Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN: WE HAVE QUITE POSITIVE AND RAPID DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF ARMENIA-EU POLITICAL COOPERATION

ARMENPRESS
13:11, 28 September, 2011

The seventh session of the council of the EU Consulting Group was
held today in Yerevan. It was chaired by Secretary for National
Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan and head of EU delegation in
Armenia, Ambassador Raul de Lutzenberger. During the session the EU
Consulting Group briefly presented its activity and achievements,
including the negotiations process over the agreement on deep and
comprehensive free trade.

According to Arthur Baghdasaryan, during the recent three months we
have registered quite positive and rapid developments within the
framework of Armenia-EU political cooperation. Particularly, the
session of Armenia-EU cooperation subcommittee on justice, freedom
and security was held in Brussels, where the progress registered in
the sphere was positively assessed.

Particularly, the state concept on migration policy has been confirmed
in RA, positive reforms have been registered in taxation and customs
systems. An importance was attached to complex management strategy
of the state border.

RA Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Chairman
of RA State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan, and other officials
participated in the session. German Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Jochen
Schmidt, Ambassador of Poland to Armenia Zdislav Rachinsky, Romanian
Ambassador to Armenia Krina Prunariu, and representatives of UNDP
were also present. EU Consulting Group was presented by head of Head
of the EU Advisory Group Mr. Antti Hartikainen.

SERZH SARGSYAN MEETS WITH NICOLAS SARKOZY

ARMENPRESS
21:24, 28 September, 2011

Within the framework of his official visit to France Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan met today with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that during a conversation,
which followed the solemn welcoming ceremony, the presidents discussed
the process and prospects of Armenian-French multi-striped relations.

Welcoming the Armenian President, French President Nicolas Sarkozy
said he is impatiently looking forward to his state visit to Armenia,
and the format of the visit aims to show the exclusive warmth of
relations of the two countries.

Nicolas Sarkozy stressed that France is Armenia’s friend and will
always be beside Armenia. The French President welcomed the reforms
implemented in Armenia under the head of the Armenian President, and
noted with gratification that with the volume of investments France
is the second country in Armenia.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude for warm reception and said that
our country is interested in expansion of relations with France.

IF THE ARMENIAN NATION WANTS TO SURVIVE, IT NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE SARDARAPAT
by David Stepanyan

arminfo
Wednesday, September 28, 14:00

ArmInfo’s interview with Zhirayr Sefilyan, hero of the Karabakh war,
member of the initiative group of Sardarapat Movement

In your latest interviews you have repeatedly predicted a sooner
collapse of the Third Republic of Armenia and establishment of the
Fourth Republic…

Being convinced of the full exhaustiveness of the Third Republic of
Armenia, which resembles a marasmic old man despite its 20-year age,
we are sure that it will collapse in the near future. And pretty soon
all of us will witness this event. However, the main thing is to create
the basis of the new Fourth Republic of Armenia not to remain under the
ruins of the Third Republic. Sardarapat Movement is currently creating
the necessary basis though many of our compatriots are unaware of
the core of our activities. At the moment we are working with the
Armenian intellectuals in both Armenia and Diaspora, as we attach
much importance to the people of Diaspora, who are not indifferent
to Armenia’s fate. We do our best to involve them in the forthcoming
building of the new statehood of Armenia. Much work is being done
with the Armenian youth, which has a huge potential. At the same time,
is not going to create a youth wing. On the contrary, the youth will
take an equal part in all initiatives of Sardarapat. Our goal is to
create a strong youth core, which would be afraid to act independently
and assume responsibility and the initiative if necessary. Our
generation should become a kind of bridge to involve the youth in
active political activities in the qualitatively new political field
we are creating. This means that we do not imagine radical changes
without the participation, energy and ideas of our youth.

Let’s speak of the possible ways to achieve the Movement’s goals…

Today we have been drawing out the long-term actions program,
which covers the period of 40 years at least. The most important
in this program will be not how we shall get rid of the regime but
what we shall do after that. The Armenian society should strictly
know that in a very short period of time Armenia will be put to the
rails of fast development. We understand very well that Armenia is
not Switzerland, that we are not in the center of Europe. We have a
very small period of time to increase the quality of our new state
for many times. We are simply sentenced to it – to have high quality
when having small sizes. We believe that in Armenia elections cannot
result in qualitative changes as they are always falsified. Those
planning to run in the next elections are either naive or just tools
in the regime’s hands. The bog you call a political field is fully
controlled by the regime.

