Author: Chilingarian Babken

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Jan 27 2007

Turkish General: Dink Murder was Part of a Greater Operation

Saturday , 27 January 2007

Tuncer Kilinc, retired General and Former National Security Council
General Secretary, argues that the Dink Murder is a part of a greater
operation against Turkey. Mr. Kilinc told the Aksam paper that `the
real target is stability in Turkey’. Kilinc said `they try to make
enemy Turkish and Armenian citizens of Turkey. Dink was son of this
motherland and there is no difference between Dink and any other
journalist’. Mr. Kilincs also added that the operation against Turkey
will be continued in near future.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 26 2007

Bahar Muradova: Discussion of Lennmarker’s report in OSCE PA will be
considered inexpedient

[ 26 Jan. 2007 15:42 ]

`Armenian’s unconstructive position impedes the influence of any
effort on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict,’ head of the
Azerbaijani delegation to OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, vice-speaker
Bahar Muradova said, APA reports.

Bahar Muradova said that Azerbaijan and Armenia have their own
positions concerning the report of OSCE PA chairman, co-rapporteur on
Nagorno Karabakh Goran Lennmarker and it was impossible to bring
these positions close.
`All decisions in OSCE are adopted by consensus. Therefore it was
inexpedient to raise the report with so many contrasted positions to
discussion. There is no change in these positions. I think that in
case there are no changes, serious achievement or positive result in
the process of negotiations, OSCE officials will again consider it
inexpedient to raise this report to discussion,’ she said. /APA/

Azeri Press Agency
Jan 26 2007

Rene van der Linden: PACE can not make any party agree to a certain
key to the NK conflict

[ 26 Jan. 2007 13:31 ]

President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe René
van der Linden interviewed by the APA European bureau

– How do you appreciate the cooperation between the PACE and
Azerbaijan?
– Azerbaijan is the member of the Council of Europe for 6 years. I
congratulate the Republic of Azerbaijan and its people. The
delegation of your country to the PACE is very active. I consider
that they should be mediators between the Azerbaijani parliament and
the Council of Europe, taking into account important issues discussed
here, as well as the importance of Azerbaijan’s fulfilment of all
commitments. The report on Azerbaijan will be heard in PACE session
in April. The state of political prisoners, press, political
opposition in Azerbaijan are among the issues of our concern.
Achievement in these issues is very important for Azerbaijan’s
development.
– When is Azerbaijan expected to be included in the list of
post-monitoring countries?
– I think that the countries under monitoring should be pleased with
it. This is a sort of help. If any country has strict commitments and
the CE helps to solve them, these countries should be satisfied that
they will soon fulfil their commitments.
– The members of Azerbaijani delegation asked to include them in the
list of speakers, but they did not make any speech. What is the
reason?
– I feel regret. You know that we come together only four times in a
year and we have less time to make speeches. This session was
dedicated to the rights of children, that is why the discussions were
held on this topic. Besides, the discussions on Kosovo problem took
much time. If the members of Azerbaijani delegation consider that we
made changes to the list, then they should appeal to me in written
form. This is very important issue; all countries should be treated
in the same level. I can not take a stance to happenings yet, I can
only say this kind of fact was not recorded during my chairmanship.
– Though Armenia continues to keep Azerbaijani lands under
occupation, your organization does exert pressure on them. But PACE
has special resolution…
– We continue to put pressure. We especially direct these pressures
on Armenia, but Azerbaijan is also being exerted. The reason is to
achieve the settlement of the conflict is very important. This is
political issue and we need political will in this issue. I think
that the meetings of the presidents were positive enough,
unfortunately, the negotiations on the settlement of the conflict
remains ineffective. I hope that by the assistance of international
organizations the settlement of the conflict will be achieved. /APA/

Hürriyet, Turkey
Jan 26 2007

Ankara responds sharply to Yerevan comments

Comments made by Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian
that "Armenian is prepared for unconditional diplomatic relations
with Turkey" have elicited a sharp response from Ankara.

Foreign Ministry officials in the Turkish capital referred to
Kirakosian’s comments as "exploitation of feelings," noting that they
came in the wake of national sorrow over the death of journalist
Hrant Dink, and that the "unconditional diplomatic relations" part of
the comment was the same as the phrasing used in a letter from
Armenian President Robert Kocharian to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan in April of 2005. Yesterday evening in Ankara, PM Erdogan
referred to the Yerevan administration’s refusal to consider the
Ankara suggestion of a joint commission to investigate Armenian
claims of genocide, saying "First they need to answer our suggestion.
They have still not offered an answer. This is not a show of good
intention. I do not find this stance of theirs sincere."

New York Post, NY
Jan 26 2007

SAY GENOCIDE, AND ARMENIA IT
By KYLE SMITH

Photo: System frontman Serj Tankian talks with his grandfather.

Rating: 1/2

January 26, 2007 — SO I went to this metal concert, and it turned
out to be a lesson about the Armenian genocide of 1915. Color me
stoked!

"Screamers," one of the most bizarre documentaries you’ll ever not
see, follows the hopelessly generic rock band System of a Down on
tour as they wag their goatees over their signature issue:
recognition that the Turks committed genocide in their slaughter of
the Armenians in 1915.

Whether the band members, all of whom are Armenian-Americans, are
posturing or simply foolish is unclear. Possibly they have appointed
themselves the "screamers" about this nonissue because they want
political heft and an anger base for their dumb lyrics.

It seems more likely, though, that they actually believe that passing
a symbolic resolution through Congress about recognizing the genocide
– thus accomplishing nothing except annoying Turkey, our only Muslim
NATO ally – is the most vital issue facing the U.S. today.

Everything these imbeciles say contradicts everything else. The
episode has been buried, claims the band, yet in concert the boys
show a clip of Peter Jennings doing a segment on the atrocities.
Either brag that ABC News is covering your issue or complain that no
one is; don’t do both.

They say politicians won’t use the G-word; yet there are clips of
Condoleezza Rice and President Bush calling the massacre in Sudan
genocide.

An Armenian supporter says, "Genocide is not an issue about the past.
It’s an issue about the future." Then why is this film about the
past? It spends most of its time on 1915 while leaving only a couple
of minutes for Darfur.

The band seems to be pacifist. But the only way to stop genocide is
to send troops; Sudan death squads are not going to be impressed by
harshly worded memoranda.

The obstacle is the American voter; in 1915, Americans didn’t want to
put boots in France, much less in the Ottoman Empire. "Obviously I’m
pissed off that the genocide occurred," says a guy with the band,
"but I’m more pissed off at the fact that they called us liars."
Yeah, genocide sucks. But name-calling? Harshness!

SCREAMERS
System of Clowns.
Running time: 91 minutes. Not rated (profanity). At the Empire, 42nd
Street and Eighth Avenue.

rtainment/movies/say_genocide__and_armenia_it_movi es_kyle_smith.htm

WB REGIONAL DIRECTOR ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO PROVISION OF TECHNICAL
AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, JANUARY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. A number of issues of bilateral
interest were discussed during the January 23 meeting of the RA
Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatrian with the World
Bank Regional Director Donna Douset-Koirolo and the Acting Director
of World Bank Armenia Office Naira Melkumian. NT was informed about
it from the press service of the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy.

Speaking about the programs being implemented in Armenian by the WB, D.
Douset-Koirolo positively assesed Armenia in comparison with similar
countries. In terms of strategy of WB programs to be implemented
in the future, she attached importance to provision of technical and
other assistance along with financial one.

Appreciating the WB activities in Armenia, V. Khachatrian noted that
WB programs have been efficient and targeted, greatly assisting with
the development of the Armenian economy. The minister added that
the Armenian government intends to pay more attention to problems of
developing rural communities and small cities, and the WB with its
programs can be of great help.

At the end of the meeting, the sides expressed a hope that the
cooperation of the World Bank and the Armenian government will
continue, thanks to which a number of programs aimed at the country’s
development will be implemented.

Azerbaijani, Armenian ministers hold consultations on Karabakh settlement in Moscow

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS General Newswire
January 23, 2007 Tuesday 4:59 PM MSK

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has discussed prospects in
talks on the settlement in Nagorno Karabakh with his Armenian and
Azerbaijani counterparts Vardan Oskanian and Elmar Mamedyarov.

The Foreign Ministry report received by Interfax on Tuesday says
that Oskanian and Mamedyarov held consultations on the settlement,
in the attendance of international mediators – cochairmen of the OSCE
Minsk Group.

Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin represented the Russian side
at the meeting.

"The present state and prospects in the negotiating process on Nagorno
Karabakh were discussed during the meeting," the report says.

An earlier report said that Moscow would host the talks between the
foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the Karabakh conflict
and that it would be the first meeting at such a level in 2007.

The next meeting between the presidents of the two countries on a
peaceful settlement of the problem hinges on the results of the talks
between the foreign ministers.

Diplomatic sources told Interfax that the talks ended, but that the
results were not disclosed. Mamedyarov will be leaving for Baku soon.

Questioning of Assassin Reveals New Details on Dink Murder

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.01.2007 13:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Questioning of assassin reveals new details on
Hrant Dink’s murder. The interrogation of the assassin and four other
accomplices at the Security Directorate in Istanbul continues to reveal
various details on the heinous act. Ogun Samast is reported to have
been planning the act for four months and practicing shooting in a
forest in his hometown Trabzon. He was also reported to have carried
various Dink’s photos to be able to easily recognize his victim. The
weapon was given to Samast by Yasin Hayal, the 2004 Trabzon McDonald’s
bomber, whose bomb wounded six people sending Hayal to prison for 11
months. The assassin is reported to have talked to his friend, Hayal,
on the phone prior to the murder.

Istanbul Security Chief Celalettin Cerrah said for the press that the
police requested additional detention time for the suspects. According
to the law, as the assassin is underage, he can be held in detention
for only four days.

INDIFFERENCE OF ARMENIA TOWARDS PROBLEMS OF ARMENIANS OF JAVAKHK TO
BRING TO DEPORTING ARMENIANS OF THE REGION, "HZOR HAYRENIK" PARTY
CHAIRMAN STATES

YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The Government of Armenia envisaged
this year in total 700 thousand U.S. dollars for Javakhk having
population of 150 thousand people what is not at all enough for
solution of urgent problems of the Armenians of Javakhk. Vardan
Vardapetian, the Chairman of the "Hzor Hayrenik" (Powerful Fatherland)
party made such a statement at the January 22 press conference. In
his words, such an indifferent policy of Armenia towards problems
of the Armenians of Javakhk may become a reason for deporting the
Armenians of Javakhk. He mentioned that as a result of worsening the
Russian-Georgian relations, about 30 thousand Armenians of Javakhk lost
the possibility of outgoing work in Russia, and the Armenian-Georgian
relations, in their turn, still have "place to develop." So, as
V.Vardapetian mentioned, a number of problems arises in front of the
Armenians of Javakhk, and "one must assist the Armenians of Javakhk
as our compatriots there, being citizens of the 21st century, must
live in the proper way."

Yeni Safak, Turkey
Jan 20 2007

Islamist columnist says Dink murder aimed at "destabilizing Turkey"

Political assassinations are the favourite method of those who want
to throw Turkey into chaos and destabilize it. We lost many of our
intellectuals in political assassinations at every critical turning
point. Yesterday it was Hrant Dink’s turn.

The plotters of assassinations aimed at destabilizing the country are
adept at their job. If you were to ask a computer into which you have
entered all sorts of relevant intelligence and identity data who the
most appropriate target for an assassination aimed at creating chaos
would be, Hrant Dink would definitely be included on the list of a
few names. Hrant was a journalist and a member of a minority
community. However, he was an important person quite regardless of
his identity as an Armenian and a journalist. He made efforts as a
citizen of the Republic of Turkey to democratize Turkey, make it a
free country, and remove the obstacles facing it. Those who targeted
him not only ended his physical existence but also intended to damage
the democratization process to which Dink contributed.

A priest was killed in Trabzon about a year ago. After that, an armed
attack on the Council of State was carried out and a number of judges
were shot. The assassination of Hrant Dink appears to be a
continuation of the earlier incidents.

[As the proverb goes,] An ember burns where it falls [used to express
awareness of the pains of the close relatives of someone who has
died]. Hrant Dink’s death has a painful effect on every one of us in
varying degrees starting from those closest to him. Even though I did
not meet and talk with him often, Hrant was a friend whose presence I
regarded as an enriching factor for my country as well as for myself.
For this reason, I am deeply saddened.

It would not be quite rational to try to understand the meaning of
the assassination by concentrating on the fact that Dink was a
journalist who was a member of a minority group. Hrant Dink had
become the subject of a series of judicial investigations and
convictions lately that served to bring him to the fore. There were
probably those who were annoyed by him and held demonstrations to
express their annoyance. A link could be established between the
assassination and the fact that he was prosecuted for "insulting
Turkishness." There are actually those establishing such connections
and linking the assassination to a nationalist escalation.

The assassination actually appears to have been intended to make us
think that way. Even though the identity of the perpetrator or
perpetrators could bring these thoughts to our minds, we would do
well to try to understand the motives by looking at the assassination
from a wider perspective.

We could think that the target of the assassination was Turkey. Those
who planned the attack appear to have intended to damage Turkey’s
stability and darken what everybody could already see would be a
brighter future for this country. Steps are being taken to open the
clogged veins of democracy in Turkey and our country is turning into
a regional power whose word carries weight. Even the initial
sentiments caused by the assassination indicate a vulnerability where
this favourable course of developments could be blocked any time.
Unfortunately this is the case.

The first statement that Prime Minister Erdogan issued on behalf of
the Government shows that the political authority has made a correct
diagnosis of the incident. As in the case of the priest murder and
the raid on the Council of State, it is the Government that has been
placed in the most difficult position by the Hrant Dink
assassination.

Hrant Dink’s loss is a loss for every one of us. Above all, it is
Turkey’s loss.