Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

CODE NAME ISTANBUL UPRISING

Yeni Safak, Turkey
June 16 2013

It transpired that the Gezi Park protests, which Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan claimed to have been informed about “three months
prior to the events,” were taken up at a think tank meeting in the
United States months before the onset of the incidents. In a meeting
held in February 2013, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), which
“conducts activities with the support of the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee, AIPAC,” laid on the table an “Istanbul Uprising”
scenario with the aim of “keeping alive the apolitical Turkish
youths by leading them to the streets.” The meeting, in which the AKP
[Justice and Development Party] government’s activities and Turkey’s
developments in the last decade were discussed, was attended by the
Neo-Cons, who are world renowned personalities in what concerns the
Middle East: Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Bernard Lewis, Elliot
Abrams, Richard Perle, John Bolton, William Kristol, and Douglas Feith.

Let Us Turn Taksim Into Tahrir

The icons of the American neo-conservative lobby who work as advisors
at the Hudson Institute — which, in 2007, had taken up scenarios such
as the assassination of Tulay Tugcu, president of the constitutional
court of the period, and the detonation of a big bomb in Taksim — have
discussed the Middle East regional policies based on the developments
in Turkey and in Egypt, at the institute’s meeting in February. There
were also six Turks at the meeting that was hosted by the AEI, and
where a virtual simulation of the present developments in Istanbul was
staged. One of the personalities at the table stated that the Taksim
Square could be turned into Tahrir and could thus give the world the
impression of a “Turkish Spring.” He said: “Every square in the world
has an identity. Taksim is known because of May Day events.

Great demonstrations held by the people will give Taksim an identity,
and Taksim too, just like Tahrir, will gain an identity…”

Streets Must Be Kept Alive

While at the meeting hosted by the Israeli lobby in the United States
the ways the “Istanbul Uprising” could be sparked were discussed,
the voices that rose from that obscure table were shaped in the
following sentences: “The Turkish youth is an apolitical youth. If
young people who have never taken part in any protest demonstration
take to city squares, they will, in time, become politicized. The
streets must be kept alive. While in Arab countries issues such as
freedoms, the expectation for democracy, and civilian constitution
lead the population to the streets, in Turkey the situation is just
the opposite. Since political groups and national leftwing movements
will not be capable of setting progressive targets, it will be very
difficult to turn the street protests into a grassroots movement. It
is imperative to establish solidarity between organizations. If this
cannot be achieved, the people’s movement in Turkey, unlike the ‘Arab
Spring,’ may turn into a conflict within the population. The fact
that the youth who hit the streets for freedom are not organized will
result in the abandonment of the movement to others. On the other hand,
it is not believed that a people’s movement in Turkey is likely to
overthrow the government. In contrary to Arab countries, in Turkey,
even if the state is in the hands of the AKP, there are elections,
and the people can say the last word at the ballots.”

Support from Israeli Lobby

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which is regarded
as the most powerful lobby in Washington, is the institution that
receives the biggest share in the US aid to Israel. Following the
interruption of the relations between Turkey and Israel, the AEI,
which is financed by the AIPAC, is trying to create an opposition
against Turkey with the analyses conducted by think tanks such as the
Hudson Institute and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy
(WINEP) where Neo-Con policies are developed. The “intellectual”
institutions of the Israeli lobby have accelerated their efforts to
design provocative scenarios following the Mavi Marmara incident in
particular. Those organizations are trying to direct institutions in
the American deep state such as the NSA, CIA, DIA, the Pentagon, and
the FBI for the benefit of Israel primarily in the Syrian issue. All
the Neo-Cons who were present at the meeting on a potential “Istanbul
uprising,” work as advisors for think tanks controlled by Israel,
and are each paid between $40,000 and $80,000 for every session
they attend. Another point that draws attention is the fact that
“war correspondent” Christiane Amanpour, who censored Prime Minister
Erdogan’s advisor Ibrahim Kalin in a program broadcast live on CNN
recently, is the wife of Assistant Secretary of State Eric J. Rubin
[as received] who is a prominent Jewish figure in the AIPAC.

