Author: Jidarian Alex

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Feb 17 2007

Buyukanit bullish on US’ anti-PKK efforts

The New Anatolian / Washington

17 February 2007

Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit expressed his
hope late Thursday about better U.S. cooperation against the
terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), saying, "I got the
impression from the U.S. a more effective fight against PKK (may be
coming). But we’ll have to see the result."

After meeting with U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Peter
Pace and U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy and former U.S.
Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman, Gen. Buyukanit told reporters,
"You can’t give any exact timetable in the fight against terrorism.
We’ve been countering it since 1984."

Asked about Iran’s Shahab missiles, he said that he hadn’t discussed
this matter with U.S. officials. "As soldiers, we know that how far
the missiles can be sent and what they are," he added.

However, Buyukanit did express Turkey’s uneasiness about the
missiles.

"Such things may make any country and all regional countries uneasy.
Such a capability is dangerous, especially if it is out of control,"
he added.

Buyukanit also stated late Wednesday that the U.S administration is
resolutely against the so-called Armenian genocide resolution, adding
that he finds this a quite positive attitude. Buyukanit met with U.S.
Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush’s National
Security Advisor Stephen Hadley on Wednesday. He met with U.S. House
of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos on
Friday.

Buyukanit is also expected to participate in a meeting at the
National Defense University and attend a dinner to be hosted in his
honor by Gen. Pace.

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Feb 15 2007

Turkish, Israeli premiers discuss developments in Jerusalem,
"Armenian genocide"

Ankara, 15 February: "I proposed Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
to send a technical delegation (from Turkey) to examine the
construction activities around Al-Aqsa Mosque. Olmert accepted my
offer," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a joint
press conference with Olmert following their tete-a-tete meeting in
Ankara on Thursday [15 February].

"Olmert informed me about the construction activities in the region
and showed me some pictures. I have seen that region only once and I
don’t know the region well, however, I am not satisfied with the
photographs," said Erdogan.

"I proposed Olmert to send a Turkish technical delegation to examine
whether the construction activities might harm Al-Aqsa Mosque. Olmert
told me they can accept the delegation," noted Erdogan.

"Prime Minister Olmert will probably meet the US secretary of state,
Condoleezza Rice, and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Monday.
Following these meetings, we plan to send the technical delegation
(to Israel)," said Erdogan.

Recalling the steps which Turkey has taken in Lebanon, Iran and Iraq,
Erdogan added, "We have always expressed that we are not positive
towards nuclear energy except humanitarian use. In the future, we
will make such an investment in our country for humanitarian
purposes. However, we do not support nuclear energy except this aim."

Erdogan also expressed his belief that Olmert’s visit will have a
serious contribution to the promotion of relations between Turkey and
Israel.

"Turkey is an important bridge between Israel and Muslim countries,
and therefore we value Turkey’s views", said Israeli Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert.

In a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan in Ankara, Olmert noted that they discussed important topics,
including Palestine issue, in their meeting.

Olmert stated they asked the Palestinian government that the dispute
(between Palestine and Israel) to be solved according to the
principles set by the Middle East Quartet (UN, USA, EU and Russia)
and noted that they are ready to proceed in conformity with the road
map.

"This is the only way out," he pointed out and underlined the
importance of contributions of international organizations and
countries like Turkey and the USA.

Developments regarding Al-Haram Al-Sharif

Olmert said that the construction works around Al-Haram Al-Sharif
have been reflected in an exaggerated way by international media and
noted that what is being done there is to give better service to
hundreds of thousands of people who visit the area.

According to Olmert, the construction works are being carried out
outside the places considered holy by the Muslims and Christians.

He also stated that they are expecting a delegation from Turkey
(regarding this matter).

Turkey’s role

On the other hand, Olmert said that Israel is for peace with Syria
and they will be pleased in case this happens.

He pointed out that Syria should give up backing terrorism and should
adopt the principles set by the international community. "If Syria
acts so, negotiations will be easier", he emphasized.

"Turkey has good relations with Israel and Arab countries," said Ehud
Olmert when commenting on a possible role of Turkey to solve the
Middle East crisis.

"Israel eyes Turkey’s support and help to establish relationship with
Arab countries," he noted.

