Author: Vardanian Garo

MILITARY SECULARISM’S ENFORCER IN TURKEY
Kavi Chongkittavorn The Nation Istanbul

Nation Multimedia, Thailand
May 15 2007

Who would know Turkey better than Suleyman Demirel, the former prime
minister and president of Turkey?

He was succinct when he addressed the annual assembly of the
International Press Institute (IPI) over the weekend. He lashed out at
some European countries that are trying to stop Turkey from attaining
EU membership. He said the Turkish people had been disappointed with
the way the EU had treated their country and that this has considerably
reduced public support for the move.

As an EU member, he pointed out Turkey’s "soft power" – being
democratic and transparent – would increase and positively influence
its neighbours and eventually enhance peace and international
security. Obviously, he linked EU membership with democracy in
Turkey. His country, he reiterated, had kept the dream of EU membership
alive against all odds since 1963.

However, he avoided commenting on the current political situation,
which is a cause of great concern in Europe these days, following the
veiled threat by the Turkish military to intervene if the government
of Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not call off presidential elections.

These were likely to install Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as
president. But the military fears the ruling Justice and Development
Party (AKP), with control of the presidency, and subsequently
parliament in the next election, would weaken Turkey as a secular
state.

Everybody here knows when to tow the military’s line. The Turkish
military has a long history of intervention in civilian affairs when
it comes to ensuring that Turkish society remains secular.

Over the weekend, a million people demonstrated in the city of Izmir
on the Aegean coast in support of Turkey remaining a secular state.

Izmir belongs to opposition parties and is outside the AKP’s reach.

Previously, similar shows of support for the conservative government
occurred in Erzurum, way out in the country’s far east. Ertugrul
Ozkok, editor-in-chief of the daily Hurriyet newspaper, said these
demonstrations show how polarised Turkey is at the moment. He said that
extreme minority groups from both sides had exploited the situation
for their own ends.

What was interesting was the absence of reporting and comment on the
role of military in the latest political crisis. Newspapers here,
both vernacular and English language, avoid touching on the subject
of the military. Indeed, the issue remains the media’s biggest taboo.

It must be said, though, that the Turkish military shares with
the Thai military an overzealous concern for democracy; both armed
forces seem to feel they have to take political control. But the Thai
military has been subject of media and public criticism. Over here,
anybody who dares to criticise the military would receive little
mercy. My Turkish journalist friends did not like it even when I
tried to compare the democratic controls of the Thai and Turkish
militaries. They see the military’s intervention as necessary and
providing a guarantee that Turkey remains secular. The military has
been prevailed upon to protect the secular state. Most importantly,
the Turkish people have come to accept this reality. Andrew Mango,
an expert on Turkey, reiterated that the Turkish military was not
all bad. Its job was to protect the state and secularism, he said.

Many are hopeful that Turkey’s admission to the EU would weaken the
military’s interference and further democratise the country. But
quite a few people I talked to believe that the military does not
want to relinquish its power, especially now.

Bassam Tibi, a professor of international relations at the University
of Gottingen, said that as long as civil society organisations in
Turkey remained weak and inefficient, the military would continue to
serve as the backbone of society. He believes that the military will
return to the barracks when the civil sector is strong.

Already, EU demands for further openness and democratisation in Turkey
have met with strong resistance, which has provided further ammunition
for nationalists and fundamentalists. Take for instance, the notorious
Article 301 of Turkey’s Penal Code, which has been used to prosecute
anyone who insults Turkey and "Turkish-ness", whatever that means. This
broadly defined concept has instilled a culture of fear among the
country’s intellectuals and journalists. According to the Vienna-based
IPI, over 60 journalists, publishers and writers have faced criminal
charges under this draconian law. At the moment, 26 journalists
are in jail. In January, Hrant Dink, a Turkish-Armenian journalist,
was murdered followed comments on Turkish-Armenian relations.

Turkey’s democracy has been interrupted several times before in its
history. As with the development of Thai democracy, there have been
hiccups here and there with military interventions. But in the end,
the progress and prosperity that the Turkish people enjoy will somehow
dictate the shape of politics here in the future.

The differences between the Islamists and secularists can be managed.

Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, used to say that one does
not need to go to religious scholars to learn what Islam is, because
whatever is good for the country, is good for Islam.

nion/opinion_30034328.php

BALANCE OF DEPOSITS ATTRACTED FROM POPULATION BY ARMENIAN BANKS GROWS BY 27.6% IN ONE YEAR

Noyan Tapan
May 14 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. As of March 31, 2007, the monetary base
made 264 bln 812 mln drams (about 736 mln 735 thousand USD) in Armenia,
growing by 6 bln 408 mln drams or 2.5% on the previous month.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, as of March 31,
2007, broad money amounted to 482 bln 928 mln drams, growing by 13
bln 283 mln drams or 2.8% on the previous month.

