Author: Chakhmakhchian Vatche

TURKISH JUDICIARY PUT TO TEST WITH DINK TRIAL
Ilnur Cevik

The New Anatolian, Turkey
July 2 2007

The murder trial of journalist Hirant Dink promises to be not only
controversial as the ultra nationalists will try to sabotage it but
will also be a test case for the Turkish judiciary which has been
taking a beating recently.

There have already been some ugly scenes between our liberal journalist
friends and the ultra nationalists outside the court as the Dink
trial got underway.

The ultra nationalists seem to feel that there could be some kind
of justification for the murder of Dink… There is also widespread
belief that the 18 defendants including a young man who is suspected
of killing Dink are receiving some kind of official sympathy if
not support…

It is sad that there are efforts that this case is being turned into a
simple murder case instead of a complicated political assassination
where the role of the police and even the Gendarmerie should be
scrutinized.

There are all kinds of criticisms being leveled against the case.

Observers are justified in saying the role of a police informant
involved in the assassination remains a mystery. It is also a mystery
that the police have not properly investigated the role of an ultra
nationalist party in the murder of Dink. There are still too many
unanswered contradictions that have not even been addressed by the
indictment.

The trial should not simply end with some defendants being punished
for the Dink murder. The trial should bring into the open in very
clear terms who is using ultra nationalist outcasts to perform their
own dirty work or even executions. We have to know why is all this
happening.

In the past too many political murders have remained unsolved. This
time we have a chance to get to the bottom of a case where the
defendants have been captured immediately thanks to the help of
modern technology.

What is the role of the "deep state" in this mess? Who has promised
official protection for the defendants? The nation has to know.

We see with great shame that the Semdinli case is being covered up in
a very clear manner. We do not want this to happen to the Dink trial.

Turkey has to perform well in the Dink trial. It cannot afford to give
the image that if you are an Armenian and especially a controversial
Armenian who wants to express his views freely then you deserve what
you get…

Dink did not deserve to die. Now those really responsible for this
death have to pay for their crime but will they?

AGAIN THE ROLE OF RESPONDENT
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
KarabakhOpen
02-07-2007 13:50:30

Recently there has been an unnoticed but in fact a breakthrough in
the settlement of the Karabakh issue. The visit of the Azerbaijani
ambassador to Russia to Karabakh and the meeting with the president
of Karabakh Arkady Ghukasyan can be considered as some format of the
Azerbaijan-Karabakh relation which might not have been accidental or
related to the negotiations, but it was a fact which is difficult to
ignore. This event sparked debate in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. In
Azerbaijan it met strong a backlash, namely the nationalists led by
Akif Nagi described the move of the ambassador as treason. The Armenian
propaganda presented it as some diplomatic victory of the Armenian
diplomacy in the sense that the visit of the Azerbaijani ambassador
to Karabakh means recognition of the sovereignty of Karabakh.

In reality, however, it is the victory of the Azerbaijani diplomacy
rather than the Armenian diplomacy. And the reason for this suggestion
is not my desire to use every opportunity to criticize the Armenian
diplomacy.

Generally, it is difficult to criticize the Armenian diplomacy
for the simple reason that there is no such thing yet. Meanwhile,
we almost constantly face the fact of existence of the Azerbaijani
diplomacy, especially over the past few years when statements on the
settlement of the Karabakh issue and Karabakh as a "disputable area"
are made at the international rostrums. Certainly these issues do not
presuppose a resolution which is not in our interests, but obviously
they express the tendencies of the international politics.

Meanwhile, the visit of the Azerbaijani ambassador is a move towards
choosing a tactics that matches these tendencies that Azerbaijan
makes considering the situation. And the situation is that the
countries which mediate the talks wish to involve Karabakh in the
talks because they realize there is no other way of resolution,
especially that the resolution is viewed on the basis of the principle
of self-determination, although the order and borders of this
self-determination is not clear. This is the reason why the Armenian
side has recently started to state more frequently and resolutely that
Karabakh must be a party in the talks. However, unlike the statements
of the Armenian side, Azerbaijan tries to fit into the international
political tendencies not only through statements but also through
moves. No doubt the Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia had the approval
of the Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev to visit Karabakh and meet
with Arkady Ghukasyan. Hence, Azerbaijan makes the first step towards
direct relations. It appears that Armenia and Karabakh which made
statements on the necessity of participation of Nagorno-Karabakh in
the talks are now respondents. In fact, Azerbaijan again took the
initiative, showing that it has a constructive stance on Karabakh,
and it is not Azerbaijan’s fault that Karabakh is not participating
in the negotiations.

The Armenian side will have difficulty responding because over these
years its tactics was built on the idea that Azerbaijan will say no,
consequently they could speak about anything, knowing that Azerbaijan
would reject. Now it is clear that Azerbaijan may sometimes make
other moves besides no. in other words, Aliyev says to the government
of Karabakh as well as Armenia: "So, you wanted me to negotiate with
Karabakh. I am here now. My conditions are the same. I want all. Now
I am listening to you." In this context, it is obvious that the
statements on becoming a party in the talks are groundless unless
they are based on clear tactical and strategic moves.

