Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER

His Holiness Aram I received Dr. Kouros, the head of the Department for
European and Middle Eastern Affairs at the Cypriot Foreign Ministry, and Ms.
Erato Kozakou-Marcoulli, the new Ambassador of Cyprus to Lebanon, in Bikfaya
on October 9.

The hour-long meeting focused on the political situation in the Middle East
as viewed from a European perspective and the Catholicos shed light on his
viewpoints regarding this topic.

The coexistence and cooperation of the various Lebanese communities also
featured high on the agenda. As always, His Holiness was very firm in
insisting on the need to strengthen inter-communal relations and
consequently, the internal unity in the country.

On the role of the Armenian community in Lebanon, His Holiness stated that
as one of the seven main communities of the country, the Armenians have and
continue to carry out their obligations towards Lebanon, at the same times
safeguarding all their rights.

In the context of regional politics, The Armenian spiritual leader informed
Ms. Kozakou of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s decades’ long efforts in
support of the just Palestinian cause.

Turning to the Armenian community and Prelacy of Cyprus, His Holiness spoke
in detail about their positive contribution to the progress and development
of the Island. He added that on several occasions he has raised awareness
about the just cause of the Cypriot nation from international platforms,
inviting world attention to the efforts to solve the conflict.

Ms. Kozakou highly praised the constructive role of the Armenian communities
in their countries of residence throughout the Diaspora, considering the
Cypriot Armenian community to be one of the countries important communities.

The Cypriot official also agreed on the Pontiff’s views on the Middle East
and international politics in general, reaffirming that Cyprus has always
supported the peace process and highlights the importance of cooperation
between various communities.

Another important topic on the agenda was Turkey’s European Union bid.
Pointing out that Europe is established on values and human rights, His
Holiness added that these characteristics should not be blemished by the
entry of Turkey into the union.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Baghdasarian

NIER LE GENOCIDE ARMENIEN POURRAIT ETRE CONDAMNE PENALEMENT
par Beatrice Gurrey

Le Monde, France
10 octobre 2006 mardi

LA PROPOSITION de loi socialiste qui vise a penaliser la negation
du genocide armenien pourrait etre votee, jeudi 12 octobre, a
l’Assemblee nationale, avec l’appui d’une soixantaine de deputes de
l’UMP. Le groupe UMP examinera le dossier mardi matin. Le premier
secretaire du PS, Francois Hollande et le depute Patrick Devedjian
(UMP Hauts-de-Seine), se sont accordes, dimanche 8 octobre, lors de
l’emission " France-Europe Express ", sur la necessite de voter ce
texte dont l’examen avait avorte en mai.

Lundi, sur France-Inter, Nicolas Sarkozy a indique qu’il avait eu
deux fois le premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan au telephone,
ce qu’il avait deja raconte au groupe UMP, voila une semaine : le
debat y avait ete assez vif pour savoir s’il fallait ou non continuer
a soutenir ce texte, alors que Jacques Chirac, le 30 septembre,
a Erevan, avait fait de la reconnaissance du genocide armenien une
condition a l’entree de la Turquie dans l’Union europeenne.

" Pour moi, – la reconnaissance du genocide par l’Armenie – ce n’est
pas une condition prealable pour rentrer en Europe. C’est le minimum.

Ce n’est pas parce qu’on fait son devoir de memoire qu’on peut
rentrer en Europe. On ne pourrait eviter de voter cette loi qu’a trois
conditions : la mise en place d’une commission bilaterale et paritaire
Armenie-Turquie ; que la Turquie rouvre ses frontières avec l’Armenie ;
que la Turquie renonce a sa legislation penale qui interdit de parler
d’un genocide ", a declare M. Sarkozy. Il a ajoute qu’il n’avait pas
ete certain de convaincre M. Erdogan.

