Turkey and Central Asia Eye Closer Security Ties
By REUTERS, ANKARA
Defensenews.com
Posted 11/17/06
Turkey called on Central Asian states on Nov. 17 to form a united
front with Ankara in fighting terrorism and cross-border crime.
Turkey, hosting a gathering of Turkic-speaking countries in its
Mediterranean resort of Antalya, also pledged continued strong support
for Muslim ally Azerbaijan in its long dispute with Armenia over the
territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
“The development and stability of the Eurasian region are threatened
by international terrorism, religious fundamentalism, separatist and
extremist currents, illegal migration and other organized crimes
such as drug and weapons smuggling,” President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
told his fellow leaders in televised remarks.
“We attach great importance to multi-level cooperation in the struggle
with terrorism and on issues which pose a threat to the region’s
development,” he said, adding that Turkish business should step up
investment in energy-rich Central Asia.
Turkish firms are already active across the region, especially in
construction, though Ankara has abandoned the ambitious hopes of
building a pan-Turkic commonwealth that it nurtured in the early
1990s after the Soviet Union’s demise.
The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan were in
Antalya for the two-day summit.
But President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan stayed away in protest at
Turkey’s support for a U.N. report critical of his autocratic rule,
Turkish media said. Turkmenistan’s reclusive leader also did not show
up, sending an envoy instead.
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev called for more joint transport
and communications projects to help bind together a vast, mostly
under-developed and poor region that stretches from the Balkans to
China’s western border.
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev sought political support for his country’s
efforts to regain Nagorno-Karabakh, controlled by Armenian separatists
since armed conflict erupted in the early 1990s which killed an
estimated 35,000 people.
A major pipeline linking Caspian Sea oil fields to world markets
passes a few km from the conflict zone to Turkey.
Sezer made clear Ankara’s continued solidarity with Azerbaijan
despite concerns that Turkey’s poor relations with Armenia – their
shared border is closed due to the Karabakh dispute – could hurt its
efforts to join the European Union.
“I want to stress our continued resolve to support fraternal Azerbaijan
on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue,” Sezer said.

Milliyet: Turkey Knows What Happened in 1915
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.11.2006 16:45 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Milliyet Turkish newspaper launched publication of
a series of articles in order to find out the opinion of the Armenian
Diaspora on the Armenian Genocide. Interview with French parliament
member Patrick Devedjian was published first.
“Everyone knows that those who lived on this land experienced hard
times in summer of 1915. For 90 years people are examining who is
right or who is stronger,” observer Temelkuran writes. In his opinion
Turkey is the only state that doesn’t discuss this subject. “We are the
children of those who spoke about it a bit. We all know that unpleasant
things happened that summer but cannot name the events. The East was
in mourning.
The elders showed houses and said that they were built by Armenian
stonemasons. On the whole we know what happened and this is the voice
of soul. That is why I decided to talk with the Armenian Diaspora. I
was warned that Patrick Devedjian is strict and he is the author of the
bill on Genocide. However the conversation proceeded in a civilized
and exciting atmosphere. Moreover, I was surprised when he spoke of
the Genocide with tears in his eyes. He said he was against the bill
but after the destruction of the monument to the Armenian Genocide
victims in Lyon he understood that the law is essential since it will
ensure the security of French Armenians,” he continues.
In the opinion of the French parliamentarian Turkey can change
under a strong pressure only. Armenians are waiting for 90 years,
he added. “This is a deep wound for the Armenian people and the pain
is intolerable,” Devedjian told Milliyet, reports Yerkir.

Canadian Government’s Policy on Armenian Genocide Recognition Not Changed
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.11.2006 17:15 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay
reaffirmed the Canadian government’s recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, during a round table discussion with the National Ethnic
Press and Media Council (NEPMCC) on Nov. 8. As PanARMENIAN.Net came
to know from the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC), the
Minister also clarified his position on the Turkish Government’s
proposal to create a historians’ commission to study the Armenian
Genocide. Minister Mackey assured the Canadian-Armenian community that
the Canadian Government’s policy on the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide has not changed. “Nothing has changed in that regard,”
stressed Mr. MacKay.
In response to a question from Aris Babikian, Horizon Weekly
representative to NEPMCC and the executive director of the Armenian
National Committee of Canada (ANCC), Mr. MacKay stated: “Canada would
support a joint study that would involve participation from academics
from both countries with the inclusion, perhaps, a neutral country
that would be acceptable to both. So a dialogue around what is clearly
incredibly sensitive and loaded issue could lead to greater meeting of
minds plus an opening of a dialogue on other important issues-trade,
travel, greater communication, the blockade of Armenia-is useful
exercise that might bring about some greater healing.”