The Israeli prime minister stated that they cannot cooperate with
Hamas, which does not recognize Israel’s existence, but said that
they can sit at negotiation table with them only if Hamas
acknowledges all agreements signed with Israel.

So-called Armenian genocide allegations

"It will be better if independent experts come together and look into
this matter," said Olmert when talking about a draft on the so-called
Armenian genocide allegations that has been submitted to the US House
of Representatives.

Answering a question if he will try to convince Jewish members of the
House of Representatives not to pass the resolution, Olmert noted
that he respects views of the congressmen and said he is confident
that they will decide what is right or what is wrong, by themselves.

Meanwhile, Olmert said that the trade volume between Turkey and
Israel is actually 2bn US dollars and stated that they are discussing
some other projects to increase this figure.

Noting that 152 Israeli companies are active in Turkey and making
billions of US dollars of contributions to Turkey’s national income,
Olmert added that Israel expects more tourists from Turkey.

After the press conference, Olmert met Turkish National Defence
Minister Vecdi Gonul.

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
Feb 15 2007

RUSSIAN GENERAL SAYS ARMENIA’S AIR DEFENCE FULLY ENSURED

Yerevan, 15 February: The Russian aircraft unit deployed in Armenia
and military base No 102 in Gyumri "ensure the fully-fledged air
defence of Armenia", the commander-in-chief of the Russian air force,
Army Gen Vladimir Mikhaylov, said in Yerevan today.

Speaking at a news conference on the results of a meeting of the Air
Defence Coordination Committee under the CIS Council of Defence
Ministers, Mikhaylov pointed out that "Armenia’s air defence is being
protected in all directions: western, eastern, northern and
southern".

Mikhaylov also said that S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems have
been deployed at Russian military base No 102 in Gyumri and there is
no need for a technical upgrade of the hardware installed in Armenia.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
February 16, 2007 Friday

COORDINATING COMMITTEE OF THE CIS ANTIAIRCRAFT DEFENSE AND CONFERENCE
OF AIR FORCE AND ANTIAIRCRAFT FORCES COMMANDERS OPEN IN YEREVAN,
ARMENIA

Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the CIS Antiaircraft Defense
and conference of CIS Air Force and Antiaircraft Forces commanders
will take place in Yerevan on February 14-16. Chaired by General of
the Army Vladimir Mikhailov (Russian Air Force Commander), the
Committee meeting will discuss more than a dozen issues dealing with
protection of CIS borders and set tasks for 2007.

The meeting and the conference will take place on the premises of the
objects of the Armenian Defense Ministry and the AF base of the
Russian Army Group in the Caucasus located in Yerevan. Participants
of the conference will visit the United Command Post of the Armenian
Air Force and Antiaircraft Forces, republican AF base, and the
Military Institute named after Marshal Hanferantz where they are to
be shown how personnel for the republican Air Force and Antiaircraft
Forces are trained.

Participants of the conference will be briefed on the objectives,
tasks, and structures of antiaircraft defense regional systems
established in the East-European, Caucasus, and Central Asian
collective security regions.

Source: Krasnaya Zvezda, February 13, 2007, p. 3

Translated by A. Ignatkin

ARMENIANS IN "AEROFLOT"

A1+
[05:14 pm] 12 February, 2007

On February 14 the chess Aeroflot tournament will start in Moscow. A
number of Armenian chess players will participate in the tournament
in A1, A2, B and C groups.

Vladimir Hakobyan has the highest reputation in group A1. Together
with him, Zaven Andreasyan, Ashot Anastasyan, Karen Asryan, Gabriel
Sargsyan, Artashes Minasyan, and Tigran Petrosyan will play in the
group. The overwhelming majority of the 84 members of the group A1
are grand masters.

Armenia will have its representatives in groups A2, B and C too.

The tournament will consist of 9 rounds held by the Swiss system.

OBSERVATIONS OF ECRI

A1+
[02:45 pm] 13 February, 2007

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has
issued its second report on Armenia. Alongside with perceived progress
in many spheres of the Republic of Armenia, the CFRI underlines a
number of key issues which haven’t been dealt with.

The report reads, "Though the draft law on national minorities is
already drawn up, some representatives of national minorities and
non-governmental organizations haven’t endorsed it as they assume it
won’t change the current situation greatly. No document on civil or
administrative provisions has been passed. The Ezdis still counter
problems with land, water and pastures and some representatives of
the community haven’t got their documents on land property. No system
providing greater possibility to the national minorities to participate
in the social and political life of the country has been set up yet.

