Author: Badalian Vardan

Fresno Bee, CA
March 29 2014

The day Saroyan held class

By Brenda Magarity

On January 26, 1977, I parked my bronze Toyota in front of William
Saroyan’s Griffith Street home to pick him up on my way to work. Even
though I had been driving him around the San Joaquin Valley for 21/2
years, today was different. This time I was taking him where I wanted
to go. I had been teaching English and drama at Madera High School
since 1971, the year I had gotten to know him, and I’d finally found
the courage to ask my hero to spend a day with me at my job.

In contrast to the usual ragged clothes he wore on our trips to the
Laundromat, the market or my father’s dry – cleaning shop, he had on a
dark suit. His black hair, slightly graying and long on his neck, was
neatly brushed back. His face appeared illuminated in the morning
light, and a thick white mustache drooped down on each side. With the
style of a man with a bigger – than – life personality, he appeared
younger than his 68 years.

As we arrived at my school, we were greeted by an immediate uproar as
I escorted one of the great American 20th century authors through the
hallway of the Language Arts building. Everyone appeared stunned, yet
within a few minutes, teachers organized a schedule to bring their
classes to my oversized drama classroom throughout the day.

“Miss Najimian, is that your father?” a student asked as we entered my
room. “No, Juan.” I tried to contain my laughter. “This is William
Saroyan, the writer.”

In the first class, Richard Flores shot up his hand and squirmed in
his seat. Saroyan asked him to stand and state his name. “What do you
like most about coming to school?” “The girls,” Richard answered, and
the audience giggled.

When Rick Elias raised his hand, Saroyan made him stand and spell his
name as he wrote it down. He explained that he was deaf in one ear and
needed students to speak up. “How many books have you written?” Rick
asked him. “I’ve published more than 44 books in 43 years,” Saroyan
answered.

“Are you Aram?” Mary Ann Brown asked.

“That’s a good question. It is best if a writer writes what he knows.
Aram is based on the experiences of my Uncle Aram, myself and those of
my brother and cousins.

“And, Mary Ann,” Saroyan continued, “what is the best thing you like
about coming to school?”

“The boys,” she said. Once again, laughter filled the room.

“Rick Flores said the girls, and now, you say the boys.” He nodded as
if pointing out the irony and the honesty of that. By 10 o’clock, the
press arrived, and locals came with books to sign. A general hurricane
of excitement blew through the school. Unfazed, he spoke to hundreds
of students and visitors who filled my classroom to capacity.

While he remained center stage in the eye of this swirling eddy of
respect and admiration, I became the observer. Once again I was struck
by how capable he was of capturing and maintaining the attention of
his audience just as he did in his books. Within minutes, he
captivated the admiration of some of my wildest freshmen boys.

Although Saroyan’s tone still carried that man – child wit, he grew more
serious by fourth hour. “What would you have done if you didn’t become
a writer?” a student asked. “I would’ve become a car thief.”

Over the years, I often thought about this answer, a brilliant
observation about the fine line between how one uses the gift of
creativity and the choices involved. Writer or car thief? Teacher or
what?

Saroyan wrote about this experience in the last book published before
his death in 1981. This man who turned down thousands of dollars in
speaking engagements, wrote, “And so why did I … talk four times for
free … I was asked if I might pay such a visit to a school by an
Armenian girl who fetched me lemons, oranges and grapefruit from the
trees in the garden of the house of her parents. …”

Of all the moments I shared with him, I’ll always remember that day
when his voice boomed through the hallways of Madera High. He marched
more than walked and carried himself more like a general than a poet.

In his presence that day, I felt the entire Armenian nation was with me.

Syrian army takes 2 villages near Lebanon

16:30 29/03/2014 » SOCIETY

Syrian government forces captured Saturday two villages near the
border with Lebanon after clashes with opposition fighters, cutting a
major supply route for weapons and fighters into Syria, state TV said,
according to The Associated Press.

The report said the villages of Flita and Ras Maara fell into the
hands of government forces early in the day. The Britain-based Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights confirmed troops were inside the two
villages and advancing, although it had no immediate word on whether
they fell to government forces.

