Author: Emil Lazarian

PRESSURE ON ARMENIAN OPPOSITION GREW IN 4 YEARS, CHAIR OF HERITAGE
PARTY

Yerevan, January 24. ArmInfo. "If compared with the electoral
campaign of 2003 the authorities’ pressure on parties in opposition
has significantly grown up," said Vardan Khachatryan, Chair of the
Board of Directors of "Heritage" non-parliamentary party in opposition.

He said that the authorities apprehend the fact of their present
poor reproduction skills if compared with that of 2003. V. Khachatyan
touched upon the December 9 imprisonment of Zhirayr Sefilian, citizen
of Lebanon, hero of Karabakh war, and asserted that that was the
authorities’ regular persecution of freedom of thought in Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EXHIBITION OF ARMENIAN CROSS STONES TO BE OPENED IN LOUVRE

Yerevan, January 24. ArmInfo. Within the framework of Armenia’s Year
in France, an exhibition of Armenian cross-stones (khachkars) will
be opened in the Louvre on February 19, 2007.

Gayane Durgaryan, the press-secretary of the Armenian Ministry of
Culture and Youth, told ArmInfo that, in total, 27 cross- stones will
be exhibited in the Museum. According to G.Durgaryan, the exhibition
will last till May 15. She also noted that the Armenian Government
ensures the security of the cross-stones’ transportation to France.

To remind, the governors of the Ararat, Armavir, Aragatsotn,
Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions were to carry out
the organizational work for transporting the Armenian cross-stones
by the end of 2006.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ISSUE OF ARMENIA’S FULFILMENT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS
DISCUSSED AT PACE PLENARY SESSION

STRASBOURG, JANUARY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s fulfilment of its
obligations and commitments was among the issues presented at the
plenary session of the PACE on January 23. The co-rapporteurs were
George Colombier and Mikko Elo.

G. Colombier reminded that since Armenia’s joining the Council of
Europe, the legislative reforms, the amendment of the constitution,
the creation of the institution of ombudsman and reforms in the
judicial systems have been the joint achievements of Armenia and the
CE. At the same time, according to G. Colombier, there were violations
during the referendum on constitutional amendments and no measures
have been taken to punish those responsible for these violations,
which resulted in a distrust in the society and political forces.

It was mentioned that the improvement of the political atmosphere,
and a dialog between the authorities and the opposition may be
conducive to the efficiency of reforms. The co-rapporteur said that
the implementation of some reforms is hindered by corruption and the
fact that electronic mass media is not independent.

In the words of G. Colombier, it is important that the upcoming
parl iamentary elections in Armenia in May correspond to European
standards. He also underlined the importance of objective coverage
of the elections by the mass media. According to him, along with
amendments in the Electoral Code, a political will to ensure democratic
elections needs to be manifested.

The co-rapporteur Mikko Elo addressed the Nagorno Karabakh problem. He
said that over 10 years have passed but the conflict parties have
not reached an agreement and taken concrete steps for the conflict’s
resolution. The PACE appeals to the parties to end the conflict
as quickly as possible, ruling out the use of force. The PACE will
assist with the creation of a favorable political atmosphere for the
continuation of the negotiations and dialog with the participation
of the two countries and the Nagorno Karabakh people.

The leader of the RA National Assembly "Justice" faction Stepan
Demirchian, who spoke on behalf of the Alliance of Liberals and
Democrats for Europe (ALDE), said that Armenia does everything
to be in line with European standards: a balance has been created
among the power wings, citizens also received the right to apply
to the Constitutional Court, the institution of ombudsman had been
established. However, according to S. Demirchian, the Constitution’s
amendment is not enough for democratization and the development of
the whole society: the Constitution and laws must function for the
democratic tradition to be created.

"The Council of Europe should contribute to punishment of those
responsible for elections’ falsification. 80% of Armenians do not
believe in fair elections. In the coming months the authorities should
do everything possible to restore people’s belief and improve the
political atmosphere so that the 2007 pariamentary elections will be
held in accordance with European standards," K. Demirchian stated.

The RA National Assembly ARF faction member Armen Rustamian noted in
his speech that the co-rapporteurs prepared a balanced report, which
presents objectively the situation in Armenia and can be used as a
"road map" for the country’s democratic developemnt.

The RA National Assembly Speaker, Head of the Armenian delegation
in PACE Tigran Torosian noted in his speech that as a consequence
of the constitutional amendments, the Armenian parliament assumed
the obligation to adopt 51 laws within two years, 27 of which were
adopted last year. Most of them are related to bringing laws into
line with European standards.

"Unfortunately, the two elections held in our country since its joining
the Council of Europe were assessed as not fully corresponding to
international standards. However, I think that the considerably
improved Electoral Code and the amended Connstitution form a good
basis so that the necessary political will be added to them and the
parliamentary elections will be held in May in complete accordance
with international standards. We can and must do this in the name
of our country’s future, in the name of deserving the high title of
European family member," T. Torosian stated.

According to the RA National Assembly PR Department, there were three
additions to the resolution, which were adopted. The draft resolution
was passed with 32 votes in favor, one vote against and one abstention.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Fiorenzo Stolfi: Resolutions on conflicts are not efficient

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 24 2007

[ 24 Jan. 2007 20:51 ]

Fiorenzo Stolfi, San Marino Foreign Minster, chairing the CE Committee
of Ministers made a speech on the third day of the PACE winter session,
APA reports.

Member of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Ganira Pashayeva gave
two questions to him after his speech. She mentioned that Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Moldova whose territorial integrity was broken, are
members of the CE for 5 years and asked when the CE will use pressure
mechanisms against the countries preventing restoration of territorial
integrity. Fiorenzo Stolfi said that the country he represents respects
principles of international law, especially recognizes territorial
integrity and sovereignty of the countries.

"Our priorities are the peaceful solution of frozen and long-lasting
conflicts. If you mean Nagorno Karabakh conflict, OSCE Minsk Group
is engaged with the problem," he said.

Asked why Committee of Ministers does not take steps on Armenia
ignoring resolution 1416, the chairman said that some resolutions
were adopted on the mentioned conflicts, as well as Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. But we observe that the document is not efficient. Anyway, we
intend to discuss issues on conflicts in the meeting of the Committee
of Ministers next week. /APA/

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALL MEMBERS OF AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION ALSO BEGOREHAND SUBSCRIBED TO
DISCUSSION OF ISSUE RELATING TO ARMENIA AT PACE SESSION

STRASBOURG, JANUARY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Discussion of the process of
implementation of the obligations of Armenia was envisaged at the
January 23 last sitting of the winter session of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe. The discussion started at 21:30
Yerevan time. As Tigran Torosian, the Armenian delegation head, NA
Speaker informed Radio Liberty on the previous day, all the members of
the Armenian as well as Azerbaijani delegations being in Strasbourg
were subscribed for speeches concerning the issue. In T.Torosian’s
words, subscribtion of the Azerbaijani delegation members is strange
as there is no line in the resolution relating to Azerbaijan.

In the words of Stepan Demirchian, a member of the Armenian
delegation, head of the opposing "Ardarutiun" (Justice) faction,
the report is balanced. It fixes that after joining the Council
of Europe, no election in Armenia was free and just, it attaches
importance to the coming parliamentary and president’s elections. It
is at the same time mentioned in the report that Armenia fixed
progress in the sense of implementation of the obligations undertaken
by it. The constitutional amendments are attached importance to
among the latters. But the report authors also mentioned that the
referendum on the constitutional amendments was a lost possibility
for the authorities of Armenia in the sense of organizing free and
just elections.

S.Demirchian mentioned that he intended to speak in his speech
particularly about the issue that the authorities of Armenia did not
take step till now in the direction of subjecting to responsibility
those falsifying the elections what had been presented as a demand
by the Council of Europe continuously for years, in the direction of
giving TV broadcast to "A1+", securing balanced staff of electoral
commissions.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Article 301 held responsible for Dink’s murder
by FATMA DISLI

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Jan 23 2007

Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who was shot dead on Friday,
was laid to rest on Tuesday with the participation of thousands of
mourners. The prime suspect in Dink’s murder was captured in 24
hours. A 17-year-old secondary school graduate, unemployed Ogun
Samast confessed to the murder and said he killed Dink due to his
humiliating remarks about Turks. Dink had been previously tried for
"insulting Turkishness" in the scope of Article 301 of the Turkish
Penal Code. It is evident that nationalist feelings prompted the
killer and his masterminds, if there are any, to murder an Armenian
known for his public statements, particularly his labeling the 1915
incidents as genocide. There is a commonly held view that if Dink had
not appeared in court due to Article 301, he might still be alive
today, but according to another view, such explanations are simply
choosing the easy way out.

Vatan’s Okay Gonensin blames Article 301 for playing a major role in
Dink’s murder. He thinks some circles forced Dink’s trial under the
article and that they wanted to make him a victim of such an
assassination. Gonensin explains that it is necessary to consider the
chain of actors leading up to Dink’s murder such as the Justice and
Development Party (AK Party) government, which failed to save Turkey
from the calamity of Article 301, the Republican People’s Party (CHP)
opposition, the judiciary system that apparently forgot their purpose
and members of judiciary who are prone to act with the provocations
of street nationalists. He claims that all these people or
institutions owe an account to society due to Dink’s murder.

Posta’s Mehmet Ali Birand asserts that the killer of Dink is Article
301. He says that the police may have managed to capture the killer
who pulled the trigger, but the real killer would not be found.

"Because we are the real killers of Dink," urges Birand. "We have
nourished our murderers in a mindset and against a backdrop shaped by
Article 301. We have handed them guns," he claims. Just like
Gonensin, Birand criticizes defenders of Article 301, the members of
the judiciary and the public prosecutor who said," I would like to
get rid of the responsibility so I will file a lawsuit and let the
court decide." He also recalls the public reaction at the time of the
Armenian Conference. Birand admits that we have to change our
mindset. He thinks that urgently changing Article 301 is necessary if
we want to evolve as a society. "Only this way can we earn the
forgiveness of Dink," adds Birand.

Milliyet’s Fikret Bila’s views differ from other columnists about
holding Article 301 as the reason of Dink’s murder. He thinks
allegations such "defenders of Article 301 are responsible for this
tragic event" are cheap and simple. "If one of the defenders of
Article 301 is killed, who would be the killer then? Is it the
defenders of the abolishment of Article 301?" he asks. Bila also
directs criticism toward those who claim this murder was organized by
the "deep state." He calls such allegations conspiracy theories and
thinks that instead of making easy explanations by resorting to big
conspiracies, it is necessary to ponder the reasons and atmosphere
that resulted in murderers like Ogun Samast. Bila urges that it is
necessary to go beneath the surface and try to eradicate the problems
at its roots.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Taner Akcam: The real murderers are among the leading circles of Turkey

ArmRadio.am
24.01.2007 15:13

"Hrant’s death was not accidental. He was chosen as a target for
this period of time. Moreover, Dink became a target, since he was
Armenian," Professor of the Minnesota University, Turkish historian
Taner Akcam said during the memorial service dedicated to Hrant Dink
in San Francisco.

The historian declared also that the real murderers are among the
leading circles of the country. Turning to the Turkish Prime Minister’s
condemning speech, Akcam said, "Let him not drop crocodile tears. This
was the culmination point of the continuous policy of Turkey.

"The press, the government, the military, everyone carries
responsibility for this assassination," the Turkish historian
declared. Taner Akcam told the participants that Dink was recently
warned by city authorities of Istanbul "to restrict his writings,
since there are a lot of mad young people in the streets." "The
detainee is very like the one they described," he said.

It’s worth mentioning that Taner Akcam was the first Turkish scientist
to write about the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia, Azerbaijan FM reach no results at Moscow talks

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
January 23, 2007 Tuesday

The Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers have not reached results
at the talks in Moscow on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The chief of Armenian National Assembly’s international department,
Vooruzhan Nersesyan, said that "we have not come to concrete results,
but a solid basis has been prepared the continuation of the talks
during the upcoming visits of an OSCE group to Baku, Yerevan and
Stepanakert".

The Armenian side "considers the talks in Moscow as a positive
extension of the Prague process," Nersesyan said.

He said that the foreign ministers discussed in detail OSCE-proposed
projects of settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"The visit of the OSCE Minsk Group to Baku begins on Wednesday, and
we pin great hopes on results of this trip. The Armenian delegation
leaves for Yerevan content with results of the Moscow meeting,"
Nersesyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Mourning march to Tsitsernakaberd

ArmRadio.am
24.01.2007 10:38

At 13:30 today mourning march in honor of the editor-in-chief of the
Agos newspaper Hrat Dink will be organized from Shahumyan square to
Tsitsernakaberd. The event has been organized jointly by the Yerevan
Municipality and the Writers’ Union of Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Jihad Watch,
Jan 21 2007

Fitzgerald: The murder of Hrant Dink

When awards are handed out, they often go to the wrong people. It is
not the hapless Mohammed El Baradei, nor that apologist-for-Islam
("the mistreatment of women does not come from Islam") Shirin Ebadi,
who deserve that Nobel for Peace, but rather Ayaan Hirsi Ali and
other brave apostates. And the same is true for those prizes awarded
to journalists.

Who has given a prize to Flemming Rose? Or to Hrant Dink?

Hrant (pronounced "Ervant") Dink was a non-Muslim victim of Muslim
hatred of non-Muslims. He was shot because he was an Armenian citizen
of Turkey, who thought that the government and people of Turkey
should own up to the mass-murder (genocide) of the Armenians. He was
not, and could not be, a true "Turk" according to the definition
supplied by Turkish nationalists.

The particular variant on Islam operative in the murder of Hrant Dink
was the Kemalist cult of "the Turk" — Kemalism, in constraining
Islam, offered a replacement cult, the cult of Ataturk and of The
Turk. But in this case it can be seen to have adopted to a new age
essentially the same attitudes. The violence and aggression of Islam,
the inability to conceive of non-Muslims as fully equal legally and
socially to Muslims, have carried over into the Kemalist substitute
for Islam — the cult of "the Turk" by which the past civilizations
of Anatolia, its entire history, back to the Hittites, is ascribed to
"the Turks." This is another variant on the Muslim desire to ignore
everything that happened before Islam arrived as merely the time of
"Jahiliyya." That cannot be done in the case of Turkey: too many
impressive remnants of classical antiquity, as well as of Byzantium,
remain and must remain — if only for the Western tourists. The
solution of the Kemalist-nationalists was to take that pre-Islamic
past and enroll it in a counter-myth: the myth of the Turk to whom
all this somehow belongs, and for which he, the glorious Turk, is
somehow responsible. The educated elite realize that this is absurd,
but as in any country, and especially in such a country as Turkey,
how few must be those members of the educated elite who are immune to
both Islam and to the Myth of the Turk.

The re-emergence of Islam has led some Turks, including the one who
waited to kill Hrant Dink, to be possessed by a syncretistic mix. The
non-Turk means the non-Muslim citizen of Turkey — Armenian, Greek,
or Jew. No offense must be given by these inferior citizens to the
cult of the Turk, or to "the Turkish Nation." There is the same
readiness to be offended, the same division of the universe between
Us and Them (in the case of Islam it is Believer and Infidel, and in
the case of Muslim Turks who have embraced Kemalism it can be, for
the primitive, the true Turk and the non-Turk), the same recourse to
violence.

Hrant Dink should be remembered, and that memory honored, and not
only in Sausalito or Watertown, but everywhere. And the reasons for
his killing should be understood, including the reflection of the
persistence of Islamic attitudes in Turks, even those who are
"defending the Turkish nation from slander" rather than "defending
Muhammad from blasphemy." In the minds of Turkish Muslims, these
attitudes are mutually reinforcing.

One more thing.

This should be it, as far as entry into the EU is concerned. Call off
the farce. And this should also be the time when the Bush
Administration reads Turkey the riot act about Kurdistan, and starts
to make plans for that independent state, and tells the Turkish
government that it had better accept the American-extorted guarantees
that there will be no territorial claim made on Turkey by the new and
independent Kurdistan, but that Syria and Iran are fair game. And if
it doesn’t accept that? Then Turkey, whose military is entirely
dependent on American re-quipping, American spare parts, American
training, can see that American connection go up in smoke from the
top of Mount Ararat. No more nonsense about being afraid of "the
Turkish reaction." The Turkish government can get with the new
program, with those guarantees given by the Kurds to the Americans
(and without American diplomatic and military support an independent
Kurdistan could never exist) or face abandonment by its main, and
only sure ally. And if the Turkish government thinks that the Arabs
would or could ever be an ally of Turkey, rather than mischief-makers
intent on reversing 80 years of Kemalism, it should be disabused of
that thought quickly.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress