Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

THE RESULT OF THE TURKISH LOBBY IMPACT
Vardan Grigoryan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Oct 2 2007

As we know 8 US Ex-State Secretaries and 3 Ex-Ministers who followed
their example, addressed a letter of request to the Spokeswoman of
the House of Representatives Nancy Palosy, asking her not to put to
discussion Resolution # 106 on the Recognition of Armenian Genocide.

In our view the scheme of the before mentioned initiative has been
elaborated in Ankara by the high-ranking officials and has been
carried out due the contacts of Turkish lobby. The existence of
similar cunning political technologies characteristic to Turkish
diplomacy is proved by two not secondary conditions.

The appearance of those two letter-applications in the US political
arena coincided with the latest visit of the Turkish Prime-Minister
R. T. Erdoghan to Washington.

It is also not accidental that the Ex-Foreign Minister and the
Ex-Defense Minister have signed the same document, the pivotal clause
of which is that after the recognition of Armenian Genocide, America
will be in the danger of "Turkish sanctions".

It involves two concepts: the probable change in the attitude of
Turkish society towards America and the danger of an obstacle for
the US air forces to use Injirlik airport. These viewpoints and
presumptions are actually the principal clauses of Turkish advocacy,
because Turkish society has changed its attitude towards America long
ago and the issue of using Injirlik airport has lost its vitality
for the USA after the latter settled in Iraq and Georgia.

One thing is left to clarify – that is – the goal of the authors, of
the before mentioned letter of request, the ex-officials, who still
live with the memories of Turkish-American friendship of cold-war
period. The thing is, immediately after the visit of Turkish Prime
Minister R. T. Erdoghan to America, on October 3, the meeting of
Armenian and Turkish Foreign Ministers is going to take place in
the USA, which will display whether or not our "hostile neighbor"
is ready to take specific steps to find a way out of the dilemma
the USA has put forward – that is " Recognition of the Genocide or
opening Armenian – Turkish border".

That is to say unlike the former officials, The US present
administration doesn’t fear the negative attitude of the Turkish
society towards them, or the responsive steps of the Turkish
government. On the contrary, they themselves formulated and advanced
the dilemma " Recognition of the Genocide or opening the borders."

Whereas at that critical moment 8 US Ex State Secretaries – Madlen
Albright, James Baker, Warren Christopher, Lawrence Eagleberger,
Alexander Hague, Henry Kissinger, Collin Powel and George Shultz and
the before time concern of the three ex-leaders of Pentagon, Frank
Karluchy, William Kohan and William Perry, who followed their example,
concerning the future of Turkish American strategic cooperation is
in fact based on the former idea of those officials about Turkey. At
present Turkey can’t bring serious damage to the USA.

The example of the countries that recently recognized Armenian
Genocide (France and Canada) displays that the threats made by
Turkey before the recognition of the Genocide never have any serious
consequences. Moreover when we speak about number one super-power, the
threat about sanctions against this country can have an adverse effect.

In our view Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan’s response
letter addressed to Nancy Palosy, the respective activities of
Armenian Lobby in the USA and finally V. Oskanyan – A. Babajan
upcoming negotiations can neutralize the possible negative effect of
this trick of influencing the present ones through the former ones,
on the Lower House of Congress and its Speaker.

AMBASSADOR APPEALS REPORTERS TO BE CAREFUL

Panorama.am
14:41 01/10/2007

Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Vahan Ter-Ghevondyan alerted
representatives of mass media to be careful while writing about
the events in Lebanon. "You do not need to write translated news
even if it may be from the most respectful foreign mass media,"
Vahan Ter-Ghevondyan said. He believes it is better to have own
correspondents. Otherwise, he advised to consult experts in eastern
studies while speaking about the events in Lebanon.

In the words of the ambassador, it happens that the information
released by foreign mass media is not very accurate and mainly stems
from the interests of big superpowers. Ter-Ghevondyan appealed to
refrain from calling names and be critical when using other sources.

"We are 16 year old state and it is not a secret that we do not have
diplomatic relations with, let’s say, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other
such countries, which create moods in the Islamic world and this
means about 1 billion 200 million people," the diplomat said also
saying that we do not have any problems with the mentioned states
and are ready to enter into very good relations but the problem is
that they do not approve it because of the principle of solidarity.

To bring such countries back to us, we must approach the problem very
carefully, Vahan Ter-Ghevondyan added also saying the mass media may
help our foreign agency, diplomats and ambassador by doing so.

ARMENIAN MP WOUNDED IN ARMED INCIDENT IN MOSCOW

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
September 26, 2007 Wednesday 12:51 PM EST

A criminal case has been opened into an armed incident that occurred
at Metropol hotel in Moscow last night, Chief of the Tverskoye CID
department Sergei Baluchevsky told Tass on Wednesday. The criminal
case was opened on charges of attempted murder, he said.

The incident took place at around 4.00 a.m. Wednesday. Three visitors
quarrelled at the Metropol casino, and one of them fired a shot at
his opponent and stabbed him with a knife. The victim -a citizen
of Armenia, was hospitalized. The other two men involved in the
incident escaped.

Investigators cannot talk to the victim yet because he is in a surgery
room, Baluchevsky said. Police have been searching for the victim’s
companions who have been put on the wanted list, he said.

Earlier, a source from the Armenian embassy in Moscow told Tass
that the victim is a deputy of the Armenian parliament, Tigran
Arzakantsyan. The 41- year- old businessman arrived in Moscow on
private business. Late on Tuesday he attended a meeting of a delegation
of the Armenian government with Armenian students educated in Moscow.

YURI PATRIKEYEV: I TAKE PRIDE IN HOISTING ARMENIAN FLAG IN BAKU

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 25 2007

"I am pleased with my results in the world championship. It was not
easy to gain bronze medal in Azerbaijan", the Russian legionary of
the Armenian Greco-Roman wrestling team Yuri Patrikiyev was quoted
as saying. Yuri Patrikiyev who gained bronze in 120 kg competitions
said they faced pressures in Baku.

"Local fans seemed to be cross with the Armenian sportsmen. We look
like the combat men who fight in battle. After all I take pride in
hoisting Armenian flag in Baku".

TURKEY’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS ARMENIA REMAINS UNALTERABLE
By Hakob Chaqrian

AZG Armenian Daily
26/09/2007

As it was supposed, after the parliamentary elections of Turkey Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s "Justice and development" party became the ruling
party. It was also predictable that the president of Turkey would be
elected the candidate of the same party Abdullah Gul.

But it’s worth to mention, that the parliamentary and the presidential
elections of Turkey are not as important for Armenia, as the possible
influence of their results on the further process of Armenian-Turkish
not-regulated relations.

Though the government of Erdogan does not put in claims to "not
speaking of 1915" and "the provision of the supremacy of Azerbaijan
in Nagorno Karabakh", it puts forward the issues of creation of a
commission to examine the incidents of 1915 and of making progress
in the process of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Moreover, like other Turkish governments Erdogan’s government also
conditioned the opening of Armenian-Turkish border to the issue of
Karabakh conflict. It means that the pre-conditions for the regulation
of Armenian-Turkish relations have remained the same.

The only fact is that the process of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide has widened, the demands of the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide on Turkey have increased and they have weakened the attitude
of denial.

Under those circumstances, the Armenian Issue became Turkish
government’s preliminary issue of the coming10 years. Gul admitted
it when being Foreign Minister of Turkey.

During this period the issue of the Armenian Genocide was widely
discussed by the press of Turkey. The discharged diplomats led by the
previous Foreign Minister Ilter Tyurkman announced that Armenia would
not renounce the undertakings to make them internationally recognize
the Armenian Genocide.

The journalists added, "If the USA doesn’t recognize the Armenian
Genocide it doesn’t mean that the incidents of 1915 are not considered
as "genocide" in Washington. Nevertheless, the responsible figures
of the US State Department announce that they have never deny the
fact of the genocide."

Of course, all the above-mentioned don’t lead to the regulation of the
Armenian-Turkish relations, but it’s evident that Turkey is forced to
do a progressive step in it. The US and EU pressures also contribute
to it.

Though Turkey is on the threshold of structural changes after the
parliamentary and presidential elections and the relations are
sharpened between the ruling Justice and Development Party and the
opposite People’s Republican Party, and there is a disagreement in
the public-political circles on the draft law of the constitution,
the interest of the Turkish press in the Armenian-Turkish relations
doesn’t grow less.

In this sense, it’s worth to mention about the well-known
journalist Sami Kohen’s "How will the relations with Yerevan be
regulated?" article published in "Milliet" on September 19.

Reminding about the fact that Turkey broke of the relations with
Yerevan because of the Karabakh war and blockaded Armenia from 1993
closing the Armenian border of Turkey, the journalist puts forward
a question and then comes to a conclusion: "Both sides will profit
from the opening of the border. Trade and tourism will become active
and investments will be made what will contribute to the economic
growth. In spite of the fact that Armenia incurs a loss from the
blockade, the Armenian economy has recorded a fast growth recently,
the trade volumes between Yerevan and EU countries have increased,
and Armenia provides electricity for Georgia and Iran. It means,
that despite of the Turkey’s blockade the Armenian economy continues
to develop. Moreover, the pressure with the closed Armenian border
doesn’t serve the purpose. For example, it doesn’t force Armenia to
review the policy of Karabakh or to change its attitude towards Baku.

The best means to overcome the above-mentioned contradictions is to
sit around the structural negotiation table and to start a dialogue
containing all the issues. Creation of this kind of balance will be
of economic and political benefit to the two countries."

ARMENIA-EU TRADE ON STEADY RISE

Armenpress
Sept 24 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s trade with EU member
nations in the first six months of this year accelerated to almost
$667 million, making 35.2 percent of Armenia’s aggregate foreign trade,
up from 25.8 percent from a year before.

Armenian exports in the reported time rose 11.4 percent year-on-year
to $252.3 million, while exports grew 36.6 percent to $414.3 million.

Announcing these numbers, Armenian trade and economic development
minister Nerses Yeritsian said to a recurrent meeting of Armenia-EU
Cooperation Committee in Yerevan, that exports and imports in both
directions are on steady rise, although Armenian exports rise is not
that tangible as EU imports to Armenia.

The minister argued in favor of integrating tall hose systems, which
will facilitate bilateral trade, such as standardization system,
elimination of reciprocal quality obstacles, Armenia’s joining various
registry systems and so on.

"We will make fresh efforts to advance structural reforms. We
are working on an ambitious and bold program, which we call second
generation reforms, designed to improve trade, investment environment
and eliminate everything that impedes boosting ties between Armenia
and EU," he said.

NKR PRESIDENT AND YEREVAN MAYOR DISCUSSED PROGRAMS TO BE REALIZED IN SHOUSHI

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 24 2007

September 23 Nagorno-Karabagh Republic President Bako Sahakian received
Yerevan Mayor, the Chair of Shoushi Revival Fund Board of Trustees
Yervand Zakarian.

According to the information DE FACTO got at the Central Department
of Information under NKR President, the interlocutors had discussed
the programs to be realized in Shoushi, as well as a number of social
and economic issues.

NKR PM Ara Harutyunian, a member of Shoushi Revival Fund Board
of Trustees Vardges Artsrouni and Fund Executive Director Grigor
Harutyunian were present at the meeting.

BLOG: A SPOTLIT VIEW IN YEREVAN
By Jill Worrall

New Zealand Herald, New Zealand
d=7&objectid=10465600
Sept 24 2007

This is the first time I’ve stayed in a hotel of such architectural
merit that my window has been spotlit. I didn’t realise the front
of the Marriott in Yerevan, Armenia, was floodlit until I opened the
curtains the first night and found myself bathed in orange light. I
wasn’t really dressed for such a public appearance so had to dive
for cover.

But, when suitably attired, I’ve spent many entertaining minutes
watching life whiz by on Republic Square (formerly Lenin Square)
beneath my window. The square is actually more of a hexagon surrounded
on all sides by buildings of monumental proportions, including the
Marriott.

Across from me is the central post office and Finance and Economy
ministry with its clock tower, and to the left of it the colonnaded
National Gallery.

Three lanes of traffic hurtle around a central roundabout of black
stone which once was home to a statue of Lenin. Well, it hurtles
sometimes, but not when a wedding party arrives.

First comes the stretch limo for the bride and groom – sometimes they
are standing up, heads poking out through the sun roof, the bride’s
veil billowing out behind and on occasions engulfing her new husband…

Riding shotgun is usually at least one video photographer hanging
precariously out a window. Behind them follow the cars of the wedding
guests, horns blaring. Everyone must make three circuits of the square
which effectively paralyses all other traffic.

Late one night, when the wedding parties and most other traffic
had disappeared I could see shadowy figures moving around a long
rectangular pool in front of the gallery.

Suddenly illuminated jets of water shot skywards – Republic Square’s
musical fountain was under renovation and clearly the new sound and
light show was being rehearsed as much under wraps as is possible
when you are working with 10-metre high plumes of bright blue water.

Ekklesia, UK

Williams in Middle East visits to promote peace and
church relations

By staff writers
22 Sep 2007

Following on from his visit to the United States, the Archbishop of
Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has embarked on a series of short
visits to Armenia, Syria and Lebanon. The aim is to deepen church
relations and promote a peace agenda. The trip runs from 22 – 29
September 2007.

The Archbishop’s visit to Armenia is a result of an outstanding
invitation from the Catholicos, His Holiness Karekin II, who heads the
Armenian Apostolic Church. The Archbishop, who has a long-standing
interest in the spirituality and history of the Eastern Churches,
hosted the Catholicos at Lambeth Palace and Canterbury in 2004.

This visit is part of the Archbishop’s programme of ecumenical
encounter and dialogue with sister churches worldwide, learning more
about their life and witness. The visit will focus on shared worship
and liturgy, and visits to a range of of significant religious and
national sites, to a prison for women and children to meet inmates and
chaplains, as well as discussions with the Armenian government.

During the visit the Archbishop will lay a wreath and plant a tree at
the Genocide Memorial – giving a boots to its case for international
recognition.

Dr Williams will co-host, with British Ambassador Anthony Cantor, the
Queen’s Birthday Party at the Armenian Church’s Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.

The Archbishop’s visit to Syria and Lebanon will be shorter and forms
part of his continuing personal engagement with Christian churches in
the Middle East, and with leaders of other faiths in the region. The
visit takes place at the invitation of the Anglican Bishop of
Jerusalem, Suhail Dawani, whose diocese covers these countries, and is
being arranged in collaboration with the Middle East Council of
Churches.

In Syria, as well as meetings with Christian leaders and the local
Anglican community, the Archbishop will meet with the Grand Mufti of
Syria and the country’s President, Dr Bashar Al Asad. The programme
for his visit to Lebanon will be released nearer the time.

BÝA, Turkey
Last Modified 21-09-2007 13.27

Türüt’s "Fans" Threaten Journalist
Türüt and Sirin’s lawyer warned: "Know your limits".
Body guards threatened a journalist.

Býa news centre

21-09-2007

Erol Önderoglu

Singer Ismail Türüt and composer Arif Sirin( also
known as Ozan Arif) arrived at the Sultanahmet Law
Court yesterday (19 September) in order to make
statements to Press Prosecutor Nurten Altinok.

An investigation has been started into the song "Plan,
Don’t make a plan", composed by Sirin and sung by
Türüt. It is said to include references to and praise
of the suspected murderers of journalist Hrant Dink.
In addition, the song was put on the Internet website
YouTube with a video clip about the murder.

Journalist threatened

Türüt and Sirin arrived in a Hammer jeep and a
20-strong body guard. When they left the building
again, Radikal reporter Serkan Ocak asked, "Are these
people your body guard?" Ocak was pointed at and
threatened by a guard, who said, "Be careful!"

Türüt said, "Oh no, this is not a body guard. These
are my friends, my fans." He added, "Those who made
the [You Tube] clip are despicable. I am suing."

Lawyer Yesilyurt threatens

Journalist Ali Bayramoglu, who had written about the
clip, has been threatened, and yesterday Türüt and
Sirin’s lawyer Ömer Yesilyurt chose the same tone in
front of the law court:

"The ink on Elif Safak’s novel has not dried. I call
on all columnists who are burying their heads in the
sand when people say "Armenians were murdered". We
will continue to say what we know. Everyone should
know their limits."

CHD has filed criminal complaint against Erdemir

The president of the Izmir Bar Association, Nevzat
Erdemir, had spoken of the song as "patriotic and
behaviour that needs to be congratulated".

The Modern Lawyers’ Association (CHD) has filed a
criminal complaint against Erdemir for "praising a
crime and criminals" (Article 215 of the Turkish Penal
Code) and "inciting the people to disobey laws"
(Article 217) and "attempting to influence an
impartial trial" (Article 288).

The CHD said, "During his three years as president of
the Bar Association Nevzat Erdemir has never made a
positive, modern or democratic statement in the name
of law or justice and never shown such a reflex. It is
shameful that he talks about the freedom of expression
for the first time when he wants to protect and
glorify those who legitimise and praise a murder."

"Not the first shameful act"

In their statement, the CHD also said, "This is not
the first shameful act of the Izmir Bar Association
and its president, who refused to openly condemn the
murders of Hrant Dink, of the priest Santoro and the
Malatya massacre."

The CHD accuses Erdemir of

"closing the Group for Prevention of Torture as soon
as he came to office and starting a slandering
campaign against his colleagues who had worked in that
group, together with [nationalist lawyer] Kerincsiz
arranging the protest to "dip the Patriarch in the
water", and allowing the administrator of the racist
"Turkic Socialist People’s Association" to join the
bar as an administrator,"

"organising the Talat Pasa march in Lausanne together
with Dogu Perincek and his group,"

"giving space to the racist texts of suspects in a
gang trial on the bar website,"

"protecting a lawyer who pointed a gun at colleagues
at a plenary assembly"

"ignoring the attitude of lawyer Fuat Turgur, who
insulted and threatened Rakel Dink, her family and
third-party lawyers at the first hearing of the Dink
trial." (EÖ/NZ)