The Observatory said government forces are backed by members of
Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, which openly started taking part in Syria’s
war last year against opposition forces.

The villages were the latest targets of a government offensive in the
rugged Qalamoun border region after troops captured the town of
Yabroud earlier this month. Tens of thousands of Syrians fled into
Lebanon since the Qalamoun offensive began in November.

Flita, which is about 5 miles (7 kilometers) from the border with
Lebanon, had been a major crossing point for rebels coming from across
the border into Syria to fight President Bashar Assad’s forces.
Syria’s mostly Sunni rebels draw supply, recruits and support from
Sunni communities in Lebanon.

Qalamoun holds strategic value for the government since it is crossed
by the main north-south highway that links the capital to government
strongholds along the Mediterranean coast.

The TV said the villages fell after government forces “wiped out the
last remnants of armed terrorist groups and destroyed its weapons and
tools they used in their crimes.” The Syrian government refers to
rebels as “terrorists.”

An activist based near Damascus who goes by the name of Abu Yazan
al-Shami who is in touch with colleagues near Yabroud confirmed that
government forces have captured parts of the two villages but are
still facing resistance from rebels inside.

“Fierce and difficult battles are taking place. It is a rugged area
and both the regime and the rebels have gathered lots of fighters for
this battle,” said al-Shami via Skype. He added that the main battle
expected to follow Flita and Ras Maara will be the rebel-held town of
Rankous in order for the government “to completely cut supplies from
Lebanon into Qalamoun.”

Source: Panorama.am

Kocharyan’s role in coup may be crucial for main opposition force – opinion

15:24 * 29.03.14

Second President Robert Kocharyan’s possible involvement in a coup
d’état may have a crucial impact on the Armenian National Congress
which is a central political force, says a youth activist.

“Robert Kocharyan, as any other former president, was expected to
demonstrate a desire for returning power. And that’s what he has been
doing for quite a long time. It’s hard not to notice the Prosperous
Armenia party’s connections with Kocharyan, but on the other hand, it
would be fatal for the [Armenian National] Congress,” Armen Aghayan, a
member of the nationalist party Hayazn, told reporters, adding that
the ANC has received guarantees for ruling out Kocharyan’s return to
power.

He said their party treats the former and incumbent authorities
exactly the same way, not seeing essential differences between policy
lines. “[First President] Levon Ter-Petrosyan is on an equal line with
Kocharyan and [incumbent President] Robert Kocharyan, so we do not see
an ideological difference. Neither are there essential differences in
ensuring a legitimacy of governance,” he added.

Armenian News – Tert.am

We have to monitor our business competitiveness in CU – Armenia PM

March 29, 2014 | 13:35

YEREVAN. – Armenia needs to monitor its business competitiveness in
the Customs Union (CU).

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan noted the above-said at
Saturday’s Second Economic Forum–titled “Armenia-Customs Union:
Opportunities and Challenges”–of the ruling Republican Party.

Sargsyan stated that the average import customs duty is 2.4 percent in
Armenia, whereas this is about three times more in the CU.

As per the PM, the high customs duties of a variety of products may
cause a price increase in Armenia. On the other hand, if Armenia
protects its market within the CU, it will open before local
production and investments.

“We are getting a lot of complaints that the Armenian farmers are
forced to compete with cheap Indian, Brazilian, and American meat.
Such matters should be at our focus,” the premier said.

On the other hand, according to Sargsyan, the increase of the customs
duties from third countries can mean a reorientation on the product
demand from the CU. In this regard, problems may arise for those
producers and manufacturers who export products and technology to
non-CU countries.

The PM also noted that Armenia will have to reconsider some of its
World Trade Organization commitments, and therefore negotiations
should start with this institution.

Following the talks that were held on September 3, 2013 in Moscow
between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir
Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join the Customs
Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the Eurasian
Economic Union. In December 2013, the “road map” for Armenia’s
accession to the Customs Union was adopted. And in January of this
year, the Government of Armenia approved the action plan for the
implementation of this “road map.” The formal joining is expected in
May. Aside from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan likewise are members in
the Customs Union.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

State Department ‘Deeply Troubled by Kessab Attacks

By Admin // March 29, 2014

Fails To Condemn Turkey’s Role In Anti-Armenian Incursion

WASHINGTON–The State Department today announced that it was “deeply
troubled” by the recent violence in the historically Armenian
populated city of Kessab, Syria, but failed to condemn Turkey’s role
in facilitating the attacks by the al-Qaeda affiliated extremist
forces, that have forced the Armenian and civilian populations to
evacuate the region.

