Author: Toneyan Mark

BIA, Turkey
Feb 22 2009

UNESCO: 15 Languages Endangered in Turkey

According to the Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger published by
UNESCO prior to 21 February, International Mother Language Day, 15
languages are endangered in Turkey, and Turkey is doing nothing to
save them.

Bıa news centre – Paris 22-02-2009

Tolga KORKUT – [email protected]

21 February, International Mother Language Day, has been marked with
the publication of a new edition of the "Atlas of the World’s
Languages in Danger". The United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has published an interactive digital
Atlas based on information collected by over 30 linguists.

The degree of danger that languages face has been expressed in five
different categories:

-unsafe
-definitely endangered
-severely endangered
-critically endangered
-extinct
-Many languages affected

A staggering total of 2,500 languages is affected, a large percentage
of the 6,700 languages spoken today. Of these 2,500, around 230 have
been extinct since the 1950s. As for Turkey, the atlas says that 15
languages are endangered, and three more are extinct.

Fifteen endangered, three extinct in Turkey

Four languages in Turkey were categorised as unsafe: Zazaki, Abkhaz,
Adyge, and Kabard-Cherkes.

Definitely endangered are: Abaza, Homshetsma, Laz, Pontus Greek,
Romani, Suret (a language similar to Assyrian) and Western Armenian.

Three languages are severely endangered: Gagavuz, a language spoken
mostly in Moldova and by a diaspora in Turkey, Assyrian and Ladino,
the language spoken by the Sephardic Jewish community in Turkey.

One more language is critically endangered: Hértevin, a
language that used to be spoken in the province of Siirt in the
southeast of Turkey. In 1999, there were 1,000 speakers left.

The UNESCO Atlas says that three languages have become extinct in
Turkey. Cappadocian Greek is extinct in Turkey and critically
endangered worldwide. A language called Mlahso, which was spoken in
the Lice district of Diyarbakır became extinct when its last
speaker died in 1995. A language called Ubykh was lost with the death
of its last registered speaker in 1992.

Factors affecting language vitality
In order to measure the danger a language is in, UNESCOuses nine criteria:

-Absolute number of speakers
-Intergenerational language transmission
-Community members’ attitude towards their own language
-Shifts in domains of language use
-Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policies,
including official status and use
-Type and quality of documentation
-Response to new domains and media
-Availability of materials for language education and literacy
-Proportion of speakers within the total population

UNESCO runs safeguarding projects for languages in different
countries, working towards strengthening the use of languages in
culture, education, communication and science. However, no such
language protection programmes are run in Turkey.

How can a language be prevented from disappearing?
As UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura stressed, `The
death of a language leads to the disappearance of many forms of
intangible cultural heritage, especially the invaluable heritage of
traditions and oral expressions of the community that spoke it ` from
poems and legends to proverbs and jokes. The loss of languages is also
detrimental to humanity’s grasp of biodiversity, as they transmit much
knowledge about the nature and the universe.’

Thus it is important to protect languages. According to UNESCO’s
website,

"The most important thing that can be done to keep a language from
disappearing is to create favourable conditions for its speakers to
speak the language and teach it to their children. This often requires
national policies that recognize and protect minority languages,
education systems that promote mother-tongue instruction, and creative
collaboration between community members and linguists to develop a
writing system and introduce formal instruction in the language."

"Since the most crucial factor is the attitude of the speaker
community toward its own language, it is essential to create a social
and political environment that encourages multilingualism and respect
for minority languages so that speaking such a language is an asset
rather than a liability. Some languages now have so few speakers that
they cannot be maintained, but linguists can, if the community so
wishes, record as much of the language as possible so that it does not
disappear without a trace."

Readers interested in some of the many languages spoken in Turkey are
referred to the links on mother languages in Turkey to the right of
this article. (TK/AG)

0.7% annual GDP decrease in Jan 2009

YEREVAN, February 20. /ARKA/. This January Armenia’s GDP reached 99.3%
of last January’s level ` an annual decrease of 0.7%.

Head of the RA Statistical Service Stepan Mnatsakanyan reported that
the GDP exceeded 132bln AMD this January, the GDP deflator being 99.7%.
This January, the GDP was 37.2% of GDP last December, he said.

`We already have a number of indices affected by the global economic
crisis, especially in the industrial sector,’ Mnatsakanyan said.

He also said that the crisis affected the financial sector,
particularly the balance of bank accounts of the population.

`Last year we registered a rise in this index. However, over the last
few months, monthly decrease has been obvious though the credit
investments have shown a general increase,’ Mnatsakanyan said.

In fact, judging by initial and other indicators, the impact of the
crisis on individual sector is obvious.
4,169bln AMD GDP growth has been budgeted in Armenia this year, the
budgeted real GDP growth being 9.2%, deflator 4% and inflation rate 4%
(±1.5%) ($1/305.41 AMD). `0–

FIVE IRAQI CITIZENS WITH "FALSE" ARMENIAN PASSPORTS DETAINED IN GEORGIA

Georgian Public Television Channel 1
Feb 19 2009
Georgia

Tbilisi, 19 February: Georgia has detained five Iraqi citizens for
attempting to enter the country with fake passports. The Georgian
Interior Ministry said that they flew into Tbilisi from Yerevan and
were planning to travel to Brazil via the Netherlands. Georgian police
said that prior to arriving in Tbilisi, the Iraqis had contacted
Merab Chelidze, the head of the Georgian Pilots’ Association, who
promised to help them cross the Georgian border without impediment
in exchange for 4,000 euros.

Chelidze has been arrested, as have the Iraqis, who stand accused of
illegally crossing the border. A criminal case has been opened and
an investigation is under way.

[In a statement on the matter published on the Georgian Interior
Ministry’s website, police said the Iraqi citizens had presented
"false" Armenian passports.]

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF GEORGIA PAYS AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Feb 18 2009
Georgia

On 20-21 February 2009 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol
Vashadze will pay an official visit to the Republic of Armenia.

The Georgian Foreign Minister will hold meetings with President of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. Talks in
an enlarged format will be held with Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard
Nalbandyan. Following the meeting the two Ministers will hold a joint
press conference.

In the framework of the visit Minister Vashadze will visit the Museum
of Genocide Victims and lay a wreath on the Memorial of Genocide
Victims.

OBAMA DISCUSSES ARMENIA WITH TURKISH OFFICIALS

ArmInfo
2009-02-17 12:25:00

ArmInfo. U.S. President Barack Obama called Turkish President
Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and had two "warm
and productive" conversations, the White House said late on Monday,
Turkish media reported.

According to the statements issued by the White House, Gul’s office
and Erdogan’s office Obama and Turkish officials discussed Middle East,
including Iraq and Iran, Afghanistan and Armenia.

"The president emphasized the importance of the United States alliance
with Turkey and said he looks forward to working with both President
Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan on a broad agenda of mutual strategic
interest," the White House said adding, Obama emphasized his desire
to strengthen U.S.-Turkish relations and to work together effectively
in NATO.

Gul’s office said prior to the White House’s statement Obama had
praised Turkey’s leadership in the regional issues. The two leaders
also "re-affirmed the will to work together, reviewing regional as
well as international issues," Gul’s office added.

Gul told the US president that a legislation that would recognize
the Armenian claims regarding the 1915 incidents should not be put
before the Congress.

The issue of 1915 incidents was high on the agenda of Obama-Erdogan
discussion. The Obama administration is seen as the most pro-Armenian
administration in Washington. Obama, Biden and Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton pledged to recognize Armenian claims on 1915 incidents,
which is a major concern in Turkey.

Erdogan underlined the importance of the strategic
cooperation. "Turkey’s stance on policies regarding the Middle East
and Armenia is clear. America’s fair and impartial approach (to these
issues) is important in order to prevent any damage to the bilateral
relations," Erdogan was quoted as telling to Obama.

The US President welcomed the recent restored dialogue between Turkey
and Armenia, signaling under the existing circumstances he would
refrain from taking any step that would harm these efforts.

Turkey and Armenia had restored dialogue, an important step to
normalize the relations that would eventually result in the opening
of the border between two neighboring countries. Turkey closed its
border and cut its diplomatic relations with Armenia in a protest to
Armenian occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory.

"I would like to say that your leadership is vital in the Middle East
peace process and America always understands Turkey’s sensitivities,"
Erdogan’s office quoted Obama as telling the Turkish prime minister.

The statement said Obama expressed willingness to work with Turkey
in many issues such as maintaining peace in the Middle East, ending
PKK terrorism and relations with Armenia.

GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT ARMENIA

Trend News Agency
Feb 16 2009
Azerbaijan

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze will visit Armenia on
Feb. 20-21, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister David Jalaganiya said
at a briefing on Feb. 16.

Vashadze will meet with the Armenian president, prime minister,
foreign minister and parliamentary speaker.

The meetings will focus on issues of bilateral interest.

Armenia is expected to discuss several churches in Tbilisi whose
ownership is disputed by the Georgian Orthodox Church and Armenian
Apostolic Church.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT TO BE SOLVED, IF ARMENIA TO RESPECT TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLE: Aliyev

Trend News Agency
Feb 16 2009
Azerbaijan

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved, if Armenia will respect
the principle of territorial integrity, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev said after the meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias.

"The principle of territorial integrity secured in international law
must be observed so that to resolve the conflict. I think that if
Armenia is to respect this principle, the issue would be resolved,"
ITAR-TASS quoted Aliyev as saying.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

IRAQI CHURCH LEADERS MEET IN BEIRUT (LEBANON)

The World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches had
jointly organized a meeting in Beirut from 9-11 February 2009. The meeting
was held at Fetaa conference center and a representative of the Armenian
Catholicostae of Cilicia also attended the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Christian presence in Iraq and the
need to strengthen the churches and their institutions. Christians in Iraq
suffered both during the war and the events after the end of the war. At the
end of the meeting, the Church Leaders visited His Holines Aram I at his
headquarters at the Catholicosate and shared with him their recommendations.
After welcoming his guests, the Catholicos said: "Our Catholicosate is home
for all Christians because we believe that through prayers, cooperation and
continuous dialogue will serve best our people and the people of Iraq. He
then made a retrospective review with the Church Leaders of the efforts of
the World Council of Churches while he was the Moderator, and those of the
Middle East Council of Churches most recently, as one of its Presidents. He
encouraged the Churches in Iraq to respond with one voice and one position
to the situation in their country, and enter into dialogue with their Muslim
co-citizens with renewed understanding of post war Iraqi society.

At the end of the meeting, His Holiness Aram I briefed the Church Leaders of
his conversation with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVIth on this matter,
during his visit to Vatican in November 2008, and assured them of the
continued support of the Middle East Council of Churches.

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos357.htm#3
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

Tigran Balayan: Speaking about Karabakh deal premature

armradio.am
14.02.2009 13:48

In an interview with the Voice of America US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group Matthew Bryza said the parties were close to working out an
agreement on the Artsakh issue, which was to derive from the principle
of territorial integrity. According to Bryza, the agreement should
include the principles of the right to self-determination and non-use
of force. Asked to comment on the statement, Head of Media Relations
Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran Balayan said:

`It’s not clear what the objective of that statement is, but it creates
an impression that such a comment could be made only to disturb the
negotiation process underway on the basis of the Madrid Proposals.
These proposals are based on three equal principles of international
law ` non-application of force or threat of force, right to
self-determination and territorial integrity.

The Armenian side has been repeatedly stating that the pivotal issue of
the conflict is the recognition and realization of the right of
Artsakhi people to self-determination.

Today the negotiations focus on the principles of settlement, but no
agreement has been reached on them at this point, and speaking about an
agreement is still premature.’

A1+

NCTR FURTHER STEPS DEPEND ON CC DECISION
[05:31 pm] 13 February, 2009

`A1+’s case wouldn’t have reached the European Court of Human Rights
and a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human
Rights wouldn’t have been registered if Armenian judicial instances
had demanded the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR) to
ground for the denial of licences to A1+ in seven tenders for
broadcasting tenders,’ says the President of `Forum’ legal center,
A1+’s Advocate Tigran Ter-Yesayan.

On February 13 the Court of Cassation heard the appeal of Meltex Ltd
against the National Commission on Television and Radio.

To remind, in its decision of July, 2008, the European Court
questioned the lawfulness of seven frequency tenders announced by the
(NCTR) and demands to ground for the denial of A1+’s application.

Meltex Ltd had motioned the Cassation Court to review February 27,
2004, and April 23, 2004, decisions of the CC Chamber on Civil and
Economic Cases. The motion was based on new circumstances,
particularly on a June 17, 2008, decision of the European Court which
registered a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on
Human Rights.

Meltex Ltd has set three demands to the Cassation Court. Firstly, the
Company demands the Court to recognise that the Company’s right of
information dissemination has been breached. Secondly, the Company the
Court should nullify the NCTR decisions of denying A1+’s bids for 25,
31, 39, 51 and 63 frequency tenders. Finally, according to Advocate
Ara Ghazaryan, the Court should make the NCTR announce a tender for
the aforesaid frequencies in the territory of Yerevan.

While studying A1+’s claims, Chief Justice Arman Mkrtumyan cited an
extract from the EC decision and noted that the Armenian courts, in
particular the Court of Cassation, have made decisions within the law.

`If the Court of Cassation denies our claim, it means the NCTR will
not change its posture and will never ground for its decisions or
refusals,’ says Advocate Ara Ghazaryan.

Today Ara Ghazaryan announced that A1+’s case is unprecedented in
Armenia, and the solution must be found with joint efforts.

The Court is to publicise its decision at 11:00 February 19.