Author: Hovhannisian John

ELDENIZ GULIYEV: "TURKEY LOSES MUCH MORE FROM STRENGTHENING RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA"

Today.Az
olitics/49877.html
Dec 29 2008
Azerbaijan

"The strengthening of relations between Turkey and Armenia is of
negative nature", said chairman of the Azerbaijan Intellectuals
Movement Eldeniz Guliyev.

He said strengthening of relations between the countries should be
considered from various positions.

"First of all, Turkey must not forget the historical facts and the
evil Armenia brought to it. Second, it must bear in mind that 20%
of Azerbaijani lands are occupied.

Naturally, each country pursues its goal while strengthening the
relations. In particular, the opening of borders is profitable for
Armenia, while Turkey tends to join EU. However, both countries should
not forget that the things they achieve will be insignificant against
what they lose. Turkey loses much more by strengthening relations
with Armenia", noted he.

Guliyev also added that the campaign held by representatives of
Turkish intellectuals by apologizing to Armenians for 1915 events in
the Osman Empire and the reverse campaign were planned incompetently
and incorrectly.

TRT BLAMES PRODUCER ON SCREENING SCANDAL

Hurriyet
Dec 29 2008
Turkey

ANKARA – Turkey’s national public broadcaster caused a scandal when it
screened a documentary in which murdered Armenian Turkish journalist
Hrant Dink was portrayed as the provocateur of the deadly MaraÅ~_
incidents of 1978.

In response to the strong public reactions to the documentary,
the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, or, TRT, blamed the
producer of the documentary, the daily Hurriyet reported yesterday.

The 13-part documentary, "The Labyrinth of the Shahs," featured
controversial images in its episode, shown Dec. 24, on the MaraÅ~_
Massacre in which more than 100 people, most of Alevi origin, died. The
program showcased the statements of OkkeÅ~_ Kenger, who later became
OkkeÅ~_ Å~^endiller, the number one suspect of the massacre and one
of the founders of the Grand Unity Party.

In the documentary he said, "What happened in MaraÅ~_ at the time
was not a conflict between the Alevis and Sunnis. Hrant Dink and his
friends caused the events. Moreover, among the corpses there were
six or seven uncircumcised bodies."

After Å~^endiller’s statements, Dink’s photographs were featured
in the program. TRT officials, meanwhile, said what was said in the
program was not TRT’s opinion and TRT had purchased the documentary
from external sources. "They are not TRT’s views. The target of the
program was not Hrant Dink. It deals with many political topics from
that period and one of them was the MaraÅ~_ events. There are many
people interviewed in the documentary and Å~^endiller is among them,"
said TRT officials. "He says a few sentences. It is an allegation and
the documentary was made in a particular journalistic style. If Dink’s
family or lawyer said something, they would have been broadcast too,"
he said.

–Boundary_(ID_CRx0qE9KlJr0DD66pZ6m1A)–

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
Dec 24 2008

Fraud revealed in Turkish apology campaign

24-12-2008 03:50:24

An apparent fraud has been revealed in an online signature campaign
launched by a group of Turkish citizens to apologize to Armenians for
the alleged World War I-era killings of their countrymen.
It has now been revealed that most of the Turks included in the list
of people voting for the "apology" have either died or are
non-existent. Additionally, some of the persons listed were not aware
that they had been included in the campaign.

The initiative, launched on the website on
December 15 by up to 200 Turkish scholars, journalists, men of art and
NGO representatives, seeks to extend an apology for the alleged mass
killings in the Ottoman Empire that Armenians term as genocide, a
claim strenuously denied by Ankara. Supporters of the campaign vote by
including their names, city of residence and email addresses on the
web-page. An opportunity has also been created for non-users of the
Internet to submit their votes by mail. The campaign is expected to
last a year.

The website claimed that among those apologizing to the Armenians was
Turkey`s ambassador to France Ismayil Erezi, who was slain by Armenian
terrorists in Paris in 1975.

The web site further says that over 13,000 people have already joined
the campaign, but it is unknown which of the published names are
forged. After the persons whose names had been included in the list
without their knowledge appealed to the prosecutor`s office, the
website`s sections saying "Katilanlar" (Those joining) and "Katilmak
ichin tiklayin" (Click to join) were removed.