As of the same day, the balance of deposits attracted by the banks
from the population made 131 bln 940 mln drams, increasing by 5 bln
837 mln drams or 4.6% on the previous month, and by 28 bln 522 mln
drams or 27.6% compared with the respective index of last year.

EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER STATED THAT "ARMENIA HAS MADE AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN FULFILLING A KEY PRIORITY OF THE ENP ACTION PLAN"

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
May 14 2007

Yerevan, May 14. /Mediamax/. European Commissioner for External
Relations and European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) Benita Ferrero-Waldner
stated today that, holding the parliamentary elections largely in
accordance with the international standards, "Armenia has thus made
an important step forward in fulfilling a key priority of the EU /
Armenia Action Plan under the European Neighborhood Policy".

Mediamax reports that the member of the European Commission expressed
confidence that "the new parliament, together with the new government,
will continue firmly on the path of reform".

"This is vital for the Armenian people as well as for the future of
our relationship", Benita Ferrero-Waldner stated.

THE VALUE OF THE QUESTION
by Gennadi Sysoyev, observer
Translated by Elena Leonova

Source: Kommersant, No. 79, May 2007, p. 5
Agency WPS
What the Papers Say Part A (Russia)
May 14, 2007 Monday

Political similarities between Armenia and Russia; The political
bets for Armenia’s parliamentary election can be placed in several
categories at once, since a great deal does indeed depend on the
outcome of Saturday’s vote. The greatest point of suspense in
Armenia’s election stems from its function as a rehearsal of the
Operation Successor model.

The political bets for Armenia’s parliamentary election can be placed
in several categories at once, since a great deal does indeed depend
on the outcome of Saturday’s vote.

Firstly, this election will decide which party will be Armenia’s
leading party; thus, it will decide who the presidential candidate
will be. Secondly, Armenia’s future orientation is becoming more
apparent, and in simplified terms it comes down to one question:
siding with Russia, or siding with the West? Thirdly, this election
will clarify the geopolitical configuration in the Trans-Caucasus
and Russia’s place within it.

Yet the greatest point of suspense in Armenia’s election stems from
its function as a rehearsal of the Operation Successor model – almost
exactly the same as Russia’s version of that model.

Like President Vladimir Putin, Armenian President Robert Kocharian
is barred by the two-term limit from seeking another term in office.

Moreover, the presidential elections in Armenia and Russia will
happen at around the same tim. Kocharian has already made it clear
that even after he leaves office, he intends to remain a key actor in
Armenian politics; Putin has also said that he won’t withdraw from the
decision-making process even after someone else moves into the Kremlin.

Unlike his Russian counterpart, however, Kocharian seems to have picked
a successor already. Ordinary citizens and the Armenian political elite
are sure that the successor is Prime Minister Serzhe Sarkisian. Russia
still has two potential successors: Dmitri Medvedev and Sergei Ivanov.

Armenia’s party politics configuration is also identical to that of
Russia. United Russia’s equivalent is the Armenian Republican Party,
headed by Sarkisian the successor. Most ministers and regional leaders
are members of this party, along with a vast number of federal and
regional bureaucrats; the party has vast administrative, media,
and financial resources. In short, it’s a typical official party.

All the same, Armenia has followed Russia’s lead in establishing
a second official party, which simultaneously manages to position
itself as an opposition party, criticizing the authorities (except
the president, of course). This party is called Prosperous Armenia –
the equivalent of Just Russia. True, it’s headed by Gagik Tsarukian,
Armenia’s most prominent oligarch; but all Russian oligarchs in the
Putin era have also come to a correct understanding of "corporate
social responsibility." Armenia’s version of Just Russia is acting
as a double, just in case the opposition manages to strike a palpable
blow at the main official party.

If the model with two official parties proves effective in Armenia (and
subsequently in Russia), and Operation Successor goes ahead without
a hitch, this will be something new for international experience with
the two-party system theory. Something new that’s only applicable in
the former Soviet Union.

MORE THAN 1 MLN PEOPLE TAKE PART IN RALLY OF SUPPORTERS OF SECULAR
ORDER IN TURKEY

ISMIR, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 13, hundreds of thousands of people
took to the streets in the Turkish city of Ismir in defence of secular
order.

According to Turkish sources, in spite of the explosion, which took
place on May 12 at one of Ismir’s markets, in consequence of which 1
person died and 17 were injured, people from various regions of Turkey
took part in the rally organized in Gundogdu square. Their total
number exceeded 1 mln (according to some sources, 1.5 mln).

The demonstrants hoisted the Turkish flag and posters with the image
of Ataturk, voicing appeals of Justice and Development ruling party,
appeals against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan: "Turkey is a secular
state and will remain such," "Neither U.S., nor EU, only independent
Turkey," etc.

Over 200 policemen watched the process of rally. No extraordinary
incident happened, except 300-400 cases of fainting due to hot
weather.

PRESS TV, Iran
May 13 2007

Armenian opposition vows protests
Sun, 13 May 2007 13:38:24

Armenian opposition parties vow to launch protests after preliminary
results showed the pro-govt. parties sweeping parliamentary
elections.

"We do not recognize the election and we are now taking the next
important step in our struggle," said Nicol Pashinian, a leader of
the Impeachment bloc, adding that protests would begin Sunday
afternoon.

Pashinian’s bloc is one of numerous opposition forces unlikely to
cross the five-percent threshold of votes required to enter
parliament, preliminary results showed.

Simultaneous with the planned start of demonstrations, observers from
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe were to give
their findings on whether the election met international standards.

Observers noted improvements in the run-up to the vote, saying the
government had granted the opposition wide access to voters.

But the opposition claims violations were rife on election day,
including instances of pro-government parties bribing voters outside
polling stations.

The Central Elections Commission said there were no major violations.

Preliminary figures showed voter turnout at 59.4 percent.

Results from 1,638 out of 1,923 polling stations showed the
Republican party of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian far ahead with 34
percent of the vote, the Elections Commission said Sunday.

A1+

AZERBAIJAN IS DISCONTENT WITH RUSSIA’S ANSWER
[01:28 pm] 11 May, 2007

The programme `Vesti Nedeli’ on official Russian TV
channel Rossia/RTP/ referred to the Republic of
Nagorno-Karabakh on April 22. Two days later, on April
24, Azerbaijan submitted a complaint letter to the
Russian Federation.

Azeris claim that `the programme distorted historical
facts that the Sovereign Republic of Nakhijevan
belongs to Azerbaijan.’

In reply to Azerbaijan’s complaint, Russia noted that
`RTR is an independent TV Channel. Programmes
broadcast on this channel do not reflect Russia’s
official stance.’

Vitaly Balasanyan: Azerbaijan is likely to settle Karabakh issue
through militaristic statements

12-05-2007 11:44:22 – KarabakhOpen

Member of Parliament Vitaly Balasanyan, chair of Havat NGO, commented
on the statement by the Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev that Baku
demands return of all the seven territories adjacent to Karabakh.

Obviously, Azerbaijan tends to settle the Karabakh issue through
militaristic statements. Karabakh upholds a fair peace settlement of
the issue. As to the withdrawal of the force from the territories
surrounding the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, apparently
it is necessary to remind Azerbaijan about the historical realities
before and after the Soviet Union.

The regime led by Ilham Aliyev ruling in Azerbaijan continues to feed
their public with false promises to take revenge and to return the
territories for which they have no rights, forgetting that they are
responsible for the deaths and destruction.

The Aliyev clan misleads their nation, reassuring them that the
conflict will be settled in favor of Azerbaijan. This behavior stems
from the desire to hold on to power. The militaristic statements are
an effort to pressure on the international community and avoid
responsibility. Presently, Azerbaijan is not ready for a fair peace
settlement of the issue because the desire of the Baku authorities to
hold on to power is cemented with the ideology of Great Turan.

Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian, Public Relations Director
P.O.Box: 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: 01-349230/1
01-353010/1/2

Haigazian University Honors Renowned Photo Journalist Harry Koundakjian

Beirut 10/05/2007,

On Tuesday, 8 May, 2007, on the occasion of the Lebanese Press Martyrs’ Day,
and under the auspices of the Minister of Information, H.E. Ghazi Aridi,
Haigazian University inaugurated the life work of world renowned press
photographer Harry Koundakjian, at an exhibition entitled "50 Years of Photo
Journalism", in the Arthur Matossian Gallery, of the university.

The Mugar Garden hosted a crowd of dignitaries, media, family, and friends
which included, former minister and MP Bahige Tabbara, Head of the Lebanese
Press Order, Melhem Karam, President of the Press Photographers Syndicate in
Lebanon, Jamal Saidi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Stephane De
Loecker, The Head of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the
Near East, Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian, the representative of the Catholicos
of the House of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I, Father Krikor Chifjian, the
Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Lebanon, Kegham Khatcherian, the
Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Berge Hadjian, and the Vice
Governor of the Central Bank, Alan Balian.

The program opened with a word of welcome by Haigazian University’s Public
Relations Director, Mira Yardemian, referring to the martyrs, who were
basically Lebanese journalist that sacrificed their life for independence,
liberal thoughts and freedom of speech and expression.

University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian welcomed the Minister of
Information, and addressed the audience saying, "there are people who make
history, others who write history, still others who read history. But there
are also those who open windows into that history and shed light without
discrimination on its darkest or brightest characters and events."

Haidostian appreciated the high risk factor of journalism, and its mission,
"the journalists pay a high price for their mission. It could cost them
their life. Even though in present day Lebanon, journalism is sometimes
mistakenly seen as a subjective, propagandist, political and partisan
activity, we need to always remember that journalism is a mission, and if
so, then martyrdom is one of its most painful consequences".

Minister Aridi praised Koundakjian for his 50-year career, and appreciated
Koundakjian’s bold decision to return to his home, Lebanon, amidst the
country’s political instability.

"This gathering of people from the media, politics, art, photography,
reflects a beautiful image of Lebanon, all surrounding Harry Koundakjian to
appreciated his talent and sacrifices of his long term career", noted Aridi.

Then President Haidostian and Minister Aridi presented Koundakjian with the
University’s token of recognition.

In his turn, Koundakjian, very touched and emotionally affected by the
crowd, thanked the audience for being faithful and for being there. He
promised the press that soon he will be returning to his beloved Beirut,
ready to serve all the newspapers.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the audience followed Koundakjian in
explaining and presenting his photographs, and the circumstances in which he
shot them.

The exhibition featured some 75 photographs, reminding people of the 20th
century’s most dangerous conflicts, historical moments, as well as the
world’s famous stars and political figures.

Haigazian had the honor to include in this exhibition two world prize
winning photos: "Princess on the Rocks", is the photo of Princess Lala
Lamia, daughter of the Lebanese Prime Minister, Riad El Solh, watching a
water-skiing competition in Jounieh, Lebanon, in 1963, and "Please Save Me"
is the photograph of a Lebanese taxi driver trapped in the wreckage of his
car in 1962.

Other stars include, Brigitte Bardot deciding on a role with a director,
Omar Sharif, Louis Armstrong, and of course Lebanon’s famous singer Feirouz
rehearsing with her husband, composer Assi Rahbani.

People were very touched in seeing the photo of Lebanese President Camille
Chamoun posing with his martyr son Dany, as well as the one of
Parliamentarian and publisher, MP Ghassan Tueni, with his martyr son Gebran
taken before one month of the latter’s assassination.

The exhibition also featured photos from the Lebanese war, the Black
September in Sudan, the revolution attempts in Yemen, the 2700th Anniversary
of the Persion Empire, and world religious leaders during special moments.

It is worth noting that many special guests visited the exhibition during
that week, enjoying a private tour with Koundakjian, including the
Catholicos of the House of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I, MP Walid Joumblat,
MP and Annahar Editor in Chief, veteran journalist, Ghassan Tueni, Indian
Ambassador, H.E. Nengcha Lhouvum, and the general public.

Veteran photographer, Harry L. Koundarkjian began his professional career in
1952, when he joined the Beirut French language paper, "L’Orient" and its
sister Arabic publication Jarida , as the first press photographer in
Lebanon.

He joined the Associated Press in 1967, and was appointed chief of the A.P.
Middle East photo staff in 1969.

Koundakjian also worked as a freelancer to many newspapers and magazines
like, Aztag Daily,Dar Assayad Publications, al Jamhour al Jadid, Magazine,
al Ousbouh al Arabi, and international publications like, Paris Match,
France Soir, Life, , the Illustrated London News, London Daily Mail,
London’s Daily Telegraph and London’s Economist

Called "Harry the Horse" by his colleagues, because of his tenacity and
indefatigable energy, Koundakjian has been in the thick of danger many times
during his over 50-year professional career in more than 22 countries.

Throughout his career, Koundarjian has been on a first name basis with many
of its leaders, including Jordan’s King Hussein, Egypt’s Sadat, Syria’s
Assad and Libya’s Khadafi. His photos- many, front page- have won him
honors, including the AP Managing Editor’s plaque, and the World Press Photo
Award.

RA STATE BUDGETARY REVENUES GROW BY 34.8% IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2007 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
May 08 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. In the first quarter of 2007, the RA
state budgetary revenues made 110.7 bln drams (about 308 mln USD),
while expenditures made 93.1 bln drams, which ensured 107.5% and
78.6% respectively of the quarterly program approved by the RA
government. According to data of the RA Ministry of Finance and
Economy, the annual program of the indicated indices was fulfilled
by 21.9% and 17.4% respectively.

State budgetary revenues grew by 34.8% or 28.6 bln drams on the same
period of last year. Out of this amount, taxes and duties grew by 19.7
bln drams, non-tax revenues – by 7.2 bln drams, revenues from capital
operations – by 2 bln drams, whereas the amount of official transfers
declined by 222 mln drams as compared with the first quarter of 2006.

The state budget also included the extrabudgetary resources of state
institutions, whose revenues made 2.4 bln drams in the period under
review against 2.2 bln drams last year.