Zaman, Turkey
Oct 19 2006
The French Definition of ‘Genocide’
COMMENTARY
by Prof. Dr. Ali Al-Hail
No one, I suppose, would disagree with the French parliamentary
minority Socialist MPs’ definition of genocide as “the organized
killing of a people to end their collective existence.”
However, these MP’s, whose parliament building overlooks the Seine
river, seem to have a short memory about the Seine river graveyard.
Thousands of Algerians were reported to have been thrown into the
river, and left to be drowned during the late 20th century (Ahmed
Bin Billa, al-Jazeera TV, 2004). Isn’t that ‘genocide,’ an “organized
killing of a people to end their collective existence?”
The minority Socialist MPs, whose country traditionally favors art,
literature, theatre and poetry, should remember that those who
live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Beginning with banning
the hijab (a woman’s head scarf) in public places and schools, to
satirizing the Prophet of mercy for all humanity, Mohammed (pbuh),
to more recently considering any denial of the Armenian ‘genocide’,
as a crime, the French National Assembly, who the Statue of Liberty
to the United States, appears to have lots of memory lapses.
Long before the notorious alleged Armenian ‘genocide’ took place in
Turkey in 1915, the brutal and barbaric colonization by the French
constituted numerous genocides against the Algerians, both inside
Algeria and in France itself, from 1832 to 1962, when the Algerians
eventually achieved their independence. About seven million Algerians
were killed during French colonization in Algeria while resisting
French occupation (President Ahmed Bin Billa, al-Jazeera TV, 2004).
Despite requests and appeals from the Algerian president, Butaflieqa
recently publicly asked France to apologize for its horrendous
‘genocides’ in Algeria. France has not yet responded.
Although many Turks, including influential thinkers and politicians,
will not deny that hundreds of thousands of Armenians were killed in
1915 during a relocation arrangement to other parts of the Ottoman
Empire, the issue of a ‘genocide’ was reported to have been conceived
as highly controversial. Some argue that those Armenians who died were
caught amid inter-communal warfare. Thus, it was not “the organized
killing of a people to end their collective existence.”
In other words, it was not a ‘genocide.’ A few others in Turkey and
beyond, however, would argue that it was conscious, and as such it was
a ‘genocide.’ Despite worldwide contentious differentiation regarding
the event, Socialists in the French Assembly National, apparently
for election reasons, are determined to legalize their mind-set.
Many in France make the case that sheer politics are behind the
minority Socialists initiative. As such, there are no ethics, good
merits, or otherwise genuine concerns about the Armenian ‘genocide.’
The minority Socialists, by proposing such a bill in order to push
for a law criminalizing denial of an Armenian genocide, aim to gain
Armenian votes during next year’s presidential elections.
One presumes, as do many, that the minority Socialists also aim
to spread anti-Turkish sentiment in order to make it impossible
for Turkey, as a predominantly Muslim country, to join the European
Union. That Turkey already has an appointment from the European Union
for 2010 to negotiate its membership must be kept in mind.
Since there are more or less six million Arabs in France, mainly
from Algeria and other north African countries, this would be an
opportunistic moment for the Socialists in France to push for a
law that considers Israeli occupation forces killings in Gaza and
other Palestinian lands as ‘genocide.’ Approximately 750 Palestinian
civilians, including women and children, were killed by the Israeli
occupation forces since Jan. 25, since Hamas was voted into office
democratically. More than 3,000 civilians, including women and
children, have been either injured or maimed since then.
Additionally, nearly 4,000 civilians, again including women and
children, were arrested. If these killings are not genocide, what
can genocide be? Isn’t this an “organized killing of a people to end
their collective existence?”
Instead of crying over controversial history, without, of course,
endorsing genocides against any human race, genocides in Palestine
are clearly committed daily by Israeli occupation forces, which escape
controversy and global documentation by satellite cameras, including
French TV, the press and media. Had the French Socialists been sincere
about human suffering, they would have assuredly considered Israeli
‘genocides’ against Palestinians since as early as 1948 as real
‘genocides.’ In addition, this would certainly bring them at least
three million votes by Arab French.

Armenian, Jewish minorities ready to attend Qods Day rallies
IRNA, Iran
Oct 19 2006
Tehran, Oct 19, IRNA — The representative of the Armenian minority
in Isfahan province in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis)
here Thursday voiced readiness of all Iranian Armenians to attend the
Qods Day rallies scheduled for the last Friday (tomorrow) of the holy
fasting month of Ramadan.