A Shot in the Arm for a Newspaper Advertisement

The advertisement put in the American New York Times to support
the Gezi Park protests was paid majorly by the Jewish financed
drug firm Rafagen. The donation campaign launched by Oltac Unsal,
Murat Aktihanoglu, and Duygu Atacan through a website called
“indiegogo.com,” collected $55,000 within the first 24 hours, and
to date, the organization has reached the sum of $108,371 with the
donations of 2,653 individuals. Out of this sum, $40,000 came from
Rafagen Incorporation. Since a sum of $55,000 was paid for the ad in
New York Times, what the three buddies did with the remaining $53,371
became a subject of curiosity.

Lobby Alliance on Eve of 100th Anniversary

There is a noticeable increase in lobby activities in California where
there is a big Armenian population in cities such as Los Angeles and
San Francisco. The Armenian lobby is working frantically on the eve
of the 100th anniversary of the deportation decision that was the
beginning of a great tragedy. These are the last two years before the
100th anniversary of the deportation of 1915. The Armenian lobby has
held 51 meetings with the Jewish lobbies within the last year. The
Armenian lobby has already started to raise funds for 2015.

The American Media Forgot Its Agenda

It transpired that there was a different goal behind the efforts of
the CNN, which virtually set camp in Taksim Square and continuously
reported the Gezi Park protest for hours on end. The CNN repeatedly
broadcasted images to its viewers as if war had broken out in Turkey
or that chemical weapons had been used, while preferring to cover
up certain scandals that happened in the same period as the Gezi
Park protests. While it broadcasted live the incidents in Taksim
Square for hours, the CNN reported the attack in Reyhanli, which
claimed 52 lives, in subtitles only, and it tried to conceal from
its viewers the news that a diplomat from the US State Department had
paid prostitutes for sex, and that the State Department had tried to
cover that fact up. The CNN, which used the Taksim incidents to cover
the scandal that came out a day before the onset of the Gezi Park
protests, also drew attention by completely omitting any reports on
the young Jewish man who revealed that the National Security Agency,
NSA, was following all the US citizens.

[Translated from Turkish]

Original in Turkish:

From: Baghdasarian

NAGORNO KARABAKH, IL PAESE DEI 150.000 FANTASMI [NK: THE COUNTRY OF 150,000 GHOSTS]

La Repubblica- Italia
15 giugno 2013

La Repubblica, autoproclamatasi indipendente nel 1992, in perenne
allerta con l’Azebairgian e la Turchia, ha bisogno di fondi, uomini,
tecnologie, competenze per disegnare il futuro. Il circuito degli
antichi monasteri per “accendere” il turismo. I programmi ambiziosi
nella vicina Armenia da Cardio Tuscany Team, Onlus sostenuta
dell’Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana e della Regione Toscana

di GIOVANNI RAIA

STEP’ANAKERT (Nagorno Karabakh) – Un carro armato scruta dall’alto
di una roccia i pochi veicoli in transito. Siamo appena entrati in
Nagorno Karabakh e il memoriale, uno dei tanti, ti ricorda di colpo
il conflitto armeno-azero del ’92-’94. Ma la giornata sta aprendosi
su un cielo troppo blu e su mille panorami mozzafiato che scolpiscono
montagne e boschi, valloni e torrenti, tutti troppo belli per non
voler respirare ottimismo a pieni polmoni. E in effetti l’arrivo sulla
capitale ha alla fine un che di bucolico. Il tempo di parcheggiare,
però, e le prime note di segno contrario balzano agli occhi. Due anni
di guerra sommati a carenze strutturali, hanno lasciato, pur a distanza
di tempo, cicatrici profonde in citta e villaggi, ma soprattutto hanno
tarpato le ali ad un’economia gia di per se non floridissima che tra
mille contraddizioni cerca nuove risorse per crescere e produrre a
sua volta occasioni di lavoro e servizi dignitosi.