The ECRI suggests the RA authorities taking further measures in a
number of fields; namely to pass a law on national minorities which
will allow the statesmen to take into consideration the opinions and
proposals of national minorities. It suggests the RA authorities to
meet the community of the Ezdis halfway in view of the police, land,
water and pasture issues.

ECRI also urges the RA authorities to take drastic measures to
guarantee the participation of national minorities in the political
and social life of the country, to continue the measures providing
equal educational bases for national minorities and to increase their
possibilities to enter higher educational establishments.

Reminder: ECRI analyses the general atmosphere of racism and
intolerance in each EU member country and submits proposals to regulate
the revealed issues.

CHAIRMAN OF UNION OF WRITERS OF ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Chairman of the Union of Writers of
Armenia (UWA) Levon Ananian will participate in the upcoming
parliamentary elections. He stated this during the February 9 meeting
at the Urbat Club. According to L. Ananian, his candidature will be
nominated in the 41st electoral district by the majoritiarian system.

AZERBAIJAN CAN SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHER COUNTRIES FOR ITS TOLERANCE, A US OFFICIAL HAS SAID

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2007

"I am impressed by the level of tolerance between the ethnic and
religious groups here," Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public
Diplomacy Colleen Graffy told a meeting held at the Academy of State
Administration under the Azerbaijani President.

The diplomat said it would be wrong to mention oil alone when speaking
about Azerbaijan. "The changes taking place in the country depend on
how the government uses oil revenues. Much depends on whether they
are used to enrich certain people or to develop education, healthcare,
society and infrastructure as well as to build parks and entertainment
centers," Graffy said.

Touching on the issues relating to Iran, Graffy said the international
community has called on it to halt its nuclear research. "We have
invited the Iranian government to cooperate with the world community
in this."

Speaking of the so-called "genocide of Armenians", the US official
said such issues are discussed all over the world, just like in
Armenia. "But this is not up to politicians, as such issues should be
rather addressed by historians. These are very serious problems. It
is critical to reveal the truth so that the society develops and
wounds heal."

With regard to the Gars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway project,
which will be implemented without US assistance, the diplomat said
Washington does not fund all projects at all.

"This railway is one of them. But the fact that we are not a party
to the project does not mean the US government will refuse to fund
other projects in Azerbaijan," Graffy added.

AMBASSADOR OF ITALY TO RA PAYS A VISIT OF FAREWELL TO MOTHER SEE OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

Noyan Tapan
Feb 07 2007

ETCHMIADZIN, FEBRUARY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. On February 7, Catholicos
of All Armenians Karekin II received Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Italy to Armenia Marco Clemente who has completed
his diplomatic mission in Armenia. His Holiness the Patriarch expressed
gratitude to the Ambassador for his services rendered to the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin and Armenia and wished him success in his future
service. According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan from the
Information Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, at the
meeting they touched upon warm relations between Armenian Apostolic
and Roman Catholic Churches.

TWO MORE SECURITY OFFICIALS DISMISSED IN FOOTAGE PROBE

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 6 2007

Two more security force members were removed Monday in an ongoing
investigation into video footage that showed police and gendarmerie
officials posing for souvenir photos with the suspected killer of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

A policeman was sacked and a member of the Gendarmerie was transferred
to other duties in Samsun, where the scandal broke out, the Anatolia
news agency said. It said the dismissals were made at the request of
a government inspector but gave no further information. Four policemen
and four gendarmerie officials were similarly dismissed last Friday.

The video footage, leaked to the Turkish media last week, showed
Ogun Samast, 17, posing in front of a Turkish flag with security
officials shortly after his arrest last month on suspicion of killing
the editor Hrant Dink outside his newspaper office in Ýstanbul. Some
of the officials were wearing police uniforms and others were in
gendarmerie uniforms.

The leakage revived fears about the "deep state," a reference to
elements of the state working in collusion with criminal gangs, and
brought to the foreground an apparent rift between the police and
the gendarmerie. The footage was first reported to have been shot at
a gendarmerie station, but the Gendarmerie Command angrily denied
the claim, saying it had been shot at a police station in Samsun,
where Samast had been captured after a nation-wide manhunt.

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