Month: April 2007

BACK TO SOURP MAGAR AFTER 33 YEARS

Nicosia – Source Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian’s Bulletin –

An oukhdaknatsoutiun has been organised by the Armenian MP Vartkes
Mahdessian’s office and The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus to the
Turkish occupied Armenian Monastery of Sourp Magar on Sunday May 6, 2007.
All those who want to participate must call the office of the Armenian
MP on 22-454540 giving the following information:
* Name and surname
* European ID number or Passport number
* Citizenship

Participation is £5, which will be collected on May 6, 2007.
The visit to Magaravank can only be made possible if you carry your ID or
passport on May 6, 2007 and will be shown on the Green line check-point.
Buses will leave the Armenian Prelature at 11:30 am.
Last day of registration is 27 April 2007 at the office of the Armenian MP.
A United Nations escort has also been arranged for the day.

Hotels will be built in Shushi

14-04-2007 13:42:54 – KarabakhOpen

In 2008 the construction of the museum of Shushi will start, said the
minister of territorial administration Armo Tsatryan in an interview
with the KarabakhOpen.

The Dhyiak Association of Karabakh Armenians in Moscow will build the
museum. The company is likely to invest 90 million drams and create
8-10 jobs. Dhyak will invest as much in the construction of a hotel
near Ghazanchetsots Church in Shushi. Tufenkian Hospitality will
build another hotel in Shushi, and will invest about 450 thousand
dollars in 2007-2010.

Armo Tsatryan says privatization in Shushi is not over. Presently two
bids are under consideration, which are also related to the hotel
business. In answer to the question what efforts the government made
after the prime minister had committed to creating a free economic
zone in Shushi several years ago, Armo Tsatryan said the concept has
been drafted but it has not been discussed yet. `We discussed it with
the board of trustees of the Revival of Shushi Foundation, however the
draft has not been discussed yet,’ said the minister adding that the
money raised during the next telethon will be directed at the
reconstruction of Shushi.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Turkey never blackmailed or threatened U.S.
13.04.2007 18:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Turkish Government has never blackmailed or
threatened the U.S. Government. They have never said that they will
take retaliatory steps if the Armenian Genocide resolution passes,
said Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and
Eurasian Affairs at a daily press briefing posted at

`The Turkish government has said that Turkish opinion would be
inflamed and outraged by this resolution and that they, the Turkish
government, fear what the Turkish parliament might do in reaction to
something our parliament might do. So it’s a little bit different than
what you described.

Turkey is a good ally. It is also a country which is undergoing a
profound democratic transformation itself. Turkey has for decades had
the formal elements of democracy, but in the last 10, 15, 20 years it
has deepened this democracy, and especially in the last 5 to 10
years. The boundaries of freedom of expression are now much greater
than they were before. Civilian institutions are much stronger. The
role of the military is much more circumscribed. These things are
advancing, and as this happens there is a growing discussion in Turkey
about their own past, and in particular the past of the Ottoman Empire
and its relationship to the Armenian community there and the mass
killings that took place in 1915 and afterwards. Turks are beginning
to discuss this.

We encourage them to examine their history and the painful, what can
be called dark spots, and they’re not the only country that has
them. The United States has plenty of our own: slavery, treatment of
American Indians, treatment of Japanese-Americans during World War
II. We have a lot of things in our history of which we’re not proud.

We think that Turkey and Armenia need to discuss their shared past in
a serious way. This needs to be a discussion that historians have. The
United States doesn’t deny any of the killings. They’re an established
historical fact, but historians need to discuss the details of what
happened, why it happened, who did what. This needs to happen, and it
needs to happen as a process of genuine national reconciliation.

We also think that Turkey ought to open up the border with Armenia and
restore normal relations. We’re pleased by recent steps Turkey has
taken, like restoring the Armenian church in Eastern Turkey, even if
as a museum. That’s still something. And there is in Turkish society a
constituency for this kind of reconciliation. Hrant Dink was murdered
by an extremist nationalist, but then 100,000 Turks were in the street
saying we are all Armenians, we are all Hrant Dink. It didn’t mean
literally that they’re Armenians, but it means we reject
nationalism. We embrace a Turkish identity which is tolerant. That’s
very hopeful. That’s a very good thing. That’s what we want to
encourage,’ Fried said.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Election is serious exam for Armenia
13.04.2007 18:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `In the course of three days the PACE observation
mission met with all political parties and blocs, Constitutional Court
members, representatives of NGOs and media as well as with President
Robert Kocharian and Acting Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian,’ Leo
Platvoet, head of the PACE observation mission, told a news conference
in Yerevan today. The election will be a serious examination for
Armenia on the way towards integration into European structures. `We
are hopeful the parliamentary election will be free and democratic and
meet international standards. The responsibility lies not only on the
Armenian leadership but also on the public. Those interested in
democracy development should hold the election in accord with
international standards. Unfortunately, the public’s interest towards
the election has not been shaped yet; political programs of the
parties do not differ much from one another,’ Mr Platvoet said adding
that indifference and non-participation in elections hamper
development of democracy.

