Author: Nargizian David

TURKEY DETERMINED TO PURGE ITS GLADIO

Today’s Zaman
Jan 24 2008
Turkey

The suspects arrested in police raids as part of the Ergenekon
operation Tuesday were taken to the hospital for a routine physical
check-up on Wednesday.

The prime minister has said a police inquiry resulting in the arrest
of dozens of people, including ex-army officers and lawyers, shows the
determination of Turkey to bring an end to state and military-linked
gangs.

The suspects have not been charged, but analysts agree that the 33
detained on Tuesday suspected of membership in a nationalist group,
calling themselves Ergenekon, are part of a shadowy network that
masterminded many attacks in Turkey.

The discovery is not the first of its kind. In the past two years,
the country’s security forces unearthed a number of clandestine
gangs countrywide. These groups, known to the public by such names
as Atabeyler, Sauna and Umraniye, or Ergenekon — the latest one to
be brought to light — have tried to create chaos in the country at
crucial times such as last year’s presidential election. However,
despite the fact that all these organizations were uncovered, with
many of their members being discovered, no significant punishment
has yet been imposed on the members of these gangs.

These gangs are apparently linked to a clandestine phenomenon that
functions similarly to Operation Gladio — a post-World War II NATO
operation structured as "stay-behind" paramilitary organizations,
with the official aim of countering a possible Soviet invasion through
sabotage and clandestine operations. In fact, many analysts believe
such networks of groups in Turkey today, sometimes referred to as the
"deep state," are remnants of the Turkish leg of the actual Gladio.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan on Wednesday praised the security
forces for the recent operations, speaking to the members of the
press after a meeting with the Turkish Tradesmen’s and Artisans’
Confederation (TESK). He said his government has been fighting gangs
and organized crime with resolve. "This has been ongoing for four
to five years. In addition to our security forces there is also a
process that the judiciary has been conducting. This is something we
are happy about. This last incident concerning such crimes has shown
in the clearest way that the executive branch and the judiciary are
working in a wonderful solidarity," he stated.

"All democrats in Turkey have been looking forward to this sort
of action by the government … Everybody is now hoping something
will happen but people remain very suspicious," said Cengiz Aktar,
a professor at Ýstanbul’s Bahceþehir University, to Reuters.

"This is a very important test for the government, they will be
judged by this … If these people [are guilty and] are convicted,
it will be very good for Turkish democracy as well as for our efforts
to join the European Union," Reuters quoted Aktar as saying.

Ergenekon members trying to take power in their own hands

Aykut Cengiz Engin, Ýstanbul’s chief prosecutor, in a written
statement announced that earlier bans on reporting about the
investigation remained in place. However, all Turkish newspapers,
with the exception of a few ultra-nationalist ones, covered the
operation nevertheless. "Never gone this deep before," read Yeni
Þafak’s headline yesterday. "The state takes on the deep state,"
Sabah said in one of its headlines. "A deep blow to a deep gang," said
Star. "Operation against coup supporters," said Radikal, highlighting
the military ties of the group.

The nationalist gang is suspected of involvement in a number of
violent attacks, including the killing of an Italian priest in 2006,
the assassination of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink and the murder
of three Christians in the city of Malatya last year.

The suspects were detained in Ýstanbul and other regions in dawn
raids Tuesday, the culmination of an eight-month operation, the police
said. The police have been observing the actions of the suspects for
over eight months as part of an investigation into a house full of
explosives and ammunition found in Ýstanbul’s Umraniye district eight
months ago.

Meanwhile, four more people were taken into custody in the
southeastern city of Diyarbakýr in the afternoon yesterday as part
of the same operation. Among the four, at least two are members of
the ultra-nationalist Association for the Union of Patriotic Forces
(VKGB), whose leaders are already under arrest facing several charges
for crimes from theft and felony to blackmail and extortion.

