Author: Tadevosian Garnik

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 14 2009

Ministry authorizes 70 probes under revised Article 301

Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin has said his ministry has
allowed prosecutors to open 70 investigations over alleged violations
of the infamous Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) since the
article was amended last May.

In response to a parliamentary inquiry recently submitted by
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Manisa deputy Erkan Akçay,
Şahin said: "Since last May, the Justice Ministry has allowed
prosecutors to probe 70 cases regarding 301. We have denied
authorization for probes into 403 other cases since May. A total of
113 cases are currently under consideration."

The EU had previously been highly critical of Turkey for not amending
Article 301, under which a number of intellectuals and activists have
landed in court for "insulting Turkishness." In a previous annual
progress report, the European Commission proposed not opening
accession talks on one of the 35 negotiating chapters for EU accession
until Turkey amended or repealed the article. But a recent amendment
to the infamous article has improved the situation.

One of the changes to Article 301, which previously criminalized
"insulting Turkishness" and has long been seen as an obstacle to
freedom of speech in Turkey, made it obligatory for prosecutors to
secure approval from the Justice Ministry before launching cases on
301-related charges. The amendment was adopted in May of last year. In
the past, the article in question had been repeatedly challenged,
particularly with respect to the charges filed against Turkish Nobel
laureate Orhan Pamuk and Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who
was assassinated in 2007.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pledged yesterday
that works for a civilian constitution would re-start soon after the
local elections, slated for March 29. Upon a question directed by a
university student over when the government would save the country
from the "coup Constitution", Erdoğan replied "in April." The
prime minister’s words came as he was preparing to board a plane for
eastern Sivas province. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK
Party) started to work on a new and purely civilian constitution to
replace the one currently in place, which was prepared after a coup in
1980, but the Turkish nation’s high hopes for improved democratic
rights were dashed by a court case filed for the disbandment of the
governing party.

14 February 2009, Saturday
TODAY’S ZAMAN WITH WIRES İSTANBUL

Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:34:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: ANKARA: Gul In Moscow With Energy Top Item On His Agenda

GUL IN MOSCOW WITH ENERGY TOP ITEM ON HIS AGENDA

Today’s Zaman
Feb 13 2009
Turkey

Defining energy cooperation as the most important item in bilateral
relations between Russia and Turkey, President Abdullah Gul said
yesterday he would seek to diversify the ongoing cooperation in the
field of energy during his talks with senior Russian leaders in Moscow.

"All kinds of opportunities of cooperation on the energy issue will
be reviewed during the visit," Gul told reporters yesterday, ahead of
his departure for the Russian capital for a four-day official visit,
while he voiced willingness to get involved in new pipeline projects
with Russia for the transportation of natural gas and oil. This is
the first visit by Gul, a former foreign minister, to Moscow with
his presidential title.

His visit comes after last month’s row between Russia and Ukraine over
natural gas prices that cut Russian gas supplies and raised questions
about the security of Russia’s trans-Balkan pipeline that feeds parts
of Europe.

Relations between Turkey and Russia, its largest trading partner,
have been rocky at times, especially after last year’s war between
Georgia and Russia, but Ankara will look to the Kremlin to boost gas
supplies to relieve chronic gas shortages and turn the country into
the energy hub it seeks to be.

European Union candidate Turkey has tried to make good on its location
between Europe and some of the world’s largest energy reserves to
boost its importance as a transit country for energy supplies headed
to Europe.

Energy hub status, Ankara argues, would give Turkey the right to
charge higher fees for supplies that cross its territory.

Gul was also asked whether he would discuss ongoing problems that
Turkish truck drivers have faced at Russian customs. "We have a
multidimensional and strengthened relationship with Russia, and we’re
pleased to see this relationship improving. When relations are wide
and complex to this extent, then problems will naturally occur. These
are technical problems. We’ll have the opportunity of removing these
at the highest-level meetings," Gul said in response.

Turkey and Russia agreed last year in September to simplify customs
procedures for Turkish goods at a time when the two countries faced
serious trade problems that emerged after Russia began to impose
tougher inspections on Turkish trucks at border crossings. Gul and
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, who will accompany the president during
the visit, will have meetings to discuss a wide range of issues,
including the developments in the Caucasus, bilateral relations between
Turkey and Armenia, the recent war in Gaza, other developments in
the Middle East and recent changes in American politics following
the election of Barack Obama as president, as well as cooperation in
combating terrorism.

ISSUES OF COOPERATION IN DIFFERENT SPHERES INCLUDED IN THE FIRST SESSION OF ARMENIAN-TURKMEN INTER GOVERNMENTAL ECONOMIC COMMISSION
Feb 12, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: First session of Armenian-Turkmen
inter-governmental joint economic commission kicked off February 11
in Ashkhabad.

Press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told Armenpress that
issues which involve trade-economic, energy, health care, education,
air communication, culture, humanitarian and other spheres and are
of mutual interest for the two countries have been included in the
agenda of the session.

Armenia takes part in the first session of the commission with an
extended delegation which is headed by Armenian Energy and Natural
Resources Minister, co-chairman of Armenian-Turkmen inter-governmental
joint economic commission Armen Movsisian. The co-chairman of the
Turkmen side is the vice prime minister Khdr Saparliev.

Before the session kicked off the co chairman of the Armenian side
of the commission Armen Movsisian was received by Turkmen President
Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov. During the meeting issues concerning
different spheres of Armenian-Turkmen mutually beneficial cooperation
have been discussed and the importance of further development of
relations of the two states and the existing notable potential of
cooperation has been stressed.

Armenian ambassador to Turkmenistan Vladimir Badalian also took part
in the meeting.

The meetings of A. Movsisian and representatives of different
spheres of the Armenian delegation with Turkmen vice prime ministers
Kh. Saparliev, T. Tagiev, M. Yazmuhammedova, Turkmen Energy Minister
Ya. Orazguliev as well as the head of Turkmen Central Bank and
authorities of the state airline are also planned with the agenda of
Armenian-Turkmen inter-governmental joint economic commission.

The first session of Armenian-Turkmen inter-governmental joint economic
commission will end its works today on February 12.

ETHNIC ARMENIANS KILLED IN MOSCOW OBLAST

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.02.2009 15:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ethnic Armenians, mother and son, died from numerous
knife wounds in Moscow oblast on Wednesday night, Interfax reports.

According to a source in the regional police, a 50-year-old woman
and her 12-year-old son were hospitalized in Safonovo village. Both
died later.

A criminal case was initiated. No details are furnished.

EU TO INCREASE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AMOUNT TO ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.02.2009 17:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ EU political and security committee held Armenia-EU
political consultations on Thursday.

The Armenian delegation was led by Armenia’s representative to the
European Union, Ambassador to Benelux states Vigen Chitechyan.

Attaching importance to the measures meant to normalize the internal
political situation, the European side expressed willingness to
assist the reform process in the republic and increase the amount of
financial aid.

European Commission expert mission will arrive in Yerevan to study
possibilities to seal an agreement on free trade between Armenia and
the EU.

The sides also referred to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
process on the basis of OSCE MG Madrid proposals and discussed the
ways to normalize the Armenian-Turkish relations.

TAMARA FRUIT TO BE GRANTED $3.4 MILLION BUDGET GUARANTEE

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.02.2009 17:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Tamara Fruit Armenian company has requested the
Armenian government for a $3.4 million budget guarantee, RA Minister
of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan said during a government sitting today.

"Such a guarantee will secure some 120 job opportunities and purchase
of 3 tons of organic substance, thus ensuring export of its output
to the amount of 8,6 – 8,8 billion AMD.

Tamara Fruit, which possesses international certificates, will be
able to export production to international markets where prices are
by 40%-50% higher than in Armenia.

Tamara Fruit was founded in 2002. It specializes in freezing
vegetables, fruits and berries. It also produces juices, jam and
vegetable cans.

"ART EXPO": ARMENIAN CULTURE PRESENTED AS IT IS

Panorama.am
17:20 11/02/2009

On 13-14 February "Art Expo" exhibition will be conducted in the
painters’ union of Armenia. Armenian culture will be presented in the
exhibition; in particular the best cultural projects of 2008, cinema
art, theatre, music, cultural projects, presented in the international
cultural exhibitions, said Gayane Durgaryan, the head of the public
relations department of the Ministry of Culture to Panorama.am.

"Armenian culture will be presented as it is in the exhibition,"
she said. In the frames of the exhibition presentation of cultural
web sites will be conducted.

VARDAN BOSTANJYAN DOES NOT EXPECT A DOUBLE-DIGIT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ARMENIA THIS YEAR

armradio.am
10.02.2009 12:50

Although it was planned to ensure an 8-10% economic growth by 2010,
the predictions will, probably, not come true because of the global
economic crisis.

Referring to the calculation of specialists, member of the Prosperous
Armenia Party faction, MP Vardan Bostanjyan told a press conference
today that, most probably, a 6% growth will be registered in 2009. "In
2009 we will have a very strained situation. There will, certainly,
be difficulties, but not insurmountable ones," Bostanjyan predicted.

The MP noted that Prosperous Armenia has no anti-crisis program,
with which it could help the Government. According to Vardan
Bostanjyan, it’s incorrect for everyone to present himself as a
savior. Consolidation of political forces is needed in a difficult
situation, he said.

As for the rumors about the meeting of the Prosperous Armenia Party
and particularly the predictions that the party is going to cast
a vote of no confidence in the Government, Vardan Bostanjyan said:
"I reject the rumors because it is something artificially thought
out by people who dislike the state. The Prosperous Armenia Party
has never had such an approach and will never have."

RUSSIAN GOVT TO SUPPORT ARMENIA WITH $500 MILLION LOAN

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
February 10, 2009 Tuesday 12:35 PM EET

The Russian government has signed a preliminary agreement to provide
a 15-year U.S. $500 million "stabilization" loan to the Armenian
government, Armenia’s Finance Ministry said Tuesday.

The loan has a 4-year grace period, the ministry said.

TURKISH FM REJECTS THIRD SIDE INTERVENTION IN ARMENIA TALKS

Feb 10 2009
Turkey

Babacan said talks with Armenia included the events of 1915, asking
for support to the dialogue between Turkey and Armenia.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Monday any intervention by
a third party into Turkey’s ongoing talks with Armenia would prove
counterproductive.

"The dialogue between our two countries aims at normalizing
all bilateral relations and we make progress to that end in each
contact. And I do not believe that the intervention of other countries
would be constructive," Babacan told a joint press meeting with
visiting Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin in Ankara.

Babacan said talks with Armenia included the events of 1915, asking
for support to the dialogue between Turkey and Armenia.

"As we conduct such important talks all should avoid moves that would
damage this process," Babacan said.

The Turkish foreign minister said he discussed with his Ethiopian
counterpart recent developments in Somalia, and problems in Sudan
and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Babacan said Turkish parliament was set to discuss on Tuesday a
government motion to deploy naval forces to the Gulf of Aden.

Visiting foreign minister said on his part that Ethiopia welcomed
Turkish businesspeople investing in his country, adding that Turkey
had established good relations with African countries.