La metafora di un Paese. L’Ospedale Repubblicano di Step’anakert con
la sua facciata cadente, la buona volonta dei suoi operatori e la
fiumana continua di utenti che l’attraversa, è un po’ la metafora
dell’intero Karabakh: danni, poverta storica, voglia di fare, ma
mezzi scarsissimi. In realta sulle rovine del conflitto è sorta una
nuova capitale, moderna e decisamente dinamica. Un nuovo ospedale,
ad esempio, sostituira tra qualche tempo l’ormai inadeguata struttura
anni ’30, ma le realta periferiche non sempre sono della stessa
qualita. Basta allontanarsi di pochi chilometri per vedere, tra Shushi
e Askeran, musei in costruzione e case diroccate, strade bitumate
di fresco e arterie sconnesse, banche tirate a lucido e poveri bar
dall’aria triste. Per carita, lo sforzo postbellico di ricostruzione –
che spesso è costruzione ex novo di cose mai esistite – è imponente
e ammirevole, ma molto rimane ancora da fare. E più che i numeri,
sono le difficolta della vita quotidiana a evidenziare la necessita
di un intervento esterno concreto e ad ampio raggio.

I tanti bisogni. Il Karabakh ha bisogno di fondi, uomini, tecnologie
e competenze per disegnare il proprio futuro. In soldoni, va aiutato
con progetti e mezzi. Ad esempio, con investimenti in attivita
industriali, molto redditizi per l’investitore anche grazie alla
favorevole tassazione applicata. Il settore turistico, tanto per
citare una possibilita tra mille, è accreditato di un forte sviluppo
in tempi brevi. Basterebbe proporre il circuito degli antichi monasteri
per accendere voglia di viaggio nel più pigro dei turisti.

La fame di sapere. Ma se invece ragionassimo in termini non profit,
potremmo allora rivolgere la nostra attenzione alla formazione ed
all’aggiornamento in genere. Questo Paese ha fame di sapere, e non
c’è campo dove non si possano trasmettere nuove conoscenze. Bisogna
però dire che interesse primario della popolazione, è ancora una volta
la salute. La gratuita solo parziale delle cure, il numero esiguo di
strutture specialistiche che costringe i malati a difficili e costosi
viaggi, la mancanza di un confronto continuo fra i sanitari locali
ed i colleghi di altri paesi, sono solo la punta di un iceberg che
pesa fortemente sulla qualita della vita. In questo senso, molto si
può fare.

L’assenza di una road map verso la pace. Recenti esperienze,
con programmi ambiziosi concretizzati nella vicina Armenia da
Cardio Tuscany Team, una Onlus che si avvale della collaborazione
dell’Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana e del sostegno della
Regione Toscana, indicano che con determinazione e idee chiare si
arriva molto lontano. Ovvero a modificare situazioni negative che
paiono gravemente compromesse, quando non irreversibili. E impegnativo
è il problema che affligge il Nagorno Karabakh, con l’aggravante,
a volte quasi grottesca, dell’ipocrisia del consesso internazionale
che per non turbare equilibri delicati si esprime da vent’anni con
generici ed inutili inviti agli ex belligeranti dell’area a lavorare
per la pace, senza però disegnare una possibile road map. Un disco
che, senza pudore alcuno, ad ogni occasione viene risuonato per
mascherare un’incapacita patologica a prendere decisioni serie. Così,
questa piccola repubblica, autoproclamatasi all’indomani del crollo
dell’Unione Sovietica, non gode di alcun riconoscimento internazionale
che le conceda almeno lo status minimo di parte in causa in una contesa
che l’immobilismo generale rischia di far riesplodere drammaticamente
da un momento all’altro.