Engin’s statement said until Tuesday’s detentions, 15 people had
been arrested as part of the Umraniye operation, which was launched
on June 12, when an arms depot was found in the district. He said
all 15 were arrested facing charges of "establishing and running an
armed terrorist organization," "membership in this organization,"
"conspiring to encourage military member for not obeying orders,"
"acquiring information on state security," "possession of a serious
amount of dangerous guns and ammunition" and "being in possession
of explosives."

The suspects of Ergenekon

Engin’s statement also listed the names of the 33 people taken into
custody. The suspects include Veli Kucuk, a retired major general
who is also the alleged founder of an illegal intelligence unit
in the gendarmerie, the existence of which is denied by officials;
the controversial ultranationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, who filed
countless suits against Turkish writers and intellectuals who were at
odds with Turkey’s official policies; Fikret Karadað, a retired army
colonel; Sevgi Erenerol, the press spokesperson for a group called
the Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate; Guler Komurcu, a columnist for
the Akþam daily; and Sami Hoþtan, a key figure in an investigation
launched after a car accident in 1996 near the small town of Susurluk
that uncovered links between a police chief, a convicted fugitive who
was an ultranationalist and a deputy. Ali Yasak, a well-known gangster
linked to the figures in the Susurluk incident, was also detained in
the operation. Fuat Turgut, the lawyer of a key suspect in the Hrant
Dink murder, was also taken into custody. Police said Turgut, who was
detained in another town on Tuesday, was brought to Ýstanbul yesterday.

The chief prosecutor said earlier court orders on the Umraniye probe
have classified the case as "confidential" and issued a press ban on
coverage of the investigation. He cited two different court’s decisions
from June 15 and June 21. He said care shown in regards to abiding by
the confidentiality decision and the press ban on the investigation is
"necessary for the proper conducting of the investigation."

Also on Wednesday, the police conducted searches at the office of
attorney Kerincsiz and the office of the Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate
as well as at several other places related to the suspects.

The operation also revealed that the Ergenekon gang was preparing for
attacks and assassinations directed at political figures. Documents
obtained by the police during the raid confirm that in the past two
years the group seriously considered assassinating Osman Baydemir,
a member of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) who is
currently mayor of the mainly Kurdish southeastern province Diyarbakýr.

DTP refuses state protection

Meanwhile, the recent operation showed that many DTP members who
had been offered private bodyguards by the state, including former
DTP leader Ahmet Turk, Ýstanbul deputy Sebahat Tuncel and Diyarbakýr
Mayor Baydemir, had refused 24-hour body guards assigned to them by
the police force.

When asked about the situation, Turk said he was not worried. "I
believe in fate." He noted that he was aware of assassination attempts
against him, but said he was not afraid. On the recent operations,
Turk said it was very important that members of the Ergenekon gang
were captured, but he warned that the suspects could be "protected"
by some powers, which is usually the case with criminals that have
links to the military. "It is necessary for democracy and law that
there is a crackdown on these organizations. I hope that all these
organizations will be exposed with determination," Turk said.

–Boundary_(ID_Gi9z8YNJQDS/H1FgU1C8Uw)–

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY’S COOPERATION WITH CSTO AND NATO CONTINUED IN 2007

ARKA News Agency
Jan 21 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, January 21. /ARKA/. Armenian Defense Ministry continued
cooperating with CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization),
NATO and other partners in 2007, Armenian Defense Minister Michael
Harutyunyan said in his report summarizing results of 2007 and
outlining 2008 prospects.

The report points out that Armenia continued effective cooperation
with Russia in 2007.

According to the report, Armenia took part in strengthening
international security organizations – Commonwealth of Independent
States and Collective Security Treaty Organization.

The cooperation within CSTO was focused on making joint efforts to
resist new challenges and risks and taking joint steps to combat
terrorism.

The report also points out cooperation with NATO, an organization
ensuring European security within 26+1 formula.

