19 Armenian non-governmental
organizations, have won the grants of the European
Initiative for Defense of Human Rights (EIDHR).
Per Eklund, head of the European Union’s Delegation
to Armenia, said today EIDHR was started in 1994 at
the suggestion of the European Parliament to fund NGOs
outside the EU which deal with promotion and defense
of basic human rights and freedoms.
The annual budget of EIDHR is about 100 million
euros. Armenian NGOs will receive 1.5 million euros.
Monika Papian, program coordinator of the European
Commission’s Delegation, said these 20 programs were
selected from a total of 60 ones submitted for
consideration.

ARMENPRESS

DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS ARMENIA WANTS SUPERPOWERS AND
IRAN HAVE NORMAL RELATIONSHIPS

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenian defense
minister Serzh Sarkisian said yesterday his country
never sought to capitalize on conflicts between
superpowers to shape its foreign policy.
During a meeting with parents of servicemen in a
Yerevan district, the minister said Armenia is eager
to see that relations between Russia and the USA,
Russia and NATO, Iran and the USA proceed normally.
"Obviously, none in Armenia would like to see a new
conflict erupt near its borders, but there are issues
in which we can act only as bystanders," he said in
response to a question whether the tension between
Iran and USA would damage Armenia.
He said in case of a U.S. strike on Iran local
Armenians may seek refuge in Armenia, but added it
would not entail what he called ‘fatal consequences’
for Armenia.

ARMENPRESS

KARABAKH LEADER SAYS NO PEACE DEAL POSSIBLE WITHOUT
ITS FULL INVOLVEMENT IN TALKS

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS: Nagorno-Karabakh
leader Arkady Ghukasian welcomed today Peter Semneby,
the EU’s special representative for the South
Caucasus, in Nagorno-Karabakh’s representation in
Yerevan for talks over ways to settle the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
A news release issued by the representation, said
Ghukasian has once again reaffirmed Nagorno-Karabakh’s
stance on the conflict resolution basics, saying
without Nagorno-Karabakh representatives’ full
participation in the efforts to end the conflict it
would be impossible to reach a final and lasting
solution.
Semneby said the EU is willing to add to
international efforts to help the parties to agree on
a compromised peace deal. He said the EU is ready to
help all sides to overcome the conflict’s aftereffects
after they reach a peaceful accord.
Ghukasian also met today in Yerevan with Andrzei
Kasprzyk, a special envoy of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office for monitoring the ceasefire in
Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

AZG Armenian Daily #053, 23/03/2007

National Interest

OSCE RAPPORTEUR EMPHASIZES THE QUESTIONS OF
ACCESSIBILITY AND EXPLOITATION OF SURB KHACH CHURCH

OSCE Rapporteur on Culture Heritage in South Caucasus
Edward O’Hara welcomed the reconstruction of the Surb
Khach (The Holy Cross) church of Akhtamar. The
comments of the OSCE official on the reconstruction
issue are rather remarkable.

In particular Mr. O’Hara said that the joint work of
the Turkish authorities, Armenian Church
administration, Turkish and international universities
and expert is a brilliant example how collaboration
can save the rich cultural heritage of the region. He
added that henceforth the attention must be drawn
towards the exploitation of the church and insuring
its accessibility.

To be reminded, O’Hara was to visit South Caucasus in
April 2007, but his visit has been delayed for unknown
terms.

AZG Armenian Daily #053, 23/03/2007

Human Rights

TURKEY NUMBER 39 IN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE LIST

In the list of countries, where rights of minorities
are most violated, Turkey has moved from the 54-rth to
the 39-th place. This negative shift is caused by the
issue of Murder of Hrant Dink.

The "Milliet" newspaper’s website in an article dated
March 21 also mentioned in connection with this an MRG
report about "Nations Under Threat". The MRG put
Turkey on the 54-th place in 2006 because of the
complicated situation with Kurds in the South-East
regions of the country. In 2007 to this factor was
added the murder of Hrant Dink.

The MRG report also included comments on the Law 301
of the Turkish Penal Code, by which about 60
intellectuals were found guilty. "Violations of the
rights of ethnic minorities are evident in Turkey,
Pakistan and Israel, which are strategic partners of
the USA in struggle against terrorism," concludes MRG.

By H. Chaqrian

AZG Armenian Daily #053, 23/03/2007

Governmental

NAMES OF PARTICIPANTS OF AKHTAMAR CHURCH INAUGURATION ALREADY KNOWN

On the occasion of finishing the reconstruction works of the Surb
Khach church on the isle of Akhtamar, lake Van, Turkey, by the
invitation of the Minister of Culture of Turkey Attila Koc, the
delegation of the Armenian Culture Ministry, led by Vice-Minister
Gagik Giurjian, is to leave for Turkey. The delegation consists of:
Ruben Safrastian, director of Armenian National Science Academy’s
Orientolgy Institute, Mkrtich Minasian, president of Armenian
Architects’ Union, dr. Musrad Hasratian, professor of Armenian
National Science Academy’s Arts Institute, Pavel Avetisian, director
of Archeology and Ethnography Museum of Armenia, and Artyom Grigorian,
head of the Historical and Cultural Monuments Protection Committee.

By M. Makarian

A1+

GABRIEL SARGSYAN ENJOYED VICTORY
[05:37 pm] 23 March, 2007

Armenian GM Gabriel Sargsyan secured his victory prior to the finish
of the chess tournament held in Spain. To note, Gabriel beat Peres
Candelario in the 6th tour and currently tops the meeting table with
5:5 points. Sargsyan already outstrips his opponents, regardless of
the results of the final tour.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1+

`YOU FORGET THAT I AM THE MAYOR OF MOSCOW’
[06:50 pm] 23 March, 2007

`I approve of the words of RF and RA Presidents; Russia is Armenia’s
number one economic partner’, Ervand Zakharyan, Mayor of Yerevan City,
announced during the inauguration of the House of Moscow in Yerevan.

To note, tomorrow Ervand Zakharyan will participate in the opening
ceremony of a trade centre of Yerevan in Moscow together with his
Russian counterpart Yuri Luzhkov.

`The House of Moscow in Yerevan symbolizes not only the military
collaboration of the two countries, but also the level of new
relations between the countries after the collapse of the Soviet
Union. It is necessary to enhance political, economic, cultural and
human ties between the two countries under question’, Yuri Luzhkov
notes.

One of the journalists wondered why the construction works were
confined with Russian investments.

`You forget that I am the Mayor of Moscow. I can only speak in the
name of Moscow. Yerevan conducts its own policy. As for the foreign
investors, the question is beyond comment’», Yuri Luzhkov says.

Asked the question whether the mayor’s family intends to start
business in Armenia, Mr. Luzhkov said, `My wife has her own business
and I never intervene in her affairs. She is a successful
businesswoman. It is up to her to decide whatever she needs. I have
absolutely no influence on her affairs. I get informed from the press
what she has bought, sold, etc.’

To note, Yuri Luzhkov notices great changes in Armenia. `Yerevan has
become more beautiful. The number of new constructions has
increased. I like the fact that there are no casinos in the city
centre’, Yuri Luzhkov points out.