Author: Tvankchian Parkev

TURKEY’S ARMENIANS DISTRUST FRENCH GENOCIDE BILL
by Nicolas Cheviron

Agence France Presse — English
October 10, 2006 Tuesday 3:42 PM GMT

Turkey’s Armenians have raised their voice against a French bill that
makes it a jailable offense to deny their ancestors were the victim
of genocide under Ottoman rule.

They fear it will antagonize the Turkish majority and further strain
an already tense debate.

The draft law, to be debated and voted in the French parliament
Thursday, calls for one year in prison and a hefty 45,000-euro
(57,000 dollar) fine for anyone who denies that the World War I
massacres constituted genocide.

Among the first to condemn the bill was journalist Hrant Dink, who is
among a handful of taboo-breaking intellectuals in Turkey who have
openly argued that the massacres were genocide, drawing nationalist
ire and landing himself in court.

"This is idiocy," the Turkish-Armenian Dink said in remarks to the
liberal daily Radikal. "It only shows that those who restrict freedom
of expression in Turkey and those who try to restrict it in France
are of the same mentality."

Dink, editor of the Turkish-Armenian bilingual weekly Agos, received
a six-month suspended sentence last year for "insulting Turkishness"
in an article about the 1915-1917 massacres.

He is scheduled to go on trial again under the same provision, this
time for saying the killings were genocide.

Dink said he was ready to defend freedom of expression even if it
means running the risk of imprisonment in France.

"I am standing trial in Turkey for saying it was genocide. If this
bill is adopted, I will go to France and, in spite of my conviction,
I will say it was not genocide," he said in a television interview.

"The two countries can then compete to see who throws me in jail
first."

Another Armenian journalist, Etyen Mahcupyan, said Turks see the
proposed law as an imposition on them to accept the genocide and
feared the French move could scupper a fledgling, timid debate in
Turkey to question its past.

"Initiatives like the one in the French parliament are awkward,"
he told AFP. "They push the Turks closer to the state and make them
more vulnerable to manipulation."

Discussing the massacres was a near-taboo in Turkey until recently
and an open debate on the issue — one of the most controversial in
Turkish history — still sends nationalist sentiment into frenzy.

Mahcupyan, a columnist for the conservative daily Zaman, called on
European countries to back efforts to improve democracy in Turkey,
which he said was the only way to ensure free debate and challenge
Ankara’s official line.

The Armenian Patriarchate said the French bill only created obstacles
to frank dialogue between Armenians and Turks.

"All initiatives creating obstacles to freedom of expression endanger
the process of dialogue between the Turkish and Armenian societies,
and reinforce nationalist and racist tendancies on both sides,"
the head of the Armenian Church said in a statement.

Ara Kocunyan, editor of the small Armenian-language daily Jamanak,
criticized what he called the feeling of "self-victimization" with
which the Armenian diaspora in the West is pursuing its campaign to
have the massacres internationally recognized as genocide.

He urged instead increased efforts to combat the dire economic
situation in Armenia, to which Turkey has contributed by sealing
its border.

"If we stick to the current priorities, I fear those weeping today
for a father killed 90 years ago will find themselves weeping for
little Armenia in 50 years’ time," Kocunyan said.

Armenians claim up to 1.5 million of their kin were slaughtered in
orchestrated killings between 1915 and 1917.

Turkey categorically rejects the genocide label, saying 300,000
Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife when
Armenians took up arms for independence in eastern Anatolia and sided
with invading Russian troops as the Ottoman Empire fell apart.

‘FRENCH BILL IS IDIOCY’ – AGOS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HRANT DINK SAID TO REUTERS
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily
12/10/2006

In an interview with the Reuters, Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of
Agos newspaper again labeled the French bill penalizing denial of the
Armenian Genocide "idiocy". "You are citizens and your state uses this
(genocide issue) as a trump for the other party. The other party is
trying to make an attempt out of this and judge other people. This
is what I call idiocy. We are not obliged to be a pawn for these
irrational behaviors of the states toward one another. In order to
object to this kind of diplomatic nonsense, I will go to France,
oppose that law and commit the crime set by that law if necessary. I
want this irrational mentality to compete against one another to put
me in prison," Dink was quotes as saying by Turkish Zaman daily.

