Author: Nahapetian Boris

PRESS RELEASE
Mashdots College
411 E. Acacia Avenue
Glendale, CA 91205
Tel: (818) 548-9345
Fax: (818) 548-9342
E-mail: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])

On Friday, November 17, at 7:30 P.M. Dr. Garbis Der Yeghiayan,
President of Mashdots College, will present a lecture titled,
"Embracing the Land of Our Ancestors: The Presence of the Past".The
power-point presentation will cover the following historic Armenian
cities and villages in Cilicia, Cappadocia and Western Armenia: Adana,
Mersin, Darson, Aintab, Marash, Zeitoun, Evereg, Guessaria, Germir,
Talas, Tomarza, Urgup, Bogazlyan, Gurin, Malatia, Kharpert, Arapgir,
Agn, Gamakh, Erzinga, Shabin Karahisar, Tamzara, Ordou, Drabizon,
Hamshen, Rize, Hopa, Artvin, Ardahan, Kars, Ani, Igdir, Bayazid, Mt.
Ararat, Pegri, Van-Akhtamar, as well as Bolis.

Mashdots College organizes annual pilgrimages to historic Armenia. In
July, 2006, thirty-eight Armenians from California, Wisconsin, Lebanon
and Syria joined Dr. Der Yeghiayan by experiencing "stunning moments
with history". The 18-day pilgrimage, from the Mediterranean Sea to
the Black Sea, offered the participants an unprecedented opportunity
to better understand and appreciate the centuries-old rich heritage of
the Armenian people, and to observe firsthand the unparalleled
accomplishments of our martyred ancestors.

The event is open to the public and will take place at the Armenian
Church of the Nazarene, 411 E. Acacia Avenue, Glendale,
California. For further information contact the College Office at
(818) 548-9345.

IN HOVHANNES HOVHANNISIAN’S WORDS, COUNTRY’S ECONOMY SUFFERS FROM ARMENIA’S "DECREPIT" DEMOCRACY

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 7 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Democratic values, in particular,
freedom of expression, became shattered in Armenia, and country’s
economy suffers from this. Hovhannes Hovhannisian, Chairman of
the Liberal Progressive Party of Armenia (LPPA), expressed such an
opinion at the November 7 dispite with Mekhak Mkhitarian, Head of
NA Business deputy group. In his words, if lately the Freedom House
international human rights organization called on the Millennium
Challenge corporation not to provide any funds to Armenia and as
a reason mentioned not ensuring civil freedoms in Armenia, this
means that these freedoms indeed are not at the proper level. In
H.Hovhannisian’s words, the Armenian economy will sustain great
losses unless the expected sum of 235 mln dollars is provided to the
country, which is envisaged for development of Armenia’s border rural
populated areas.

M.Mkhitarian, in his turn, said that the independent Armenia is only
15 years old and this, in his words, is not a sufficient period
for creating really a democratic system. Besides, as M.Mkhitarian
emphasized, in order to have an idea about the democratic indices
in Armenia one should compare them not with the indices of developed
European countries, but with those of CIS member countries.

However, the interlocutors hold the same opinion in the issue that
there is no sound political dialogue in the country. M.Mkhitarian
regretted to say that "the people having civilization of thousand
years has not formed a culture of dispute yet."

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
November 8, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

DEMOCRATS WIN CONTROL OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ARMENIAN CAUCUS MEMBER REP. PELOSI SET TO BECOME SPEAKER

Caucus Grows in Clout with Some 50 Democrats Slated for Key Positions

Washington, DC – The balance of power shifted in Washington yesterday as
Democrats took control over the House of Representatives, paving the way
for Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to become the first
female Speaker of the House. Pelosi’s anticipated rise, coupled with
the likelihood of numerous Caucus Democrats picking up important
leadership positions, will expand the scope and influence of this
important body in the next congressional session.