What is the way out of that bog?

The only way-out of this situation is a new political field controlled
by new rules rather than the regime. It is the opposition’s fault
that the regime is still existent. They have failed to consolidate
the people that were able to change something. Today, our politicians
are more like traders, pursuing only personal interests. Sardarapat
is going to put an end to political Bacchanalia in Armenia with the
help of a group of intellectuals rather than one leader. We have the
necessary human resources for creating such a group. As soon as we
gather them, we will urge people to go into the streets so as to get
rid of the regime.

What is the fundamental difference between Sardarapat and other
opposition forces in this context?

The main difference between Sardarapat and other oppositional forces
is that we will not urge people to hold protest actions in order to
overthrow the power and only after that to decide what to do next.

Sardarapat clearly realizes its further actions. Both in Tunisia and
Egypt the people managed to get rid of the ruling regimes, but the
question what to do next still hangs in the air. It is very important
to know for what sake everything should be changed, and when people
know and understand the prospects, they will realize that they should
start the struggle for the substantial future. Such an explosion
already occurred on 1 March 2008, when the people demonstrated that
they were not going to put up with the tyranny. Sardarapat has always
appreciated the qualities of Armenian people, but this explosion
occurred for the sake of changes. He thinks that Armenia has been
under the power of authoritarian regime over the past 20 years with
few exceptions. I wouldn’t say that we manage to do everything or that
we are content with everything, but our work over the past 1.5 years
has already given and is still giving the first results. If earlier
we were looking for people to involve them in our initiative group,
now the people themselves join us. Internet gives us an excellent
opportunity to break through the information blockade.

Taking into account the fact that overwhelming majority of Armenians
lives abroad, Sardarapat will manage to gain big results in unifying
the compatriots in both Armenia and Diaspora thanks to the internet.

You have repeatedly mentioned the potential and possibilities of
Diaspora. Why does it is still unclaimed? Do the threats and risks
overwhelm the perspectives?

Since 1991 the Armenian authorities have been trying hard to sow
discord between Armenia and the Diaspora. Their principle was “Let’s
Give Armenia to Armenia and Diaspora to Diaspora.” This principle
has already become a

Stereotype. The problem of the Armenian authorities is that they have
the mentality of slaves and have never believed in the capacities of
the Diaspora and have never planned to create a strong Armenian state.

Their only plan was to retain their throne. If the Armenian nation
wants to survive, it needs something like Sardarapat. Today our
compatriots abroad have already realized that there is no statehood
in their homeland, and they are also responsible for this situation.

Nevertheless, parliamentary elections are coming. What political
situation do you expect after the elections?

The risk of social explosion is still existent in Armenia, but there
will hardly be a revolt after the parliamentary elections 2012. Those
elections will be very much like the previous ones. The regime will
once again try to diffuse the opposition and to reshape the political
field the way it likes.

More details please…

The developments in the Middle East have created an unpredictable
situation. Even the leading institutions and analytical centers of
the world refuse to make any forecasts on this situation. In this
situation everything may happen in Armenia. If Turkey is allowed to
invade Syria, Lord forbid, this will inevitably have a bad effect on
Armenia. However, I am sure that not a single Armenian politician
has thought what may happen to Armenia in this case. History likes
to reoccur, and the situation in the region resembles the situation
100 years ago. If the Turkish troops invade Syria under the guise
of liberators of Syrian people, Turkey’s image in the region and
in the Arab world will considerably grow. The Turkish policy of
Neo-Ottomanism, by which Ankara is trying to raise its significance
as a regional power, is conditioned by the elementary self-protection
instinct.

If Turkey fails to shortly take serious steps beyond its borders,
the collapse of Turkey will be inevitable. At the same time, he thinks
that today it is much easier to control Turkey than it was during the
Ottoman Empire 100 years ago. This performance, Sefilyan said, is aimed
at creating a new influential state with Islamic ideology in the person
of Turkey, as a counterweight to Iran. This is the task of the West,
and this process is not new. It has been going on for about 100 years,
but it has recently become more intensive. Therefore, a force -majeur
is not ruled out and we must be ready for any developments.

MATTHEW BRYZA: NO MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE KARABAKH CONFLICT

armradio.am
28.09.2011 17:20

Finalizing basic principles on resolution of the Karabakh conflict
is not an impossible task, said U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew
Bryza.

