Author: Andres-Papazian

‘SABAHATTIN ALI, LIKE DINK, WAS KILLED FOR OPPOSING DEEP STATE’

Today’s Zaman
Feb 22 2012
Turkey

The daughter of renowned Turkish poet and writer Sabahattin Ali
has said her father, like Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink,
was killed because of his opposition to the deep state.

Ali, known for his strong opposition to the state, was convicted
of insulting the nation’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in one of
his poems in 1932. He served time in the Konya and Sinop prisons but
was released after a general amnesty granted on the 10th anniversary
of the republic in 1933. Ali was murdered while trying to flee the
country on April 1, 1948. His body was found on June 16. It became
evident that Ali Ertekin, a smuggler, was the killer; however, the
motive behind the murder remained a mystery.

“Why was Hrant Dink killed? We need to ask this. It would be wrong to
label these murders [Dink and Ali’s killings] as simple murders. There
is a supra-party state here. Everyone knows that there is a reality
called the deep state in Turkey. This is a monolithic concept. The
state structure, which never accepts criticism, has destroyed everyone
who opposed, for any reason, its deeply rooted policies. The system
functions this way,” said Ali’s daughter, Filiz Ali, in an interview
with the Yeni Å~^afak daily that was published on Wednesday.

Dink was murdered in 2007 by an ultranationalist youth in Ä°stanbul,
the masterminds of which still remain a mystery.

In the interview, Ali also commented on the recent statements of
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu, who
admitted that the CHP was behind Ali’s murder.

Kılıcdaroglu, who recently spoke in critical terms of several
acts committed by the CHP during its 27 years of single-party rule
in the early years of the Turkish Republic, said during a television
program earlier this month that it was the CHP that killed Ali and that
renowned Turkish poet Nazım Hikmet was imprisoned for his political
views. “Who sent Nazım Hikmet to jail? Who killed Sabahattin Ali? The
CHP. We will always admit the reality, but it is not correct to abuse
the wrongdoings of the CHP,” he said.

Commenting on Kılıcdaroglu’s remarks, Filiz Ali said it is a
significant step for the CHP to confront its own history, while noting
that Kılıcdaroglu’s acknowledgment of what happened was a first.

“My father was killed when the CHP was in power. I was pleased with
the current CHP leader for mentioning the truth,” Filiz Ali said.

From: A. Papazian

FARHAD MEHTIYEV: “AZERBAIJAN WILL BE SUBJECTED TO A TEST: WHETHER IT IS AS STRONG A POLITICAL PLAYER AS IT CLAIMS TO BE”

Vestnik Kavkaza
Feb 22 2012
Russia

Independent political expert, professor of “The Caucasus” Institute,
Farhad Mehtiyev, spoke to a VK correspondent about the results of
Azerbaijan’s political efforts of the year.

– Was there any actual progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement this year?

– There are no actual steps forward. Azerbaijan wanted to negotiate an
actual peace treaty; Armenia, in its turn, accused Baku of abandoning
the existing principles of the conflict settlement. However, Yerevan
tried to negotiate a new treaty – and Baku couldn’t agree to it. We are
still in a dead-end – Armenia wouldn’t agree for Nagorno-Karabakh’s
territorial re-integration into Azerbaijan, no matter how extensive
its autonomy would be, and Azerbaijan would never recognize Karabakh’s
independence. So for now an actual peace treaty is impossible

– How would you characterize the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ efforts?

– Everyone is disappointed in them, because they’ve put too much
faith in the Minsk Group in the first place. We shouldn’t forget that
they are only mediators, they can’t impose any treaty on any of the
conflict parties. Azerbaijan wants the mediators to persuade Armenia
that its position contradicts international legal norms. However,
Baku doesn’t trust all Minsk Group members to be objective. Baku is
dissatisfied with the Group’s efforts, because it wants the co-chairs
to be more strict with Yerevan.

– There are rumors of possible military actions in the conflict zone.

