Author: Andres-Papazian

Droits de l’Homme
La Turquie se radicalise contre les kurdes

photo d’archives, 2010 –

150 personnes ont été arrêtées mardi 4 octobre, dans le cadre de
l’affaire KCK (Union des communautés du Kurdistan). Dans plusieurs
quartiers d’Istanbul, 90 personnes ont été arrêtées tôt mardi matin.

A Diyarbakir, la plus grande ville du sud-est, peuplée en majorité de
Kurdes, 31 arrestations ont été opérées et 20 à Gaziantep, dans la
même région. Parmi les personnes arrêtées à Istanbul figurent
notamment 7 membres du conseil du Parti pour la Paix et la Démocratie
(BDP), 18 dirigeants et 58 membres actifs. Cette nouvelle vague de
chasse aux Kurdes cible également des journalistes et auteurs.

A Istanbul, l’éditeur de la Maison d’édition Belge, Cihan Deniz
Zarakolu, l’auteur Aziz Tunç et l’éditeur du journal Özgür Gündem,
Kazim Seker se trouvent parmi les détenus. Lors de ces opérations
répressives, un correspondant de l’agence de presse DIHA, Aydin
Yildiz, et l’ancien rédacteur en chef du journal Azadiya Welat, Tayyip
Temel, ont été arrêtés respectivement à Antep et Diyarbakir. >>
(information Institut Kurde de Bruxelles).

Aujourd’hui, plus de 70 journalistes, kurdes pour la plupart, sont en
prison. Ce qui fait de la Turquie la plus grande prison du monde pour
les journalistes.

Selon l’agence de presse DIHA, 771 personnes ont été arrêtées et 286
d’entre elles ont été écrouées au cours du mois de septembre, pour des
motifs politiques. Ces chiffres remontent à plus de 2 500 le nombre
des arrestations politiques durant ces trois derniers mois. Le 23
septembre, trois maires BDP de la région de Sirnak, ont été écroués
par la justice turque.

Plus de 4000 membres actifs du BDP sont actuellement en prison, dont
six députés, douze maires et des dizaines de membres des assemblées
municipales.

“Le premier ministre, Recep Tayyip Erdogan se promène avec une liste
d’arrestations dans sa poche” a dénoncé Gultan Kisanak, la
co-présidente du BDP, réagissant contre les arrestations du 4 octobre.
“Si vous ne réagissez pas maintenant contre ces opérations, ce sera
trop tard demain quand ils frapperont à vos portes” a-t-elle dit,
s’adressant à l’opinion publique, et a ajouté que la police est partie
à la chasse aux kurdes. “Nous ne nous plierons jamais, même en cas
d’arrestation de dix milles personnes” a souligné Kisanak.

Appel urgent de Ragýp Zarakolu, directeur des éditions Belge (Belge Yayýnlarý)

>

, il
vont devoir attendre au moins une année jusqu’au début de la procédure
judiciaire, uniquement pour le fait d’appartenir à un parti légal et
d’avoir donné une conférence à l’Académie des sciences politiques du
BDP. Ce type d’académie existe aussi dans le cadre du CHP [Parti
républicain du peuple, centre gauche] et de l’AKP [Parti de la justice
et du développement, islamo-conservateur], comme c’est une tradition
également dans le spartis sociaux-démocrates en Allemagne, en suède et
en Norvège. >>

>

Francfort, 12 octobre 2011

Ragýp Zarakolu, Directeur de Belge International Publishing House.
[email protected]

Dr. Corry Guttstadt Warthestr. 26 a 12051 Berlin Tel. 49 (0)30 537 93 677

dimanche 16 octobre 2011,
Jean Eckian (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIE-POLITIQUE
« En Arménie, ce sont les intérêts économiques qui gèrent les groupes politiques »
affirme le politologue Alexandre Iskandarian

Les partis politiques d’Arménie sont dénués d’objectifs idéologiques.
Constat effectué par le célèbre politologue Alexandre Iskandarian lors
d’une conférence de presse donnée hier 15 octobre à l’Institut
caucasien à Erévan. « Il n’y a presque pas de combats idéologiques
entre les partis politiques en Arménie. En revanche il y a des partis
qui obéissent aux intérêts de certains groupes d’hommes » dit A.
Iskandarian. Conséquence : « même ces partis politiques ne sont pas
des institutions car en internet il y a des luttes où le gagnant est
souvent élu avec l’apparence d’une élection ». En un mot, les
élections font l’objet de rapports de forces entre hommes. Le
politologue constate également qu’actuellement le monde des affaires
gère la politique et « en terme d’économie, l’Arménie se trouve dans
un degré de développement d’un pays africain moyennement développé. Ce
n’est pas la Somalie ou le Sénégal, mais peut-être le Ghana ! Mais
sous l’angle du développement social et culturel, l’Arménie est très
porche des pays développés, tels que la Suède ».

