TURKEY: MINISTER OF STATE POISED TO HOST POPE DURING HISTORIC VISIT
AKI, Italy
Nov 14 2006
Istanbul and Ankara, 14 Nov. (AKI) – Turkey’s minister of state
Besir Atalay is expected to host Pope Benedict XVI during his first
visit to a Muslim-majority country taking place from 28 November to 1
December. During the three-day visit, the pontiff will meet Turkey’s
president Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the Orthodox patriarch Bartholomew
I and other religious leaders, including the head of the religious
affairs directorate and Muslim grand mufti of Turkey, Ali Bardakoglu.
Upon his arrival on 28 November in the capital, Ankara, Benedict will
visit the shrine of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern, secular
Turkish state, the Vatican announced. He will then meet meet Sezer,
Bardakoglu, and Turkish diplomats, the Vatican said.
On 29 November, Benedict will celebrate mass in the coastal city
Ephesus, the site of the most important sanctuary to the Virgin Mary
in Anatolia. On 30 November – the Feast of Saint Andrew – he and
Bartholomew I will sign a joint declaration of ecumenical dialogue
between the Catholic and Orthodox churches before celebrating a
liturgy together.
While in Istanbul, Benedict will also meet Armenian, Syrian Orthodox
and Jewish leaders and will dine with members of the Turkish Conference
of Bishops. On the last day of his visit, on 1 December, he will
celebrate mass in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.
Atalay – who is responsible for Turkey’s public TV channel TRT and
the national statistics institute – has extensive previous experience
of accompanying high ranking officials during their visits to the
country and has signalled he is happy to act as the pontiff’s host.
There has been speculation that Islamist rooted Erdogan deliberately
avoided meeting Benedict in reaction to his recent controversial
statements linking Islam to violence and unreason during a speech in
September at the University of Regensburg in Germany.
This has been repeatedly denied by Erdogan and other government
officials, who have stated that the premier’s attendance at a NATO
summit in Latvia was a prior commitment the Vatican was aware of when
planning the pontiff’s visit. “I will be at the NATO Summit in Riga.
Am I supposed to cancel because of the pope’s visit? ” Erdogan said
on Monday.
“I do not escape. The pope has two titles; that of religious leader
and head of state. As the religious leader he will meet Turkey’s
religious affairs directorate chairman, Ali Bardakoglu. As head of
state, he will meet president Ahmet Necdet Sezer. What is there to
read into this?” Erdogan added.
Gul will also be abroad during Benedict’s first official visit
to Turkey.

AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA TO SHED LIGHT ON DESTINY OF CAPTURED, MISSING, OR KIDNAPPED
Author: E. Javvadova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
A meeting of corresponding State organizations of Azerbaijan and
Armenian on resolving the whereabouts of those persons who have been
captured, missing and kidnapped, is expected to be held in the near
future, Shahin Sayilov, Secretary of the State Commission for Affairs
of Captured, Missing and Kidnapped Citizens said, Trend reports.
“Previously relations with the Baku Representative Office of the
International Red Cross Committee had not been good. However recently,
these relations have gained a positive impetus.
Establishing close co-operation with the corresponding Armenian
commission is expected take place within the Red Cross Committee in
the near future. Representatives of the Red Cross Committee have hold
meetings with the Azerbaijani and Armenian organizations for affairs
with regard to the captured, missing and kidnapped citizens. During
the meeting, both parties will present lists of the missing, captured
and kidnapped persons with the aim of determining their whereabouts.
Areas where the victims were buried will also be identified.”, said
Mr. Sayilov.

ARMENIAN “MITK” ANALYTICAL CENTER FINANCES CHERNOVIK NEWSPAPER
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
Hajimurad Kamalov, the founder of Chernovik newspaper published in
Makhachgala which is active participant of campaign against Azerbaijan
has business relations with Armenia; one of religious men of Sadval
told the APA Dagestan bureau.
He said that the editor of the newspaper Resul Hebullayev and
correspondent Marko Shakhbanov are paid by Mitk Analytical center.
Besides, Marko Shakhbnov is feed $ 500 for every article that will
cause resonance in the field of ethnic confrontation in Azerbaijan.
The representative told that some members stopped their work in the
organization because of being tool of Armenians. They think that
they can achieve their goals with the help of Azerbaijanis and other
Muslims.

RUSSIA’S STAKE IN IRAN PIPELINE YET TO BE STUDIED
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
(IranMania) – Armenia has not studied offering of any sector of
the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline project to Russia yet, Armenian Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan announced, MNA reported.
Construction of 40 km of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline by the Russian
side has not been discussed yet, Margaryan added.
“We are not talking about selling the pipeline to Russia. We are
only discussing the possibility of Russia’s preliminary investment
in the project,” the Persian service of ISNA quoted Margaryan as
saying on Monday. “Everything will become clear when the project
comes on stream.”
In late June 2006 Deputy Chair of Gazprom Board Alexander Ryazanov had
noted that the company was going to buy the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.
According to him, the putting into operation of the gas pipeline
would secure gas supplies to Armenia, reports Trend.
Referring to the recent comments on the increase in the prices of
Russia’s gas to Armenia, the Transcaucasian nation’s prime minister
pointed out that his country had not been officially informed of the
issue yet. Therefore, it would be better for the media not to mention
it before it was approved by the relevant commissions.
The Armenian official has referred to the agreement on the pipeline
construction as a priority for the West Asian nation. Based on earlier
planning, the pumping of Iranian gas to Armenia via the pipeline is
expected to begin by the end of the year.

MP ASSEF HAJJIYEV: NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT DISCUSSED IN MOSCOW
Author: A. Ismayilova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
The Congress of Local and Regional Powers of the Congress of Europe has
discussed the Karabakh Conflict issue and considered it as a threat
to the whole the Black Sea region, Assef Hajjiyev, a Member of the
Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis), who gave a speech during the
above-mentioned event, told Trend.
Mr. Hajjiyev said that in his speech, he touched upon cooperation
both in the Black Sea region and existing problems, including the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue. “I pointed out that this conflict had its
influence on many factors, on the development of the region, in
particular. He also touched upon project Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC)
and pointed out that the conflict is a real threat to this project as
well”, the Azerbaijani MP stated. He stressed that the international
community ought to express its opinion on this issue. “This terrorism,
this separatism is a threat not only to Azerbaijan but also to all
the countries of the Balck Sea region”, said Mr. Hajjiyev.
In his speech, Mr. Hajjiyev also touched upon the municipal elections
held in Azerbaijan on October 6, 2006, and informed participants of
the meeting about the official returns of the elections.

DIVISIONS OF THE ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES ONCE AGAIN BROKE CEASEFIRE REGIME
Author: Sh.Jaliloglu
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
On 13 November, the divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces once
again broke the ceasefire regime on the front line, Trend Regional
Correspondent reports.
Yesterday, on November 13, the divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces
located in the occupied Bash Gervend village of Agdam district shot
at the opposite positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from 08:35.
In addition, on 14 November, the divisions of the Armenian Armed
Forces located in the occupied Mehtili and Laltepe villages of
Jabrail district shot at the opposite positions of the Azerbaijani
Armed Forces. The enemy was made silent with response fire.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS VIOLATED CEASEFIRE AGAIN
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
Today beginning from 08.25 the divisions of Armenian Armed Forces from
their positions in the occupied village of Aghdam Bash Gervend fired
at the opposite positions of Azerbaijani Armed Forces for 15 minutes,
APA Garabagh bureau reports.
Yesterday beginning from 12.00 Armenian Armed Forces from their
positions in the occupied village of Jabrail Mehtili and Leletepe
fired at the opposite positions of Azerbaijani Armed Forces with
large-caliber machineguns for half an hour. Yesterday Armenian Armed
Forces fired at the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in the same direction.
The enemy was silenced by response fire. There are no losses. Fizuli
residents told the APA that the enemy tried to commit arsons in their
haystacks and pastures this month. Azerbaijan Defense Ministry told
the APA they have no information about the violation of ceasefire.

VISE-SPEAKER OF GREEK PARLIAMENT: I HAVE NEVER MET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER OF UNRECOGNIZED NAGORNO GARABAGH REPUBLIC
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
The vise-speaker of Greek Parliament Georgi Surlas made statement on
his meeting with Georgi Petrosyan, the Foreign Minister of unrecognized
Nagorno Garabagh Republic, Greek Embassy told the APA.
“I surprised with the articles published in Azerbaijan about my
meeting with the foreign minister of Nagorno Garabagh republic. I
declare that I had no meeting with him. I have met with Ovannisian,
vise-speaker of Armenian parliament and the ambassador of the Armenia
in the frame of friendship relations on November 7. Ovannisian had
an unofficial visit to Athens,” he said.
It should be mentioned that, Armenian mass media spread information
that Georgi Petrosyan, the foreign minister of so-called Nagorno
Garabagh Republic had official meeting with Georgi Surlas.

ACTION PLAN BETWEEN EU AND AZERBAIJAN SIGNED TODAY
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
The meeting of EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Council in Brussels is over,
APA reports.
At the end of the meeting a five-year Action Plan within European
Neighborhood Policy between Azerbaijan and EU was signed. Analogous
document was signed between EU and Armenia and Georgia before. The
document envisages improving the economic integration and political
partnership. It is noted that 25 members of the EU and Azerbaijan
are for the preservation of common values, should respect sovereignty
and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders and obey
the international norms and principles. Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Policy Department chief Tahir Tagizadeh told the APA that
the Action Plan envisages cooperation in 10 spheres. The official
said that the document will help Azerbaijan to integrate to European
structures.

DID WE WIN OR LOSE THE AMERICAN ELECTIONS?
Ali H. Aslan
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 14 2006
With the Democrats taking control of Congress by overpowering the
incumbent Republicans last Tuesday in the mid-term elections, the
political landscape in Washington has changed. A new era is beginning
in America. The reason for President Bush’s defeat is another analysis
entirely. So how will the current picture affect Turkey?
Ankara has been trying to repair the relations with the Republican
Bush administration that were seriously strained during the Iraq war.
However, giving precedence to strengthening relations with the party in
power didn’t allow for the establishment of necessary communications
with the Democratic opposition. Until now, a big part of the work
was handled with the help of the lobbying firm of former Republican
leader Bob Livingston. But now the Congress is in the hands of the
Democrats…
Should Turkey take on an air of “the old king is dead; long live
the new king”? I think not, because although the Republicans have
lost the majority, close to half the Congress and the White House
are still in their hands. Consequently, even if they are weakened,
they still have power that shouldn’t be underestimated. On the other
hand, there is no reason why Ankara shouldn’t show the Democrats
flexibility in advancing relations. Even if we’re a little late,
we haven’t missed the train completely…
Most of the Democratic leaders who will hold key positions in
Congress’ foreign policy have problems with Ankara for different
reasons. Future Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Leader
Harry Reid, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Joe Biden,
and House International Relations Committee Chairman Tom Lantos can
all be included in this category. It is important to dissipate the
chilliness with key Democratic leaders. If Prime Minister Erdogan
had been able to realize his Washington visit after January 2007,
and had been able to meet with Democrats instead of coming during the
election campaign period when Congress was on vacation, it would have
been much more productive…
The Democrats’ general viewpoint on the issues of Iraq and the
alleged Armenian genocide, which carry near-future crisis potential
in Turkish-American relations, is rather far from Turkey’s. They may
not be able to decisively implement everything they said before the
elections. However, many influential Democrats have become dangerously
engaged with the Armenian lobby regarding their genocide claims. When
it comes down to the bottom line, President Bush will interfere again,
but it’s questionable as to how effective the Republican White House’s
request to the Democratic leaders in Congress will be. An important
factor of most Democratic campaigns was Turkey’s not looking favorably
on an immediate pull-out of troops from Iraq because of its anxiety
about its leading to increased chaos. It is known that some like
Senator Biden support possibilities that even include Iraq’s being
divided into three different states.
If the Armenian resolution passes Congress in April, if steps are
taken in Iraq to deepen Turkey’s concerns, and if concrete measures
are not taken against the presence of the PKK, we might very well
find ourselves in a new Turkish-American crisis in the spring. Just
the Armenian genocide issue alone is enough to poison Turkish-American
relations. Imagine how the already Washington-sensitive Turkish public
opinion and ruling establishment would respond. Fears of the eastern
part of the country being divided between the Armenians and Kurds would
hit the roof. The perception that the U.S. is not Turkey’s friend would
be strengthened. With Ankara entering an election atmosphere, it would
not be easy to find a brave knight to stand up for Turkish-American
relations. And the common strategic vision between the two countries
could be seriously damaged.
Let’s look at the bright side. The tracks Democratic President
Bill Clinton left behind in Turkish-American relations are an
important legacy. The Democrats’ adopting a more internationalist
and world-harmonious image than the Republicans is an advantage for
Turkey. It is expected that the Baker-Hamilton Commission, which has
turned into a vehicle for salvaging the situation for both parties,
will recommend mechanisms that make Iraq’s neighbors a part of the
solution. Consequently, our quotient of being listened to in Washington
can increase. The Democrats will try and draw a more realistic and
pragmatic foreign policy line than the idealistic, surrealistic
and maximalist line represented by the neocons. They might want to
put the breaks on democratization in the Middle East and partially
return to former pro-stability policy and spread reforms out over a
longer period of time. Most Democrats see diplomatic engagement with
Syria and Iran as more suitable to American interests. They want to
rejuvenate the peace process in the Middle East. All of these are
compatible with Ankara’s line.
The change in the political picture in America can lead to tactical
variation in its foreign policy, but its general strategic stance
won’t change much. It is a strategic necessity that the United States
not offend an important regional power like Turkey. Turkey can not
be taken for granted as before. If Turkey becomes offended, it can
not make a sufficient contribution to straightening out the grave
position of the U.S. and Israel in the Middle East, and the hands of
the radicals would be strengthened in the war against terror.
Turkish-American strategic relations should not be sacrificed to
internal political concerns in both countries. Train-wrecks could be
avoided by intense dialogue.