Is this scenario realistic?

– I don’t think that large-scale military actions are possible.

Neither Azerbaijan, nor Armenia, nor external powers would like that.

However, shootouts have been happening throughout the year. 15 people
died in just the last month. I think this situation will continue,
but the peace treaty of 1994 won’t be officially broken.

– Azerbaijan was visited by a great number of top-ranking political
figures. What visit was the most important one?

– All visits connected to the ‘South Stream’ or Trans-Caspian pipeline
projects are very important, as Azerbaijan is a major gas and oil
exporter. I can also mark the visits of Catherine Ashton and Eastern
European Presidents. On the contrary, I don’t think that Nicolas
Sarkozy’s visit was of any real importance, he just couldn’t go to
Armenia without visiting Azerbaijan as well.

– Do you think Azerbaijan will join the ‘Nabucco’ project in 2012?

– Yes, but at the same time Azerbaijan will carry on with the
Trans-Caspian project, as none of these projects alone is able to
export all the gas Azerbaijan plans to export. The project of importing
Turkmen gas via Azerbaijani territory is also very important for
Europe, at least until the regime in Iran changes. I can’t understand
why Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan still can’t agree on the details of
the project – the US exercises a great deal of pressure in this matter.

– Does the non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in
the coming year give Azerbaijan any political advantages?

– Azerbaijan will be subjected to a test: whether it is such a strong
political player on the global scale as it claims to be. We will
experience a lot of difficulties due to our neighboring of Iran,
if the situation escalates. In this case we will have to choose
sides, and you know that Russia and Iran are close partners. If
Moscow supports Teheran, Azerbaijan will also have to vote against
anti-Iranian resolutions, which would lead to a deterioration in
our relations with the West. However, the West should understand
that Azerbaijan isn’t strong enough to spoil its relations with its
immediate powerful neighbors such as Russia.

– Could Azerbaijan raise the Karabakh issue at future UN Security
Council sessions?

– I don’t think that Azerbaijan’s membership of the UN Security
Council will have any direct impact on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

No single state determines the Council’s agenda, and its permanent
members have the right of veto. And Russia, France and the US are
already involved in the problem in the framework of the OSCE Minsk
Group, so they might see putting the same problem on the UN’s agenda
to be redundant.

By the way, there are 4 UN resolutions on Karabakh, and none of
them recognizes Armenia as the aggressor, so not all of the Security
Council permanent members are favorable to Azerbaijan’s point of view.

– Last spring opposition activists tried to organize unsanctioned
rallies in Baku. What is your attitude to these actions?

– Demonstrations were in fashion this spring – Egypt, Tunisia,
Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria were seized by unrest. And Azerbaijani
oppositionists tried to ride this wave. However, they did gain
popular support.

Interview by Ramin Naziev, exclusively to VK .

From: A. Papazian

TOP 10 SPRING BREAK DESTINATIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE
by Mihaela Lica Butler

ArgoPhilia Travel
Feb 22 2012

According to US News Travel, Budapest, Prague and Crete belong to
the World’s top 25 destination. The list features top things to do
in each destination, as well as the main reasons to go there. Voting
buttons allow readers to agree or disagree with the listings. For us
at Argophilia Travel News, Budapest, Prague and Crete are definitely
on the list of the top 10 destinations in Eastern Europe, especially
for travelers looking to spend a somewhat different, more exciting
Spring Break.

10. Island Hopping in Greece Fox News lists island hopping in Greece
as one of the top five Spring Break activities this year. We couldn’t
agree more. While Crete is a first choice for many, Mykonos is party
central. One of the hottest gay holiday destination that Europe has
to offer, Mykonos doesn’t discriminate. Straight or not, here’s where
you’ll party like nowhere else in Greece. Don’t forget your camera
when you stroll around Chora.

Take time to see the archaeological sites in Delos, and if you want
to party, the Skandinavian Bar-Disco is the place to be.