Les reactions officielles se sont multipliees en Turquie. 500 personnes
ont manifeste, dimanche, a Istanbul, avec des pancartes portant "
le genocide est un mensonge ". Le ministre des affaires etrangères
turc, Abdullah Gul, a assure que la France allait " perdre la Turquie
". La participation de la France a d’importants projets economiques,
notamment de centrale nucleaire, serait compromise si ce projet etait
vote, a averti M. Gul, precisant qu’il avait prevenu son homologue
francais, Philippe Douste-Blazy. Samedi, M. Erdogan avait exprime son
indignation, affirmant qu’il s’agissait d’un problème " qui concerne la
Turquie et l’Armenie " et que " la France n’avait pas a s’en meler ".

La Turquie combat cette proposition de loi, alors que la reaction
avait ete assez moderee a Ankara, après le voyage de Jacques Chirac en
Armenie. A Erevan, le chef de l’Etat avait indique qu’il considerait la
proposition socialiste comme relevant de la " polemique ". Rappelant
que la France avait reconnu le genocide par la loi du 29 janvier
2001, il avait considere ce texte comme inutile, la loi francaise
condamnant deja " toute provocation a la discrimination, a la haine
ou la violence raciale ".

–Boundary_(ID_z/jJSP4UZHRbMPSPcoCO/Q)–
From: Baghdasarian

CULTURAL CENTER FOR NATIONAL MINORITIES IN YEREVAN
By Tamar Minasian

AZG Armenian Daily
10/10/2006

Despite the fact that national minorities in Armenia constitute
only 3% of the population, Hranush Kharatian, head of the RA
Government-affiliated department for national minorities and religious
issues, does not agree that our society is mono-ethnic. "This 3%
non-Armenians are representatives of diverse nationalities" therefore
we are a multiethnic country, she finds. Representatives of other
nationalities feel good in Armenia. "We all live in equal conditions
in Armenia," Gersh Burstein, chief rabbi of Armenian says. "Thank
God there is no ethnic discrimination here, and the government’s
efforts for a good life in multiethnic Armenia become apparent with
every year."

Another initiative directed to minorities was creation of a cultural
center for national minorities by the RA government. Government
representatives, ambassadors and minority representatives were present
at the opening of the center on October 7. Gagik Gagian, deputy head
of RA government’s staff, said that the center could have been opened
earlier but "better late than never".

The government has spent around $10.000 for reconstructing two floors
of the Central Post Office for the cultural center, which is designed
for concerts, celebrations, sessions, working meetings. It also has
libraries and rooms for studying national languages. Hranush Kharatian
said that the center still needs to be furnished.

Head of the Jewish community said that the opening of the center
was one of the key events in the life of Armenia’s minorities. "The
center not only unites the cultural field of separate communities
but also acts as a new cultural environment for all inhabitants of
Armenia. We are hopeful that our Armenian brothers will also take
part in the arrangements here," Gersh Burstein told daily Azg.

Representatives of the most different communities were unanimously
saying that there is no discrimination in Armenia and that conditions
are equal for all. Mrs. Kharatian assured that national minorities
in Armenia have the same problems as the other citizens. Plus their
own cultural issues. "There are several state-backed Sunday schools,
classes of mother tongues, newspapers and radio programs. In general,
the state is obliged to grant rights and not to finance directly but
our state sometimes finances too," Mrs. Kharatian said.

The most active communities in Armenia are the Russian, Ukrainian,
Yezidi, Kurdish, Assyrian and Greek. At the initiative of national
minorities, a memorial to the Armenian Genocide and Holocaust will
be erected at the crossroad of Terian-Moskovian streets.

Government representatives assured that what is essential is that the
minority representatives feel as full-fledged citizens in our country
and have the right for national cultures. The center will also help
the Armenian society to get to know the culture and national values
of the minorities.
From: Baghdasarian

NATO REPRESENTATIVE TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA OCTOBER 11

TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 9 2006

(PanARMENIAN.Net) – NATO Special Representative for South Caucasus and
Central Asia Robert Simmons will arrive in Armenia October 11, RA MFA
Acting Spokesman Vladimir Karapetian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

In his words, Simmons’ visit will last 2 days. "The Armenia-NATO
relations within the IPAP and many other issues will be discussed
within the visit framework," Karapetian said, reports Trend.
From: Baghdasarian

Newsweek
Oct 6 2006

A Quick Guide to Orhan Pamuk
(So when they announce that he’s won the Nobel Prize in Literature
next week, you’ll be totally up to speed).

WEB EXCLUSIVE
By Owen Matthews and Malcolm Jones
Newsweek
Updated: 4:53 p.m. ET Oct. 6, 2006

Oct. 6, 2006 – Once again, Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk is rumored to
be a leading candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. The author
of "Snow" and "My Name Is Red" has been here before, along with
Philip Roth and Joyce Carol Oates, the writers most frequently
mentioned as his competition. But this looks like the 54-year-old
Pamuk’s year (a bad year for a writer can be good for his Nobel
chances-see below).

In the interest of dispelling any Orhan Who? confusion, we’re
providing a crib sheet. So by the time the Nobel committee makes its
announcement Oct. 12, you’ll be up to speed. Of course, the more we
say and the more you prepare, the worse his chances will probably
get. On the other hand, he’s someone you should know about whether he
ever wins the prize or not. He’s that good.

Who is Orhan Pamuk?

Pamuk is Turkey’s greatest novelist-and its most controversial. Last
year he sparked a furor when he told a Swiss newspaper that "a
million Armenians and 30,000 Kurds were killed in this country
[during World War I and between 1986 and 1999, respectively], and I’m
the only one who dares to talk about it." In response,
ultranationalist Turkish lawyers brought charges against Pamuk,
accusing him of "insulting Turkishness." The charges could have
landed him in jail if the case hadn’t been thrown out. Even so, Pamuk
received multiple death threats and was branded an "abject creature"
by Hurriyet, Turkey’s largest newspaper. In the process, though, he
became an international hero of free speech. The European Union’s
enlargement commissioner called Pamuk’s trial a "litmus test" of
Turkey’s commitment to the European values, and some of the world’s
top authors, including Gabriel García Marquez, Gunter Grass, Umberto
Eco and John Updike publicly backed his stand.

In the interest of dispelling any Orhan Who? confusion, we’re
providing a crib sheet. So by the time the Nobel committee makes its
announcement Oct. 12, you’ll be up to speed. Of course, the more we
say and the more you prepare, the worse his chances will probably
get. On the other hand, he’s someone you should know about whether he
ever wins the prize or not. He’s that good.

One of Pamuk’s most enduring themes is the tension between the values
of East and West. "Snow" (2002), his latest novel, is set in a
snowbound city on the edges of contemporary Turkey-and, symbolically,
on the margins of Western civilization. Its protagonist, a poet,
finds himself caught in a web of conflicting ideologies, from
religious extremism to totalitarianism-all the -isms that have
stalked the Turkish Republic since it first emerged as a secularized,
Westernized state out of the ruins of the Ottoman past a century ago.

"Snow" takes place in the 1990s in the actual Turkish city of Kars,
but while the story, packed with nationalists, socialists and
militant Islamists, has a superficial currency, its reality is
dreamlike. Snow falls for most of the novel, isolating the town,
where a poet, called Ka, has come to investigate a series of suicides
by teenage Muslim girls who refuse the secular government’s order to
remove their headscarves. Artistically blocked for years, Ka, a
Westernized sophisticate, suddenly begins to write poetry again. He
falls in love so deeply that he begins to betray everything-even his
own scruples-to preserve his happiness. Because he believes in
nothing beyond his own desire, he is marked for tragedy.

In "Istanbul" (2005), which is both an autobiography and a brilliant
portrait of modern Turkey, Pamuk uses his native city-which is
located literally on the geographical dividing line between the
Christian West and the Muslim East-as a metaphor for a culture that
wants to look forward but can’t help simultaneously looking
backward-with melancholy and a terrific sense of loss-at the glories
of its past civilization. It is also a very sensual, almost
street-by-street celebration of a very real place. Few writers mix
ideas with the grittiness of the real world better than Pamuk, who
has always identified with the outsider, the observer, the recording
angel: the "imaginative exploration of the other, the enemy who
resides in all our minds" is a novelist’s most important function, he
says.

What’s his writing like?
Here’s a sample, from "Istanbul":

To see the city in black and white is to see it through the tarnish
of history: the patina of what is old and faded and no longer matters
to the rest of the world. Even the greatest Ottoman architecture has
a humble simplicity that suggests an end-of-empire gloom, a pained
submission to the diminishing European gaze and to an ancient poverty
that must be endured like an incurable disease. It is resignation
that nourishes Istanbul’s inward-looking soul. To see the city in
black and white, to see the haze that sits over it and breathe in the
melancholy its inhabitants have embraced as their common fate, you
need only to fly in from a rich western city and head straight to the
crowded streets; if it’s winter, every man on the Galata Bridge will
be wearing the same, pale, drab, shadowy clothes. The Istanbullus of
my era have shunned the vibrant reds, greens and oranges of their
rich, proud ancestors; to foreign visitors, it looks as if they have
done so deliberately, to make a moral point. They have not-but there
is in their dense gloom a suggestion of modesty. This is how you
dress in a black-and-white city, they seem to be saying; this is how
you grieve for a city that has been in decline for a hundred and
fifty years.

–Boundary_(ID_xIuiyQJgsxriZ0kes4L2wQ)–
From: Baghdasarian

Turkish Daily News
Oct 6 2006

Diplomacy Newsline
Friday, October 6, 2006

Dutch Turks could boycott elections:

ANK – TDN with AFP

Turkish groups in the Netherlands expressed concern on Thursday that
voters of Turkish origin will boycott elections after candidates
for parliament were bumped off the electoral lists for refusing to
acknowledge the alleged Armenian genocide.

Last week the Netherlands’ two biggest political parties removed three
prospective deputies of Turkish origin from their list of candidates
for the Nov. 22 elections because they would not recognize the World
War I killings of Armenians as genocide.

"We have heard from every side that voters of Turkish origin are
disappointed and do not understand, and we fear this could have
consequences for the participation of the Turkish community in Dutch
politics," said Ahmet Azdural of IOT, an umbrella group representing
some 300 local Turkish organizations in the Netherlands. "We have
called on all organizations and bodies together with national and
local politicians of Turkish origin to meet Sunday in Capelle aan
den IJssel (near Rotterdam) to agree on a course of action," Azdural
told Agence France-Presse. "It is very difficult to force candidates
of Turkish origin to choose sides in what is a historic debate. This
gives the impression that there is no freedom of speech in the major
political parties."

There are 235,000 voters of Turkish origin in the Netherlands,
corresponding in terms of population to some three seats in the
150-seat parliament.
From: Baghdasarian

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) 630 Second Avenue, New
York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 6, 2006
___________________

DIOCESE HOSTS DAY OF DISCUSSION FOR ARMENIAN LANGUAGE EDUCATORS

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) hosted a day-long
symposium for parish Armenian School teachers and principals on September 9,
2006, at the Diocesan Center in New York City.

More than 70 teachers attended from the St. Vartan Cathedral’s Armenian
School, 11 parish schools, the Diocese’s two Khrimian Lyceum programs, and
one Armenian day school.

The theme of this year’s start-of-school symposium was how best to lead
Armenian heritage learning, with a focus on language, literature, and
cultural traditions.

"I believe in the continuous exchange of ideas and I am grateful for the
symposium’s more experienced speakers who presented their practical
knowledge to us," said Lucia Vorperian, a teacher at the St. Vartan
Cathedral Saturday School and the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum.

Speakers at the day-long session included Vehanoush Tekian a writer and
former literature teacher at the Hovnnanian Day School in New Jersey,
Zarmine Boghossian principal at Holy Martyrs Day School, and Gilda
Buchakjian-Kupelian, coordinator of Armenian studies for the Diocese.

"We wanted to make sure the teachers took away tools, ideas, and resources
that will help them in the coming months impart a strong sense of our
Armenian language and culture to the next generation," Buchakjian-Kupelian
said. "The Diocese always stands ready to assist our local educators in
anyway we can, and I’m glad so many of them attended this edifying event."

Attendees, too, were glad to have made the trip.

"When I realized we were going to drive for five hours, leaving at 4 a.m.,
and devote a whole Saturday, I thought ‘Is this going to be worth it?’" said
Norik Baboorian-Checkosky, a teacher at the St. Mary Church’s Shnorhali
School in Washington, D.C. "But from the first minute, I realized what a
great decision we had made. The speakers’ ability and knowledge and their
approach to teaching was wonderful. I am sure I will be using these ideas
in my teaching."

Most participants said the specific ideas and new resources presented made
the day productive.

"The Symposium was very informative. These practical-oriented subjects by
the speakers were very helpful," said Annie Altounian, a teacher at the St.
Peter Church in Watervliet, NY.

Fr. Karekin Kasparaian from the St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White
Plains, NY, delivered the opening prayer. The day also included a special
remembrance of the late poet Silva Kaputikyan.

HONORING SERVICE

Along with focusing on techniques they could use in future classes, several
educators were thanked for their years of service.

Honored for 25 years of service to Diocesan Armenian Schools were: Ardemis
Arslanian, Mary Demirjian, Maro Hajakian, Rosine Hovsepian, and Marie
Zokian.

Marking 20 years of service were: Aida Sarkissian, Mary Sarkissian, Araxi
Shamamian, Marie Vardanian, and Mary Yacoubian.

Recognized for 10 years of service were: Anahid Boghossian, Ani Derderian,
Aida Diloyan, Jacklin Ekmekjian, Silva Jinivizian, Shnorig Minassian, Nectar
Sarkissian-Monroe, and Shakeh Tokatlian.

"I am glad so many people throughout the Diocese want to help our young
students learn our Armenian language, our beautiful Armenian culture, and
our unique Armenian traditions," said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Diocese. "It is encouraging to think that our Armenian identity is
celebrated here in America."

— 10/6/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Vehanoush Tekian speaks to Armenian School educators
during the new school year symposium organized by the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Zarmine Boghossian addresses 70 local Armenian educators
during a day-long symposium at the Diocesan Center in New York City on
September 9, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Fr. Karekin Kasparian, pastor of the St. Gregory the
Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, joins the educators being honored
for their years of service to parish Armenian Schools during a day-long
symposium at the Diocesan Center on September 9, 2006, marking the start of
the Armenian School year.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): More than 70 parish Armenian School educators attended
the day-long symposium organized by the Diocese.

# # #
From: Baghdasarian

Paris Link, France
Oct 6 2006

Chirac the Kingmaker
Fri, 06 Oct 2006 19:15:00
Gareth Cartman

Chirac loyalists are making noises – they do not seem to want Nicolas
Sarkozy in the Elysee. Should Jacques Chirac decide not to stand next
year for a third term, he finds himself in the position of Kingmaker.
Just like the socialists, his leitmotif is "Anyone But Sarkozy".

There is no Chirac building yet in Paris. There is no Bibliothèque
Chirac, no Centre Chirac, not even a Roissy-Jacques-Chirac. Two terms
in office, and apart from the quai Branly museum, there is little to
remember Jacques Chirac by. However, he is refusing to go quietly –
if he does go at all – and his desire to stop Nicolas Sarkozy getting
into the Elysee could see one last swipe from this political monster.

Sarkozy used to be a Chirac protege. The young Sarkozy was often seen
at the side of Chirac, but that all stopped with the ‘betrayal’ of
Edouard Balladur in 1995 and Sarkozy’s defection to Balladur’s camp.
The ambitious Interior Minister’s plans for ‘la rupture’ have been
met with distaste by Chirac and the chiraquiens, who are planning
ahead to stop Sarkozy.

First of all, Chirac’s rehabilitation has been swift. A visit
this week to an Agriculture salon pitched Chirac right back in his
element. Chirac never hides the fact that his favourite period during
his political lifetime was at the Agriculture Ministry. He has racked
up airmiles like never before, travelling the world to make speeches –
controversial or otherwise. He pushed Turkey to recognise the genocide
of the Armenians recently, and back home reformed the pensions scheme
for war veterans of immigrant origin.

Many suspect that this is the first part of one of the many Chirac
‘revivals’. Considered politically dead before both Presidential
elections, Chirac kept on coming back to win. If he feels that he
will not be able to complete his comeback this time, expect Chirac
to place an ally on the way to the Elysee.

Current favourite seems to be Michelle Alliot-Marie. The Defense
Minister already has the backing of at least 50 MPs and has set up
her own association, la Chene (the Oak Tree) on the same road as
Chirac’s former RPR party. A chiraquienne at heart, Alliot-Marie has
been manoeuvring for the nomination for several weeks already. She
is likely to run against Sarkozy, and would have the full support of
Chirac should he not run.

A few weeks ago, it appeared that all faith had been lost in Dominique
de Villepin. Still the golden boy of the chiraquiens, de Villepin
has done everything within his capacity to distance himself from
Sarkozy. Where Sarkozy says "fire", de Villepin says "hold your
fire". Notably effective in the resolution of the Cachan crisis,
de Villepin has steadily climbed in popularity and could represent
an option should Alliot-Marie fail.

Should Chirac be re-elected, he will more than likely use his third
term to promote a chiraquien to succeed him, much as he has been trying
to do with Dominique de Villepin. The favourite for this proposal would
be Alain Juppe, who is expected to walk back into his position as Mayor
of Bordeaux. Juppe, who took the rap for corruption charges, went into
exile for two years, and Chirac feels he owes his favourite protege.

Juppe is a born fonctionnaire. A devout believer in the power of
the state, and in the power of those chosen to execute the state’s
decisions, Juppe simply could not believe how he had been treated
when charged with corruption. He remains a wholehearted chiraquien,
with the 2012 Presidential elections his true target.

This trio represent the best chances of Chirac leaving a lasting legacy
at the Elysee. As Sarkozy rejects Gaullism, the chiraquiens preach
it. Whether it is Chirac himself or one of his proteges running against
Nicolas Sarkozy, the big man in the palace will have the ultimate say
in who wins next year’s election. Indeed, he would probably even choose
Segolène Royal over Sarkozy, such is the rift between the two men.

CLE/1233/2006-10-06.html

–Boundary_(ID_1NxHRgRoQ fno2A1xS0V8LQ)–
From: Baghdasarian

DE TURQUIE, CHRISTOPH BLOCHER SèME LA COLèRE

Le Temps, Suisse
5 octobre 2006

GENOCIDE. En visite a Ankara, le ministre de la Justice remet en
cause l’application de la norme antiraciste. Vague de desapprobation.

Les "maux de ventre" de Christoph Blocher donnent des maux de tete au
monde politique suisse. Venu celebrer a Ankara le 80e anniversaire de
l’adoption du Code civil suisse par la Turquie, le chef du Departement
federal de justice et police (DFJP) a lance un veritable pave dans
la mare hier en abordant la question très sensible de la penalisation
de la negation des genocides. L’article 261 bis du Code penal suisse
lui donne des "maux de ventre", a-t-il declare.

"Modifier la loi est une possibilite", a-t-il ajoute devant la presse
a l’issue de sa rencontre "très amicale" avec son homologue turc,
Cemil Cicek.

Tout en defendant la position officielle a propos de la question
armenienne – le ministre UDC a rappele que le Conseil federal ne
reconnaissait pas le "genocide des Armeniens" et que, s’agissant
des poursuites penales contre deux intellectuels turcs, la Suisse
respectait une stricte separation des pouvoirs -, il a ainsi critique
ouvertement la norme penale antiraciste.

Scandale et perplexite

Sa declaration a immediatement provoque des reactions en Suisse. Elle a
suscite une certaine perplexite au Departement federal des affaires
etrangères (DFAE), qui a dû gerer plusieurs episodes houleux
entre Berne et Ankara. Ils feront très certainement l’objet d’une
discussion au sein du Conseil federal, soulignent des proches du
dossier. Le president du PDC, Christophe Darbellay, est scandalise:
"C’est precisement pour que l’Holocauste et d’autres genocides ne
passent pas pour des details de l’histoire et pour lutter contre
l’extreme droite que la norme antiraciste existe!"

Mais, plus encore que l’interpretation de cette norme, ce sont
les propos de Christoph Blocher qui provoquent l’ire de nombreux
parlementaires. Qu’il s’immisce directement dans une procedure penale
est "scandaleux", jugent des elus de tous bords. Qu’il le fasse de
surcroît a l’etranger est percu comme un coup de poignard dans le
dos des autres membres du gouvernement et du peuple suisse.

Voulue par le peuple

"Le ministre ne connaît-il pas la separation des pouvoirs?" s’insurge
Christophe Darbellay. Didier Burkhalter (PRD/NE) souligne: "Une
nouvelle fois, il depasse les bornes! Lui qui s’erige toujours
en defenseur de la volonte populaire en vient a la bafouer. Car,
faut-il le rappeler, la loi antiraciste a ete voulue et avalisee par
le peuple!" La gauche enfonce le clou: "Après avoir remis en cause
la Commission federale de recours en matière d’asile, traite deux
ressortissants albanais de criminels en se substituant aux tribunaux,
ce nouveau pas est grave et consternant", tranche le secretaire general
du Parti socialiste, Thomas Christen. Comme les Verts, il en conclut:
"Cela prouve une nouvelle fois que Christoph Blocher est indigne du
Conseil federal." De son côte, l’UDC boit du petit-lait.

Elle n’a jamais ete partisane de la loi antiraciste, sous pretexte
qu’elle limitait la liberte d’expression et pouvait remettre en cause
la neutralite de la Suisse. Pour Andre Bugnon, il ne s’agit pas de nier
le genocide des Armeniens. Mais cette loi "doit tout au plus valoir
pour des phenomènes d’actualite. Pas pour des evenements historiques."

Cet article 261 bis du Code penal empoisonne de manière très directe
les relations entre Berne et Ankara. Adopte en 1994, il punit tout
propos tendant a nier, minimiser ou justifier un genocide ou d’autres
crimes contre l’humanite. Initialement vote dans le but de punir les
negationnistes de l’Holocauste, il a depuis ete utilise a l’encontre
de deux Turcs, l’historien Yusuf Halacoglu et le leader du Parti des
travailleurs, Dogu Perincek. Tous deux, lors de conferences tenues en
Suisse en 2005, avaient ouvertement nie le genocide de 1915 durant
lequel entre 1,2 et 1,5 million d’Armeniens auraient ete tues. Dogu
Perincek avait meme ete interroge durant deux heures a la suite de
cet incident, soulevant la colère d’Ankara, qui rejette encore la
thèse du genocide mais reconnaît le massacre de 300000 Armeniens.

Ankara s’oppose donc au Grand Conseil vaudois et au Conseil national,
qui ont officiellement reconnu en 2003 la realite de ce genocide.

Aux yeux de Christoph Blocher, les poursuites engagees a l’encontre
de ces deux citoyens turcs par la justice suisse portent un coup a la
liberte d’expression. "La situation est actuellement très differente
de celle des annees 90, a-t-il explique. A l’epoque, personne n’aurait
pense que cet article [261 bis du Code penal] traînerait en justice
un eminent historien turc." Avant d’ajouter que "ce n’est pas aux
hommes politiques suisses de juger l’histoire d’un pays tiers" et
d’approuver l’idee de creer une commission internationale d’historiens
sur le sujet.

L’autre dossier sensible aborde très "ouvertement" hier entre
les deux ministres concerne la lutte contre le terrorisme. Cemil
Cicek a reitere a "son ami" l’attente de la Turquie concernant
une cooperation internationale et a vertement critique l’attitude
de certains terroristes qui "essaient de se rendre en Europe en
profitant des vides juridiques de certains pays et y demandent
l’asile". Allusion claire a la Suisse qui refuse de qualifier le
Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) d’organisation terroriste,
contrairement aux Etats-Unis et a l’Union europeenne.

Encadre: Il se moque du peuple et des institutions

Commentaire.

Par Bernard Wuthrich

Très attache, en d’autres circonstances, au respect de la volonte
populaire, Christoph Blocher ne s’est pas gene, mercredi a Ankara,
pour remettre en question une norme penale pourtant approuvee par le
peuple en 1994.

Non seulement il montre ainsi sa conception très volatile du respect
des decisions populaires, mais, en plus, il devait s’abstenir de
faire ce genre de commentaire dans ce contexte precis.

Il n’est pas le premier a mettre en doute l’application de la norme
penale antiraciste a des cas tels que ceux des deux personnalites
turques poursuivies par la justice suisse. On peut se poser des
questions a ce sujet, mais un ministre n’a pas a se livrer a un tel
exercice alors qu’il est en visite a l’etranger.

Il n’a pas non plus a annoncer dans ce cadre-la qu’on pourrait
envisager une revision legislative. Qu’il le pense, c’est son droit.

Qu’il l’exprime lors des seances du Conseil federal, cela fait partie
de sa fonction. Qu’il le dise lors de debats politiques en Suisse,
on peut encore l’admettre.

On ne peut en revanche accepter qu’un membre du gouvernement aille
dire a ses interlocuteurs turcs que cet article du Code penal lui
"fait mal au ventre". C’est d’autant moins acceptable qu’il le fait
alors qu’une procedure penale est en cours.

Il ne lui suffit pas de rappeler, comme il l’a fait, la position du
Conseil federal face a la question armenienne et l’attachement de la
Suisse a la separation des pouvoirs pour se permettre un tel abus.

–Boundary_(ID_hrJ2nc8EEMuAn49E06kNpQ)–
From: Baghdasarian

YEREVAN TO HOST E-SUMMIT

Armenpress
Oct 04 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: Ninety representatives from 35
countries have arrived in Armenia for a world e-Summit that will be
hosted by capital city Yerevan from October 5 to October 7. They will
be joined by about 300 Armenian businessmen, chief business executives
and IT experts.

The Armenian Information Technology Foundation is one of its
organizers. Its head Garegin Chukaszian told a news conference
today that the decision to choose Yerevan as the venue of the summit
was prompted by Armenia’s achievements in the previous summits, and
especially in the 2005 Tunisia summit. The Armenian summit is divided
into two separate parts. On October 5 and 6 the Council of Europe and
Armenian foreign ministry will hold Human Rights in the Information
Society: Pan-European Forum on "Empowering children and young people"
forum that will be attended by representatives of Council of Europe
member states, civil society, the private sector, academia and the
media, and other interested organizations.

The forum will stress that filtering and labeling Internet content
is not enough to ensure that children and young people can surf the
web safely – in the exercise of their rights and freedoms, including
the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information
and ideas. On October 6-7 the prize awarding committee of the summit
and the Foundation will hold a forum on development of cultural and
language diversity Internet content.

In a related development prime minister Andranik Margarian received
today Sarbuland Khan, executive coordinator of the UN Global Alliance
for Information and Communication Technologies and Development.

Launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 19 June, the Alliance promotes
action to utilize new information and communication technologies to
fight poverty and promote development.

Margarian was quoted by government press office as saying that Armenia
is prepared to take active part in Alliance’s actions. Margarian
invited Khan to participate in Digitech international fair that opens
in Yerevan on October 6. Khan has accepted the invitation.

Khan was said to convey to Margarian UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan’s greetings.
From: Baghdasarian