Month: October 2008

NE/ AZERBAIGIAN, VARI SCENARI DI GEOPOLITICA ENERGETICA

Virgilio Notizie
Ott 14, 2008
Italy

Esteri

Baku al centro degli interessi di Russia, Stati uniti e Turchia

Roma, 14 ott. (Apcom) – Basta guardare la cartina: l’Azerbaigian
nel mezzo di quel Caucaso meridionale, sconvolto quest’estate dalla
guerra russo-georgiana, ed uno snodo cruciale per la geopolitica delle
risorse energetiche che dal centro dell’Eurasia, il mar Caspio, fa
dipanare le arterie del gas e del petrolio verso la Russia, l’Europa
e la Cina. Quel che decide il presidente azero Ilham Aliev, destinato
a una probabile ampia vittoria nelle presidenziali di domani, non
affatto scevro di significato per le potenze che si contendono le
ricchezze della regione.

In particolare, il conflitto tra Mosca e Tbilisi ha posto ancor
pi in dubbio la sicurezza dell’approvvigionamento di energia. La
Georgia, infatti, un paese di transito per il petrolio trasportato
dall’oleodotto che parte dalla capitale azera Baku e arriva al
porto turco di Ceyhan. Si tratta del noto Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (Btc),
che l’Occidente considera un’infrastruttura strategica – assieme al
quasi parallelo gasdotto Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum (Gadotto del Caucaso
meridionale) – per la strategia di diversificazione energetica
dell’Europa. E la Russia, dal canto suo, ritiene questo sistema di
trasporti un pericoloso concorrente per il suo predominio sulle rotte
dell’energia dell’Asia centrale.

Potenze globali – come gli Stati uniti e la Russia – e regionali
(il caso della Turchia) si contendono i favori di Aliev, arbitro
del destino di importanti stock d’idrocarburi. Un giudice che, però,
ha nel suo stesso territorio un fattore d’instabilita importante: il
conflitto mai concluso con la vicina Armenia per il controllo della
regione del Nagorno-Karabakh. Una guerra "congelata" dagli anni ’90,
ma che ancora piu esplodere come accaduto alla Georgia per l’Ossezia
del sud e l’Abkhazia.

La Russia, oggi, ha nel Caucaso meridionale un solo vero alleato
– l’Armenia – e rischia di vedere crescere ai suoi confini un
importante concorrente per l’esportazione di gas, soprattutto se
andra in porto il progetto europeo per la costruzione del Nabucco,
la condotta tran-europea che l’Ue considera una priorita strategica
e che andrebbe a innestarsi al Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum. D’altro canto,
nell’eterno conflitto per il Nagorno-Karabakh, Aliev ha tutto
l’interesse a cercare di mettere un cuneo tra Erevan e Mosca. E un
accordo sul tema cruciale delle forniture energetiche potrebbe esserne
il lubrificante.

Eurasia Daily Monitor ha spiegato in un recente articolo che "l’attuale
situazione presenta un raro momento d’opportunita a Baku per fare
un’offerta che non piu rifiutare". La tesi del giornale online
della Jamestown Foundation che Aliev potrebbe decidere di vendere il
gas azero alla Russia – essendoci gia stata all’inizio dell’estate
un’offerta in questo senso del presidente russo Dmitri Medvedev –
a un prezzo favorevole.

L’eventuale mossa avrebbe indubbi vantaggi sia per Baku che per
Mosca. L’Azerbaigian potrebbe cosi rendere meno importante per la
Russia il sostegno all’Armenia. La Russia vedrebbe confermato il
ruolo di Gazprom come principale fornitore dell’Europa e avrebbe il
vantaggio di rallentare l’avvicinamento di Baku alle strutture della
Nato, facendolo peraltro in una maniera piu limpida agli occhi degli
osservatori internazionali rispetto a quanto accade con la Georgia
e l’Ucraina.

–Boundary_(ID_ZBqv5ldEZcVJbOGAxhyY+A) —

CIS DEFENSE MINISTERS TO MEET IN ST. PETERSBURG

RIA Novosti
10:21 | 15/ 10/ 2008

ST. PETERSBURG, October 15 (RIA Novosti) – The Council of CIS defense
ministers will hold its 55th meeting in St. Petersburg on Wednesday,
a spokesman for the alliance’s executive committee said.

