Author: Jalatian Sonya

AZERBAIJAN: NEWSPAPER EDITOR SENTENCED OVER ARTICLE ABOUT POSSIBLE US ATTACK ON IRAN

Center for Research on Globalization, Canada
Global Research, November 1, 2007
Pravda
Source: Associated Press
Nov 2 2007

Eynulla Fatullayev, an Azerbaijani newspaper editor was sentenced to
8½ years in prison. He sent to the press an article asserting that
the ex-Soviet nation could support a U.S. attack on neighboring Iran.

The Court for Grave Crimes convicted Eynulla Fatullayev, the founder
and editor of the Russian-language weekly Real Azerbaijan and the
Azeri-language daily Everyday Azerbaijan, on charges of making a
terrorist threat and inciting interethnic conflict.

Fatullayev denounced the court’s verdict as politically driven.

"That’s evidence of political pressure on me as a journalist," he said.

Fatullayev’s case is the latest in a series of prosecutions of
independent media figures in the oil-rich Caspian Sea nation that
have raised concerns in the West.

The charges against Fatullayev were filed in response to the article
in Real Azerbaijan which claimed that Azerbaijan’s President Ilham
Aliev could support a U.S. military action against Iran.

The article, written under an alias, listed sites in Azerbaijan that
could be attacked by Iran if Baku were to support Washington in the
event of military action against Iran.

Aliev’s government has cultivated close ties with Washington and
contributed troops to the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, and charges
against Fatullayev reflected official concerns about angering Iran.

Tehran has feared a U.S. attack and threatened to strike back at
any country that cooperates with it. The Azerbaijan government has
pledged its territory won’t be used for military action against
Iran, but people living along the border were nervous, pointing to
a U.S.-built radar facility and the upgrading of an airport near the
border with Iran. Both projects are U.S.-financed.

Both Fatullayev’s newspapers were forced to suspend publication in
the spring after authorities had evicted them from their offices.

Fatullayev has been in prison since April when he was sentenced to
2½ years in prison on charges of disseminating false information
related to the country’s six-year war with Armenia over the territory
of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Previously, Fatullayev had received a two-year suspended sentence
for libeling a top law enforcement official.

Aliev, who took over from his father in a 2003 election denounced
by opponents as a sham, has faced persistent criticism over the
heavy-handed treatment of independent media and opposition parties.

ontext=va&aid=7238

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ARMENIAN IMMIGRANT’S 100TH BIRTHDAY IS TIME FOR REFLECTION
By Arya Hebbar, Correspondent

San Mateo County Times, CA
Nov 2 2007

The Janjigian household in Saratoga is abuzz with preparations and
the arrival of family for a 100th birthday celebration.

Laughter and lively conversation, in voices young and old, flow through
the open door leading to the neat garden where Nevart Karagozian sits
quietly, even though she is the focus of the excitement. Karagozian,
an Armenian who came to America when she was 12, is celebrating her
100th birthday the next day.

"Oh my. Big party," she says when her daughter Florence Janjigian
reminds her about the impending celebration. Asked how it feels to be
100 years old, she says in accented English, "Same as yesterday. No
different," and chuckles.

But Karagozian’s early days were quite different from the comfort
and security she has enjoyed in recent decades. And the birthday
celebration is clouded by memories of a ravaged homeland and the
lingering desire for justice. Karagozian is one of the hundreds of
thousands of Armenians who fled their homeland in the wake of the
mass killings of Armenians nearly a century ago. And she is among
those who hope their new country – America – will formally recognize
the mass slaughter of their ancestors as genocide.

Janjigian is sad that the vote on the resolution has been postponed.

There are few survivors of that era remaining and she fears soon
there will be no eyewitnesses left.

When her granddaughter asks Karagozian about Turkey denying the
genocide, Karagozian leans forward on her wheelchair

ountytimes/localnews/ci_7349885

ABDULLAH GUL: WE WANT AZERBAIJAN TO SUPPORT US IN FIGHTING AGAINST TERRORISM IN NORTHERN IRAQ

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 1 2007

Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul gave interview to a group of
Azerbaijani media representatives. Head of APA’s Turkey bureau Mais
Alizadeh was also among them. Abdullah Gul said that the two countries
have friendship and brotherhood relations and this policy will be
further pursued during his presidency.