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 16 octobre 2011,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAÏDJAN
L’Azerbaïdjan aurait commandé 60 drones militaires à Israël
l’Arménie maitrise la fabrication des drones militaires

Alors que lors de la parade militaire du 20e anniversaire de
l’Indépendance l’Arménie a démontré maitrise de la fabrication de
drones « made in Armenia », l’Azerbaïdjan vient d’annoncer qu’elle
commandait 60 drones auprès d’Israël. Selon le site 1news.az ces
drones de type « Orbiter 2M » et « Aerostar » sont fabriquées par la
société israélienne d’armement « Aeronautics Defense Systems of Israël
». Au terme du contrat signé entre Bakou et Tel Aviv, 30% des
composants de ces drones seront montés en Azerbaïdjan par la compagnie
« Baku’s Azad Systems Co ». Le mois dernier, les forces arméniennes
avaient abattu un drone -probablement azéri…ou turc- dans la région
de Mardouni au dessus des lignes de défense frontalière du Haut
Karabagh.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 16 octobre 2011,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.co

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION: ARMENIA SHOULD TAKE MORE CONSTRUCTIVE POSITIONS IN STAGNATION PROCESS

Azerbaijan Business Center
Oct 14 2011

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijani government is ready to undertake all
expenditures on restoration of Nagorno Garabagh territories occupied
by Armenia.

Today in Baku at presentation of the book “Conceptual bases
of post-conflict restoration of Azerbaijani territory” head
of Political Analysis and Information Provision Department of
Azerbaijan Presidential Administration Elnur Aslanov has reported
that Azerbaijani economy is able to make investments not only in the
country but also abroad.

” Azerbaijan has both political and economic force for restoration
of lands occupied by Armenia at the expense of its own funds. The
main purpose for presentation of the book is bringing to Armenia~Rs
notice the fact that they should consider current situation without
losing sense of reality. Armenia should understand Azerbaijan~Rs
strengthening and changing position in the region. Azerbaijan is
becoming the regional leader whereas migration process is increasing
every year in Armenia and stagnation and regression process is taking
place. Armenia should realize that it should change its position in the
conflict and take up a more constructive attitude “,- E. Aslanov said.

From: A. Papazian

AVAKIAN TAKES PAGE FROM WU WITH ETHNIC FUNDRAISERS
By Jonathan J. Cooper

Modesto Bee, CA
San Francisco Chronicle, CA
San Jose Mercury News , CA
Oct 14 2011

PORTLAND, Ore. — In his bid for former Rep. David Wu’s seat in
Congress, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian is using his family’s ethnic
roots to raise campaign cash from Armenian communities around the
United States, even though Avakian had criticized Wu for out-of-state
fundraising.

During the past month, Avakian has held fundraisers with Armenian
leaders in Ohio and California. The strategy is similar to one that
helped Wu, one of the only Chinese-Americans to serve in Congress,
feed his campaign bank account during his congressional career.

“The Armenian community across the country is very interested in
having people in Congress who will be champions for their issues,”
Avakian told The Associated Press. “I was able to meet a lot of people
in both places that were helpful to me.”

Avakian’s campaign declined to say how much money he’s raised from
his efforts in Armenian communities. A group called Armenians for
Avakian has raised $7,400 online for the Democrat, who faces a tough
primary fight against two legislators.

Avakian has traveled twice to Southern California, including a trip
last week for a fundraiser hosted by celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos
and a political committee that advocates interests important to
Armenian-Americans.

Last month, he held fundraisers in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.

Before Wu resigned in August after denying he made an inappropriate
sexual advance, Avakian’s campaign slammed Wu for raising much of
his money from donors outside Oregon. In an email to supporters,
the Avakian campaign said the election should be decided by Oregon
voters, not “wealthy donors and special interests in Washington D.C.,
California, and on the East Coast.”

Avakian said his outreach to Armenian Americans around the country
is different because, unlike Wu in the last quarter of his campaign,
Avakian is still getting much of his money from inside Oregon.

Avakian’s chief rival, state Sen. Suzanne Bonamici, also is tapping
into a national donor network from Emily’s List, which raises money
for Democratic women running for office.

According to an Armenian biography created by his campaign, Avakian’s
grandparents were both born and raised in separate towns in what is
now eastern Turkey. Both left before the mass killing of Armenians
in 1915 and eventually settled among a sizeable Armenian community
in Fresno, Calif., where they met and were married.

Avakian’s father was one of 10 children. He settled with his wife
and their two children in Beaverton when Brad Avakian was 9.

“It’ll be our dream come true to have a representative in the United
States Congress and also a national pride,” said Kevork Parseghian,
a leader of the small Armenian community in Oregon.

In Oregon, the Armenian community is relatively small, with only about
300 families on the Armenian Community of Oregon mailing list. It’s
estimated there are a couple hundred more families with Armenian
ancestry that haven’t engaged with the group.

Leaders of the Armenian community said Avakian wasn’t particularly
active before his campaign but the group would be proud to have a
local Armenian represent them.

The top political issue for Armenians is convincing the U.S. Congress
to officially declare the mass killing of Armenians a genocide –
a move opposed by Turkey, a key U.S. ally.

Avakian would be the third Armenian American in Congress, joining
Reps. Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier, both California Democrats.

Ballots are due Nov. 8 in the special primary election. Avakian faces
Bonamici and state Rep. Brad Witt in the race for the Democratic
nomination.

From: A. Papazian

IRAN SAYS READY TO HELP SETTLE KARABAKH DISPUTE

Tehran Times, Iran
Oct 14 2011

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says if
Azerbaijan and Armenia want, Iran is ready to offer a solution to
the Karabakh dispute.

Mehmanparast made the remarks during a press conference which was
held in Kazan, the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, late
on Thursday.

He said, “Border disputes usually occur between neighboring countries.”

However, he added, “Extra-regional countries seek to exploit disputes
in order to interfere in regional issues.”

He went on to say that Iran supports the continuation of talks and
consultations on the issue and is ready to help resolve the territorial
dispute between Baku and Yerevan.

He also said Western countries are using media as a tool to distort
the truth about Muslim nations.

Iran, Russia can preserve balance of power in region

During a meeting with the chairman of the State Council of the Republic
of Tatarstan, Farid Mukhametshin, on Friday, Mehmanparast said Iran
and the Russian Federation can play a substantial role in preserving
the balance of power in the region.

At the current world situation, in which major developments are
occurring, close ties and cooperation between friendly countries is
very vital, he stated.

Iran and Tatarstan should utilize their great potential to promote
mutual cooperation, he said, adding media outlets should also help
the potential be recognized.

From: A. Papazian

FRIEND OR FOE? EXPLOITING CONFLICT IN PURSUIT OF POWER
By Theodore J. Cohen Calkins Media, Inc.

phillyBurbs.com
Oct 14 2011

For decades, Turkey has been a bastion of stability in the
Middle East. A member of NATO since 1952, it was considered a
loyal and supportive ally of the United States. In fact, the Obama
Administration, upon taking office, envisioned Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the man who would be our partner in Obama’s
grand plan to embrace a host of our country’s transformational Middle
East initiatives. Included in Obama’s “Turkish strategy” – which
melds our foreign policy with Turkey’s strategy of “zero problems with
neighbors” – was the use of Turkey to improve relations with Iran and
Syria as well as to assist with mediating the Arab-Israeli peace talks.

Well, how is that working out?

Not well, of course! Following a May 31, 2010, incident involving
Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, during which eight Turks and one
Turkish-American were killed, more than 20 passengers were injured,
and 10 Israeli commandos were injured, tensions between the two
former allies escalated to the breaking point. Despite a UN panel
stating that the Gaza blockade was legal (though the use of force
by Israel was “excessive and unreasonable”), Turkey expelled the
Israeli ambassador and early in September 2011, prepared to challenge
Israel’s blockade on Gaza at the International Court of Justice. More
disconcerting is the Turkish navy’s plan to dispatch three frigates to
the Eastern Mediterranean, which, according to a Turkish news report,
were prepared to “ensure freedom of navigation and to confront Israeli
warships, if necessary.”

Not that Turkey is one to cast stones when it comes to situations such
as this. If memory serves, the Turks are the very same people who were
responsible for the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th
century. This genocide, which lasted from 1915 to 1923, and which was
instigated and carried out by Muslim Turks, resulted in 1.5 million
Armenian deaths … deaths that to this day have gone unanswered.

Further sticking a thumb in Uncle Sam’s eye is that, yes, it
was U.S.-supplied Turkish F-16 warplanes that recently launched
cross-border air raids against suspected Kurdish separatist fighters
in northern Iraq in late August. (Isn’t this a “no fly” zone?)
Specifically, according to the Turkish military, 130 airstrikes
and nearly 350 artillery strikes were used in an offensive against
fighters of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in neighboring Iraq.

Around 80 people have been wounded in the push. According to CNN,
Turkish authorities have not responded to reports from Iraq’s
Kurdish authorities that a family of seven civilians was killed in
one air strike.

Are all of these signs of a degenerative, self-induced state of
national insanity on the part of the Turks? Hardly! This is nothing
more and nothing less than a cold, hard, calculated attempt on the
part of Mr. Erdogan to position his country as the new superpower in
the Middle East – one to whom the United States must come for help.