It is of note that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other
Turkish officials have condemned the campaign.

"I do not understand the organizers of this campaign and believe they
are wrong," the Turkish premier said. "One has to commit a crime to
ask for an apology afterwards.

Treating matters with good will is one thing, while apologizing in the
absence of any crime is completely another."The Turkish Armed Forces
Headquarters has labeled the online "apology" campaign as a move that
will be harmful to the country, with Armed Forces official, Metin
Gurak, calling the move erroneous.

Turkish Ambassador in Baku, Hulusi Kilic, has also come out against
the initiative, saying Turkey is not apologizing to Armenians, but, on
the contrary, is expecting an apology from them.

"The Turkish nation does not owe an apology to any other nation,"
Kilic told reporters.

Some 60 former ambassadors denounced the "apology" initiative as
running opposite of the country`s national interests. In a statement,
they said the re-settlement of Armenians carried out in 1915 in the
conditions of war had caused bitter consequences. However, the Turks`
losses due to Armenian terror and riots, were no less heavy.

To counter the initiative, Turkish intellectuals have lately launched
a campaign called "We are not apologizing." The signature collection
campaign is being carried out on the website.

Meanwhile, the Turkish embassy in Baku has expressed concern over the
baseless reports in local as well as Azerbaijani media claiming that
President Abdullah Gul`s maternal side is ethnic Armenian. A source
from the embassy told AssA-Irada that Gul has made a formal statement
regarding his family`s roots, saying his generation comes from
traditional Muslim Turks.

After all officials in Ankara except President Gul condemned this "act
of propaganda", a representative of Turkey`s opposition Nationalist
Movement Party claimed that Gul`s relatives on his maternal side are
ethnic Armenian Turkish citizens who originally come from the Kayseri
region. The embassy said Armenia was sticking to its unequivocal
stance on the purported genocide and its relations with the
neighboring country. It noted that the head of state has repeatedly
offered to Yerevan to open up historical archives to study the Ottoman
Turkey developments, in order to prove the falsehood of the genocide
claims.Armenia and Turkey maintain no diplomatic ties and the border
between the two countries has been closed since 1993 on Ankara`s
insistence in response to Armenia`s policy of occupation of
Azerbaijani territories and the Armenian "genocide" claims. However,
relations between the two countries have begun to improve of
late. Following secret talks between Turkish and Armenian diplomats in
Bern in July, the two countries` leaders attended a 2010 World Cup
qualifying soccer match together in Yerevan early in September when
Abdullah Gul became the first Turkish president to visit
Armenia. Further, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian visited
Turkey on November 24 where both countries discussed ways of
normalizing relations between Ankara and Yerevan. Documented evidence

A document has been discovered that exposes the fraudulent nature of
Armenia`s genocide allegations. According to the Turkish media, the
document says that the then Armenian patriarch and a group of
Armenians from his entourage launched a signature-raising campaign to
put forward territorial claims against Turkey. "The Turks tormented us
in 1917 and endangered our lives and property", the document said.

In response to this statement, the Anatolian Armenians and Greeks
circulated a statement of their own.

"We, the Anatolian Armenians and Greeks, have lived in peace and
stability with the Turks for years, and this will continue," the
historical document says. "There is no pressure against us
whatsoever. This is a ploy by those interested in muddying the
waters. We are very pleased with our lives."

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NKR Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan’s Congratulatory Address to
Artsakh People in View of New Year

December 27, 2008

NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Department

Dear Artsakh people

In view of the New Year and Christmas I convey to you my warmest
greetings, and wish you all the best and profound joy of full-blooded
life in the Homeland.
I hope that 2008 was a year of realization of new opportunities and
ideas for you.
The past 12 months were mostly of this kind for the Republic of
Artsakh. Though inevitable difficulties arose before us during the
year, we managed to implement the major part of the state programmes
outlined for the year, to provide definite economic growth, to achieve
a new level of social security for the population. Solid investments
were made in the sphere of agriculture; the reforms initiated in this
sphere as well as those in the spheres of energetics, healthcare and
other spheres assure great results. The hypothecary company gathers
momentum and one of our main aims is that all the Artsakh people attain
the happiness of having a private dwelling in the near future.
We would like to anticipate more from 2009, though it can already
be said that the forthcoming year will not be easy and plentiful from
the view point of economic progress, and this, chiefly because of the
serious split in the world financial and economic system. However, we
have considerable opportunities and a private programme of actions, the
realization of which will enable us to reduce the forthcoming
difficulties and to secure the successful vital activity of our
Republic. 2009 should become a year of unified, systematized and
purposeful work for us. There are important programmes outlined,
particularly, in the social sphere, in the spheres of urban planning,
education, small and middle enterprises, and in other spheres. The
realization of these programmes will allow to raise the welfare level
of our citizens, to create new conditions of life for them. The
Government will show great support to those, who will work and create
within the framework of our common interests and with their honest
labour, will contribute to the prospering process of Artsakh State.
I wish peace and labour, energy and health to all of you, dear
Artsakh people. Let light and harmony, mutual understanding and
solidarity dominate in your families. Let the forthcoming year be full
of kindness and good luck!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA DISCUSS SITUATION IN THE REGION

The Messenger
Dec 24 2008
Georgia

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze discussed
issues of bilateral cooperation and the situation in the region after
the developments in August on Monday.

"We discussed both tete-a-tete and in a broader format the problems our
countries are facing," Mamedyarov stated at the joint news conference
after the meeting. "First of all, we discussed the situation in the
region against the background of recent developments in Georgia. I
described the current state of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. The broader spectrum of bilateral relations was
also discussed," he added.

According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, the development
of cooperation within the GUAM, UN and OSCE frameworks was also
discussed. "We emphasized the growth in commodity turnover between
the two states. It increased by 86% last year and was worth USD
700 million," the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan stated. "We also
touched on the issue of humanitarian and cultural cooperation and
the situation with Azerbaijani schools in Georgia," Mammadyarov
stated. Grigol Vashadze, in turn, said there was mutual understanding
on the issues discussed.

IRAN-ARMENIA OIL PIPELINE PROJECT TO KICK OFF IN SUMMER ’09

Tehran Times
Dec 24 2008
Iran

TEHRAN – Armenia Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan announced on Monday
that the construction of the Iran-Armenia oil pipeline will begin in
the summer of 2009.

The Armenian City of Yeraskh will be the receiving terminal of the
pipeline running between the two neighboring countries.

According to IRNA, the 300-kilometer pipeline will run from Iran’s
northwestern city of Tabriz to Yeraskh to deliver the petrol and
diesel fuel from the oil refinery in Tabriz to Armenia.

Movsisyan estimated that the pipeline would be completed in two years
and would cost $200-240 million with each country covering half of
the cost.

"In order to secure the country’s needed energy, we intend to increase
the number of our suppliers," Movsisyan continued.

The two countries constructed a linking gas pipeline in 2007 and
agreed to transfer 36 million cubic meters of gas to Armenia within
20 years and in return Iran will receive 3.3 billion kilowatts of
energy from Armenia.

Armenia and Iran enjoy cultural and historical ties dating back
thousands of years. There are no border disputes between the two
countries and the Christian Armenian minority in Iran enjoys official
recognition.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

amp;p=0&id=696&y=2008&m=12&d=23
19 .12.08

On October 8, 2008 the Azeri soldier who crossed the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border and yielded himself prisoner to
the Armenian side declared that he would like to assume Armenian
citizenship. The Azeri captive stated in an exclusive interview: "I,
Hasanov Rafik Rahman Oghli, was born in 1989 in Yusuvjanli village,
Aghdam region. I currently reside in Seferli village in Aghdam region.

Why did I cross the border? I was humiliated at the 5th battalion of
the brigade #707 located in Ghazakh. I served there for three months,
and then I was glad to be moved to the base station where there
would be nine soldiers and one Officer. I thought the service would
be easier there. However, I was beaten and tortured also at Bazahli
base. Unable to stand it any longer, I decided to shoot at my left
foot from the gun, after which I was taken to hospital. I recovered
and returned to the base station. The commanders continued teasing
me comparing me with a donkey."

I am addressing my message to Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev,
asking to carry out check-up at the 707 brigade.

The captive said he does not wish to return to Azerbaijan where
he is beaten and humiliated. He added that he is treated well in
Armenia. Hasanov declared he will never return to Azerbaijan and said
he is going to become an Armenian citizen.

"I am announcing that I was a citizen of Azerbaijan for 19 years. Now I
wish to be a citizen of the Republic of Armenia and will never return
to Azerbaijan," Hasanov Rafik Rahman Oghli said.

"PISCES" COMMEMORATIVE GOLDEN COIN INTRODUCED IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Dec 22, 2008
YEREVAN

The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) put into circulation "Pisces"
commemorative golden coins, the CBA press-service told ARKA News
Agency on Monday. The coin has been issued in the scope of Zodiacal
Signs international numismatic program.

According to the press release, the CBA issued 10,000 coins with
10,000AMD nominal value each.

The coin made of pure gold weighs 8.6 grams and is 22mm in diameter.

The national emblem of Armenia is on the obverse of the coin with
the value underneath both in Armenian and English. The year of issue
("2008") is specified above the Emblem.

All 12 zodiacal signs are represented in the middle circle.

Zodiacal "Pisces" are at the coin reverse against the background of
sky of stars.

The coin has been minted by the Polish Mint. The coin outlines are
made by designer Ursula Valezhak.

TURKEY DOES NOT HAVE A PAST TO BE ASHAMED OF: SPEAKER OF TURKISH PARLIAMENT

Trend News Agency
Dec 19 2008
Azerbaijan

Speaker of the Turkish Parliament Koksal Toptan sharply criticized
those who have launched apology campaign, Cihan news agency reported.

"Those who apologize accuse Turkey of an event that did happen in
past and they apologize for this guilt," Toptan said.

Around 200 Turkish academics, writers and journalists launched
a website issuing an apology to the Armenians regarding the 1915
incidents and calling for people to sign on in support. Over 5,000
people have registered on the website, Turkish media reported.

Armenia and Armenian lobby worldwide state that in 1915 the Ottoman
Empire, Turkey’s predecessor, committed genocide against Armenians
living in Anatolia. Armenians striving to make their statements
recognized worldwide have strengthened their propaganda of the
so-called genocide in several countries and have achieved recognition
of the "Armenian genocide" at several Parliaments.

Toptan recalled that over 40 Turkish diplomats were killed by Armenians
in 1980s. "Who will apologize for their murder?, he asked.

Toptan said Turkey does not have past to be ashamed of and added that
they are ready to introduce all historical documents on this issue.

TURKISH PREMIER COMMENTS ON CAMPAIGN APOLOGIZING TO ARMENIANS ON 1915 INCIDENTS

Today’s Zaman
Dec 17 2008
Turkey

Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that he did not
accept or support the campaign recently launched by a group of Turkish
intellectuals and academicians aiming to apologize to Armenians for
the incidents of 1915.

"They might have committed such a crime themselves, as they
are apologizing now. Republic of Turkey does not have such a
concern. One can apologize if there is a crime necessitating such
an apology. Neither my country, nor my nation has such concerns,"
Erdogan said, replying to questions following his meeting with
Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov in Istanbul.

Erdogan said that it was unacceptable to support such a campaign just
because it was launched by intellectuals. "I personally do not accept,
support or participate in this campaign," he said.

Erdogan also said that he could not understand the approach of the
intellectuals, adding that such kind of initiatives could only create
chaos and destroy peace. "I find it unreasonable to apologize when
there is no reason," he said.

Erdogan commented on an Iraqi reporter’s throwing his shoes at the
U.S. President George W. Bush as well.

Noting that he did not approve such an attitude, Erdogan said,
"Expression and thought are the greatest powers of a journalist. I
wish that journalist could have pushed Bush with those qualities".

Briefing reporters on his meeting with the Bulgarian president,
Erdogan said they had quite fruitful talks during which they mainly
discussed economic and commercial matters.