Speaking to the journalists on Wednesday he said no one is serious
about a military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“I think that statements on the possible use of force to resolve the
conflict are not heard as often as in the past. This is a positive
development,” he said.

HRAPARAK: ONE MORE POLICE OFFICIAL TO BE SACKED

Tert.am
10:41 28.09.11

The Internal Security Department, Police of Armenia, has lately
conducted inspections at the escort battalion of Armenia’s traffic
police and revealed blatant violations.

The newspaper reports that officers of the battalion were often
allowed to “do business in the streets.” Of course, it was not done
“free.” Inspections revealed the amount and purpose of “taxes.”

Commander of the battalion Artak Karapetyan is expected to be relieved
of his post.

ARMENIAN SOCIAL NETWORK HAYLAND.AM PUBLISHED THE RESULTS OF THE SOCIO-POLITICAL POLL

Lragir.am News

11:06:02 – 28/09/2011

The The users were asked the following question:

“Which of the following social-political issues do you consider to
be the most urgent in Armenia nowadays? ”

And they gave the following answers:

1. Labor employment – 52%

2. Peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict – 23%

3. Emigration – 19%

4. Dialog between the coalition and the opposition – 2%

5. Other answer- 4%

As the ‘other answer’ users mentioned the corruption fighting problem
and monopolization of too many sectors of local economics.

These surveys are conducted within the frames of ‘The Other Armenia’
online socio-political game promotion campaign. The game will be
launched in October on Hayland.am website.

LE CONSEIL REGIONAL D’ILE-DE-FRANCE CELEBRE LES 20 ANS DE L’ARMENIE
[email protected]

armenews.com
mercredi 28 septembre 2011

INDEPENDANCE

Le Conseil régional d’Ile-de-France a organisé le 26 septembre
dans ses locaux une réception en l’honneur du 20e anniversaire
de l’indépendance de l’Arménie. Alexis Govciyan fondateur et
président du groupe d’amitié avec l’Arménie de la Région, Viguen
Tchitetchian, ambassadeur d’Arménie en France et Philippe Kaltenbach,
vice-président en charge des affaires régionale, ont successivement
pris la parole.

Ils ont célébré cet événement, rappelé les principaux épisodes
de la coopération de la région avec le pays, en rappelant notamment
la nouvelle étape qui a été franchie le 26 avril dernier avec la
signature entre Jean-Paul Huchon et le maire d’Erevan d’un accord
de coopération portant aussi bien sur un appui institutionnel, sur
le développement économique que sur l’Education ou la mobilité
des Jeunes.

Plus d’une centaine de personnes ont assisté a cette réunion.

Ci joint le discours d’Alexis Govciyan

Discours d’Alexis Govciyan, Conseiller Régional, Président du
groupe d’amitié Ile de France-Arménie au Conseil Régional d’Ile de
France Excellence Monsieur l’Ambassadeur de la République d’Arménie
en France, Monsieur le Vice-Président de l’Assemblée Nationale,
cher Jean-Christophe Lagarde, Monsieur le Vice-Président du Conseil
Régional, chargé des actions internationales et européennes, cher
Philippe Kaltenbach, Mesdames, Messieurs les Elus, Chers Collègues,
Monsieur le Conseiller Economique, Social et environnemental,
cher Alain Terzian, Eminence, Archevêque Norvan Zakarian, Primat
du Diocèse Arménien de France Excellence, Monsiegneur Ghabroyan,
Evêque des Arméniens catholiques de France, Pasteur JoÔl MikaÔlian,
Président de l’Eglise évangélique arménienne de France Monsieur
le président du CCAF, cher Ara Toranian Monsieur le Président du
Conseil Diocésain de l’Eglise Arménienne de France, cher Patrice
Djololian, Mesdames Messieurs les responsables d’organisations
Mesdames, Messieurs, chers Amis,

Je souhaite tout d’abord vous présenter les excuses de M. Jean-Paul
Huchon, président du Conseil Régional d’Ile de France, qui n’a
pas pu être présent a cette cérémonie, par un empêchement de
dernière minute.

Je souhaite également saluer la présence de mes collègues
Conseillers Régionaux et remercier les services qui nous ont
assisté pour l’organisation de cette cérémonie, et en particulier
Pierre Malvaud, chef du protocole, Leila Badis, collaboratrice du
Vice-Président Kaltenbach et Blandine Gouel, collaboratrice du groupe
Nouveau Centre.

