Author: Torosian Aram

TURKISH AND ARMENIAN DEPUTIES ABOUT PROSPECTS OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN ANKARA AND YEREVAN

ArmInfo
2008-10-06 14:41:00

ArmInfo-Turan. All countries of the region will benefit from Turkey’s
initiative "Platform of Stability and Cooperation on Caucasus,"
head of Turkish delegation in PACE Mevlut Cavusoglu said in his
interview with Turan. He added that the visit of Turkish President
Abdullah Gul to Yerevan last month "was not aimed against Azerbaijan’s
interests." First of all Gul discussed the Karabakh conflict and
ways of its settlement with the Armenian government. "Recognition of
the so-called "Armenian genocide" and opening of Turkish-Armenian
borders were not the subject of discussion," claims Cavusoglu. The
deputy stressed that the Turkish president has informed Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev about results of the talks. Cavusoglu said
that uncertainty with the conflict settlement can last 20-30 years
and dialogue between Turkey and Armenia is needed to get things moving
from the dead point. Asked if borders between Turkey and Armenia can
be opened, Cavusoglu said this is possible only after taking efficient
measures to liberate occupied Azerbaijani territories and ensure its
territorial integrity. He said Karabakh conflict settlement is more
important for Turkey. "Recognition of Turkish borders by Armenia is
not a problem for us.

Turkish borders have been recognized by international Kars Treaty,"
said Cavusoglu. Avet Adonz , member of Armenian delegation in
PACE, representative of Prosperous Armenia party, told Turan’
correspondent that Gul’s visit to Armenia could help to begin "a
sincere dialogue." "When I say sincere dialogue and I mean that the
dialogue must be filled with practical steps," said Adonts. Asked if
Armenia still demands recognition of the Armenian genocide in 1915,
Adonts answered that Armenia does not lay down this condition for
establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of borders. He also
added that dialogue between Turkey and Armenia will have a positive
effect on the Karabakh conflict settlement. Asked if Armenia is
ready to compromises at the talks with Azerbaijan, Adonts said
"unlike Azerbaijan, Armenia was always ready to compromises."

THE FUTURE OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS DISCUSSED

armradio.am
02.10.2008 17:34

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
today convened a foreign policy roundtable to consider all aspects of
the future of Armenian-Turkish relations. The meeting brought together
leading analysts, policy specialists, public and political figures, NGO
representatives, members of the press, as well as a group of students
and teaching staff from Istanbul’s Bilgi and Fatih Universities who
are visiting Yerevan on the invitation of the Civil Society Institute.

Welcoming the audience with opening remarks, ACNIS research
coordinator Syuzanna Barseghian underscored the imperative of
reaching new agreements, based on mutual interests, toward normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations.

"Our current relations are more emotional and less rational and
therefore many issues seem irresolvable. And the objective of such
discussions is to reveal the whole potential for partnership and its
resources which, I believe, can serve toward historical reconciliation
and building of the best common future," Barseghian said.

The day’s first speaker, director Haik Demoyan of the Armenian
Genocide Museum-Institute, reflected on the media’s role in the
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. According to him, the
media coverage of this extremely sensitive topic needs a serious
methodological adjustment and it is not a coincidence that certain
demands periodically were made of20the media as to their method of
covering the events of war and genocide. "The media have a great
import and specifically in the process of reconciliation.

They either can play a negative role and cause problems and hinder the
reconciliation process, or be a part of it," Demoyan said. And as case
in point, he made note of the compulsion to use quotation marks when
using the term genocide and to refer to the Armenian Genocide as "the
events of 1915," the deliberate dissemination of false information,
and the taking of comments out of their general context and presenting
as separate information.

In his turn, deputy dean Å~^ammas Salur of the Department of Political
Science of Istanbul Fatih University looked at the historiographical
phases and the changes in the modern historiography of Turkey. "Even
though the Turkish-Islamic synthesis in history writing has some
canonical views, and especially a staunch defense against the
transformation and liberalism in Turkish policy, the 1980s have
brought a more dynamic cultural atmosphere to Turkey," Salur noted,
also adding that through serious discussions regarding the talks
with the European Union, a new type of history writing is emerging
in Turkey. According to the speaker, this new type is more tolerant
toward others and–albeit difficult to be accepted by a large part of
the public–even accepting of others as equal citizens, "and history
writing is evolving toward that end," Salur argued.

The day’s final speaker, Ambassador Ara Papian, director of the
Modus Vivendi Social and Scientific Research Center, delved into the
unclaimed pages of Armenian-Turkish relations. He presented those pages
against the backdrop of the de jure boundary between Armenia and Turkey
that was determined, at the turn of the 20th Century, by US president
Woodrow Wilson’s Arbitral Award. As stated by Papian, this document
was signed and sealed on November 22, 1920 and officially entitled:
"Decision of the President of the United States of America respecting
the Frontier between Turkey and Armenia, Access for Armenia to the Sea,
and the Demilitarization of Turkish Territory adjacent to the Armenian
Frontier." Pursuant to the Arbitral Award, the title and rights
of the Republic of Armenia were recognized on the provinces of Van,
Bitlis, Erzerum, and Trebizond of the former Ottoman Empire. "President
Wilson’s binding and irreversible Arbitral Award went into force the
day it was reached and remains in effect to this day," Papian asserted.

The roundtable discussants also included students Erman Bakırcı,
Emel Guner, and Cagla Gur from the Department of International
Relations of Istanbul Bilgi University; students Kevser Kandaz,
Umit Kurt, Mustafa Ozdemir, and Zafer Ozkan from the Department
of International Relations of Istanbul Fatih University; director
Artak Kirakosian of the Civil Society Institu te; Ruben Mehrabian
from the Armenian Center for Political and International Research;
coordinator Armen Aghayan of the "Defense of Liberated Territories"
social initiative; director-announcer Gayzag Palanjian of "The Road
for the Enhancement of Armenia-Diaspora Relations" television program
in Los Angeles; journalist Gayane Arustamian; and several others.

–Boundary_(ID_mmLG3WzbyfmurBXtDwNSmw)–

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

October 1, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

MCCAIN, PALIN ISSUE LETTER TO THE ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Washington, DC – The McCain-Palin campaign issued a letter to the
Armenian-American community today, reported the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly). In the letter, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) wrote that
he is "grateful for all of the contributions that Armenian-Americans
have made to our wonderful country," and that he "greatly value[s] the
opportunity to stand with the Armenian-American community."

Regarding U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, the statement
refrains from referring to the events of 1915-1923 as genocide, and
instead employs a dictionary definition. McCain said, "It is fair to say
that one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century, the brutal
murder of as many as one and a half million Armenians under the rule of
the Ottoman Empire, has also been one of the most neglected. The
suffering endured by the Armenian people during that period represented
the prologue to what has come to be known as humanity’s bloodiest
century." He added that "It is our responsibility to recognize those
tragic events and to ensure that our world never experiences the impact
of the bloody conflicts that so filled the 20th century."

McCain also thanked Armenia for her "support of coalition operations in
Iraq and NATO peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo."

The Armenian Assembly of America, as a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan advocacy
organization is prohibited by law from endorsing, supporting or opposing
candidates for elected office.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

NR#2008-069

Editor’s Note – McCain-Palin Letter can be read by following the link
below:

new/McCain-Palin_-_Armenian-American_Community.pdf

NO INTERIM REPORT ON MARCH 1 EVENTS

A1+
[08:27 pm] 30 September, 2008

President of the NA committee on the March 1 events Samvel Nikoyan
and ARF deputy Artsvik Minasyan visited today the Nubarashen prison
and met with Suren Sirunyan who was sentenced to jail as a result of
the March 1 events. Sirunyan informed the deputies that he has not
been questioned since May and that he considers his accusation based
on article 300 of the Criminal Code as nonsensical.

The results of the meeting with Sirunyan will possibly be known
during the next parliamentary session. As for now, president of
the committee Samvel Mikoyan told "A1+" that they will receive
clarifications regarding Sirunyan’s questions from the head of the
discussion group. In fact, Nikoyan is not planning on presenting an
interim report. It is very possible that there will be no interim
report because it is a matter of time. The National Assembly must
present the final report on October 25. "I personally don’t feel
the need to present an interim report judging from the fact that a
group has been created to gather the facts. It would be right for the
committee to make a conclusion based on the final documents," told
"A1+" Samvel Nikoyan. He added that he would wait to collect all of
the data and then draw conclusions.

In fact, by the end of October, it is possible that the committee will
not meet the deadline set by the NA for presenting the conclusion. "If
the parliament forms a group to gather the facts and that group is
actually busy with gathering the facts for the committee, then the
parliament has to postpone the deadline; otherwise nobody would
understand why the committee is presenting a conclusion while the
group is still gathering the facts," said the president of the March
1 events committee.

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:
Email: [email protected]

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA VISITS ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL

Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, visited
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Thursday, September 25 during his
first official trip to the United States since his election in
February. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), welcomed the President and his
delegation to the Cathedral where the President met with Diocesan
clergy and members of the Armenian community.

"You came today, Mr. President, to visit the home of our nation, your
home–St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral," the Primate said. "This
Cathedral–a landmark in the heart of New York City, with its golden
dome directed toward the skies–is truly a home for every Armenian."

Panorama.am

18:12 27/09/2008

ARTASHAT AND RURAL COMMUNITIES NEARBY WILL HAVE WATER PIPE NEXT YEAR

The 50-60% of reconstruction of water pipe of Artashat city and the
rural communities nearby is finished, said the coordinator of the
project Karen Sargsyan to Panorama.am.

According to the coordinator, the deadline of the project is April-May
of 2009. It will be possible to finish the work earlier if everything
is as planned.

Remind that the project is conducted by Armenian Aid Fund by the
support of USAID.

Source: Panorama.am

EDWARD NALBANDIAN MEETS AZERBAIJANI, TURKISH COUNTERPARTS IN NEW YORK

armradio.am
27.09.2008 13:16

On September 26 in New York RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
held a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in
presence of the OSCE Misnk Group Co-Chairs Bernard Fassier (France),
Matthew Bryza (US), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) and the Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The agenda included the negotiation process on the Karabakh conflict
settlement on the basis of the Madrid Proposals the Co-Chairs presented
to the parties in 2007. During the meeting it was reiterated that
the issue should be solved via negotiations and in a peaceful way.

Later the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan Edward
Nalbandian and Elmar Mammadyarov had a face-to-face meeting, during
which they discussed the ways of rapprochement between the parties
and the opportunities of organizing the recurrent meeting between
the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The same day Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with his Turkish
counterpart Ali Babacan. The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey
continued the discussion on the normalization of bilateral relations
on the basis of instructions of the Presidents of the two countries.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey held a
trilateral meeting, during which the parties discussed the latest
developments in the region and the initiative of forming a Caucasus
Platform.

As president of the Council of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers,
Edward Nalbandian gave a dinner in honor of the Foreign Ministers
of CSTO member states. Questions connected with coordinating the
positions on the issues on the agenda of the 63rd session of the UN
General Assembly were discussed.

CORRUPTION AND WE

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
24 Sep 2008
Armenia

Yesterday, "Transparency International" anti-corruption organization
publicized the 2008 summary data concerning the general attitude
towards corruption.

On the regional level, Armenia is on the 10th horizon, and in the
general list of 180 countries, it is on the 109th horizon (Azerbaijan
is on the 17th and 158th horizons respectively). Introducing
these data, AMALYA KOSTANYAN, Head of "Transparency International
Anti-Corruption Centre" NGO, mentioned that from 2003 till the most
recent studies, no improvement has been observed in our country,
and we are actually marching on the same spot in terms of the general
attitude towards corruption.

In response to the question whether Armenia has made any progress
over the past 6 months in the fight against corruption, Head of the
NGO said,

"Over the past 6 months, since the start of the activities of the new
government, certain measures have been undertaken towards combating
corruption."

SARGSYAN, OSCE MG DISCUSS POSSIBILITY OF PRESIDENTIAL MEETING

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.09.2008 14:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Currently in New York, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan met with Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to discuss the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process and a possibility of a
regular meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

OSCE CiO’s personal representative, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk also
partook in the discussions, the RA leader’s press office reported.

The 63rd session of the UN General Assembly opened in New York on
September 16 and will last till October 1.

CELEBRITY SUSPECTS OF ERGENEKON SEYHAN SOYLU AND NURSELI Ä°DIZ WERE RELEASED BY A BEÅ~_IKTAÅ~_ COURT.

Today’s Zaman
23 September 2008, Tuesday
Turkey

Ergenekon suspect Eruygur barred from international travel

A key suspect in the investigation into Ergenekon, a criminal
network suspected of having plotted to overthrow the government,
who was released on Sunday due to health problems has been barred
from leaving the country.

Å~^ener Eruygur, a retired general believed to have been in the higher
ranks of Ergenekon, was released by order of the Ä°stanbul 9th Higher
Criminal Court after he suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of a
head injury in a fall last week. Eruygur was barred from traveling
abroad until the end of the Ergenekon trial, which is scheduled to
start on Oct. 21. International travel bans in cases such as Eruygur’s
unexpected release go into effect immediately.

The head of the Kocaeli University Education and Research Hospital said
yesterday that Eruygur was still in critical condition and that it
was up to Eruygur’s family to decide whether to transfer the patient
to another hospital.

"Their initial decision was to keep him in our hospital. I don’t know
if their decision will change in the days ahead," he added.

Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Å~^ahin, in a statement released about
Eruygur’s condition yesterday, said he was sorry to hear that Eruygur
had such a thing happen to him. Å~^ahin said he hoped Eruygur would
regain his health as soon as possible. He also noted that there was
currently no investigation regarding Eruygur’s fall in prison.

Meanwhile, Republican People’s Party (CHP) Ä°stanbul deputy Nur
Serter visited Eruygur’s family in the hospital and asked about
Eruygur’s condition.

In a related development, three well-known people who were among 19
detained last Thursday in police operations in five cities as part
of the Ergenekon investigation have been released by the court in
Ä°stanbul’s BeÅ~_iktaÅ~_ district.

Actress Nurseli Ä°diz and Seyhan Soylu, a transsexual believed to
have organized a scheme that led up to a political scandal ahead of an
unarmed military intervention in 1997, who were among those taken into
police custody last week, were released by the court they had been
referred to by the investigation on Sunday. Another person detained
last week, Levent Temiz, a former chairman of the ultranationalist
youth clubs affiliated with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)
known as Ulku Ocakları, was released on Monday.

In his testimony at the court, Temiz said: "I am lawyer. I am
a patriotic person. It is impossible for me to participate in a
terrorist organization," reports said.

In his testimony he said he had met with Ergenekon suspects Kemal
Kerincsiz, Ahmet Uler, Erkan Aydemir and Mehmet Akif Tanroöver
and formed the Grand Jurists’ Association, known in the public for
its nationalism. "Kerinsciz filed lawsuits without our knowledge,"
he said, referring to the association’s filing of suits against
journalists and academics who contradicted the official state line
concerning Armenian genocide allegations or the Cyprus issue. "This
is why we quit the association with five other lawyers. We were never
consulted about these lawsuits."

He said he was introduced to Ergenekon suspect retired Capt. Muzaffer
Tekin at a demonstration in 2003 against the Annan plan for the
reunification of Cyprus. He also said he didn’t know Alparslan Arslan,
the shooter in an attack on the Council of State in 2006 that is now
believed to have been organized by Ergenekon.

Ä°diz told members of the press upon her release: "I see myself nowhere
in the Ergenekon investigation. Where can I be [in this]?" She also
said she didn’t want to say anything further as the case was currently
in progress. Stating that she hadn’t been directly accused of anything,
she added: "However, we were treated in a very civil way, both at
the organized crimes department and at the public prosecutor’s
office. Things have changed greatly in Turkey. We were happy to
see this."

Meanwhile, six more arrests were made in the Ergenekon investigation
yesterday and eight of the 19 people detained last week were referred
to court. Dogukan Yorulmaz was released by the court.

Five active army lieutenants and a military academy student also
detained in last week’s raids were arrested on Friday after being
interrogated.

The detentions of lieutenants on active army duty had come after
earlier Ergenekon detentions made on July 1, when suspects Kemal
Aydın, Neriman Aydın and National Forces 1919 Association
Secretary-General Ali Ozoglu were taken into custody for
interrogation. The prosecution, which knew at the time of frequent
meetings and phone conversations between the three suspects arrested
on July 1 and military academy students as well as young officers in
the military, was investigating whether Kemal, Aydın and Ozoglu were
trying to organize a group against the government in the military.

The meetings with military academy students are reminiscent of a failed
coup attempt on Feb. 22, 1962, when Land Forces War Academy Commander
Col. Talat Aydemir tried to organize a coup against the government
with academy students. Aydemir was forced to retire and jailed shortly
thereafter until May 10, 1962, when he was released under a special
pardon. However, he attempted yet another coup on May 21, 1963,
after which he was sentenced to capital punishment by a court along
with Maj. Fethi Gurcan. The two men were executed on July 5, 1964.

Nearly 50 suspected members, including retired army generals, are
currently in jail pending trial, scheduled for October.

–Boundary_(ID_lmAkHHrFLL/RIZ/LGPvO+A)–