Author: admin

NTV, Turkey
Jan 14 2008

Turkish general criticized for backing students drawing flag with own
blood

"Examination Launched into the ‘Flag Drawn With Blood’"

"The flag that has been drawn by high school students with their own
blood" that Chief of Staff General Buyukanit showed the press the day
before yesterday [10 January] has led to controversy. The specialists
criticized Buyukanit for praising the present.

According to Taraf newspaper, the fact that a group of high school
students in Kirsehir sent the chief of staff a Turkish flag that they
drew with their own blood and the fact that Chief of Staff Yasar
Buyukanit approved this by saying "This is the kind of nation we are"
have led to controversy. The Kirsehir Governor’s Office has launched
an examination into the incident.

Kazim Kaya, Kirsehir Province national education deputy manager, told
Taraf that both their office and the Governor’s Office have begun to
examine the matter, adding: "We have immediately taken up and
examined the incident. Currently we have a report on this issue. The
students have reportedly done this outside the school. We have
listened to the principals of both schools. Both principals were
asked why the high-level administration did not know anything about
the incident. Both principals noted that they did not know anything
about this incident. The honourable governor is in Ankara, but he has
been briefed on the issue and he has spoken on the phone with the
principals of both schools."

Has Anyone Guided Them?

In answer to a question on "whether the testimonies of the students
have been taken" National Education Deputy Manager Kaya answered:
"Not yet. Nonetheless we are not merely talking about these two
schools. Reportedly children from other schools are also involved.
However it is important to know whether these children have acted on
the basis of their own will or whether they have been guided by
anyone. All this will be clarified as of the beginning of the week."

Prof Oran: Grave Incident

Reacting to the flag that has been drawn with blood and especially to
the stand adopted by the chief of staff, Prof Dr Baskin Oran said the
following:

"The fact that these children have done something like this by making
their bodies bleed is irritating. Nonetheless the fact that the chief
of staff views a flag made with blood worthy is even graver. After
all, the blood issue had been repeatedly put on the agenda on every
opportunity and they continue to do so now.

"This incident also brings to mind whether the thing that we define
as the ‘Turkish nation’ is based on blood. You do not stand trial on
the basis of Article 301 when you insult a Kurd, an Armenian, or a
Jew. This most recent incident is the clearest indicator of this.
This grave stand adopted by the chief of staff shows that nationalism
conditioning has spread to primary school children."

They Framed It and They Sent It to Buyukanit

Students from the Anatolia Teacher High School and Haci Fatma Erdemir
Anatolia High School who came together on 28 November drew a Turkish
flag using the blood from their fingers. The students prepared the
flag with the aim of reacting against the terrorist actions in
Turkey. Later the youths framed the Turkish flag that they had drawn
with their own blood and they sent it to Chief of Staff General Yasar
Buyukanit.

In a speech he delivered during the finals of the "Campaign for the
Support of Counterterrorism Heroes" that was organized by a
television channel, Chief of Staff General Yasar Buyukanit mentioned
the Turkish flag that has been drawn by the students with their own
blood. General Buyukanit said the following in order to express his
feelings:

"Look what I will show you now. This is a Turkish flag. It is a
unique flag. It was drawn with the blood of a group of youths. We are
a great nation. And our martyrs have truly become martyrs for a
sacred cause – with the aim of safeguarding the unity and the
solidarity of the country we live in. Their families have been
entrusted with us. We should take care of them because they are our
most valuable assets."

ACCORDING TO PRE-ELECTION PROGRAM OF SERGE SARGSIAN, REGULATION OF
ECONOMY SHOULD NOT HINDER ESTABLISHMENT OF BUSINESS AMD SHOULD SERVE
PURPOSE OF ENSURING EQUAL CONDITIONS

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The second-generation reforms of the
Armenian economy will create the best conditions for business and
investments, is stated in the pre-election program of the Armenian
prime minister Serge Sargsian. It is pointed out that regulation of the
economy should not hinder the establishment and development of business
and should serve the purpose of ensuring equal conditions, promote the
development and contribute to risk reduction.

With the aim of assisting the establishment of Armenian companies in
line with international standards, the state will make investments in
newly-created companies and provide financial assistance to small and
medium enterprises at the stage of their speedy growth. The
introduction of the corporate management system will be encouraged,
which will be mandatorily used at enterprises with state partricipation.

It is also stated in the program that the economic growth and the
integration of the country’s economy into the developed markets of the
world is conditioned by development of high-quality services of
innovation industry.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2008

British government recommends tourism companies not to lead tours to
occupied Azerbaijani territories

[ 14 Jan 2008 14:54 ]

British government has recommended Sunwell Travel agency to appeal to
official Baku while leading tours to Nagorno Karabakh, spokesman for
Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibrahim said quoting the answer received by
Azerbaijani embassy in Great Britain, APA reports.