The Dutch parliamentarian reminded that the previous parliamentary
election was marred and voiced assurance that the reviewed Electoral
Code will help to hold the forthcoming election in a proper way,
especially since conduction of fair elections is one of the
commitments Armenia has undertaken to the Council of Europe.

PanARMENIAN.Net

No state can hold perfect election, Platvoet says
13.04.2007 19:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `The observers are not obliged with a task to sit in
the polling stations and watch the process of election. We will watch
the process as a whole. The most important aspect for us is counting
of votes and delivery of the ballot-papers to the Central Election
Committee,’ Leo Platvoet, head of the PACE observation mission, told a
news conference in Yerevan today. The investigation of facts of
bribing voters is not the aim of the mission, he added. `The most
important thing is trust of the people to the authorities and all
those who are responsible for holding a fair and democratic election.
No state, even a European one, can hold a perfect election. Albania,
Azerbaijan, Montenegro, Serbia can serve as an example. Violations are
fixed even in highly developed states like UK and Germany. Nevertheless
I should emphasize that specification of the rolls and complaints of
the citizens are the issues to be dealt by the Armenian law
enforcement,’ Platvoet said.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenian FM to visit Egypt, Austria and Belgium in April
13.04.2007 19:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On April 14 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian will
depart for Egypt within the delegation at the head of Armenian
President Robert Kocharian. Armenian FM’s working visit to Austria is
scheduled for April 16, where he will meet with Austrian President of
the National Council Barbara Prammer and Foreign Minister Ursula
Plassnik. During the visit Vartan Oskanian will deliver a lecture in
Vienna Diplomatic Academy and will have a speech at the 660th session
of OSCE Permanent Council.

RA FM’s visit to Brussels is scheduled for April 25. The same day
Vartan Oskanian will have a speech in Brussels Royal Conservatory
during an event dedicated to the Armenian Genocide international
recognition. Diplomats accredited in Belgian capital and
representatives of Armenian organizations in Europe will be present at
the event.

On April 27-29 Vartan Oskanian will participate in the Brussels Forum,
where he will present his report titled `The Black Sea Region:
Perspectives for Development’. Belgian and Georgian Prime Ministers,
foreign ministers of Canada and Germany, as well as EU Minister for
Enlargement will participate in the forum, RA MFA Press Office
reports.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Erdogan to explain Merkel bill on denying genocide
`contradicts international law’
14.04.2007 14:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his
meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany, will raise
his government’s concerns over a new bill that would toughen
requirements for Turkish immigrants to settle in Germany. Zaman
reports, the bill, approved by the German Cabinet last month, would
require the spouses of residents to pass a language test before being
allowed to settle in Germany. It allows exemptions for several
countries, including Australia, South Korea and Honduras.

The German presidency’s plans to put into force EU-wide legislation
that would introduce penalties for denial of the crime of genocide are
also on Erdogan’s agenda. Turkey is concerned at the implications of
this legislation, fearing that the Armenian Genocide at the hands of
the Ottoman Empire could also be covered by it. Erdogan is expected to
`explain’ Merkel that the legislation `contradicts international law
and that it would restrict academic freedom and freedom of expression
if endorsed’. He is also expected to warn Merkel that its passage
would further complicate Turkey’s relations with the EU, the newspaper
reported.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Turkey to prepare diplomatic relations with Armenia?
14.04.2007 15:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey, long under international pressure to
recognize the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Turks during World War
I, is prepared to take a diplomatic initiative in the coming days or
weeks to force some influential countries, such as the U.S., Britain
and Russia, to take concrete action to enable Armenia to accept a
Turkish proposal for the establishment of a joint commission of
historians that will investigate the genocide allegations in depth.
Turkey’s possible initiative comes as European Union term president
Germany reportedly has prepared a draft resolution that will penalize
those in EU countries who even describe the Armenian Genocide as a
deportation. Today’s Zaman reminds the Armenian Genocide issue is
pending in the Democrat-controlled U.S. Congress. The Turkish
newspaper also reminds that almost 19 countries in the world have
already recognized the Armenian Genocide, while a majority of
U.S. states recognize the genocide allegations. `It is hard to
understand why the influential states of the world have been doing
nothing to convince Armenia to agree to the joint commission, which
could also be open to the historians of third party countries,’ a
Turkish government source speaking to Today’s Zaman stated.

