Author: Khoyetsian Rose

CYPRUS DISPUTE ‘SHOULD NOT DELAY TURKEY’S EU ACCESSION’
by Andrew Woodcock, PA Political Correspondent
Press Association
September 8, 2005, Thursday 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Negotiations on Turkey’s accession to the European Union should not
be delayed, even though Ankara refuses to recognise the Republic of
Cyprus, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said today.
He warned that turning a cold shoulder to Turkey would give ammunition
to Islamist extremists, while welcoming it into the EU would be
a powerful blow against the belief in a “clash of civilisations”
between the Muslim world and the West.
The long-awaited talks are due to begin on October 3, but there is
growing popular and political opposition to Turkey joining the EU in
several existing member states, including France and Germany.
Ankara’s announcement that its recent signature of an Association
Agreement Protocol with the EU – a necessary step on the road
to membership – did not imply recognition of the Greek Cypriot
administration in Nicosia was seized upon by opponents of accession
as a reason for delay.
But speaking in London today, Mr Straw said: “There is more at stake
here than Turkey’s future. This is about Europe’s future too. And
it is a question of paramount importance for the whole international
community.
“Turkey is a secular nation with a majority Muslim population. By
welcoming Turkey we will demonstrate that Western and Islamic cultures
can thrive together as partners in the modern world. The alternative
is too terrible to contemplate.”
And he added: “A stable, prosperous Turkey anchored in the European
Union would be a powerful symbol indeed that the true divide lies not
between civilisations but between the vast majority of civilised people
across the world and the uncivilised few who use violence and terror to
try to destroy the common values and beliefs which bind the rest of us.
“It will prove that a secular, democratic state which shows respect
for Islam can live comfortably within Europe. Conversely, what message
would we give out if we were perceived to turn away from Turkey?”
Mr Straw said that, due to its strategic position as a bridge between
East and West, Turkey would offer the EU vital new strengths in the
battle against terrorism, cross-border crime and drug-trafficking.
Contrary to fears that the entry of a populous, low-wage economy into
the EU would have damaging economic effects on existing members,
Mr Straw insisted that Turkish accession would boost not only its
own prosperity but that of the rest of the Union.
He hailed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “wide-ranging and
courageous reform” to bring Turkey in line with European standards
on human rights and democracy.
But he was critical of the decision to bring charges of “denigration
of Turkish identity” against world-renowned novelist Orhan Pamuk for
comments he made about the Ottoman-era genocide of Armenians and more
recent killings of thousands of Kurds.
Mr Straw said that the Pamuk case showed there was “still some way to
go in the implementation” of measures to protect freedom of speech,
and cautioned that “continued and sustained commitment” to EU norms
would be required from the Turkish Government.
The Foreign Secretary pointed out that the possibility of Turkish entry
into the EU had first been held out in 1963, with the establishment
of a customs union, and said that “the destinies of Turkey and the
rest of Europe have long been intertwined”.
The dispute over Cyprus should not be a bar to Turkish accession,
said Mr Straw. Instead, European leaders should have faith that the
EU’s “healing power” will help dissipate tensions between the two
sides once they are fellow members of the Union.
“I would have preferred it if the Government of Turkey had not felt
it necessary to issue its declaration stating that its signature of
the Association Agreement Protocol did not amount to recognition of
the Republic of Cyprus,” he said.
“But acknowledging that Turkey’s declaration raises genuine concerns
– which we, as Presidency, are working hard to address – does not
mean that we should delay the start of Turkey’s historic accession
negotiations.
“We should have faith in the power of the Union to help resolve
problems.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASHULUK SETS RECORDS
by Major Andrei Sobolevsky
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
September 7, 2005, Wednesday
SOURCE: Vo Slavu Rodiny (the newspaper of the Belarusian Defense
Ministry), September 3, 2005, p. EV
COMBAT TRAINING
(…) The exercise conducted by Belarus units during Combat
Commonwealth-2003 was more spectacular. Tajik and Armenian units did
not cope with their tasks and Belarus missile units had to intercept
their targets. (…) The first missile hit the Strizh target. The
second hit its burning fragments in a second. The 302nd missile
brigade produced an impression on observers – it shot down targets,
which simulated cruise missiles, from the Osa anti-aircraft complex.