`British government recommended the company to refrain from leading
tours to the occupied territories, or appeal directly to Azerbaijan
while leading tours. According to the position of the international
community, as well as of Great Britain, Nagorno Karabakh is
Azerbaijan’s territory and Azerbaijani government should be directly
appealed, when somebody wants to visit Nagorno Karabakh, as well as
the other occupied territories,’ he said. /APA/

OSCE MG US Co-chairman feels spirit of constructiveness in settlement
of Karabakh conflict

2008-01-15 19:18:00

ArmInfo. ‘I feel spirit of constructiveness in the consideration of the
project of new formulations on the basic principles of Karabakh
conflict settlement submitted to the parties in Madrid,’ OSCE Minsk
Group Co-chair Matthew Bryza told ArmInfo.

‘Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan very attentively study every word
and it is good and it means that a serious work is carried out.
However, I do not know if we can conclude a treaty this year. I hope we
will. President Aliyev said yesterday that this year must become
crucial for the process. I hope it will,’ the co- chair said. He also
added that OSCE MG Co-chairs are in Armenia to exchange opinions with
the president and foreign minister regarding ‘Madrid project’.

‘Now we are working on the document to finally elaborate it. I cannot
predict if we will manage to do it before the election in Armenia, it
depends on many details. I know that both presidents have their
viewpoints. Both are very delicate and tough. At the same time, I think
that they are ready to get a common language. We are working’, the US
diplomat said. As regards the progress of the peace process, M. Bryza
said: ‘I will leave for Karabakh with my colleagues today to get first
hand view of the situation and people. I think it can be considered a
positive shift in the process’.

Today, Azerbaijan
Jan 15 2008

Vladimir Kazimirov: "Election campaigns in Armenia and Azerbaijan
will measure sincerity of intentions of the peaceful settlement of
Nagorno-Garabagh conflict"

15 January 2008 [13:28] – Today.Az

Former co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group on the peaceful
settlement of Nagorno-Garabagh conflict, ambassador Vladimir
Kazimirov considers that the resolution of the conflict mostly
depends on the election campaigns in Azerbaijan and Armenia.

He made the due statement during a conference "Expanded Black Sea
region: prospects of international and regional security".

"The international community, primarily the OSCE, must inform the
sides about it", he announced and reminded that political scientists
often called the year of 2007 "a window of opportunities".

"In other words, I would say that the "window of impossibilities" of
2008 must be used to resist all negative events on the four conflicts
on the territory of the former USSR. The election campaigns in
Armenia and Azerbaijan will measure sincerity of intentions of the
peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Garabagh conflict", Kazimirov noted.

The talks on the settlement of Nagorno-Garabagh conflict are held in
a bilateral format between Armenia and Azerbaijan, mediated by the
OSCE Minsk Group, without direct participation of Nagorno Garabagh.

It should be noted that the presidential elections in Armenia are
scheduled for January 19 of 2008, while the presidential elections in
Azerbaijan will be held in October of 2008.

/Day.Az/

URL:

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 15 2008

Matthew Bryza: Next meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents
depends on the elections to be held in the two countries

[ 15 Jan 2008 18:46 ]

Though Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents have their own views and
decisive positions on the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict, it
seems that they are ready to come to a common decision.

We help to the exchange of opinions between presidents, but it is
impossible to speak about the result beforehand. It depends on the
details, APA reports quoting Novosti-Armenia, OSCE Minsk Group
co-chair Matthew Bryza briefed journalists in Yerevan. He could not
say when new project on basic principles of the solution of the
conflict will be ready.
`We should complete work on this document. But I can not say whether
we achieve it till presidential elections in Armenia or not,’ he
said.
Mr. Bryza said that the next meeting between Presidents of the two
countries depends on presidential elections to be held in both
countries, but he said that elections will not impact negotiations
process.
`I have never agreed with the rhetoric stressing that `chances
window’ were closed. If there is a will in society, this window will
always remain open,’ he said.
Co-chair said that all candidates to presidency support OSCE Minsk
Group activity.
The last meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents took place in
St. Petersburg in July, 2007.
Presidential elections in Armenia will be held on February 19, in
Azerbaijan in October.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Historical possibility to achieve peace in Black Sea region emerged
15.01.2008 17:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey strives for a more important
role in the Black Sea region and wants the U.S. to
deeper engage in operations in northern Iraq, U.S.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza said
at Wider Black Sea: Perspectives for International and
Regional Security international conference.

According to him, the U.S. has no intention to deploy
troops in the Black Sea basin.

`Turkey is a strategic ally of the United States. This
was proved by recent visit of Turkish President
Abdullah Gul to Washington. As you remember, relations
between our states tensed in March 2003 when Turkey
refused to allow U.S troops through its territory to
Iraq. But presently, a unique possibility to achieve
peace in the Black sea region has emerged,’ the
diplomat said.

A1+

PACE PRESIDENT VISITS ANKARA
[07:11 pm] 15 January, 2008

Democratic progress must be strengthened by
constitutional and legislative reforms, declares PACE
President in Ankara.

Strasbourg, 15.01.2008 – "I praise the strong
commitment of the Turkish authorities to continuing
democratic reforms," declared René van der Linden,
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE), at the end of his official visit to
Turkey (Ankara and Konya) from 13 to 15 January 2008.

