Author: Jalatian Sonya

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

TURKEY’S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATES ARMENIA’S ANTI-TURKISH ACTIVITY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 25 2007

The discussion was made on terrorism, as well as bill on the so-called
Armenian genocide adopted by the US House of Representatives Committee
on Foreign Affairs, APA’ s Turkey bureau reports.

The official statement made after meeting covered the activities of
Armenia and Armenian Diaspora against Turkey.

"The adoption of bill as the result of the activities of Armenia and
Armenian Diaspora against Turkey should not be accepted normally.

This problem will be discussed thoroughly due to the development of
the events."

It is not clear whether the document envisaging the so called genocide
will be debated in the House of Representatives./APA/

GENOCIDAL TENDENCIES
By: K.C. Cody, [email protected].

The California Aggie Online, CA
age/paper981/news/2007/10/25/Opinion/Genocidal.Ten dencies-3056229.shtml
Oct 25 2007

I’m pissed off. I’m pissed off for a lot of reasons, but right now I’m
pissed off about genocide. Genocide is totally lame. It’s so lame,
in fact, that the House Committee on Foreign Affairs voted 27-21
last week on House Resolution 106 (H.R. 106), condemning Turkey’s
genocide of Armenians at the end of World War I. Body counts range
from 300,000 to 1.5 million, but basically between 1914 and 1920,
you didn’t want to be an Armenian in Istanbul.

The resolution’s content is all well and good, but it’s timing sucks.

Turkey isn’t too pleased about it, and that’s an issue. Seventy percent
of the cargo and 30 percent of the fuel we fly into Iraq goes through
Turkey, and it would be nice if we could keep that going.

Don’t get me wrong, the fact that the U.S. hasn’t already recognized
the Armenian Genocide is shameful; it’s about time we got around to
it. But now? Come on. This is not the time to suddenly discover our
moral fiber regarding events from nearly a century ago.

But what pisses me off about this stunt has nothing to do with Turkey,
Iraq or Armenians. If we’re going to recognize and condemn a genocide,
let’s start at home. Remember all those Native Americans who used
to live here? Yeah, me either, because they all got killed 300 years
ago by white guys like me.

If you want to talk genocide, let’s talk about the fact that over 80
percent of Native Americans died between 1492 and 1650. Let’s talk
about Manifest Destiny, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and massacres
like Wounded Knee. Let’s talk about Joint Resolution 4 (S.J.R. 4),
which would "acknowledge a long history of official depredations
and ill-conceived policies by the United States government regarding
Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of
the United States." While certainly not an admission of genocide,
it’s a start. Of course, that bill is No. 202 on a list of 423
"General Orders" before the Senate, which means it’ll likely get
about as much attention from Congress as I give my exes.

But enough of the past. There’s a genocide in Darfur that we could
actually do something about. Representative Barny Frank (D-Mass.),
a supporter of H.R. 106, has said, "It’s important to commemorate
genocides that have happened as a way of trying to diminish the
likelihood of them occurring again." It is in that spirit that he,
and all but one of his colleagues (Ron Paul), voted yes on H.R. 180,
the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007.

On the surface it seems Mr. Frank is putting his money where his
mouth is – condemning a past injustice while acting against a current
one. But looking closer, all H.R. 180 really does is "establish a
federal list of companies … that do business in certain sectors of
the Sudanese economy, … [enabling] mutual fund and corporate pension
fund managers to cut ties with these listed companies if they choose
to do so." Basically, it’s optional.

Frank’s claim that the passage of H.R. 106 would "diminish the
likelihood of [genocides] occurring again," rings terribly hollow when
he and the rest of Congress are too cowardly to commit to decisive
action in Darfur. In a sick twist, House Speaker Nanci Pelosi
(D-Calif.) has even invoked Darfur to support H.R. 106, saying,
"While [the Armenian Genocide] may have been a long time ago,
genocide is taking place now in Darfur, … so as long as there is
genocide there is need to speak out against it." So the message is,
when a group of human beings is being systematically slaughtered,
you can count on America … to talk about it.

Mr. Frank and Mrs. Pelosi, along with President George W. Bush (he
is The Decider after all), are demonstrating the kind of crippled
morality and spineless political pandering that so often characterizes
U.S. policy towards genuine humanitarian crises.

They’re more concerned with the "official" stance of the government on
something 90 years behind us than they are about the more than 400,000
dead and 2 million displaced in Sudan today. And that pisses me off.