Category: News

KOCHARIAN AIDE WANTS ANOTHER KARABAKH-BORN LEADER FOR ARMENIA
By Hrach Melkumian and Emil Danielyan
Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
June 7 2004
YEREVAN, 08.06.04. Garnik Isagulian, President Robert Kocharian’s
recently appointed national security adviser, said on Saturday
that Armenia’s next president should also be originally from
Nagorno-Karabakh, arguing that it is a “vital territory” for all
Armenians.
“Without Karabakh Armenia can not breathe, no matter how many borders
you reopen,” Isagulian told a roundtable discussion in Yerevan.
The adviser did not specify whom he would like to see succeed
Kocharian and when. Still, the remarks could be interpreted by some
local commentators as another indication that Kocharian’s preferred
successor is Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian, the second most powerful
government official in Armenia and also a native of Karabakh.
The two men led the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic during its
successful war with Azerbaijan before moving to higher positions
in Yerevan, with Sarkisian appointed defense minister in 1993
and Kocharian prime minister in 1997. Some leaders of the Armenian
opposition frequently attack them as the heads of the “Karabakh clan”
allegedly governing the country.
Armenia’s next presidential elections are to take place in 2008, and
its existing constitution bars Kocharian from contesting them for a
third term in office. Neither the president nor his top lieutenant,
who have been busy dealing with an opposition campaign of street
protests for the past two months, have shed light on their long-term
political plans so far.
Isagulian joined the presidential administration in early April
to take up a position that has been vacant for the past decade. A
retired officer of the Soviet-era KGB secret police, he entered the
political arena in the early 1990s, getting elected to Armenia’s first
post-Communist parliament and joining the then opposition Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun). He was expelled from the
party about two years after it was controversially banned in 1994
by former President Levon Ter-Petrosian and emerged from a political
oblivion three years ago to set up his own nationalist group called
the National Security Party.
Isagulian has since been an outspoken supporter of Kocharian and
detractor of his political opponents. He on Saturday strongly defended
the recent government crackdown on the opposition, alleging that
the latter has attempted to stage a coup and labeled Kocharian as a
“murderer.”
Ironically, Isagulian had himself faced `terrorism` and coup charges
in July 1995 along with 31 members of Dashnaktsutyun, including Vahan
Hovannisian, who is currently the deputy speaker of the Armenian
parliament. But unlike them, Isagulian went into hiding and escaped
arrest and trial. He remained on the run until Ter-Petrosian’s
resignation in February 1998.

Daily questions US diplomat’s optimism on “fundamental changes” in Azerbaijan
Yeni Musavat, Baku
7 Jun 04
Text of Qosqay report by Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat on 7 June
entitled “Fundamental changes?”, subheaded “Seven months ago the West
returned Azerbaijan from threshold of these changes”
Speaking at a conference entitled “With Women towards Victory”,
the deputy US ambassador for political issues, Nancy McEldowney,
voiced an intriguing opinion. She said Azerbaijan was in the run-up
to fundamental changes and called on women to play a more active role
in public life. While mentioning fundamental changes, the diplomat
meant oil revenues (will there be revenues? – author), a peaceful
resolution to the Karabakh conflict, democratic elections and a
guarantee of freedom of speech.
Undoubtedly, these are fine words. We regret that what the experienced
diplomat mentioned as fundamental changes cannot simply be implemented
in Azerbaijan.
This process has been going on in Georgia. [Georgian President]
Mikheil Saakashvili has won democratic polls and is implementing the
democratic changes mentioned by Mrs McEldowney. The country’s budget
revenue has grown, important steps are being taken almost every day
towards building civil society. Finally, territorial conflicts, like
the long-drawn-out Karabakh conflict, are being resolved peacefully
as mentioned by the diplomat.
Following the West’s erroneous stance towards the last [presidential]
elections, Azerbaijan was halted on the threshold of radical
changes. To be more precise, voters’ hopes were betrayed, those
who showed the will were again returned to the Aliyev clan’s
enslavement. Everybody was in favour of changes and we regret that
this was impossible.