This year the exercise was not as spectacular. The exercise was
conducted without surprises. The crews detected their targets and
destroyed them. No emergencies happened because servicemen prepared
for the exercise properly. (…)
Belarus crews did not have problems at all, which testifies to
high professionalism of defenders of the sky. They shared their
experience with their counterparts from the CIS. Officers of the
battalion commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Fedotov (the 115th
anti-aircraft missile brigade) trained the Tajik crew of the S-125
anti-aircraft complex. It should be noted that Armenian crews coped
with combat tasks using military hardware prepared by specialists of
the 15th missile brigade.
(…) This contributed to the prestige of the Belarus anti-aircraft
school. Belarus crews did the major part of preparatory work.
There was one more aspect. The crews conducted an exercise with combat
shooting on the eve of tactical episodes of the third stage of the
CIS anti-aircraft system. Russian counterparts proposed Belarus crews
to intercept the Pishal target. The target was created on the basis of
the S-125 missile. It simulates a ground-to-ground operational-tactical
missile. It should be noted that before the crews intercepted only 40%
of such targets (the crews used the S-300P anti-aircraft complex).
There was a risk to miss the target. However, Lieutenant-General
Oleg Paferov, Commander-in-Chief of the Air and Anti-Aircraft Force,
decided to shoot. (…) The experimental exercise would help the
crews uncover their weak points.
The first missile was launched at the Pishal target by the battalion
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Vladimir Zhikharevich. By the way, the
battalion failed to intercept the first target because of a technical
problem. (…) The unit had to intercept a more difficult target in
order to rehabilitate itself. The battalion coped with this task.
The unit coped with the task thanks to its experience and regular
training. In particular, Russian pilots who checked the reliability
of Belarus units on duty simulated a real air attack. Colonel Sergei
Lemeshevsky, commander of the exercise, said that there were around
40 targets in the air. Many targets flew at a low altitude. This was
the most difficult attack in the history of Belarusian anti-aircraft
units. Belarusian servicemen passed this test!
Lieutenant-General Oleg Paferov, Comander-in-Chief of the Auir and
Anti-Aircraft Force, noted that he is satisfied with the results of
the exercise. (…) Belarusian anti-aircraft units will have to pass
a more difficult test in 2006. They will participate in an exercise
of the operational-tactical command involving aviation.

VATICAN REACTS TO ARMENIAN MONASTERY DESECRATION
Printed from:
06/09/2005
A decision by the Turkish occupation regime to grant a “license” to
operate a recreation centre in the Armenian Monastery of Surb Makar
(Saint Makarios) in the Halefka area, north of the Turkish occupied
village of Kythrea, has spurred a strong reaction by the Vatican.
Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said today that
the government totally agreed with the Vatican’s reaction, noting
that it was after moves by the government that the desecration of
the monastery had come to the attention of the Vatican.
The Spokesman noted that “various protests were made and there has
been a reaction on behalf of the Vatican, which says and stresses
in its verbal note that the attention of the competent Turkish
authorities has been drawn to the specific case, as well as other
lamentable incidences.”
Chrysostomides added that this was “a severe response, which is not
customary on behalf of the Vatican, and the language used is also
stern against the occupation authorities.”
“We totally agree and it is after actions by the government that the
desecration of the monastery has come to the attention of the Vatican,”
the Spokesman pointed out.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LLOYDS TSB TO HELP ARMENIAN BANK MEET WESTERN STANDARDS
Armenpress
Sept 7, 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: One of the leading commercial banks
of Armenia, Armeconombank and a British Lloyds TSB consulting firm
announced today in Yerevan the start of an institutional reconstruction
and development project for Armenian bank.