Giving information about his visit to Azerbaijan, the president
expressed his satisfaction that he will pay his first foreign
visit to our country. Mr. Gul said that for the first time a
Turkish president will have meetings outside Azerbaijani capital,
visit Gandja along with Turkish journalists and meet with refugees,
and underlined the importance of developing the relations among all
Turkic states. Satisfied with the development of these relations,
Turkish president said joint organizations, especially Diaspora
organizations of Azerbaijan and Turkey should closely cooperate. The
president underlined the necessity of demonstrating unique position
towards Armenians. He noted that this fight should start not inside
Turkey, but in the countries determining the world policy.

"The entire world should be informed about hard state, tragedies of
one million Azerbaijani refugees and the fact of occupation. NGOs
will fight more than political and state organizations," he said.

The president said his meeting with opposition leaders is not scheduled
in the framework of his visit to Azerbaijan this month and noted that
he will make speech in the parliament.

"There are oppositionists in the parliament, so, it means I will
at the same time make speech before them. There is no democracy
without opposition and the country’s might is through democracy,"
the president said.

Asked "How is Azerbaijan viewed from Chankaya" the president said that
"Azerbaijan is viewed as a country which develops, became member
of Council of Europe, integrating into Euro Atlantic, developing
democracy, economics".

President said that Turkey is ready to support Azerbaijan in the
liberation of Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani lands.

"Azerbaijan is fraternal country, we have good relations in military
field. We are always with Azerbaijan" he said.

Gul replying to the question on considering military relations between
Azerbaijan and Turkey again and signing new agreement mentioned
that there are various military cooperation agreements between the
two countries.

"But those agreements are not ruled out to be considered again.

Additions due to be done for strengthening cooperation," he said.

Abdulla Gul commenting on the establishment of common Turkish markets
underlined necessity of signing agreements regarding it.

"Bilateral relations were carried out, the countries should sign
commercial agreements. If we want to expand relations, we should sign
documents with other Turkish states for establishing free commercial
relations," he said.

Asked if they want Azerbaijan to support Turkey in struggle against
terrorism in Iraq, Turkish President said: "We need support of every
country in this issue, we also want Azerbaijan to support us in
it. Of course, we would like to see Azerbaijan with us. Azerbaijan
has always supported Turkey in struggle against terrorism. We want
Azerbaijan to support us after it," he said.

THERE ARE BRITONS AND GERMANS AMONG THE PKK TERRORISTS

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Oct 30 2007

The British Sunday Times Newspaper has claimed that there are Britons,
Germans, Russians and Greeks among the PKK terrorists fighting against
the Turkish forces in Northern Iraq.

British Newspaper Sunday Times has asserted a shocking claim on
Sunday, writing that Britons are among foreigners fighting Turkish
troops with the PKK terrorist organization in Northern Iraq.

According to Sunday Times, several Europeans have joined PKK terrorists
holed up in one of the natural fortresses of the Qandil mountain
range which runs along Iraq’s Turkish and Iranian borders.

According to the article, at least three Britons were in the PKK’s
3,000-strong force, boasted one fighter as he and a group of men
huddled in a room discussing the latest clashes with the Turkish
army. Others include Russians, Germans, Greeks, Iranians and Arabs.

The PKK is labelled by both Europe and America as a terrorist
organisation.

More than 1.000 members of the PKK are from Syria. Turkish security
forces report also showed that many PKK members are Armenian in origin.