For romantics, nothing compares to Santorini, a cycladic treasure. The
island offers a wealth of stunning landscapes, traditional
architecture, and even its own active volcano. Spend the sunset in
Firostefani, eat gyros and keftedes, and don’t miss the local wines.

9. Be a Part of the Sarajevo Winter Nothing like a taste of Winter
in the Spring – and Sarajevo’s Winter can be hot. There’s a festival
going on, between February 7 – March 21, 2012, this year with the
title “Snow and Snowflakes.” A cultural festival, featuring theater,
concerts, movies, fine arts, literary events, cultural heritage and
special programmes for children, may be the starting point for a
great vacation. Sarajevo’s Old Town is a must see – an exotic mix
of cultures, where Middle East meets Eastern Europe… at night,
find a local club to party.

8. See the Birthplace of Aphrodite in Cyprus Paphos, at the seaside
of Petra tou Romiou is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite – a place
rich in history and tradition, but also a breathtaking Mediterranean
destination, with world-class resorts and entertainment. With easy
access via Paphos International Airport, the second international
airport in Cyprus, Paphos boast world class resorts, quality
accommodation, fine cuisine and class entertainment.

Aside Petra tou Romiou, the rock of Aphrodite – popular local
attractions include Paphos Castle, Lighthouse of Paphos, UNESCO
World Heritage Site Tombs of the Kings, the ancient Odeon Theatre,
the Byzantine Museum and the District Archaeological Museum.

7. Go Skiing in Bansko Bansko is Bulgaria’s most affordable ski resort,
and the country’s more popular as well. The popularity has a lot to
do with the financial aspect, but also with the fact that Bansko has
the best snow record and the longest ski season (15 Dec – 15 May)
of all Bulgarian ski resorts. Then, according to Bulgaria Ski, the
resort has the best and most modern ski centre of all Bulgarian ski
resorts. This year, Bansko was also ranked as the most affordable
ski resort in the world.

A clear day on one of Bansko’s slopes 6. Dream a dream of love in
Montenegro Kolašin is one of the most popular year-round getaways for
romantics, and not only. But in winter, particularly, those who want
to enjoy a quiet retreat in a unique, ethnic-style chalet, may find
Log House Tara more than appealing.

5. Pamper yourself in the spas of FrantiÅ¡kovy LáznÄ~[ FrantiÅ¡kovy
LáznÄ~[ in the Czech Republic, a favorite of Johann Wolfgang Goethe
and the smallest spa of the West Bohemian spa triangle, is renowned
worldwide as the world’s first peat pulp bath. Wraps, baths, the
magical hands of masseuses and relaxation in a scented sauna are only
some of the ingredients that will make your stay at one of the spas
here special.

4. Join the book revolution in Yerevan UNESCO has chosen Yerevan as
the 2012 World Book Capital, and the city will organize a number
of complex cultural events to greet visitors in 2012, including
live entertainment that will enrich the cultural program. These
events are more reasons for travelers to visit Yerevan, aside its
main attractions, which include Erebuni Fortress, a nearly 3,000
year old fortress that established Yerevan; the Sculpture Park,
part of Cafesjian Museum – the Armenian version of Guggenheim; and
the Cascades – an Art Deco version of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
stretching nearly the height of the Empire State Building.

3. See the Croatian Madeira In Hvar, anyone can afford to feel like
a celebrity. With an affordable rental system for boats and yachts,
the magnificent Dalmatian coast and islands around Hvar can be
explored at any time, regardless of your budget. Yes, this is Hvar,
an Eastern European paradise, where every guest is truly a guest;
a place that, aside natural beauty and a trendy coastline, is also
blessed by thousand of years of traditions and culture.

