Month: November 2009

U.S. ARMENIANS LAMBASTED OBAMA

news.am
Nov 9 2009
Armenia

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today unveiled
"Countdown to Erdogan" – a month-long campaign of grassroots activism
aimed at encouraging the U.S. Congress, the media, and — ultimately
— the White House to put America on the right side of the Armenian
Genocide, ANCA website reads.

"ANCA will launch a new action item every day, ranging from on-line
activism and call-in days to social networking, coalition-building,
community outreach, and hands-on activities — all aimed at educating
and inspiring President Obama, on December 7th, to tell Prime Minister
Erdogan, to his face, that American stands for a truthful and just
resolution of the Armenian Genocide. Each week will also include at
least one action item geared to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur,
as part of the ANCA’s broader commitment to fostering U.S leadership
in ending the cycle of genocide," the source reports.

The first week of the campaign will address the U.S. Senate, the
second the U.S. House, followed by the media on the third week, and
then a final push in the final seven days directly to the White House.

"As we all know far too well, when President Obama met this April
in Ankara with Prime Minister Erdogan, he got it wrong, breaking
his clearly and repeatedly stated promise to recognize the Armenian
Genocide," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, in a letter
to campaign participants. "Even worse, in the weeks that followed,
he compounded his broken pledge by joining with Turkey in pressuring
Armenia, a landlocked and blockaded country, into accepting a
historical &’commission’ that calls into question this very crime
against humanity. This time, on American soil, President Obama has a
chance to make it right — to honor his pledge and be, as he stated
during the campaign, the President the American people deserve,"
the website informs.

According to ANCA the "Countdown to Erdogan" campaign launch coincides
with recent statements by Prime Minister Erdogan denying both the
Armenian and Darfur genocides. In recent remarks, he asserted that
"It’s not possible for a Muslim to commit genocide." His statements
came in response to international pressure on Turkey to arrest Sudanese
dictator Omar al-Bashir during a scheduled visit, later postponed,
to Ankara. "We are comfortable (with the visit of al-Bashir),"
explained Erdogan.

AYDIN MIRZAZADE: ARMENIA WILL SEE ITS CONDITIONS WORSENING BEFORE WINTER WITHOUT OPENING OF BORDERS WITH TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN

news.az
Nov 9 2009
Azerbaijan

Aydin Mirzazade "We are grateful to all political powers of Turkey
for support to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and Turkey are natural and
historical allies so this step was expected", parliamentarian Aydin
Mirzazade has said.

He noted that "Azerbaijan’s importance for Turkey’s political life
is great and it is no accident that all political parties of this
country, including ruling and oppositional ones, support the just
position of Azerbaijan".

"I think Turkey’s principal position on the Karabakh issue will make
Armenia soften its position at the upcoming meeting of the Azerbaijani
and Armenian presidents. Armenia should understand that borders
with Turkey will not open without the Karabakh conflict settlement",
he said.

"Now Armenia has the only path to life – via Iran. But this path is
also unstable considering the state which this country is now in.

Moreover, in winter the road between Iran and Armenia is difficult to
pass. Thus, Armenia will see its state worsening without the opening of
borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan before this winter. Today everything
depends on the position of its leadership and how it behaves during
talks. If it wants the development of its country and its people,
it should denounce its nonconstructive policy as it leads Armenia to
nowhere", the deputy said.

"In 1991 Armenian and Azerbaijani budgets were equal and totaled
4 bn former Russian rubles, while now Azerbaijan’s budget is 12.5
bn and Armenia’s is nearly 2bn. Thus we can make a conclusion that
Armenia’s policy of aggression against neighbors led it to the current
state and if it does not understand it, it will see worse times",
the deputy said.

TURKISH MP CALLS ON AZERBAIJAN TO FIGHT AGAINST ARMENIA
Written by Armen Hareyan

HULIQ
h-mp-calls-azerbaijan-fight-against-armenia
Nov 9 2009
SC

In a time when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton goes to
great length with French, Swiss and Russian mediators to bring about
the reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia and when OSCE Minsk
group reports positive movements on the front of Azerbaijan Armenia
negotiations for Nagorno Karabakh, one influential Turkish member of
the parliament calls on Azerbaijan to "fight," saying the lands were
taken away by blood.