During the meeting defense ministry officials from the
Russian-dominated Commonwealth of Independent States are expected to
consider around 20 defense cooperation issues.

The defense ministers will also focus on ways of improving the united
air defense system of CIS countries.

In the light of developments in the North Caucasus, CIS members will
also review the role and activity of the collective CIS peacekeeping
force in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone.

The CIS, a loose alliance of former Soviet states, comprises Russia,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Ukraine is a founding and participating
country but technically not a member state. Turkmenistan holds
associate status.

KARABAKH DELEGATION IN BRUSSELS TO ENGAGE WITH EU POLICY-MAKERS

14/1 0/08

NAGORNO KARABAKH

Officials from the Republic of Nagorno- Karabakh will visit Brussels
this week at the invitation of AGBU Europe, the European branch of
an international organization of the Armenian Diaspora. Mr Eduard
Atanesyan (Deputy Foreign Minister of NKR) and David Babayan (Head
of Information Department of the NKR president’s staff) will take
part, as experts, in a round table to discuss the situation in an
around Karabagh and EU policy concerning the territory. This is the
first visit to Brussels involving officials from Nagorno-Karabakh
in almost 10 years. The round table and associated events aim to
establish a dialogue in the EU foreign-policy community over the
future of Nagorno-Karabagh that involves individuals from Nagorno –
Karabakh itself.

BACKGROUND

Nagorno Karabagh is a small territory of 145 000 inhabitants in the
Caucasus that was part of Soviet Azerbaijan before the collapse of
the Soviet Union.

It became independent following a long and gruesome war with Azerbaijan
that claimed about 30 000 dead between 1991 and 1994. The conflict
was then "frozen" by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) under a policy consistently upheld until February 2008
that banned both the resumption of hostilities and the recognition
of new independent states in Europe.

However, little progress has been made towards a solution to the
conflict in the intervening 14 years, and Nagorno-Karabakh’s society
and economy have strived to develop while under a blockade and
without international recognition, not to mention without the foreign
assistance which other developing countries benefit from. The absence
of international recognition is a serious handicap to development,
as it hinders everything from international communications to trade
and human interaction with the rest of the world.

This summer’s war over nearby South Ossetia also showed the
disproportionate effect which local disputes can have in the Caucasus.

Bizarrely however, while Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, the USA,
the EU, Iran and others all vye to decide its fate, talks over the
territory’s future have consistently excluded the representatives of
Nagorno-Karabakh iself.

STATEMENTS BY INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS European Union. Official EU
statements (extracts) on the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

1999 Resolution by the European Parliament on support for the peace
process in the Caucasus.

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE). 1994 PACE Resolution
1047 on the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh.

1994 Report on the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. This report records
the Council of Europe’s analysis of the conflict at the end of the
1991-1994 war. 1994 PACE Recommendation 1251 on the conflict in
Nagorno-Karabakh.

0A 1995 PACE Recommendation 1263 on the humanitarian situation of
the refugees and displaced persons in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

2005 PACE Resolution 1416 The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh
region dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference

2005 PACE Recommendation 1690. The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh
region dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference.

United Nations. 1993 UN Security Council Resolutions demanding a
cessation of the armed conflict of Nagorno Karabagh which took place
in the years 1991-1994. [Read ]

2008 UN General Assembly Resolution affirming territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan and demanding the withdrawal of all Armenian forces
from occupied territories.

EXPLORING SHUMEN

Quest Bulgaria Property Magazine
Wednesday, 15 October 2008 00:00
Bulgaria

At first sight Shumen looks no more than a mass of concrete
ex Communist buildings, however the town has much in the way
of historical sites. Within the city there are several important
cultural institutions including a theatre, philharmonic orchestra,
a large library, art galleries and a splendid historical museum with
many modern-day exhibitions.

There are some extremely well-preserved architectural monuments like
Bezistena, the oldest building in Shumen and the Dobri Voynikov
People’s Cultural Centre, which was built in 1898 by a French
architect, as well as the House of the Kutsarovi brothers, which
is a classic example of Bulgarian Revival architecture. The Kurshun
Cheshma is rather unique in that it was built in 1774 from limestone
rocks. It’s richly decorated facade was covered with ugly slabs until
quite recently.

