Month: November 2009

SARGSYAN-ALIYEV MEETING IN MUNICH

news.am
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

November 18, speaking at the National Assembly, RA Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandyan informed that meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents will take place in Munich at the end of the week. Today
Azerbaijani mass media clarified the date, referring to high ranking
official. Thus, Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev will meet on November
22. OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs will also participate.

The Presidents’ last meeting took place October 9 in Chisinau. It
is already the seventh meeting in 2009. After Presidents’ meeting,
Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers will meet in the frames
of OSCE Ministerial Council in Athens on December 1-2.

AZERBAIJANI FM MAY VISIT TURKEY

Trend
Nov 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov is expected to pay an
official visit to Turkey in the near future, Turkish Ambassador to
Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilich told Trend News.

During the visit, the sides are expected to discuss bilateral relations
and the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE READY TO HELP TURKEY-ARMENIA RAPPROCHEMENT

news.az
Nov 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Thorbjorn Jagland The Council of Europe is ready to help the
rapprochement process between Turkey and Armenia, Secretary General
Thorbjorn Jagland has said.

He was speaking at a press conference on Wednesday after Switzerland
took over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers from Slovenia.

"I welcome Turkey-Armenia rapprochement and hope that it will help
us solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Jagland said.

He said that if Turkey and Armenia need the support of the Council
of Europe, the council is ready to help.

"We have not been approached on this issue yet," Jagland said.

ARMENIANS PUBLISH ROSTOV-ON-DON’S EARLIEST PAPERS

Aysor
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

Rostov-on-Don’s history of papers and publishing business is directly
related to Armenians who came from Nakhichevan.

Here is the history of papers and their editors and publishers as
followed. Since 1891 S.Arutyunov (Arutyunyan) purchased a paper,
reedited it, renamed Priazovky kray, and published making it Russian
South’s most popular paper. Among its columnists was Anton P. Chekhov.

The well-known bibliophile O.Ter-Abrahamyan was editor-in-chief of
Donskaya Pchela paper and since late 19th century he also has published
Russian version of Russian-Armenian Don-Azov calendar which involved
annual directory and life histories of Armenian communities.

The equally popular in Rostov, Speech of Don Paper’s editor-in-chief
was M.Berberyan, a very respectable individual.

Meanwhile Armenians here dreamed to publish the own papers. So, a
well-known public figure, R. Patkanyan applied to St. Petersburg’s
Press General Directorate but was refused. Officials said cannot
allow publishing Armenian paper without censorship.

Eve so, Armenian papers were published. Early in 20th Century these
were Golub (Armenian Dashak Party’s paper), Novaya Zhizn (New Life),
Nash Golos (Our voice), Nashe Slovo (our Word), Pero (Feather),
Colonia, Armanskaya Obshina (Armenian Community). Later at soviet
times some other papers were published such as Bednota (The poor),
Putyem Lenina (Through Lelin’s Way), Serp I Mopot (Sickle and Hammer),
Shturm (Storm), Bolshevik.

These papers’ files are displayed in Surb Khach (St. Cross) Found of
Armenian-Russian Friendship, and now are exhibited in museums. The
great contribution to saving of this Armenian and Armenians’
press history belongs to honored teacher of Russia, well-known
historian A.G. Malkhasyan. Malkhasyan has also published a unique
Armenian-Russian phrasebook which involves dialect of Don’s Armenians.

JAGLAND WELCOMES ARMENIA-TURKEY RECONCILIATION

news.am
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe welcomed
Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, expressing hope that it will enable
to resolve Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani APA news agency reports.

Speaking at the press conference after Switzerland took over from
Slovenia as Chair of the Committee of Ministers, Jagland underlined
that if Turkey and Armenia need assistance the Council of Europe is
ready to help.

"We have not been appealed concerning this issue yet. Both countries
are members of the Council of Europe and the only fact is important for
both countries and the process I have just mentioned," stated Jagland.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar: We Should Find Ways Of Solution To Nagorno Karabakh Conflict

APA
Nov 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubayli – APA. "All frozen conflicts, including
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, should be solved soon," Slovenia’s Foreign
Minister Samuel Zbogar said at the press conference after Switzerland
took over from Slovenia as Chair of the Committee of Ministers,
APA reports.

"All, as well as the European Union are interested in the soonest
solution to the frozen conflicts. We saw it in Georgia-Russia war
last year. A frozen conflict may turn into a hot conflict. Therefore,
we should find way of solution to these conflicts, including Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. The European Union does not participate in the
process of negotiations. OSCE Minsk Group is dealing with this issue.

Moreover, first of all it is up to Armenia and Azerbaijan to find
ways of solution," he said.

Samuel Zbogar said the European Union should support the process
carried out by Minsk Group.

"The European Union can do much to accelerate establishment of
confidence between the two countries and contribute to promoting
interregional cooperation in the South Caucasus. For this purpose,
Eastern Partnership program was established between the European Union
and South Caucasus countries and others. The Eastern Partnership
aims to establish closer cooperation between these countries and
the European Union. We expect reforms and development from the
above-mentioned countries. We want to facilitate these reforms,
development in these countries. These valuable means may also
indirectly help solve Nagorno Karabakh conflict," he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY’S AIM MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF BORDER

news.am
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

In the Armenian-Turkish protocols, Turkey’s aim is mutual recognition
of the border, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated at a
budget discussion in the Turkish Parliament.

He assured the Parliament members that the document does not in any
way affect turkey’s interests and pointed out that official Ankara
attaches paramount importance to defending Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. Minister Davutoglu stated that Azerbaijan lost 20 per cent
of its territory, and the status quo has been maintained for 17 years.

In this context he pointed out that the situation will never change
if it is not changed for the next ten years.

The Turkish FM stated that the Armenian-Turkish protocols are not a
means of normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations nor are they a means
of establishing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is a way
to the liberation of Azerbaijani territories.

The Hurriyet newspaper reported that Minister Davutoglu also stated
that steady progress in the Armenia-Turkey normalization process
depends on the improvement of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. In this
context, he pointed out that the OSCE Minsk Group has intensified
activities. Seven bilateral meetings have been held over the last six
months. Ahmet Davutoglu expressed hope that Turkey will thus play
an important role in establishing peace in the Caucasus. Turkey’s
ultimate aim is to improve its relations with Armenia. The
Armenian-Turkish relations must be free of historical prejudice,
Davutoglu. In this context he pointed out the need for "blocking the
way to ungrounded claims about genocide and for building up history
on just memories." The Turkish FM stressed the need for a new era
in Armenian-Turkish relations and, in this context, for a historical
commission and resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

ARMENIANS INCLUDE GEORGIAN TERRITORIES IN THEIR POSSESSION:

Trend
Nov 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Trend News interview with the representative of the Commissioner for
Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Georgia in Kvemo Kartli, Elbrus Mammadov.

Q: How many complaints have been received from the Azerbaijanis by
the Office of the Ombudsman of Georgia in Kvemo-Kartli region since
its establishment, and what problems are mostly complained?

A: The representation was established in December last year,
but started functioning in February this year. During a year of
our activities, the office has received about 600 appeals from
the Azerbaijanis. The complaints relate to the problems of issuing
pensions, registration of land plots, as well as illegal actions of
the police. However, most of them relate to the self-will of the
Armenians in the Sadakhli village. In this village the Armenians
illegally arrest Azerbaijanis, take their livestock. Armenians claim
that these lands belong to them. In this area, the border between
Georgia and Armenia has been de-militarized. And taking the advantage
of this, the Armenians themselves determine the border due to lands,
populated by the Azerbaijanis, and include Georgian territories in
their possession. In the villages of Tazakand and Burma the Armenians
invaded the homes of Azerbaijanis, intimidating with arms, asked to
leave "their land". And there are many such cases, we know only about
10-15. Complaints in this regard were sent to the government, the
Ombudsman’s office, the police. However, unfortunately, the special
reaction was not followed.

Our office has examined the complaint in connection with the self-will
of Armenians. We have been officially stated that in this area – near
the village of Sadakhli – the border between Georgia and Armenia has
not been de-militarized. Then a question arises: if the border has
not been defined, how the Armenians in the border area – the territory
of Georgia – build a military base?

Q: What work does the representation carry out in the legal
enlightenment of the Azerbaijanis of Georgia?

A: The level of legal enlightenment of Azerbaijanis living in Georgia
is very low. At present, several non-governmental organizations and
the Congress of Azerbaijanis of Georgia are dealing with this issue.

Free booklets in the Azeri language have been prepared and
distributed. However, we can not cover all Azerbaijanis, since this
requires money, which we do not have. Soon a legal clinic will start
functioning at our representation, where five or six lawyers will
provide free legal assistance.

Q: Opinions are expressed that the Azerbaijanis of Georgia are not
represented in state institutions because of lack of the state language
knowledge. Do you agree with this? What is the level of teaching the
Georgian language at Azerbaijani schools?

A: In Armenian-populated Samtskh-Javakheti, the Armenians, who do
not know the state language, are represented at each government
agency starting from the prosecutor’s office, judges, notary office,
police department. Until recently, the courts’ decisions in this
region were published in Russian. If such assignments are possible
in the region populated by the Armenians, why is it impossible in
the Azerbaijani-populated Kvemo Kartli?

On the other hand, the Azerbaijani MPs represented at the Parliament
of Georgia do not know Georgian language. For what reasons, these
concessions are not possible for other public officials?

Quite a lot of Georgian Azerbaijanis perfectly know the state
language. Of the 30 Azerbaijanis who finished the Administrative
School of Public Servants named after Zurab Zhvania in Kutaisi, only
three or four were provided with job. According to our knowledge,
there are only two Azerbaijanis at the office of the governor of
Kvemo Kartli. They have no authority, though they are advisers.

The quality of teaching the Georgian language at Azerbaijani schools
in Georgia recently increased. However, the benefits of this harvest
will be only after 10-20 years. And before that serious problems
can exist. At Azerbaijani schools the teachers of Georgian language
without much interest teach their subject.

UNIQUE COLLECTION PUTS TURKISH HISTORY ON THE AGENDA

Today’s Zaman
Nov 19 2009
Turkey

Gönel and Muhsinzade explain that they managed to find all the
diaries on display by contacting known collectors and visiting
second-hand bookshops.

A collection of Turkish diaries from over the last 100 years is
currently on display at the original location of the Ece Ajandaları
company in Asmalı Meydan, a site that has witnessed many of the most
important changes in the Turkish diary and printing industry. The
collection offers a unique glimpse into many important moments from
Turkey’s history.

Founded at Asmalı Meydan in 1909 by Mehmet Sadık Efendi, Ece
Ajandaları’s agendas have been used by a wide range of people,
including some of the country’s most important historical figures,
many of whose diaries are featured in the current show.

At the time, there were Greek-Ottoman Turkish and Armenian-Ottoman
Turkish diaries, but no completely Ottoman Turkish ones, says
Seydali Gönel, an administrator at Ece Ajandaları, in an interview
with Today’s Zaman. As the first Turkish and Muslim diary company,
coupled with the fact that its diaries were published in both the
Ottoman-Arabic alphabet and the Turkish-Latin alphabet, Ece Ajandaları
stood apart from other diaries and caught the attention of collectors,
he emphasizes. Their diaries were used by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,
İsmet İnönu, Adnan Menderes and many other pivotal politicians
from Turkey’s history, in addition to many prominent Turkish artists.

Prepared by the third generation of the family that founded the
company, the show features 40 diaries from various periods, mainly
focusing on the early years of Ece Ajandaları’s history: the
1910s, 1920s and 1930s. Former Turkish Prime Minister Nihat Erim,
deputy Mithat Aydın, Muhiddin Arif Mardin Bey and Rubabe Ar used
Ece Ajandaları at the time, and their diaries are currently being
displayed in the show. The exhibition also includes two diaries
belonging to Nihat Erim, written in his own handwriting.

"Unfortunately we could not locate the oldest diary, published in
1910. The oldest one in the show is a black one from 1917, published in
Ottoman Turkish, and the newest is our latest design that we started
to produce this year, named ‘Avrasya,’ which brings together all our
classic qualities," says Ali Muhsinzade, an administrator at Ece
Ajandaları. Asked how they managed to find all of these diaries,
Gönel and Ali Muhsinzade explain that they contacted the known
collectors and visited many second-hand bookshops, where they found
many Ece diaries.

"Each page of these diaries tells the story of a different world. We
really hope that one day we can found a publishing house as well
and publish books based on the emotions and thoughts written on the
pages of Ece diaries," Gönen says, adding that while preparing the
show they wanted it to reflect their century-old vision. "We intended
it to reflect our humble, elegant, simple and traditional quality —
our authenticity. For this reason we did not choose a regular form of
exhibition hall. We wanted to celebrate the birthday of Ece Ajandaları
in the place where it was born 100 years ago," explains Muhsinzade.

Ece Ajandaları is now producing special collections for students,
people in the business world and even tourists visiting Ä°stanbul. The
show, titled "Gun Uzar 100 Yıl Olur" (A Day Becomes a Century),
will run until Dec. 12 at Asmalı Meydan.

MILITARY DOCUMENTS TO SHINE LIGHT ON ‘DERSIM MASSACRE’

Hurriyet
Nov 18 2009
Turkey

A new book on the 1938 Dersim Operation aims to challenge the official
Republican history on the event with previously unseen photographs,
historically important documents and eye-witness accounts. Hasan
Saltuk’s 600-page book will be released in May in both English
and Turkish

Another taboo of Turkey’s Republican history is about to be broken with
the publication of a book by Hasan Saltuk on the 1938 Dersim Operation.

Saltuk, who is the owner of record label Kalan, a researcher and
an ethnomusicologist, has spent nine years collecting previously
unseen photographs, historically important documents and comments
from soldiers who participated in the operation. He plans to present
his findings in a new 600-page book to be published in both Turkish
and English in May.

He criticized the present state of research in Turkey. "Historians
here cannot go beyond the official ideology; they do not do any
research. Those who do research and know the truth cannot raise a
voice because they are afraid."

Saltuk, who is from one of the oldest families of Dersim, said that
even though he was from a Turkmen tribe on his father’s side, dozens
of their relatives were murdered during the operation.

"My grandmother was pregnant with my mother but she saved herself from
the firing squad at the last minute," Saltuk said in an interview
with the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review. "Dersim residents
are still afraid to talk. The elderly still think somebody’s going
to come and kill them."

Was the operation planned?

The official historical sources say the 1938 operation in Dersim, now
called Tunceli, was implemented to quash a Kurdish tribal rebellion.

Saltuk, however, performed his research in largely international
archives, especially English and Armenian ones, collecting documents
of historical importance.

"We see in the documents that the Dersim operation was planned;
the reports were prepared in 1920. The law related to the operation
was passed in 1935 and action was taken in 1937. Seyit Rıza and his
friends were hanged on grounds that they were leading a rebellion,"
Saltuk said.

Although the rebellion was labeled a Kurdish tribal insurrection,
Saltuk said the fundamental reason behind the operation was that the
region was home to Tunceli Alevis and that they were merely Armenians
who had changed their identities.

"The official sources say Dersim residents were not paying taxes or
performing military service and that they were always rebelling.

However, we have documents proving the opposite. Ataturk led the
Dersim operation himself," he said.

"Over 13,000 people were killed during the operation and 22,000 were
exiled. Orphaned children were subjected to Turkification policies
in orphanages," Saltuk said.

Soldiers regretful

The book would reprint the comments he found on the back of all
the photographs he obtained. In many cases, the comments expressed
remorse for the events in Dersim. "[Many] felt qualms of conscience for
what was experienced. Some expressed their feelings with the words,
‘I have become a murderer.’ Others wrote, ‘I caused the deaths of
250 people,’" Saltuk said.

The project involved following the trails of surviving soldiers who
participated in the operation, Saltuk said, adding that he saw many who
were unable to adapt to social life. "Many soldiers we [interviewed]
demanded their names be made public after their deaths.

A few people did not mind having their names in the book; some said,
‘They ordered us to kill and we did,’" he said.

He obtained hundreds of original photos and maps alongside two dossiers
of population records from the grandchild – whose name Saltuk withheld
– of a high level civil servant from that era. "The invaluable
documents and photographs in the dossiers reveal the operation in
all its detail. However, it is without doubt that much more striking
files are in the archives of the Turkish General Staff."

‘Taboos will be broken in Turkey’

Touching on the storm of controversy Republican People’s Party, or
CHP, deputy leader Onur Oymen has caused with comments on the Dersim
Operation, Saltuk said, "Actually, Oymen should be congratulated. He
did what the residents of Dersim could not do for years by putting
the subject on the public agenda."

Saltuk said he believes that Turkey has entered an age of great
change. "All the taboos of this country will be broken and, in the
future, there will not be anything that cannot be spoken about."