As part of that power shift, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill) will
pass the Speaker’s gavel to Pelosi, making her the first Armenian Caucus
Member to hold that position. Pelosi has a strong record of support on
Armenian-American issues and has regularly called on the Administration
to properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. She is currently a
cosponsor of H. Res. 316 – a bill that affirms the attempted
annihilation of the Armenian people as genocide. Last year, Pelosi
participated in a Capitol Hill observance of the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide and in April 2001, spoke on the floor of the House
saying that "the Armenian Genocide is a historical fact. The Republic
of Turkey has adamantly refused to acknowledge that the Genocide
happened on its soil, but the evidence is irrefutable….We must learn
from the past and never forget the victims of the Armenian Genocide."

Additionally, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) will run for Majority
Leader, and if elected, will be another Caucus first. Like Pelosi,
Hoyer has co-sponsored legislation reaffirming the Genocide and has
given commemoration addresses to Congress during the month of April.
During the Assembly’s pan-Armenian Advocacy Conference in March of this
year, Hoyer pledged to continue fighting for U.S. reaffirmation of the
Genocide and said that he has asked Turkish leaders why they cannot
acknowledge the crimes.

"Representatives Pelosi and Hoyer have strong records on Armenian issues
of any Democratic leadership and we look forward to building on these
strong relationships, as well as others in the House, to address issues
and concerns facing Armenian-Americans, as well as our homeland," said
Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah.

In total, some 50 Democratic Armenian Caucus Members are positioned to
take over important leadership positions and full committee
chairmanships including Representatives Charles Rangel (NY) House Ways
and Means, John Dingell (MI) Energy and Commerce, John Conyers, Jr. (MI)
Judiciary, George Miller (CA) Education, Henry Waxman (CA) Government
Reform, Barney Frank (MA) Financial Services, Collin Peterson (MN)
Agriculture and Nydia M. Velazquez (NY) Small Business Committee.

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), who is the current Ranking Member of
the Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and is also poised to
become a subcommittee chair and potentially the first Armenian Caucus
Member to Chair Foreign Operations. Lowey, an ardent supporter of
Armenian issues, has commemorated the Armenian Genocide with statements
on the House floor and urged Congress to retain Section 907 of the
Freedom Support Act. Representatives Donald Payne (D-NJ), Brad Sherman
(D-CA), Gary Ackerman (D-NY), William Delahunt (D-MA) and Grace
Napolitano (D-CA) are positioned to Chair various International
Relations Subcommittees. Additionally, Representatives Peter Visclosky
(D-IN), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA),
Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Caucus Co-Chair Frank
Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) are anticipated to become
subcommittee chairs, among others.

The majority of Armenian Caucus Members were re-elected including
Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
Representative Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) won a seat in the Senate. As for
Caucus Members of Armenian descent, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) was
elected for an eight term, while Congressman John Sweeney (D-NY) was
defeated after serving four years in the House, where he championed
issues facing Armenian-Americans.

Totah also noted that prior to the election, several lawmakers pledged
to join the Armenian Caucus if elected and that the Assembly will reach
out those new Members.

In other House leadership posts, Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), who has
traditionally opposed efforts to reaffirm the Genocide, but supported
the Armenian Genocide resolution during a 2005 vote before the
International Relations Committee, is anticipated to Chair the
International Relations Committee. The Appropriations Committee
Chairmanship is expected to be filled by Congressman David Obey (D-WI),
who has also supported Armenian issues.

On the Senate side, longtime Armenian issues supporter Senator Robert
Menendez (D-NJ) faced a hard-fought race and retained his seat, while
Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Lincoln D. Chafee (R-RI) lost their
re-election bids. Earlier this year, Santorum and Menendez introduced a
major bill (S. 2461) to bar assistance for a railroad bypass of Armenia.
In September, Menendez also placed a "hold" on the nomination of
Ambassador-designate Richard E. Hoagland as America’s next Ambassador to
Armenia. The move is in protest to the Bush Administration’s flawed
policy on the Armenian Genocide, neither denying nor properly affirming
the events as genocide.