Aladdin Buyukkaya, in an interview to Azerbaijan based Day.az makes
an outright call to Azerbaijan to fight for Nagorno Karabakh. In
other words, he makes a call for war while the entire international
community, superpowers and the mediators work very hard for peace.

Buyukkaya is not an average Turkish Parliamentarian.

The Turkish delegation to OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and member
of Turkish parliament from ruling Justice and Development Aladdin
Buyukkaya literally says the following to the Azerbaijani newspaper,
which should not miss from the eyes of the OSCE mediators and all
the parties involved in this conflict resolution, particularly French
and Russian foreign ministers Bernard Cushner and Sergei Lavrov and
the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

While speaking of Turkish role in region and the efforts of Turkey to
become a mediator in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan
and Armenia (aren’t the mediators supposed to be totally impartial?)
Mr. Buyukkaya says "Turkey will fight for restoration of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity to the end. Azerbaijan should also take real
steps. It is impossible to achieve a just solution to the conflict
waiting for help from Turkey and from other third parties. This
problem will not be solved only by will of co-chairs. We call on our
Azerbaijani brothers to fight. These lands were taken away by blood.

"We are not saying that the military way is the only solution to the
conflict. Azerbaijan’s increased military power will have a positive
effect on the process. Azerbaijan must be strong in all spheres,
as well as to demonstrate its military power to Armenia. I think
the military men also face great challenges. Azerbaijan may follow
example Turkey’s Armed Forces. Turkey is not at war with its neighbors,
but neighbors admit and agree with its military might."

How constructive is this when all involved parties are working for
peace? In fact, these types of statements will not only diminish,
but totally remove any grains of trust that the Turkish Armenian
protocols may have been risen in the Armenian people against Turkey.

Aladdin Buyukkaya, according to Etkiforum, entered the Turkish politics
in 2001 and is one of the founders of the ruling AK Justice and
Development Party. He is currently the Chairman of Itabariyle Istanbul.

If peace is to be restored in the region of South Caucasus any call
to war or showing of military might should be condemned. Those who
call for war, their children will not go and die in the war. In fact
the history has repeatedly shown that their children were hidden
behind the big packets of their daddies. In fact, if peace is to
be restored in the region Buyukkaya is right on one aspect, that
"Azerbaijan should also take real steps."

The time has come for Azerbaijan to understand that Nagorno Karabakh
is not in its control These are nearly 200,000 Christian people who
have voted to leave free from Azerbaijan’s oppression, when Armenian
schools, universities and churches were closing in Nagorno Karabakh
and cultural monuments destroying. We have seen this happening in
Nakhichevan.

There is even more to this. In Armenia and Azerbaijan there is already
an entire new generation of people who do not know what it means for
Karabakh to be under Azerbaijan’s rule. This fact has to be taken
into consideration as well.

Also, while speaking about Armenia’s freeing of what Azerbaijan and
Turkey say "occupied lands" it is just to remember the days between
1988 and 1992 when Azerbaijan was using those lands around Nagorno
Karabakh to launch military attacks on the civilian population
of Nagorno Karabakh. The state directly went to war with its own
Armenian minority. How could one expect the Armenian people going
back to Azerbaijan’s rule?

How could one expect Kosovo going back to being under Serbia’s rule?

If the peace is to be restored between Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan,
the time has come for the matters being resolved based on justice, not
on "military might" as Mr. Aladdin Buyukkaya suggest to his brothers
in Azerbaijan. Only peace, based on justice, is sustainable. Then no
young soldier will cry because of the pain of a bullet, no parent in
Azerbaijan or Armenia will fear for the loss of his or her child and
the region will be developed based on peace and justice.

This is the time to build peace, not war. The challenge is to come
up with constructive ways of bringing the two societies and neighbors
together to to further alienate them by calls to fight.

ARP REPRESENTATIVE: "ANC’S SILENCE IS CORRECT"

Aysor
Nov 9 2009
Armenia

Armenia is disgraced by the delay of the ratification of the protocols,
said Tigran Karapetyan the head of the People’s Party insisting that
Yerevan shouldn’t wait for the steps undertaken by Ankara, and should
appear with its own initiations.

Underlining that his party is against the present process of the
Armenian – Turkish relations the speaker said that he is concerned with
the idea that the road map created during the negotiation processes
will include not only Armenia – Turkey relations but also will outline
new situation in the region.

The head of the People’s Party thinks that today in Armenia exist
only patriotic forces that speak against the ratification processes
of the protocols.

"The opposition is not against, he is silent",- mentioned
T. Karapetyan.

The member of the Armenian Republican Party Lernik Aleksanyan said
on his turn that the ratification process of the protocols goes on
and will not be failed.

"We shouldn’t hurry. The process of waiting is not a negative thing
as we have started all this process", – he said and assured that in
case of failing the whole process started because of the Turkish side
Armenia is not losing anything.

"In case of negative developments the negative results will occur
only for the Turkish side", – assured the representative of the
Republican Party.

Coming up to the position of Turkey L. Aleqsanyan mentioned that
the all political parties should stand with the authorities in the
started process.

"ANC is right in keeping silence. Today everyone should stand with
the authorities", – said the representative of the Republican Party.

L. Aleksanyan also assured that the Armenian – Turkish border will
be open soon.

BINALI YILDIRIM READY TO GOUGE EYE SET ON TURKISH LANDS

News.am
Nov 9 2009
Armenia

During his visit to Mush,, Eastern Armenia, Turkish Minister of
Transport and Communication Binali Yildirim stated no one has the
right to dream of Turkish territories. He threatened to gouge the
eye of all those laying such claims.

The Turkish Vatan newspaper quoted the Minister as saying: "When
Turkey quarreled with its neighbors it had no friend. But now we have
normalized relations with Syria, started military cooperation with
Iraq, development of relations with Iran and Russia, as well as with
Armenia. The Armenian community, however, is laying claims to Turkish
territories. We are not going to harm anyone, but we will gouge the
eye set on our lands."

Minister Yildirim addressed his statements not only to Armenians, but
also to Kurds, as Kurds constitute a majority in Mush. Although Mush
is an ancient Armenian city, Kurds made it part of "Kurdistan." One
of the high-ranking officials in the province of Mush recently stated
that eastern regions of Turkey densely populated by Kurds are part of
"Kurdistan"

NEWS.am reminds the readers that on May 27, 1907, Armenian troops led
by Gevorg Chaush defeated Turkish janizaries near the Sulukhi bridge
in Mush.

YEREVAN-CITY: TO LISTEN TO GEORGE BENSON FOR 260 DOLLARS

Aysor
Nov 9 2009
Armenia

A guitar legend, Grammy Awarded American musician, singer and jazz
guitarist George Benson will perform in Armenia’s capital city of
Yerevan on November, 12.

The concert will be held within the 10th Music Festival Perspectives
of 21st, under the patronage of President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan,
with assistance of the Ministry of Culture. The performing is a unique
gift of Ameriabank which marks opening of its headquarters.

Ameriabank’s press office reports Sharm Holding is an organizer which,
in its turn, announced that ticket prices cost from 5 thousand dram
(for about 13 dollar) to 100 thousand dram.

At the moment of reporting all the tickets are sold out, leaving
only 80-thousand-dram ($207) and 100-thousand-dram ($260) ones,
Sharm Holding’s spokesman told Aysor’s correspondent.
From: Baghdasarian

TURKEY RUNS HOT AND COLD
By Andrew Novo

Asia Times
0Ak01.html
Nov 9 2009

Autumn has proved a busy season for Turkey as the nation of more than
76 million continues to establish itself as a regional hegemon while
pursuing a policy of "no problems with neighbors". While the process
of reconciling with neighbors – a tenuous agreement with Armenia,
de-mining the border with Syria, a new energy deal with Russia and open
amity with Iran – is yielding results, "no problems with neighbors"
may mean new problems with old friends.

Turkish foreign affairs have made recent headlines: on October 10,
Turkey signed an agreement normalizing relations with Armenia. The
border between the two countries, closed since 1993, was opened. Two
days later, Turkey canceled a joint air force exercise with Israel. A
few days after that, the European Union released its

annual report on the progress made by countries aspiring to EU
membership.

Naturally, Turkey figured prominently in the report, which many
commentators saw as a balancing act, pitting Turkey’s progress –
improvements in relations with Armenia and Syria abroad, and more
rights for Kurds and improved civil-military relations at home –
against its shortcomings: a lack of progress on the Cyprus issue and
the recent ruling and fine against the Dogan Media Group.

The dichotomy inherent in the EU report mirrors larger questions not
only about Turkish politics and society but also about the country’s
diplomatic posture. Turkey is familiar with occupying a unique position
in world affairs. As recently as the early 20th century, it was a
polyglot Muslim empire with deep roots in Europe. In the time-worn
but geographically accurate phrase, it is the bridge between Europe
and Asia.

Since 1952, it has been the easternmost member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO). It is also the only Muslim state that is
part of the alliance. Turkey contributed to winning the Cold War but
has been lukewarm about the fight against fundamentalist Islam and
opposed the 2003 war in Iraq. In fact, the Turkish government famously
refused a request from the American government to use eastern Turkish
provinces as a launching pad to create a second front in northern
Iraq. Turkey came under fire from high-ranking American policymakers
who blamed this for the strength of the Ba’athist insurgency as late
as 2005. More recently, Turkey has not been shy about sending air
units and even ground troops to combat what it describes as Kurdish
terrorists in northern Iraq.

Turkey’s uncompromising attitude toward the "terrorism" of the Kurdish
Workers’ Party (PKK) should, in theory, generate support for similar
Israeli policies and actions against groups in Gaza and Lebanon. This
is no longer the case. In January this year, at Davos in Switzerland,
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made headlines when he directed
a high-tempered attack on Israeli policy in Gaza toward President
Shimon Peres. Since then, Israeli-Turkish relations have suffered
more substantive setbacks. The above-mentioned cancellation of joint
air exercises being only one example. Turkey continues to improve its
relations with Syria and, most significantly, is now courting favor
with Iran. This new relationship is of genuine concern.

In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian published on
October 26, the prime minister made several controversial statements.

He called Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad a "friend". He claimed
that Turkey had no problems with Iran and its peaceful nuclear
ambitions, and that Western nations were being unfair in calling for
restrictions and transparency that would prevent Iran from developing
nuclear weapons. Erdogan went so far as to say that even if Iran
wanted a nuclear deterrent, countries like the United States, Britain
or France, as nuclear powers themselves, had no right to protest.

Erdogan followed his Guardian interview with a visit to Iran and
seems intent on strengthening relations between the two countries
even further.

The current administration in Turkey markets itself as a bridging
force. It claims that it will serve as the EU’s bridge to its Muslim
neighbors and Muslims already within the EU. In 2008-09, it served as
mediator for backchannel negotiations between Syria and Israel. Turkey
has claimed to use its unique position to bridge the divide between
NATO and Iran. Sadly, both for these challenges and for Turkey’s image,
these bridges have not yet proved passable.

The motives behind such acts are not entirely clear. The current
Turkish administration is somewhat promiscuous in its international
affairs. On the one hand it professes love for the European Union,
seeks EU membership and is "Westernizing" in line with the EU’s
blueprint. On the other hand, Turkey continues its war against the PKK,
is pursuing its own energy policy in relation to Russia and is flirting
with Iran. The government in Ankara still refused to recognize the
government of the Republic of Cyprus, even though Cyprus is a full
EU member.

The case of Cyprus should not be forgotten because it holds
an important history lesson. In 1974, Turkey, in spite of its
membership in NATO and the Cold War, invaded the island to prevent
its unification with Greece. Greece was a NATO ally, governed at the
time by an anti-communist military junta. Nevertheless, Turkey was
willing to invade and risk splitting NATO. War with Greece was even a
possibility. As recently as 1996, Greece and Turkey have come close to
war stemming from disputes over territory in the Aegean. Such examples
are important. They demonstrate that in matters of national security,
Turkey will not defer to traditional alliances; it will choose the
path along which it feels most secure.

Unfortunately for the West, this path seems to be taking Turkey away
from the United States, the European Union and the NATO alliance. The
current Turkish administration is making decisions that may determine
Turkey’s alliances for years to come. If the present course is not
reversed, the effect may be to burn the very bridges that, for years,
Turkey sought to build.

Andrew Novo, DPhil Candidate St Antony’s College Oxford, UK.

AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTRY COMMENTED ON STATEMENT BY CHIEF OF ARMENIA’S MILITARY INTELLIGENCE

Today
ics/57317.html
Nov 9 2009
Azerbaijan

The chief of Armenia’s military intelligence makes false statements
meant only for public, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry Spokesperson
Eldar Sabiroglu said commenting on a statement by chief of Armenia’s
military intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Arskah Karapetyan.

Armenian media recently reported that Arshak Karapetyan urged not
to frighten Armenia with larger military budgets as spirit, will,
strength and skill, which is inherent in the Armenian army, wins in
the battlefield.

"Situation in the Armenia army is deplorable. Due to critical economic
situation in the country, the military budget has been cut. The
Armenian army is not provided with all necessary items. They have
no money to maintain soldiers. They are not even fed in time. What
kind of spirit and combat effectiveness can exist there under such
circumstances?" Sabiroglu said.

"So, all these false statements are meant only for public both in the
country and abroad. They will never criticize themselves and that’s
why they make such a statement," he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA HAS INFORMALLY AGREED TO LEAVE AZERBAIJAN’S OCCUPIED LANDS: TURKISH MP

Today
html
Nov 9 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with head of the Turkish delegation to OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly and member of the Turkish parliament from
ruling Justice and Development Party Aladdin Buyukkaya.

Day.Az: The discussions on Turkey’s possible mediation in the
OSCE Minsk Group resumed soon after signing of the Turkey-Armenia
protocols. How real are Turkey’s chances in this respect?

Aladdin Buyukkaya: I represent Turkey in the leadership of the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and keep a close eye on the Minsk Group
activities. I am aware of stance of the OSCE leadership and Minsk
Group member countries regarding Turkey’s co-chairmanship.

They believe that Turkey faces no obstacles in this regard. The
positive solution of this issue requires consent of the parties to
the conflict. Azerbaijan has agrees to Turkey’s co-chairmanship while
Armenia refuses. Until recently, Armenia stubbornly resisted this, but
Armenia’s position has softened recently. If OSCE begins discussions
on this issue, Armenia would not oppose Turkey’s co-chairmanship in
the Minsk Group.

Q: Can this softening be linked with confidence that Turkey will open
borders with Armenia?

A: Turkey has stated that it will fulfill conditions of the protocols
only after the occupied Azerbaijani territories are liberated. Armenia
understands very well that Turkey’s stance is very firm. In the most
recent processes Armenia saw that despite the pressure from the United
States and Europe, Turkey is going to make no concession in the issue
of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

On the other hand, the socio-economic condition is deplorable
in Armenia. If nothing changes, Armenia will lose a lot. Based
on background information and a general mood that prevails in the
OSCE and other international organizations, I can say that there are
certain achievements in resolution of the Karabakh problem. Armenia has
informally agreed to withdraw from occupied Azerbaijani territories. It
remains only to officially admit it.

Q: Then what prevents Armenia to officially admit it?

A: It depends not only on Armenia since Russia is the key player. If
Russia wants, the problem will be solved within days. I had frequently
been to Azerbaijan during active hostilities in Karabakh. Moscow
clings onto the conflict to maintain presence in the Caucasus.

According to my observations, Azerbaijan has started to find common
language with Russia in recent years. Azerbaijan needs to maintain
friendly dialogue and understanding with Russia. If Azerbaijan agrees
with Moscow, Russia itself will solve this problem. I am confident
that Armenia will not be able to stand their pressure.

Q: How do you assess the stance of the United States and France,
other Minsk Group co-chairs? Why their activities yield no result?

A: The United States and France perfectly understand Russia’s role
in this conflict. Therefore, these countries want to take Armenia
away from Russia’s influence. For this reason, they call on Turkey to
end its embargo against Armenia. Western countries believe that the
resolution of the problem will become a matter of time once Armenia
gets out of economic dependence on Russia.

Q: It is also believed that Armenia will refuse to make compromise
on the Karabakh issue after Turkey lifts embargo…

A: It is for this reason that Turkey does not lift embargo. Turkey
understands that opening of borders and establishment of economic
relations would revive Armenian economy. After that Armenia, which
will resolve its economic problems and access the European market via
Turkey, will not leave a single inch of the Azerbaijani territories.