What changes have taken place since Ilham Aliyev stepped into
his father’s shoes (on 31 October 2003)? We have no intention of
mentioning them. There is no need for a guide if the mountain can be
seen. Budget money is being spent sporadically, corruption is rife,
freedom of assembly is suppressed.
We should not also forget that women, who are invited to play an active
role in public life, come across tremendous deprivations. Are women,
who sell their bodies for a loaf of bread, not a hostage to Aliyev’s
10-year-old policy?
Now the country’s population understand that nothing will change for
the better unless the dynastic regime disappears from Azerbaijan. Or
the other way round, without a radical power change.

WHICH OF TWO TV CHANNELS TO BE RETRANSMITTED?
A1 Plus | 16:22:11 | 08-06-2004 | Social |
After months of being turned off, the 23 UHF transmitter was
unexpectedly turned on today.
Testing signal appeared on the screen although no programs are being
broadcast.
The head of Radio and Television National Commission Grigor Amalyan
said recently in his interview with our correspondent that the
Commission won’t decide programs of which of the two Russian channels –
NTV or Culture – will be retransmitted on that broadcasting frequency.
NTV channel’s programs retransmitted before that. Some sources say
Armenian government gave an instruction to the Commission not to
announce tender for the frequency until negotiations with Culture
channel are completed. And what is the reason for today’s switching
on? Our correspondent tried to get the answer from NTV-retransmitting
Paradise Company, called there and had “an interesting talk” with
one of the company staff.
Question: Which TV channel will be retransmitted?
Answer: I don’t know.
Q.: What programs will be retransmitted?
A.: Don’t know.
Q.: If so, then why was the signal switched on?
A.: Don’t know.
Q.: Could we talk to the head of the company?
A.: He’s absent.
Q.: Maybe his deputy is present?
A.: He isn’t empowered to answer questions.
Q.: And maybe you are empowered?
A.: Call to Radio and Television National Commission.
So, the retransmission fate is still obscure and Paradise seems to
be absolutely not involved in decision-making process. At least the
conversation with the company employee is quite puzzling.

ONLY 10 OUT OF 270 PETROL FILLING STATIONS COMPLY WITH REQUIRED STANDARDS
ArmenPress
June 7 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: Only 10 out of 270 petrol filling station
in the capital city of Yerevan comply with standards, set by the
urban construction department of the municipality. Samvel Danielian,
the head of Yerevan municipality architecture and urban construction
department said some 30 petrol filling stations were e dismantled
and another 125 are expected to be dismantled soon.
Currently 105 petrol filling stations are under investigation where
violations of urban construction norms were reported. In response
to a question whether those who had authorized construction of those
petrol filling stations will be brought to justice, the department head
said they are not responsible for that. Their task is to ensure that
petrol filling stations are in accordance with the norms established
by urban construction.

Référence: Le Figaro, spécial 6 juin 1944
Ce parachutiste américain avait 19 ans quand il sauta sur Sainte-Mère-Eglise
Howard Manaoian.
(Photo J.- C. Marmara/Le Figaro.)
Howard Manaoian : «Partis à 44, nous revenons à 18»
Propos recueillis par Thiébault Dromard
[02 juin 2004]
Il a choisi la France. Caporal chef de l’infanterie parachutiste,
Howard Manoian a 19 ans quand il est parachuté au-dessus du petit
village normand de Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Le Figaro l’a retrouvé
soixante ans après dans cette bourgade du Cotentin, où il a établi sa
résidence principale depuis 1992. D’origine arménienne, cet enfant du
Massachusetts avoue apprécier le calme de la campagne normande, sauf
à la veille de chaque anniversaire du débarquement. Ses souvenirs de
la bataille de Normandie sont intacts. Il nous livre ici le journal
de ces heures et de ces jours historiques.