The centre of town holds much to see and do. The 18th century city
clock runs on a manual mechanism and is ornately decorated with Turkish
script. The Elena Karamihailova Art Gallery founded in 1956 has a
permanent exhibition of over 70 works whilst the Gallery of Society
of Shumen Artists houses exhibitions of local and visiting artists.

Religious Sites tombul mosque Shumen is rich in religious sites;
the Armenian Saint Asvizazin Church often called Saint Bogoroditsa
is well worth a look. It was built in 1834 by Armenian refugees. The
original design was modified somewhat in 2001 when a new bell tower
was added. The courtyard has some interesting marble gravestones
belonging to some of the wealthy 18th and 19th century Armenian
donors. The Bulgarian Orthodox Holy Three Saints Cathedral and Holy
Ascension Basilica are also well worth visiting as is the Saint
Vuznesenie Church, which was built during 1829. Inside there are some
amazing mural paintings dating back to 933, a gold fabric shroud with
pearls from 1776 and an icon of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius. Some
important historical figures are buried in the church’s temple – among
them are two heroes of the Renaissance period, Dimitar Muruzi 1766-1812
and Valerian Grigorievich Madatov 1782-1829. Perhaps Shumen’s most
famous religious site is the Tombul Mosque, the largest of its kind
in Bulgaria. The mosque was built between during the 18th century in
what was originally the town centre. As the town has developed and
grown in size it now lies in the south western part of Shumen. The
mosque has a spectacular spherical dome, 25 m in height and a 40 m
high minaret. It also consists of a main prayer hall, a yard and
a twelve-room extension. The interior is crammed full of murals
of geometric figures and vegetable life along with lots of Arabic
inscriptions from the Koran.

Museums regional history museum Shumen’s Regional History Museum
houses over 150,000 exhibits in eight halls covering Shumen’s rich
history from antiquity to the end of the 19th century. Amongst the rich
collection of exhibits, there is a large assortment of icons as well
as coins, stamps and Thracian tombs from the 4th century. Shumen also
has many living museums; the Panayot Volov House Museum houses exhibits
from the life and times of one of Bulgaria’s notable revolutionaries
from the April Uprising, Panayot Volov. The Dobri Voynikov House
Museum used to be the home of the writer Dobri Voynikov. It is
another architectural monument from the Renaissance period. Inside
this living museum there are letters, photographs and exhibits from
Dobri Voynikov’s life. The Pancho Bladigerov Museum Complex focuses
on the life of Pancho Bladigerov, one of the country’s most prominent
fiction authors. The house contains exhibits from the early part
of the 20th century as well as musical exhibits from this time –
many concerts are staged in the complex both in the large hall and
in the courtyard. The Layosh Koshut House Museum is another monument
of Renaissance architecture with a three tier courtyard and high
walls. This house belonged to Shumen businessman and once Mayor
Dimitraki Hadjipanev. The main significance of this house is that
Hadjipanev gave refuge to the leader of the Hungarian revolution
Layosh Koshut. The house shows how a rich Bulgarian businessman
lived as well as providing interesting documentary evidence about
the Hungarian revolution.

On the Outskirts of the Town the madara horseman Perhaps the most
famous historic site in the area is the renowned Madara Horseman,
which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an ancient bas-relief that
features on the back of the Stotinki coins and has been chosen as the
country’s national symbol. The relief is believed to have been carved
into the bare rock in the 8th century; some scholars believe it to
be even older. Over time the relief has been attacked by the elements
but you can still make out a faint outline of a horseback rider that
some believe to be the nameless rider god of the Thracians, trampling
a lion. A greyhound tails him. In one hand, he holds the reins to
control his horse and in the other he holds a goblet of wine. Next
to this faint yet impressive rock carving, there is an inscription,
which records a debt owed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian II to
Bulgar leader Khan Tervel.

The area around the Shumen Plateau is also home to some interesting
caves including the Golyamata Peshtera cave located beneath the giant
rock overhang, which forms the base of a 14th century rock monastery,
although there is little left to see of it. Many pieces of ancient
pottery, flints and bones have been found here.