2. Discover Prizren, Kosovo Prizren, a historical city located in the
south of the country, considered by many the most beautiful of all
Kosovo, has rich history reflected in its cultural legacy, architecture
and lifestyle. The Prizren Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage listed
attraction, dominates the city from a hill above Prizrenska Bistrica,
the river the flows through the city, giving it a somewhat romantic
look and feel. The historic Old Stone Bridge (Ura e gurit) crossing the
river is another cherished landmark of Prizren. You’ll have so much
more to see: the elegant Gazi Mehmet Pasha’s Mosque, the historic
Hamam of Prizren built by Gazi Mehmet Pasha in 1573, the Halveti
Tekke religious complex, the complex of Christ the Saviour’s Church,
the Albanian League Museum, and the stunning Marash compound.

1. Party like there’s no tomorrow in Budapest There’s no better
destination for party animals in Eastern Europe than Budapest,
Hungary. Although winter time is spa time in the city, with focus on
the Gell̩rt Baths Рthe most elegant and prominent of all the spas
and baths in Budapest – nights are hotter than hot in clubs and pubs
all over the city. Begin club hopping at the cafes in Liszt Ferenc
Square, or go directly to A38 for a night to remember on the river
in a barge on the Buda side of Petofi Bridge.

View photos at

From: A. Papazian

VIZA RETURNS TO EAST COAST FOR SPECIAL TOUR

Armenian Weekly
February 22, 2012

Shows in New York City at Terminal 5 and Boston at the House of Blues

Viza, the international rock band with Middle Eastern and classical
music influences, returns to the East Coast for two special acoustic
performances on Fri., March 2 and Sun., March 4, at Terminal 5 in
New York and the House of Blues in Boston, respectively. Viza will
be sharing the stage with critically acclaimed Greek Rock sensation
Pyx Lax.

Viza in Berlin “We just returned from our European tour and we’re
psyched to perform at such amazing venues in Boston and New York
City for the first time,” said oud player and songwriter Andrew
Kzirian. “Boston is kind of a second home for me, so I’m excited to
take the stage amongst so many friends and music fans.”

“It’s not every day that Viza can share the stage with a band from my
heritage that has packed stadiums throughout Greece,” said vocalist
and songwriter Knoup. “And I’m looking forward to performing in my
hometown of New York City.”

Viza continues to captivate the global music scene with an erratically
amusing blend of international rock. Unique in its musical arsenal
is the inclusion of oud and percussion blended with more traditional
rock elements such as guitar, bass, and drums. This fascinating fusion
has garnered Viza significant success all over the world. In 2010,
Viza supported famed System of a Down front man Serj Tankian’s solo
tour in Europe in the cities of Hamburg, Cologne, Paris, Zurich,
Bologna, Athens, and Yerevan. Viza has also performed at Sweden’s
Malmofestivalen and Greece’s Rockwave Festival, and has been invited
to perform at Norway’s Kartfestivalen and Hungary’s Sziget festival
this summer.

The band’s recent release of its fifth album “Carnivalia” mesmerized
audiences throughout Europe with its blend of instruments, various
styles, and continued evolution of sound. Fresh off the return from
its nearly month-long “Strangest Show on Earth” European Tour, Viza
is preparing for an exciting year filled with more touring in Europe
and North America.

“Loving the new record,” says Tankian. “I love hearing the new
influences and the fun-loving spirit and musical wizardry… Viza is
one of the most unique and interesting bands I have ever encountered.

Their live shows are energetic and fun,” he added.

Tankian also served as executive producer of Viza’s previous album
titled “Made in Chernobyl.” Recorded by Jared Gosselin (D12, Macy
Gray) at Frank Zappa’s UMRK Studios, Viza’s “Carnivalia” is inspired
from Gogol Bordello’s multicultural rhapsodies and System of a Down’s
notorious screams and riffs.

Viza’s March 2 show begins at 8 p.m. at Terminal 5, 610 W. 56th St.