Robert Beglarian told IRNA that Qods Day is a day to demonstrate
support of all religions for holy Qods.
Holy Qods belongs to all religions and, therefore, the Armenian
minority will participate in the Friday rallies to express its hatred
for the criminal Zionist regime, he added.
Members of the Armenian minority will express their support for the
oppressed Palestinians by participating in the rallies, Beglarian
reiterated.
In a related development, the Jewish community in a statement on
Wednesday called on all Jews to participate in the Qods Day rallies.
Officials of the community urged all Iranian Jews to support the
rights of the Palestinian nation to live in peace and to coexist with
members of other religious minorities.
The late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, set aside
the last Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan as Qods Day to
remind the world of the decades of Israeli oppression against the
innocent and defenseless Palestinian nation.
On this day, Muslims and non-Muslims in huge numbers all over the
world come out to renew their support for the Palestinians and their
resistance against the cruel and illegal Israeli occupation.

Turkish Parliament to List Europe’s Massacres
By Fatih Atik, Istanbul
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 19 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
zaman.com
The Turkish parliament took a new step in condemnation of the French
parliament’s acceptance of the bill criminalizing denial of an Armenian
genocide. It compiled a “shame list” of massacres committed by European
countries including France, Germany and the Netherlands.
The necessary study for the list was conducted by the parliament’s
justice sub-committee as part of its debates over a bill that would
recognize the Algerian genocide committed by France. The commission
is researching the massacres and tyrannies that countries that accept
the Armenian genocide have committed in the past.
The members of the commission listened to Turkish History Society
President Professor Yusuf Halacoglu and decided that announcing the
European list to the world would be more efficient than recognition
of an Algerian genocide.
In this context, the commission requested the Turkish History Society
and foreign affairs department carry out extensive studies into the
history of countries recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide.
The “shame list” is expected to be announced following the Ramadan
festival.
Deputy Mustafa Nuri Akbulut announced the parliament would publish
the list rather than recognizing an Algerian genocide. Akbulut also
asserted this study would enable the international community to better
see the objective attitude of the Turkish parliament and added human
rights, freedom of speech and the process that this method was subject
to would be discussed extensively in the document that will include
the shame list.
Justice and Development Party deputy Akbulut also said the document
would include a text that will explain the circumstances under which
Turkey decided to deport Armenians in 1915.
Akbulut noted that while Ottoman soldiers were deployed in the
Dardanelles and the Caucasus during World War I, Armenians committed
massacres in Anatolia and backstabbed Ottomans.
The Countries that Recognize the Alleged Armenian Genocide
France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Belgium,
Slovakia, Greece, Latvia and Greek Cyprus have taken decisions so
far about the so-called Armenian Genocide in different years, and
some have issued declarations and reports on the issue.

Debates over Headscarf and Genocide
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 19 2006
[COMMENTARY]
by Herkul Millas
This week, I had actually wanted to write an article on the damage
inflicted upon the scientific sphere by Article 301, which restricts
the freedom of speech.
However, I thought it more appropriate to tackle that topic some
other time, and decided to write about France when the law passed
recently became a more urgent issue.
The prohibitory law of France is more important; because it involves
more than one country (France, Turkey, and Armenia) and carries the
potential danger of engulfing the whole EU. At least Article 301 is
not “expansionist” by nature.
I have not been able to digest France’s action; and still worse, I
have a hard time understanding it. This seems to be a big problem;
speaking out against injustice while being haunted by inability to
take any action doesn’t mean anything. Disliking or criticizing
something when we are also not right could both be parts of the same
picture. On the other hand, “understanding” is a totally different
concept. Opposing the other party only after understanding its aim is
far more consistent and safer. Reacting after having a full grasp of
the problem, should not be as a result of a moment of rashness
triggered only by sentiments.
What I mean by “understanding” is knowing what sort of thought system
and belief an attitude stems from. The influence of the Armenian
lobby, the base strategy of getting more votes from a small segment
of the society and its desire to prevent Turkey from getting closer
to the EU could all be explanations to a certain degree; but they are
far from being adequate. How can mighty France be too blind to see
that it has struck a sharp blow at the most basic principle of human
rights? This is the France where “The Declaration of the Human
Rights” was issued in 1789. Article 10 talks of a right that “No one
may be disturbed on account of his opinions, even religious ones, as
long a the manifestation of such opinions does not interfere with the
established Law and Order.” Liberty and independence have long been
the national symbols of this country. How can those who claim to be
proud of Voltaire criminalize a different view?
