LEADER OF TURKISH “NATIONAL MOVEMENT” PARTY ACCUSED TURKISH AUTHORITIES OF SEARCH OF DIALOGUE WITH ARMENIA
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
The leader of the Turkish “National Movement” party (NMP), Devlet
Bakhchaly, has accused the Turkish authorities of the search of
dialogue with Armenia. As the Azeri APA Agency informs, he told about
it at the 8th congress of NMP, held on November 19.
According to the source, D. Bakhchaly had come out with severe
accusations of the ruling party of Justice and Development (AKP). The
Chairman of NMP had criticized the policy of the Prime Minister
of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aimed at the terrorism-fight and
touched upon the foreign political issues. “Occupation of the part
of Azerbaijan’s territory by Armenia and a drama of 1 million of
forced migrants has nothing common with the policy of AKP. Instead
of it, the Government is looking for the ways of dialogue with the
Armenians. Armenia, being an occupant and falsifier of history, tries
to dictate its conditions to Turkey and achieve the opening of borders
under the West ‘s support, as well as to make Turkey to remove the
embargo and recognize the Armenian Genocide”, Bakhchaly said.

ARMENIAN AND NK DM PRESS SERVICES REFUTE AZERI REPORT ABOUT EXERCISES IN AGDAM DISTRICT
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
The press services of the defense ministries of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic have refuted the report by Trend news agency
(Baku) about exercises in Agdam district.
To remind, a Trend regional correspondent alleged today that he
had heard an explosion in Agdam district and it was due to military
exercises by Armenian armed forces.
“The correspondent just imagined the blast,” says the press secretary
of the NKR DM Senor Asratyan.

ARMENIA’S FOREIGN POLICY GUIDELINES
Eurasian Home Analytical Resource, Russia
Nov 22 2006
Vagan Shrikhanian, Former Vice-Prime Minister of Armenia, Yerevan
The pivotal task for Armenia today is survival of its nation.
The uncontrollable criminalization of power is a major obstacle to
solving this task. The problem is rather caused by external factors.
Some countries and international agencies were involved in corrupt
practices with the Armenian authorities. When the national interests
are replaced by personal or group interests, the manipulation of
Armenia and the achievement of the goals defined become easier.
As regards the abovementioned task, it vanished long ago from the
Armenian internal agenda as well as from the list of issues examined
at the Russian-Armenian summits.
The October visit of Armenian President Robert Kocharian to Russia
lends support to this fact.
The Armenian party was searching to strengthen its power, while
the Russian party wanted to expand its influence over Armenia. The
Armenian society perceives those goals as incompatible. The support
lent to Robert Kocharian by Moscow decreases the number of advocates
of the pro-Russian orientation of Armenia and creates more favorable
conditions for the pro-Western forces that already dominate Armenia’s
mass media.
After the visit of Robert Kocharian to Russia comments have appeared in
Armenia that Russia appropriated the telephony, that the gas pipeline
from Iran to Armenia and Armenia’s railroad will also become Russia’s
property, and that after all, Armenia will become Russia’s ‘province’.
This undermines Russia’s reputation in the eyes of Armenians and shows
that when supporting the Armenian authorities Russia tries to get
(in exchange for its support) the country’s strategically important
infrastructure as the only reliable tool for keeping Armenia under
its influence.
As for the prospects of Armenia’s mediation in the settlement of
the Georgian-Russian conflict, against a background of the existing
Russian-Armenian relations it is necessary to specify what political
forces in Armenia, Georgia and Russia will participate in the conflict
resolution.
If we are talking about the forces in power, there will be no problems
here. At a certain “price” it will be possible to arrange any deal
on any matter; but these arrangements will only be valid until more
lucrative proposals come from the USA, European Union, Turkey etc.
Evidently, there are such proposals now. Armenia’s mediation in the
Georgian-Russian conflict is relevant and even necessary. But the
current Armenian government is likely to shirk this mission like it
once shirked the peacekeeping operation in Lebanon.
So, no wonder that in the case of Iraq, Kocharian took up the call
of the USA at once, and Armenia has been participating in Iraq’s
destructive “democratization” up to now.