“The ANCA welcomes this initial expression of U.S. Government concern,
in the wake of our recent consultations with the State Department, and
look forward to these words translating into concrete action in
defense of Armenians, all Christians, and other at-risk minorities in
Kessab, Aleppo, and throughout Syria,” stated ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. “We remain troubled, however, by the Administration’s
silence – in the face of compelling evidence – on Turkey’s role in
facilitating the cross-border incursions by extremist forces and look
to Secretary Kerry to send a strong message to the Erdogan
Administration to end its complicity in these attacks.”

In a statement followed by an question and answer session during the
daily State Department press briefing earlier today, State Department
Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf began, “We are deeply troubled by
recent fighting and violence that is endangering the Armenian
community in Kasab, Syria and has forced many to flee. There are far
too many innocent civilians suffering as a result of the war. All
civilians, as well as their places of worship, must be protected.”
Harf continued to note, ” We have long had concerns about the threat
posed by violent extremists and this latest threat to the Armenian
community in Syria only underscores this further.”

The complete State Department statement and the relevant question and
answer session transcript are provided below.

Just yesterday, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
joined a delegation of Armenian American community and religious
representatives to forcefully urge the U.S. government to take
immediate action to end the vicious onslaught on Kessab. During the
meeting, the community representatives stressed, in urgent and frank
terms, that “the United States has a unique responsibility to protect
the citizens of Kessab especially since a large proportion of them
have American families desperately seeking to provide protection and
refuge for them.” The representatives then outlined a series of
requests, which are outlined in the ANCA Fact Sheet available here:

Earlier this week, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian sent a strongly worded
letter to calling on President Obama to direct his Secretary of State,
the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and his Ambassador to the United
Nations to demand that Turkey halt the cross-border attacks on Kessab
that have forced the immediate civilian evacuation of the area and led
to the looting of properties and the desecration of churches.

Over the past week, thousands of Armenian Americans have contacted
President Obama and their Senators and Representatives urging
immediate condemnation of the attacks against the civilian population
of Kessab and, specifically, Turkey’s role in facilitating those
attacks.

Representatives Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Jim
Costa (D-Calif.) and James McGovern (D-Mass.) have condemned the
attacks and urged the State Department to investigate Turkey’s
involvement. In a joint letter to President Obama issued earlier
today, Congressional Armenian Caucus co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)
and Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) and Armenian Genocide Resolution
(H.Res.227) lead authors David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Adam Schiff,
commented on the Kessab attacks, noting ” When coupled with a mass
exodus of the Armenian community, these events are far too reminiscent
of the early days of the Armenian Genocide, which took place nearly
100 years ago in Ottoman Turkey under the cover of World War I.” The
letter goes on to note, “With the Christian Armenian community being
uprooted from its homeland, yet again, we strongly urge you to take
all necessary measures without delay to safeguard the Christian
Armenian community of Kessab. We also believe that now is the time to
redouble America’s efforts to ensure that all minority communities at
risk in the Middle East are afforded greater protection.”

Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with
Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently, evaded major battles in the
Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had increased in
recently years with the city serving as safe-haven for those fleeing
from the war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo. On the
morning of March 21st, extremist foreign fighters launched a vicious
attack on Kessab civilians, forcing them to flee neighboring Latakia
and Bassit.

***

State Department Daily News Briefing

March 28, 2014

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf:

[Questions and Comments Unrelated to Kessab have been omitted – ANCA]

Well, happy Friday, everyone. Welcome to the daily briefing. I have a
few items at the top and then we will open it up for questions.

A quick travel update. Today, Secretary Kerry is in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia with President Obama. He has accompanied President Obama to his
meeting with Saudi King Abdullah. I think — I believe it just ended,
and there will be more of a readout coming from the road.