At press time, the balance of power in the Senate was yet to be
determined and contingent on the outcome of the Virginia Senate races.
Senator George Allen (R-VA) was trailing democratic challenger Jim Webb
by a margin of less than 1 percent, opening the door to a potential
recount vote.

"The Assembly congratulates Armenian-American supporters in the Senate
and House on their victory and looks forward to reaching out to new
members in the coming year," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan
Adouny. "To that end, we also encourage Armenian Americans to join us
in our outreach efforts and build on our advocacy successes in the
current Congress."

Ardouny noted that, with this election, the anticipated leadership of
the 110th Congress will offer new opportunities to pass an Armenian
Genocide resolution, to ensure that attempts by Armenia’s neighbors to
isolate her are addressed, and to make security issues facing Nagorno
Karabakh and Armenia priorities. When Congress returns next week for the
lame duck session, several outstanding items remain including the rail
legislation, appropriations funding for Armenia and Karabakh, as well as
the confirmation process for Ambassador-designate Richard E. Hoagland.

Governors in 36 states were also elected. In Ohio, Armenian Caucus
Member Ted Strickland (D-OH), a cosponsor of the pan-Armenian Genocide
bill H. Res. 316 and the House rail bill H.R. 3361, was elected
governor, while in California, incumbent Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA)
defeated his Democratic challenger by a large margin. As governor,
Schwarzenegger has championed Armenian-American issues. Last month he
signed legislation authorizing the construction of a memorial for the
victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Earlier, the Governor
signed into law Senate Bill 1524, enabling Armenian Genocide victims and
their families to seek legal action to recover assets lost or stolen as
result of the tragedies, as well as Senate Bill 424, which permanently
recognizes April 24 as the Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide
in California.

Thousands of state and local races were also contested across the
country yesterday. In California, State Senator Charles Poochigian
(R-CA), who has done much to advance Armenian-American issues in the
Legislature, was defeated in his bid for State Attorney General.
California State Assembly Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Greg Aghazarian
(R-Stockton) was re-elected and Paul Krekorian (D-Glendale) became the
first Armenian-American elected to the State Assembly representing the
Glendale-Burbank area which includes the largest concentration of
Armenians in the United States. California State Senator Jackie Speier
(D-San Mateo), retiring due to term limits, made an unsuccessful bid for
Lieutenant Governor during the primaries.

The 110th congressional session will convene in January when the Speaker
of the House will be elected by the full House of Representatives.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2006-097

Editor’s Note: Photograph available on the Assembly Web site at the
following links:

7/2006-097-1.jpg

Caption: Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie
Totah (right) with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who is
expected to become Speaker of the House in the 110th Congress.

-097/2006-097-2.jpg

Caption: Representative Nancy Pelosi and Assembly Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny at an Awards Reception on Capitol Hill.

/2006-097-3.jpg

Caption: Armenian Caucus Member Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) flanked
by Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian (right) and Board of
Trustees Counselor Van Krikorian.

6-097/2006-097-4.JPG

Caption: (L to R) Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, former U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans, Assembly Board of Trustees
Executive Committee Member Annie Totah, Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer
(D-MD) (who is expected to become Majority Leader) Board of Trustees
Chairman Hirair Hovnanian, Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar and
Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Anthony Barsamian.

6-097/2006-097-5.jpg

Caption: (L to R) Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny with
Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Joseph
Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-NJ).

The Assembly is pleased to report that 93 percent of Armenian Caucus
Members who stood for re-election retained their seats. See complete
below.

W =3D Win L =3D Loss R=3D Retired S =3D Sought other office TC=3D Too
close to call

Arizona (2)

Raul Grijalva (D-7); W
Rick Renzi (R-1); W

California (39)

Mike Thompson (D-1); W
Doris Matsui (D-5); W
Lynn Woolsey (D-6); W
George Miller (D-7); W
Nancy Pelosi (D-8); W
Barbara Lee (D-9); W
Ellen Tauscher (D-10) ; W
Fortney "Pete" Stark (D-13); W
Anna Eshoo (D-14); W
Michael Honda (D-15); W
Zoe Lofgren (D-16); W
Dennis Cardoza (D-18); W
George Radanovich (R-19); W
Jim Costa (D-20); W
Devin Nunes (R-21); W
William Thomas (R-22); R
Lois Capps (D-23); W
Elton Gallegly (R-24); W
Howard McKeon (R-25); W
David Dreier (R-26); W
Brad Sherman (D-27); W
Howard Berman (D-28); W
Adam Schiff (D-29); W
Henry Waxman (D-30); W
Xavier Becerra (D-31); W
Hilda Solis (D-32); W
Diane Watson (D-33); W
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-34); W
Grace Napolitano (D-38); W
Linda Sanchez (D-39); W
Edward Royce (R-40); W
Gary Miller (R-42); W
Joseph Baca (D-43); W
Ken Calvert (R-44); W
Loretta Sanchez (D-47); W
Darrell Issa (R-49); W
Bob Filner (D-51); W
Duncan Hunter (R-52); W
Susan Davis (D-53); W

Colorado (2)

Mark Udall (D-2); W
Bob Beauprez (R-7); S

Connecticut (5)

John Larson (D-1); W
Robert Simmons (R-2); TC
Rosa DeLauro (D-3); W
Christopher Shays (R-4); W
Nancy Johnson (R-5); L

District of Columbia (1)

Eleanor Norton (D-DL); W

Florida (5)

Michael Bilirakis (R-9); R
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-18); W
Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-21); W
E. Clay Shaw (R-22); L
Tom Feeney (R-24); W

Illinois (9)

Bobby Rush (D-1); W
Jesse Jackson (D-2); W
Dan Lipinski (D-3); W
Luis Gutierrez (D-4); W
Danny Davis (D-7); W
Mark Kirk (R-10); W
Jerry Weller (R-11); W
Jerry Costello (D-12); W
John Shimkus (R-19); W

Indiana (2)

Peter Visclosky (D-1); W
Mark Souder (R-3); W

Kansas (3)

Jerry Moran (R-1); W
Dennis Moore (D-3); W
Todd Tiahrt (R-4); W

Kentucky (1)

Ben Chandler (D-6); W

Louisiana (1)

Bobby Jindal (R-1); W

Maine (1)

Thomas Allen (D-1) W

Maryland (4)

Benjamin Cardin (D-3); S
Albert Wynn (D-4); W
Steny Hoyer (D-5); W
Christopher Van Hollen (D-8); W

Massachusetts (10)

John Olver (D-1); W
Richard Neal (D-2); W
James McGovern (D-3); W
Barney Frank (D-4); W
Martin Meehan (D-5); W
John Tierney (D-6); W
Edward Markey (D-7); W
Michael Capuano (D-8); W
Stephen Lynch (D-9); W
William Delahunt (D-10); W

Michigan (13)

Vernon Ehlers (R-3); W
Dave Camp (R-4); W
Dale Kildee (D-5); W
Fred Upton (R-6); W
Joe Schwarz (R-7); L
Michael Rogers (R-8); W
Joe Knollenberg** (R-9); W
Candice Miller (R-10); W
Thaddeus McCotter (R-11); W
Sander Levin (D-12); W
Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-13); W
John Conyers (D-14); W
John Dingell (D-15); W

Minnesota (4)

Gil Gutknecht (R-1); L
Betty McCollum (D-4); W
Mark Kennedy (R-6); L
Collin Peterson (D-7); W

Nevada (2)

Shelley Berkley (D-1); W
Jon Porter (R-3); W

New Hampshire (2)

Jeb Bradley (R-1); L
Charles Bass (R-2); L

New Jersey (11)

Robert Andrews (D-1); W
Frank LoBiondo (R-2); W
Jim Saxton (R-3); W
Christopher Smith (R-4); W
Scott Garrett (R-5); W
Frank Pallone** (D-6); W
Mike Ferguson (R-7); W
Bill Pascrell (D-8); W
Steven Rothman (D-9); W
Donald Payne (D-10); W
Rush Holt (D-12); W

New York (14)

Steve Israel (D-2); W
Carolyn McCarthy (D-4); W
Gary Ackerman (D-5); W
Joseph Crowley (D-7); W
Anthony Weiner (D-9); W
Nydia Velazquez (D-12); W
Carolyn Maloney (D-14); W
Charles Rangel (D-15); W
Eliot Engel (D-17); W
Nita Lowey (D-18); W
Sue Kelly (R-19); L
John Sweeney (R-20); L
Michael McNulty (D-21); W
Maurice Hinchey (D-22); W

Ohio (6)

Ted Strickland (D-6); S
Marcy Kaptur (D-9); W
Dennis Kucinich (D-10); W
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-11); W
Sherrod Brown (D-13); S
Steven LaTourette (R-14); W

Oregon (2)

Earl Blumenauer (D-3); W
Darlene Hooley (D-5); W

Pennsylvania (11)

Chaka Fattah (D-2); W
Phil English (R-3); W
Melissa Hart (R-4); L
Jim Gerlach (R-6); W
Curt Weldon (R-7); L
Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8); L
Allyson Schwartz (D-13); W
Mike Doyle (D-14); W
Charles Dent (R-15); W
Joseph Pitts (R-16); W
Tim Holden (D-17); W

Rhode Island (2)

Patrick Kennedy (D-1); W
James Langevin (D-2); W

South Carolina (1)

Joe Wilson (R-2); W

South Dakota (1)

Stephanie Herserth (D-AL); W

Texas (3)

Lloyd Doggett (D-25); W
Kenny Marchant (R-24); W
Eddie B. Johnson (D-30); W

Virginia (2)

Eric Cantor (R-7); W
James Moran (D-8); W

Washington (2)

Jim McDermott (D-7); W
Adam Smith (D-9); W

Wisconsin (1)

Paul Ryan (R-1); W

Puerto Rico (1)

Luis Fortuno (R) N/A

Losses/Retirments/Sought other office

Charles Bass (R-2) NH; Lost
Bob Beauprez (R-7) CO; Lost Gubernatorial
Michael Bilirakis (R-9) FL; Retired
Jeb Bradley (R-1) NH; Lost
Sherrod Brown (D-13) OH; Won Senate
Benjamin Cardin (D-3) MD; Won Senate
Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8) PA; Lost
Gil Gutknecht (R-1) MN; Lost
Melissa Hart (R-4) PA; Lost
Nancy Johnson (R-5) CT; Lost
Sue Kelly (R-19) NY; Lost
Mark Kennedy (R-6) MN; Lost Senate
Joe Schwarz (R-7) MI ; Lost Primary
E. Clay Shaw (R-22) FL; Lost
Ted Strickland (D-6) OH; Won Gubernatorial
John Sweeney (R-20) NY; Lost
William Thomas (R-22) CA; Retired
Curt Weldon (R-7) PA; Lost

TURKISH ARMY KEEPS EYE ON POLITICIANS
By Mark Mardell

BBC News, UK
Nov 7 2006

The tanks are rumbling through the streets of Istanbul and the crowds
are cheering.

Not images from one of the four military coups of the last 50 years,
but celebrations for the birthday of the Turkish republic.

Row upon row of sometimes rather baby-faced young men in smart blue
uniforms march past, carrying trumpets and drums adorned with the
Turkish flag.

Turkey’s army is the second biggest in Nato Their white helmets and
matching spats gleam. Behind them comes a troop of rather harder
looking men shouldering assault rifles.

Then the serious stuff. Angular amphibious landing vehicles trundle
by. Helicopter gunships whirr out of the sky.

The powerful chug of lines of tanks is drowned out by the scream of
fighter bombers overhead.

Above stirring martial music the announcer yells out: "The sun is
yours, the earth is yours, the sky is yours, let victory be your most
sacred desire!"

‘Political force’

It is a reminder that this is one of the largest armies in the world,
more than a million people under its command, in Nato second only in
size to the world’s only superpower.

The army had a semi-colonial mission to the rest of society – and
they’ve never ceased enthusiastically believing that they are the
real civilising elite in Turkey

Prof Hailil Berktay Turkish historian

But it is also a reminder that Turkey’s army is not only a potential
force on the battlefield – it is a real force in day-to-day politics.

Few adult Turks can see this sight without recalling that the last
coup was just nine years ago and was preceded by the coups of 1980,
1971 and 1960.

Senior diplomats say that Turkey has moved beyond coups and the army
would only intervene like that if there was a total economic and
political meltdown.

But no-one thinks the army is about to give up its political role
either.

If the army thinks the politicians are giving in to the rise of
political Islam, Kurdish separatists or are betraying northern Cyprus,
then the politicians will know about it.

EU concerns

It is true that Turkey’s armed forces have swallowed hard in recent
years and accepted a reduction in their power – mainly to please the
European Union, which on the whole they think is a good, if extremely
irritating and naive, thing.

The legacy of Ataturk dominates the military establishment

Since 2001, Turkey’s national security council has had more elected
civilians on its board and the cabinet merely has to "evaluate"
that body’s decisions, rather than "take them into consideration".

It meets less frequently and the civilian government can now audit
military accounts.

This summer laws were revised so that military courts can no longer
try civilians.

But these look like mere technical details compared to the EU list
of complaints.

In the report being published on 8 November 2006, the European
Commission notes that the armed forces exercise "significant political
influence", the military has in law "a wide margin of manoeuvre"
within "a broad definition of national security".

It concludes that the military should stick to speaking about defence
matters and even these statements should only be made under the
authority of the government.

General’s warning

This is very far from what actually happens.

If this building [the state] falls down everything… including
democracy, freedom of speech, human rights… gets crushed
underneath. So the roof has to be strong – the army keeps an eye on it

Edib Baser Retired Turkish general

When the EU condemns the Turkish top brass for making "public
statements to influence areas beyond their responsibilities" it
could well cite last month’s speech by the chief of staff, Gen Yasar
Buyukanit.

He said the Turkish republic and its values were "under heavy attack"
from "people in the highest positions of government" because they
wanted to redefine secularism.

Make no mistake, he does mean the present government. It was elected
by a massive majority and is the first party for years that has been
able to rule without needing to form a coalition.

It is up for election again next year and expected to win again. It
could take the presidency as well.

It was elected promising to bring the headscarf ban to an end,
something the majority of the population want.

But it has not been able to do it. From the women affected to
fundamentalist agitators, no-one I talk to seems the tiniest bit
surprised or even disappointed. They know the army has drawn a
red line.

‘Army is constitution’

Nearly two weeks after the National Day parade, I am watching a debate
in the studios of Crescent TV, an Islamic channel on what is probably
the hottest, longest-running topic in Turkey today – the relationship
between religion and the state.

Republic Day brings an outpouring of patriotic fervour Four earnest men
around a desk listen as a taped report sets the terms of the debate.

The reporter begins: "It’s 83 years since the birth of the Turkish
republic and yet we are still governed by a constitution written
by solders…"

But this perhaps misses the point. In Turkey, the army thinks it is
the constitution.

At least, it takes upon it the function of the constitution in many
countries, seeing itself as the highest arbiter of the state, making
sure that mere democratically elected governments do not stray from
the straight and narrow.

Its sacred driving principle is that the sacred should never become
a driving principle of the state.

It sees itself as a bulwark against political Islam and what it would
regard as surrender to terrorism.

‘Post-modern coup’

A retired four-star general, Edib Baser, who now runs the Institute
for the Study of Ataturk’s Principles and the History of the Republic,
sees the state as a building.

"If this building falls down everything… including democracy,
freedom of speech, human rights… gets crushed underneath. So the
roof has to be strong. The army keeps an eye on it."

It is instructive to look at the1997 coup, which has been called the
first "post-modern coup". That is a trendy way of saying the army
made clear its displeasure, and events followed without the need for
much brute force.

Neither the generals nor their puppets took over but the government
resigned and there was a clampdown on political Islam.

Power without responsibility, perhaps, but it is probably more accurate
to say the Turkish army feels it has a responsibility but does not
actually seek direct power.

All armies, perhaps, have a reverential sense of their own history,
but this is especially true in Turkey.

‘Hampstead Liberals’

They were the driving force behind the revolution that modernised
and westernised the country.

In the young Turkish republic, Kemal Ataturk, an army officer all his
life until he became a revolutionary leader, used the army to build
the schools and canals and mosques for grateful villagers.

But his conscript army also educated its solders, making sure they
could read and write before they left its service.

A consequence of this is a rather strange anomaly.

In Turkey, there are liberals in a modern Western sense. But many of
those who you would expect to be "Hampstead Liberals" in Britain are
here among the strongest supporters of the army.

The controversial artist Bedri Baykam tells me: "This government
unfortunately is trying to change every law little by little. It’s
as though we were trying to enter the Iranian Union, not the EU.

"Turkey is the only Muslim country that has democracy, freedom of
speech and an international lifestyle and that is not a coincidence.

It’s because of Ataturk’s ideas and the Turkish army’s care and
attention."

He has just been on a march in favour of secularism and against the
possibility of the headscarf ban being lifted, and adds: "We do not
want any military coup d’etat, because that would take us 20 or 30
years backwards. But we also don’t want an Islamic coup, because that
would take us 1,000 back. Between 30 and 1,000, I would prefer 30."

‘Perpetual fear’

Some think that as Turkey changes and becomes more secure as a
secular democracy, then the army will become more relaxed about
Islamic symbols in the public sphere and slowly relinquish its role.

The army itself sometimes says that is its aim and desire. But it
will not be easy.

Professor Hailil Berktay, a historian and expert on the way Turkey
sees its own history, tells me: "The army had a semi-colonial mission
to the rest of society. And they’ve never ceased enthusiastically
believing that they are the real civilising elite in Turkey."

"They say, ‘We are the ones keeping Pandora’s box closed and preventing
the demons of backwardness, superstition, religious fundamentalism,
Kurdish separatism and Armenian nationalism from emerging.’ It’s this
sense of a civilising and protecting mission that drives them."

He adds: "The larger problem is the way the rest of Turkish society
has internalised this and lives in perpetual fear of what the military
might do."

The real test may come next year, when Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan may decide to run for president.

If he does and wins, the thought of a man whose wife wears a headscarf
living in the presidential palace, a man who was once imprisoned for
words thought to represent militant Islam, occupying the role that
Ataturk first held, may be too much for some officers to bear.

Then again, if these things come to pass and the sky does not fall in,
they may start to relax a little and keep the moaning for the army
mess table.

stm

VARDAN OSKANYAN AND SERGEY LAVROV DISCUSSED KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 2 2006

RA and Russia’s FMs Vardan Oskanyan and Sergey Lavrov held a meeting
within the frames of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) member
countries Council of Ministers 15th sitting.

In the course of the meeting the parties discussed the process of
the Karabakh conflict’s peaceful resolution.

Vardan Oskanyan and Sergey Lavrov also considered Armenian-Russian
bilateral relations and the regional issues.

SCREENING AND DISCUSSION WITH ATOM EGOYAN

University of Chicago Chronicle, IL
Nov 2 2006

Doc Films
Presidential Fellows in the Arts Series:
7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9
Max Palevsky Cinema
Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.

Atom Egoyan-Cairo born, Canadian-bred and of Armenian descent-creates
films that are uniquely personal, often exploring issues of grief,
intimacy, displacement and the impact of technology and media on
modern life. His films, including The Sweet Hereafter, Exotica, and
Where the Truth Lies, have earned both critical acclaim and commercial
success around the world. Egoyan is known for pushing boundaries and
using film to tell complicated stories from a variety of nonlinear
perspectives. Unafraid of controversy, Egoyan has been noted and lauded
by critics for his comfort in making both big, commercially successful
films and smaller, personally gratifying films Creator of more than
a dozen films, Egoyan is one of Canada’s most prominent filmmakers.

DAVID NALBANDIAN RANKS 3RD AMONG BEST TENNIS PLAYERS

ArmRadio.am
30.10.2006 15:19

Argentinean Armenian tennis player David Nalbandian is again the third
in the list of best tennis players of the world with 2850 points. With
8120 Roger Federer of Switzerland leads the list issued today by the
Professional Tennis Association. The second is Spanish Rafael Nadal
with 4270 points.

LILOYAN WAS APPOINTED CONSUL

A1+
[01:22 pm] 30 October, 2006

By the decree of the RA Foreign Minister on October 30 Armen Liloyan
was appointed RA Consul General in Los Angeles.

Armen Liloyan has graduated from the Yerevan State University faculty
of oriental studies. He also studied in the London Diplomatic Academy.

Liloyan has been in the RA Foreign Ministry since 1995. He had
different posts in the European department of the structure. In
1998-2002 he has worked in the RA Embassy to Great Britain. Since
2002 he has been the head of the EU department of the European
administration of the RA Foreign Ministry.

RAMIL SAFAROV’S SENTENCE LIKELY TO BE DECLARED

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2006

On November 17 Hungarian court will hold court hearings on prison
officers’ claim against Ramil Safarov, Azerbaijani army officer, who
was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Armenian lieutenant
Gurgen Markarian in Hungary, Safarov’s lawyer Ikram Shirinov told
the APA.

Safarov’s family members and lawyers Ikram Shirinoiv and Elmar Kerimov
will participate in the hearings. Shirinov said that they will visit
Hungary on the first 10day of November. The lawyers said that Safarov
is expected to be sentenced on November 17. Hungarian lawyer Clara
Fisher will defend his rights on the case. The Azerbaijani lawyers
will meet with Safarov and Clara Fisher during the visit.

While being held in Hungarian prison in 2004, jailers wanted telephone
card from Ramil. But Ramil could not understand Hungarian which led
an incident between them. Eight police officers tied his hands and
used force. Though lawyers for the Azerbaijani lieutenant appealed to
court related to this matter, the court dismissed the appeal saying
there was no evidence. Then the opposite side claimed that Ramil
resisted officials.

Lragir, Armenia
Oct 27 2006

FOR THE FIRST TIME WE WILL SEE VERY IMPORTANT PROCESS IN THE
POLITICAL SPHERE

Aram Karapetyan, one of the leaders of the anti-criminal movement
stated October 26 that the movement is likely to hold hearings on the
economic monopolies in Armenia. Soon penitentiaries will appear
within the orbit of the practical interest of the anti-criminal
because there are worrying facts about their activities.

`I think there are several very important problems, which interest us
as well. Namely, we want to know about the situation in the
penitentiaries, there is information that many people are released on
orders. There is information that well-known criminals are released
early after forensic and psychological examinations,’ says Aram
Karapetyan.

Besides released criminals, the anti-criminal will also deal with the
criminals at large, of course, if it continues to consider Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan as a criminal. Aram Karapetyan announces
that they will inquire about how many people the prime minister gave
gift guns and whom he gave. `We would like to know how many these
are. We ask the police to provide this information to us, and we also
want to know how many of these guns were used. If there are cases of
murder, shooting, how many of them, and if it is true that he gave
500 gift guns. If it is true that he gave a gift gun to an
adolescent,’ says Aram Karapetyan.

He assured that the anti-criminal movement continues its activity,
everyone takes part. The leader of the Nor Zhamanakner Party says
that soon we will hear about interests things in the political sphere
and for the first time we will see a very important process. `The
opposition has not pursued such a process so far.’ According to Aram
Karapetyan, these are public hearings, round-table meetings replacing
the tactics of rallies, where clear professional evaluations are
given to all the questions.