The ministry’s goals and ways to reach them within NATO’s Individual
Partnership program (IPAP) were outlined in the report as well.

The report says representatives of Armenian armed forces took part
in about 100 NATO-staged events in 2007.

Ten agreements were signed that year as a result of this cooperation.

`It is difficult but children grow up Armenians’

19-01-2008 16:13:50 – KarabakhOpen

Armond Takhmuzyan went to Karabakh from Iran in 1999. `I wanted to come
to Karabakh earlier but I had problems with my passport. At last they
permitted me, I arrived here and realized that there is plenty of hard
work,’ Armond told us.

He was late for our meeting because he had to stand in line for water
from the source. In winter water freezes inside pipes in the house
where Armond’s family lives, in summer there is little water in the
river, and again they have to carry water from the source.

Nevertheless, Armond, his wife Artemis and two children stay in
Karabakh.

Armond met his future wife Artemis in 2000 who first visited Karabakh
from Australia in 1993 together with Lady Cox.

`I am a jeweler. In 2001 we opened the shop of souvenirs Nreni in
Stepanakert. We have decided to enlarge our business. I don’t have much
money, but our friends promised to help with investments. We bought
land in front of the shop and decided to build a building and set up a
travel information center. My family will live on the first floor, we
will let the other rooms. Our partners will arrive here in summer, for
the rest of the year we will let rooms. We will donate the income,’
Armond says, showing the plan of the future hotel.

`We honor the law. Perhaps everyone knows that we did not come here to
earn money. Frankly speaking, we were never checked or fined. Although
I should note that administration is too rigid. Too much bureaucracy.
It is apparently the Soviet heritage. As well as the fact that people
are used to cheating the government. Bureaucracy is a nest for bribers.
These things may disappear if the country becomes richer,’ Armond says
full of hope.

`Tax administration could have been different. For instance, as soon as
the tax service discovers a mistake, it immediately fines. I don’t
think it is the right way. First it is necessary to warn about the
mistake and fine in case it repeats,’ Artemis says.

`In our country it was different. When I worked in Iran, at the end of
each month the bank sent us an envelope with bills. We only paid the
bills. In case of problems, there are special offices you can turn to.
Karabakh is undergoing transition, but it is too slow. We don’t want to
be a burden for anyone. On the contrary, we are trying to relieve
others’ burden. Intelligent people come here. They must have an
opportunity to live and work,’ Armond says.

`It is difficult but children grow up Armenians,’ Artemis adds.

PEOPLE’S PARTY OF ARMENIA SHARES EX-PRESIDENT’S APPROACHES

ARMENPRESS
Jan 18, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS: Stepan Demirchian, chairman of an
opposition People’s Party of Armenia, said today despite a set of
differences between his party’s approaches to resolving some key
issues and those spelled out in Ter-Petrosian’s election manifesto,
his party will support ex-president’s presidential bid.

Demirchian told a news conference today that apart from these
difference there is also a lot that connects his party and
Ter-Petrosian’s supporters, for example, Ter-Petrosian’s vision of
how to improve relations with neighbors, how to enhance higher birth
rates and resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Demirchian said many members of his party, including his deputy Grigor
Harutunian are involved in campaign offices of the former president
and will be campaigning for him once the official start is given.

Stepan Demirchian said he is sure that the main battle for presidency
will be between Ter-Petrosian and prime minister Serzh Sarkisian.

OSKANIAN: BRUTALITY, IMPUNITY, VIOLENCE OF HRANT DINK’S MURDER SERVES SEVERAL POLITICAL ENDS

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.01.2008 15:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the
assassination of Hrant Dink, Editor of the weekly Agos newspaper of
Istanbul, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian wrote an opinion
piece, at the request of the Agos newspaper. The piece appeared in
the Thursday, January 17 edition of Agos in Armenian and in Turkish,
and in English in the Turkish daily newspaper Today’s Zaman.

"I can confess that I have lived two deep and unforgettable shocks
during my years in this office – once in 1999 when the stability of
Armenia was threatened by gunmen and the second time last year when
I received the call that Hrant Dink had been assassinated. Both were
attacks not on men, but on ideas and values.

"Hrant’s murder was an assault at democratic state-building of the
Turkish state. His murderers took aim at his vision of a Turkey that
allowed free speech, that tolerated open discourse, and that embraced
its minority citizens, like himself.

"We miss Hrant. He would come to Armenia a couple of times a year. In
September 2006, when he spoke at the third Armenia Diaspora Conference,
his message was that as members of the European family, Turkey and
Armenia would have normal relations, because even the unwilling in
Turkey would be induced to find a way to dialogue. That was music to
our ears, echoing as it did our own wishes.

"He also addressed the "International Conference on the 90th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide" we held in Yerevan in April,
2005. Everyone respected his ardent, reasoned plea for dialogue, for
distinguishing between today’s Turkish Republic and the perpetrators
of atrocities nearly 100 years ago. He recounted passionately how he
had explained to Turkish authorities that Armenians are looking for
their roots – the same roots which the Ottoman Empire slashed when
it attempted to completely eradicate a people and tear it away from
its home, its culture and its traditions.

"Each time he came to Yerevan, we would find a few minutes to talk. It
was important that I hear from him about the mood in Turkey. Hrant was
the right person to ask, because he was not just an Armenian living in
Turkey. He was proud of both his identities – Turkish and Armenian –
and was insulted and angered that while trying to reconcile them he
was accused of ‘insulting Turkishness’.

"When he was first charged under Article 301 for ‘insulting
Turkishness’, I asked whether it would help if I wrote a letter or
spoke publicly. He responded confidently. "My thanks and gratitude,
but right now, I’m all I need. So help me God, I’m going to take my
struggle and my rights all the way to the end."

"Later, he wondered how "On the one hand, they call for dialogue
with Armenia and Armenians, on the other hand they want to condemn
or neutralize their own citizen who is working for dialogue."

"Hrant Dink was candid and courageous, but not naive.

Still, he could not have predicted this kind of ‘neutralization’. His
honest and brave voice was silenced. Worse, some saw in this
assassination a clear message that the danger they face lies deeper
than a mere judicial conviction.

"This message is just one of the dividends that this killing offered
those who contributed to the fanatical nationalist environment which
colors Turkish politics in and out of Turkey. The brutality, the
impunity, the violence of Hrant’s murder serves several political
ends. First, it makes Turkey less interesting for Europe, which is
exactly what some in the Turkish establishment want. Second, it scares
away Armenians and other minorities in Turkey, from pursuing their
civil and human rights. Third, it scares those bold Turks who are
beginning to explore these complicated, sensitive subjects in earnest.

"In Armenia, we have insisted for more than a decade, that although
we are the victims of historical injustice, and although we are
on the other side of a border that Turkey has kept closed, we are
prepared at any time for dialogue with our neighbor on any subject,
so long as there are normal relations between us, so long as this
last closed border in Europe is opened, so long as someone on the
other side wants to talk. We are ready.

"A year ago, we were moved by the outpouring of fundamental, human
grief at all levels of Turkish society, especially by those who have
been scared by the demonstration of such violence on the part of an
adolescent, and seen it for what it is – the continuation of hatred
and enmity into the next generation.

"Hrant Dink’s family, his colleagues at and around Agos, his friends
in Armenia and in Turkey, will find some comfort knowing that today
and tomorrow, Hrant will be remembered – by Armenians, who share his
vision of understanding and harmony among peoples, and by Turks, who
share his dream of living in peace with neighbors and with history,"
the Minister wrote.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2008

Talks on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Take Place Constructively
14.01.08 21:32

Azerbaijan, Baku, 14 January /corr. Trend K.Ramazanova / The recent
talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement took place
constructively, the US Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew
Bryza, briefed the media on 14 January.

`It is possible to come to an agreement. We should exchange our views
with collages from Yerevan for this purpose,’ he said.

According to him, Azerbaijan has its own wishes and it is normal.

In addition, he said that the proposals made in Madrid have aspects
dissatisfying Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, both sides should come
to any compromise. According to him, signing any documents depends on
the presidents.

Bryza said that he can not predict whether Azerbaijan will accept the
pack of proposals made in Madrid. `We, as co-chairs, work on this
issue and establish a bridge between the sides,’ he said.

`I think that the sides will accept the document, but we should
improve it,’ the US co-chair said. According to him, it is very fair
proposal and supports balance between the two countries.

As regards to the elections in Armenia, Bryza said that the elections
do not mean completion of the process, the talks will be continuing.

‘Heritage’ party representative is sure that the party’s working style
is required by the public

2008-01-13 18:16:00

ArmInfo. "Heritage" party’s election campaign in the recent
parliamentary election and the results it achieved are evidence that
our working style is required", Secretary of the opposition "Heritage"
faction Stepan Safaryan told AmrInfo correspondent.

According to him, the application of new working methods aims at
bringing some changes to the country’s political life rather than at
being distinguished from others. And former inventions, the old style
cannot lead to changes. "It’s natural that one has to adopt new
tactics. Ultimately, active ties between the candidates and voters, and
accountability in front of the society are very essential for us.
During the parliamentary election process many praised "Heritage"
because we don’t use gross language but we speak about our tasks. In
this context even if there are counter occurrences in the political
life, it doesn’t mean that these politicians will have success, but on
the contrary. The presidential candidate who develops his/her election
campaign competently will have great success", S. Safaryan said.

ARMENPRESS

YEREVAN SUBWAY TO EXTEND TO AJAPNYAK DISTRICT

YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: Prime minister
Serzh Sarkisian took a stroll yesterday around the
Yerevan subway, spoke to its chief executives and
employees and discussed ways to boost its
effectiveness.
Among plans of the subway is extension of the line
to Ajapnyak district, but according to estimates,
construction of 1 km long subway tunnel’s cost is
about $12 million. Another $6 million will be required
for construction of the terminal station.
Prime minister Serzh Sarkisian said this plan is
quite feasible. He said he will discuss this issue at
the nearest government session. Overall some $16
million are needed to build a new line to Ajapnyak.
Average wages of subway’s workers are 65,000 Drams
(a little over $200). Sarkisian said an expected rise
would make the average wage 100,000 Drams.
The Yerevan Underground system was launched in
1981. It runs on a 13.4 km (8.37 miles) line and
currently services 10 active stations.

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 11 2008

PACE Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh to Hold Meeting
11.01.08 20:09

Azerbaijan, Baku, 11 January /corr Trend I.Alizade / The next meeting
of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh will take place at
the end of January in Strasburg. `The meeting is planned to focus on
the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh and the visit of Ad Hoc
Committee’s members to the region,’ Samad Seyidov, the Head of the
Azerbaijani delegation to the PACE, Chairman of Azerbaijan
Parliament’s Commission for International and Inter-Parliamentary
Relations, reported to Trend on 11 January.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in
1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since
1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement which ended
the active hostilities. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (
Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful
negotiations.

In 2005 the PACE passed Resolution No 1416 regarding Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. The Resolution highlights the fact of occupation of the
Azerbaijani lands by Armenia. The Resolution says that non-settlement
of the conflict presents serious threats. The control on
implementation of the PACE Resolution is made by the PACE Ad Hoc
Committee for Nagorno-Karabakh. The members of the Committee headed
by British parliamentarian Lord Russell Johnston are expected to
visit the region.

