Author: Karakhanian Suren

AZG Armenian Daily #201, 21/10/2006

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HENRY CUNY SAYS GOOD BYE TO ARMENIA

Henry Cuny, French Ambassador to Armenia, is going to complete his
diplomatic mission soon. He provided his farewell letter to the mass
media. In the letter, he called Armenia a country of the sun, labor,
culture and smartness. Leaving from Armenia, Mr. Cuny regrets that
the sides failed to make progress in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
issue. He added that the unsettled issue has quite a negative impact
on both Armenia and the region.

He spoke with admiration about the culture, the language and the
art of Armenia and added that the cultural heritage of Armenia
will be represented in 100 French cities in the course of over 500
arrangements. "There can be no better completion of diplomatic mission
for an ambassador than the visit of his native country’s president. I
am glad that Mr.

Chirak appreciated each moment of his visit and the perfect
organization of the presidential visit from the Armenian authorities,"
he said.

He said that that will be difficult for him to leave from Armenia on
October 29, he promised that he will be back to Armenia with a series
of lectures.

By Marietta Khachatrian

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGES FRANCE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Amnesty International USA
Oct 19 2006

France: Amnesty International urges France to protect freedom of
expression

Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the fact that on 12
October 2006 the French National Assembly adopted a bill which would
make it a crime to contest that the massacres of Armenians in the
Ottoman Empire in 1915 constituted a genocide. The organization
considers that this bill poses a serious threat to the right to
freedom of expression. Should the bill be enacted into law, those
who contravene it would face up to five years’ imprisonment and a
45,000-euro ($56,400) fine. Amnesty International urges the French
Senate and President to reject the bill when it comes before them.

The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in Article 10 of the
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental
Freedoms (ECHR) and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights (ICCPR), to both of which France is a party. The
French government is therefore obligated to ensure that freedom of
expression is upheld and observed for all those under its jurisdiction.

International human rights law treaties contain provisions
permitting states parties to restrict freedom of expression in
certain circumstances, as provided in Article 10(2) of the ECHR and
Article 19(3) of the ICCPR. However, these treaties make clear that
any restriction on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression
must be prescribed by law and be necessary in a "democratic society"
for one of the grounds expressly identified by human rights law which
include those necessary, inter alia, "for respect of the rights or
reputations of others" and "for the protection of national security
or of public order".

Amnesty International does not consider that this bill can be
interpreted as falling under the restrictions permitted in these human
rights treaties. Amnesty International is concerned that the vague
wording of the proposed bill may be interpreted as prohibiting peaceful
debate as to whether the massacres of 1915 would have constituted
genocide under the 1948 Convention for the Prevention and Punishment
of the Crime of Genocide had it been in force at the time.

This bill, if it were to be enacted into law, might lead to people
being imprisoned solely for exercising their right to freedom of
opinion and expression, thereby becoming prisoners of conscience.

Furthermore, Amnesty International does not consider that the bill
can be justified under Article 20 of the ICCPR which states that
advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred should be prohibited
by law. In this respect it differs from the existing Holocaust denial
law in France (Loi no 90-615 du 13 juillet 1990 tendant a reprimer tout
acte raciste, antisemite ou xenophobe) which relates to challenging
the occurrence of crimes against humanity as defined by the statute
of the International Military Tribunals at Nuremberg, that is to say,
denying that mass killings were ever committed by Nazi forces. In
contrast, the proposed law has the effect of criminalising those who
question whether the Armenian massacres constituted a genocide —
a matter of legal opinion — rather than whether or not the killings
occurred — a matter of fact.

id=ENGEUR210092006

AZERIS AND TURKS OF ROMANIA "CRITICIZE" FRANCE FOR GENOCIDE BILL

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.10.2006 17:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday a protest action took place in front of
the French Embassy in Bucharest against the French Parliament adopting
a bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide.

Representatives of the Azerbaijani and Turkish communities, Tatar and
Turkic national minorities took part in the action. The participants
"criticized the scandalous legislation, adopted by the legislative of
that country." The demonstration participants, having Turkish and Azeri
flags, demanded that France "be careful with human rights." Having
handed the resolution to the Embassy, the participants of the rally,
widely covered by the media, laid a black wreath to the French
diplomatic mission, reports APA.

