Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Kurdish Aspect, CO
Feb 18 2008

The Kurdish and Armenian genocides – from censorship and denial to
recognition

Kurdishaspect.com – By Desmond Fernandes
Apec Press, Stockholm, December 2007
ISBN: 91-89675-72-X

Turkey’s repression of the Kurds has been widely documented – and is
acknowledged as a major obstacle to Turkey’s accession to the
European Union. But what lies behind such repression? Fernandes
confronts the issue head on, forcing the reader to probe a question
that many in Turkey and elsewhere would rather avoid: does the
systematic repression of the Kurds amount to genocide? Open
discussion of this issue is critical if a long-term resolution of the
Kurdish issue is to be achieved – Nicholas Hildyard, Policy Analyst.

The book is an exceptionally important read for anyone with a broad
interest in human rights and social justice. It has a scholarly
account of the historical background to the present awful situation
of Turkish Armenians and Turkish Kurds. In particular, the book
provides a powerful comparative analysis of the policies of the US,
Israel and Turkey in terms of their rationale for labelling human
atrocities as genocide – Dr. Julia Kathleen Davidson, Research
Fellow, Faculty of Education, University of Glasgow and Membership
Secretary of Scotland Against Criminalising communities (SACC).

In this important book, Desmond Fernandes exposes the details of the
sordid and largely hidden role of Israel and the US Israel Lobby in
preventing Congress from recognizing the Turkish genocide of the
Armenians – Jeff Blankfort, Former Editor, Middle East Labor
Bulletin.

Among its Cold War victories the United States certainly succeeded in
its ambition to make the world safe for nationalism. As identity
politics is reprocessed as a function of global capital, and
rehabilitated as its natural ally, Desmond Fernandes documents the
fractured consequences of the ready-made social fantasy – Variant:
Cross Currents in Culture.

Desmond Fernandes writes for those who spoke the truth and were
murdered, those who spoke 200 days ago and are still imprisoned, and
for those who live in terror and in silence, or who meet in nameless
buildings, so that the words `GENOCIDE’, ethnic cleansing, or the
Turkish military word `TEMIZLEME’, may be heard as a siren call for
the muted victims of the Turkish state – Diamanda Galás, Composer and
Performer of Songs of Exile, Vena Cava, Schrei X, Plague Mass and
Defixiones, Will And Testament.

Fernandes’ painstaking investigation sheds much needed light on the
collusion between the Turkish State and the Israel lobby in
preventing recognition of one of the darkest episodes of the past
century, the genocide of Ottoman Turkey’s ethnic Armenians – Muhammad
Idrees Ahmad, Spinwatch.

[This is] a judiciously assembled vast, syntactic mosaic
`illustrating’ the total state terror inflicted upon two ancient
peoples … Desmond Fernandes has laboriously integrated a vast
amount of historical events, scholarly data, secret documents, live
witnesses, relevant literature and even poetry … [He] has hit the
target: mainly encapsulating the enormity of censorship, denial and
recognition of that ultimate crime of man’s inhumanity to man –
Genocide – Khatchatur I. Pilikian [from the Epilogue].

Desmond Fernandes is a policy analyst and former Senior Lecturer in
Human Geography and Genocide Studies at De Montfort University,
England. He has published widely in a number of journals and is
co-author of Genozid an den Kurden in der Türkei? – Verfolgung, Krieg
und Zerstörung der ethnischen Identität (2001, Medico International,
Frankfurt). Forthcoming titles by the author include The Kurdish
Genocide in Turkey and US, UK, German, Israeli and NATO `Inspired’
Psychological Warfare Operations against the `Kurdish Threat’ in
Turkey and Northern Iraq, due to shortly be released by Apec Press,
Stockholm.

The book can be ordered securely online via Paypal at
at the recommended retail
price of £14.99 (postage and packing free within the UK). It can also
be ordered from most bookshops in the UK and via the UK distributor
AK Press and Distribution (;
h.php?itemid=5326).

doc021808DF.html
From: Baghdasarian

PanARMENIAN.Net

Karabakh resolution should proceed from interests of Armenian people
15.02.2008 14:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should
proceed from interests of Armenian people, said Vahram Atanesyan,
chairman of the NKR parliamentary committee on external relations.