4 et 5 juin
«La tempête fait rage. Le vent et la pluie balayent le tarmac du camp
d’aviation située à quelques encablures de Leicester, en Angleterre. La
météo n’est pas de la partie. Ce n’est pas tant la pluie qui nous
inquiète, que les bourrasques de vent qui s’amplifient au fur et à
mesure de la journée du 4 juin. Le vent, c’est sans doute le pire
ennemi des parachutistes. Nous sommes pourtant prêts à y aller. Les
manœuvres, nous les connaissons par cœur pour les avoir répétées de
longs mois, ici, de l’autre côté du Channel. Mais la décision tombe, le
Débarquement est reporté de 24 heures. Une journée de plus à attendre,
à imaginer le pire, à ressasser les consignes dans notre tête, à
feuilleter, sans réelle motivation, le dictionnaire anglais-français
que la logistique nous a remis dans notre paquetage. La peur est
là. Nous connaissons tous les statistiques, un parachutiste sur
deux meurt avant d’avoir foulé le sol. Dans sa grande «générosité»,
l’Etat américain nous accorde d’ailleurs une sorte de prime de risque
mensuelle de 50 dollars.
Le 5 juin au soir, comme prévu, une légère amélioration se
dessine. Cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne. Dans quelques heures, nous
survolerons la Manche, puis les côtes normandes. Dans mon esprit,
dans celui de tous mes camarades, cette opération doit être de courte
durée. Pas question de s’attarder en France. Le débarquement achevé,
nous foncerons sur Berlin, notre ultime objectif.
Nuit du 5 au 6 juin
L’avion décolle vers 1 heure du matin et gagne rapidement le Cotentin,
distant d’à peine 200 kilomètres de notre base. Mon bataillon, le 505e
régiment, a pour objectif principal de prendre un pont qui enjambe
la petite rivière de Merderet, un affluent de la Douve, située à 3
ou 4 kilomètres de Sainte-Mère-Eglise. L’avion entame sa descente,
il a prévu de nous faire sauter au plus bas, c’est-à-dire à 200 mètres
d’altitude maximum.
Je saute parmi les derniers. Mauvais présage, ou hasard d’un
pilotage imprécis, j’atterris au beau milieu du cimetière de
l’église du village. Je ramasse rapidement mon paquetage et décampe
de ce lieu inhospitalier. Je retrouve avec bonheur trois de mes
camarades. Mais la joie des retrouvailles est vite effacée par la
riposte allemande. L’alerte a été donnée, les batteries de la Werhmacht
s’exécutent. J’essaye de prendre contact avec le reste de ma compagnie,
mais la connexion de ma radio est défectueuse.
Le combat de position fait rage dans les rues de Sainte-Mère-Eglise. On
progresse très lentement, rue après rue, quartier par quartier.
6 juin
Le jour se lève et la lumière expose à nu les dures réalités de la
guerre. Les corps s’amoncellent déjà dans les rues, les blessés se
comptent par dizaines. Des fermes transformées en hôpitaux de fortune
accueillent les éclopés.
Un officier américain vient me trouver. Il a besoin de renfort
pour prendre le château de Fauville, quartier général des
officiers allemands. Cette solide bâtisse est située à la sortie de
Sainte-Mère-Eglise, sur la route de Carentan. Pris par surprise, dans
son sommeil, l’ennemi oppose une résistance passive à notre assaut. En
une demi-heure, l’affaire est bouclée, et les 40 officiers sont sous
notre contrôle. Six parachutistes sont affectés à la surveillance
du château.
Pour ma part, je regagne le nord de Sainte-Mère-Eglise, où une poche
de résistance sévit. Nous partons à 44, nous revenons, le 7 au matin,
à 18 de cette sanglante boucherie. Le commandant du bataillon, le
sergent Robert Nyland, qui avait débarqué quelques heures plus tôt
à Utah Beach, est mort.
7 juin
La journée entière est consacrée à la libération de
Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Le combat de rue est intense.
Bientôt, la ville ressemble à un champ de ruines. Cela fait maintenant
près de deux jours que j’ai été parachuté. Deux jours sans aucune
nouvelle du reste de ma compagnie, basée à 4 kilomètres d’ici, en rase
campagne. Nous tentons pourtant d’établir une communication mais nos
radios ont été mal montées et rien ne fonctionne. Il faut attendre la
fin de la journée du 7 juin pour que nous puissions enfin réaliser que
nous maîtrisons la situation. La résistance allemande est bien plus
forte que nous l’imaginions. Demain, nous pourrons enfin rejoindre
nos camarades.
8 juin
Nous quittons Sainte-Mère-Eglise au petit matin. Mais avant de laisser
cette bourgade derrière nous, il nous faut absolument trouver un point
d’eau. Plus que faim, nous avons terriblement soif. Je n’ai pas bu
depuis trois jours. Je frappe à une porte. Je ne parle pas un mot
de français. Un homme m’ouvre. Je lui montre mon drapeau américain
à l’épaule pour le rassurer. Je tourne fébrilement les pages de mon
dictionnaire pour trouver les mots qui me donneront à boire. «Je
veux boire…», je n’ai pas le temps de dire de l’eau que l’homme
apporte une bouteille enveloppée d’un papier journal de sorte que
je ne parviens pas bien à en distinguer le contenu. Il me sert alors
généreusement de son liquide, qui a une couleur bien jaunâtre. Je me
souviens alors que la logistique nous avait mis en garde sur le fait
que l’eau, dans la plupart des villages de France, n’est pas potable.
Je sors alors deux comprimés purificateurs. J’attends qu’ils fassent
leur effet, et avale à grandes gorgées ce breuvage. J’ai à peine le
temps de réaliser qu’il s’agissait d’un alcool fort que je suffoque
et manque de m’étouffer. Je comprends que cet homme a cherché à
m’empoisonner. Je pointe ma mitraillette sur lui, mais il m’explique
tant bien que mal qu’il m’a servi une sorte de brandy à la pomme
appelé calvados. Pour m’excuser, je lui offre mes cigarettes.
Nous arrivons en début d’après-midi à destination et retrouvons avec
joie le reste de mes camarades. Mais rapidement, je constate que notre
compagnie accuse de lourdes pertes. Le bilan est effroyable. Deux
cents soldats ont sauté sur le pont le 6 juin. Deux jours après, il
n’en reste que 60 debout. 80 sont gravement blessés, 60 ont péri au
combat. Postés sur l’autre rive de la rivière, trois chars allemands
ont riposté pendant deux jours sans discontinuer. Il s’agit d’engins
français de la marque Renault, que les Allemands se sont procurés dès
1940. Deux d’entre eux ont explosé à la suite de tirs de bazooka,
le troisième a pris la fuite pour contourner notre front et nous
attaquer par-derrière. Il n’a pas eu le temps de faire de dégâts
car nous l’avons intercepté et anéanti avant même qu’il ne tire sa
première salve.
9 juin
Première grande victoire, nous parvenons enfin à traverser ce
petit pont de pierre et à gagner l’autre rive de cette rivière,
la Merderet. Nous pouvons maintenant poursuivre notre avancée plein
ouest et contrôler une partie non négligeable de la presqu’île du
Cotentin. Nous gagnons enfin concrètement du terrain. Nous pouvons
désormais considérer que le Débarquement s’est achevé pour laisser
la place à la bataille de Normandie».
Howard Manoian est blessé gravement pour la première fois le 17 juin,
à Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte. Une balle lui traverse la paume de la main,
de sorte «qu’on pouvait voir à travers». Il est également touché aux
deux jambes. Il est transféré dans un hôpital de campagne aménagé
sur la plage d’Utah Beach. Le sort s’abat une nouvelle fois sur lui
à sa sortie de l’hôpital. Un chasseur allemand mitraille la plage
en rase-mottes et le blesse à l’autre main. Pendant que le 505e
régiment libère le sud de la Manche, et notamment la Haye-du-Puit,
Howard Manoian est transféré en Angleterre par navire-hôpital, et
placé en convalescence jusqu’au 13 septembre. Il participe ensuite à
la campagne de Hollande, puis à celle des Ardennes, particulièrement
éprouvante. «Je n’ai jamais eu aussi froid», confie-t-il.
Howard Manoian ne marchera pas sur Berlin, il sera arrêté de nouveau
dans sa course par une grave blessure en mars 1945, qui l’oblige à
regagner définitivement les Etats-Unis. Il foule le sol américain le
10 mai, et savoure six semaines de permission.
Au lendemain de la guerre, Howard Manoian quitte l’armée. Il devient
gardien de prison, fonction dans laquelle il «s’ennuie à mourir». Il
quitte l’administration pénitentiaire pour exercer le métier de
policier pendant 32 ans.

COMPETITION FOR JOURNALISTS ANNOUNCED
A1 Plus | 21:10:04 | 07-06-2004 | Social |
OSCE Yerevan office and Environment and Information Center / Orkhus/
has announced a competition for TV and press journalists.
To be eligible for Human Rights and Environment competition is an
applicant has to submit a 20-minute video-clip. If he/she is a TV
reporter, and a 1000-word article, if he/she is a press journalist,
produced/written in 2004.

EX FOREIGN MINISTER CONSIDERS NORMAL RELATIONS WITH TURKEY AS CRUCIAL FOR
CONSOLIDATION OF ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE
YEREVAN, June 4 (Noyan Tapan). A seminar devoted to the possibility
of opening Armenian-Turkish border, the situation in the region,
as well as the discussion of the possible prospects of relations
between Turkey and Armenia was organized with the initiative of the
Union of Young Conservatives on June 4. Ex-foreign minister of Armenia
Alexander Arzumanian said in his speech that the issue of the Genocide
must occupy its peculiar place in Armenian-Turkish relations but it
must not be the basis for bilateral relations.
According to him, first of all it is necessary to establish normal
relations with Turkey, including trade ones. The ex-minister said
implementation of different programs, including exchange ones, will
create a corresponding atmosphere in Turkish society and, hence, will
contribute to the discussion of the Armenian Genocide. Arzumanian
believes we must first of all demand that Turkey recognize the
Genocide: “When other countries recognize the Genocide we hail the fact
but only Turkey’s recognition will remove the gap in Armenian-Turkish
relations.”
In connection with the issue of Armenia’s European integration,
Arzumanian said efforts will be more effective if Armenia supports
the process of Turkey’s membership in the European Union. Alexander
Arzumanian stressed the necessity of working out a normal modus
of relations. Establishment of normal relations with Turkey, he
believes, is the most important factor for the consolidation of
Armenia’s independence.
“As a citizen of Armenia, it hurts me to hear that Armenia is Russia’s
advanced post in the region. We needn’t become the executor of the
will of this or any other country, moroever that Russia, as it did
in the past, is abandoning us,” he stated.

Armenian National Committee of Illinois
1701 North Greenwood
Glenview, IL 60025
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
June 7, 2004
For Immediate Release
Contact: Nishan Mekhdjian
[email protected]
ANC OF ILLINOIS MEETS WITH MELISSA BEAN
— Eighth District Democratic Congressional Candidate Reiterates Support of
Armenian American Issues
GLENVIEW, IL–On May 17, representatives of the Armenian National Committee
(ANC) of Illinois met with Melissa Bean. The meeting, held at the Armenian
Community Center in Glenview, gave the ANC activists an opportunity to
discuss concerns of the Armenian American community with the Eighth District
Democratic Congressional Candidate.
“From our discussion with Melissa Bean–and her response to the ANCA
Congressional Candidate Questionnaire–it is obvious that she is well aware
of the issues that confront Armenian Americans,” stated ANC of Illinois
Chairman Nishan Mekhdjian. “Her support of our community’s concerns is to
be commended.”
“As the November election approaches, we will make sure that Armenian
American constituents in Illinois clearly understand the views of candidates
vying for office. The ANC will also continue to work with candidates
running for local, state, federal offices in an effort to help clarify their
views on Armenian American issues,” concluded Mekhdjian.
During the meeting with Bean, ANC representatives Karine Birazian, Nishan
Mekhdjian, Noubar Sarkissian, and Sevon Torosian provided a brief background
of the Illinois Armenian American community. They further discussed
numerous current issues confronting Armenian Americans, including US
reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide–specifically the Congressional
Genocide Resolutions–US aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, and US-Armenia
economic relations, such as extending permanent normal trade relations for
Armenia and negotiating a Social Security Agreement and Tax Treaty.
In April, responding to the ANCA Congressional Candidate Questionnaire, Bean
expressed support for a number of key Armenian American concerns.
The Congressional Questionnaire calls upon candidates to answer nine
questions concerning their views on the Armenian Genocide,
self-determination for Nagorno Karabagh, US aid to Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh, US-Armenian economic relations, conditions on US aid to
Azerbaijan, the Turkish blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, and the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
Bean, currently the president of a consulting firm serving high-tech Fortune
1000 clients internationally, who also ran for Congress in Illinois’ Eighth
District in 2002, answered all nine questions favorably.
Republican Congressman Philip Crane, the incumbent candidate, is running for
his 19th term in office. Illinois’ Eighth Congressional District includes
parts of Lake, Cook, and McHenry counties.
The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American grassroots
political organization in Illinois and nationwide. The ANC actively advances
a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community.
####

MY PRIEST PROGRAM ON ARARAT DIOCESE SITE
A1 Plus | 19:55:04 | 07-06-2004 | Social |
My Priest program is launched on Armenian Apostolic Church Ararat
diocese’s site. Interviews with priests and
secular activists on the themes interesting to the youth will be
placed at the site.
The program provides its readers with the opportunity to ask questions
on condition of anonymity.
The program is expected to appear on a separate site by the end of
this year, the diocese press-secretary Elza Manoukyan says.

Turkish, Armenian Women Weave New Borders
By Yigal Schliefer – WeNews correspondent
INTERNATIONAL
Women’s eNews
June 7, 2004
ISTANBUL, Turkey (WOMENSENEWS)–Stepping into the gap that their
governments have so far been unable to bridge, a group of Turkish
and Armenian women are expanding a dialogue project that was begun
two years ago, in the hope that their work might eventually have an
impact on official policy.
The project, called the Turkish-Armenian Women Communication Group, got
its start on March 8, 2001. Two Armenian women–a member of Armenia’s
parliament and a representative of an Armenian non-governmental
organization–came to Istanbul, Turkey’s capital city, to be part of
a panel discussion celebrating international women’s day.
After a series of reciprocal meetings, the group–made up mostly of
businesswomen, journalists, academics, non-governmental organization
representatives and parliamentarians–has been growing both in size
and scope. In the latest encounter, held in early July in the Armenian
capital of Yerevan, a dozen Turkish and some 20 Armenian women met,
organizing several smaller subcommittees responsible for coming up
with projects for further cooperation.
In the beginning, the two groups asked each other one question: “Are
we satisfied with the politics of our governments toward each other
up until now?” says Mujgan Suver, a Turkish psychologist who works
on human rights issues at the Istanbul-based Marmara Group, a Turkish
public policy foundation that initiated the dialogue project. “We said
if we are satisfied, then fine, let’s leave it. But if we are not,
let’s do something about it and maybe we will someday be able to get
our governments together and talk about it.”
Despite sharing a 166-mile border, Turkey and Armenia currently have
no diplomatic relations. Turkey sealed its frontier with Armenia in
1993 to protest the Armenian takeover of the Nagorno-Karabakh region
of Azerbaijan, a close Turkish ally.
An even greater source of tension, though, dates back to the early
part of the 20th century. Starting in 1915, during the violence of
World War I, large numbers of Armenians were deported from their
homes in Turkey’s Anatolian heartland. Estimates of the number of
Armenians killed during the deportations range from 300,000 to nearly
1.5 million. For Armenians, the events of that time are considered
genocide and they would like them officially recognized as such. Turkey
has steadfastly refused to accept the term “genocide,” pointing out
that atrocities were committed by both sides during what was a time
of great upheaval.
“For both countries, the relationship is still a very thorny issue,
and there doesn’t seem to be any opening on the horizon, to be honest,”
says Ali Carkoglu, research director at the Istanbul-based Turkish
Economic and Social Studies Foundation. “It’s very difficult these
days to deal with this issue in a cooperative manner.”
The Marmara Group’s Suver says it is because of this impasse in
Turkish-Armenian relations that she wanted to start the dialogue group.
Suver was previously involved in a similar group with women from
Greece–a country that, up until recently, also had strained relations
with Turkey–and says that project proved fruitful in bringing Turkish
and Greek women together.
Hranush Kharatyan, president of the Armenian branch of a human rights
group called Transcaucasus Women’s Dialogue, which has other branches
in Georgia and Azerbaijan, says the idea of a dialogue group also
appealed to her as a way of breaking through the rancor that exists
between Turks and Armenians.
“Our common goal is to arrive at the establishment of peaceful
relations,” Kharatyan writes from Yerevan in an e-mail message. “Though
Turkish and Armenian women vary in their perspectives regarding this
issue so far, there exist also common views.”
Project Introduces Women to Politics
Suver says she also hopes the project will help bring those involved,
who come from a region where women are often shut out of political
life, closer to the political process and the conflict resolution
process.
“Unfortunately, women never take part in peace negotiations, in peace
deals,” she says.
Working as women in an area where they aren’t the usual leading players
on political issues could actually be advantageous, says one of the
group’s participants.
“People don’t take it as a potential source of danger when women are
working on a something. They don’t take it seriously. That could be
helpful,” says Lale Aytanc Nalbant, an Istanbul chemical engineer
who has been part of the dialogue group since June of last year. “We
are not taken seriously by the politicians, but in the end we can
accomplish much more than expected.”
Both the Turkish and Armenian participants, meanwhile, say that their
meetings have already led to positive, if small, changes.
“If we compare our first and last meetings, I can say that our
relations have become more friendly and tolerant. We try to understand
each other and even some conflict issues have been solved through
dialogues,” writes Susanna Vardanyan, president of the Women’s Rights
Center, a Yerevan-based non-governmental organization, in an e-mail
interview.
Istanbul’s Aytanc Nalbant says she has seen the bitter tone that at
first dominated the meetings slowly melting away. “Once you get to
know people more and more, you feel more like family towards them and
grow more confident towards them,” she says. “There are less doubts
that they have secondary intentions when they say something.”
Focusing on the Future
In order to move forward, the group has for now decided to lay aside
discussions of the past, particularly the genocide issue, and to focus
on creating joint projects through four subcommittees that were formed
at the recent meeting in Yerevan. Among some of the ideas the group
is considering are creating a summer exchange program for Turkish and
Armenian students, publishing cookbooks that would illustrate daily
life in both countries and creating a committee that would screen
the media in each country for negative depictions of each other.
The time may be ripe for projects like these to have an impact. Both
the United States and the European Union–which Turkey hopes to
join in the near future – –have been applying pressure on the two
countries to resolve their disputes.
Noyan Soyak, the Turkish vice chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business
Development Council, an independent group promoting better trade
relations between the two countries, says the increasing number of
Turks and Armenians meeting outside of conventional political channels
has led to a positive change in public opinion in both countries.
“Public diplomacy is the infrastructure. We are softening the ground
for the politicians to play on,” Soyak says.
For now, though, the participants of the dialogue say they are focusing
on building trust within their own circle before trying to influence
their countries’ leaders.
“When the time comes, we will work on applying political pressure,”
says Suver. “This won’t just be a group of women meeting. But we have
to let time pass before this can happen.”
Yigal Schliefer is a freelance writer based in Istanbul.
For more information: National Peace
Foundation – Transcaucasus Women’s Dialogue:
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