Chers tous, au nom de tous mes collègues, membres du groupe d’amitié
Ile-de-France-Arménie au sein de notre Assemblée régionale et en
mon nom personnel, e suis heureux et honoré de vous accueillir,
pour célébrer le 20ième anniversaire de l’indépendance de la
République d’Arménie.

Quelques mots de rappels sur le groupe d’amitié : lors d’une
première réunion avec mes collègues Bruno Beschizza, Christophe
Girard, Philippe Guglielmi, Pierre Kanuty, Patrick Karam, Frédéric
Lefebvre, Roselyne Sarkissian, Martine Valleton, et Philippe
Kaltenbach, vice-président chargé de l’action internationale, ce
groupe d’amitié a été créé dès juin 2010, et mes collègues
m’ont confié la mission de le présider.

Je profite de cette opportunité pour féliciter également Philippe
Kaltenbach pour son élection au Sénat et pour souhaiter qu’il puisse
apporter toute sa contribution, dans le cadre de la Haute Assemblée,
a l’Arménie, a la loi contre le négationnisme pour qu’elle soit
enfin votée et pourquoi pas, qu’il puisse présider le groupe
d’amitié France-Arménie.

Pour ce qui concerne notre groupe d’amitié, plus de 50 conseillères
et conseillers régionaux, dont les membres de l’exécutif en sont
aujourd’hui membres et d’autres adhésions me parviennent de manière
très régulière.

Ouvert a tous les élus, quelles que soient leurs sensibilités,
ce groupe d’amitié dépasse les clivages politiques habituels et a
pour objectif de mobiliser toutes les bonnes volontés attachées a
cette amitié ancienne et partagée avec l’Arménie et son peuple.

La mise en place et le suivi d’une politique de coopération
décentralisée avec l’Arménie, dans les domaines de la formation,
du développement économique, mais aussi des échanges culturels et
universitaires constituent les premières pistes de travail, sans
oublier, bien entendu, les relations particulières et fortes avec
les franciliens d’origine arménienne, tous attachés aux valeurs et
principes républicains, et attentifs a leurs territoires.

Il faut donc se féliciter du programme-cadre de coopération avec
Yerevan, voté a l’unanimité par notre assemblée régionale, sur
présentation de Philippe Kaltenbach qui est aujourd’hui en vigueur.

Une prochaine mission en Arménie, a Yerevan, du Conseil Régional,
du 12 au 16 octobre, en concrétisera les aspects a la fois techniques
et organisationnels.

Excellence, Monsieur l’Ambassadeur, le 20ième anniversaire de
l’indépendance de l’Arménie, c’était effectivement le 21 septembre,
il y a quelques jours. Il s’agissait d’intenses moments d’émotion,
de premiers bilans sur le chemin parcouru et sur tout ce qui restait
a faire.

20 ans après une longue parenthèse soviétique, précédée
du génocide qui a décimé le peuple arménien et sa première
république de 1918-1920.

Nous sommes dans un monde nouveau, en pleine évolution, avec de
nouvelles perspectives qu’il faut fixer a la population et a la
jeunesse notamment.

Les présidents successifs depuis 1991, MM. Levon Ter Petrosyan,
Robert Kotcharian et actuellement M.Serge Sargsyan ont fait et font
tout leur possible, avec leurs gouvernements, leur parlement, les
différentes institutions pour essayer de maintenir les fondamentaux
du pays, assurer son existence, sa sécurité, son développement,
malgré de nombreux obstacles.

Rappelez-vous chers amis ! Le tremblement de terre de 1988 et ses
terribles conséquences, la lutte pour l’indépendance, la guerre
imposée par l’Azerbaïdjan, le blocus turco-azéri depuis 1993
jusqu’a aujourd’hui, sont parmi les graves difficultés auxquelles
l’Arménie a dÔ faire face. Il y en a bien sÔr d’autres.

Malgré tout cela, la vie continue, l’Arménie est debout, sa jeunesse
est pleine d’intelligence et de potentiel, et il faut tout faire,
chacun a sa place et selon ses moyens, pour que la population puisse
rester dans son pays et que l’émigration vers d’autres destinées,
telle que pratiquée, hélas, soit le plus possible stoppée.