Ecco il quadro generale, per capire. La situazione è questa:
Il Nagorno Karabakh è una repubblica nella parte meridionale del
Caucaso che si è autoproclamata indipendente. Ai suoi confini c’è, ad
ovest, l’Armenia, a sud l’Iran, a nord e ad est l’Azerbaigian. Gli
attuali limiti territoriali sono stati disegnati al termine di
un conflitto scoppiato nel gennaio del 1992, dopo la proclamazione
dell’indipendenza. Oggi, alcune limitate aree del territorio sul bordo
orientale della repubblica indipendente sono sotto il controllo azero,
pur essendo rivendicate dall’Armenia. Da un lato, dunque, l’Azerbaijan,
appoggiato dalla Turchia, che può contare su petrolio, gas, forza
militare, posizione strategica in seno alle alleanze internazionali
e popolazione numericamente cospicua. Dall’altro Nagorno Karabakh e
l’Armenia, in tutto tre milioni di persone, forse, che producono sì,
ma non tanto da soddisfare i bisogni interni, a cominciare dai generi
alimentari. In posizione di spettatori interessati, ci sono Iran,
la Georgia e la Russia.

Una specie di “Paese-limbo”. In questo quadro 150.000 persone
continuano a vivere in una sorta di paese-limbo, come fantasmi
invisibili agli occhi del mondo. Peccato che questi fantasmi sperino
e soffrano, lavorino e si ammalino e gioiscano e si alimentino in modo
molto materiale. In una parola, vivano. Negare nei fatti che esistano,
girando la testa dall’altra parte, non risolvera il problema. Lo fara
marcire. Con conseguenze da brivido. Almeno questo si dovrebbe capire:
la stabilita dell’area caucasica è fondamentale per la sicurezza di
tutto il mondo occidentale, e il Karabakh è un tassello importantissimo
nel gioco ad incastro della pace.

“La polveriera del Caucaso”. Qualcuno, di recente, ha efficacemente
definito questo piccolo paese “la polveriera del Caucaso”. Non
considerarlo tale, possiamo aggiungere, equivarrebbe ad accendere
la miccia. Un peccato, perche i nagorkini hanno fiducia nel futuro e
voglia di fare. Una fiducia che leggi negli occhi di Levon, bambino
che a cavallo, alle sei del mattino, non gioca ai cow-boys. Fa il
cow-boy, ora che la scuola è finita, e forse seguendo la mandria sogna
di diventare un giorno ingegnere. La stessa fiducia che esprime Liana,
giornalista dell’unica televisione del Karabakh, orgogliosa del suo
lavoro, ma soprattutto del grande sforzo collettivo che il Paese sta
esprimendo in questo momento.

Un’allerta che nessuno sa quando finira. La stessa speranza che in
fondo nutre Edmond, soldato che al fronte, a duecento metri dalle
trincee azere, si domanda se mai finira questo stato di allerta
continua. E quando lo inviti a parlare ti spiega, con una lucidita
sorprendente, per la giovanissima eta, che fino a quando non si
metteranno d’accordo quelli che contano, i potenti del mondo, dovra
continuare ad imbracciare il suo Kalashnikov, con la prospettiva,
prima o poi, di doverlo usare. E magari vedere i fantasmi virtuali
del Nagorno Karabakh trasformarsi in fantasmi reali. Ma noi con lui,
speriamo che non sia così.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN ASTROPHYSICISTS DETECT A BRIGHT STAR

Monday, June 17th, 2013

The star’s flare (Photo by Casey Reed/NASA)

Astrophysicists at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
and the Byurakan Observatory (Armenia) have detected a star of low
luminosity which within a matter of moments gave off a flare so strong
that it became almost 15 times brighter. The star in question is the
flare star WX UMa, phys.org reported.

“We recorded a strong flare of the star WX UMa, which became almost 15
times brighter in a matter of 160 seconds,” explains astrophysicist
Vakhtang Tamazian, professor at the University of Santiago de
Compostela. The finding has been published in the ‘Astrophysics’
journal.

This star is in the Ursa Major constellation, around 15.6 light
years from the Earth, and it forms part of a binary system. Its
companion shines almost 100 times brighter, except at times such as
that observed, in which the WX UMa gives off its flares. This can
happen several times a year, but not as strongly as that which was
recorded in this instance.

Dr Tamazian and other researchers detected this exceptional brightness
from the Byurakan Observatory in Armenia. “Furthermore, during this
period of less than three minutes the star underwent an abrupt change
from spectral type M to B; in other words, it went from a temperature
of 2,800 kelvin (K) to six or seven times more than that.”

Based on their spectral absorption lines, stars are classified using
letters. Type M stars have a surface temperature of between 2,000
and 3,700 K; Type B between 10,000 and 33,000 K.

WX UMa belongs to the limited group of “flare stars”, a class of
variable stars which exhibit increases in brightness of up to 100
factors or more within a matter of seconds or minutes. These increases
are sudden and irregular – practically random, in fact. They then
return to their normal state within tens of minutes.

Scientists do not know how this flaring arises, but they know how it
develops: “For some reason a small focus of instability arises within
the plasma of the star, which causes turbulence in its magnetic
field,” explains Tamazian. “A magnetic reconnection then occurs,
a conversion of energy from the magnetic field into kinetic energy,
in order to recover the stability of the flow, much like what happens
in an electric discharge.”

Next, kinetic energy in the plasma transforms into thermal energy
in the upper layers of the atmosphere and the star’s corona. This
significant rise in the temperature and brightness of the star enables
astronomers to detect changes in the radiation spectrum.

“Photometric and spectroscopic monitoring of this kind of flare stars
is very relevant because it provides us with information about the
changing states and physical processes, which are in turn key to
studying the formation and evolution of stars,” Tamazian explains.

To carry out this study, in which flares in other binary systems (HU
Del, CM Dra and VW Com) have also been analysed, the SCORPIO camera of
the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory was used. This camera enables
both the spectrum and the brightness of these objects to be detected.

Flare stars are intrinsically weak, and can therefore only be observed
at relatively short distances in astronomic terms, specifically in the
vicinity of the Sun, up to a distance of a few tens of light years,
according to phys.org.

From: Baghdasarian

FORMER ARMAVIA EMPLOYEES OWED SALARIES FOR SEVERAL MONTHS

June 17, 2013 | 19:30

YEREVAN. – Flying personnel of Armavia has not received salary promised
by the air company’s leadership last Friday.

Pilot Tigran Aslanyan told Pastinfo agency that the company has
not paid his salary since last August. The company has not paid the
salaries of employees who resigned 1-1.5 years ago.

Former employees of the company periodically hold actions near the
Armavia office. Last week company’s director Norayr Beloyan told
reporters that the wages will be paid off gradually.

Armavia has recently announced the beginning of the bankruptcy process.

From: Baghdasarian

ARTSAKH PRESIDENT RECEIVED GRANDSON OF FAMOUS ARMENIAN GENERAL DANIEL BEK-PIROUMYAN

19:49, 17 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS: On 17 June Artsakh Republic President
Bako Sahakyan received Yuri Piroumyan, grandson of famous Armenian
general, hero of the Sardarapat battle Daniel Bek-Piroumyan.

“Armenpress” was informed from Central Information department of
Artsakh Republic President’s office that President Sahakyan welcomed
Yuri Piroumyan in his ancestor’s land, highlighting the necessity of
maintaining firm ties with the homeland.

The Head of the State rated high the work dedicated to his heroic
grandfather, considering it demanded from historical and political
viewpoints as well as within the context of military-patriotic
upbringing.

From: Baghdasarian

BAKO SAHAKYAN SENT A CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS TO HASSAN ROHANI.

18:14, 17 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS: On 17 June President Bako Sahakyan
sent a congratulatory address to the newly elected President of the
Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rohani.

“Armenpress” was informed from Central Information department of
Artsakh Republic President’s office that the address runs as follows:
“On behalf of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, its people, authorities
and personally myself I cordially congratulate You on the persuasive
victory gained in the presidential elections.

I am confident that Your experience and knowledge will definitely
contribute to the efficient solution of problems the Islamic Republic
of Iran and its people face as well as to the overall development of
the country.

Iran’s balanced position in the peaceful settlement of the
AzerbaijaniKarabakh conflict is highly appreciated in Artsakh, and
we are confident that during Your presidency the traditional ties
between the two friendly nations will become stronger and wider,
contributing greatly to the maintenance of peace and stability in
the region and strengthening our states.

I congratulate You once again and wish You success in this high
and responsible position. Let the Iranian nation live in peace and
prosperity”.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

The General Assembly of the Catholicosate of Cilicia opens in Antelias

“The Catholicosate of Cilicia remains true to its vocation of upholding
spiritual, moral and national values, building a common Armenian belonging,
and demanding justice and restitution of our rights stemming from the
Genocide,” Said Aram I

Anthelia’s – On Wednesday 12 June 2013, the General Assembly began its
deliberations under the presidency of His Holiness Aram I. Following the
elections of the Officers of the Assembly, Catholicos Aram I addressed the
session, stating that the Church must respond to the high expectations of
its members. The Catholicos said that the Church faces three challenges in
particular: it must reorganize the Diaspora, educate the youth according to
the spiritual values of the Church and the ethical and cultural values of
the nation, pursue justice by seeking to restore the rights of the Genocide
survivors. The Catholicos pointed out that the Catholicosate “has inherited
these legacies from Catholicos Sahak, who was deported from the See of
Cilicia by the Ottomans, and his successors.” The Catholicosate stated that
“we must renew these legacies with vision and commitment.”

Starting the second session, the delegates received the reports of the
Central Committee and its Councils. The report of the Executive Council was
followed by the report of the Religious Council. The Assembly welcomed
proposals regarding Christian education and youth formation. The members
were then briefed on the forthcoming meeting of the bishops of the Armenian
Church, to be presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II of All
Armenians, Holy See of Etchmiadzin and Catholicos Aram I, Holy See of
Cilicia. One of the major issues on the agenda will be the reformation of
the Armenian Church. After hearing reports on the ecumenical and interfaith
activities of the Church, the Assembly affirmed the important role of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in making the Church known internationally.
##
Photos:

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN IT COMPANIES FINED OVER ANTITRUST BREACHES

12:23 ~U 18.06.13

The Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition has decided
to impose liability measures upon two Armenian IT companies over
breaches of consumer rights.

At its session on Thursday, the Commission made a decision to fine the
computer stores Note.am and It.am, which were found to have misled
consumers through ads. According to the Commission, both companies
had offered services they didn’t actually have.

An advertisement poster posted at the entrance of Note.am said the
consumers seeking a hire purchase can obtain the product at a 0%
interest rate after submitting an identity document. But a further
inspection revealed that the advertised terms were not offered in
practice.

The same breaches were found in IT Master, which too, failed to meet
its advertisement terms while serving consumers.

The companies’ conduct was evaluated as uncontientious competition.

The Commission decided to fine each in an amount of 1 percent of its
previous year’s profit (the maximum amount envisaged by the law).

“That’s quite a huge sum for entrepreneurs,” the Commission’s
President, Artak Shaboyan, said, promising further efforts to fine
companies demonstrating an uncontientious conduct.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian

Bloomberg / Business Week
June 15 2013

Liverpool Executive Said to Scrap Brazil Trip to Sign Mkhitaryan

By Tariq Panja

Liverpool Managing Director Ian Ayre scrapped a trip to Brazil this
weekend to try to complete the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk attacker
Henrikh Mkhitaryan for 20 million pounds ($31 million), according to a
person with direct knowledge of the situation.

Ayre was scheduled to be on a panel at a conference in Rio de Janeiro
tomorrow to discuss economic opportunities for soccer. Instead he’s
staying in Europe to negotiate with three-time Armenian player of the
year Mkhitaryan, 24, according to the person, who declined to be
identified because the deal isn’t complete.

Liverpool, an 18-time English champion, is trying to rebuild under
Boston Red Sox owner Fenway Sports Group, which in 2010 bought the
team from banks after its previous owners defaulted on loans. Last
season Liverpool finished seventh in the Premier League under new
manager Brendan Rodgers, meaning it won’t be playing in European
competition during the next campaign. Ayre didn’t respond to an e-mail
seeking comment.

Mkhitaryan, who plays as an attacking midfielder, scored a record 25
goals in the Ukraine’s top division last season. Liverpool faces
competition from teams in Germany, Spain and France for the player,
who could join by the end of next week if the bid is successful,
according to the person.