`As to the `Meghri plan’, I do doubt the authenticity of the document
published by Haykakan Zhamanak. Armenia’s Foreign Minister has already
commented on the situation. As far as I know, the Azeri side also
denies the authenticity of the above-mentioned `agreement.’ I can’t
say whether such a variant was discussed with Karabakhi
leadership. Anyway, it has never been under discussion since 2000,’ he
said, KarabakhOpen reports.

As Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian told reporters, the idea
to exchange Meghri for Karabakh was introduced by U.S. political
scientist Paul Goble in early 1900-ies but it has never been a topic
of discussion. `There was some talk about what Ter-Petrosyan is
telling now but no one has dared to touch on the issue since 2000,
when it was decisively repulsed. It was not the mediators’
proposal. Being a negotiator I have never discussed this document,’ Mr
Oskanian said.

It’s worth reminding that the package version provided for recognition
of Karabakh as an Azeri autonomy with its own hymn and flag. The
people of Karabakh were supposed to have Azeri passports and
participate in Azeri elections. Then-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan did
not sign the document but agreed to a stepwise variant which read that
the regions of NKR security belt will be returned to Azerbaijan
without determination of Karabakh’s status.
From: Baghdasarian

The Press Trust of India
February 13, 2008 Wednesday

Bhutan, Armenia among world’s top tourist destinations

Thimphu Feb 13

Armenia, Bhutan and Eritrea have been named the three top hottest
tourist destinations this year by a leading travel guidebook.

"The last surviving great Himalayan kingdom has long turned its back
on the rest of the world, favouring Buddhist compassion over Western
capitalism. With its gorgeous monasteries, towering fortress-like
dzongs, intact Tibetan culture and pristine Himalayan environment,
Bhutan offers an opportunity to glimpse a truly different way of
living," the Bluelist 2008 said.

Bluelist 2008 is Lonely Planet’s take on the world’s hottest trends,
destinations, journeys and experiences. Lonely Planet has published
over 650 titles in 118 countries, with annual sales of more than six
million guidebooks.

The other four countries on the list are Malaysia, Serbia &
Montenegro, Mozambique and Papua New Guinea.

"History nuts battle mountain tracks to the finest medieval
monasteries, trekkers scale 4,000m-high peaks, nature buffs search
for the ultra-rare Caucasian leopard, and everyone enjoys the potent
local brandy, finely ground coffee and the easygoing what-the-heck
tempo of daily life," the Lonely Planet writes of Armenia in its
website.
From: Baghdasarian

OSKANIAN PARTICIPATES IN THE 44th MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE

Lragir
Feb 12 2008
Armenia

Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian participated in
the 44th Munich Security Conference on Saturday and Sunday February
9 and 10.

Former German Defense National Security Advisor Horst Teltschik,
who heads the conference, presided over the two days during which
several heads of state as well as more than 40 foreign and defense
ministers, and 500-plus members of the media and international policy
makers participated in open dialogue about current and future security
challenges.

Under the general conference topic of "The World in Disarray –
Shifting Powers – Lack of Strategies," Turkish Prime Minister Regep
Tayip Erdogan spoke on Turkey’s Foreign Policy and Security Interests.

Following the Prime Minister’s statement, Minister Oskanian took
the floor, responded to Erdogan’s articulation of his vision as
a democratic and major strategic player in the region and beyond,
contributing to peace and stability.

Minister Oskanian began by acknowledging that the Prime Minister
takes pride in Turkey’s democratization and "its geostrategic role
in our region and beyond, to achieve peace and stability." Minister
Oskanian continued by saying, "Mr. Prime Minister, you also reiterated
your firm commitment to becoming a full member of the European Union,
which we in Armenia support. This is precisely the kind of neighbor
we would like to have. But as you know, today the border between our
two countries is closed. By Turkey. We’ve often raised this issue,
stating that we would like to have normal ties with Turkey, open
borders and diplomatic relations. Armenians would like to be the
beneficiaries of the vision you projected here today.

But we have heard you, loud and clear, repeating two main reasons,
or excuses, for keeping that border closed. One of your reasons is
Armenia’s engagement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the second is
our pursuit of genocide recognition. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict
is between Armenians and Azeris. Genocide recognition is our moral,
historic obligation. Our countries are not at war, Mr. Prime Minister,
and I wonder whether short of being at war, the reasons you always
offer are sufficient to justify maintaining closed borders between
our two countries. You can help us, by your positive engagement, to
resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Having normal relations, open
borders and diplomatic relations, will allow us together to address
our differences on the genocide issue. There are important processes
going on and Turkey can be a natural bridge for the Caucasus, with EU
and NATO. So I wonder whether you think that with Turkey’s positive
engagement in our region, with equal, neutral relations with all,
Turkey wouldn’t play a more positive role in addressing those very
issues that you consider to be obstacles for normalization of our
relations."

Turkey’s Prime Minister did not respond to Minister Oskanian’s
questions about the geopolitical situation and prospects for
normalization. Instead, he repeated the offer to convene historians,
spoke about "1915 massacres being not proven historically" and on the
one hand offered historians, archaeologists and others to study the
matter, and on the other hand rejected the possibility of genocide
being part of Turkish culture.

During the conference, Minister Oskanian held meetings with Lithuania’s
Foreign Minister, and the German Foreign Ministry’s Political Director,
Dr. Volker Stanzel.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN GRAND MASTERS TO PARTAKE IN THE "AEROFLOT" OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT

armradio.am
13.02.2008 13:31

Armenian Grand Masters Vladimir Hakobyan, Karen Asryan and Artashes
Minasyan will participate in Group A competitions of the traditional
"Aeroflot" international open chess tournament to start in Moscow on
February 14.

All in all, more than 10 Armenian chess players will play in Groups A,
B, C and D.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN HOCKEY TEAM OFF TO BOSNIA

A1+
13 February, 2008

Yesterday evening the Armenian hockey team left for Bosnia to partake
in the World Hockey Championship qualifiers scheduled for February
15. Armenia’s contenders are Bosnia and Greece.

The winner stands a good chance to move on to the third division.

"We have great expectations from the team. We expect good results. But
I don’t want to go ahead and make predictions," Karen Khachatrian,
Chairman of the Armenian Hockey Federation, told A1+.

Both Bosnia and Greece yield to Armenia with regard to their
performance.

Greeks participate in an international tournament though hockey
is known to date back to the 1980s in the country. It is due to
mention that Armenia takes the 45th place on the rating list of the
International Hockey Federation while Bosnia and Greece are left out.

Reminder: our team wasn’t involved in the third division in 2007 as
the Irish Embassy in Moscow did not allow the team to participate in
the World Hockey Championship due in Dublin.
From: Baghdasarian

LEVON TER-PETROSIAN PRESENTED HIS CONCERNS TO THE HEAD OF THE OSCE OBSERVATION MISSION

Mediamax
February 13, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian
met with the Head of the long-term Observation Mission of OSCE (ODIHR)
Geert-Hinrich Ahrens.

As Mediamax was told in the headquarter of the candidate, during
the meeting, which took place on February 12, "Levon Ter-Petrosian
presented to Ambassador Ahrens his approaches and concerns, attracting
his special attention to the continually growing cases of violence
against the members of his team, realized by the authorities".

The headquarter noted that "the sides agreed to continue the
cooperation and the exchange of information".
From: Baghdasarian

OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE AND US SECRETARY OF STATE DISCUSS NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency
Feb 12 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva-APA. OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finland’s
Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva met with the US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice in the framework of his visit to the US. Foreign
Ministry of Finland told APA that they touched on the settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

They noted that the forthcoming presidential elections in both
countries may weaken the process of settlement.

Ilkka Kanerva and Condoleezza Rice consider that OSCE should encourage
the parties to continue the negotiations.

OSCE Chairman-in-Office also said he will soon visit the South
Caucasus.
From: Baghdasarian

AK PARTY BACKTRACKS ON MINORITY LAW TO APPEASE MHP
Ercan Yavuz Ankara

Today’s Zaman
Feb 12 2008
Turkey

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which has
relied on the support of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party’s
(MHP) to lift a ban against headscarves in Turkish universities,
is backing down from its earlier stance on returning property to
religious minorities. Sources close to the government say the text
of the minorities bill will be changed, in what they call a "gesture"
for the MHP’s earlier support.

In an effort to appease the MHP, the AK Party shelved planned
parliamentary meetings on the Foundations Law — which the MHP calls
the "traitor law" and which would require the return of property and
assets confiscated from foundations belonging to minorities.

In return for the support on the lifting of the headscarf ban, the
AK Party has agreed to change the bill to accommodate the specific
complaints of the MHP, making a U-turn from its earlier stance of
defending the bill. The reform is crucial for Turkey to meet conditions
set by the European Union for Turkey’s membership in the bloc, but
the freedom allowed to the headscarf is likely to curb the freedom
of others. Critics say the measure in its current form would not go
far enough, but the government in trying to appease the MHP plans to
introduce even more limitations.

Parliament first approved the Foundations Law in November 2006. But
the president at the time, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, was a secularist who
was often at odds with Erdoðan’s Islamic-rooted government, and he
vetoed it. The country’s population of 70 million, mostly Muslim,
includes 65,000 Armenian Orthodox Christians, 23,000 Jews and fewer
than 2,500 Greek Orthodox Christians.

To avoid any damage to the headscarf freedom amendments, which were
approved overwhelmingly by a parliamentary vote last Saturday, the
AK Party, which suspended talks on the Foundations Law, also said it
would listen to the specific complaints of the MHP on the bill. The
MHP then prepared a report penned by MHP Deputy Chairman Faruk Bal.

The MHP had previously characterized the Foundations Law as being
like a grenade with its pin pulled. The party claims that if the
Foundations Law passes in the Turkish Parliament in its current state,
even cemeteries in Turkey could achieve foundation status. The MHP,
comparing the regulations of Greek and Turkish foundations, made a
list detailing what it said were the pieces of legislation that would
act contrary to the principle of "reciprocity" in the new Foundations
Law in regards to Turkish foundations.

Critics say the MHP’s stance bears hints of ethnic fanaticism, since
the owners of the foundations belonging to minorities are all citizens
of the Republic of Turkey. Representatives of minorities have stated
that they feel like "hostages" in their own country.

—————————————- —————————————-

What the MHP does not like about minority rights Citizenship condition:
The Greek Foundations Law states that those working in the leadership
of a foundation must be Greek citizens. In Turkey, by contrast, the
only condition for foundation leaders is that they be residents of
Turkey. There is no clear statement on the matter of citizenship. Thus,
clearer definitions and requirements on this issue are being called
for by the MHP.

Permission condition: In Greece, when it comes to financial matters
and possessions for Turkish foundations, the permission of the local
mufti must be sought. This local mufti is not one chosen by Turkey,
but instead is appointed by Greek authorities. In Turkey, by contrast,
minority foundations can acquire any possessions they wish.

In Turkey there is no official office from which permission is required
on possessions; the Foundations General Directorate is supposed to
be informed, but that is all.

In situations of disagreement: In Greece, when there is a disagreement
concerning the possessions that a foundation may have, ministries
get involved in settling the matter. In Turkey, by contrast, these
sorts of disagreements are left to the justice system. The MHP wants
more authority to be given to the appropriate ministries in Turkey
on this subject.

Inspection authority: In Greece, the inspection and control of
foundations belongs to the local mufti. In Turkey, by contrast,
there is an internal inspection mechanism is in place; reports on
foundations are to be prepared by independent inspectors, who will
then relay these reports to the Foundations General Directorate. In
Greece, directors of an elected foundation delegation approve of
appointed local muftis and then send their list of approved names to
the regional general secretary. In Turkey, by contrast, the minority
foundations choose their own leaders from amongst themselves, and
there are no laws in place regarding these choices.

Authority difference: In Greece, the regional general secretary has
authority when it comes to the management and directorship of the
minority foundations in Gumulcine, Ýskece and Dimetoka. In Turkey,
by contrast, there are no laws in place regarding the leadership and
management of minority foundations. In Greece, in the less-populated
areas of Ýskece, Rodop and Meric, the leadership of the Turkish
foundations is decided upon by the local muftis, and the regional
general secretary is then informed.

For-profit companies: In Greece, foundations are not-for-profit and can
only collect income for charity and the like. In Turkey, by contrast,
permission is given for minority foundations to not only profit,
but to take up partnerships in private companies.

Foundation status for cemeteries: In the Greek cities of Ýskece,
Rodop and Meric, Muslim cemeteries are officially recognized as
foundations. In Turkey, by contrast, there are no such regulations.

–Boundary_(ID_C1slDBSJXxgc/79n4vEiG Q)–
From: Baghdasarian

BIRTH RATE IS UP

KarabakhOpen
12-02-2008 11:30:33

A few days ago President Bako Sahakyan met with the minister of social
security Narine Azatyan and commended the growth of the birth rate
in January.

We have learned that newlyweds and parents of the "third" children
received certificates of 300 thousand and 500 thousand drams
respectively.

However, we talked to some of them, and they said they did not get
the money but were told that they can get the money within 6 months.
From: Baghdasarian