Author: Nahapetian Samvel

EU TELLS TURKEY TIME IS RUNNING OUT OVER CYPRUS DISPUTE
Associated Press
Oct 16 2006
LUXEMBOURG The European Union and Turkey made little headway Monday
in resolving a stalemate over Ankara’s refusal to open its ports to
Cypriot planes and ships – a decision that the EU said could lead to
a break in Turkey’s membership talks.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn also criticized Turkey again
about the pace of its reforms, urging the country to “urgently” pass
laws, particularly on changing its penal code, which he said violated
European standards on human rights in freedom of expression.
Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja – whose country holds the
rotating EU presidency and who was chairing talks with Turkish Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul – said talks to keep on track entry negotiations
depended on compromise.
“It takes two to tango,” Tuomioja told reporters after the meeting,
adding that Gul and Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders had
welcomed a new initiative by Finland to try to resolve the standoff.
“That is a good prospect, because I think it is in no one’s interest,
not in any member state of the EU, or in Turkey’s interest that we
fail,” Tuomioja said.
The Finnish compromise offers to reduce restrictions on the Turkish-run
north of the island if Turkey in turn opened its ports to the Greek
Cypriots.
The proposal would open up the northern Cyprus seaport of Famagusta
to free trade with the EU. In return the Turkish side should hand
over control of the abandoned town of Varosha.
Both Greece and Cyprus, backed by other EU nations, have threatened to
block future talks if Ankara does not live up to an agreement signed
last year to extend its customs union with the Greek Cypriot part of
Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004.
Turkey has refused to accept Greek Cypriot shipments until an
international embargo against Turkish Cypriots in the north of the
Mediterranean island is lifted.
Failure by Turkey to implement the deal could lead to EU leaders
suspending talks with Ankara in December.
“The problem is still there,” German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter
Steinmeier said. “The continuation of the accession process hinges
on the question if Turkey is ready and capable of ratifying the …
(customs) protocol. Turkey is not ready to do this so far.”
Gul said his government would work to find a solution.
“We have from the very beginning adopted a very constructive approach,
and we will continue to be constructive, but we also have to remember
that it’s important that the two communities on the island also
approach the issue constructively,” Gul said.
Last week, Greece and Cyprus forced the EU to postpone the opening of
a new chapter of Turkey’s EU membership talks – on industrial policy –
until a solution to the customs dispute was found.
The dispute has also threatened ongoing efforts to reunite the two
sides of the island, which has been divided since Turkey invaded in
1974 after an attempted coup by supporters of union with Greece.
Turkey has no diplomatic relations with the island’s internationally
recognized Greek Cypriot government, and backs the breakaway Turkish
Cypriot republic in the north.
In 2004, Greek Cypriots voted against a U.N.-backed plan aimed at
reuniting the country on the eve of its entry into the EU, essentially
excluding the north from receiving EU benefits. Turkish Cypriots had
approved the reunification plan.
The EU’s enlargement chief chided Turkey on its slipping reform agenda,
and urged Gul to act urgently to change Article 301 of its penal
code – which sets out punishment for insulting the Turkish Republic,
its officials or “Turkishness.”
It has been used to press charges against dozens of authors,
journalists, publishers and scholars, including novelist Orhan Pamuk,
who won the Nobel literature prize last week.
EU officials have warned that the Turkish law violates EU human rights
standards and must be scrapped if Turkey wants to join.
“It should be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Rehn told Gul. “We
see that the best and surest way of erasing this serious problem is
either repealing or amending article 301.”
Meanwhile, Gul reiterated Turkey’s condemnation against a French
bill that would criminalize denying the WWI killings of Armenians
was genocide. The legislation still needs approval from the French
Senate and president before it becomes law.
“This has affected negatively the prestige of France as a country
where all thoughts and opinions can be freely expressed,” Gul said.
LUXEMBOURG The European Union and Turkey made little headway Monday
in resolving a stalemate over Ankara’s refusal to open its ports to
Cypriot planes and ships – a decision that the EU said could lead to
a break in Turkey’s membership talks.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn also criticized Turkey again
about the pace of its reforms, urging the country to “urgently” pass
laws, particularly on changing its penal code, which he said violated
European standards on human rights in freedom of expression.
Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja – whose country holds the
rotating EU presidency and who was chairing talks with Turkish Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul – said talks to keep on track entry negotiations
depended on compromise.
“It takes two to tango,” Tuomioja told reporters after the meeting,
adding that Gul and Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders had
welcomed a new initiative by Finland to try to resolve the standoff.
“That is a good prospect, because I think it is in no one’s interest,
not in any member state of the EU, or in Turkey’s interest that we
fail,” Tuomioja said.
The Finnish compromise offers to reduce restrictions on the Turkish-run
north of the island if Turkey in turn opened its ports to the Greek
Cypriots.
The proposal would open up the northern Cyprus seaport of Famagusta
to free trade with the EU. In return the Turkish side should hand
over control of the abandoned town of Varosha.
Both Greece and Cyprus, backed by other EU nations, have threatened to
block future talks if Ankara does not live up to an agreement signed
last year to extend its customs union with the Greek Cypriot part of
Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004.
Turkey has refused to accept Greek Cypriot shipments until an
international embargo against Turkish Cypriots in the north of the
Mediterranean island is lifted.
Failure by Turkey to implement the deal could lead to EU leaders
suspending talks with Ankara in December.
“The problem is still there,” German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter
Steinmeier said. “The continuation of the accession process hinges
on the question if Turkey is ready and capable of ratifying the …
(customs) protocol. Turkey is not ready to do this so far.”
Gul said his government would work to find a solution.
“We have from the very beginning adopted a very constructive approach,
and we will continue to be constructive, but we also have to remember
that it’s important that the two communities on the island also
approach the issue constructively,” Gul said.
Last week, Greece and Cyprus forced the EU to postpone the opening of
a new chapter of Turkey’s EU membership talks – on industrial policy –
until a solution to the customs dispute was found.
The dispute has also threatened ongoing efforts to reunite the two
sides of the island, which has been divided since Turkey invaded in
1974 after an attempted coup by supporters of union with Greece.
Turkey has no diplomatic relations with the island’s internationally
recognized Greek Cypriot government, and backs the breakaway Turkish
Cypriot republic in the north.
In 2004, Greek Cypriots voted against a U.N.-backed plan aimed at
reuniting the country on the eve of its entry into the EU, essentially
excluding the north from receiving EU benefits. Turkish Cypriots had
approved the reunification plan.
The EU’s enlargement chief chided Turkey on its slipping reform agenda,
and urged Gul to act urgently to change Article 301 of its penal
code – which sets out punishment for insulting the Turkish Republic,
its officials or “Turkishness.”
It has been used to press charges against dozens of authors,
journalists, publishers and scholars, including novelist Orhan Pamuk,
who won the Nobel literature prize last week.
EU officials have warned that the Turkish law violates EU human rights
standards and must be scrapped if Turkey wants to join.
“It should be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Rehn told Gul. “We
see that the best and surest way of erasing this serious problem is
either repealing or amending article 301.”
Meanwhile, Gul reiterated Turkey’s condemnation against a French
bill that would criminalize denying the WWI killings of Armenians
was genocide. The legislation still needs approval from the French
Senate and president before it becomes law.
“This has affected negatively the prestige of France as a country
where all thoughts and opinions can be freely expressed,” Gul said.

STORES SHUTTERS COME DOWN
By Zelis Yildiral, Istanbul
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 16 2006
In response to France’s proposed law to criminalize denial of an
Armenian genocide during World War I, some companies are closing
their stores.
Yesterday, most stores in the Taksim Square district that sell French
goods did not open.
Many foreign members of the United Brands Association (UBA), a
non-governmental organization of the Turkish retail sector, are
concerned about reaction to the bill and are taking extra precautions.
Boycotts of French products are spreading all over the country.
>From Istanbul and Izmit in the west, to Konya and Nevsehir in the east,
fresh protests continued. Shelves in a market in Erzurum were cleared
of French products and residents in Nigde, not content to leave it
at that, burnt their French products.
In many stores, once favored products are being returned or left on
the shelves after customers learn of their French origin.
The cosmetic sector is being especially affected as 80 percent of
cosmetic products sold on the market belong to French companies.
Shoppers are going right past shelves stacked with Vichy and Loreal
creams, shampoos and make-up products.
Long-time Loreal user Ayse Genc says, “I don’t know what France is
trying to do, but it’s hurting the friendship between two countries.”
Aysel Ordu says that from now on she is checking the label for French
origins, and adds “I’ve given up a French perfume I really like I’ve
been using for two years.”

Agence France Presse — English
October 13, 2006 Friday
Turkish PM decries EU double standards after French genocide vote
The EU is not in a position to “preach” to Turkey on human rights
after France’s move to block free speech with a bill making it a
crime to deny Armenians were victims of genocide, Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday.
“Those who are trying to preach to us should keep their advice for
themselves,” Erdogan said in a televised speech at a road
inauguration ceremony here.
“They should first rectify the backward step they have taken on
freedom of expression and then come to us,” he said.
France’s lower house of parliament infuriated Turkey on Thursday when
it approved a draft law that foresees up to one year in prison and a
fine for anyone who denies that the World War I massacres of
Armenians were genocide.
The bill still needs the approval of the Senate and the president to
take effect.
European Union pressure is mounting on Ankara to either scrap or
amend Article 301 of its penal code, which has landed a string of
intellectuals in the courts for “insulting Turkishness.”
Most cases, including one against novelist Orhan Pamuk who was
awarded the Nobel Literature Prize on Thursday, have resulted from
remarks the defendants made to contest the official line on the
Armenian massacres, which Ankara fiercely rejects amounted to
genocide.
The European Commission, the EU executive arm, also denounced the
French bill, saying that it “would prohibit the debate and the
dialogue which is necessary for reconciliation on the issue.”
Erdogan also advised citizens not to answer the call of several
consumer and business groups to boycott French goods.
“What are we going to earn or lose by boycotting goods?… We should
consider this carefully,” he said.
Erdogan pointed out that the 10 billion dollar (eight billioneuro)
bilateral trade between France and Turkey constituted only about 1.5
percent of France’s overall trade.
“We will act calmly,” he said. “The steps that need to be taken will
be taken by the government on all political platforms at home and
abroad.”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul had warned ahead of the vote that
French companies would be barred from major economic projects in
Turkey, notably a project to build a nuclear power plant.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Public Discussion of NKR Constitution Starting in Stepanakert
13.10.2006 17:28 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Issues of organization of the public discussion of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s draft Constitution were considered in
the course of working conference in the NKR National Assembly.
Chairman of the National Assembly Ashot Ghulian noted that on October
12 the draft Constitution was published in Azat Artsakh republican
newspaper with a circulation of several thousands of copies for public
discussion which is planned to realize till October 21. As a result of
an exchange of opinions the forms and means of delivery of the draft
document to all the settlements of the republic as well as the
mechanism of ensuring the process of getting possible remarks and
suggestions from citizens were defined, reported the NKR MFA press
office.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2006
AMERIA CJSC CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF
COMMERCIAL LAW IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. In the scope of the legal indicator
survey in the countries of the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development activity, Ameria CJSC conducts a research and evaluation
of the effectiveness of commercial law in Armenia, the press service
of the company reported.
Since 2004 Ameria has actively participated in the EBRD activities
with the objective to improve the legal environment in the countries
with transition economies.
The EBRD conducted surveys of laws on insolvency and corporate
management in 29 countries.
The Ameria experts carried out all these surveys and also the
activities on elaboration of concession and anti money-laundering
laws.
In this year the EBRD assesses the concession sector. The results
will be announced before the end of 2006.
Through the concession assessment project, the EBRD aims to
encourage, influence and provide guidance to governments, policy
makers and all those in charge of promoting new legislation for the
development of concessions-related legal reform in the region.
Through the concession assessment project, the EBRD aims to
encourage, influence and provide guidance to governments, policy
makers and all those in charge of promoting new legislation for the
development of concessions-related legal reform in the region.
Ameria is a group of professional services companies registered in
Armenia with the objective to provide a comprehensive package of
professional advisory and assurance services. Ameria specializes in
four major areas of professional activities: management advisory
services; assurance and advisory services; legal advisory services;
investment banking. Established in 1998, the company has become a
leader in the Armenian market of advisory services bringing an
international reach and local touch to complex issues rising in more
than 30 industry sectors. R.O. -0–

ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE ALSO CONDEMNS FRENCH DRAFT BILL
By Hakob Chakrian
AZG Armenian Daily
12/10/2006
According to a press release received yesterday, Mesrop II Moutafian,
Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, also condemned the French draft
bill that envisages punishment for a denial of the Armenian Genocide,
the CNN-Turk website and Turkish newspapers reported.
The message says that the Patriarch stated that one should be led
by the initiatives directed to unfolding dialogues and to mutual
understanding. He said that they couldn’t accept any initiative
that doesn’t attain this goal. Moutafian added that whatever are
their grounds, all the initiatives that limit the freedom of speech
will make harm to the dialogue between the Armenian and the Turkish
societies. As a result, both sides, will contribute to strengthening
of nationalistic forces, he said.

TURKISH PREMIER RESPONDS TO SARKOZY’S CONDITIONS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CLAIMS
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
Oct 9 2006
Ankara, 9 October: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
responded in return to French Interior and Regional Development
Minister Nicolas Sarkozy’s three conditions concerning the so-called
Armenian genocide.
According to sources, PM Erdogan called Sarkozy last week and indicated
that the French resolution which considers the denial of so-called
Armenian genocide a crime would harm the relations between the two
countries.
Erdogan also emphasized that such a resolution would not tally with
democracy and freedoms and that was unacceptable.
Upon Sarkozy’s three conditions suggesting that not only historians
should join the commission to be set up to investigate allegations of
so-called genocide, Turkey should annul Article 301 of the Penal Code
and Turkey should open its borders with Armenia, PM Erdogan stressed
that Turkey was the “open and transparent” party concerning this issue.
Erdogan also stated that Turkey could not get the necessary reaction
to its well-intentioned approach regarding the establishment of a
joint commission to investigate allegations of so-called genocide.
Stressing that Article 301 of the Penal Code had no connection with
this issue, Erdogan underscored that France ‘was not in a condition
to say a word’ to Turkey as a result of such suggestion considering
the denial of genocide allegations a crime.
“France is not in a condition to say a word to Turkey. It should
first look at itself,” PM Erdogan said.
Erdogan also indicated that Armenia should approach with well intention
as well upon Turkey’s well-intentioned approach concerning Sarkozy’s
suggestion on the border issue.

TURKISH INTELLECTUALS TRIED OVER ARMENIAN ISSUE SLAM FRENCH BILL
Agence France Presse — English
October 9, 2006 Monday
Six Turkish intellectuals prosecuted in the past for comments on the
Armenian massacre have condemned a French bill that would criminalise
any denial that the killings under the Ottoman Empire constitute
genocide, according to a press report Monday.
“Writing history is not the job of states or politicians,” said
novelist Elif Shafak, one of the authors quoted in Monday’s edition
of the liberal daily Radikal.
“I consider what is happening in France as a negative development
that leaves progressives and democrats in both France and Turkey in
a difficult situation,” wrote Shafak, who was recently acquitted of
“denigrating the national identity” in a novel dealing with the
1915-1917 massacres.
The bill, submitted by the French Socialist Party and apparently
backed by many governing conservatives as well, provides for up to
one year in jail and a 45,000-euro fine (57,000 dollars) for anyone
who says the killings were not genocide.
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, hit by one six-month suspended
sentence for his writings on the Armenian question and again on trial
for calling the killings genocide, said the bill was “stupid.”
“This type of law undermines any debate between Turks and Armenians,”
said Dink, edior of the bilingual Turkish Armenian weekly newspaper
Agos. “Turkish and Armenian people need to dialogue, to discuss their
common history.”
Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kin were slaughtered in
the dying days of the Ottoman Empire in a planned “genocide”. Turks
say massacres were committed on both sides during World War I and
categorically reject the genocide label.

E.U. COMMISSIONER REHN WARNS FRANCE: DRAFT WOULD HARM TURKEY – E.U. RELATIONS
Anatolian Times, Turkey
Oct 9 2006
BRUSSELS – EU commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn criticised
the draft legislation on the so called Armenian Genocide in French
Parliament and pointed out to the possible harm that will be caused
by steps taken to that end.
Expressing his views to the press, Rehn said “while the draft in
question was French parliament’s problem, it may however would lead
to serious problems in EU-Turkey relations”.
Rehn said he is worried about the possibility of adoption of the
draft legislation punishing those who didn’t acknowledge the so called
Armenian genocide, and said such a development would harm the dialogue
between Turkey and EU.
Rehn also warned that if the draft was to be put to vote it would
block all the debate about the Armenian issue and would jeopardise
the steps taken towards freedom of thought in Turkey.
Rehn, in his remarks, also referred to his recent visit to Turkey and
pointed out that the Turkish public believe what France was trying
to do was in complete opposition with France’s approach to freedom of
thought in Turkey and France itself was harming freedom of expression.
Rehn called on the French MPs to fulfill their responsibilities and
said “I’m asking French parliamentarians to consider the possible
consequences of this draft. Our aim is to deal with this problem within
a serious framework of discussion. I believe French parliamentarians
will act responsibly”.

OSKANIAN AND MAMMADYAROV TO MEET IN PARIS
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.10.2006 12:37 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During their talks in Moscow the Armenian and Azeri
FMs agreed to continue the consultations over the Nagorno Karabakh
settlement. As reported by the Azeri MFA, the next Oskanian-Mammadyarov
meeting will be held in Paris October 24, reports Day.az. We remind
that the meeting of the Ministers followed after their meeting with
Russian FM S. Lavrov. Both Oskanian and Mammadyarov met with Lavrov
privately and the Russian diplomat called the talks with each minister
productive.