"The parliamentary and presidential elections in 2007
confirmed the stability of Turkish democracy and
resulted in a more pluralistic and representative
Parliament with an increased participation of women
and MPs from the South-East of Turkey," said the
President. "However, discussions must continue on
lowering the ten per cent threshold for the
Parliament, which remains the highest in Europe."

"The democratic reforms must be stabilised and
strengthened by corresponding constitutional and
legislative measures, as called for by the Assembly
upon the closing of the monitoring procedure in 2004."

"These measures must, among others, strengthen the
guarantees of the freedom of expression and religion,
the independence of justice, the fight against
corruption and establish an effective Ombudsman’s
office."

In this connection, Mr van der Linden urged the
Turkish authorities to change Article 301 of the
Criminal Code to bring it into conformity with Council
of Europe standards. "I was encouraged by the
commitment of the President of Turkey to make progress
on this issue, as he also declared in his speech
before the Assembly in Strasbourg in October 2007,"
said Mr van der Linden.

The continuation of the reform process is the best way
to achieve progress in accession negotiations with the
EU, he continued. "If Turkey fulfils its democratic
commitments, the EU must also keep its promises as
regards Turkish membership in the EU." The PACE
President invited Turkey to fully use the potential of
the Council of Europe and its instruments, including
the expertise of the Venice Commission.

"As a democratic Muslim country, Turkey plays an
indispensable role in promoting inter-religious and
intercultural dialogue. This has been demonstrated by
the joint initiative of the Prime Ministers of Turkey
and Spain on an ‘Alliance of Civilisations’, now
holding its first Forum in Madrid. The Council of
Europe and its Assembly, bringing together
representatives from different cultures and religions,
is a natural partner in this Alliance."

Finally, the PACE President stressed the Assembly’s
potential for contributing to a solution of the Cyprus
issue. He cited the historic meeting of religious
leaders from both communities, held under his auspices
in February 2007, as well as the fact that the
Assembly is the only European institution to associate
elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot
community in its work, as concrete examples of the
Assembly’s contribution so far.

"I chose Turkey for my last official visit as PACE
President to underline the importance of this country
for the future of Europe. Turkey will play an
increasing role, both in economic and geopolitical
terms, and it is in the interest of all to have Turkey
as a partner committed to European values," concluded
Mr van der Linden.

During the visit, Mr van der Linden met in Ankara with
the President of the Republic, Abdullah Gül, the
President of the Grand National Assembly, Köksal
Toptan, the State Minister for Economic Affairs,
Mehmet Simsek, the Chair of the EU Harmonisation
Committee, Yasar Yakis and the Chair of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, Murat Mercan. In Konya, he met the
Governor and the Mayor.

Mediamax, Armenia
Jan 11 2008

ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENT AGAINST ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH "DEMOCRACY FROM
OUTSIDE"

Yerevan, 11 January: Armenian ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan said
in Yerevan today that he is "against attempts to establish democracy
from outside".

Speaking at a news conference in Yerevan today, Ter-Petrosyan said
that he "will address neither Russia, nor the USA or Europe for
help".

"If, to put it figuratively, I get power in Armenia on a silver
plate, I will refuse that plate," the ex-president said. He added
that "the world will have to consider the choice of my people".

Asked what Ter-Petrosyan will do if he loses the elections and
international observers recognize them as meeting international
standards, the ex-president noted that "the conclusion of the
international observation mission is their own opinion, not the
ultimate truth".

Ter-Petrosyan pointed out that if he and his team are forced to
dispute the results of the elections, it will happen strictly in
compliance with legislation.

"We will stage demonstrations, rallies, pickets and go to court. Do
not expect me to break fences, seize buildings or attack the leaders
of parliament," Ter-Petrosyan said while speaking about the actions
carried out by supporters of the leader of the National Democratic
Union [NDU], Vazgen Manukyan, after the presidential elections of
1996.

[translated]

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Jan 11 2008

Public discussions on reviewed poverty reduction strategy to be held
in Yerevan on Jan 14

YEREVAN, January 11. /ARKA/. Public discussions on the reviewed
Poverty Reduction Strategy are to be held in Yerevan on January 14.
All interested parties are welcome to participate in the discussions,
the Press Service of Armenia’s Ministry of Finance and Economy
reported.

The Strategy working group is to have additional discussions of the
draft within the next month and then to submit it for discussion in
the Coordination Council of the Strategy.

According to the press release, the reviewed document is available at
People are welcome to send their suggestions and
comments if any. Discussions are to be held also in the country’s
regions shortly.

On August 8 2003 the Government of Armenia approved the Poverty
Reduction Strategy for 2003-2015 that needs to be reviewed today.

According to the Strategy, the Government of Armenia plans to
overcome the poverty by 2012.

Particularly, the poverty level in the country is to be brought down
to 11.2% of the number of population. The number of the extremely
poor is to be reduced down to 1.6% by 2012 against 4.6% in 2005. N.V.
-0–