Undoubtedly one of the town’s most impressive sites is the Monument to
1,300 Years of Bulgaria, which lies on top of the Shumen Plateau. From
the roadside it looks no more than another concrete carbuncle, however
it holds many surprises including the 1,300 steps that lead up to
it. The monument depicts the history of Bulgaria from its creation
to the present day and is regarded as the only one of its type in the
world. It was built solely from concrete in 1981 and is dedicated to
the Founders of the Bulgarian State. It has a Cubist touch to it, yet
the sculptures of revolutionary fighters, monks, Khans and heroines
are fantastic. Within the monument there is an impressive replica of
the Horseman of Madara, which many find is better than the real thing.

shumen fortress The 5th century Shumen Fortress on the Shumen Plateau
has been partially restored since its devastation by the Turks in 1444
and is a prime example of medieval Bulgarian architecture. It lies on
top of the Shumen Plateau and can only be accessed by a major hike to
the top via a rough-hewn path. The views from here are spectacular, but
it is not for those with a fear for heights or a desire for safety as
there are no barriers between you and the vertical drop. The fortress
is one of the most explored archaeological sites in the country and
is a great example of life in the second Bulgarian Kingdom.

Nearby Pliska was once the capital of the first Bulgarian state
established by Khan Asparouh. It is home to an archaeological museum,
which houses many of the archaeological exhibits found in the area as
well as displays focusing on the life within the villages during the
7th to 10th centuries. Shumen Municipality is also home to another
former Bulgarian capital, Veliko Preslav. This town was the capital
of the Bulgarian state from 893 to 972. Today, the town has a museum,
which displays masterpieces from the Bulgarian Golden age. There is
some wonderful Preslavian gold including a golden stamp collection
and many authentic documents from the 9th to 11th centuries. There
have been many interesting archaeological finds in the Shumen area;
one recent treasure is the discovery of a Thracian tomb complex near
the village of Ivanski. The complex consists of two tombs dating back
to the 4th century B.C.

The village of Koniovec is home to Bulgaria’s oldest stud breeding
farm. The Kabiuk Stud Farm was established in 1864. Today the farm
has a museum dedicated to horses. It is also possible to tour the
grounds in a with hansom carriage.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEXICO’S MIJARES VS. ARMENIA’S DARCHINYAN
By David A. Avila

The Sweet Science
Monday Oct 13, 2008
USA

LOS ANGELES-Sitting inside a restaurant seemingly without a care in
the world was Cristian Mijares looking like a Mexican Don Juan with
his shirt opened, groomed black hair and brilliant looking smile.

A few feet to his left, sat the always menacing Vic "Raging Bull"
Darchinyan looking like a Tasmanian Devil ready to pounce on whatever
target he’s pointed.

You couldn’t ask for two more different characters. But both represent
the best of the 115-pound junior bantamweight or super fly division.

With only two weeks remaining, Mexico’s Mijares will put up his WBC
and WBA world titles against Darchinyan’s IBF to discover the best
fighter in the division on Saturday Nov. 1 at the Home Depot Center.

A surprisingly packed crowd arrived at El Paseo Inn restaurant in
historic Olvera Street. Both the Spanish language and English press
arrived in force to cover the press conference promoted by Gary Shaw
Productions and DiBella Entertainment.

Whenever Darchinyan is part of a boxing card the word "knockout"
gets bandied about. It’s the Armenian fighter’s favorite word.

"I can’t tell you if it will be 12 rounds or a knockout," said
Darchinyan (30-1-1, 24 KOs) whose nickname is Raging Bull. "But I
always knock everybody out."

Mijares, ever the burgeoning matinee idol of his homeland, maintains
the same poise he displays inside the ring, always calm always subdued
but sharp as a tack.

"I don’t like to talk a lot," said Mijares (36-3-2, 15 KOs), who
lives in Durango, Mexico. "We’ll definitely have a great fight."

Darchinyan, 32, now lives in Australia and is training in Las Vegas. If
you love boxing then you have to look forward to the man with dynamite
in his fists and a single goal to dismantle whoever is inside the
boxing ropes when the bell rings.

Last August, most were surprised at the ease he destroyed Russia’s
Dimitri Kirilov. It wasn’t supposed to be that easy because of the
supposed boxing ability of the former champion.

"I knocked him out," Darchinyan said.

Knockouts, knockouts, knockouts. If that word wasn’t available
Darchinyan would be at a loss for words because he probably wakes up
in the morning in a cold sweat dreaming about that word.

Or maybe it’s from being knocked out.

As a flyweight he terrorized the 112-pound division and hospitalized
Mexico’s Victor Burgos the last time he fought at the same Home
Depot Center. Then he met Nonito Donaire who decided to drop down in
weight and was smacked into dreamland with a left hook he never saw
or remembered. He didn’t even know he was knocked out and asked his
corner why the fight was stopped.

"My fight with Nonito Donaire was just a mistake," said Darchinyan
who was left unconscious for almost two minutes. "He caught me on
the jaw. It was a lucky punch."

You have to admire his total commitment to the knockout.

"I’m going to punish him," Darchinyan promises.

Mexico’s Mijares, 27, comes from a fighting family and is the nephew
of former lightweight contender Vicente Mijares Saldivar. It’s his
first fight in Southern California.

"It’s going to be great for the fans," said Mijares who has already
fought three times including August 30 when he knocked out Thailand’s
Chatchai Sasakul in three rounds. "I’m going to win this fight and
I’m going to win comfortably."

Always smiling, Mijares resembles a ballad singer with his spiffy
clothes and mild manner. When he first captured the world title,
he was just a name on a fight card in Japan. He was expected to lose
but surprised Katsushige Kawashima and the crowd with his nimbleness
in the ring and boxing smarts.

Opponents and boxing fans are beginning to catch up to the very
technical Mijares who basically embarrassed fellow Mexican fighter
Jorge Arce when they met in the ring a year and a half ago in San
Antonio.

During this press conference Darchinyan predicted -what else- the
fight will end a in a knockout win when he meets Mijares.

The Mexican boxer looked over his shoulder without changing his
expression and then smiled faintly.

"I like it when guys talk a lot," he said. "It brings out the best
in me."

Tickets are priced between $25 and $200 at Home Depot Center.

MASS. MAN SENTENCED FOR THEFT FROM YOUTH NONPROFIT

Worcester Telegram
The Associated Press
41688
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
MA

WOBURN, Mass.– A Burlington man has been sentenced to two years in
state prison for stealing more than $120,000 from the nonprofit youth
group where he worked as a volunteer.

The state Attorney General’s office on Tuesday said a Middlesex
Superior Court judge on Friday also sentenced Raffi Donoyan to two
years in the House of Correction, but suspended the penalty for
five years.

The 49-year-old Donoyan had pleaded guilty in August to two counts
of larceny over $250. He was athletic director and a board member
for Watertown-based Homenetmen Eastern Region Inc. from early 2003 to
August 2005. The organization offers scouting and athletic activities
for youth of Armenian descent.

Prosecutors say Donoyan made cash withdrawals from the organization’s
account and wrote checks to himself.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION KICKED OFF IN AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.10.2008 15:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Presidential election kicked off in Azerbaijan today,
October 15. The polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and will close on
7 p.m.

Seven candidates are running for the post, namely Ilham Aliyev, the
incumbent President and chairman of ruling New Azerbaijan Party; Igbal
Agazade, chairman of opposition Umid (Hope) Party; Fazil Gazanfaroglu,
chairman of Great Establishment Party; Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman
of Unified Popular Front Party; Hafiz Hajiyev, chairman of Muasir
Musavat Party; Fuad Aliyev, chairman of Liberal Democrat Party and
independent candidate Gulamhuseyn Alibayli.

Some 1,233 international observers from 60 countries are observing
the election.

In early September, parties serving on Azadlig bloc the (the Popular
Front Party, the Liberal Party and the Citizen and Development), the
Musavat Party and the Public Forum ‘For Azerbaijan’ signed a joint
statement on recognition of the presidential election as illegitimate,
Trend Azeri news agency reports.

OFFICIAL SAYS FRANCE "NOT TO INTERVENE" IN TURKEY-ARMENIA RELATIONS

Tuesday, 14 October 2008 17:36
Turkey

Turkish Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan said on Tuesday that Turkey
would have the right to become a European Union (EU) member after
fulfilling the reforms.

Speaking at a meeting with Josselin de Rohan, the chairman of the
Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces Committee of the French
Senate, Toptan said trade volume between Turkey and France stayed
around 10 billion USD because of some problems.

Referring to relations between Turkey and Armenia, Toptan said,
"we request our French friends not to intervene in Turkish-Armenian
relations. Any intervention will damage relations between Turkey
and Armenia."