Chacun a sa place et selon ses moyens doit donc se mobiliser aux
côtés de l’Arménie qui doit faire face a des enjeux majeurs. Ces
enjeux sont notamment :

La sécurité de l’Arménie, la levée du blocus turco-azéri, et
que le peuple arménien puisse vivre sur ses terres ;

Le développement économique, social, culturel et institutionnel,
dont un volet non négligeable pourra être préparé dans le cadre
de la coopération ;

La garantie d’indépendance de la RHK qui peut seule, permettre la
sécurité et l’harmonie dans la région ;

Enfin, la reconnaissance par la Turquie du génocide des Arméniens de
1915, la lutte contre le négationnisme, et la préparation du 100ème
anniversaire du génocide avec ce que cela comprend en termes de
réparations.â~@¨â~@¨Ce sont les enjeux de la République d’Arménie,
de sa Diaspora, partout dans le monde, mais aussi de tous ses très
nombreux Amis où qu’ils soient et pour ce qui nous concerne, bien
sÔr en France et plus particulièrement en Ile de France.

Les élus de la République, les groupes d’amitié a l’Assemblée
Nationale, au Sénat, et depuis l’année dernière au Conseil Régional
d’Ile de France portent une attention toute particulière, un regard
constructif et très amical, très attentif a tout ce qui concerne
l’Arménie, ses projets, ses programmes, en un mot ses enjeux.

Joyeux anniversaire a l’Arménie et que nous soyons de plus en plus
nombreux pour célébrer cette belle amitié franco-arménienne plus
que millénaire.

Alexis GOVCIYAN Conseiller Régional Ile de France

TRILOK GURTU AND TIGRAN HAMASYAN TEAM UP FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL SHOW

Jazzwise magazine
Sept 27 2011

At a concert that marked 20 years of Armenian independence pianist
Tigran Hamasyan, already a rising solo star on the international jazz
circuit, performed on Saturday night with Indian master percussionist
Trilok Gurtu at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

The concert opened with another musician, another Tigran, playing
solo doudouk (“Armenian oboe” woodwind) in traditional dress, in
the classical style with wondrous reverb that transported you the
2,000 miles to a country that has often been a tragic hostage to its
geography and history. As the Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan wrote,
the Armenian grief, representing an eternal search, “looks for the
shore blue and serene, where sometimes, it wearily dives deeply/
Looking for fathomless rest.”

Gurtu was on next after this serious and beautifully delivered
opening. Absent from the London concert hall stage for a few years
he was surrounded by a large well-lit array of percussion featuring
his trademark tablas, goblet drum, cymbals, small percussion, and
signature bucket of water. The last time Jazzwise reviewed the great
Mumbai master, an important and stimulating figure on the international
jazz scene since his early days in the 1970s with the late Charlie
Mariano, was at the Jazz Cafe in Camden two years ago (bit.ly/oYiEux).

Turning 60 on the penultimate day of October this QEH concert was a
great chance to catch Gurtu before the celebrations begin in earnest
in the company of a new musical star in the making. Gurtu’s solo set
was a typically robust affair characterised by a strict attention to
detail from the tips of his fingers to the toes of his feet and the
five elements he wished to represent were portrayed, that as ever with
Gurtu told a story in music rather than as only a drum or percussion
solo (“I’m the fire,” he anticipated with a smile in case anyone in
the audience wondered).

Tigran Hamasyan, born in 1987 in the Armenian city of Gyumri, won the
prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition in the US five years
ago and has just released his fourth album as a leader, the fine
solo effort A Fable. Tigran played on his own and then Gurtu came
back and the pair traded both vocal and percussive improvisations
while Tigran shone on ‘What The Waves Brought’ particularly and the
mystical Armenian folk melodies that he ably melds with jazz lines.

You can’t help but think of a period in Keith Jarrett’s development
when Jarrett was influenced by the Armenian mystic Gurdjieff and
released Sacred Hymns. But Tigran, who moved to the States with his
family as a young man, was inspired in contrast to Jarrett by the
poet Tumanyan referred to earlier and has a great emerging talent
already capable of approaching what Jarrett began to achieve in the
1970s. The concert however was let down by a good deal of showboating
and while Tigran may not want to be a rock star he has the technique,
ideas – and a good look helps – to play anything he wants to, and so
the direction of his music will be both fascinating to follow but also
difficult to predict. If he comes back to the UK any time soon snap
up a ticket, you won’t regret the melancholic but wondrous sounds of
Tigran, and his intuitive jazz improvising. – Stephen Graham

TURKEY’S PM ADDRESSED 66TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The Official Turkish Radio and Television Corporation

Sept 26 2011
Turkey

Addressing the 66th General Assembly at the United Nations, Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered clear messages to the
world leaders regarding the recognition of Palestine as a state,
Turkey-Israel relations, drilling crisis in the Mediterranean and
the humanitarian tragedy in Somalia.