However, the U.S. and Europe are seriously concerned about the
Caucasus following the August events in Georgia. They fear that
Russia can militarily take control of the entire Caucasus. The only
road connecting Russia with Armenia ran through Georgia. The road
was closed after the August events and Armenia got into full blockade.

Today the U.S. is trying to break through the blockade of Armenia
with help of Turkey and thus win the trust of Yerevan.

Q: What do you think Turkey may undertake to facilitate resolution
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

A: Turkey will fight for restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity to the end. Azerbaijan should also take real steps. It is
impossible to achieve a just solution to the conflict waiting for
help from Turkey and from other third parties. This problem will
not be solved only by will of co-chairs. We call on our Azerbaijani
brothers to fight. These lands were taken away by blood.

We are not saying that the military way is the only solution to the
conflict. Azerbaijan’s increased military power will have a positive
effect on the process. Azerbaijan must be strong in all spheres,
as well as to demonstrate its military power to Armenia. I think
the military men also face great challenges. Azerbaijan may follow
example Turkey’s Armed Forces. Turkey is not at war with its neighbors,
but neighbors admit and agree with its military might.

GENERAL CONVICTED FOR DEFAMATION OF ASSASSINATED HRANT DINK

BIAnet
Nov 9 2009
Turkey

Brigadier General Karaduman was sentenced to pay 2,000 Turkish Lira
in compensation for hate speeches against assassinated Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink.

Erol ONDEROÄ~^LU [email protected] Istanbul – BÄ°A News Center09
November 2009, Monday The Bakırköy 4th Court of First Instance in
Istanbul adjudged Brigadier General Dursun Ali Karaduman from the
Giresun Gendarmerie Regional Command on the eastern Black Sea Coast
to pay 2,000 Turkish Lira (approximately â~B¬ 900) in compensation
for damages for mental anguish. Karaduman had targeted assassinated
editor-in-chief of the Armenian Agos newspaper Hrant Dink in a poem
he read out at a soldier’s funeral. Furthermore, he was quoted as
saying at another soldier’s funeral, "They even condemn it and raise
their voices when a traitor is killed".

The Dink family symbolically set the amount of the compensation to
1 TL. Yet, in order to be able to hear the case the court raised it
of 6,000 TL

"Dink family plans to donate compensation to Nezin Foundation" Lawyer
of the Dink family Deniz Tuna told bianet that the family partially
accepted the amount claimed by the court and said that the family
plans to donate the 2,000 TL decided by the court on 6 November to
Nesin Foundation to support victims of the flood that hit parts of
Istanbul in September this year.

Karaduman allegedly defamed Dink twice after the journalist had been
assassinated on 19 January 2007. The first time he targeted Dink in
a speech Karaduman made at a soldier’s funeral on 9 April 2007. The
second time he mentioned Dink’s name to his disfavour in a poem he
read out at another soldier’s funeral on 20 June 2007.

The court found Karaduman guilty of attacking Dink’s moral integrity
on the grounds of his speech and his poem.

Hate speeches on 2 funerals In his speech in April 2007 Karaduman said,
"…the ones who panned this games and who was nominated for it must
have been informed very well that the country and the nation of the
Turkish Republic is an indivisible whole. Our fight will continue until
there is not a single terrorist left. Today the American Senate, the
French Parliament, the English House of Lords and the EU Parliament
in Brussels have condemned the ones who killed you. They even condemn
it and raise their voices when a traitor is killed. The immortal
heroes who shed holy blood, who made this geography our homeland
and who entrusted it with us; I condemn all the traitors and their
supporters for you here today".

In June Karaduman implemented elements of hate into a poem he read
at the funeral of soldier Kadir Aydın. He complained about the
"world’s indifference" and compared the situation of Aydın, who
"carried a thoroughly original Turkish name" as Karaduman put it,
with journalist Hrant Dink.

A total number of 20 defendants are tried before the 14th High
Criminal Court in the context of the Dink murder., 8 gendarmerie
officials of the Trabzon Gendarmerie Command are prosecuted under
charges of "neglect of duty" because they did not prevent the murder
despite referring information of the Intelligence Office prior to
the assassination.