If the issues are going to be the same, if the proposals are going
to be the same, in the long run, the participation of Karabakh will
make no difference. The participation of Karabakh must bring not
only a new party but also new, fresh approaches into the process of
negotiations. Therefore, Karabakh should have offered new proposals,
new approaches of settlement over these years, and it should do
now. Otherwise, nothing will change.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 29 2007

OPPOSITION FACTIONS OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT DISCUSS POSSIBLE
COOPERATION

YEREVAN, June 29. /ARKA/. The opposition factions of the Armenian
Parliament – Heritage and Country of Law – discussed possible ways
and prospects of cooperation.

At the meeting, the factions specified their approaches to
parliamentary activities. P.T. -0 –

"CREATING ATMOSPHERE OF CONFIDENCE BETWEEN SOCIETIES OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO BE GOOD CONTRIBUTION TO ISSUE OF KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT," RA PRESIDENT BELIEVES

Noyan Tapan
Jun 29, 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Robert Kocharian, the RA President,
received a number of Armenian and Azeri culture and science
figures on June 28, who initiated a one-day joint visit via the
Stepanakert-Yerevan-Baku route after receiving the assistance of the
Presidents of the two countries through the Ambassadors of Armenia
and Azerbaijan to the Russian Federation.

R. Kocharian welcomed their initiative and mentioned that
the establishment of communication and the formation of an
atmosphere of confidence between Armenian and Azeri societies
will be a good contribution to the issue of the Karabakh conflict
settlement. According to him, terms of cooperation should be found,
and Armenia, to all appearances, is ready to support this process.

The guests touched upon the necessity to provide communication between
Armenian and Azeri societies and the ways of its implementation
during the conversation with the RA President. Azeri intellectuals
believe that it is necessary to re-establish the former friendly and
associate interrelations between Armenian and Azeri representatives
of the old generation, as well as to envolve the young generation in
these relations.

According to the information provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, after paying a visit to Robert Kocharian,
the group left for Baku to meet with Ilham Aliyev, the President
of Azerbaijan.

It should also be mentioned that they met with Arkadi Ghukasian,
the President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, before arriving
in Yerevan.

NIZAMI BAHMANOV: OUR INTELLECTUALS’ VISIT TO SHUSHA PROVED POSSIBILITY OF PASSING THE ARMENIAN-OCCUPIED TERRITORIES THROUGH AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 29 2007

OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs were going to Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani
regions passing through Armenia, or from the territories of other
countries for ‘security reasons’ up to now.

But Azerbaijani intellectuals’ visit to Khankendi and Shusha yesterday
proved that if OSCE is interested there will be no threat, Azerbaijani
Community of Nagorno Karabakh Public Union’s chief Nizami Bahmanov
told APA. He stressed that the intellectuals’ visit put an end to
the pretexts existing till now.

"Intellectuals’ going from Tartar to Khankendi by car proved that it
will be expedient to go to our occupied regions through Azerbaijan. I
regard that after informing OSCE it is possible to go from Baku to
Khankendi either by car or helicopter. I welcome the latest visit
of our intellectuals. This is natural process that is peoples from
Shusha visit their original place," he underscored.

SLOVAKIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER REJECTS KOSOVO AS PRECEDENT IN SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

TREND News Agency, Azerbaijan
June 29 2007

Kosovo cannot become a precedent in the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, the State Secretary and the First Deputy Foreign Minister
of Slovakia, Olga Algaerova, said to journalists in Yerevan on 28 June.

"We do not believe that the way of resolving the situation with
Kosovo can be used while settlement of other conflict, including
Nagorno-Karabakh," she said.

Algaerova noted that that difference between the conflict in Kosovo
and Nagorno-Karabakh is that the countries are different and have
different political situations," according to Novosti Armenia. In
Armenia they say that Kosovo’s independence can serve as precedent
for Karabakh. The Vice-Speaker of Armenian Parliament, a member of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation of ‘Dashnaktsutun’, Vaan Ovannisyan,
has recently stated that to journalists.

PRESS RELEASE
Date: June 28, 2007
Armenian National Committee of Charlotte
Contact: Jack Hagopian
Tel: 704-907-1411

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF CHARLOTTE

WELCOMES MEL WATT’S (D-12) COSPONSORSHIP OF THE
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUITION

Watt joins 217 of his fellow colleagues in support of passage of H. Res 106

*Charlotte**, NC** -* Members from the Armenian National Committee of
Charlotte welcomed today Congressman Mel Watt’s cosponsorship of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 106). Congressman Watt represents the
12th Congressional District of North Carolina, and is currently serving his
8th term.