THIEVES OF CABLES WERE CAUGHT

A1+
[02:30 pm] 18 October, 2006

4 days ago the head of the Kapan department of "ArmenTel" turned to
the police informing about the theft of 300 meters of cables from
the idle telephone station of "ArmenTel".

On October 17 Seyran (b. 1989), Vahe (b. 1991) and Arthur (b. 1993)
B.-s were arrested with the charge of theft. Preliminary investigation
is under way.

"HEAVY BLOW ON FRANCO-TURKISH RELATIONS"

BÝA, Turkey
Oct 16 2006

Ankara feels deeply regrets over French Parliament’s criminalization
of the denial of "Armenian Genocide": "Heavy blow on relations".

Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrank Dink believes Senate will reject
bill as Turkey presses for freedom of expression.

BÝA (Istanbul) – Reaction against the French Parliament’s passing of a
repressive law banning the denial of an Armenian Genocide in Ottomon
Turkey was more or less unified in wake of the news with the Foreign
Ministry in Ankara expressing "deep regret" over the development and
saying it was a heavy blow to Franco-Turkish relations and business
associations warning of economic repercussions.

Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, prosecuted in Turkey for
articles mentioning the genocide, was among those who acknowledged
France’s move as a mistake but with hope that Turkey would benefit
out of it and perhaps even open its own doors to freedom of expression.

"I don’t believe this bill will be accepted by the Senate" Dink said,
recalling that the draft law had been accepted at the lower house of
parliament and needed to be submitted to Senate examination. After
which it still needs to be approved by the president to go in force.

"But whether it become a law or not" Dink added in an interview with
the Turkish NTV television, "no one should be sorry. In my view,
this will be gainful for Turkey. But the Armenians will lose".

Turkey’s prestigious Industrialists and Businessmen Association
(TUSIAD) Paris representative Serap Atan said the decision taken at
parliament on Thursday was a bad step for French democracy but called
for "common sense to prevail" in any further steps to be taken.

Her views coincided with a statement issued by the Direct Businessmen
Association (MUSIAD) that warned of warm feelings in the country’s
business community to a possible trade embargo on France.

FM: Heavy blow to relations

In a written statement it issued after the French Parliament’s
decision, the Turkish Foreign Ministry blasted "the irresponsible
initiatives of some French politicians based on false allegations
and with no view of he consequences of policies they pursue" and said
that as result of these Turkish-French relations "have today received
a serious blow".

The ministry maintained that the draft was a violation of the
European Convention which clearly described in which exceptional
conditions democratic societies could restrict the freedom of opinion
and expression branding it "double standard" for this bill to be
brought on the agenda at a time Turkey itself was being asked to
take additional steps on freedom of expression despite the "important
reforms" it had recorded in the recent years.

Dink: It will be gainful for Turkey

Armenian-Turkish "Agos" newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink said,
meanwhile, that Turkey would not be the one to lose out of this bill
and expressed belief that "after this, Turkey will display the freedom
of expression that has been taken from its hands".

Stating that until the French vote the world public opinion saw
the Armenians as the aggrieved and the Turks as being unjust, Dink
noted "From now on the Turkish expression has become the one that is
aggrieved. I believe that the Turkish official expression will use
these conditions and will display the freedom of expression that has
been taken from its hands".

Dink said that anti-EU circles could be expected to exploit the
development and that this itself could lead to problems in Turkey’s
relations with the Union.

Saying that the French Parliament continuously used the expression
that "Turkey should look to itself", Dink asked "is Turkey going to
be able to look to itself? They have mentioned [Penal Code] article
301. These are not wrong either. There we are against the [violation
of] freedom of expression. But in Turkey there are laws, cases, that
repress the freedom of expression. Let us do what is right. After that,
as France has done in their mistake, they will be left isolated".

Business: Common-sense reaction

TUSIAD Paris Representative Serap Atan who believes the decision is
a blow to French democracy said "It is important that in the steps to
be taken after this, common sense prevails in reactions. It is normal
for relations to get tense in the diplomatic scene. We need to talk
to the French who share our views and ensure this is rejected at the
Senate. We will work towards this."

MUSIAD chairman Dr. Omer Bolat who said there were warm feelings in
the business community to impose a trade embargo on France, described
the bill as "unjust and unfair". Bolat said "We are aware that the
law passed by the French Parliament is not that much related with
the Armenian issue. It is evident that the so-called genocide is just
an excuse. The real purpose of France is to block Turkey’s way into
the EU".

–Boundary_(ID_6di5JKT0xEuYjx8N2TP2UA)- –

BREAKAWAY KARABAKH ACCUSES AZERBAIJAN OF SETTING FIRE ON FRONT LINE

Regnum, Russia
Oct 13 2006

The Nagornyy Karabakh emergencies directorate has accused Azerbaijan
of setting fire on the area adjacent to the contact line between
the Armenian and Azerbaijani military forces, Regnum news agency
has reported.

Mostly 2,064 hectares of cereal crops suffered on the border with
Azerbaijan, the agency quoted the directorate as saying.

The directorate considered the situation unprecedented as less than
50 hectares of lands were burnt down last year, Regnum said.

MOSTLY ECONOMIC ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED AT SITTING OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERPARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 16 2006

YEREVAN, October 16. /ARKA/. Mostly economic issues will be discussed
at the sitting of the Armenian-Russian parliamentary commission, Vahan
Hovhannisyan, vice-speaker and co-chair of the commission reported.

"The legislative basis for facilitating the activity of economic
entities and promoting entry to each other’s markets will be
discussed," the vice-speaker said.

"There will be spokesmen from the executive power, particularly from
the ministries of transport and communication, and trade and economic
development," Hovhannisyan reported.

Besides this, he said that the issue about putting the Armenian
enterprises, transferred to Russia against the debt, will be also
discussed.

Mediamax, Armenia
Oct 12 2006

NATO ENVOY PRAISES ARMENIA’S ACHIEVEMENTS

Yerevan, 12 October: "NATO is satisfied with the process and pace of
the implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan [IPAP]
between Armenia and the alliance," the special representative of the
NATO secretary-general for the South Caucasus, Robert Simmons, said
in Yerevan today.

Simmons said this at a joint news conference with Armenian Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan.

He noted that "Armenia succeeded in achieving progress in the
implementation of the key directions of the IPAP".

Simmons said that NATO would attentively follow the 2007
parliamentary elections in Armenia and added the conduct of free and
fair elections was one of the commitments under the IPAP.

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said that the NATO
information centre, which was opened in Yerevan on 11 October, would
play a significant role in the process of informing the Armenian
public about NATO and Armenia-NATO relations.

AZG Armenian Daily #196, 14/10/2006

Culture

MONTHS OF ITALIAN CULTURE TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

Hasmik Poghosian, RA Culture and Youth Affairs Minister, and Marko
Clemente, Italian Ambassador to Armenia, informed at yesterday’s joint
press conference that they have decided to hold a number of cultural
arrangements in Yerevan in November, December and January. Hasmik
Poghosian stated in her speech that on April 13, 2003, RA and Italian
governments signed an agreement for cooperation in the cultural,
educational, scientific and technical spheres. As a result of close
relations between our countries, the Armenian artists have frequently
visited Italy and the Italian men of art arrived in Armenia. "This
year, we have specified the our plans for cooperation. In August, we
held "Archeology and Renovation of Monuments" seminar in Armenia," We
will complete the year by implementing the program elaborated by Mr.
Clemente and financed by the Government of Italy," Mrs. Poghosian
stated.

In his turn, Mr. Clemente emphasized the importance of the
Armenian-Italian multi lateral cooperation and thanked the mass media
for highlighting the events within the framework of the cultural
programs. "The culture is a bridge that unites two peoples, that have
thousand years of history," he said. Mr. Ambassador informed that the
months of Italian culture will begin in the performance of the
contemporary dance by Francesca Silva’s dance group at Alexander
Spendiarian Opera and Ballet Theatre. The retrospective session of
Italian cinema will be held in one of Yerevan’s cinemas. It is
envisaged that in December, two young Italian singers will perform in
two concerts. All the arrangements in the cultural program are for
free. "This is our concept. We want to bring the art to the people
that have no sources to freely enjoy the miracle of art. Thanks to
this program, we will contribute to the cultural development and to
education of the next generations," Mr. Ambassador
said. Mrs. Poghosian congratulated the journalists with the "Day of
the Armenian Press" at the end of the press conference.

By Marietta Makarian

Brussels Journal, Belgium
Oct 13 2006

Belgian and Dutch Parties Try to Put Genie Back in the Bottle

>From the desk of Paul Belien on Thu, 2006-10-12 22:49
Belgium introduced voting rights for non-Belgian residents in order
to counter the `islamophobic’ and Flemish secessionist Vlaams Belang
(VB). As a result multitudes of Muslim candidates were elected in
major cities in last Sunday’s local elections. In Antwerp the
immigrants are now demanding an alderman’s post in the city
government, which consists of the mayor and ten aldermen. In Brussels
the Parti Socialiste (PS) is embarrassed at the election of Murat
Denizli as a Socialist councilor. Denizli is a hardright Turkish
extremist belonging to the Grey Wolves. In the Netherlands political
parties are facing serious problems with Turkish candidates who
refuse to acknowledge the 1915 Armenian genocide.

In Antwerp all the mainstream parties have (again) teamed up in a
coalition in order to keep the VB out of local government. In 1989
the Belgian parties signed an agreement – the so-called `cordon
sanitaire’ – that, no matter what the outcome of the elections may
be, they will never enter into a coalition with the VB. The VB has 20
of the 55 seats in the new Antwerp city council. The new governing
coalition of Socialists, Christian-Democrats and Liberals holds 33
seats. Of the latter 9 seats are held by Muslims (7 Socialists and 2
Christian-Dems), which gives them real vetoing power within the new
coalition. The most popular candidate on the Socialist list of mayor
Patrick Janssens is Fauzaya Talhaoui. She got more votes than any
other candidate apart from Janssens himself. Talhaoui wants to become
a city alderman, but her demand is posing problems for the mayor, who
had already promised the position of alderman to other politicians
before the elections.

Yesterday the Brussels newspaper Le Soir ran a front page article
about the problems in the important Brussels borough of Schaarbeek.
The paper says it had been widely known for three months that a
member of the Turkish Grey Wolves was a Socialist candidate there.
(It should be noted, however, that Le Soir, the largest paper in
Brussels, failed to disclose this to its readers until yesterday,
well after the elections.) The election of Murat Denizli, Le Soir
says, has led to `open warfare and an identity crisis’ within the PS
because the Grey Wolves are know to be `ultra-nationalist, racist,
anti-European.’

Denizli was introduced on the PS list by the Schaarbeek PS leader
Laurette Onkelinx, who is also the Belgian vice prime minister and
minister of Justice. Schaarbeek PS members told Le Soir that last
April the local section of the PS had rejected the list of candidates
which included Denizli and `other immigrants adhering to rather
religious and conservative Muslim values.’ Onkelinx, however,
demanded that the candidates be accepted because `they are popular
and the party had to win the elections at any price.’ Today it
bothers many traditional indigenous Socialists who failed to get
elected that the party sold out to the immigrant hard-right and the
Islamists. `The end justified the means,’ one of them told Le Soir.
They are condemning a multilingual electoral campaign which was
conducted partly in Turkish and Arab and during which Socialists
visited mosques to attract voters and held `ambiguous speeches
denying the Armenian genocide.’ `Whenever one of the Belgo-Belgians
[the indigenous Belgians] complained he was told off for being a
racist.’

In the Netherlands general elections are due on 22 November. Since
the Muslim vote tipped the balance in favour of the Socialists in
last March’s local elections, both the Socialists, currently in
opposition, and the governing Christian-Democrats are putting forward
dozens of Muslim candidates. However, when Wouter Bos, the Socialist
leader, removed the Turkish candidate Erdinc Sacan from the list
after the latter had denied the Armenian genocide of 1915 in a
Turkish newspaper (a Turkish paper in Turkey that is) this led to an
outcry both in Turkey and among Turks in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Christian-Democrats removed two Turkish candidates, Osman
Elmaci and Ayhan Tonca, from their list for the same reason,
eliciting another outcry from Amsterdam to Ankara. Last week the
Dutch newspaper NRC-Handelsblad commented that the parties `are
frantically trying to put the genie back in the bottle.’

The Socialists are nervous because the position of Bos’s running
mate, Nehabat Albayrak, on the matter of the Armenian genocide is not
clear. Albayrak, who already is a member of the Dutch Parliament,
refuses to comment on the issue. Nihat Eski, another Dutch
parliamentarian of Turkish origin, though he sits for the
Christian-Democrats, is being called a traitor by many Turkish voters
for saying that he thinks the 1915 genocide is a historical fact.

In Belgium Emir Kir, a leading Socialist politician of Turkish origin
and the Brussels secretary of state for monuments, is campaigning for
the demolition of the Brussels monument that commemorates the
genocide of the Armenians.