Author: nina hovnanian

FLOTTILLE : LES PAYSANS TURCS DONNERONT LA REPONSE NECESSAIRE A ISRAEL
[email protected]

armenews.com
mercredi 14 septembre 2011

TURQUIE

Le ministre turc de l’Agriculture Mehdi Eker a estime jeudi que le
secteur agricole turc saurait donner “la reponse necessaire” a Israël,
vise par des mesures de retorsion turques en raison de son refus de
s’excuser pour un raid meurtrier contre un ferry turc en 2010.

Interroge par des journaliste lors d’une foire agricole a Ankara
sur d’eventuelles sanctions contre Israël dans le domaine de
l’agroalimentaire, M. Eker a souligne que l’Etat turc n’avait “aucun
commerce avec Israël dans le secteur”, a rapporte l’agence de presse
Anatolie.

“En revanche, les agriculteurs, les exportateurs et les semenciers
turcs feront attention a l’attitude d’Israël et donneront la reponse
necessaire”, a poursuivi le ministre, cite par Anatolie.

M. Eker a indique que les entreprises turques avaient exporte des
produits agricoles pour un montant de 180 a 190 millions de dollars
en 2010, pour des importations quatre a cinq fois moindres.

“Par consequent, nous ne sommes en aucun cas dans une situation de
dependance (a l’egard d’Israël), ni pour les semences ni pour aucun
autre produit”, a-t-il souligne.

La Turquie a annonce la semaine dernière l’expulsion de l’ambassadeur
d’Israël a Ankara ainsi que le gel des contrats militaires entre les
deux pays jadis allies strategiques, pour sanctionner l’Etat hebreu.

Celui-ci refuse de presenter ses excuses et de lever le blocus autour
de Gaza, conditions exprimees par Ankara pour une normalisation des
relations bilaterales après l’assaut donne le 31 mai 2010 par des
commandos israeliens contre un convoi humanitaire a destination de
Gaza, au cours duquel neuf Turcs ont peri.

RESTITUTION DES BIENS DES MINORITES : UNE REVOLUTION ECONOMIQUE
[email protected]

armenews.com
mercredi 14 septembre 2011

TURQUIE

Un ancien fonctionnaire de l’Administration de la Privatisation
(OIB) a declare qu’une decision de restitution de tous les biens
immobiliers confisques appartenant a des fondations de minorite est
une revolution economique revolutionnaire qui devrait garantir le
droit de propriete dans un pays qui aspire a devenir l’une des dix
plus puissantes economies du monde en 2023, l’annee de son centenaire.

Ecrivant dans le quotidien Sabah, l’ex president de l’OIB Suleyman
Yasar a souligne que l’expropriation de tous les immeubles il y
a plus de quarante ans a provoque un recul de l’economie. “Il est
indispensable de garantir le droit de propriete si l’on veut une
croissance rapide de l’economie du pays”, a-t-il ecrit lundi. “Le
decret du parti [ ?] de la Justice et du Developpement AKP aura dès
a present sa place comme une revolution dans l’histoire economique
[de la Turquie] “, a-t-il ajoute.

Le decret issu de la decision du gouvernement de l’AKP a ete
publie dans la Gazette Officielle ce samedi et est devenu de ce fait
applicable. En consequence, les fondations de minorite auront le droit
de reclamer la restitution du patrimoine qu’ils avaient declare en
1936 Tous les biens fonciers, les cimetières et les fontaines seront
rendus a leur proprietaire legal. Les biens immeubles appartenant
actuellement a des tiers feront l’objet d’une compensation. Les
fondations de minorite devront deposer leur dossier auprès des
autorites truques dans les douze mois pour recuperer ce qui leur
appartenait il y a des decennies.

“C’est une première dans l’histoire de la Republique Turque et un
changement très significatif”, a dit Kezban Hatemi, une avocate
specialisee dans les droits des minorites, au cours d’une precedente
conversation avec le journal. “C’est le retablissement d’un droit. Ce
changement est une clause du traite de Lausanne qui est a meme de
faire se considerer nos citoyens non-musulmans comme des citoyens
egaux en Turquie”, a-elle-dit egalement dimanche.

La confiscation des biens des fondations de minorite remonte aux
premières annees de la Republique de Turquie, alors qu’il etait
gouverne par un parti unique, dans un regime non democratique. La loi
sur les Fondations de 1936, connue sous le nom de declaration de 1936,
avait force toutes les fondations a soumettre une liste de leurs biens
immobiliers. Et parce qu’il n’y avait aucune disposition prevue après
la chute de l’empire ottoman autorisant ces fondations a posseder des
biens, le Directorat General des Fondations avait exproprie tous les
biens immobiliers acquis après 1936.