PanARMENIAN.Net

UN Security Council’s mission departed for Kosovo `to
adopt a solution on `Ahtisaari’s plan’
14.04.2007 15:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The UN Security Council approved Russia’s initiative
on sending a mission to Kosovo and Belgrade before continuing
consultations around Kosovo future status. Brussels will become the
first destination of Security Council’s representatives, where the
ambassadors will be hosted by NATO supreme leadership. The mission
will allow the UN Security Council to one more time make clear the
real situation in the region for adoption of an objective solution on
`Ahtisaari’s plan’.

In his part Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Vitali Churkin said it is necessary to one more time make clear the
real situation in the region, in order to find a compromise between
Serbs and Albanians.

`By sending the mission we do not mean to express our distrust to
Ahtisaari, who is an old friend of Russian diplomacy. But it is
necessary to fill in the many empty cells of this crossword. Probably
the issue of Kosovo status is the most complicated one for the UN
Security Council during the last decade,’ the Russian diplomat
underlined, RIA `Novosti’ reports.

UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy Marti Ahtisaari worked out a plan
for the Kosovo problem settlement. The document was introduced to the
Security Council March 27. The same day Russia’s Permanent
Representative to the UN informed Russia has offered the Security
Council to form an international group of observers and send them to
Belgrade and Pristina, in order to carry out an all-sided analyze on
the spot how Resolution 1244 adopted in 1999 is being fulfilled.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Turkey found itself in a tight corner, not mentioning
the presidential elections

The more Ankara speaks against the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, the more countries and
organizations are interested in real facts.
12.04.2007 GMT+04:00

Most likely Turkey is being through one of its hardest
times. Exacerbations of the situation with Kurds on the border with
Northern Iraq and presidential elections to be held on April 22 are
very untimely for Turkey to face, taking into account that at present
Turkey has to find methods of fighting against passing Resolution N
106 about the recognition of the Armenian Genocide too. In the issue
of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Turkish government seems
to be ready to use any means to prevent not only the recognition of
the Genocide but also its mentioning at all.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The story of closing the exhibition in UN, which was
dedicated to the Genocide in Rwanda, became a disgrace not only for
Turkey or UN itself but a slap on the face of the whole civilized
world too. `Turkish government’s attempts to conceal the history from
own nation wasn’t enough. At present campaigns against the recognition
of the Genocide has gone so far, that the initiative of opening an
exhibition on Genocide with the title: `Lessons Learned in Rwanda’ is
being considered,’ announced the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vartan Oskanyan regarding the postponement of the dates of the
exhibition dedicated to the Genocide in Rwanda, which was to be
organized in UN headquarters. One may only guess what brought the
Organization to this decision, but the fact that UN backs out more and
more of its principles adopted in 1945, is beyond doubts. The world
has certainly changed in 60 years, but not so much as to obey the
country having perpetrated a massacre. The nuance Turkey fails to
notice is that the more it speaks against the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, the more countries and organizations are interested
in real facts. Consequently, the truth which the Turkish government is
trying to deny so persistently is being revealed by the actions of the
same government. Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which spends
great sum of money for campaigning against the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, hardly expects such results.

As for Kurdish issue, here Turkey is in a much more difficult
situation. No matter how stubbornly Turkey tries to prove that Kurds
are terrorists and separatists, and possibly there is some truth in
these qualifications, the Kurdish Labor Party indeed can make troubles
for the Turkish government. On April 9 Turkey sent a note to Iraqi
authorities, which called to take decisive measures to resist Kurdish
Labor Party and recognize it as a terrorist organization. `Turkey is
about to lose its patience for the increasing number of terrorist
attacks organized by the Party militants, having their bases in
Northern Iraq. If the Iraqi authorities do not take decisive steps to
counteract terror, Turkey may apply to the rights given to Turkey by
the international law regarding terror response,’ was mentioned in the
note. The leader of the Iraqi Kurds Masud Barzani promised in answer,
that if the Turkish Army launches an operation in Northern Iraq, his
militants will start work actively in Turkey’s territory. In answer to
this threat Turkish Prime-Minister Erdoghan advised Barzani `to be
more careful with his words and not to utter words which will later be
difficult to be responsible for.’ Abdullah Gul in its turn made a
phone call to Condoleezza Rice and called the US Secretary of State to
condemn Barzani’s announcement. It is not very difficult to guess how
all this will end; Turkey will enter Northern Iraq with the excuse of
finding and annihilating terrorists, Kurds will start organizing
explosions in Turkish towns, particularly in Istanbul and Ankara, and
plane hijackings will be organized just as it happened the other
day. In short the whole story has a 30-year-old history, and doesn’t
seem to be coming to an end. Turkey will never give away the territory
under the control of Kurdish autonomy, though it can be fulfilled by
Iraq with the assistance of Iran, and just another unrecognized state
of `Iranian Kurdistan’, which will have its share of tension in the
already troubled region, will appear on the world map. As for Turkey
itself, it will be used as a tool in the realization of these plans.
«PanARMENIAN.Net» analytical department