Turkey Going to Change Policy on Armenian Genocide Issue
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.11.2006 17:22 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey considers the possibility of ‘appealing to
the international court’ on the Armenian Genocide issue, said Turkish
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. In his words, resigned diplomats and
‘reliable’ experts-lawyers are examining the issue in detail.
According to Turkish Daily News, Gul also said assured that
the government will try to settle the problem within shortest
terms. Article titled “Historical step by Turkey” published in
Milliyett daily says that the Turkish government ‘elaborates a new
policy’ as regards the statements on the Armenian Genocide. At the
same time Turkish diplomats refrain from detailed comments on the
changes to occur in the Genocide issue line, reports RFE/RL.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VympelCom and OTE Sealed Deal on ArmenTel
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.11.2006 17:26 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian VympelCom and Greek OTE have formally sealed
the bargain on the purchase of 90% package of ArmenTel’s stocks,
VympelCom PR officer Yekaterina Osadchaya said. The state committee on
regulation of Armenian public services approved the deal on November
14. The Armenian government is also going to offer VympelCom its 10%
package of ArmenTel stocks in exchange for refusal from monopoly
on some kinds of communication, including Internet. VympelCom
representatives assure the company has reiterated the readiness to
refuse from monopoly, reports IA Regnum.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Economist: 40 Thousand Armenian Migrants Live in Turkey
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.11.2006 18:18 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Economist assures that 40 thousand Armenian
migrants live in Turkey at the moment. Unlike migrants from other
states Armenians are not oppressed in Turkey, the edition says adding
that the number of Turks of Armenian origin makes 80 thousand. The
Economist also quotes American art worker of Armenian origin Kartash
Onik, who returned from a festival organized in Kars not long ago. “I
never fancied that Armenian songs in performance of an Armenian singer
can receive such a warm feedback. I was surrounded by Turks, who danced
Armenian dances. My eyes filled with tears,” he said, reports RFE/RL.

TURKEY CEASES MILITARY RELATIONS WITH FRANCE
By Petros Keshishian
AZG Armenian Daily #221, 18/11/2006
Turkey
General Ilqer Bashbug, commander of Turkish land
forces, stated that his country ahs ceased the
military relations with France , as well as bilateral
visits of high ranked military officials.
“CNN-Turk” TV informed that the given step taken by
Ankara is conditioned by the the adoption of the bill
in the France Senate, which envisages criminal
punishment for denial of the Armenian Genocide.
After the adoption of the document, Ankara threatened
Paris with economic and political sanctions.
On September 28, by special decree, the members of the
European Parliament obliged Turkey to recognize the
Armenian genocide, if the latter want to become a full
fledged EU member state. Then Turkey stated that it
considers that unacceptable to impose additional
preconditions for the membership.
Armenia demands to acknowledge that 1,5 million of
Armenians were killed in the Western Armenian
conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1917.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Idea of Appealing to International Courts Not New
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.11.2006 18:43 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The idea of appealing to the international courts
belongs to retired Turkish diplomat Gunduz Aktan, who had served
Turkish Ambassador to many European structures, Director of the
Institute of Oriental Studies at the RA Academy of Sciences Ruben
Safrastian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, there were
two variants of policy on the Armenian Genocide issue. “They were going
to proceed with the denial policy or appeal to the international court
motivating that Armenians will not be able to prove that the killings
of 1915 were Genocide. The decision was taken by the General Staff,”
he said. Safrastian reminded that Aktan is one of the rigid Turkish
politicians and when a member of the Armenian-Turkish Reconciliation
Committee always stood against the Armenian Genocide recognition.

AZG Armenian Daily #221, 18/11/2006
Meeting
RA PRESIDENT: SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS
PRECONDITION FOR ESTABLISHING DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION
Armenia imparts great importance to the regional cooperation,
RA President Robert Kocharian said in his yesterday’s speech in
Bertelsmann Fund in Berlin.
“We believe that the resolution of conflicts itself should not
be considered as a precondition for establishing dialogue and
cooperation. Moreover, the regional cooperation should be considered
as a great trust-building measure, aimed at resolving existing
disagreements. It is obvious, that unsettled conflicts hinder the
process of natural development of the South Caucasus. That is why
we are determined to achieve the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs work hard to bring
closer our positions. Unfortunately, despite active negotiations
underway, there is little room for optimism. Our principle position
is that the people of Karabakh have implemented their right for
self-determination. It has been done in full accordance with the
international law. Many currently independent states came into
existence after former empires perished. Independence of Nagorno
Karabakh was attained during the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Moreover, it was the time of the end of the grand ideological
contradictions. Nagorno Karabakh has never been a part of independent
Azerbaijan. Through a successful construction of its statehood Nagorno
Karabagh Republic has proved its right for existence. It regularly
conducts democratic presidential and parliamentary elections. We
witness the development of the civil society. A generation has
already grown up, which considers itself to be the safeguard of that
statehood. We do not recall any case of a nation willingly putting it
down independence it has been enjoying for over 15 years. No one has
intention to do it in case of Karabakh. We speak about irreversible
changes that took place in the people’s mentality,” R. Kocharian
said. “In the course of many years Armenia has been consistently
shaping its foreign policy, based on the concept of advantaging
from overlap of interests rather than exploitation of disagreements
existing in our region,” RA President Robert Kocharian said. “This
has allowed us to combine perfect relations with Russia, EU, United
States, and Iran. It is also an important part of transformation of
our country and society. For decades, living in the Soviet Union,
we were trained to watch the world as black and white, representing
enemies and friends. The policy of complementarity also applies to our
security model. Armenia is an active member of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization, and at the same time has done a substantial
progress on its cooperation with NATO. The Individual Partnership
Action Plan has been approved, setting the framework for a long-term
institutional cooperation,” he said. Besdies, he added that Armenia has
to keep on developing the sector of financial services. RA President
emphasized that Armenia has a good potential for shaping effective
banking system, which is being continuously improved. “Although we
see a considerable growth of foreign investments in Armenia, we know
there is still much to do in the near future”, R. Kocharyan said,
having expressed gratitude for the technical assistance and direct
participation of Germany in this sphere of Armenia. “The Program of
technical assistance and financial cooperation, being carried out
together with KFW and GTZ, contributes greatly in this direction”,
RA President said.
Moreover, R. Kocharyan noted that Armenia’s membership to the World
Trade Organization in 2003 contributed to the country’s integration
into the world economy and made the relations with partners more
predictable. In the recent joint investigation of Wall Street Journal
and Heritage Foundation, Armenia has taken the 27th place in the world
by the index of economy openness. “Efficiency of reforms reflects in
digits. The annual GDP growth within the last 6 years has totaled to
12,2%. The volume of foreign investments in 2005 has amounted to $500
mln”, R. Kocharyan said. He stated that the achieved progress allows
the RA Government to start solving the social problems, set before
the society. “I would like to especially mention the Program for
overcoming the poverty, having been developed in close cooperation
of the Government with international financial organizations and
Armenia’s civil society. This experience is used by the World Bank as
an example for the development of such programs in other countries”,
the President said. The processes developing in Armenia since the
proclamation of its independence can be characterized as economic,
social and political reforms, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
said. He added that no single sphere has been left unreformed after the
collapse of the USSR and Armenia’s transition to democracy and market
economy. Armenia has reformed its institutions, revised its policy,
restructured its economy. This processes were hindered by an imposed
war, severe power crisis and continuing blockade, but the Armenian
authorities responded by mobilization of resources, more active
reforms and more effective administration, Kocharyan underscored.

PRESS RELEASE
MISSION EAST – Values in Action
Saryan 6, apt. 4
Yerevan, 375002, Armenia
Tel.:(374 10) 52.15.34, 566718
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Raffi Doudaklian
November 17, 2006
For Immediate Release
Mission East Welcomes New Country Director to Armenia
Armenia – Mission East hosted a reception on November 16, 2006, in
honor of Dr. Kim Hartzner, new Country Director of its Armenia office.
More than 120 guests from local and international organizations
attended the event to welcome the new Director and get acquainted
with Mission East.
Hartzner, the organization’s Managing Director in Denmark, recently
moved to Armenia with his wife and three sons for a year, to lead
the local office’s programs.
Kim Hartzner is a medical doctor who co-founded Mission East with
his father in 1991. Since 1999, he has served as Managing Director,
overseeing the organization’s country programs, which have since
expanded to include other countries of Eastern Europe and Asia.
“You don’t know what is happening in a country until you live there
for a long time. By living here, you have the ability to understand
the problems on all levels,” Hartzner said.
Mission East, a Danish international relief and development
organization, has been active in Armenia since 1992, when it
established a hospital. It subsequently provided relief aid,
distributing thousands of tons of food to poor communities in the
Syunik region and beyond during some of the country’s most difficult
years. In 1998, Mission East began to focus on children’s institutions,
with the purpose of improving education for children with learning
difficulties.
“Thanks to Mission East and its local partner organization Bridge of
Hope, we have systematically and consistently been able to provide
equal opportunities for children with learning difficulties, both
to raise the level of their education and facilitate access to the
educational system,” stated Bagrat Yessayan, Deputy Minister of
Education and Science. He praised Mission East for the work done
in the special education sector, specifically the leading role that
Mission East and its partner organizations played in the adoption of
the Special Education Law and the national special education curricula.
Recently, Mission East also initiated a health project to promote
the rights of disabled children in Armenia, seeking to help change
social attitudes and healthcare practices.
For further information on Mission East and its programs, please
contact us at the coordinates below.
For additional information, please visit our website at
Mission East is a Danish international relief and development
organization that works to help the vulnerable through humanitarian
relief aid and development assistance, as well as support for
increasing the capacity of communities to organize and assist
themselves.