Lloyds TSB was selected from 6 consulting firms last March which were
competing for implementation of a technical assistance program for the
bank after EBRD bought 25 percent shares +1 share of Armeconombank. The
program duration is 18 months. After its completion Armeconombank
will boast of having the state-the-art banking technology.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HONORARY CONSULATE OF ARMENIA CLOSED IN ESTONIA
Pan Armenian News
05.09.2005 03:32
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ June 15 by a decree of the MFA of Armenia
the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Armenia closed in
Estonia, Tsitsernak Armenian program of Estonian Radio – 4 told
PanARMENIAN.Net. The Honorary Consulate had opened in 1999 by Armenian
FM V. Oskanian being in Tallinn on an official call. Chairman of the
Estonian Armenian National Union Garik Iknoyan has been the Honorary
Consul for 6 years. He has done much to strengthen the friendly
cultural ties between Armenia and Estonia, as well as to develop the
Armenian community of Estonia. The Honorary Consul was entitled to
issue entry visas, to provide notary certification of translations and
official documents. It is necessary to note the historical fact that
the Consulate was the first diplomatic representation of Armenia in
the Baltic states. It was also the only mission up to opening of the
Embassy. It should be reminded that the residence of the Republic of
Armenia in the Baltic states is in Warsaw.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Frankfurter Rundschau, Deutschland
02. September 2005
Perfektes Timing ;
Orhan Pamuk ist ein Spielball
VON GÜNTER SEUFERT
Nun haben sie aus Orhan Pamuk doch noch das machen können, was er
nie hatte sein wollen: einen Schriftsteller, dessen Name politische
und dann erst literarische Assoziationen weckt. Orhan Pamuk, das
ist der seit Jahren meistgelesene Schriftsteller der Türkei und der
einzige im Land, dessen Romane in über dreißig Sprachen übersetzt
sind. Sie, das sind jene, die ausnahmslos alle politischen Fragen
in das Schwarz-Weiß-Muster von “Freund oder Feind” pressen, die
Bevölkerung in “Patrioten und Vaterlandsverräter” aufteilen und zur
Desavouierung jeglicher Opposition ein nationales Bedrohungsszenario
nach dem anderen auf die politische Bühne zu hieven trachten.
Am Dienstag hat der Staatsanwalt des Istanbuler Bezirks Schischli
Orhan Pamuk wegen “öffentlicher Schmähung des Türkentums” angeklagt
und dafür Haft zwischen sechs Monaten und drei Jahren gefordert
(FR, 1. September). Der Schriftsteller hatte dem Schweizer
Tagesanzeiger gegenüber erklärt, “auf diesem Boden wurden eine
Million Armenier und dreißigtausend Kurden getötet”, und hatte
damit an nationale Empfindlichkeiten gerührt. Am 23. Oktober
wird Pamuk zur Preisverleihung des Friedenspreises des deutschen
Buchhandels in Frankfurt erwartet, und am 3. Oktober sollen die
Beitrittsverhandlungen der Türkei zur EU beginnen: Ein politischer
Sprengsatz und ein Zeitplan, wie geschaffen für ein Störfeuer derer,
die seit Jahren versuchen, die Annäherung des Landes an die EU zu
behindern und die damit verbundene Demokratisierung zu stoppen.
An der Armenierfrage interessiert jene Schwarz-Weiß-Maler
ausschließlich, dass es auf keinen Fall ein Völkermord gewesen sei:
Schon die Diskussion darüber öffne den Weg für horrende Entschädigungen
und führe letztlich zur Teilung des Landes. Nun hat Pamuk das Wort
das Wort “Genozid” nicht in den Mund genommen und auch nicht gesagt,
“die Türken” hätten “die Armenier” und “die Kurden” getötet. Aus
diesem Grund hat die für die Presse zuständige Staatsanwaltschaft
Istanbul, die ebenfalls Ermittlungen aufgenommen hatte, auf eine
Klage verzichtet und Pamuks Worte als kritische Äußerung im Rahmen
der Meinungsfreiheit bewertet; ein liberaler Ausweg, den die letzte
Reform des Strafgesetzbuchs ermöglicht.
Diese Sach- und Rechtslage lässt Beobachter vermuten, der nun
angestrengte Prozess diene weniger der Verurteilung des Schriftstellers
als vielmehr der Provokation eines handfesten Skandals. Der Regierung
in Ankara sollen diplomatische Schwierigkeiten bereitet und den
europäischen Gegnern einer türkischen EU-Mitgliedschaft Munition
geliefert werden. Proteste von europäischer Seite lassen sich
gleichzeitig als Einmischung in die inneren Angelegenheiten und als
Unterstützung armenischer Positionen verkaufen.
Die Aufführung erinnert fatal an das Possenstück, das vor zweieinhalb
Jahren am Staatssicherheitsgericht Ankara gegeben wurde, in dem die
deutschen politischen Stiftungen die Hauptbeschuldigten waren. Eine
wild zusammen gezimmerte Anklageschrift faselte von einer konzertierten
Aktion von Umweltschützern, religiösen Reaktionären und deutschen
Stiftungen gegen den Staat – und auch damals stand die Türkei mit
dem Gipfel von Kopenhagen an einem poltischen Scheideweg. Wie in
den letzen Wochen Orhan Pamuk, hatten die deutschen Stiftungen
vernünftigerweise versucht, den Ball niedrig zu halten, um einen
Skandal zu vermeiden, doch umsonst.
Derlei Aktionen verweisen auf tiefe politische Risse im türkischen
Staat, in Bürokratie, Militär und Justiz. In der Justiz stehen
liberale Strömungen den alten, stramm kemalistisch ausgerichteten
Kadern gegenüber, und im Militär muss der pro-EU eingestellte
Generalstabschef Hilmi Özkök auf die Anti-EU-Stimmung der mittleren
Ränge Rücksicht nehmen. Politische Spaltung herrscht auch in den
verschiedenen Geheimdiensten, fünf an der Zahl, die sich bisher einer
zentralen Koordination entziehen.
Es ist also zu befürchten, dass Orhan Pamuk, der in seinen Romanen die
türkische Gesellschaft so meisterhaft vielschichtig auftreten lässt,
in diesem unappetitlichen Kampf nur als Spielball dient.
Der Autor lebt als Publizist und freier Schriftsteller in Istanbul.
–Boundary_(ID_E39qr6+H3T+peG5OV75j8g)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Tahir Taghizade: “Yerevan is taking steps not serving livening up of the peace negotiations”
Today, Azerbaijan
Sept 2 2005
02 September 2005 [14:46] – Today.Az
“The attitude of Azerbaijan to the president of Armenia Robert
Kocharyan’s visiting Khankendi for participating in the jubilee
measures of the fake “Nagorno Karabakh republic” is unambiguous.
This attitude consists of that his step is contrary both to the
foreign policy priorities of Azerbaijan and peace talks continued
at present. It is a pity that Yerevan is taking steps not serving
livening up of the peace negotiations”.
These words were told to APA by the chief of the Press and Information
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tahir Taghizade when he
was expressing his attitude to the visit of the president of Armenia
Robert Kocharyan to Nagorno Karabakh tomorrow.
The attitude of T.Taghizade to the arrival of the Russian crooners
in Nagorno Karabakh was as following: “These actions of the persons
who visit the regions situated out of the control of the government
of Azerbaijan because these territories are under occupation will
be taken into consideration when the question of their arrival in
Azerbaijan will be reviewed in the future”.
/APA/
URL:

AZERI COURT RELEASES WOULD-BE KARABAKH GUERRILLA
Assa-Irada
31 Aug 05
Baku, 31 August: A hearing of the cases of 10 “Karabakh guerrillas”,
which was adjourned on 30 August, was held today.
The Supreme Court’s judge Reyqam Huseynov ruled that Ruslan Aliyev
[one of the imprisoned would-be Karabakh guerrillas] be released. He
also reduced Rustam Asgarov’s imprisonment term to six months,
Musviq Qurbanov’s term to two years and the other prisoners’ terms
to one year.
The court did not hear the cases of two guerrillas, Xizir Marqasvili
and Vusal Isayev.
[Passage omitted: the Karabakh Liberation Organization expressed its
dissatisfaction with the ruling]

TURKISH PM’S PROMOTION OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE CAUSES DISPUTE IN RULING PARTY
Milliyet web site, Istanbul
29 Aug 05
Text of report by Abdullah Karakus, “‘Encounter’ supported by Erdogan
creates controversy”, published by Turkish newspaper Milliyet web
site on 29 August; subheadings as published
The “Meeting of Civilizations” with the theme of “inter-religious
dialogue” that is to be held in Hatay from 25 to 30 September
has brought a reaction from within the AKP [ruling Justice and
Development Party], despite support for it from Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan. AKP Hatay parliamentarian Fuat Gecen, who has come
out against the meeting, to which Erdogan ascribes great importance,
has said: “Hatay is turning into a Vatican under the name of peace.”
Conveying to Erdogan via the deputy [parliamentary] group chairmen his
criticisms of the First Hatay Meeting of Civilizations, at which the
three religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam will be represented
and messages of peace will be conveyed to the world, and calling on
him to intervene in the situation, Gecen spoke as follows:
“An effort is being made to turn Hatay into a Vatican. Certain things
have begun to be done one after another. First the rhetoric on the
Kurdish issue, then the Armenian game [the Istanbul conference on
the Armenian genocide issue], and now incidents of people changing
their religion. The church bell, the cantor and the call to prayer
[rhymes in Turkish: can , hazan, ezan] will all be heard at the same
time. They talk of peace and dialogue, but these things harm us. It
is the common people who suffer and no one sees this.”
Stressing that the efforts carried out under the rubric of
“inter-religious dialogue” are misguided, Gecen said: “Sensitivity
should be displayed on the topic of religion. The EU is reportedly
financing this meeting with a great deal of money. Why? Because
it suits their interests. A fourth church is about to be opened in
Hatay. They provide assistance to poor students and they change their
religion. Missionary activities in Hatay are increasing with every
passing day. Preventive measures should be taken.” Stating that in
order to protest against the meeting being held in Hatay, he did not
attend the meeting in Ankara that Erdogan went to, Gecen said: “An
emblem has reportedly been prepared for the meeting of civilizations
in Hatay. But the minaret is barely visible in it, and can’t be made
out. They have just put its shadow, so as not to cause reproach. This
is outrageous.”
Erdogan sees as important
Erdogan had said at the publicity meeting held in Ankara that he
ascribed great importance to the First Hatay Meeting of Civilizations.
Erdogan had said: “A different message will be conveyed to
Europe there. People should no longer be victims of the clash of
civilizations. Let us never enter into pessimism on account of
beliefs and let us not be disrespectful towards people of different
beliefs. Let us not foist ideologies upon believers as ‘religion’.”
Soydan: Hatay meeting is proper
Meanwhile, AKP Hatay parliamentarian Mehmet Soydan has said that he
considers it proper for the meeting to be held in Hatay. Soydan spoke
as follows: “I think that whatever people’s beliefs are, they should
live them. Those who complain about the increase in churches should
first be of assistance in people’s learning Islam and in eliminating
the obstacles to Koran courses. We have to respect other religions
as well. We have to attach importance not to the conflict between
religions but to their coexisting in peace. As long as there are great
goals, I don’t consider it correct to concern ourselves with minor
issues. Nor do I share Fuat Gecen’s thinking in terms of Hatay. No one
is obliged to believe the way I do. Those who have religious beliefs
can espouse their beliefs. There has to be this freedom. The Turks
in Europe also live their Islam. We cannot have anything such as not
allowing other religions to live in our own country. In the past,
our ancestors also allowed the three
religions to live together. And Jerusalem is an important place for
all three religions.”
Missionary activities falsehood
AKP Hatay parliamentary Ismail Soylu also gave support to the
meeting. Noting that people should live together without any
distinction in terms of religion or sect, Soylu said: “The important
thing is for people to be people. It does not matter whether one has
become a Jew or a Christian. The allegations that Muslims in Hatay
are being turned into Christians are lies. There cannot be any such
thing. Everyone is living in accord with their own beliefs.”

Armenian premier, Argentinean minister discuss ties
Arminfo
30 Aug 05
Yerevan, 30 August: The lack of political problems between Armenia
and Argentine fosters the productive development of bilateral ties,
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan and Argentinean Minister
of Foreign Relations, International Trade and Worship Rafael Bielsa
said at their meeting in Yerevan today.
The sides expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation with the
UN and other international organizations, the Armenian government’s
press service told Arminfo. Markaryan expressed hope that Argentine
would continue maintaining its position on the Karabakh issue at
different international organizations. Markaryan said that Armenia was
also ready to assist Argentine in various international organizations.
[Passage omitted: Sides also satisfied with the development of
economic ties]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress