Hürriyet, Turkey
Saturday, September 16, 2006 10:21
Le Figaro: EU’s treatment of Turkey two-faced
Under the headline of “Unfairly punished Turkey and Syria,” the French
newspaper Le Figaro has run an article asserting that Brussels is
trying to “make Turkey accept their conditions in a degrading manner,
by forcing them to open their ports to Southern Cypriots.”
The Le Figaro article also mentions what it calls the “two faced
actions displayed by the EU to Turkey,” and talks about Turkey being
“thrown about for months” by the EU. Issues such as the Kurdish and
the Armenian manners are also mentioned in the article, with Le Figaro
commenting that “it is a provocation that at a time when Turkey is
approaching the unconditional research of the (so-called) Armenian
genocide, the European Parliament has decided to open up the matter
for discussion. This is also a road sure to dissuade both the Turkish
people and the Turkish government from the path to the EU.”

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Seoul Declaration was included
clause supporting territorial integrity of countries and condemning aggression

Source: Trend
Author: J.Shahverdiyev

15.09.2006
The Seoul Declaration adopted at the fourth Assembly General of the
International Conference of Political Parties of Asian Countries held
in Seoul from 7 to 10 September was included a clause supporting the
territorial integrity of the countries and condemning the aggression,
the Executive Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), MP
Ali Ahmadov told a press-conference on September 15 held in
headquarter of NAP, Trend reports.

He noted that generally the conference was dedicated to the peace and
development in Asia. The conference brought together the
representatives of the ruling parties from 36 countries. Ahmadov also
emphasized that during the meeting discussions were held on the
problems with the peace and development in Asian countries, conflicts
and their prevention.
The representative of NAP emphasized that two months earlier before
the beginning of the conference in the Assembly General, a letter had
been sent with the information regarding the results of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and aggressive policy of Armenia. `Our goal
is that the Seoul Deceleration reflects the results of annexationist
policy of Armenia. But taking into consideration a large number of
conflicts in Asia, this clause took a common character,’ Ahmadov
added.
In addition, Ahmadov stressed that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was
discussed during the meetings at the conference with the
representatives of ruling parties of Asian countries. `Such
conferences assumes a great importance for us in delivering the
realities about Azerbaijan to the world public,’ he underlined.
The conference is held every two years. The last conference had been
held in Peking. Yet it is not clear where the next conference will be
held.
The deputy executive secretary of NAP Siyavush Novruzov also
participated at the conference.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY: WAYS OF EXPANSION OF TRADE UNIONS DISCUSSED
[September 16, 2006, 11:24:39]
On 15 September, Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of
Azerbaijan (ACTU) Sattar Mehbaliyev met with the visiting delegation
of Turkey led by minister of labor and social security of this country
Murat Bashesgioglu.
S. Mehbaliyev informed the guests on activity of the Azerbaijan Trade
Unions and the historical way passed by them, noting bitter
consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the
work carried out by the management of country on peace settlement, the
support of Turkish Republic in this field.
With great satisfaction having ascertained expansion of bilateral
links between two countries in the field of social security,
realization of joint international projects, their performance on the
international actions from common position, chairman of ACTU has once
again stressed value of the contacts established with trade unions of
brotherly Turkey.
The Minister of Labor and Social Security of Turkey Murat Bashesgioglu
has expressed gratitude for warm reception, satisfaction with the
brotherly and friendly relations between two countries. He noted that
multilateral relations between trade unions are worth of
attention. Having emphasized, that development of cooperation between
the governments of Azerbaijan and Turkey in the field of social
security represents special value, M. Bashesgioglu said: `Our
cooperation plays special role in maintenance of the social and
economic rights of workers. Turkish minister has in detail told about
the work carried out by structure headed by him in connection with the
social rights of workers.

Turkish Press
GUL MEETS WITH FRANCE’S CHIRAC, DOUSTE-BLAZY
In meetings during Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s
visit to Paris, French President Jacques Chirac and
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy stated that
they were extremely pleased about Turkey’s decision to
send troops to Lebanon. French officials also
continued to warn Turkey about fulfilling its
commitments emerging from the Customs Union, but they
also gave signals that this won’t turn into a crisis
between the European Union and Turkey. Gul’s meeting
with his French counterpart Douste-Blazy gave him the
opportunity to state Ankara’s diplomatic views,
especially on the Armenian and Cyprus issues.
`Instability in the Eastern Mediterranean wouldn’t
only be to the detriment of Turkey, as both regional
stability and the world’s balance would be affected by
this,’ said Gul. He also told Douste-Blazy of Ankara’s
uneasiness about the French Parliament’s move to
criminalize denial of the so-called Armenian genocide
claims. /Milliyet-Star/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Today.Az
Azerbaijan and Iran to expand electricity exchange

16 September 2006 [11:14] – Today.Az

Azerbaijan is looking forward to Iran’s answer to the proposal on
start of the establishment of additional electricity stations in
Astara in late September.

This station is expected to increase energy exchange between
Azerbaijan and Iran.
As APA reports, Iranian national energy department Tavanir’s experts
are working on the technical and economic assessment of the project.
Azerbaijan is capable of transfer much more electricity to Iran at
present. But, Iran is not able to receive so much energy.
At present 500-550 thousand kw/h of electricity are being exchanged
daily between Astara (Azerbaijan) and Astara (Iran). Iran is capable
of transferring 200 mv/h of energy to Nakhchivan AR blockaded by
Armenia and 400 mw/h to Azerbaijan in winter.
Program also attended by Iran’s Sunir Company envisages establishment
of 330kv Ali Bayramli Thermal Power Plant, Imishli power supply line,
Imishli-Parsabad line, 220kv Ali Bayramli-Salyan line, Salyan-Masali
line, Salyan substation and strengthening of four operational
substation.

Zaman Online, Turkey
09.16.2006 Saturday – ISTANBUL 16:55
Erdogan: More Corruption Cases will be Uncovered

By Abdulhamit Yildiz, Istanbul
Friday, September 15, 2006
zaman.com
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to criticisms of his
administration and party at an assembly at the Istanbul Chamber of
Commerce.
Indicating that they had eliminated most of Turkey’s `exploitative
corruption,’ Erdogan said, `That’s why there’s an uproar; there are
more corruption cases to come.’
Referring to the soldiers killed in terrorist attacks in southeastern
Turkey, the prime minister stated, `This country belongs to all of us,
our hearts ache when innocent and gentle people are killed, especially
when the deaths are a result of attacks against our army and
soldiers. It is certainly distressing when these events are
exploited. Martyrs are not an agent for exploitation. Their status is
unique.’
Erdogan emphasized that no one should expect the ports and airports of
the Turkish Republic of Cypress to be opened until the embargo on
Cypress’s Turkish side was lifted.
`When the time came, we hit the table with our fist and got up. `Sir,
the negotiations have ended.’ Excuse me, but it’s up to them. If 24
countries are going to sacrifice a country of 73 million to a nation
with a population of 650,000, that’s their decision,’ Erdogan said to
the E.U.
Concerning the Armenian issue, the prime minister said: `We will
pursue our struggle on this matter to the end. They are claiming that
our ancestors were guilty. These are just stories. My ancestors were
raised with Islam. They never did nor never would perpetrate genocide
on people under their rule.’
Evaluating economic developments, Erdogan reacted negatively to those
who labeled Turkey’s growth as virtual.
Noting that actual growth occurred for four and a half consecutive
years and that it would attain the targeted 5 percent, the prime
minister termed the addition of zeroes to the Turkish lira in previous
periods as `modern theft.’
No Province has Been Neglected
In his three and a half years as prime minister, Erdogan said he had
crossed Turkey’s 81 provinces at least twice, and that there had been
no other prime minister in the history of the Republic who had done
this in the same period of time, and that this had been his kismet
[destiny].
He said, `We have investments and operations in every province and
these are going to continue at the same speed. There is no province
where `not even a nail has been hammered.’ No province has been
neglected.’
President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Murat Yalcintas, said
that unemployment, Turkey’s biggest economic problem, would be
resolved by giving priority to vocational education.
Assembly Chairman Muharrem Keceli pointed out that it was Erdogan’s
right to be elected the president of Turkey in the next election.

Border Mail, Australia
16/09/2006

Beazley values proposal borders on high farce
BY CHARLES MOTT
NORMALLY this column doesn’t give much attention to Kim Beazley
because he just seems to be so inconsequential, out of things.
Lately he seems most intent on establishing himself as a flint-edged
leader of the moment, quite able to outmuscle John Howard, when
unfortunately his image is more akin to a windy sort of yesterday’s
man bereft (like Howard, indeed) of a captivating vision for the
future.
It may be this approach that led him to propose that people wishing to
come to Australia should declare as a condition of entry that they
would respect Australian values.
The jaded brain cries `enough’ with all this claptrap about the values
of the lucky country – time to pipe down surely.
But no, the alternative prime minister wants to go even further than
the incumbent in sanctifying `our’ values, things such as mutual
respect, fairness, freedom, respect for our institutions, religions,
cultures, and whatever else.
One wonders what fool planted the idea in his brain, and more – what
sort of a brain is it that would accept it?
Does it betray fear on the part of our leaders that if they do not
stand tall in defending values in an insecure modern world the
electorate will punish them; for that matter, does it betray a timid
and fearful community prone to turn in on itself and against the
world?
Whatever lies behind it, Mr Beazley’s proposal takes us to the edge of
high farce.
One of the Australian values bemused foreigners would have to accept
is that of `hard work’.
Some cynics would say that a substantial number of native Australians
have failed utterly to accept that value, so how can we seriously ask
foreigners to sign up?
Then there is the fact that the obligation would apply not only to
long-term residents, but also to tourists, some of whom come here only
for a few days.
One can imagine the ranks of Chinese and Japanese visitors, some of
whom would not even speak English, and who wish only to see the
barrier reef, Uluru and the Sydney Opera House, solemnly and
uncomprehendingly agreeing to respect the virtue of hard work, and
lots of other virtuous things besides.
Perhaps the Beazley plan could become yet another triumphant
Australian first, and other countries would adopt it as well, so that
travellers would find themselves signing up to the local value scheme
in whatever country they visit, no matter that values in various
countries may be at variance with one another.
Perhaps each of our states might adopt their own values, and people
crossing state borders would have to ditch one system for another.
Who will decide on Mr Beazley’s definitive list of values and what
will happen if new values emerge, demanding inclusion on the list?
And it’s only a short step from a declaration of values to setting up
classes for those who don’t understand our values or those whose
adherence to those values is deemed too weak.
And another short step, for example, to the point reached in Turkey
where a young novelist is facing court (and a possible three years in
jail) on charges that she insulted `Turkishness’ because a character
in her book The Bastard of Istanbul refers to the deaths of Armenians
in 1915 (read Aborigines in the early days, or the stolen generation)
as genocide.
If all this means that Messrs Howard and Beazley are now in
competition to out-value each other, what a desolate electoral
landscape lies ahead.
What on earth are sane and sensible people, who are quite capable of
making up their minds about their country’s defining characteristics,
to do about intrusive authorities who insist on doing the job for
them?

Newport News Times, OR
Posted: Sep 15, 2006 – 08:46:34 PDT
Two years in Ukraine: Rural life in the former Soviet state
By Laura Eberly Of the News-Times
Villages in Ukraine are filled with contradictions: While most of
the teenagers in Romankivtsi text message one another on their cell
phones, the town has no infrastructure for indoor plumbing – villagers
either carry buckets to and from the town well or dig a well on their
property for water. (Courtesy photo)
Kay Eldon, assistant director of the Newport Public Library, has lived
in New York City, Israel and England, among other places, and is no
stranger to new cultures and ideas. As a volunteer with Heifer
International, a worldwide aid program that provides developing
communities with income-producing livestock and economic development
training, she has traveled to Ukraine and Armenia – experiences that
compelled her to once again join the international community as a
Peace Corps volunteer.
In the fall of 2004, Kay received her Peace Corps assignment to the
village of Romankivtsi, Ukraine. For the better part of the past two
years, she has spent her time and energy teaching English and
establishing an English language resource center at the Romankivtsi
Gymnasium, the local school. In her free time she practiced Surzhyk,
the regional language that includes a unique blend of Ukrainian,
Romanian and Russian; learned to live with temperamental electricity
and without running water; and brought a new perspective to a village
of people living – in many ways – in conditions of 19th century
America.
“I didn’t realize the culture would be so incredibly foreign, this was
way beyond what I ever anticipated,” Kay said. The closest American –
and Internet service – was 2-1/2 miles away. “I had been to Ukraine in
2001 with Heifer International, so I kind of knew what I was getting
into – but not really. Ukraine has about 300 Peace Corps volunteers,
more than any other country in the world; partly because they have a
fabulous staff there and partly because there is a lot of need.”
Countries that collaborate with the U.S. Peace Corps program invite
volunteers, so Peace Corps members are sent to areas where their
assistance is appreciated. “Because Ukraine wants to join the
European Union, they realize they have to get their standards up to
European standards,” Kay said, including updating and expanding the
schools’ curriculum. In Romankivtsi, “before I came they had never
heard a native speaker of English. They’ve seen them in films, but
most are dubbed over,” said Kay. During her visit, “they learned about
real Americans, not 90210 Americans, not Hollywood Americans. I made
it a real point to emphasize that.”
The village of Romankivtsi has a population of about 3,500 people and
recently celebrated its 400th year as a community. “There are plenty
of animals in the village” and the unpaved streets turn to mud in the
rain, Kay said. Hammered tin is used for doors and gateways. “It’s
amazing because the stuff never discolors so it’s very attractive,”
she said. There is no infrastructure to facilitate indoor plumbing or
running water; the village well is the primary water source.
“The water had a heavy metal content, and could have had residual
radioactive fallout from Chernobyl,” Kay noted, so she used well water
for washing and other utility purposes, but drank only bottled water –
which had to be special ordered. She rented a small house that came
furnished with ornate – if a bit musty – rugs on the walls for
insulation and color. “I had electricity most of the time, it came and
went at whim,” she said.
In the winter of 2005, temperatures dropped below -40 degrees
Fahrenheit. “I had the wood stove going 24/7. I wore a hat and coat
inside,” Kay said. “The wind chill was wicked.”
The Romankivtsi Gymnasium where she spent much of her time serves 700
students in grades one through 11; there is no 12th grade and
kindergarten is held separately. Kay received grant funding to supply
an English language resource center with books, books on tape,
computer software and textbooks and asked family and friends to send
images of America, which she hung on the walls.
“The school is old and funky, it needed paint and a lot of repair; but
it’s the same thing as here, there’s no money so it doesn’t get done,”
Kay said. “I tried to set up Internet through the phone lines, which
were circa 1946, very old, very bad. Nothing would load and then after
a couple of minutes, it would disconnect. They didn’t have cell phones
when I first got there because there was no antenna,” she
continued. Then, when the village got cell service, “people were
scrambling to get them. Many people didn’t have land lines because
they’re so expensive – they were skipping that whole stage and going
straight to cell phones,” which require little to no infrastructure.
The village is a mixture of old and new: students at the school text
on cell phones while navigating muddy roads alongside horse-drawn
carts.
“A hard thing for me was the isolation, at first they didn’t get me,”
Kay said. “Women my age are grandmothers, they have no concept of
volunteerism. They didn’t understand why I would come and live
without running water and not get paid and I was like, ‘Well, cultural
exchange.’
“There were a couple of kids who really understood what I was doing
there, that they could really take advantage of me to learn English
and get a better understanding of the world,” she continued. “I said
to them, ‘If you can learn English, you can travel.’ I wanted them to
learn how to dream. There were a few who understood that to get out of
Ukraine, they had to learn English. While their parents had gone
illegally into other countries to work, this could open legal
opportunities to make money and maybe come back and change the
village. I have hope for them.”
Coming home to Newport “isn’t as strange as I thought it would be. I
came back to the same place, the same job. I’m still sort of hyper
aware of things like running water – and it comes out immediately and
I’m like, what is that?!” Kay said. “And washing machines, I think,
are one of the finest inventions. Washing sheets and towels in a
bucket is not really fun.
“I appreciate this country so much, and the way I live and the way I’m
able to live and the freedoms that I have. I did make some good
friends there and I do miss them and wish they had the opportunities
to travel that I have,” Kay said. “For people who like to travel to
different countries, I would put Ukraine on the map as a place to
visit. The cities are pretty much like cities everywhere and the
people are incredibly wonderful; for people who want to do eco-tourism
and try new things, Ukraine is an absolutely beautiful place – but you
have to be willing to have an adventure.”

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Discussion of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at UN General
Assembly is success of Azerbaijan – Azeri Senior State
Official

Source: Trend
Author: A.Ismayilova

15.09.2006

Novruz Mammadov, the head of the Foreign Relations Department of the
Azerbaijan President’s Apparat said the injection of an issue on
Nagorno-Karabakh into an agenda of the session of the UN General
Assembly to be held in New York late this September, Trend reports.
`We used the authority and support of our partners in this issue,’ he
noted, recalling the assistance by the United States, UK, and other
countries, particularly GUAM [Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and
Moldova] members-states.
`However, several countries came out against the injection of the
issue into the agenda, and unfortunately some Islamic countries are
among them. Russia together with Armenia hold an opposition stance in
respect to Azerbaijan.
Mammadov reminded that the Azerbaijani President raised an issue on
suspended conflicts in a summit of the heads of GUAM member-states in
May and proposed to resolve the problem namely on this level.
Touching upon Armenian’s statements reportedly Azerbaijan brings the
talks out of the frames of OSCE, the state officer stressed that such
statement actually hurt the negotiation process.
Armenian can not blackmail Azerbaijan with such statements. After all
this country realizes that it must liberate the Azerbaijani territory,
he stressed.
Mammadov underlined the results of talks between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian Foreign Ministers will determine the next round of a meeting
between the Presidents of the conflict countries.
Anyhow, Azerbaijan is eager to see the conflict to move
forward. Azerbaijan desires to rehabilitate its territorial integrity
through talks and peace in order to enable the internally displaced
people to return their areas.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Political row on Eurlings report in Brussels
Friday , 15 September 2006
Turkish deputies who went to Brussels this week to urge the change on
a key European Parliament report ended up in bitter argument — with
each other.
The European Parliament report on Turkey, prepared by EP Committee on
Foreign Affairs Rapporteur and Dutch MEP Camiel Eurlings, criticized
Turkey on a number of issues, including Cyprus, a slowdown in the EU
reform process, the situation in the southeast, problems with
religious minorities, cultural rights and civilian-military
relations. It raised particular concerns about last November’s
Semdinli incident, during which a bookshop in the southeast was
allegedly bombed by members of the security forces, and called for an
impartial and objective investigation of it.
Turkey has provided a detailed response to criticisms set out in the
report. Turkish parliamentarians have been working in Brussels to
ensure changes in the report before it is voted by European
Parliament’s General Assembly. However, Turkish parliamentarians are
at odds because of conflicts concerning the section in the report on
headscarf.
Onur Öymen, deputy leader of the Republic People’s Party (CHP) blamed
the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party parliamentarians for
supporting the European Parliament report on headscarf issue. Oymen
stated that debating headscarf issue in international platforms will
cause national problems.
Oymen also blamed Murat Mercan, the head of Turkish delegation in
Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), to act
unilaterally, as he sees fit. Oymen said that Mercan held a meeting
without CHP parliamentarians, “Turkish government and main opposition
party have to act together in the international arena. They must speak
in the same voice. Mercan has participated meetings with EU officials
alone,” he added.
Holding a press conference, Mercan said that the Turkish side aimed to
change the EP’s report regarding Turkey. Noting that they had an
impression that so-called Armenian genocide would probably not be put
forth as a precondition, Mercan announced that Turkish delegation will
continue to hold talks in Strasbourg, France next week.
Turkey forewarned European Parliament
Turkey communicated its displeasure to the European Parliament before
a press conference held under the EP roof by the Terrorist Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) militants, who urged the release of their leader
Abdullah Ocalan, diplomatic sources told TNA yesterday.
PKK militants late Tuesday urged for the release of their leader
Abdullah Ocalan during a meeting held with the support of a
parliamentarian group under the roof of the European Parliament.
Diplomatic sources said that Turkey had information about the press
release and stated that Ankara submitted its opposition to
EP. “Although Turkey could not prevent to press release, EP officials
said that each group in parliament has the right to organize a press
meeting,” sources added.
Underlining that press release did not reflect the views of the EP,
sources stated that Turkey will resubmit its opposition to EP about
PKK terrorists press release.
The New Anatolian, 15 September 2006