(at 11th Ave) in New York. General admission tickets
are $70, with VIP seats for $90. To purchase, visit

The March 4 show begins at 8 p.m. at the House of Blues, 15
Lansdowne St. in Boston. Standing room tickets are $55, and general
admission tickets are $70, with VIP seats for $90. To purchase,
visit

From: A. Papazian

BAD CONDITION: HELSINKI ASSOCIATION SAYS ARMENIA LACKS HUMAN RIGHTS RESPECT
By Gayane Lazarian

ArmeniaNow
23.02.12 | 13:44

Nina Karapetyan, Mikael Danielyan

An annual report published by Helsinki Association on Wednesday shows
that Armenia continues to be challenged with gross violations of
human rights and fundamental freedoms, while authorities are doing
nothing to rectify it.

Association president Mikael Danielyan says human rights are mostly
violated at state bodies and the situation in 2011 has not improved
as compared to 2010.

“Human rights are frequently violated at state structures: police,
prosecutor’s office, justice ministry-controlled inspectorates,”
he says.

The report presents the spheres where human rights are violated,
among them freedom of press, freedom of assembly, prison monitoring,
the army, courts, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)
related issues, and religious minorities.

Danielyan believes that neither the change of the Ombudsman nor
the Chief of Police have contributed to the human rights defense in
the country.

“Penitentiaries continue to be overcrowded and it’s a serious issue,
convicts are tortured and subjected to inhumane and humiliating
treatment,” he says, “Escaping army service Jehovah’s Witnesses are
sent to prison. According to their data there are now 58 JWs serving
a sentence at penitentiaries, because they refused to serve in the
armed forces of Armenia.”

Danielyan says the authorities do not respond to the complaints voiced
by human rights activists. He thinks that the authorities are not
willing to solve any issue in this sphere.

“Armenia is a state of criminals and police and military, and since
the authorities are interwoven with the regime, they are not ready
to solve any issue,” he says.

Attorney Nina Karapetyan says the judicial system is in complete
dependence on the police.

“Very rarely the court changes the defendant’s solicitation. The moment
the investigator enters the court with a grounding of not enough proof,
the court would satisfy it. The laws on bailing and a promise not to
leave under signature are hardly ever applied,” he says.

Referring to the forthcoming May elections Danielyan predicts numerous
human rights violations.

“No change can be expected for as long as this administration
continues ruling, no fair election will be held, only fraudulent
processes by means of election bribes and falsified voting results,
because otherwise they cannot keep their hold of power,” he says.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI MPS STAGED SKIRMISH AND CALLED FOR COOPERATION, PART 2

news.am
February 22, 2012 | 22:07

YEREVAN. – It is necessary to have political courage to resume
or launch dialogue between Armenian and Azerbaijani MPs, Armenian
parliamentary opposition Heritage party group MP Larisa Alaverdyan
said on Wednesday at the session of Euronest Parliamentary Assembly’s
Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society
held in Yerevan.

For a moment session turned into war field of Armenian and Azerbaijani
MPs, followed by calls to dialogue and cooperate.

Euronest has set a big task: establishment of atmosphere of trust,
where such complicated issues as security and human rights may
be touched.

“I offer to exchange experience and consider the positive one, in
order to have a political courage to resume or launch an initiative.

Armenia has always been ready to participate in such projects,”
Alaverdyan said.

Azerbaijani MP Rovshan Rzayev supported Alaverdyan.

“All of us here understand that Eastern Partnership program has found
its way. I am personally very interested in it. As for the discussions,
we currently have an opportunity to contact. I would like to remind
that the conflict exists for over 20 years. However, presidents of
our states signed an agreement on exchange of cultural and scientific
delegations between our states. We should use any arena to establish
bilateral relations. And we need to have strong civil society for
the development of our countries,” Rzayev said.

From: A. Papazian

ANCA CHAIRMAN TO MAKE PUBLIC PRESENTATION IN LEBANON

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 23, 2012 – 10:05 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) Ken Hachikian will making a public presentation on
February 27, in Bourj Hammoud, Lebanon, about the growing movement
to force Turkey to return stolen Christian churches.

The lecture titled “The Question of Return of Church Properties in
the U.S. Congress” will focus on the role of Armenian activists and
implications for Turkey.

From: A. Papazian

CRIME OF NEGLIGENCE

Today’s Zaman
Feb 21 2012
Turkey

A report prepared by the State Audit Institution (DDK) regarding the
murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink has revealed that
mistakes were made in the investigation of public officials who were
suspected to have acted negligently in preventing the murder. Dink,
the late editor-in-chief of Agos, was shot dead by an ultranationalist
teenager outside the office of his Ä°stanbul-based newspaper in broad
daylight on Jan. 19, 2007.

The investigation into his murder stalled when the suspected
perpetrator and his accomplices were put on trial whereas those who
masterminded the plot to kill him have yet to be exposed and punished.

In the face of growing calls from the public, Gul ordered the DDK to
investigate the Dink murder in 2011.

Noting that the DDK report presents significant clues and makes crucial
assessments on clarifying the murder, Radikal’s Oral CalıÅ~_lar
says the summary of the DDK report made mention of the method adopted
during the investigation of public officials. This method supposedly
led to the failure of not investigating all allegations regarding
public officials as a whole. The report noted that as a result of
this failure, the seriousness of the actions by public officials in
the run up to the murder has not been understood.

However, CalıÅ~_lar notes that it was not only public officials
who had been negligent. The prosecutors, too, were negligent by not
interrogating the Trabzon Gendarmerie Command, the head of the Trabzon
Police Department and the head of the Ä°stanbul Police Department. They
were all allegedly informed about the murder beforehand, yet they
did not take the necessary measures, such as protecting Dink. There
was also negligence on the part of the state bureaucrats because
they allegedly said there was no relation between the murder and
a terrorist organization — namely Ergenekon. Finally, the people’s
negligence constituted remaining silent when Dink was verbally attacked
for expressing his opinion when he was still alive. In other words,
CalıÅ~_lar says the perpetrator of the murder is obviously the
Ergenekon organization; but negligence, specifically deliberate
negligence, is a crime as well and, hence, we are all implicated in
this crime, he says.

Describing the Dink case as “a course that the students at police
academies should take to learn how not to deal with a murder case,”
Yeni Å~^afak’s Abdulkadir Selvi says the worst article is an article
in which the writer repeats the things he wrote in the previous one.

Selvi, however, says he feels like he has no choice because it
always boils down to the same issue in the Dink case: Everyone knows
everything about why and who conducted this murder. Yet, we are
disappointed to see that the judiciary fails to see or accept these
facts that everyone else knows about, he says. However, the DDK report
gave Selvi the hope that the law will finally function and that —
though it may take a long time — justice can actually be served in
the Dink case.

From: A. Papazian

CSTO TO SUPPORT ARMENIA IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Vestnik Kavkaza
Feb 21 2012
Russia

Armenia will receive all the necessary help, should the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict augment, Secretary General of the Collective
Security Treaty Organization, Nikolai Bordyuzha, said, RIA Novosti
reports.

The official noted that foreseeing crises in CSTO states is
impossible. There are variants as in Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Russia
and Kazakhstan.

Bordyuzha clarified that, besides the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces,
there is political and peacekeeping potential for stability.

The CSTO has potential to prevent terrorism and drug trafficking,
crime and illegal migration.

Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan, members of the CSTO, will mark the 20th anniversary
of the Collective Security Treaty and the 10th anniversary of the
organization in 2012.

From: A. Papazian

RAK RULER RECEIVES OUTGOING ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR

WAM – Emirates News Agency

Feb 21 2012

WAM Ras al-Khaimah, Feb 21st, 2012 (WAM) — H. H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr
Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah received
today at Al Dhait Palace Vahagn Melikian, Ambassador of the Republic
of Armenia, who made a farewell call at the end of his tenure in UAE.

Al Qasimi wished the outgoing ambassador every success in his future
assignments hailing his role in strengthening relations between the
two countries in various fields.

The meeting was attended by a number of officials.

WAM/ES/AM

From: A. Papazian