——————————————- ————————————-
France Behaved Shamefully
When we look at France’s past actions and compare them with those of
other European countries, like England, we seem to find some clues
that will deepen our understanding. The French nation-state came to
existence as a result of an extremely bloody revolution, not a
compromise, and the killing of innumerous people was justified on the
bases of a “sublime” ideal and a series of “truth.” This positivist
understanding and limitless self-confidence became the dominant
elements in the model of the French nation-state. The truths welcomed
by the nation acquired claims to a sort of universality. On the other
hand, the truths of Parliament were recognized as those welcomed by
the “abstract” nation. The varieties, the marginal sections and the
minorities got lost in this vicious circle. “Citizenship” was
perceived as the general truth that should be followed by everyone,
and opposing the truths was perceived as opposition to the “nation.”
Recently, it has been frequently said that the headscarf ban at
schools and public domain became more widespread because of this
understanding. (We have not forgotten those who hailed France’s
prohibitive practices at that time.) Some proudly said that Turkey
emulates France and its state model within the context of secularism.
Now, we have seen and experienced the outcomes of this model. We are
watching similar practices both in France and Turkey at the same time
in a particularly interesting conjuncture. The headscarf issue is a
problem in both countries, freedom of expression too. Both of them
have resorted to a forbidden practice with the “state legitimacy”
discourse. The contradiction between the two countries is not in
understanding but in the aim. There is a consensus on the headscarf
issue at the state level now. However, there is seemingly a
difference of opinion over the genocide issue: One side says there
was no genocide while the other says the opposite. Both opinions are
the same when evaluated from the point of view of social life: They
consider different views an offense and specify punishments.
———————————— ——————————————–
What headscarf prohibiters don’t see
Punishing those who deny genocides, was first regarded as a sign of
respect for the victims. Respect, without any doubt, is a good thing
and no one is against it. But, when should a different view be
considered a crime and when shouldn’t it? The important thing is not
whether or not an event is considered genocide, but being able to
express our views explicitly and fearlessly on any issue and not
being jailed or threatened when we express them. Because, if the list
of events we should “respect” increases tomorrow, new laws may be
enacted. So, we may end up living in a fascist environment with a
long list in our pockets of only the things we can to say.
What I have at least begun to see is: In both countries, a group of
people, who know what’s “true” and “real” and constitute the
majority, either ignore or try to suppress diversity, pluralism,
small groups and the weak. The results of the debates over the
headscarf and “genocide” issues are evidence of this. Those who
oppose this approach are a small but struggling minority in both
countries. From this viewpoint, the conflict is not between France
and Turkey but between these two different approaches. Those who
silence individuals in Turkey by means of Article 301, and those who
put a gag order on people in France with a threat of sentencing them
to jail, are not in conflict in terms of human principles but only
agree to disagree on various fields. They are not against compulsion
but are only trying to impose their own truths on a similar
mentality.
If those who criticize the new bill in France dispraise it not
because it bans diversity but because “it supports a wrong
interpretation of history,” they are acting in the same way as
France. This is the same for those who oppose the ban on headscarves.
Those who oppose this ban not because this practice is against human
rights but because a “right” choice is not implemented are also
acting in the same way since they will try to implement their own
“truths” at any given opportunity. In other words, defending our own
truths may differ from defending principles for all.
If we look at the issue from this perspective, we can determine who’s
friend or foe correctly. The implementers of Article 301 and those
restricting the freedom of expression in France are the same, and are
harbingers of a dangerous future. European Commission President
Jose-Manuel Barroso, European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli
Rehn, Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-chair Joost
Lagendijk and Turkey rapporteur Camile Eurlings, and thousands of
European individuals, are closest to those who oppose the bans in
Turkey. This is a human rights struggle; it is not a struggle among
nations.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA REPRESENTATIVES AND U. S. LAWMAKERS
DISCUSS U. S. – ARMENIA RELATIONS
DeFacto, Armenia
Oct 19 2006
With Congress in recess until after the November elections, the
Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) stepped up its advocacy efforts,
meeting with several lawmakers to promote Armenian-American concerns.
According to the information DE FACTO Information-Analytics Agency
received at the AAA, Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member
Annie Totah, along with Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny,
met with Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to discuss the U.S.-Armenia
relationship as well as key issues such as reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide. Cantwell, who is serving her first term in office,
is a cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S. Res. 320).
Totah and Ardouny also met with Armenian Caucus Member Representative
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), an avid supporter of Armenian issues including
the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act (H.R.
3361) and the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 316). This past
summer Maloney spearheaded a letter to the European Union expressing
concern regarding Turkey’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide.
In her letter, Maloney urged the European Commission to consider
Turkey’s stance on the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing blockade,
which impairs the regional stability of the South Caucasus in
consideration of its membership into the European Union. Maloney is
a Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee as well as a member
of the Financial Services and Government Reform Committees and serves
as a co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus. Totah and Ardouny thanked the
Congresswoman for her strong support of the Armenian community.
Additionally, Totah and Ardouny met with Armenian Caucus Members
Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Edward Royce (R-CA)
and thanked the Representatives for their support of H.R. 3361, a
bill prohibiting U.S. funding for a rail link that connects Baku,
Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey while bypassing
Armenia. They also commended the lawmakers for sponsoring an
amendment ensuring that no Export-Import money is spent on efforts
that would isolate Armenia from economic and regional transportation
opportunities. A similar amendment was adopted by the Senate Banking,
Housing and Urban Affairs Committee with strong Assembly support.
“We thank Senator Cantwell for her receptiveness to the concerns of
the Armenian-American community, and we look forward to working with
her and her staff in promoting Armenian concerns,” said Totah.
“Additionally, we thank Representatives Crowley, Maloney, Royce and
Sherman for their continued support and work on the federal level
for the Armenian community.”

OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs to Hold Consultations
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Oct 19 2006
Source: Trend
Author: E.Huseynov
19.10.2006
The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group for the peaceful settlement
of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict intend to hold consultations in Paris,
the Russian co-chair of Minsk Group, Yuri Merzlyakov exclusively
told Trend.
The consultations will take place on 23 October in Paris on the eve
of the next round of the negotiations between the Foreign Ministers
of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, and Armenia Vardan Oskanyan. In
addition, the mediators will conduct consultations regarding the
results of the meeting of the Ministers.
Commenting of the proposal of the personal envoy of OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, Andzey Kasprzyk, to organize the meeting of the
Defense Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Merzlyakov stressed that
this initiative was made as a confidence-building measure between the
two sides. The matter was discussed at the meeting of the Foreign
Ministers, but the final decision will be made by Kasprzyk, the
Diplomat underlined.

Article 301 will Prevent a Train Wreck
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 19 2006
ABDULHAMIT BILICI
10.19.2006 Thursday – ISTANBUL 20:57
On the evening of the Troika meeting in Luxembourg, I was watching
television in Le Royal Hotel where the Turkish delegation was
staying. France’s latest undertaking was being discussed in a program
joined by four journalists.
The point that caught my attention was the effort of the Le Monde
writer, who was defending the French parliament’s decision to
criminalize the denial of the alleged Armenian genocide, to mention
Turkey’s Article 301 whenever he was trapped. The words of the
journalist, whose views on this subject were contrary to those of his
own newspaper, were summed up as follows: We may be limiting thought,
but we want those who reject a crime against humanity to be punished.
Turkey, who is trying to teach us about freedom, punishes those who
talk about the genocide. There’s no difference between us in regards
to putting limits on thought. Moreover, we are doing this as a moral
obligation.
The fact that the journalists, who previously thought Turkey was
right, could not find anything to say after this attack seemed very
meaningful to me. In the discussion an Arab and Muslim journalist,
whom in some circles in Turkey can’t tolerate, defended Turkey,
but that’s another story.
The program was very educational in respect to showing how important
it is to take Article 301 away from the hands of Turkey’s opponents
in Europe. Today our strongest argument against France is the
prohibition of thought in a country that is identified with freedom of
thought. However, the existence of Article 301, with its sensational
applications, unfortunately weakens the argument.
Moreover, no matter how much we say that anything can be discussed
in Turkey and conferences on the genocide claim are even being held,
from the outside Turkey is seen as a country with prisons full of
journalists and intellectuals, as Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
has said.
Another interesting point was a claim made the next day by diplomats I
spoke with in the context of the Troyka meeting that it was necessary
for similar reasons to resolve the Article 301 issue as soon as
possible. According to them, changes to be made in Article 301 are
very significant in order to avoid a train wreck with the European
Union. The scenario in the minds of these people who are constantly
struggling on this issue with their peers is as follows: The contents
of the progress report to be announced by the Commission on Nov. 8
are vital. Under current conditions there are three alternatives,
ranging from good to bad:
The first improbable alternative is that the parties involved in the
Cyprus dispute agree within the framework of Finland’s proposal and
the Commission recommends continuation of negotiations in its report.
The second alternative is that due to Turkey’s refusal to open its
ports to the Greeks, the report will recommend the suspension of some
negotiation topics related to the free circulation of goods until
Turkey fulfills its responsibilities.
The third alternative is a recommendation by the Commission for
full suspension of negotiations in the case that Turkish ports
aren’t opened.
The first alternative is ideal. The second doesn’t look too bad with
a postponement of a solution to the Cyprus issue and a continuation
of negotiations for some time. The worst alternative, which can be
termed a train wreck, is the third. Consequently, the third alternative
must somehow be prevented. It is believed that this can be done only
if Turkey has done its part on the subject of political reforms,
with Article 301 in particular. Actually, even if the Commission
doesn’t make such a recommendation, members have the right to curtail
negotiations. However, for this to happen, at least nine countries
must say yes, and no one sees it as probable that the Greeks can
muster this number.
According to diplomatic calculations, completion of political reforms
will be beneficial in two ways: It will both increase Turkey’s
strength to resist pressure on the Cyprus issue and strengthen the
hands of countries supporting Turkey. Of course, the only barrier in
front of these results is pressure from the calendar. In other words,
if amendments are going to be made to Article 301, it is important
to do it before Nov. 8.
The problems arising from Article 301 itself, which has become a
symbol, or its implementation don’t only make the European Union
uncomfortable. Gul said, “This doesn’t become Turkey and it shows our
country as more backward than it is.” For this reason, when he said
in Luxembourg that Turkey wouldn’t make the same mistake as France,
which is being perceived as a promise, it makes his audience more
comfortable. In this case, what’s left is to explain this equation
to Turkey. What do you say, is it an easy matter?

Head of Turkish Consumers’ Federation: Boycott L’Oreal this week
Hurriyet, Turkey
Oct 19 2006
The head of the Turkish Consumers’ Federation, Bulent Deniz, has
announced that the French cosmetics brand “L’Oreal” is to be the
focus of this coming week’s boycott against French brands in general
by his group.
Following the French Parliament’s decision to approve a bill calling
for jail time and monetary fines for people publicly denying the
so-called Armenian genocide, the Turkish Consumer’s Federation
announced the start up of a boycott campaign which would target a
different French brand every week. This past week has seen a boycott
of all “Total” products, with a reported 30% drop in sales due to
the boycott.
Items produced under the L’Oreal label include Biotherm, Cacherel,
Garnier, Giorgio Armani, Inneov, Kerastase, Lancome, Matrix,
Maybelline, Ralph Lauren, and Vichy products.
According to a statement from Deniz, L’Oreal has been selling in Turkey
since 1989, and has increased its sales volume across the country 45%
in the past 5 years.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Oct 19 2006
Azeri Culture Ministry to Hold “Karabakh Will not be Forgotten”
Cultural Week
Source: Trend
Author: S.Agayeva
19.10.2006
>>From 25 – 31 October, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture & Tourism
will hold a republic cultural-political action Cultural Week under
the slogan “Karabakh will not be forgotten”, Trend reports quoting
the same Ministry.
The event is aimed at increasing the patriotism of the youths and
spreading the Karabakh issue.
The Event’s program will include theatrical performances, exhibitions
and book fairs in Baku, Ganja and other large cities and districts
of Azerbaijan. In addition, performances by the children’s musical
districts and tours of Shusha State Dramatic Theatre, State Theatre
of Young Audience and Pantomime Theatre to the military units will
also take place.

ISTANBUL – Turkish Daily News
DYP protests against France
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The opposition True Path Party’s (DYP) Istanbul branch protested
yesterday against the approval by the French National Assembly of a
bill that makes denial of the alleged Armenian genocide a crime.
Nearly 50 DYP members who gathered in Taksim Square unfurled a huge
Turkish flag and marched to the French Consulate General on Ýstiklâl
Avenue. After performing the Turkish national anthem, DYP Istanbul
Province Chairman Faik Ýcmeli made a speech and said: “This bill,
which ignores freedom of thought and expression, shows France’s
double standards. We condemn France’s attitude. If this decision is
not rectified, France will suffer from it.”
The protest took place amid tight security measures and ended after the
group members laid a black wreath in front of the consulate general.
–Boundary_(ID_+nGLDMNcbd4Oustrjx99fA)–