Remember, Erdogan was the man who called for Egyptian president’s
Housni Mubarak’s resignation, and now, he is playing to the Arab
“street” by embracing Hamas and forcing the isolation of Israel. The
more conflict he can create in the region, the more need for his help
he can generate.

Look at this another way. If Turkey actually worked to reduce tensions
in the region, its help no longer would be needed. Clearly, Mr.

Erdovan wants to exploit, not solve, the Middle East’s conflicts. In
the process, he is thwarting peace efforts in the region by the
United States and its allies, pushing the Middle East toward yet
another war – one Turkey, itself, might trigger – and potentially
destroying his country’s credibility in the process. As Haluk Demirbag
of the Turkish Forum said, “Ankara’s ‘zero-problems-with-neighbors’
policy is crumbling, fast – with Syria, Cyprus, Armenia, Israel and
with the Kurds.”

With a “friend” like Turkey, who needs enemies?

Theodore J. Cohen, Ph.D., Middletown, is a research scientist and
novelist.

From: A. Papazian

SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVES PARTICIPANTS OF THE SESSION OF CIS COUNCIL OF HOME AFFAIRS MINISTERS

ARMENPRESS
20:17, 14 October, 2011

President Serzh Sargsyan received today the participants of CIS
Council of Home Affairs Ministers. Presidential press service told
Armenpress that welcoming them, Serzh Sargsyan noted that 2011 is
anniversary for CIS; all the states celebrate the 20th anniversary of
their independence, as well as they together mark the 20th anniversary
of the Commonwealth.

According to President Sargsyan, CIS has been established during the
past two decades as a unique regional interstate organization with
its cooperation mechanisms and regulating bodies.

Serzh Sargsyan highly appraised the activity of the CIS Council
of Home Affairs Ministers, which has become a mechanism, aimed at
solving certain issues troubling the states. “We are for further
development of cooperation within the framework of CIS. The agenda,
which you discussed at today’s session of the Yerevan Council and
the issues which found solutions during the discussion, are important
for us too,” Serzh Sargsyan said.

The participants of the meeting presented to the Armenian President
the decisions adopted during the council’s session over fighting
against criminality in CIS territory. CIS Home Affairs Ministers
attached importance to the work implemented within the framework
of the council and considered it productive, highly assessing the
efficient activity of the RA police from that viewpoint.

From: A. Papazian

SDHP LEADERS MEET URUGUAY GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE MEMBER RAFAEL MICHELINI

AZG DAILY
15-10-2011

Recently, Social Democrat Hunchakian Central Committee member Diego
Karamanoukian along with SDHP Uruguay Executive Committee Chairman
Louis Aprazyan met with Member of Uruguay Senate Rafael Michelini in
the General Assembly of Uruguay. The discussion at the meeting focused
around Michelini’s proposed legislation to include in the State budget
expenditures for the establishment of an Armenian Genocide museum,
which shall operate in a state-allocated building and have a Genocide
Research Center.

The draft legislation aims to publicize and inform patrons on the
horrible crime of genocide committed against the Armenian people in
1915. The museum will also contain historical and cultural information
on the Armenian community of Uruguay.

Senator Michelini updated the SDHP leadership that all of the political
factions within the Parliament have given their preliminary consent
to the draft legislation, paving the way for a vote in the General
Assembly soon.

The Hunchakian representatives expressed the Party’s appreciation as
well as continued unconditional support for the Senators endeavors
towards the Armenian Cause, noting his unceasing commitment to not
only commemorate the Armenian Genocide but also the martyrdom of 20
Hunchakian intellectuals and activists who were hung in July of 1915
at the Sultan Bayazid square of Constantinople after spending two
years in terrible conditions in Turkish prisons, Masis Post weekly
online newspaper reported.

From: A. Papazian

“TEXTILE AND FASHION” FIRST INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE HELD IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
14:08, 14 October, 2011

“Textile and Fashion” first international business conference opened
today at the “Moscow House” center in Yerevan organized by the
Armenian Development Agency, Caucasian Development Agency center,
Union of Armenian Manufacturers and Businessmen.

More than 40 local representatives of the sphere, international
experts participated in the event.

Executive director of ADA Robert Harutyunyan said the goal of the
event is to clarify the competition privileges of the Armenian textile
sphere, point out the prospects of development, create international
business ties.

Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan said Armenia’s light industry has
potential for development and high qualified personnel.

“We must find ways to give new impetus to the development of the
sphere and restore traditions, volumes, approaches we had years ago,”
the minister of economy said.

Within the framework of the conference exhibition of textile outlets
was organized and the presentation of textile collection of Armenian
designers was held. The conference will be wrapped up October 15.

From: A. Papazian