PRESS RELEASE
In collaboration with Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at
Harvard University
1730 Cambridge Street,
Cambridge, MA, 02138
Contact: Davis Center Staff
Tel: 617-495-4037
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Armenian Monuments of the Nakhichevan Region
A Photo Exhibit by Argam Ayvazian and Steven Sim
November 2, 2007 – November 19, 2007

Opening Reception
Friday, November 2, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
CGIS South Concourse Gallery
1730 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Sponsored by the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at
Harvard University
For further information call: 617-495-4037
Exhibition Organizer: Dr. Anahit Ter-Stepanian

Panel Discussions
With Argam Ayvazian, Steven Sim, Dr. James Russell, Dr. Anahit Ter-Stepanian
Thursday, November 1, 2007, 8:00 p.m.
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research Center
For further information call: 617-489-1610
395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA

With Argam Ayvazian
Sunday, November 11, 2007, 6:00 p.m.
Glendale Public Library
222 E Harvard Street, Glendale, CA

With Steven Sim
Thursday, November 15, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
St. Vartan Cathedral complex, G-Hall
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY

email: [email protected]

TERRY DAVIS TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA NOVEMBER 5TH

armradio.am
29.10.2007 15:05

November 5 the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis
will arrive in Armenia, ArmInfo was informed from the press service
of the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg.

According to the source, November 2 the Secretary General will
participate in the "Tbilisi summit: Construction of Europe’s East"
conference. The source informs that the final version of the program of
the visit is being prepared, and according to preliminary information,
Terry Davis is not going to visit Baku.

ARARATBANK – REPRESENTATIVE OF WESTERN UNION FINANCIAL SERVICES INC IN ARMENIA

arminfo
2007-10-29 17:50:00

ArmInfo. ARARATBANK has got a status of agent of Western Union
Financial Services INC in Armenia. As Arminfo was informed from the
bank, the relevant contract has been recently signed.

According to the source, the new status will make it possible for the
ARARATBANK to assist Armenian banks and organizations, which implement
transfers by the Western Union system. ARATBANK gave an opportunity to
join the territorial sub-divisions of banks and partner-organizations
to the system.

To note, one of the acting Yerevan branches of ARARATBANK is the
only one in the TransCaucasus, which specializes in the Western
Union system. As chairman of the board of the bank Ashot Osipyan old
ArmInfo correspondent earlier, the bank is drawing out the strategy
of extension of services on Western Union system.

To note, by the end of the year ARARATBANK is going to increase the
number of its branches from 8 up to 10, ensuring presence in the
most populated regions of the country. The bank is going to join the
international payment system Master Card International soon.

VLADIMIR KAZIMIROV: RESUMPTION OF MILITARY ACTIONS IN NAGORNO KARABAKH WOULD LEAD TO HEAVIER CONSEQUENCES, VICTIMS AND DESTRUCTIONS THAN IN 1992-1994

arminfo
2007-10-29 12:33:00

ArmInfo. Resumption of military actions in Nagorno Karabakh would lead
to heavier consequences, victims and destructions than in 1992-1994,
Head of the mediate mission of Russia on Nagorno Karabakh in 1992-1996,
deputy Chairman of the Association of Russian diplomats Vladimir
Kazimirov writes in the Article "Is There a Way Out of the Dead End
in Karabakh?", published in the journal "Russia in the Global Policy".

As V. Kazimirov recalls, not semi-partisan formations but well-equipped
armies would already become participants of the armed conflicts. "The
lengthy military actions are harmful for the one who started them,
first of all. This requires especially responsible approach by the
top authorities", Kazimirov writes. At the same time, the ambassador
emphasizes that the war is dangerous for the world community as well:
"The South Caucasus is not the region to be indifferently looked at
what happens there. Recurrence of application of force in this region
will be considered more anomaly than an unsightly heritage of the
previous war – occupation of alien lands".

As Kazimirov said, the causer of the armistice failure will
draw the fire upon himself as the one who violated the OSCE
principles and liabilities to the Council of Europe. "He will be
condemned by almost all the member-states of OSCE Minsk Group and
the influential cochairmen who persistently achieve the conflict
peaceful settlement. The authoritative representatives of a number of
big states and influential international organizations spoke against
the war. Few will support the initiator of military actions. He will
hardly achieve the goal, while the requirement on their immediate
cessation will become universal", the ambassador writes. He added that
one will also remember that the war conflicts with the Constitution of
Azerbaijan (Article 9 denies it as a way of settlement of international
conflicts)", Kazimirov said.

He also said that Baku will be remembered forcing of the armament
drive in the region and vast increase of AR military budget. The
fact of negligence, which the agreement on settlement of incidents
on the contact line, signed with NKR and RA on February 4, 1995, by
Heydar Aliyev’s decree, was treated with there, will also play its
role. "If Baku considers the agreement about incidents incomplete, it
would be logical to amend and complete it or sign a new one. But no,
it is better to have victims to aggravate the tension and conduct a
blasting propaganda. As deputy Secretary of State of the USA on Europe
and Eurasia Daniel Fried said, the war would destroy the future of
Azerbaijan", V. Kazimirov writes.

Tehran Times, Iran
Oct 28 2007

Academy of Arts to acquire Christian collection
Tehran Times Art Desk

TEHRAN — The Iranian Academy of Arts is to purchase a collection of
artworks painted by Iranian Christian artists.

The paintings, which are to be bought by the end of the Persian
calendar year (early months of 2008), will first be displayed at a
special exhibition organized by the academy, the secretary of the
event Hadi Sohrabi told the Persian service of CHN.

He noted that a national art museum is scheduled to be established
under the auspices of the Iranian Academy of Arts and the collection
of paintings is scheduled to be transferred to the new venue.

Sohrabi believes that this exhibit will provide a long-awaited
opportunity for Christian artists to display their work and have it
publicly appraised.

`We have many great masters amongst our Christian community and we
must create this opening for them to make their mark by showcasing
their art,’ he added.

He went on to say, `Works by contemporary artists such as Marcos
Grigorian, Hanibal Alkhas, Sirak Melkonian and many others with whom
we are less familiar will be on display in the exhibit.

On the acquisition of the collection, he explained, `It is part of
our mandate to negotiate for the purchase of artworks with Christian
and Assyrian art centers in Iran as well as with the churches. We
will also accept donations from collectors in the sphere of Christian
art

Washington Times
Editorial
Act now

October 25, 2007

In recent weeks, as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has stepped up
its murderous campaign to plunge Turkey and Iraq into war,
well-intentioned Kurds have embarked on a PR campaign aimed at telling
the world that the PKK is really interested in halting armed struggle
and becoming a nonviolent political party. Apparently, the PKK didn’t
get the message that it had become a "peaceful" political grouping: On
Sunday afternoon, several hundred PKK fighters ambushed a group of
Turkish troops on Turkish soil killing at least 12. Indeed, since the
beginning of the year, scores of Turks have died in PKK attacks,
including a dozen civilians who were dragged off a public bus and shot
to death several weeks ago.

Along with PKK terror, and Turkey’s perception that the United States
until very recently had done little to try to stop it, House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi has weighed in with some mischief of her own: She has
pressed the House Foreign Affairs Committee to pass a resolution
condemning Turkey for genocide against the Armenians between 1915 and
1923. This combination could do serious damage to U.S. relations with
Turkey, a NATO ally which is playing critical roles in supporting U.S.
military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two weeks ago, Ankara
recalled its ambassador from Washington, and Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has warned that U.S.-Turkish relations could be "cut
off." Milliyet, a pro-Western newspaper, ran a front-page editorial
demanding that Turkey curb the usage of its military base at Incirlik
by the U.S. military in response to the Armenia measure, which Mrs.
Pelosi wants on the November calendar.

Since the U.S. deposed Saddam Hussein in 2003, Turkey has repeatedly
demanded that the United States hit PKK bases in northern Iraq or
force the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to take action. But
until now, Washington has responded to Turkey’s complaints with
excuses and empty promises to act at some point in the future. Well,
as the late Redskins Coach George Allen used to say, the future is
now. According to the Pentagon, more than two-thirds of all cargo
shipped to Iraq and Afghanistan is sent through Turkey, which has
given Washington blanket permission for military logistical operations
using Turkish territory. Turkey, which has more than 1,100 troops in
Afghanistan in addition to reconstruction teams, plays a vital role in
maintaining security in Kabul. If Turkey were to reduce its military
cooperation, it would undermine the missions in Afghanistan and Iraq
put the lives of American soldiers there at risk.

One bit of good news is that the Bush administration has come to the
realization that it needs to put pressure on the KRG now to eradicate
the terrorist presence in northern Iraq right away. The failure to do
so would be catastrophic for the Kurds and the Iraqi people as a
whole.

Source: ITORIAL/110250008/1013