Erdogan underlined that Palestine should be granted full UN membership
at the General Assembly.

Turkey’s Premier said “Turkey extends full support to Palestine in its
bid to be recognized as a state.” Erdogan harshly criticized Israel’s
policy towards Palestine and reacted against the indifference shown
by the United Nations.

“Israel is the one using unproportionate force, but it faces no
sanctions,” said Erdogan, adding that “There is no substitute for
peace.”

“Our demands from Israel are clear: an apology for the killing of
nine Turks, compensation to families of those killed and an end to
the blockade imposed on Gaza. Our attitude vis-a-vis Israel will
not change unless Israel took these steps”, Erdogan said, pointing
out that the problem stems from the violent policies of the Israeli
government, and Turkey has no problems with the people of Israel.

Turkish Prime Minister also touched upon the drilling crisis. Saying
that they expect all sides involved to make efforts to end Greek
Cypriot sector’s initiatives that cause tension in the region,
Erdogan said and noted “Otherwise, we will do what needs to be done.”

Prime Minister Erdogan also criticized the attitude of the United
Nations, which he said has failed in to show the leadership necessary
to win over fear threatening humanity and their hopes. “The United
Nations needs to go through a restructuring process and renew its
vision so that it protects the laws of humanity and does not serve
the interest of a certain number of countries,” he said.

Regarding Somalia, Prime Minister Erdogan said the situation in
Somalia is the failure of the international community.

He also touched upon the dispute in the Upper Karabakh region and said
“It is unacceptable to see a problem as Upper Karabakh to remain
unsolved. It is our political and ethical responsibility to find
solutions to international problems before they become gangrenous.”

TURKEY TO DEFEND ITS SEA INTERESTS, SAYS PM
Ä°Pek Yezdani

Hurriyet
Sept 27 2011
Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan (L), President Gul (R) and Chief of
General Staff Ozel (back R) inspect a new Turkish warship.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would take all
necessary measures to defend its rights over natural resources in the
sea during a ceremony to launch Turkey’s first domestic warship. The
Turkish research ship Piri Reis meanwhile entered block 13 off Cyprus
where Greek Cypriots are continuing natural gas exploration with
U.S. company Noble, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources confirmed.

Amid rising tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey’s first
domestically made warship was formally delivered to the Turkish Navy.

“Turkey’s interests in the seas reach from surrounding waters out to
Suez Canal and Indian Ocean,” Erdogan said adding that Turkey would
take all the necessary measures to defend its commercial interests and
its rights over the natural resources in the sea. “We have sent the
Piri Reis [a Turkish exploration vessel] to the eastern Mediterranean
for research activities. We will continue to bring into action
anything that our national interests requires without any hesitation,”
Erdogan said, during the ceremony on Tuesday as the TCG Heybeliada,
was launched in Istanbul’s Pendik Navy Yard. As Erdogan continued
his harsh rhetoric over the gas drilling operation of Greek Cyprus,
the Turkish research ship Piri Reis entered block 13 off Cyprus where
Greek Cypriots are continuing natural gas exploration with U.S.

company Noble, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources confirmed. Sources
added that the Piri Reis was only 60 kilometers away from the Greek
Cypriot drilling platform. Erdogan has already said the Turkish ship
will be escorted by the Turkish Navy; the Turkish frigate Yavuz set
sail from its Turkish Mediterannean base two days ago to escort and
conduct patrolling duties.

Despite Erdogan’s words, Defense Minister Ä°smet Yılmaz said tensions
were decreasing in the eastern Mediterranean. “After Greek Prime
Minister George Papandreou called Prime Minister Erdogan [Monday]
and they talked on the phone for one hour, the tension decreased
and things began returning to normal in the eastern Mediterranean,”
Yılmaz told the Hurriyet Daily News. President Abullah Gul said
Turkey was now building its own warships with its own engineers,
workers and technicians, which in the past it had to buy from other
countries and proud of this fact. “Even the countries whose national
income is way behind ours have decided to make nuclear weapons because
their rivals have done so,” Gul said. Gul also said “Nobody wants war,
war is the worst case scenario, but if you want to maintain peace
and stability you also have to be ready for war.”