According to Seyidov, Johnston is expected to visit Azerbaijan on 25
February. ` Azerbaijan does not oppose the visit of the Committee
members to Azerbaijan. If the members of the Committee are willing to
visit Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan does not protest against it, but
provided that they will go to Nagorno-Karabakh via the Azerbaijan
territory because Nagorno-Karabakh is the territory of Azerbaijan.
The representatives of the international organizations visited
Abkhazia and South Osetia via the Georgian territory of and
Pridnestrov via the Moldovian territory of. Why should
Nagorno-Karabakh be excluded?’ Seyidov said.

According to him, Azerbaijan is prepared to create the conditions for
the Committee’s members to visit Nagorno-Karabakh.

TRILINGUALISM FLOURISHES IN MONTREAL
Cheryl Cornacchia

Montreal Gazette
[email protected]
Jan 8 2008
Canada

While widespread bilingualism remains an unattained goal in the rest of
Canada, in Montreal, the level of trilingualism has jumped yet again.

In 2006, the number of people in the Greater Montreal area able to
converse in both of Canada’s official languages plus another language,
increased to 18 per cent up from 16.5 per cent in 2001.

About 660,000 Montrealers know three languages, according to Jack
Jedwab, the Montreal researcher who conducted the study that looks
at trilingualism in 10 selected Canadian cities.

"It’s good news all around," said Jedwab, an executive director of
the Association for Canadian Studies in Montreal.

When it comes to language proficiency, Jedwab said, Montrealers far
surpass those living in the nine other cities analyzed as part of
the study.

Montreal is not only one of North America’s most cosmopolitan cities
but also one of the most linguistically gifted, he said.

"The message for the rest of the country," he added is that "where
there is a will, there is a way."

At 10.5 per cent and 10.2 per cent of their population, respectively,
Toronto and Ottawa came the closest to Montreal for trilingual
speakers. At 1.2 per cent, Halifax had the fewest number of trilingual
speakers.

Jedwab who teaches a course entitled Canada’s Official Language
Minorities: History and Demography at McGill University’s Institute
for the Study of Canada, analyzed 2006 Canadian census data, released
last month, to arrive at the linguistic portrait.

The study also found that in Montreal Armenians (77 per cent),
followed by Italians (72.3 per cent) and, then, the Dutch (71.9 per
cent) were the three most bilingual of the city’s allophone groups.

The least bilingual of the city’s allophone groups, unable to speak
either of Canada’s official languages, were Cantonese (21 per cent),
Cambodian (15.5 per cent) and Punjabi (15.3 per cent).

Hagop Boulgarian, principal of l’Ecole Armenien Sourp Hagop, a
675-student private elementary/secondary school in Montreal said the
findings about his ethnic group didn’t surprise him.

With genocide and a diaspora in his people’s history, Boulgarian said,
learning new languages – and fast – has been an important survival
tool for Armenians in general, not only the 25,000 living in the
Greater Montreal region.

Aloisio Mulas, acting director of the Picai Institute of Montreal,
which is devoted to the promotion of Italian culture and language,
said Italians in Montreal have shared that passion for speaking French
and English.

However, he said, attendance in Italian language classes at the
institute have been falling over the past decade. Some families after
a generation or two in the city, he said, become less concerned about
ensuring their children keep up their Italian language skills.

Denise De Haan Veilleux, a cultural attache at the Consulate General
of the Netherlands in Montreal said she is pleased but not surprised
to see that so many Dutch living in Montreal are multilingual.

In Holland, she said, children must study two languages, English and
French or German when they reach high school.

"It’s just something you do," said De Hann Veilleux. "The attitude
towards other languages is very different.

"It’s no big deal" added the 47-year-old francophone, who grew up in
Quebec City and learned English and Dutch only after she married and
moved abroad for various postings.

With the family now back in Canada, she said, her 20-year-old son
studying at McGill University and a 13-year-old daughter are lucky
to be able to speak French, English, Dutch, German and Arabic.

"It’s like a present you give them as children," she said. "They
don’t have to learn as adults."