Shakhtar is ready to sell the player, who still needs to be convinced
to sign a contract with the Reds, the person said. Shakhtar didn’t
respond to an e-mail requesting comment during non-business hours.

The signing would be a lift for the Reds, who may lose top scorer Luis
Suarez. The Uruguayan said he wants to leave after getting a 10-game
ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic at the end of last season.
He also served an eight-match suspension in 2012 for racist remarks
toward Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

From: Baghdasarian

Business Recorder
June 15, 2013 Saturday

Taksim in Turkey

EDITORIAL Vol. XLIX No. 165

The Taksim Square is not the Tahrir Square of Cairo, nor is Recep
Tayyip Erdogan a tyrant to be driven out of power by any ‘Arab
Spring’. He has not only restored Turkey’s status as an important
regional power but also greatly revived the national economy. But of
late, he has run into a huge challenge to his political standing and
administrative authority on the streets of Turkey – mainly because the
people of Turkey have also changed. In Turkey, the power of street has
come to call the shots, forcing the Turkish government to hold talks
with the Taksim Square demonstrators, a change so much impossible
early last week. Not only does President Abdullah Gul feel it the duty
of the government to engage in a ‘dialogue with these people to hear
out what they say,’ Prime Minister Erdagon has held a meeting with
them. And the Taksim Square that was ‘cleared’ by police a night
before employing excessive use of force is again in the occupation of
protestors – a motley secularists, nationalists, professionals,
unionists and students. That the small demonstration by the locals of
Taksim neighbourhood against Istanbul mayor’s decision to construct a
shopping mall by demolishing the Gezi Park is now a countrywide
protest, and far more fierce, it was an out of the blue development
for a strongly entrenched AK Party.

Demonstrations continued even when the city police which overplayed
its hand by coming hard on demonstrators on the first day were pulled
out of the epicenter Taksim Square and the plan to bulldoze the park
was withdrawn. In fact, Prime Minister Erdogan’s call to stop
demonstrations was responded with bigger demonstrations. And running
battles between demonstrators and police were reported from many
cities including capital Ankara and Izmir. Consequently, Turkish
economy has come take to big hits, particularly the share market.

That a minor incident should snowball so rapidly posing one of the
Middle East’s most effective governments, and viable economy with its
rising clout in the region in mere two weeks should run into such
turmoil, is a development that underscores the need for investigating
the real cause behind it. Of the happenings that have rocked Turkey,
two, or may be three, stand out indicating as to who could be pulling
the strings, if any, from behind, and why. Firstly, and pointedly
indicated by the prime minister also, it’s possibly the Turkish
military top brass. In his words: “Today, we are exactly where we were
on April 27, 2007”. On that day, according to him, the army had posted
a memorandum on its website denouncing the appointment of Abdullah
Gul, a co-founder of AK Party along with Tayyip Erdogan. Given the
lingering rivalry between the secular Turkish armed forces and the
AKP’s Islamist outlook and policies there is some logic to his
argument. Even otherwise in the eyes of the Turkish military which is
in habit of toppling an elected government every 10 years the AKP has
outlasted its tenure; AKP has consecutively won three elections. No
wonder then that the anti-Erdogan demonstrators also demand snap
elections much before the end of AKP’s third running term. Secondly,
Turkey’s strong support of the anti-Assad rebel forces and the shelter
it has provided to the Syrian refugees doesn’t sit well with the
rulers in Damascus and their regional allies. Isn’t that these
countries could be fomenting trouble in Turkey. However, so far there
is no clear answer to this, except for the reports that the first
group of people in Istanbul who joined the Taksim demonstrators was
the Alevis residents of Gezi neighbourhood. Or, maybe, the powers the
AKP-led Turkish parliament had defied by refusing to give them the
bases they needed for action against Saddam Hussein have yet to turn
the page on stiff-necked Tayyip Erdogan’s act of defiance. That there
is also an alleged Armenian angle to the trouble. The AKP democracy
may or may not be fitting well with many, but for the Muslims
world-over Turkey as run by its present government could be a role
model for Muslims in the Middle East any beyond.

From: Baghdasarian