TURKEY IMPOSES DEFENSE SANCTIONS ON FRANCE
Middle East Newsline, Canada
Nov 20 2006
ANKARA [MENL] — Turkey has imposed defense sanctions on France.
Officials said Ankara would not consider French military and defense
cooperation in wake of the French parliament’s approval of a bill that
recognized the Turkish genocide of Armenians in 1918. They said France
would also not attend military and security meetings in Turkey. Both
countries are members of NATO.
Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said France would not be invited
to the biannual International Defense Fair in Ankara. The next IDEF
exhibition was meant to take place in September 2007.
“France has a renowned [defense] minister, but due to the recent
developments we haven’t sent her an invitation for the upcoming fair,”
Gonul said on Nov. 16. “France has not been officially invited to
the fair.”
NOTE: The above is not the full item.

FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER LEFT OFF GONUL’S DEFENSE FAIR GUEST LIST
Anatolian Times, Turkey
Nov 20 2006
Following Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug’s announcement
on Wednesday that military ties with France had been suspended,
the government also took a negative stance towards France. Defense
Minister Vecdi Gonul said yesterday that he had not invited his French
counterpart Michele Alliot Maire to the Eighth International Defense
Fair (IDEF 2007) set for next May in Ankara. During a promotional
meeting, Gonul said that France had a respected defense minister, but
due to the recent developments, he had not been officially invited to
the fair in question. Meanwhile, commenting on Basbug’s announcement,
French Defense Ministry spokesman Jean-Francois Bureau stated that
the statement had been made by a military commander but not by the
Turkish government, adding that no practical or concrete effect of
the declaration had been seen so far.
In addition, regarding Basbug’s statement, world media outlets
interpreted the move as “Turkey’s revenge” following the French
Parliament’s passage of a bill criminalizing denial of the alleged
Armenian genocide.

KOCHARIAN: “AS AN EU CANDIDATE, TURKEY SHOULD ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH ARMENIA”
Anatolian Times, Turkey
Nov 20 2006
Speaking at a conference in Berlin yesterday, Armenian President
Robert Kocharian said that as a European Union candidate, Turkey
should pursue a different approach by establishing diplomatic
relations with Armenia. Kocharian further complained that Turkey, an
important country in its region, has closed its border with Armenia,
adding that it should take a different stance. Kocharyan also said
that diplomatic ties between the two countries should be established
without any preconditions.

WAITING FOR ARMENIA’S ‘PORTERFIELD!’ MOMENT
The Times, UK
Nov 20 2006
YOU NEEDN’T WORRY yourselves why, but I was searching for information
about the Armenian Premier League the other day and was frustrated to
discover that the FFA (Football Federation of Armenia) still haven’t
got their website () uploaded, despite a little notice at
the domain insisting that it’s coming soon. Yes, so you keep saying,
Armenia! This low-tech irritation has been greeting me for at least
two months and I am getting close to going over the FFA’s heads and
writing directly to Ian Porterfield about it. Porterfield, as I’m
sure you’re aware, is in charge of the Armenia team. If you weren’t
aware of that, isn’t it a tremendous thing to have salted away now?
For those of you too young to remember, Ian’s surname, as barked
stoutly and irrevocably by David Coleman 30 minutes into the 1973 FA
Cup Final, is synonymous with upset, shock and sensation. He was the
“Porterfield!” whose unstoppable lash decided the game for Sunderland
over hot favourites Leeds United.
No footballer’s name has been broadcast with such boldness and
finality. However, a man can only coast so long on a 33-year-old
bombshell.
Why is he now dragging his feet over giving the world instant access
to breaking football news and events in his new workplace? A friend of
mine thinks it’s because men in Armenia, stylistically and tonsorially,
still look like the 1973 Sunderland squad and Porterfield wishes to
make sure that the nation isn’t playing a huge practical joke at his
expense before drawing back the curtain to the folks back home.
Maybe so. In this age of all things Borat, we must expect some kind
of tit-for-tat retaliation from our Eastern friends. Then again,
it is possible that Porterfield’s plans for this sleeping giant
of European soccer are so amazing that he doesn’t wish to give his
enemies a glimpse of the future.
Whatever it is, I do wish everyone over there would get a move on.
The last I heard, FC Pyunik were racing away with the Armenian league,
but that was ages ago. And as that cunning old fox now in charge knows
better than anyone, in football, everything can change in a heartbeat.

FINAL STATEMENT OF 8TH SUMMIT OF TURKISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES
Turkish Press
Nov 20 2006
ANTALYA – A final statement of the 8th Summit of Heads of State of
Turkish-Speaking Countries (held in southern city of Antalya) was
released on Friday.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer of Turkey, President Nursultan Nazarbayev
of Kazakhstan, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President
Kurmanbek Bakiev of Kyrgyzstan signed the final statement.
The statement underlined the importance of boosting cooperation among
Turkish-Speaking countries and in Eurasia region.
It stressed that Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline were important projects at
the international platform.
“Improvement in international transportation between Turkey and
Turkish-Speaking countries will create new opportunities and contribute
to economy of regional countries,” it noted.
The final statement indicated that the Upper Karabakh issue, which was
an obstruction to lasting stability in southern Caucasus and regional
cooperation, should be solved through peaceful means in conformity
with Azerbaijan`s independence and its territorial integrity.
It stated, “solution of the Upper Karabakh issue will boost peace,
stability and prosperity in Eurasia.”
“Heads of state (of Turkish-Speaking countries) underlined the
importance of joint fight against terrorism, proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction, drug smuggling, weapon smuggling, human smuggling
and other organized crimes,” it stated.
The final statement noted that a global response must be given to
terrorism which became a global threat, stressing that any kind of
terrorism could not be justified.
Referring to the developments that took place in Afghanistan, Iraq,
Palestine and Lebanon, the statement indicated that activities and
initiatives aiming to ensure lasting peace and tranquility should
be supported.
“Turkish-Speaking Countries should work hard to boost cooperation
in the areas of economy, industry, agriculture, transportation,
communication and tourism,” the final statement underlined.
It said that Turkish-Speaking Countries should fully support activities
and initiatives that aimed to strengthen historic and cultural ties
among themselves.
Underlining the importance of Turkey`s EU accession process, the final
statement indicated that Turkey`s EU accession would contribute to
political, economic and social development in the region and strengthen
ties between the region and the EU.
It stressed that a comprehensive solution should be found to the
Cyprus issue under the roof of the UN, stating that heads of state
of Turkish-Speaking Countries assisted the UN`s initiatives in regard
to lifting of isolations imposed on Turkish Cypriot people.

ALIYEV SAYS ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL COOPERATION MUST BE IMPROVED AMONG TURKISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES
Turkish Press
Nov 20 2006
ANTALYA – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Friday that
economic and political cooperation among the Turkish speaking countries
must be improved.
Speaking at the 8th Summit of Heads of State & Government of
Turkish-Speaking Countries in the southern Turkish city of Antalya,
Aliyev remembered that Turkey was the first country recognizing
independence of Azerbaijan.
“Economy of Azerbaijan develops rapidly. We have left economic
difficulties behind. Other Turkish-speaking states also overcame the
difficulties,” Aliyev added.
“World is changing. The incidents occurring in our region require
new relationships and cooperation,” he recalled.
“Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline is a historic step. This will serve
economic development of the region. Inclusion of Kazakhstan to this
cooperation brings a new dynamism. Completion of Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum
natural gas pipeline means shipment of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey and
Europe,” Aliyev said.
Emphasizing that countries of the Caspian region have very rich natural
resources, Aliyev said, “these resources bring financial prosperity
to the region. The cooperation which was considered as a dream before,
is now realized.”
-ARMENIAN ISSUE-
Stating that there were problems that create uneasiness in Azerbaijan,
Aliyev said, “ongoing Armenian occupation on Azerbaijan`s territory
is the biggest problem of our country. This is also a problem of
the region. We favor resolution of the problem through peaceful
means. The problem must be solved in line with the principles
of the U.N.. European Organizations do not have any effect on
Armenia. Azerbaijan lost 20 percent of its territory in the ethnic
cleansing. More than 1 million people were made refugee in their
own country.”

PRESIDENT SEZER: WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO COOPERATION IN FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
Turkish Press
Nov 20 2006
ANTALYA – “We attach great importance to cooperation in the fight
against terrorism and the other threats that jeopardize development
of our region,” Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday.
Making the opening remarks of the 8th Summit of Heads of State &
Government of Turkish-Speaking Countries in the southern Turkish
city of Antalya, President Sezer said, “our countries have a sound
position in the international platform as the states that successfully
consolidate peace and stability in their region.”
“Our world has been living through a period of important changes.
Global changes also affect our region and countries. We need to pursue
long-term policies in this period without losing our own values,”
he said.
President Sezer noted, “our countries have the necessary will to
further improve their relations and cooperation on the basis of mutual
respect, equality and joint interests. Our relations have been based
on the principle of equality.”
Referring to economic and commercial relations, President Sezer said,
“we encourage our businessmen to speed up their investments in Turkic
republics. Also, we are pleased to see businessmen of those countries
investing in Turkey. On the other hand, Aktau-Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline has been officially inaugurated as a result of our mutual
confidence, cooperation and determination. We are planning to open
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline by the end of this year.”
“One of the most prior targets of Turkish foreign policy is to make
Eurasia a geography of stability and cooperation. However, existing
problems obstruct regional stability and cooperation. Creation of an
atmosphere of peace, prosperity and cooperation in southern Caucasus
depends on finding a peaceful solution to the Upper Karabakh dispute
within the framework of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity. We will
continue supporting Azerbaijan to this end,” he stressed.
President Sezer added, “besides international terrorism, fundamentalist
and separatist movements, illegal migration, illicit drugs and weapons
trafficking and the other organized crimes jeopardize development
of Eurasia. Turkey has suffered from terrorism for long years. Any
kind of terrorism cannot be justified. Therefore, we attach great
importance to cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the
other threats that jeopardize development of our region.”

FRANCE IS NOT WELCOMED IN TURKISH DEFENCE FAIR
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Nov 20 2006
* Turkish Defense Minister’s words prompt French official to leave
salon
ANKARA – Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, speaking at the opening
of the 8th Defense Industry Trade Fair, reportedly provoked French
Military Attache Lieutenant Jean Claude Gaey to leave the salon where
Gonul was speaking.
The French Military Attache Gaey was reportedly reacting in anger to
words spoken by Gonul which appeared to cast doubt on whether French
military officers had been invited to the trade fair:
“We were all upset by the parliamentary approval of the Amernian
bill in France. But we will of course continue our relations with
France in NATO and on other international platforms. We will come
together at other meetings too. The French Defense Minister is a
valuable government member. But the French Defense Minister has not
been formally invited here. We sent invitations to other countries.”
When a reported noted afterwards to Minister Gonul that the official
list of invitees included the French Defense Minister, Gonul responded
“I don’t know about the list you are holding; but when looked at the
list of people sitting to watch the cinevision, I was relieved not
to see the French in row 21. We don’t want to do the wrong thing.”
French Attache Gaey commented to reporters after leaving the salon
in the wake of Gonul’s speech: “An invitation came to me from the
retired General who heads the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation. But
after hearing the minister’s words, I realized that staying here for
meetings was useless. Which is why I am leaving.”
Earlier this week, Turkish General Ilker Basbug of the Turkish
Land Force asserted during celebrations for the founding of Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that for now, Turkish and French
formal military relations had been “shelved.”
Turkey has been decreasing the level of the relations with France at
all sectors. Turkish consumer unions started to boycott the French
companies. Turkish media reported that France has prefered the
Armenians instead of Turkey.

BASKET OF GOODS BY ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 20 2006
Four ARF Dashanktsutyun members of parliament (Levon Mkrtichyan,
Hrair Karapetyan, Vahan Hovanisyan, Armen Rustamyan) drafted a bill
on the list and structure of the basket of goods in April but the
parliament has not discussed it yet. The discussion is postponed at
the request of the authors. Which is the lower standard of living as
defined by the ARF Dashnaktsutyun?
The ARF Dashnaktsutyun proposes 23 food products, 8 non-food products,
and 5-8 services. The ARF included bread, flour, noodles, cereal,
dairy products, vegetables, meat, etc. By the way, in the ARF model
of the basket of goods there is only an annual 36-39 kg of beef and
12-18 kg of fish. No pork, no chicken, no other kinds of meat.
The ARF Dashnaktsutyun prefers apples to all the other fruits. In the
basket of goods, there is no juice, lemonade or water. Drink water
from the faucet.
Of course, the ARF has included clothes and shoes in the basket.
Meanwhile, you cannot buy furniture or electric appliances. If yours is
the minimum basket of goods, you have to live on what you already have.
The authors of the project propose postponing the discussion of the
bill, on the one hand, and on the other hand, they propose starting
to apply the law on January 1, 2007.
This is only one side of the issue, however. According to different
estimations, the basket of goods costs an annual 30-35 thousand drams,
meanwhile, the minimum pension is three times less, 12 thousand
drams. The minimum salary is 15 thousand drams, and it is possible
that in 2007 it will become 20 thousand.

ARA ABRAHAMYAN IS FOLLOWING ATTENTIVELY
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 20 2006
The chair of the Murmansk branch of the Union of Armenians of Russia
killed on Thursday had great connections with Armenia, stated Ara
Abrahamyan, the chair of the Union of Armenians of Russia on November
20. The murder is in the focus of attention of Ara Abrahamyan, he had
a talk with the prosecutor, and arranged to meet with the officers
investigating the case every ten days. Today he says it is early to
express an opinion but he thinks that it was not a racial murder but
involved a clash of business interests. By the way, Arthur Harutiunyan
was said to own 70 percent of stocks of one of the Murmansk-based
banks. He ran realty and entertainment businesses.