"The Armenian community here in Charlotte is very grateful for Congressman
Watt’s recent cosponsorship of H. Res. 106. We had an opportunity to meet
with staff from the Congressman’s office to discuss the legislation, and
applaud him for signing on to the legislation," commented ANC of Charlotte
Chairman Jack Hagopian. "The Armenian community in Charlotte is growing
rapidly, and we will continue to build relationships with our members of
Congress," he added.

Hagopian, along with other Armenian activists including Dr. Sylvie
Bastajian, a constituent in Watt’s district, have met with various
Congressional districts that represent the Armenian American community.
Bastajian also hosted an educational seminar to educate human rights
activists about genocide recognition legislation, and how they can get
involved. "I felt that we needed to be doing more. Several of my friends
who are not Armenian realize that this is not an Armenian issue, but it is a
human rights issue," stated Dr. Bastajian.

Elected into Congress in 1992, Congressman Watt is active in the
Congressional Black Caucus, where he served as Chair during the 109th
Congress. He has taken an active role in working to end the genocide in
Darfur, and currently serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services
Committee.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout
the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.

####

Photo Caption

#1 Congressman Mel Watt

#2 ANCA ER Director Karine Birazian, along with NC Activists Dr. Sylvie
Bastajian, Pierre Arbajian, Jack Hagopian, Dr. David Boyajian and Community
Liaison, Torre Jessup for Rep. Mel Watt

EUROPE REVISING CE-TURKEY NEGOTIATIONS
By P. Keshishian

AZG Armenian Daily
28/06/2007

According to information received from the Federation of European
Armenians, Brussels, the Council of Europe restarted negotiations
with turkey on June 26, considering two topics instead of three –
statistics and finance supervision. The issue of global financial
policy had been omitted. The cause of such change was the official
position of France. French officials consider that talks on that
topic would imply Turkey’s further integration into the EURO area.

Earlier talks ended up with settling the issue of science and research
and appointment of financial assistance for technology development
in Turkey. But after zero progress was registered in turkey in 2006,
none of the issues can be considered finally settled.

Negotiations on eight topics were stopped never to be restarted again.

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSSES BILATERAL MILITARY COOPERATION WITH RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 26 2007

YEREVAN, June 26. /ARKA/. The Armenian Defense Minister Michael
Harutiunian received the Russian Ambassador to Armenia Nikolay
Pavlov Tuesday.

The Russian Ambassador congratulated Harutiunian on the appointment
to the post of Defense Minister, Press-Secretary of Armenian Defense
Ministry Seyran Shakhsuvarian told ARKA agency.

The sides discussed the issues of mutual interest, as well as modern
state and prospects of military and military-technical cooperation
between the armed forces of the two countries.

VARDAN OSKANIAN ACCORDED HEARTY WELCOME AT ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Noyan Tapan
Jun 26, 2007

ISTANBUL, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A luxurious
reception was organized in honor of the RA Foreign Minister,
Vardan Oskanian, in the evening of June 24 in the garden of the
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. According to the Marmara
daily of Istanbul, representatives of various organizations of the
Armenian community of Istanbul, intellectuals, and journalists had
been invited. Salbi Ghazarian, an Adviser at RA Foreign Ministry,
Karen Mirzoyan, the Resident Representative of Armenia at the Black
Sea Economic Cooperation organization, and Vazgen Parn, the Deputy
Mayor of Shishli, were present.

After the welcome speech by the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople,
Archbishop Mesrop Mutafian, Vardan Oskanian expressed satisfaction
with his being in Istanbul and in the Patriarchate. Touching upon
the relations between Turkey and Armenia, the Foreign Minister said
that the border door between the two countries has not opened so
far. Oskanian assured that Armenia has repeatedly expressed its
readiness in this issue and supports opening the borders without
any precondition and establishment of normal relations between the
two countries.

Instead, the Armenian Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction in
connection with the activization of relations between the Armenian
communities of Turkey and Armenia. He said that now more Armenians of
Istanbul visit Armenia and strengthen their ties with their native
land. V. Oskanian said that under the directorship of the Patriarch
a well-organized and able-bodied Armenian community is acting in
Istanbul. The community survives thanks to keeping its national
institutions. "Life in the Diaspora is not easy for the Armenian
people, it is not easy to live far from their homeland. However, the
Armenians of Istanbul have their unique conditions and traditions,"
the RA Foreign Minister said.

V. Oskanian said that he is aware of the latest events in the
community.

"Peaceful periods are sometimes followed by stormy ones. Hrant Dink’s
murder was painful for everybody and most of all for the Armenian
community of Istanbul. If he were alive, he would also be here now,"
he said.

The RA Foreign Minister wished success to the community saying
that Armenia develops day by day, and everything is being done for
Armenia to become a source of inspiration for our compatriots living
in the Diaspora.

V. Oskanian’s speech finished with a storm of applause. Then he,
accompanied by the Patriarch, visited the Patriarchate Museum and
bade farewell to those present. Everybody was applauding.

It should be mentioned that the RA Foreign Minister had arrived in
Istanbul in the morning of June 24 to take part in the Summit of the
BSEC organization.