If we are talking about national consensus on Armenia’s mediation in
the Georgian-Russian conflict, it hasn’t yet been reached.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SPIRIT OF COOPERATION, UP TO A POINT
by Mevlut Katik
Transitions Online, Czech Republic
Nov 22 2006
Turkic leaders talk closer diplomatic ties, but Tashkent stays away
over Turkey’s support for a UN resolution critical of its harsh rule.
>>From EurasiaNet.
The results of the 17 November summit of the leaders of Turkic-speaking
nations exceeded the expectations of many diplomats and political
analysts. The presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
and Turkey took the first steps toward the creation of a Turkic
commonwealth, giving an enthusiastic endorsement to efforts aimed at
strengthening energy and security ties.
The four leaders, along with Turkmenistan’s envoy to Turkey, gathered
at the Turkish Mediterranean resort city of Antalya for the summit,
the eighth such gathering of its kind, but the first held in five
years. Officials from Uzbekistan, who had been slated to attend, ended
up boycotting the event due to a breakdown in relations with Turkey.
The participants signed a declaration committing the Turkic states
to strengthen economic and transport ties, while stressing “the
importance of the joint fight against terrorism, the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction, drug smuggling, weapons smuggling,
human smuggling and other organized crimes.” The statement also
endorsed the concepts of Turkey’s accession to the European Union,
and a peace settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that leaves
the territory under Azerbaijan’s control.
“We declare that we support a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict in accordance with the principle of territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan, and that we will further support fraternal Azerbaijan
in this dispute,” Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said.
The four leaders underlined both the “increasing importance of
the Caspian Basin for the energy security of Europe” and the
“strategic importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline
opening and the [expected] completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum
natural gas pipeline.” They also stressed the importance of the
possible addition of trans-Caspian transportation routes to both
pipelines. Sezer stressed in his opening speech the importance of
involving energy-rich Turkmenistan in the summit process, and vowed
that Ankara would work to facilitate energy exports from the Caspian
Basin to Europe via Turkey. Turkic leaders underlined in the Antalya
declaration that “increasing energy cooperation would positively and
directly contribute to economic and political stability” in Eurasia.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev took observers, and even many
participants, by surprise by proposing the creation of a Turkic
parliamentary assembly. Nazarbaev went on to nominate former Turkish
president and prime minister Suleyman Demirel to serve as the proposed
assembly’s first chairman.
Nazarbaev’s proposal was indicative of his interest in exploring the
feasibility of a full-blown Turkic commonwealth. “We have to discuss
it,” Kazakh Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokaev told EurasiaNet,
referring to the commonwealth possibility.
It would appear that Nazarbaev, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliev,
and Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiev now see closer cooperation as
a way to leverage the collective influence of “200 million Turks,”
as Nazarbaev put it, in pursuit of specific policy aims.
“The problem of one Turkic-speaking nation must be the problem of
other Turkic-speaking nations,” the Anatolia news agency quoted Aliev
as saying. Observers interpreted his comments as meaning Turkic states
should collectively push for results in Turkey’s EU accession process
and Azerbaijan’s Karabakh peace talks that are satisfactory to Ankara
and Baku respectively.
If the Turkic states actually opted to coordinate diplomatic action,
they might have the collective muscle to alter the existing equilibrium
in many geopolitical matters. In the case of Turkey’s troubled drive
to join the EU, for example, a Turkic commonwealth could influence
Brussels’ decision-making calculus by playing the energy card, letting
it be known that a rebuff of Ankara could hinder the EU’s access to
Central Asian energy supplies.
Kyrgyz diplomats also stressed that closer cooperation would enhance
Bishkek’s international profile. Kanat Tursunkulov, a top Kyrgyz
Foreign Ministry official, said President Bakiev’s attendance at the
summit, despite the “recent troubles” in Bishkek, underscored the
Kyrgyz government’s position that closer cooperation among Turkic
states is a top political priority.
Commenting on the outcome of the summit, a top Turkish diplomat
said, “The era of romantic embracing has ended; the era of concrete
cooperation has started.” Nazarbaev, Aliev, and Bakiev all quietly
expressed a desire for their respective countries to host the next
Turkic summit. At the same time, participants emphasized a need to
proceed cautiously, seeking to dispel any impression that they are
rushing toward institutionalizing the group.
Beyond the steps toward closer cooperation, the Turkic summit will be
remembered for the public airing of a diplomatic feud between Turkey
and Uzbekistan. Some news reports claimed that Uzbek officials stayed
away from the gathering to protest the final declaration’s wording
on the Karabakh settlement. However, a senior Turkish official said
the reason for Tashkent’s displeasure was Turkey’s decision to join
the United States in supporting a draft measure in the UN General
Assembly’s Human Rights Council that would condemn human rights
violations in Uzbekistan.
The official was outspoken in his criticism of both Uzbekistan’s
rights behavior and Tashkent’s reaction to Ankara’s vote. “It is
time that some countries learned that democracy and human rights
are essential to integrate into the global system,” he said. “Turkey
will persistently work to promote democracy and human rights for the
region’s own benefit.”
Turkey’s decision to vote for the draft Human Rights Council
resolution was “a reflection of our ideals and understanding of
the importance of democracy and respect for human rights,” the
official continued. “Turkey has been criticized for similar reasons
[human rights violations] in the past, but we never turned it into
a bilateral issue, and chose to make improvements in our [democracy
and human rights] records instead.”
Such blunt talk would appear to mark a significant shift in Turkish
policy, as Turkish officials had until now avoided open criticism of
Uzbek government action. It may be that Turkey’s desire to meet EU
accession criteria, especially the need to bolster its human rights
credentials, is playing a role in the adoption of a tougher line toward
Tashkent. The official also indicated that Ankara is growing tired
of Uzbek President Islam Karimov’s demands. “They [Uzbek officials]
also accuse us of supporting the Uzbek opposition, citing [the fact
that] opposition leader Mohammad Solih freely travels to and lives
in Turkey. Mr. Solih is free to travel anywhere he wants to go,
and travels to Norway, Britain, and the United States. Why is Turkey
being singled out?” the official said.
Mevlut Katik is a London-based journalist and analyst. He reported
this piece from Antalya. This is a partner post from EurasiaNet.

ALGERIAN GENOCIDE MONUMENT TO BE BUILT IN TURKEY
By Cihan News Agency
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 22 2006
The municipality of Bandirma, a northwestern Turkish city, has approved
a proposal to build a monument to victims of the Algerian Genocide
in the town in protest the adoption of the controversial Armenian
bill in the French parliament.
The proposal was submitted to the mayor during a municipal assembly
meeting and has been approved unanimously.
Bandirma Mayor Cemal Oztaylan said that they had asked for help from
the Algerian Embassy in Ankara on how to address the genocide in the
best way. Oztaylan remarked that the embassy would respond to their
request in a month.
The mayor of the town noted that some citizens applied to the
municipality to make donations for the construction of the monument,
adding that their application would be evaluated.
On Oct. 12, French National Assembly passed a bill which criminalized
denying the so-called Armenian genocide, which they claimed the
Ottoman Empire committed against Armenians during World War I.
Interestingly enough, France does not recognize the claims of genocide
which the French committed against the Algerians in the second half
of the 20th century.
“Sons don’t apologize for their fathers’ mistakes” French Interior
Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said during an official visit to Algeria last
week, in response to the Algerian government, which urged France to
apologize for the killings and suffering during 130 years of French
colonial rule.

ARMENIAN REPRESENTATIVE OF FRENCH SENATE ON VISIT TO BAKU
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
Armenian Pierre-Henry Godshiyan participates in the 28th plenary
session of BSECO PA held in Baku, APA reports.
The representative of French Senate Foreign Relations Department
Godshiyan accompanies French Senate member Bernard Fernier who has
come to participate in the plenary session.
Godshiyan is considered one of the persons defending Armenians
interests in the French political circles. He does his best for the
adoption of the bill making the so-called Armenian genocide denial
punishable. Pierre-Henry Godshiyan got visa to Azerbaijan from
Azerbaijani Embassy in France in early November. Embassy consulate
rejected to give explanation about the fact.

FRENCH AMBASSADOR LAUDS TURKEY AS BROKER FOR EU, MIDEAST
By Economy News Desk
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 22 2006
As the rift between Turkey and France over the French draft bill on
the alleged Armenian genocide deepens, France’s Ambassador to Turkey
Jean-Paul Poudade said: “Because of issues relating to internal
politics, politicians are exaggerating something. This draft will
not be ratified.”
Noting that the membership talks between Turkey and the European
Union should continue without interruption, Poudade stressed the
importance of this for both sides. Speaking at a dinner held by the
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the French ambassador said: “If it wants
to establish dialogue with the Islamic world, Europe could do it via
Turkey. When Turkey is admitted into the union, the difficulties in
the Middle East will be alleviated to a great extent.
Sooner or later, one should maintain peace with their neighbors,
especially if they are an EU member.”
Poudade further stressed that French and Turkish businessmen should
collaborate more often to strengthen the ties between the countries.

SENIOR REPUBLICAN SEES NO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT UNTIL 2012
By Ruzanna Stepanian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Nov 22 2006
A senior Republican Party (HHK) member thinks no solution will be
found to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem in the next several years.
Galust Sahakian, the leader of the party’s parliamentary faction,
told Armenian media on Wednesday that he sees no solution to the
Karabakh problem in the coming years, but added: “Some approaches
can be formed and certain results can be registered, but I see the
ultimate solution no sooner than in 2012.”
“At this point neither the international community nor any country
has expectations from us,” Sahakian explained.
After elections, according Sahakian, the newly elected president will
need time “to familiarize himself with the problem and get involved
in the negotiations.”
Sahakian sees a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem in 2012,
as at that time “a change of generation will take place and the next
generation will take the power.” And the new generation, according to
him, “will be less restrained” and will make “more resolute decisions.”
The same, according to the parliamentarian, concerns Azerbaijan.
Sahakian believes the new generation [of leaders] in Azerbaijan will
not be “that much interested in Karabakh”, which, he said, will be
favorable for the Armenian side.
“This is a natural way,” Sahakian said, adding that it does not mean,
however, that the current authorities thus want to shift the burden
on the generation to come.
As regards a possible return of lands during the settlement process,
the senior HHK representative said: “Our position is: first Karabakh’s
status and after that open negotiating processes.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRENCH ARMENIAN BILL DISSIDENT TO SETTLE IN TURKEY
By Ali Ihsan Aydin
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 22 2006
Politicians were not the only ones to react to the French bill that
would make denial of the alleged Armenian genocide punishable by law.
Historian Jean Michel Thibaux, who strongly opposed the draft, is
preparing to apply for Turkish citizenship and settle in the Turkish
city of Antalya. Thibaux, who is planning to move in 2007, will lecture
on history at Akdeniz University. The well-published historian is
currently studying the Turkish language. His admiration for Turkish
culture dates back many years. The French bill had the greatest impact
on his recent decision: “I’ve loved Turkey for such a long time,
and I was considering becoming Turkish. The draft accelerated that;
I was outraged.” He offered an interesting analogy on the overall
situation of his country: “My country is going bankrupt; it’s going
straight to hell.”
Thibaux describes Turkish culture as “one which resembles me, speaks
to me and amazes me…” Thibaux, who will arrive in Turkey to attend
the Seb-i Arus ceremonies in December in commemoration of great Muslim
thinker Mawlana, currently lives in a tiny yet lovely French town on
the Mediterranean coast. Speaking to Zaman, Thibaux made important
statements about his decision to live in Turkey, the draft on the
alleged Armenian genocide, and the overall situation in his country.
How did you decide to become a Turkish citizen? How did this idea
arise?
My idea to become a Turkish citizen dates way back. My father was
very fond of Turkey and naturally this love passed onto me. Since my
first visit to Turkey 25 years ago, the Turkish people and Turkish
culture have amazed me. This was an extraordinary sentiment that I
felt whenever I returned from Turkey to France. The idea of becoming
a naturalized Turk was fully materialized in 2000. At last, I chose
the soil that speaks to me, and resembles me.
So, it is not a reaction to the Armenian draft bill?
I have been fond of Turkey for a long time and I was already
considering becoming a Turkish citizen. The Armenian draft bill
accelerated the entire process. I was outraged! And I sent a letter
to Mehmet Dulger. The first bill recognizing the Armenian genocide
was outrageous. In reaction to this bill, I issued a historical
declaration, which I sent to the Turkish parliament as well. With
the adoption of the recent draft, I said, ‘I will become a Turk!’
Will you renounce your French citizenship?
It is impossible. Under the French Constitution, we do not have to
make such a choice. However, we are permitted to live in accordance
with the “other citizenship,” that is to say, the Turkishness.
independent of French citizenship. My reaction is not with France,
but with French politicians. If there had been wiser men in the French
Assembly, the Armenian question would not even have been brought to
the agenda of the country.
Have you applied for Turkish citizenship? At what stage is the process?
My application for Turkish citizenship will materialize in the
weeks ahead. The Turkish authorities have all the information and
documents they need about me. On the other hand, I also sent a letter
of motivation to the interior minister. I was invited to Konya in
December. I suppose we will discuss the issue there. I started learning
Turkish with the aid of audio tapes and CDs. When I settle in Antalya,
I will hire a teacher. I hope I will be able to speak Turkish within
two or three months.
How did your friends and relatives react to this decision?
Contrary to what might be expected, pretty well. Nobody has strongly
protested. My family was excited. My son will also become a Turkish
citizen. The intellectuals I often debate with understood my
rationale. One prominent French friend will accompany me to Konya.
After my decision, those who are close to me adopted a different
stance toward Turkey.
After becoming a Turkish citizen, will you consider living in Turkey
as well?
I am considering living in Antalya from early 2007 on. Following
the media coverage of my situation, the rector of Akdeniz University
contacted me. He said they were considering giving me a chair in the
university, and that they would be honored if I accepted it. I am
an expert on antiquity. I have lectured extensively on this. I’ve
published three dictionaries. I intend to give antiquity lectures
in Antalya. As a resident of the Mediterranean, I would have a hard
time living in a city like Ankara. On the contrary, in many respects,
Antalya is similar to the place where I currently live.
What do you think about the denial bill? Will the draft be approved?
What are your remarks about the French attitude when it comes to its
own past? Sarkozy had said that ‘the sons would not apologize for
their fathers’ faults.’
For me, the draft bill has no value. Only 119 out of more than 500
deputies approved it. The draft does not represent the French nation.
I would like to recall that the person who put forward the draft is
the deputy of the predominantly Armenian Drome region. If I rely on my
own sources and President Chirac’s hidden will, I can say that this
proposal will not be ratified at the Senate. The worst case scenario
is the adoption of a bill with significant modifications so that it
will be impossible to implement. France should stay away from another
nation’s past. It should first look at its own past, and try to draw
conclusions. Sarkozy quoted from my statement, “We cannot hold the
sons responsible for what their fathers did.” It is the historians’
job to shed light on the past.
First the suburbs, then university youth rioted. What is going on
in France?
France is having a serious identity crisis. Because it was unable to
adapt itself to the modern world, it is now incapable of resolving
the identity problems of the main constituents of the country. What
is more, the middle class is becoming poorer. The situation of the
laborers and small businesses is getting worse. I do not know how
we can deal with this collapse. France is avoiding its problems. We
are going bankrupt. It is the sin of our national arrogance and
self-conceit. We are still living with the victories of the past. In
the 1960s, France was the fifth-largest power in the world. Now it
ranks 19th. When will its fall toward hell end?

IRAN BORDER-GUARDS SPREAD NEWS ABOUT CROSS DESTRUCTIONS IN JULFA
Azeri Press Agency
Nov 22 2006
“Iran border-guards first saw the destruction of the crosses in
Armenian cemetery near the old Juga territory.” These ideas belong
to Derenik Melikyan, the editor-in-chief of Alik newspaper published
in Armenian language in Iran, APA reports.
Derenik Melikyan says that there are enough schools, churches and
media meeting the demands of Armenians in Iran, Armenian historical
monuments, especially, Surb Tatevos temple in Atrratakan are protected
by the government.
“The only difficulty for Armenians is the activity of local Turkish
speaking circles. But both Armenian community and Iran government
observes their activity and takes needed measures in any case,”
he said.
Derenik Melikyan also said that Iran diplomatic circles have also
warm relations with Armenians living in the foreign countries. He
also said the information about Armenian monuments in Iran and Surb
Tatevos temple was posted in the website of Russia Embassy. It should
be noted that with the support of Iran government Armenians call
some Christian monuments in South Azerbaijan to be theirs. So, Iran
government already suggested including Black Church (Surb Tatevos)
temple to UNESCO World Heritage sites.