Second item at the top. We are deeply troubled by recent fighting and
violence that is endangering the Armenian community in Kasab, Syria
and has forced many to flee. There are far too many innocent civilians
suffering as a result of the war. All civilians, as well as their
places of worship, must be protected.

As we have said throughout this conflict, we deplore continued threats
against Christians and other minorities in Syria. And as you may have
seen from the readout of President Obama’s conversation with Pope
Francis yesterday, they discussed, among other things, the plight of
minorities, especially Christians, inside Syria today.

We have seen some statements by groups fighting in Kasab saying they
will not target civilians and will respect minorities and holy places.
We expect those commitments to be upheld.

The United States will continue its steadfast support to those
affected by violence in Syria and throughout the region, including
Syrian Armenians. We have long had concerns about the threat posed by
violent extremists and this latest threat to the Armenian community in
Syria only underscores this further.

QUESTION:

Regarding this statement that you made about the Syrian Armenians, I
was just wondering if you have anything update about the situation. Or
just — is this a past tense? Did something happen? Or it’s — I think
it’s the ongoing…

HARF:

It’s an ongoing issue, certainly, that we’re concerned about.

QUESTION:

And then, how you…

HARF:

But there has — as I noted in my statement, that there has been some
recent fighting and increase in violence, which is why we wanted to
note it specifically today.

QUESTION:

So they — because there are some news reports from different sides
regarding this issue either from the Armenians or from the Turks and
from the Syrians in the same time.

Are you following this story — I mean, this case?

HARF:

Well, we are — I don’t know if you’re referring to a specific case.
We’re certainly following the situation for Armenians inside Syria,
for all minorities including Christians. And know that violent
extremists, such as ISIL (ph) have targeted them among many people,
but we’re particularly concerned about these minority communities and
want to make sure that their rights are protected.

QUESTION:

Besides being concerned — because let me be specific about — are you
in touch with any of the governments including the Turkish government
or other U.N. organization to figure out exactly, because it’s some of
their — there is a deportation of people taking place in the last
week, which is like starting from last week until now. Anything is
going on in that regard?

HARF:

I can check and see who we’re talking to. Obviously, we talk to a host
of countries in the region — Turkey and others — about a wide range of
issues, but I can check on that.

QUESTION:

So you don’t have any — you’re — what — what we have is just like
observation of what’s going on, or you have information?

HARF:

Well, I think we have both.

Right, we’ve seen reports, as I said, recent fighting, violence
against the Syrian-Armenian community. We see the reports coming out
of there. Obviously, we talk — we try to get as much information from
the ground as possible, as we do in all places in Syria, but it’s hard
to get. But, clearly there have been some very troubling trends
lately.

QUESTION:

Because, according to some reports that those people were Chabet (ph)
and Nusra (ph) people. I’m not sure if you mentioned them in the
statement or not?

HARF:

What I’m talking about is extremist groups like ISIL (ph) attacking
innocent civilians, in this case the Syrian-Armenian community, a
minority community, as they have with other minority communities,
Christian communities and others inside Syria.

So this is what I’m talking about, is those kinds of attacks. I know
there are a lot of dynamics broadly in the Syrian conflict, but I was
speaking to one specific dynamic.

QUESTION:

There is another thing which is (inaudible) about this. When you
mentioned the president and he raised the issue with the Pope or the
Pope has…

HARF:

They discussed it.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION:

Maybe, I’m not accurate. Is this issue is raised with the Syrian
Opposition people? Because, you know, it’s like sometimes they don’t —
according to what I heard last week from the Ambassador Ford — that
definitely they are usually avoiding to condemn publicly what’s going
on by Islamic groups or a jihadist group in Syria.

HARF:

Well, let’s be clear when we’re talking about the opposition — have to
be very clear that the violence I’m talking about is being perpetrated
by groups like ISIL (ph). So not the moderate opposition, not the
folks we work with repeatedly and consistently on things inside Syria.

I think that the Opposition has been very clear in condemning
extremism and saying that they will fight extremism inside Syria and
that, that’s something they’re committed to, absolutely. They’ve said
that for many, many months.

QUESTION:

On Syria.

(inaudible) the foreign minister, Mr. (inaudible), (inaudible)
provocated (inaudible) inside Syria so Turkey has the excuse to invade
Syria.

Do you want to comment on this?

HARF:

Are you referring to an alleged phone conversation?

QUESTION:

Yes.

HARF:

As I said yesterday, I don’t have anything for you on alleged calls or
conversations that are out there among Turkish officials.

QUESTION:

Yes, but this is…

HARF:

It’s not for me to comment.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION:

(OFF-MIKE) Mr. (inaudible) said that the tape is genuine.

HARF:

Again, not for me to comment on those allegations that are out there.

Russia MFA condemns Armenian-populated Kesab’s capture by militants

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Russia condemns the terrorist acts and crimes committed against
peaceful population of Syria, particularly Armenians, according to the
correspondent of Gazeta.ru.

Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that the
confrontation between the Syrian government forces and illegal armed
groups has intensified in recent days.

On March 21 Al-Qaeda-linked extremist groups launched attacks on the
Armenian-populated town of Kesab in Syria, near the Turkish border.

The Armenian residents of Kesab and nearby settlements had to flee
their homes. The capture of Kesab sparked outrage of the Armenians
across the world. A protest was staged outside the UN office in
Yerevan. Protesters demanded putting an end to persecution of
ethno-confessional minorities by armed groups in Syria. The Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) called on President Obama and the
Congress to exert pressure on Ankara in order to make it end its
assistance to militants who attacked civilians in Kesab.

In connection with this situation, Russian MFA believes that the
intensification of extremist actions also aims to disrupt the process
of Syria’s chemical demilitarization. Such a scenario is inadmissible,
Russian MFA notes.

190 thousand Armenians lived in Syria prior to the conflict. About 60
thousand Armenians remain in that country now.

TODAY, 16:14
Aysor.am

ARMENIE
La France soutient la traduction de la littérature française en Arménie

Dans le cadre du séminaire régional > organisé par The Book platform du 21 au 22 février 2014 à
Erevan, l’Attaché de coopération pour le français de l’Ambassade de
France en Arménie est intervenu pour présenter la Politique française
en matière de soutien à la traduction. Le forum The Book plateform,
financé par l’Union Européenne dans le cadre du programme EuroEast
Culture, avait rassemblé de nombreux éditeurs, agents littéraires et
écrivains venus du Caucase et de l’Europe pour l’occasion.

Face à ce public d’experts, M. Fabien Neyrat a rappelé les programmes
de soutien à la traduction littéraire mis en oeuvre par la France. Il a
notamment souligné l’importance du Programme d’Aide à la Publication
mené par cette ambassade : depuis son lancement il y a 25 ans, ce
programme international a contribué à la traduction et à la
publication de plus de 60 titres d’auteurs français et francophones en
Arménie. Cette année encore, a déclaré l’attaché linguistique, un
large choix d’auteurs sera aidé, notamment dans la cadre du Centenaire
2014.

Ambassade de France en Arménie

samedi 29 mars 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

MOSCOU
Le centre commercial > de Moscou évacué d’urgence

Suite à une menace par appel téléphonique anonyme d’un engin explosif
placé dans le btiment, le 26 mars dans la soirée près d’un millier de
personnes furent évacués du centre commercial > à
Moscou. Après l’appel anonyme à 20 heures, les policiers arrivés
rapidement sur place avec des chiens ont fouillé l’ensemble du centre
commercial sans parvenir à trouver un explosif ou colis piégé. Qui
pourrait en vouloir à l’> ?

Krikor Amirzayan
samedi 29 mars 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

Defense Ministry: Azerbaijan violated ceasefire in Tavush direction,
Armenian side returned fire

15:12 28/03/2014 >> SOCIETY

Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire in some sections of the border in
Armenia’s Tavush province yesterday, spokesman for Armenian Defense
Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan told Panorama.am.

According to him, the Armenian side returned the fire. “We have no
casualties,” the spokesman added.

Source: Panorama.am

TURQUIE
Turquie : le Premier ministre Erdogan jette toutes ses forces sur Istanbul

Une défaite sonnerait comme un échec personnel, lourd de menaces pour
son avenir. Alors le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a fait
du scrutin municipal à Istanbul une priorité, et ne laisse à personne
d’autre le soin d’y faire campagne.

Et certainement pas son maire sortant. En course pour un troisième
mandat, Kadir Topbas, un architecte de 69 ans, est même d’une
remarquable discrétion, tant dans les rues de la plus grande ville de
Turquie que dans les médias.

Sa moustache grisonnante n’apparaît guère que sur des affiches, où il
est immanquablement coiffé d’un casque de chantier blanc. Mais
qu’importe. Car pour les partisans du Parti de la justice et
développement (AKP) au pouvoir, le seul, le vrai patron de la mégapole
aux 15 millions d’habitants, c’est “Tayyip” Erdogan.

“Kadir Topbas ? Il travaille bien et il est bon avec le peuple”,
confie Mustafa Hasan, rencontré dimanche au milieu de la marée humaine
bardée de drapeaux aux couleurs de l’AKP qui a acclamé le chef du
gouvernement. “Mais il faut surtout que notre Tayyip Erdogan ne parte
pas, que Dieu le protège, qu’il ne lui arrive rien”.

A Istanbul plus qu’ailleurs, les élections du 30 mars ont pris des
allures de référendum pour le chef du régime islamo-conservateur, dont
le règne sur le pays depuis 2002 est menacé par un scandale de
corruption sans précédent.

Conscient des enjeux, M. Erdogan a multiplié les visites dans “sa”
ville, celle qui a lancé sa carrière politique en l’élisant maire en
1994. A chaque occasion, il a mobilisé ses troupes à grands coups
d’imprécations contre les “traîtres” qui veulent sa chute.

Cette personnalisation à outrance n’est pas pour déplaire au principal
adversaire de l’AKP à Istanbul. Maire du district de Sisli, Mustafa
Sarigül compte bien profiter du climat nauséabond des “affaires” pour
mettre fin à vingt ans de règne AKP sur la ville.

“Tout le monde le sait, le vrai maire d’Istanbul, c’est Erdogan”,
explique M. Sarigül, 58 ans, sourire d’acteur de cinéma et brushing
impeccables. “Ces élections vont permettre de dire ‘ça suffit’, car il
est grand temps qu’il parte”.

Le filon de Gezi

Depuis des semaines, le candidat du Parti républicain du peuple (CHP),
la principale force d’opposition du pays, ratisse méthodiquement les
quartiers de la ville à bord de son bus de campagne rouge, avec pour
mot d’ordre la version turque d’un slogan éprouvé : “le changement,
c’est maintenant”.

Aux projets “fous” du Premier ministre, comme celui de canal parallèle
au Bosphore, il oppose sa vision “raisonnable” de la ville. Et il
n’hésite pas à s’appuyer sur le souvenir de la grande fronde, partie
du parc Gezi, qui a fait trembler le pouvoir en juin 2013.

“Tout ça est arrivé parce que les dirigeants actuels ont pris de
mauvaises décisions”, argumente le candidat social-démocrate, “des
décisions qui ne vont pas dans le sens du progrès, des libertés et de
la démocratie”.

M. Sarigül n’est pas le seul à exploiter le filon de la révolte du
printemps dernier. Son rival du Parti démocratique et populaire (HDP),
Sirri Sureyya Önder, se proclame même comme son unique héritier.

“C’est nous qui portons l’me de Gezi”, dit-il, “les partis
traditionnels sont tous les mêmes. Ils ne respectent pas
l’environnement, ne représentent pas les femmes (…) et ils trempent
tous dans la corruption”.

Le porte-drapeau du CHP n’est pas épargné par les accusations de
corruption, rattrapé par une affaire de prêt que, malgré ses
dénégations, le chef du gouvernement ne s’est pas privé de lui
renvoyer à la figure.

Dans ce climat tendu à l’extrême, la bataille d’Istanbul s’annonce
serrée. “Nous allons triompher”, proclame M. Erdogan à chacune de ses
sorties. “Il a compris que ses jours sont comptés et ça le rend
nerveux”, rétorque M. Sarigül.

Plus encore que le score national de l’AKP, le sort d’Istanbul donnera
donc le ton de la victoire ou de la défaite du Premier ministre.

AFP

vendredi 28 mars 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com