In response, French official said France did not have any intention to
intervene in Turkish-Armenian relations or dialogue between them. He
described Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia as
"important", noting that the parties should look at the future.

De Rohan said "Turkish Season Year" would be celebrated in France
next year, noting that this would have a positive impact on cultural,
economic and political relations.

De Rohan said his country attached importance to visits between the
parliaments, and invited Toptan to France.

Commenting on Turkey-EU relations, De Rohan said the parties should
have good will and be patient, adding that the quicker Turkey fulfills
the reforms, the quicker impediments would be removed.

PAMUK: TURKEY CONTINUES RESTRICTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.10.2008 15:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish writer and Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk
accused Turkey of restricting freedom of expression during the
inaugural ceremony of the Frankfurt’s Book Fair, independent French
journalist Jean Eckian told PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Unfortunately, the Turkish state continues to persecute writers
and prohibit books," Pamuk said, adding, "The censure is always in
force in the country. Hundreds of authors and journalists tried and
condemned under the article 301 of the Turkish penal code. Some were
even killed."

"The access to Youtube and some other Turkish and foreign websites
is blocked in Turkey for political reasons," he said.

At the end of the speech, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who was
also attending, diplomatically applauded the writer.

Pamuk was prosecuted under the article 301 for mentioning the Armenian
Genocide in an interview with a Swiss magazine.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GOV’T TO PASS BILL ON STATE SECRETS TO PREVENT EVIDENCE TAMPERING

Today’s Zaman
15 October 2008, Wednesday
Turkey

Erhan Tuncel is escorted from prison to a BeÅ~_iktaÅ~_ courthouse by
gendarmarie officers.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government
has rolled up its sleeves to pass legislation on what constitutes
a state secret in order to hinder the obstruction of evidence by a
former police informant in the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink.

A hearing in Dink’s murder case took place on Monday at the Ä°stanbul
Criminal Court. A 90-page dossier about Erhan Tuncel, one of the
key suspects in the Dink murder and an ex-police informant who was
fired but nevertheless maintained his relationship with the police
department, was destroyed on the grounds that it included state
secrets. However, a sample of the dossier was included in the Dink
murder case. Lawyers of the Dink family asked the court to examine
the dossier about Tuncel. They said no law currently exists on state
secrets, so no actions which constitute an offense can be included
in the definition of a "state secret."

AK Party Ä°stanbul deputies Ä°brahim Yigit and AyÅ~_enur Bahcekapılı,
who attended Monday’s trial, said no criminal offenses could
take shelter behind the state secret shield, as they called on the
government to enact a law on state secrets as soon as possible. State
secret laws are used to exclude illegal acts from being investigated
on the pretext that they are a state secret.

Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Å~^ahin, who demanded the enactment
of a law on state secrets as part of the Third National Program,
a government road map for EU reforms, said the law on state secrets
became more important in the course of the Dink case.

The Dink trial has so far revealed dubious connections between
the suspects and the police. Dink family lawyers have frequently
brought allegations that police attempted to obscure evidence. Two
gendarmerie officers are currently standing trial for having ignored
tip-offs about the plot to kill Dink, who was shot dead outside his
Agos newspaper in Ä°stanbul in January 2007.

AK Party group deputy leader Nihat Ergun said everyone should help
illuminate the planners behind the Dink murder, noting that his party
was ready to help discover the masterminds behind this murder.

A draft bill on state secrets defines what constitutes a state secret
as follows: A state secret includes information and documents which
need to remain secret and not be revealed because their disclosure
may give harm to the state’s foreign relations, national defense and
security or have the potential to endanger the constitutional order
and the state’s foreign relations. Information and documents which
do not constitute a state secret but have the potential to damage
the country’s economic interests, intelligence, military services,
administrative and judicial investigations will be labeled confidential
information and documents by the relevant authorities and be treated
as such. This definition prevents any acts of offense to escape
investigation through the label of a state secret.

According to the draft bill, documents and information that fall under
the definition of a state secret and that are demanded by courts will
not be sent to the courts; however, these documents and information
will not be used against the relevant person in the case. Other
confidential documents and information that do not fall under the
definition of a state secret will be sent to courts, if demanded.

–Boundary_(ID_EAvu0ZAOQgIDghhwa7Ue3g)- –

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress