MUFTI OF SYRIA MEETS STUDENTS OF THEOLOGICAL FACULTY OF YSU
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Sept 7 2006
YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA/. Mufti of Syria met with students of
the theological faculty of the Yerevan State University.
The University Rector, Archimandrite Anushavan Zhamkochyan, lecturers
and students of the university met the high-ranked guest.
“The Syrian delegation is a consanguineous country and nation for us,
towards which each Armenian fills love and respect”, Zhamkochyan said,
expressing gratefulness to the people of Syria for their hospitality
towards Armenians.
In his turn Sheikh Ahmad Badr Al-din Hassuni welcome students of the
university. “Armenia is rich in students and people loving life”,
he said, wishing Armenia prosperity.S.P.-0–

UN to hold hearing on arsons in occupied Azerbaijani lands
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 7 2006
A hearing will be held at the United Nations General Assembly
headquarters at 01.00 by Baku time today related to the Armenian
arsons in occupied Azerbaijani lands. The Azerbaijani permanent
representative office at the UN told the APA.
All members of the General Assembly will participate in the hearing.
Azerbaijani special representative to UN, Ambassador Yashar Aliyev
and several other officials of the representative office are expected
to attend the discussions.
There will be no special delegation from Azerbaijan. The format of
the discussions has not been announced.
The discussions on the arsons committed by Armenians in Azerbaijani
lands were to be held yesterday but it was postponed due to different
reasons./APA/

Black Day For Freedom of Expression
Kurdish Info, Germany
Sept 7 2006
Bianet-Turkish courts are geared up to hear 45 press and freedom of
expression cases until the end of the year. First case starts with
the Kirandi trial on September 8 while eight journalists, writers and
publishers are to face judges on October 5.
With the judiciary recess ending on September 6, bianet has
established that Turkish courts are to hear 45 press and freedom of
expression cases until the end of the year.
While the first press freedom trial will be heard this week on
September 8, eyes are focused on October 5 when eight defendants
including journalist Ipek Calislar and publisher Ragip Zarakolu will
face judges in press and freedom of expression trials.
Calislar and Tatlican Face “Ataturk” case
On October 5 Thursday, journalist Ipek Calislar and “Hurriyet”
newspaper editor Necdet Tatlican will appear before a court on trial
for the book “Latife Hanim”, a biography of modern Turkey’s founder
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s partner Latife, published by Dogan Publishing
House.
Calislar, an experienced journalist of 36 years and author of the
best-seller “Latife Hanim”, is being charged for quoting a story from
Latife’s sister Vecihe where Ataturk allegedly avoids his opponents
by putting on a scarf and fleeing a house while pretending to be a
woman.
A reference to the anecdote in a June 4, 2006 interview with the
daily Hurriyet and the story she relayed in the book brings her and
Tatlican before a court on charges of insulting Atatuk under a 1951
dated “Law to Protect Ataturk”. Each face a prosecutor’s demand for
up to 4.5 years imprisonment.
Journalist Saymaz on trial for “torture” claim
The same day Calislar and Tatlican appear before a judge, “Radikal”
newspaper reporter Ismail Saymaz will appear at the Bagcilar 2nd
Court of First Instance for violating the country’s Press Law by
printing claims that a child had been tortured.
The journalist is being charged with “influencing justice” through
his news report titled “Torture allegation concerning 11 year old
child”.
Zarakolu faces up to 13.5 years jail
The case against Belge Publshing House owner and journalist Ragip
Zarakolu for publishing two books relating to Ottomon history and
developments related to Armenians is also to be hear on October 5.
Zarakolu is on trial for the Turkish versions of Prof. Dr. Dora
Sakayan’s book “Garabed Hacheryan’s Izmir Journal: An Armenian
Doctor’s Experiences ” and George Jerjian’s “The Truth Will Set Us
Free: Armenians and Turks Reconciled”.
In the trial to be held at the Istanbul 2nd Court of First Instance,
a prosecutor demands up to 13.5 years imprisonment for the publisher.
Tempo’s interview at cort
October 5 will also be the day where “Tempo” magazine reporter Enis
Mazhar Tayman and editor-in-chief Neval Barlas will appear before a
court in relation to an interview conducted with Diyarbakir KURD-DER
spokesman and Rights and Freedoms Party (Hak-Par) former chairman
Ibrahim Guclu.
However, the Bagcilar 2nd Court of First Instance is not interview
Barlas in accordance with the opinion of prosecutor Omer Karacal who
concluded that the author of the interview was identified. Because of
this observers expect the case against Barlas to be dismissed and
that against Tayman to continue.
The two newsmen and Guclu are charged with “insulting Turkism and the
Republic” and “inciting people not to abide by law” through the
interview published in Tempo on December 2, 2005.
Publisher Ozkan’s case may be dismissed
Again the same day Evrensel Basim Yayin publishing house editor
Songul Ozkan and author Ahmet Kahraman will appear before a court for
Kahraman’s book titled “Kurdish Rebellions”.
The Beyoglu 2nd Court o First Instance had implied during the
previous hearing on May 25 that as the author of the book was clearly
identifiable he may not be held for the book. A decision may be taken
in this case to dismiss charges against Ozkan and put Kahraman on
trial individually.
New judiciary term starts with Kirandi case
The first freedom of press case to be heard in the new judiciary term
will be held on September 8 with defendants of the so-called “Kirandi
Case” appearing before a court.
On trial are Human Rights Association (IHD) Regional Representative
Mihdi Perincek, IHD Diyarbakir Representative Selahattin Demirtas,
Tunceli Mayoralty Provincial Council Ozgur Soylemez, artist Ferhat
Tunc, journalist-writer Umur Hozatli and Dicle News Agency (DIHA)
reporters Abdulkadir Ozbek and Rustu Demirkaya, Dogan News Agency
(DHA) reporter Ferit Demir ve Anatolian Agency (AA) reporter Haydar
Toprakci”.
The group is charged in relation to the August 4, 2005 release of a
kidnapped Turkish soldier by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party
(PKK) and accused of “conducting propaganda of the organization and
its aims” either by being there to receive Kirandi and escort him to
safety or for covering the release. Each defendant on trial in the
case faces up to 5 years imprisonment if found guilty.
06.09.2006 / by Erol Onderoglu
name=News&file=article&sid=3819

ARMENIA’S POLICE PROMISE CASH AWARD FOR INFORMATION ON ASSASSINATION
OF TAXATION SERVICE OFFICIAL
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Sept 7 2006
YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA/. Armenia’s police promise cash award
for help in disclosing the assassination of Head of the Investigation
Department, RA Taxation Service, Shahen Hovasapyan.
“Anonymity of the informer is guaranteed,” the RA Police states.
Shahen Hovasapyan was killed while in his company car by an explosive
activated by means of a remote controller. P.T. -0–

GAREGIN II: COOPERATION BETWEEN CHRISTIAN, MUSLIM SPIRITUAL LEADERS
TO CONTRIBUTE TO WORLD PEACE
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Sept 7 2006
YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA-Novosti-Armenia/. Cooperation between
Christian and Muslim spiritual leaders will ensure peaceful development
of relations between all the countries of the world, Catholicos of
All Armenians Garegin II stated at a news conference held jointly
with Mufti of Syria Sheik Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassuni.
Garegin II also pointed out a special role to be played in this
process by strengthened ties between the Armenian Apostolic Church
and Syrian clergy as well as by future cooperation programs.
In his turn, Sheik Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassuni stressed that his visit to
Armenia is of paramount importance against the background of extremist
sentiments worldwide. “Cooperation between the two religions must
oppose aggression and confrontation both in the Caucasus and in the
Near East, he said.
Syrian Mufti, Sheik Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassuni arrived in Armenia on
September 2, 2006, at the invitation of Catholicos of All Armenians
Garegin II to discuss issues of religious cooperation and dialogue.
During his visit, Mufti Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassuni held meetings at
the RA Parliament, RA Foreign Office, Academy of Sciences as well as
at the Faculty of Theology of Yerevan State University. P.T. -0—

Powerful Iran leads enhances regional stability: Speaker
Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Sept 7 2006
Tehran, Sept 7, IRNA
Ir
Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel here on Wednesday stressed that
the presence of a powerful, independent Iran is a contributing factor
to regional stability and security.
During a meeting with Armenian Ambassador to Tehran Karen Nazarian,
he expressed his satisfaction with the current level of Tehran-Yerevan
cooperation.
Haddad-Adel further stressed the need to harness all existing
potentials in both countries to boost bilateral ties.
He said there were no obstacles to expansion of relations between
the two countries.
For his part, the Armenian envoy said Yerevan attaches great importance
to its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He cited the two countries’ cooperation in the areas of energy, oil
and gas, construction of wind power plants and transportation in the
past few years as proof of their expanding ties.

Konstantin Gabashvili: I am ready to favor Azerbaijan if the arsons proved
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 7 2006
[ 07 Sen. 2006 15:09 ]
The military helicopter with Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili and
deputy chief of Armed Forces Staff Zaza Gogava on board, which was
fired from the South Ossetia, remains caused quite a stir in Georgia.
Konstantin Gabashvili, head of parliament’s international relations
committee told APA’s Georgia bureau that the latest event and missile
launching to President Mikhail Saakashvili’s helicopter with also US
Senator John McCain on board on 28 August are not accidental.
“This is a terrorist act. I think Barankevich, defense minister
of the unrecognized South Ossetia Republic, who was appointed by
Russian intelligence, stands behind all these. I wonder why foolish
Barankevich targeted the helicopter with the Senator on board. Can
you imagine what would happen if something wrong had happened to
McCain, who is so respected in the US authorities?” There is a group
of communist-fascist in Russia, who aim to rule the world. Therefore,
we want all Russian peacekeepers and military bases to be withdrawn
from our country. I am sure Azerbaijan will support us in this issue,”
the parliamentarian said.
Touching on the presence of representatives from Abkhazia and South
Ossetia in recent events on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the
alleged “Nagorno Karabakh Republic”, which declared its independence in
occupied Azerbaijani territories, Mr.Gabashvili Russians are treating
the unrecognized bodies like puppets, which are doomed to similar fate.
“If Azerbaijan and Georgia turn out to refuse the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline and give the pipeline to a Russian company from the
British Petroleum, the situation will be quite different then. We
will have to refuse all that we gained during our independence. But
this way for achieving peace is not useful for us,” he said.
As coming to the Nagorno Garabagh conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, Gabashvili, “I have told my Armenian counterparts that they
should withdraw from the regions adjoining Nagorno Garabagh in order
to achieve any result. And Azerbaijan will take relevant steps if it
sees that Armenia does something. What we want is that Azerbaijanis,
Armenians, Georgians and other nations live in peaceful atmosphere,
make efforts for the development of their countries.”
Georgian parliamentarian also touched on the destruction of cultural,
architectural heritage and arsons in the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani
lands. He said the Armenian side says the fires are caused by extreme
temperature. He said neutral and fair international experts should
visit the scene and find the causes of the fire.
“If it is proved that Armenians committed arsons in Azerbaijani
territories, as Georgian representative, I am ready to back
Azerbaijan,” Gabashvili said./APA/

Bethlehem: lock put back in Basilica of the Nativity
by Arieh Cohen
AsiaNews.it, Italy
Sept 7 2006
The lock had been stolen and replaced in summer of 2002 by some Greek
Orthodox monks, who thus effectively prevented access to Catholics
and Armenians. Now the “common” one has been restored in its place.
This is thanks to the Palestinian Authority and the new patriarch
Theophilos, and there are hopes that it is a sign of things to come.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land
yesterday published the following statement: “On Saturday, 2 September,
2006, by prior arrangement, the lock was put back in the Main Door of
the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem – which had been illegally
removed from it in the spring or summer of 2002. Present were the
representatives of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem,
the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, and the Armenian Orthodox
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as well as those of the Palestinian
Authority.
“The Custody expresses its appreciation for the decision of the present
Greek Orthodox Patriarch, His Beatitude Theophilos, of letting the
lock be re-installed, as well as for the firm and principled role
of the Palestinian Authority, which carried out in this matter the
obligation assumed in Article 4 of the ‘Basic Agreement between the
Holy See and the P.L.O.’
“It is the fervent hope of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land that
henceforth the internationally recognised legal regime of Status Quo,
in those Christian Holy Places to which it applies, will be respected
and observed by all, and that the conduct of all who have part in
governing these Shrines will thus be wrothy of their uniquely sacred
character. Bethlehem is, after all, precisely the birthplace of the
Prince of Peace.
Thus has come to a satisfactory end one of the most serious challenges
to the Holy Places in recent times.
It all started when some Greek Orthodox monks stole the lock on the
main door of the Basilica of the Nativity, and replaced it with a lock
of their own, thus rendering useless the keys held, respectively, by
the Catholic and the Armenian Churches. The theft was discovered on 20
August 2002, and both the Catholic and the Armenian Churches protested
to then Greek Orthodox Patriarch, to no effect. It was pointed out to
the Patriarch that the theft and clandestine substitution of the lock
was a grave violation of the legal regime of Status Quo, threatening
the entire arrangement, by which the three communities (Greek Orthodox,
Catholic, Armenian) share the use of the Shrine. To no avail.
The Churches then addressed a solemn appeal to the Palestinian
Authority, which administers the Bethlehem area, and which has an
obligation under international law, and also specifically under the
Holy See’s “Basic Agreement” with the Palestinians (15 February 2000)
to enforce the legal regime at the Shrine.
The commission appointed by the late Palestinian President Arafat to
see to this, decided already in December 2003 that the stolen lock
should be restored. However, until last Saturday, that decision was
waiting to be carried out.
The well known vicissitudes of the Palestinian territories in the
meantime must have had an important part in delaying by so much
the actual implementation of the decision. However, the passage of
time has also meant that the violently anti-Catholic Greek Orthodox
Patriarch Irineos was meanwhile deposed by his own Synod, for other
misconduct, and Theophilos elected in his place. This made it easier
for the Palestinian Authority to ensure observance of its treaty
with the Catholic Church without resorting to coercive means (which,
at a certain point, if matters were still unresolved, it would have
had both the right and the duty to do).
Indeed, in the end, Patriarch Theophilos himself appears to have taken
the initiative to return the lock, although no doubt thanks, at least
in part, to the constant encouragement from the Palestinian Authority.
The happy resolution of this affair, after more than four years,
is significant for a number of reasons: It will encourage Catholics
(and Armenians) everywhere to support even more emphatically the
right of the Greek Orthodox to religious freedom in electing their
own leaders; in fact, the Government of Israel is still refusing to
“recognise” the canonical election of Theophilos.
There can be little doubt that Theophilos himself has been counting on
such increased support in reversing his predecessor’s anti-Catholic
policy, and finally agreeing to the demand – by the Churches and the
Palestinian government – to return the lock peacefully.
The Palestinian Authority, for its part, has gained merit by
recognising in this case its obligations concerning the Holy Places,
under the ‘Basic Agreement’ with the Holy See, and has thereby given
a positive signal concerning the prospects of the Catholic Church in
reference to the future Palestinian republic.
A “fervent hope” is indeed appropriate that both the more more
eirenic approach of Patriarch Theophilos (so unlike the conduct of his
ironically named discredited predecessor Irineos…) to the Catholic
Church, and the “firm and principled role” of the Palestinian Authority
in relation to its treaty with the Catholic Church, will be consistent
characteristics of times to come.
;ar t=7145

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 7 2006
Ukraine Upholds Azerbaijan’s Initiatives on Nagorno-Karabakh –
Interview With Ukrainian President Yutshchenko
Source: Trend
Author: P.Kesamanski
07.09.2006
Trend’s exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Victor
Yutshchenko
– What would be your opinion on the current Azeri-Ukrainian
relations? Are they matching the potential?
– Ukraine considers Azerbaijan an important strategic partner and we
are going to extend and improve the existing mutual relations with
your Country.
The basis for Ukrainian-Azeri partnerships is formed by mutual
interests of both the countries and their favorable geostrategic
location. This, in turn, opens up prospects for the creation of
mutual transport corridors, firstly those related to energy.
I would like to mention the high intensity of mutual contacts that
have been observed last year and in 2006. The most fruitful of these
was our interview during the May summit of GUAM member-countries
leaders in Kiev.
Intensification of the trade and economic relations between our
Countries is observed as well. We can see both the increase of Azeri
goods imported to Ukraine and Ukrainian goods delivered to Azeri
markets. However, respective figures are still far from the limits of
our capabilities and its significant opportunities.
I would like to say that the most important field of co-operation
between Ukraine and Azerbaijan is establishing the new route of
Caspian oil delivery to European consumers
(Baku-Supsa-Odessa-Brodi-Plotsk).
Furth ermore, at present we have huge opportunities for the extension
of mutually profitable co-operation in aircraft construction,
transport, building construction, agriculture, SMB and other fields.
We also have unused capacity for increasing the export of oil and oil
products, as well as oil industry equipment, chemical and
petrochemical production from Azerbaijan to Ukraine. In turn, Ukraine
may deliver food and pharmacological production, engineering
facilities, metallurgic and agricultural production to Azerbaijan.
– What are the main issues to be discussed during your official visit
to Azerbaijan?
– During my visit to Azerbaijan, on September 7 and 8 I am meeting
with my Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev, visiting the Parliament and
speaking to government officials of Azerbaijan. I, together with
Ilham Aliyev, are going to discuss our countries’ co-operation in the
trade and economic field, as well as the joint energy security
projects. Undoubtedly, the most actual issue of our collaboration is
establishing the new route for Caspian oil transportation
(Baku-Supsa-Odessa-Brodi-Plotsk).
– What would be your assessment of prospects of CIS organization?
What, in your opinion, is GUAM’s future?
– “Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM” is
very promising and sets very ambitious tasks as well. The current
stage priority is GUAM’s recognition as an effective organization of
democratic states, whose activity boosts the economic development of
its members, ensures security and stability in the region, and
strengthens domination of law and basic rights and freedom of people.
We need to acquire the positive experience of other countries, in
particular WTO, and I am sure a rosy future is awaiting GUAM should
this be successful.
The global community development trends witness the striving of
various countries economy to the more liberal movement of finances,
goods, services and so. Namely for this reason last and this year,
the significant attention was paid to implementation of the Agreement
on Free Trade Zone creation among the “Organization for Democracy and
Economic Development – GUAM” member-countries. At present one may say
the signing of the relevant protocol among the said countries
formally states the commencement of work of this free trade zone
within the borders of four states: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and
Moldova.
– Does Ukraine uphold the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan? Will
Ukraine perform with some incentive on settling the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict?
– Ukraine pays much attention to the settlement of conflicts in GUAM
member-countries, including Azerbaijan.
Ukraine’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, apart from its
policy of non-intervention in internal affairs of other states,
remains all the same: we always advocated its immediate settlement on
the basis of universal norms and principles of international
legislation, as well as sovereignty and territorial integrity and
inviolability of universally recognized frontiers of states and
adherence to the related resolutions of UN Security council and OSCE
decisions.
Ukraine upholds the relevant Azerbaijan’s initiatives on this issue
both individually and within international organizations. We are
ready, under the agreements signed within GUAM, to uphold Azerbaijan
in order to attract the attention of global community to the
necessity in joining efforts for the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
and other so-called “frozen” conflicts in GUAM member-countries.

Vision and facts
By Costas Iordanidis
Kathimerini, Greece
Sept 7 2006
The recent European Parliament report calling on Ankara to recognize
the genocide of Armenians during World War I and that of the Assyrians
in the country’s southeast and the Pontic Greeks in the Black Sea
region may have irked Turkish officials but it does not come close
to constituting official European Union policy.
As a representative body, the European Parliament reflects public
reservations toward the prospect of Turkey’s EU membership. However,
the EU’s political elites have often adopted policies that run against
popular sentiment.
A similar thing is currently taking place in Turkey, as the security
establishment and the government are turning their back on public
sentiment. The EU’s attraction is on the wane and Turkish people
feel more affiliated with Muslim countries, some of which – Iran,
Syria and Lebanon – have been targeted by the West.
Turkey is experiencing a sort of schizophrenia. While the political
system is supposedly representing the general will, its style of
governance is actually bordering more and more on “enlightened rule.”
Increasingly, government policy is becoming eschatological: Political
leaders are convinced about the correctness of their actions, despite
the fact that the implementation of their policies has failed to bear
much fruit – at least enough to win public consent.
So much will depend on the European Commission report on Turkey’s
reform progress, due for release in October. Although the document
is expected to contain some warnings for Ankara, EU leaders will by
no means halt Turkey’s path to Europe.
The decision to admit Turkey is so firmly rooted among the EU’s
political elites, particularly in Greece, that it looks unshakeable.
Political vision, it seems, matters more than facts.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress