Author: Hunanian Jack

Armenian telecommunications company fined for abuse of “dominant” role
on market
Mediamax news agency
12 Aug 05
YEREVAN
The commission to protect economic competition today fined ArmenTel
company for “abuse of the dominant position on the market of mobile
communication services”.
ArmenTel will have to pay one per cent from its profit received in
2004 from the mobile communication services.
The commission’s resolution notes that between 30 June and 10 July of
2005, ArmenTel did not provide to its subscribers the mobile
communication services at the needed level. This contradicts Armenia’s
legislation and licence No 60 regulating the company’s activity.
Representatives of ArmenTel company at the commission’s meeting
acknowledged shortcomings in their work. However, they rejected the
claims on the company’s dominant role. The company’s lawyer, Artag
Khachatryan, said that the mobile operator Vivacell, which had entered
the market on 1 July, became a “powerful and serious rival” for
ArmenTel.

MINING ACTIVITIES TO START SOON
[August 06, 2005, 21:54:13]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug 6 2005
A press conference dealing with the Agreement on the exploration,
development and production sharing for perspective gold fields
Gedabey, Gosha, Ordubad guru (Piyazbashi, Agyurd, Shekerdere, Keleki),
Soyudlu, Gizilbulag and Vezhnali in the Azerbaijan Republic was held
at Hyatt-Regency Hotel in Baku.
Speaking at the press conference president of the Azerbaijan
International Mines Operating Company (AIMOC) Rza Veziri noted oil
was not the country’s only wealth, but it was quite rich in other
mineral resources. He mentioned that as early as 1920, the Siemens had
developed copper fields in Gedabey, and in late 19th century, French
archeologists had carried out exploration works in Nakhchivan adding
huge ironstone, gold, solver and copper resources were discovered by
soviet including local specialists in Nakhchivan, Kelbajar, Gedabey
and Dashkesan. Mr. Veziri announced that in the Agreement ratified
by Azerbaijan parliament in 1997, the share of Azerbaijan is 51%
and that of AIMOC is 49%. Noting the rise in gold price in October
2004 allowed to commence realization of the Agreement, he advised
the preparatory works had already been completed. “Drilling of two
wells in Liyazbashi area in Ordubad (Nakhchivan) would start in the
next month, and a processing plant will be constructed nearby in two
years,” he said. According to him, the first-phase investments will
make up $50 million, while on the next phases the amount will reach
$600 million. “Minimum workforce including engineers from the outside
will be involved in the project, at least 500-700 local residents
will be provided with jobs, Mr. Veziri said. He promised the finished
products would appear in the market in the 3rd Q of 2007.
Besides, he has made things clear concerning the earlier reports
on alleged drilling operations by Indian company in the territory
of Kalbajar, Azerbaijan (the area covered by the production sharing
Agreement). It was noted that influential law firms and lawyers in New
York had been involved in this case. “If the information is confirmed,
Armenia will account to the international court. No proofs of the
illegal actions have been provided so far,” he said.
In the end, the company’s managers spoke of measures to realize the
Agreement, and answered questions from journalists.

Brodhead Makes Appeal for Duke Student Imprisoned in Armenia
Armenian president asked to intervene in case
Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)
News & Communications
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Note to Editors: The following letter was written by Duke President
Richard H. Brodhead to the Armenian president expressing concern over
the arrest and detention of Duke student Yektan Turkyilmaz.
August 1, 2005
His Excellency Robert Kocharian
President
Republic of Armenia
Yerevan
Dear Mr. President:
I write as president of Duke University to seek your personal
intervention in the situation involving Yektan Turkyilmaz, a
Ph.D. candidate in Cultural Anthropology and a fellow of the John Hope
Franklin Institute at my university. Mr. Turkyilmaz was arrested on
June 17 by Armenian officials as he was leaving Yerevan Airport and has
been held under high security since then without formal charges being
filed. Mr. Turkyilmaz was arrested on a customs violation charge under
Article 215, paragraph 2 of the Armenian Criminal Code, for attempting
to take a number of books out of the country without receiving the
required permissions. There is ample evidence that Mr. Turkyilmaz was
unaware of the requirement to seek such permissions, and now faces
a potential prison sentence of 4-8 years if convicted at trial.
Mr. Turkyilmaz is a scholar of extraordinary promise. He is one
of a handful of Turkish scholars who have critically addressed the
events of 1915 and is the first Turkish scholar to be granted access
to your nation~Rs Historical Archive. His exceptional command of many
languages is, I am told, unique among scholars of this period and gives
him an equally unique opportunity, therefore, to help illuminate this
critical historical period.
It is my understanding that this is the first time this particular
article in the Armenian Criminal Code – which focuses principally
on issues associated with terrorism – has been applied to a person
carrying books. Mr. Turkyilmaz has said he was unaware of this
provision in the customs laws and would have sought appropriate
permission had he been aware of it. Since June 17, Mr. Turkyilmaz has
had only limited access to the outside world – only his lawyer and
one other scholar have been able to see him – and he has not been
permitted to use the telephone or to write or receive letters.
As the leader of a great country, you have the ability to intervene in
this matter and to determine the appropriateness of the actions of your
government and the Armenian prosecutors and police. You also have the
ability to release Mr. Turkyilmaz. With respect, I urge you to do so.
Sincerely,
Richard H. Brodhead
President,
Duke University
For more information, contact:
John F. Burness, Office of the Senior Vice President
for Public Affairs and Government Relations |
919-681-3788 | [email protected]

Gov. Blagojevich signs law expanding genocide education in Illinois
Studies will now include recent atrocities in Armenia, Ukraine,
Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Sudan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of the Governor of Illinois
August 5, 2005
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed House
Bill (HB) 312 into law, expanding Holocaust and genocide education for
Illinois elementary and high school students. In addition to learning
about the Nazi atrocities of the 20th century, students will now learn
about more recent acts of genocide around the world, including those
in Armenia, Ukraine, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Sudan. In June,
the governor signed legislation making Illinois the first state in the
nation to end state investment in Sudan, cutting all state financial
ties with the oppressive and genocidal Sudanese government.
“As we teach our kids the important lessons of history, we have to be
sure that they understand that racial, national, ethnic and religious
hatred can lead to horrible tragedies,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “Sadly,
these are not just the problems of our parents’ or grandparents’
generations. We have to make sure our schools teach the importance
of embracing differences among people and encourage students to fight
intolerance and hatred wherever they see it.”
Sponsored by Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) and Sen. Jacqueline Collins
(D-Chicago), HB 312 expands the previous requirement for Illinois
public elementary schools and high schools to teach a unit on genocide
focused on the events of the Nazi Holocaust of 1933 to 1945. The
new unit of instruction required by HB 312 will include, but is not
limited to: the Armenian Genocide; the Famine-Genocide in Ukraine;
and more recent atrocities in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Sudan.
“In light of the culturally diverse population in Illinois and our
increasingly global society, we must ensure that the tragedy of the
Holocaust is not painted with an isolated brush,” stated the bill’s
chief sponsor, Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago). “In order to fully
comprehend the inhumanity of genocide, students need to be able to
understand the indifference that has allowed it to repeatedly occur
around the world through history and up to today.”
The law states that the State Board of Education may make available
to Illinois schools instructional materials for the development of
this unit of instruction. Each local school district will set the
specifics of the instruction for each grade level in its schools.
“By studying these tragic lessons from history, we can
help our children understand the importance of freedom,” said
Sen. Collins. “When they recognize that crimes of genocide continue
in some corners of the world, even in the 21st century, it will raise
their awareness and help them understand what can happen when you
judge people by their race, their homeland or their beliefs.”
“We applaud Governor Blagojevich for breaking new ground by signing
into law this important educational initiative, a measure which comes
fifteen years after the landmark Illinois Holocaust Education Mandate
was first enacted,” said Richard S. Hirschhaut, Project and Executive
Director of the new Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
“The new law affirms the continuing relevance of applying the universal
lessons of the Holocaust to the tragedies of genocide in our world
today. We look forward to bringing these important lessons to future
generations through the facilities of the new Illinois Holocaust
Museum and Education Center.”
In June, the governor signed Senate Bill 23, making Illinois the
first state in the nation to cut all state financial ties with the
oppressive and genocidal Sudanese government. The bill, sponsored by
Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and Rep Lovana Jones (D-Chicago),
prohibits Illinois from investing in foreign government bonds of Sudan,
investing in companies doing business in or with Sudan, and investing
the State pension in companies doing business in or with Sudan.
HB 312 goes into effect immediately.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
August 4, 2005
___________________
ST. SARKIS CHURCH OF CHARLOTTE CONSECRATED BY ARCHBISHOP BARSAMIAN
By Jake Goshert
It was the birth of a new community as more than 300 people gathered on
Sunday, July 31, 2005, for the consecration of the newest Armenian
Church in the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern): St.
Sarkis Church of Charlotte, NC.
The community has built itself up from just a handful of families, and a
few years after buying its property was blessed by the generosity of a
benefactor from Easton, PA: Mr. Sarkis Acopian.
“I look around today and I see so many people from so many backgrounds
and life experiences,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese, during the consecration service. “And yet you have all come
together — in unity — in the name of our Lord, under the shield of His
church, in the cause of the Armenian Christian heritage. And you have
done this, even though you are remote from the larger concentrations of
our people in this country. Today you begin a new life together,
united, as an Armenian Christian church.”
STARTED AS A DREAM
As he consecrated the new St. Sarkis Church, the Primate reflected on
the humble origins of the community. The Armenians in the Charlotte
area first began to be called together when Lena Kupelian Neau arrived
in the area in 1988. At that time there was no Armenian organization in
the area.
She pulled out the phone book and started making phone calls to all the
Armenians she could find. Pulling others into an organization, she was
joined by people like Roland Telfayan; Arthur, Puzant, and Paul
Yessayan; and Zaven Touloukian.
“My profound appreciation goes out to those who had the vision to
establish a parish in this area,” the Primate said. “And also to those
who took up that vision, built upon it, and expanded it.”
Dozens of these local community leaders, who gave so much of their time,
energy, and financial resources to enliven the community, served as
“godfamilies” of the church during its consecration.
The road to building the new church took some unexpected turns, causing
the consecration to be postponed from two earlier dates. But now, at
last, the community finally have a proper Armenian spiritual home of
their own.
“We feel finally have a home we can gather in. Since we’ve been using
the sanctuary attendance has quadrupled,” said Mrs. Kupelian Neau, the
present parish council chair, who added that the parish now gets between
60 and 120 people at services. “The feeling in our former location — a
rented church — was different; people would be talking during the
services. But here you can hear a pin drop. The new church is having a
totally different effect on the parishioners. I think because we’re
going from an American church to a totally Armenian church.”
Standing on a main street in Charlotte, and being constructed in the
style of traditional Armenian Church architecture, also means the parish
is helping educate the locals about the Armenian people.
“It has put the Armenians on the map of Charlotte. Nobody questions
what an Armenian is anymore. Everybody knows now. Everybody in
Charlotte is talking about it,” Ms. Kupelian Neau said.
HONORING A MOTHER’S LOVE
The community was boosted last year when Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Bobbye
Acopian, from Easton, PA, pledged $2.25 million to build the new church
in honor of Sarkis’ mother, Arax.
Arax was born in Kars, Turkey, in 1898, and grew up in Georgia and Iran,
where she was a respected dentist. With her husband Grigor, she shared
her devotion to the Armenian church and Armenian people with three
children.
Mr. and Mrs. Acopian were on hand to attend the consecration and cut the
ribbon on the adjoining church hall, named in their honor, where the
celebratory banquet was held.
Serving as “godfamilies” during the consecration of the St. Sarkis
Church of Charlotte, NC, were:
Pierre Arbajian
Nely Avakyants
Edward and Mary Anne Azarian
Leon and Sonia Bagdasarian
Olga Boloyan
Raymond and Roberta Bozoian
Charles and Betty Diman
Paul, Dolores, and Donna Loutigian
Sergey and Arevat Manucharova
Gerard and Lena (Kupelian) Neau
Hagop and Noelle Sarkissian
Genrikh and Zhanna Shirazyan
Roland and Marie Telfeyan
Hagop and Zaven and Raye Touloukian
Diane Gulkasian Tudor
Ara Sylvie, Arthur and Lynn, and Paul and Sylva Yessayan
— 8/3/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, flanked by Fr. Daniel Karadjian, left, and Fr. Daniel Findikyan
and benefactor Sarkis Acopian enter the filled St. Sarkis Church of
Charlotte, NC, on the day of its final consecration, July 31, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The Primate blesses the altar cross during the
consecration of the St. Sarkis Church in Charlotte, NC, on July 31,
2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian blesses one of the crosses
surrounding the St. Sarkis Church in Charlotte, NC.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): The Primate, Fr. Daniel Karadjian, left, and Fr.
Daniel Findikyan, fight, bless the altar at the new St. Sarkis Church of
Charlotte, NC, on July 31, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): The Primate and benefactors Sarkis and Bobbye
Acopian prepare to release doves in celebration following the
consecration of the St. Sarkis Church of Charlotte, NC, on July 31,
2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (6): Archbishop Barsamian is joined by the godparents,
altar servers, choir, and leaders of the newly consecrated St. Sarkis
Church of Charlotte, NC.
PHOTO CAPTION (7): The newly consecrated St. Sarkis Church sits on a
main intersection in Charlotte, NC.
PHOTO CAPTION (8): Young parishioners of the St. Sarkis Church in
Charlotte, NC, dance during the banquet in the adjoining Sarkis and
Bobbye Acopian Cultural Hall following the consecration of the sanctuary
on July 31, 2005.
# # #

TENSIONS SIMMERING IN GEORGIA’S JAVAKHETI REGION
Eurasia Daily Monitor (The Jamestown Foundation)
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
By Zaal Anjaparidze
The recent anti-terrorist operations in Georgia (see EDM July 25, 29)
have overshadowed coverage of anti-Georgian developments flaring in
Georgia’s turbulent Javakheti region, a southern area predominantly
populated by ethnic Armenians.
On July 17, Armenian residents of Samsar blocked efforts by students
and nuns from Tbilisi to help restore a local church dating to the
12th century. The Armenians accused the visitors of attempting to
“Georgianize the Armenian church.” The verbal argument deteriorated
into a brawl that left several of the Georgians severely injured. That
same day, local Armenians raided a Georgian school in the nearby
town of Akhalkalaki. The police managed to contain the incident,
but the situation in the region remains tense.
The Georgian and Armenian governments have done their best to
hush up the incident. In a July 21 joint statement, the Georgian
Orthodox Church and the Georgian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church expressed regret about the Samsar incident and ascribed it to
“incorrect information circulating among the local population.” Vazgen
Mirzakhanian, bishop of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia, apologized
to the Georgian victims.
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian’s impromptu visit to Georgia
on July 24-25 evidently sought to relieve the explosive situation in
the region. During his trip to Javakheti Margarian received a list of
demands from the local Armenian community to the Georgian government.
They were presented by leaders of the local civic organizations
Javakh, United Javakh-Democratic Alliance, and Virk. These groups
want the Georgian government to stop the alleged discrimination
of the Armenians, make the Armenian language the regional language
in Javakheti, stop the “Georgianization” of the region’s Armenian
cultural heritage, begin construction of a highway connecting Javakheti
with Armenia (which the Armenian government is ready to finance),
register Virk as a political party, and include Armenia’s history
in the curriculum of Armenian schools in Georgia. These Armenian
organizations insist on declaring the Armenian language as the second
state language in Georgia (home of about 300,000 ethnic Armenians)
or at least in Javakheti, and the adoption a special law on ethnic
minorities.
Margarian said that this year the Armenian government has allocated
$350,000 to support the Armenian schools in Javakheti and is ready
to increase funding if Tbilisi agrees. He also asked the Georgian
government to jointly determine the provenance of the churches in
the region, which are claimed by both religious groups.
Georgian Parliamentary Chair Nino Burjanadze told Margarian that the
provocateurs fueling enmity between Georgians and Armenians play into
the hands of the common enemy, evidently alluding to Russia. However,
there are reports that some radical Armenian organizations support
anti-Tbilisi activities in Javakheti.
Many analysts in Georgia believe that Tbilisi should handle the region
more carefully to avert new incidents. Soon after the collapse of the
USSR, some local Armenian leaders proposed political autonomy for the
region. But despite assistance from international donors to improve
the region’s socio-economic situation, the Georgian government has not
been able to find a workable solution to the problem of “Javakheti
Armenians.” That local Armenians distrust the central government’s
policies complicates the situation (see EDM, March 23, May 24).
For example, the Russian military base in the region purchased large
quantities of local produce. But local leaders doubt Georgian President
Mikheil Saakashvili’s proposal to feed the Georgian army with local
foodstuffs after the Russian base closes. The Armenian-populated
Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda regions boast an agricultural yield
that exceeds the dietary needs of the 20,000-strong Georgian army by
15-20 times.
Another irritation came one day after the Samsar incident, when the
Georgian armed forces completed the large-scale “Armor 2005” exercises
at the Orfolo range near Javakheti. Georgian Defense Minister Irakli
Okruashvili hinted that the fictional enemy “Blue Country,” which
according to the scenario had temporarily seized a Georgian region,
was not fictional at all. “It exists for Georgia indeed,” he said.
The Georgian media accuses the Javakh, United Javakh-Democratic
Alliance, and Virk civic movements of being behind the regions’
anti-Tbilisi mood. However, Virk leader David Rstakian claimed that
these organizations have actually prevented protests by the Armenian
community from escalating to the separatism seen in Abkhazia and
South Ossetia.
Vahan Chakhalian, leader of the United Javakh- Democratic Alliance,
which unites eight youth organizations, said that the Russian military
pullout leaves local Armenians defenseless. Chakhalian and other local
leaders have openly stated that they would retaliate if Georgian units
replace the Russian troops. They also object to a government-sponsored
plan to accommodate Georgian families in the region, which they
claim would artificially “Georgianize” Javakheti. “We have yet to
see whether the Georgian army enters here,” Chakhalian warned.
Leaders of the local Armenian organizations argue that the local
authorities in Javakheti misinform Tbilisi about the real situation
in the region and the preferences of the local establishment. The
information vacuum and poor knowledge of Georgian laws by the locals,
caused by a lack of knowledge of Georgian language, is likely the root
of many problems. Giorgi Khachidze, the Tbilisi-appointed governor
of Javakheti, says that the methodology of teaching the Georgian
language needs to be improved. “The Georgian books in the Armenian
schools are getting dusty, because they don’t need them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the socio-economic problems in Javakheti are similar
to those in other Georgian regions. However, some local groups,
guided by external forces in Russia and Armenia, may be trying to
politicize these problems and prepare the ground for the region’s
eventual separation from Georgia.
(Regnum, July 18, 25, 28, 29; Akhali Versia, July 21; Resonance,
July 20, TV-Rustavi-2, July 17, Vremya novostei, July 19)

IAEA chief visits Armenian nuclear power plant Metsamor
The Messenger, Georgia
Aug 3 2005
Sees many improvements to Armenian reactor but says more must be done
to meet international safety standards
By M. Alkhazashvili
The Metsamor Nuclear Electric Plant of Armenia, located 28 km outside
of Yerevan, not only supplies at least 40 percent of Armenia with
power, it provides Georgia with electrical energy during the winter
months as well.
That the plant is a potential source of major ecological danger for
the region is also significant for Georgia. This facility was built
during the Soviet period, in 1976, and is therefore not dissimilar to
the infamous Chernobyl plant in Ukraine which first became
operational in 1977. Metsamor was scheduled to be shut down in 2004
but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) prolonged the
functioning period until 2008.
Following his July 27-28 visit to the Metsamor nuclear power plant,
Mohamed ElBaradei, IAEA’s Director General, said he noted many
improvements in operating Unit 2, but further steps must be taken to
meet international safety standards, the IAEA reports on their
website.
Metsamor has had a troubled history. After the December 7, 1988
earthquake in Armenia which followed close on the heels the April 26,
1986 Chernobyl catastrophe, Metsamor suspended operations at the
behest of the Armenian people. But in the early 1990s Armenia,
suffering from its own energy crisis, brought the nuclear station
back to life with Russian aid, and at the moment the Metsamor is
managed by the Russian electricity giant RAO UES.
It was announced in July that, due to essentially needed renovations
along with a lack of actual existing nuclear fuel, Metsamor had to
once more be stopped. According to information released by the
director of AES, Gagik Markosiani, the exact date that plant
operations will again be suspended is yet to be determined. Both the
main nuclear turbine and the fourth turbine should need at least 45
days of renovation, while the third turbine will take ten days to be
thoroughly overhauled. Markosiani also said that a new transfer of
additional nuclear fuel to the Nuclear Electric Plant will have taken
place by September 15.
The former Georgian Minister of Environmental Protection Nino
Chkhobadze believes that the Georgian government is obliged to demand
safety guaranties in order to prevent the possibility of any leaks or
incidents that could be caused by the planned plant renovations and
transportation of nuclear fuel.
According to the Georgian Green Party if any serious problem were to
occur at the Metsamor plant, Tbilisi should be totally evacuated
within eight hours. But where to? At the moment there is no such
contingency plan and therefore no answer to this question. Most
likely, in the case of a nuclear incident, the entire South Caucasus
as well as neighboring parts of Turkey and Iran would be affected.
The Georgian Greens have periodically expressed their concerns about
the transport of nuclear fuel from Russia to Armenia. During the
Soviet period, nuclear fuel and waste were carried back and forth
between Russia and Armenia by land. In the current post-Soviet period
these transactions can only be carried out by crossing sovereign
Georgian territory and they have never been done officially.
“Georgia was, and is, a transit country. It’s interesting how they
manage to move such materials through Georgia. It requires a series
of licenses, permits and guarantees of security systems, doesn’t it?
How did Armenia manage to get their nuclear materials from Russia
without crossing the territory of Georgia?” asks the head of the
Greens, Giorgi Gachechiladze.
A recent IWPR report (CRS No. 271, 26-Jan-05) explains that the fuel
is transported in Russian planes through Georgian airspace to
Armenia. That “is the same as flying around a potential nuclear bomb”
said Alexis Louber, head of the EU delegation in Armenia, who has
been quoted as saying the plant poses “danger to the entire region”.
The Armenian Assistant Minister of Energy, Areg Galstiani, declared
in Yerevan on July 19 that the Metsamor Plant will be closed by 2016
if, by this time, the republic can be guaranteed an alternative
energy generating source. Interestingly, this alternative source
seems to be a new nuclear electric plant.
Galstiani stated that from 2011 to 2016 activities will be carried
out in Armenia to construct a new nuclear electric plant that will,
presumably, be located on the territory of the current plant.

SwissInfo, Suisse
31 Juillet 2005
Génocide arménien: Perinçek persiste et signe

Le politicien turc Doðu Perinçek, sous le coup de deux enquêtes
pour avoir nié le génocide arménien, compare la loi suisse à celles
de l’Inquisition.

Dans une interview à un journal alémanique du dimanche, Perinçek
exige la suppression de cette loi. Et répète qu’il n’y a «jamais eu
de génocide».

La loi suisse contre le racisme est comparable à une «loi médiévale
de l’Inquisition». Elle doit être supprimée, clame Doðu Perinçek dans
une interview accordée au SonntagsBlick, édition dominicale du
quotidien de boulevard alémanique.
Doðu Perinçek est le leader du Parti des travailleurs turcs,
minuscule formation d’extrême-gauche nationaliste, qui a obtenu 0,51%
des voix aux dernières élections législatives (novembre 2002), soit
très loin du quorum, fixé à 10%. Le parti n’a donc aucun député à la
Grande Assemblée Nationale de Turquie.
Ce qui n’empêche pas son chef de juger que la loi suisse contre le
racisme «va à l’encontre des droits fondamentaux et de la liberté
d’expression». Selon lui, elle fait perdre à la Suisse l’amitié de la
Turquie et le respect du monde.
«Il n’y a pas eu de génocide» arménien, répète le politicien dans son
interview. Dimanche dernier dans la capitale vaudoise, il avait déjà
parlé de «soi-disant génocide arménien» lors de l’anniversaire du
Traité de Lausanne, à l’origine de la création de la Turquie moderne
en 1923.

«La Suisse est pire que la Turquie»

Doðu Perinçek savait certes que la Suisse avait une norme pénale
contre le racisme mais il affirme ne pas avoir vu ses interventions
comme une provocation. Il se sent juste tenu par le «devoir de
vérité».
Le politicien a comparé la menace d’une condamnation en Suisse avec
ses expériences dans les prisons turques. «La Suisse est pire que la
Turquie», estime-t-il.
Doðu Perinçek fait l’objet de deux enquêtes en Suisse pour violation
de la norme pénale contre le racisme. Une instruction a également été
ouverte pour la même raison contre une autre personnalité turque,
l’historien Yusuf Halaçoðlu. Ankara a vivement dénoncé ces enquêtes.
L’ambassadeur de Suisse à Ankara, Walter Gyger, a été convoqué
mercredi au ministère turc des Affaires étrangères. De son côté, Alev
Kiliç ambassadeur turc à Berne a été reçu jeudi, sur sa demande, par
le chef de la division politique I du Département fédéral (ministère)
des Affaires étrangères (DFAE).

Commission mixte

Dimanche, Alev Kilic s’exprime également dans la presse suisse. Dans
une interview à la NZZ am Sonntag, il met en garde contre une
limitation de la liberté d’opinion.
«Le fait que les autorités suisses ouvrent de telles enquêtes est un
signal grave à l’attention des Turcs qui vivent ou viennent en
Suisse. Cela signifie qu’ils doivent se taire», juge l’ambassadeur.
Jeudi, le DFAE a rappelé dans un communiqué que le gouvernement
suisse avait toujours déploré et condamné «les tragiques déportations
et les massacres» qui ont eu lieu en Arménie à la fin de l’Empire
ottoman.
Berne a également salué la proposition d’Ankara de créer une
commission mixte d’historiens turcs et arméniens pour étudier cette
question. Parmi les institutions fédérales, seule la Chambre basse du
parlement a jusqu’ici reconnu officiellement le génocide arménien.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish Speaker protests against Venezuelan “Armenian genocide” decision
Anatolia news agency
29 Jul 05
ANKARA
Turkish parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc sent a letter to Venezuelan
National Assembly (NA) President (?Francisco Jose Ameliach) on Friday
[29 July] and condemned a decision approved by the Venezuelan NA about
so-called Armenian genocide. In his letter Arinc expressed his regret
over approval of the decision unilaterally describing the tragic
events between Turkish and Armenian peoples in 1915 as genocide.
“The decision includes distorted and wrongful information about the
1915 events. Also, there is a meaningless statement in the decision on
Turkey’s EU membership process. Using historical events for political
purposes is totally unacceptable,” he said.
Arinc stressed, “National parliaments should carry out efforts to
develop friendly relations between peoples, instead of making
decisions about history. It is the duty of historians to deal with
such subjects.”
“The decision of the Venezuelan NA contradicts with our efforts to
normalize the bilateral relations. I hope that the Venezuelan NA
President (?Ameliach) will take action to correct such a mistake as
soon as possible,” he added.

HOSPITAL OF AKHALKALAK CAN LOSE ITS DOCTORS
AZG Armenian Daily #141, 30/07/2005

Concern
The staff of regional hospital of Akhalkalak, Georgia, has to take
exams of Georgian language till January 1 of 2006, A-Info agency
informs. This means that the hospital may well remain without
doctors. Most of the doctors and employees are Armenians and, as all
other residents of Akhalkalak, do not know Georgian. According to the
Georgian law, citizens who don’t know the official language of the
country cannot be appointed to state positions.