La population en majorite musulmane de Turquie qui compte 73 millions
de personnes, comporte près de 65 000 Chretiens Armeniens orthodoxes,
23 000 Juifs et moins de 2 500 Grecs orthodoxes.

Arabaslik “La previsibilite du droit et revision des notations

D’après Yasar, la plus forte contribution au changement dans le domaine
economique de ce gouvernement, est qu’il fera de ce pays un pays de
droit ; il y gagnera en previsibilite vis-a-vis des investisseurs
etrangers qui veulent tirer profit de la rapide croissance de
l’economie turque. ” C’est aussi une decision qui appelle une
reevaluation immediate de la notation des agences de notation ” ,
dit Yasar.

Les trois principales agences d’evaluation des taux placent la
Turquie dans le camp des pays dans lesquels il ne faut pas investir,
auxquels on fait egalement reference comme a haut risque, mais avec
des perspectives solides pour une augmentation des taux dans un futur
proche. Moody evalue la fiabilite de la Turquie en Ba2, deux crans en
dessous de l’evaluation vis-a-vis de l’investissement, avec une note
positive dans l’ensemble. La note de Standard & Poor est equivalente
a BB+, juste un cran en dessous son evaluation en investissement.

Le parti AKP du premier ministre Recep Erdogan est au pouvoir depuis
la fin de 2002 e, ayant gagne les elections du 12 juin, restera au
pouvoir pendant encore quatre annees. Les 8 annees precedentes de
règne de l’AKP, ont apporte une baisse en Turquie de l’inflation,
du deficit du budget et du chômage, tout en ameliorant la croissance
de l’economie. Le deficit actuel de la balance des transactions
courantes de la Turquie, par contre, a fait un bond a 8% de sa
production interieure brute (PIB) parce que les industries de la
Turquie ont echoue dans leurs efforts vers une moindre dependance
envers les biens de consommation etrangers, et parce que les prix du
petrole et du gaz naturel ont augmente considerablement.

Selon certains, ce deficit est la cause du rejet par les agences de
notation du passage de la classification en pays souverain a celle de
pays favorable a l’investissement, en depit de ses reussites au cours
des dix dernières annees. D’autres, parmi lesquels Yasar, pensent
que les decisions de ces agences sont fondees sur des considerations
politiques et que leurs analyses techniques sont biaisees.

ToDay’s Zaman

29 août 2011

Traduction et note de Gilbert Beguian

Cette mesure en apparence vertueuse pose plus de questions qu’elle
en resout. Pourquoi la Turquie satisfait-elle a une disposition du
Traite de Lausanne, qu’elle violait depuis près d’un siècle ? Pourquoi
limiter la restitution aux biens confisques après 1936 ? Pourquoi
ce delai relativement court de 12 mois au-dela duquel, probablement,
les dossiers ne seront plus admis ?

En inversant une decision prise par ses inspirateurs, intolerable en
droit international, le regime actuel cherche visiblement a donner
au monde une certaine image.

LES REVELATIONS DE WIKILEAKS EMBARRASSENT LES HOMMES POLITIQUES
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armenews.com
mercredi 14 septembre 2011

ARMENIE

Le president du Parlement, Hovik Abrahamian, a exhorte les politiciens
armeniens, mardi, d’etre ,plus discrets lors de leurs conversations
privees, faisant reference aux divulgations embarrassantes de dossiers
diplomatiques par Wikileaks.

” À la lumière de toutes les revelations de WikiLeaks [lies a
l’Armenie], je tiens a avertir certains politiciens que leurs
conversations privees peuvent etre accessibles au public “, a declare
Abrahamian.

” Par consequent, je les exhorte de moderer leurs propos “, a-t-il dit.

Wikileaks a diffuse ces derniers mois des informations confidentielles
envoyees a Washington par les diplomates americains a Erevan. Certains
d’entre eux citent des representants du gouvernement armenien,
pro-gouvernementaux, des politiciens de l’opposition ainsi que
des hommes d’affaires qui font des commentaires d’une franchise
inhabituelle sur les questions de politique interieure et etrangère.

D’après l’une des informations, Abrahamian a attaque le Premier
ministre Tigran Sarkissian en 2009 pour ses efforts en matière de
reforme avec Joseph Pennington, l’ancien adjoint americain chef de
mission en armenien.

L’orateur armenien a nie cette information : ” Je n’ai jamais rencontre
ce vice-ambassadeur americain, a-t- il affirme.Cette conversation
n’a donc pas eu lieu. ”

Abrahamian, qui a de vastes interets commerciaux, a servi le
vice-premier ministre avant d’etre elu President du Parlement il y
a trois ans. Son poids politique est suppose avoir diminue depuis lors.

ARMENIAN WRESTLERS IN WORLD GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Panorama
Sept 13 2011
Armenia

On September 12 World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship kicked off in
Istanbul. The delegates from 107 countries compete to be qualified for
the best 1-6 places which will serve as ticket to London Olympic Games.

Armenian National Olympic Committee reports Armenian wrestlers Roman
Amoyan (55kg), Arman Adikyan (66kg) and Artur Aleksanyan (96kg) had
the chance to perform their skills but, regretfully, they missed it.

Today three of our wrestlers Vahan Juharyan (60kg), Artur Shahinyan
(84kg) and Yuri Patrikeev will compete. And Arsen Julfalakyan (74kg)
will perform his skills on September 14.

NEW POLITICAL MANEUVERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
By Beril Dedeoglu

Today’s Zaman
Sept 13 2011
Turkey

One particular point in Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
latest statement on the Mavi Marmara incident was very interesting
and aroused a number of questions.

We already know that one of the nine people killed on board was
an American citizen of Turkish origin. The Turkish prime minister
declared that he had once asked US President Barack Obama why his
administration has been so silent about the killing of a US citizen.

It would appear that Obama did not provide a convincing answer.

It gives the impression that if someone of Turkish origin is killed
by the Israeli armed forces, then the US will not call the killers
to account. At a time when nationalist rhetoric is growing stronger
in Turkey because of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) terrorist
attacks and ongoing tension with Israel, this kind of information
turns Turkish public opinion to perceive the “enemy front” as wider
than it actually is. Many people already believe that Israel will do
everything possible to destabilize Turkey, making use of the PKK,
Armenia and the Greek Cypriot government. Additionally, people now
believe that the US will assist Israel, at least by remaining silent.

Nevertheless, the tension between Turkey and Israel is a comprehensive
process of restructuring global power balances and is not simply
bilateral animosity.

The US is criticized in many parts of the world because of its
special ties with Israel. This is one of the main reasons why the
US is seen as an untrustworthy partner by the Middle East. This
perception is harmful to US-Israeli relations, too. The US is really
having difficulty reassuring its other allies, and it is crucial
for the US to establish a fair and solid dialogue with new rulers
in the region — especially in Egypt. The US is trying to preserve
its old influence and to limit the actions of third parties. However,
as the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo proves, it is uncertain
whether the voice of the US will prevail in the region, at least as
easily as it used to. That is why the Israeli attitude does not only
inflict isolation upon itself but also limits the capability of the
US to politically maneuver within the region.

The narrowing maneuverability of the US in the Middle East will
probably be cited as one of President Obama’s foreign policy failures
and will be exploited in his opponents’ election campaigns. What is
noteworthy is that none of Obama’s challengers have discussed peace,
cooperation or democracy. These people, who follow a warmongering
principle, will likely support Israel’s efforts in every contingency.

They see only one way to extend the country’s room to maneuver:
by fighting.

However, it is not a given that American or Israeli citizens will
accept further conflict and tensions. Furthermore, no actor is capable
of dictating the future of the region alone, and even the cooperation
of two players will not lend sufficient influence to shape upcoming
developments. In other words, US-Israeli cooperation will not be
enough to avoid new tensions; larger cooperation will be necessary.

The apology Turkey expects from Israel is the key that will open the
way for Israel to be included in these new cooperation efforts.

However, Turkey and the US must preserve their cooperation with their
other partners as well. Americans must demand of their administration
why it has not protected the rights of one of their fellow citizens.

Israel must reassess the situation in Gaza, and Turkey must act
with moderation when it comes to military measures in the eastern
Mediterranean. Politics must serve the resolution of problems and
not add to them; the purpose of diplomacy is to manage crises, not
to create new ones. The chance to use these valuable instruments
still exists.

OSCE CONCERNS OVER SITUATION ON ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI CONTACT LINE

Trend
Sept 13 2011
Azerbaijan

The OSCE is concerned over the situation on the contact line between
Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces, Director of the OSCE Conflict
Prevention Center Adam Kobieracki said in an interview with the
Moskovskie Novosti newspaper.

“Over 20 incidents occurred in 2011 which have resulted in death.

Reports of civilian casualties have caused particular concern,”
he said.

Kobieracki said during his visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan that he
urged the sides to remove snipers from the contact zone.

“I regret that the parties have not yet fulfilled the agreement
achieved in Sochi in 2011 regarding the investigation of incidents
along the ceasefire line. I believe it is very important to keep
pressure on both sides. Therefore, I welcome the Russian president’s
personal participation in promoting negotiations between Azerbaijan
and Armenia,” he said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and its
surrounding regions.

ARMENIA TRIES TO SECURE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

The Messenger
Sept 13 2011
Georgia

Armenia has elaborated new programs for further securing its energy
independence. In particular, it wants to increase the network of small
hydro electric power stations. This plan is essential for the country
which lacks either oil or gas resources. So far, Armenia’s energy
industry depends much on natural gas imported from Russia via Georgia.

If Georgia decides to sell the north-south gas pipeline running from
Russia to Armenia, Azerbaijan could become a potential buyer and this
would be a serious threat to Armenia’s energy security. The country
therefore wants to safeguard its energy supplies. The Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline is providing sufficient gas to Armenia currently.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND THE THIRD AMENDMENT

Concurring Opinions
September 13, 2011 Tuesday 4:47 PM EST

As Tom Bell has noted, the Third Amendment gets no respect. It is
as likely to be mentioned by comedians as by courts, and holds a
position of honor among the odd clauses of the Constitution, where
it is so infrequently used that even non-uses draw attention. But
this neglected amendment has one potential application today, where
it could play an important role in a somewhat high-profile case.

I’m talking, of course, about the Armenian genocide litigation.

Here’s a snippet from a recent story in the Armenian Weekly (with
emphasis added):

In July, Armenian American attorneys sued the Republic of Turkey and
its two major banks, seeking compensation for confiscated properties
and loss of income. A new federal lawsuit was filed last week by
attorneys Vartkes Yeghiayan, Kathryn Lee Boyd, and David Schwarcz,
along with international law expert Michael Bazyler, against the
Republic of Turkey, the Central Bank, and the Ziraat Bank for
“unlawful expropriation and unjust enrichment.” The plaintiffs are
Los Angeles-area residents Rita Mahdessian and Anais Haroutunian,
and Alex Bakalian of Washington, D.C. The three Armenian Americans,
who have deeds proving ownership of properties stolen from their
families during the genocide, are seeking compensation for 122 acres
of land in the Adana region. The strategic Incirlik U.S. Air Base is
partly located on their property.

That’s right. Armenian-Americans are seeking to recover property seized
by Turkey during the Armenian genocide. And significant portions of
that land are currently used to quarter American troops.

The Third Amendment mandates that, “No Soldier shall, in time of
peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner,
nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.” Does
the Incirlik Air Base violate this provision? (Notably, Turkey has
ignored the lawsuit, resulting in a default judgment in favor of the
Armenian-American claimants.)

Based on my extensive reading in Third Amendment law [fn1], I think
the case may indeed raise Third Amendment claims – but mostly, it
brings up a complicated set of follow-up questions.

First, does the Third Amendment apply extraterritorially? This is
outside of my expertise. I wonder if Boumediene would apply here. Is
the U.S. air base enough control to extend Bill of Rights protections?

Second, what is the effect of the owners’ absence when the air base
was built? I don’t think that homeowners need to be living in a home at
the time of quartering for the amendment to apply. (On a related note,
the Engblom court notes that the Third Amendment does not require fee
simple ownership.) Presumably, the Third Amendment would give rights
to refugees who flee their homes, and return to find them occupied
by troops. However, other complicating factors here – particularly
the passage of time – may bar claims.

And third, if there is a Third Amendment violation, what is the
remedy? The amendment text itself doesn’t specify. Bell argues that
the implied remedy for Third Amendment violations is similar to the
Takings clause, and might include “recompense for any lost value that
they could have exchanged on the market were it not for the government
having seized their property, including the rental value of their homes
and the value of any property stolen or destroyed.” However, Bell also
notes that it “does not appear that the victims of quartering could
recover for what may be their most grievous injuries: being forced
onto the street, seeing strangers occupy and ransack their houses,
and homesickness.”

At the very least, a Third Amendment claim would give
Armenian-Americans a claim not just against an unresponsive defendant
(Turkey) but also against the United States. This in turn could create
additional U.S. pressure on Turkey to provide reparations to Armenians,
or even to return the land in question.

All of which would be a welcome development for Armenian-Americans –
and a big win for the Third Amendment.

(Hat tip to my colleague Chris Guzelian for discussion which prompted
this post.)

FAMILY VIOLENCE WAS EVER-PRESENT IN ARMENIA, BUT IT IS MORE OPENLY DISCUSSED ONLY NOW – PSYCHOLOGIST

news.am
Sept 12 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – There was always family violence in Armenia, it has not
grown, and, simply, it is more openly discussed now, psychologist
Samvel Khudoyan stated during a press conference on Monday.

According to him, the high level of family violence in Armenia is
conditioned by the intellectual level of the family members.

Playwright Karine Khodikyan likewise believes this has to do with
the individual’s level of intelligence.

The psychologist is convinced that organizations fighting against
family violence and the media, which could contribute to the formation
of correct system of values, must work hard toward reducing family
violence.

PROBLEMATIC APPROACH TO HERON UAVS
by Lale Kemal

Sunday’s Zaman
Sept 12 2011
Turkey

Turkish dependence on critical foreign defense technology, mainly
manufactured in the United States and Israel, is not new.

Though Turkey in 2004 initiated a policy to reduce dependence on
foreign technologies, it will take a long period of time for this
NATO member country to domestically produce certain technology that
will allow it to operate its systems independently, without being
affected by strained ties with third parties.

Ankara has long been dependant on US military technology but faced
embargoes imposed by the US Congress as a result of Turkey’s poor
human rights record as well as its strained ties with both Greece
and Armenia. Those strained ties have been used by strong Greek and
Armenian lobbies to force the US Congress to adopt negative policy
measures towards Turkey.

In order to bypass the US Congress, Turkey and Israel back in
1996 forged ties and started military cooperation with the US
administration’s consent. Since then, Turkey and Israel have
engaged in close cooperation in the development of defense technology.

But this relationship has always benefitted Israel more than Turkey
since the country has not sought, in a parallel move, to strengthen
its defense industry base by developing its own military technology.

Therefore, Turkey’s dependence on critical foreign military
technology shifted from the US to Israel.

In addition, Turkish contracts awarded to Israel have been mired in
controversy due to allegations of corruption as well as claims that
the financial costs of the contracts with Israel exceeded the actual
worth of the projects. But the media making such allegations have
been silenced by the military.

When Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week accused
Israel of failing to meet its obligations with regard to defense deals,
saying it had not returned six Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
Heron unmanned aerial vehicles that were in Israel for maintenance,
Turkey’s dependence resurfaced.

Once close military partners, Turkish-Israeli ties have further
deteriorated following the release of a United Nations report two
weeks ago on the killing of nine Turks (one of them Turkish-American)
during an Israeli raid on a flotilla bound for the Israeli-blockaded
Gaza Strip in May 2010. The UN report accused Israel of using excessive
force yet describes Israel’s blockade of Gaza as legitimate.

Turkey said it does not recognize the report.

Turkey announced on Sept. 2 that it was expelling Israel’s
ambassador and other senior diplomats while freezing defense industry
trade with this country. Hinting at creating a possible military
confrontation with Israel, Erdogan said last week that the Turkish
navy will increase its presence in and surveillance of the eastern
Mediterranean.

Turkey purchased 10 Heron UAVs, totaling some $183 million, with
deliveries in 2010.

“Israelis are not loyal to agreements with Turkey’s defense
industry,” Erdogan said. “There might be problems, you
may not be speaking to each other, but you have to fulfill your
responsibility under international agreements.”

The Heron incident and the complaints made by Erdogan reminded us
once again that dependence on third parties for critical technology
deeply affects the dependant country’s room for maneuvering in
advancing its policy goals.

UAVs are important in Turkey’s currently intensified fight against
the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). But UAVs alone cannot
be the determining factor in the application of military means in the
fight against the PKK as it needs an integrated military and political
strategy. Needless to say, this is another topic that should be dealt
with separately.

The underlying problem concerning the latest debate over Turkish
accusations that Israel did not return some UAVs sent back to Israel
for maintenance in a timely manner has been the persistent Turkish
failure to learn its lesson from past mistakes over the negative
repercussions of being heavily dependant on foreign military as well
as civilian technology.

A recent Turkish trial of naval and civilian bureaucrat suspects on
charges of selling military secrets abroad reminded us of another
aspect of the Turkish handling of its defense industry sector. On
the one hand Turkey has been lagging far behind many countries in the
development of critical arms technology despite the fact that it has
still been earmarking large amounts of resources for military expenses,
including arms purchases. On the other hand the absence of strict
civilian control over Turkish arms procurement procedures makes the
covert domestic development of arms vulnerable to leaks. The suspects
are accused of selling, or being on the verge of selling, sensitive
information on a large number of security projects to unspecified
foreign intelligence services.

Why don’t the nation’s political parties and Parliament have
anything to say in regard to this appalling situation arising from
Turkey’s dependency on foreign military technology? Why does the
government not take action?

Not a single word has been uttered by the opposition, either, in the
face of the alleged selling of Turkish secret projects abroad. The
indifference of elected politicians to these grave developments is
not acceptable.