AGHAJANOV: ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES CONDUCT POLICY OF ARTIFICIALLY HIGH EXCHANGE RATE OF DRAM

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian authorities are
conducting the policy of artificially raising the exchange rate of
the Armenian dram. Economist Eduard Aghajanov made this statement
during a press conference on October 9. According to him, as a
result of this policy, the absolute amounts of industrial production
and exports declined, while imports grew substantially. Thus, in
January-August 2006, for the first time in recent years, Armenia’s
imports exceeded 2.2fold its exports. In the opinion of E. Aghajanov,
this is quite a dangerous tendency which shows that national producers
of Armenia are being forced out not only of foreign but also domestic
markets. However, as the economist noted, the country’s authorities
are not concerned about the current sitiation and continue conducting
the policy of an artificially high exchange rate of the dram.

"Over the past three years, Armenia’s imports have considerably
exceeded its exports. The paradox is that last year the deficit of
the foreign trade grew by 38% compared with 2003, while the dram’s
exchange rate grew by 26% over the same period," E. Aghajanov said.

He reminded that according to explanations of the Central Bank of
Armenia (CBA), the depreciation of the dollar is caused by substantial
amounts of dollar transfers to Armenia. However, official statistics
show that the deficit of the payment balance made 193.3 million USD
last year. "That is, in 2005 an outflow of about 200 million USD
rather than inflow of dollars was registered in Armenia, which means
that the exchange rate of the national currency should have declined
instead of the opposite," E. Aghajanov noted.

AZERBAIJAN SANG THE SAME OLD SONG

A1+
[05:11 pm] 09 October, 2006

Azerbaijan was the only country which opposed the draft treaty of
establishing peace in Southern Caucasus which was represented by
deputy Adrian Severin in the PACE fall session. The decision was due
to the fact that the treaty finds peace, cooperation and integration
in the region, as well as the atmosphere of mutual trust important.

NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan told a news conference today that the report
by Severin was acceptable both for Armenia and for Georgia. "Azerbaijan
sang the same old song that they see no chance of signing resolutions
until the Karabakh conflict is settled".

By the way, according to Tigran Torosyan, the attitude of the Azeri
delegation was not accepted seriously by the head of the Committee
who is a Turk and by the author of the draft. He also reminded that
a similar report has been adopted about the Balkans, taking into
account the Kosovo conflict.

Tigran Torosyan also gave information about three more reports which
are of interest for Armenia but which are not ready yet. They were the
report on the condition of women in South Caucasus by Vera Oskina from
Russia, report on people missing in action in South Caucasus, and the
report about the commitments of Armenia by the Monitoring committee.

Tigran Torosyan mentioned that the Committee has discussed the
course of honoring commitments, the process of adopting new laws in
compliance with the Constitution, as well as the steps taken towards
the organization of free and fair elections in 2007.

Tigran Torosyan mentioned that after their recent visit to Armenia
the members of the Monitoring Committee were on the whole content
with the process of honoring commitments by Armenia. "At this rate
we will have a successful report in January", he added.

TURKISH DIPLOMATS EXPECT FRENCH RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE APPROVED

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Oct 9 2006

ANKARA – "We think that the French resolution, that considers as a
crime any denial of so-called Armenian genocide, would be approved
by the French parliament on Thursday, October 12th," said high level
Turkish diplomats in Ankara today.

"Chances of the resolution getting accepted is high due to the upcoming
elections in France," told diplomatic sources in Ankara.

According to Turkish sources, the resolution to be voted is against
Europe’s culture and freedom of thought and expression. "Turkey is
doing all it can in both political and economic fronts to defeat the
resolution," noted Turkish diplomats.

"Once the resolution gets adopted at the lower chamber of the
parliament, it then goes to the Senate and will be submitted to the
President of France for signature. If the resolution gets adopted,
France will lose its special status in Turkey in many areas," told
Turkish diplomatic sources which prefers not to be named.

"At a time when all obstacles in front of the freedom of expression
and thought are being lifted in Turkey and when Ankara has proposed
the establishment of a Joint Historical Commission to Armenia, the
resolution submitted to the French parliament is an immoral one,"
stressed Turkish diplomats.

Meanwhile, a draft law has been submitted to the Turkish Parliament
concerning France and its previous acts in Algeria.

"Even if the French resolution gets accepted in the French Parliament,
a French citizen can take this resolution to the European Court of
Human Rights (ECHR) arguing that it violates freedom of speech and
expression. Thus, the ECHR may declare the resolution invalid,"
added Turkish sources.

"Turks living in Europe may also protest against the French Parliament
by using their democratic rights," they added.

A TASTE OF THE WORLD IN THE SCV
By Rachel Stern
Signal Staff Writer

The Signal, CA
Oct 8 2006

[parts omitted]

Zohrab Getikian of Valencia, who opened the Hayk International Market
just four months ago, saw the opportunity that the SCV presented
for an ethnic-style deli and sandwich shop. Getikian, an Armenian,
opened his deli just four months ago because he knew from personal
experience that the area was ripe for what he had to offer.

"We don’t serve international foods per se," Getikian said. "It’s a
deli. But we have specialties."

These include mawst o chiar, a cool Persian yogurt and cucumber dip,
great for when it’s hot out; mawst oh mousir, another Persian yogurt
dip, this one with shallots; ehkra, a Russian eggplant dip; and the
by-now fairly common baba ghannoush, hummus and tabouli. Getikian also
takes special orders for pre-marinated kabob (Armenian/Persian grilled
chicken and beef, ground and filet), but you had better be hungry –
his minimum order is 10 pounds.

In addition to the sandwiches and the above-mentioned delicacies,
Getikian stocks a large number of packaged foods from Persia, Russia
and Eastern Europe.

"A lot of Armenians, Persians and others have moved here from the
valley and from L.A.," said Getikian. "And they had to go all the
way back into the valley to get groceries. Me too."

It was a underserved market, he said. Like the man in the movie said,
"If you build it, they will come." And they did.

"I have so many people coming in," said Getikian. "And not just
ethnics. Americans, too."

Iranian born Houmayan Daryani started feeding the same need four
years ago, opening Mom and Pop’s Deli and International Market. He
now boasts a client base of happily sated Persian, Israeli, Arab, and
Turkish and Armenian expatriates. Houmayan’s specialty is produce – his
tiny store is stuffed to the gills with fruits that are hard to find
outside of the Middle East including fresh dates, Persian pistachios,
sour grapes, and a kind of sweet lemon he says is especially good if
you have a summer cold. And he’s very particular about quality.

"My produce is unlike anything you get in the stores here," said
Houmayan.

He also carries spices, a variety of coffees, ethnic dairy products
and preserves and pastes made of unconventional ingredients like
walnuts and watermelons.

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By 2007 Argentina may commemorate the Armenian Genocide victims on the state level

Public Radio of Armenia
Oct 6 2006

06.10.2006 10:57

It is possible that by 2007 April 24 will be marked in Argentina as
the day of commemoration of Genocide victims on the state level, RA
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Argentina Vladimir
Karmirshalyan told "Armenpress," adding that the local Armenian
community has been actively working in this direction.

In the Ambassador’s words, two states of Argentina – Buenos Ayres
and Cordoba – recognized April 24 as the day of commemoration of the
first genocide of the 20th century. The Laws require that the Armenian
Genocide is included in textbooks.

Let us remind that since 1985 the question has been raised in Argentina
for several times. Every year representatives of the Senate come forth
with resolutions or statements condemning the Genocide. On July 27,
2005 the Senate reconfirmed the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide,
which caused the protest of Turkish authorities.

Nevertheless, up to now it has not been recognized with the force
of law.

Genocide armenien: Eric Raoult (UMP) votera la proposition de loi PS

Agence France Presse
6 octobre 2006 vendredi 12:06 PM GMT

Le depute UMP et vice-president de l’Assemblee nationale, Eric
Raoult, a annonce vendredi a l’AFP qu’il "votera" la proposition de
loi PS reprimant la negation du genocide armenien pour "une question
de principes".

"Je ne cederai pas sur cette question meme si je suis un fidèle
de Jacques Chirac, un militant de l’UMP le doigt sur la couture du
pantalon. Je voterai la proposition de loi (PS) pour une question de
principes face aux craintes de la communaute armenienne", a declare
M. Raoult a l’AFP.

En visite a Erevan où il avait juge samedi que la Turquie devait
reconnaître le genocide armenien, Jacques Chirac avait estime que la
proposition de loi socialiste "(relevait) de la polemique".

"J’ai toujours participe a tous les combats de la communaute
armenienne, alors oui, il y a une operation politique du PS mais il y
a, au dela une realite, c’est la crainte de la communaute armenienne
face au revisionnisme", a explique M. Raoult.

Il a notamment cite les evenements d’avril 2006 de Lyon où
l’inauguration d’un memorial du genocide armenien avait entraîne
des profanations et des manifestations pro-turques, avec des slogans
negationnistes.

Il a egalement indique que la ville du Raincy (Seine-Saint-Denis),
dont il est maire, possède "une ecole armenienne fondee en 1917 avec
212 orphelins dont les parents avaient ete decapites lors du genocide
de 1915".

Une proposition de loi PS reprimant la negation du genocide armenien
sera examine jeudi par les deputes. Ce texte avait deja ete discute
le 18 mai mais son examen avait ete interrompu faute de temps. Les
deputes UMP et le gouvernement avaient multiplie les incidents de
procedure pour retarder les debats.

–Boundary_(ID_ktejPKblkFABVIljSbSuhg)–

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Oct 6 2006

Employee of Azeri Ombudsman Office in OSCE Annual Meeting for Human
Measurements

Source: Trend
Author: S.Agayeva

06.10.2006

The annual report meeting of OSCE for human measurement will take
place in Warsaw from 8 to 13 October. The representative of the
Azerbaijani Ombudsman Office Aydin Safikhanli will also attend the
gathering, Trend reports quoting the Ombudsman Office.

The agenda of the meeting include discussing the questions such as
democratic elections, citizenship and political rights, humanitarian
problems, information freedom, pre-eminence of law, ensuring the
rights of national minorities, etc.

The representative of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Office will make a
report at the meeting regarding human rights, results of the measures
taken in the local prisons and military units. In addition, he will
inform the guests about the Armenian aggression and the hard results
of this aggression.

KOCHARYAN ALSO OPPOSES FRENCH GENOCIDE BILL
By Ali Ihsan Aydin, Paris

Zaman Online, Turkey
Oct 5 2006

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan reportedly opposes the French draft
law that will penalize the denial of the alleged Armenian genocide.

The Turkish delegation, which recently traveled to Paris to make
contacts regarding the draft to be discussed at the French parliament
on Oct. 12, noted that Kocharyan told French President Jacques Chirac
during his visit to Yerevan that Armenia did not favor the adoption
of the draft. It has been reported that Kocharyan cited the draft
as possibly harmful to Armenia’s relations with Turkey. Meanwhile,
the delegation returned to Ankara with no hopes of preventing its
adoption by the French parliament.

The delegation, comprising deputies Mehmet Dulger, Onur Oymen,
Sukru Elekdag and Musa Sivacioglu, was unable to meet with the
Socialist Party parliamentarians, who have been pushing for
adoption of the draft. The Socialist politicians abstained from
scheduling an appointment with the Turkish deputies. A small group
of socialist deputies who accepted to meet the delegation cancelled
the appointment. The delegation could meet only with socialist deputy
Jack Lang, who had announced his opposition to the draft, People’s
Majority Alliance’s Assembly Group Chairman Bernard Accoyer, Chairman
of the Assembly Jean Louis Debre and the Chairman of the Parliament
Commission of EU Affairs Lequiller. Stating that the politicians
the delegation met with stressed their opposition to the draft, the
deputies in the delegation also observed that the draft was regarded
as an election ploy.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy will reportedly take
care of the situation following a phone call from Turkish PM Erdogan.

To this end, Sarkozy is expected to address a letter to Prime Minister
Erdogan. Elysee Palace, however, informed the Turkish Embassy in
Paris that there was no change in the position of Chirac, who had
urged Turkey to recognize the alleged Armenian genocide during his
visit to Armenia.