Senior EU lawmaker says Turkey must look at freedom of speech provisions
By JAN SLIVA, Associated Press Writer
Associated Press Worldstream
September 20, 2006 Wednesday 10:26 AM GMT
BRUSSELS Belgium — A senior European Union lawmaker said Wednesday
progress could be made soon over freedom of speech provisions in
Turkey’s penal code, a controversial issue hampering the country’s
negotiations with the EU.
Dutch EU deputy Joost Lagendijk, chairman of the parliament’s group
dealing with Turkey, spoke a day after the European Commission said
it was delaying by two weeks a progress report on Turkey’s bid to
join the EU due to what it said were scheduling reasons.
Lagendijk said the delay may have to do with increased efforts to make
progress over article 301 of the penal code, which sets out penalties
for insulting the Turkish Republic, its officials, or “Turkishness,”
and has been used to bring charges against dozens of journalists,
publishers and scholars. The article is strongly criticized by the EU.
“If one listens carefully to Turkish officials … there probably is
a chance to reach progress over article 301,” Lagendijk said, adding
that Turkey “may also have come to the conclusion that article 301
is counterproductive.”
“Something could happen in the next two months,” said Lagendijk,
who will be an observer at the Sept. 21 trial of best-selling Turkish
author Elif Shafak, charged with “insulting Turkishness” in a novel
that deals with the waning years of the Ottoman Empire.
Turkey’s parliament convened on Tuesday to begin voting on reforms,
including the strengthening of minority rights, as the government
tries to deflect EU criticism that the pace of change has slowed.
But Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said changing the
law most often used to try authors was not on parliament’s immediate
agenda.
Lagendijk and German deputy Cem Ozdemir called for toning down a
separate report on Turkey by the European Parliament’s foreign affairs
committee, which they said stepped up demands on Turkey to join the EU,
going beyond the conditions originally laid down by the 25-nation bloc.
While Lagendijk and Ozdemir backed the key points of the report,
notably that Turkey must open its sea and air ports to Cypriot ships
and planes, they said a number of amendments to the report go too
far, making it biased against Turkey and damaging the parliament’s
credibility.
The report was approved by the foreign affairs committee earlier this
month and will be debated by the full 732-member assembly during a
plenary session next week in Strasbourg, France.
The report is critical of Turkey’s refusal to recognize the killing of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I as genocide,
and the recommends making such recognition a prerequisite for Turkey
joining the EU.
Lagendijk and Ozdemir argued the EU had not originally set any such
condition. They also said the report unfairly puts pressure on Turkey
over its treatment of other ethnic minorities, such as Assyrians
and Greeks.
They also pressed for return to a blueprint plan to reunite Cyprus
drafted by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which was approved
by Turkish Cypriots, but rejected by Greek Cypriots in separate
referendums in April 2004.
Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops invaded in 1974 after a
coup attempt by supporters of union with Greece. The Greek Cypriot
south has an internationally recognized government. Only Turkey
recognizes the Turkish Cypriot north.
EU officials hinted in July that entry talks with Turkey begun in
October may crash because of Ankara’s continuing failure to recognize
Cyprus or allow in its ships and airplanes.
But Lagendijk said he does not believe a stalling of talks is imminent.
“A train crash is unlikely. We may have a minicrash, putting aside
some of the negotiating chapters” that have to do with Cyprus or
freedom of speech provisions, he said.
Turkey must complete 35 so-called “negotiating chapters,” each dealing
with a different policy field, before it can join the EU, a process
expected to take at least a decade.

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER, RUSSIAN ARMENIANS UNION CHAIRMAN DISCUSS COOPERATION PROSPECTS
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, September 20. /ARKA/. Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan
and Russian Armenians Union Chairman Ara Abramyan discussed cooperation
prospects at their meeting held Wednesday in Yerevan.
Armenian Public Television reports that Abramyan expressed willingness
to widen its organization’s cooperation with Armenian army.
In particular, he said he intended to organize Russian intellectuals’
and musicians’ meetings to Armenian army units. M.V. -0—

Manifestation a Nevers contre l’expulsion d’une famille armenienne
Agence France Presse
20 septembre 2006 mercredi 2:36 PM GMT
LYON 20 sept 2006 — Plusieurs centaines de personnes ont manifeste
mercredi a Nevers afin de protester contre l’interpellation d’une
jeune fille armenienne sans papiers de 21 ans, scolarisee dans un
lycee de la ville, et de membres de sa famille, a-t-on appris auprès
de la police et des manifestants.
Les manifestants – 200 selon la police, 300 selon les organisateurs
-, dont de nombreux elèves du lycee Raoul Follereau où la jeune fille
suivait des cours de terminale jusqu’a son interpellation mardi matin,
ont organise un sit-in tout l’après-midi devant la prefecture de
la Nièvre.
Majeure et arrivee en France il y a quatre ans, la jeune fille ne
rentre pas dans le cadre de la circulaire Sarkozy.
“Nous demandons une autorisation derogatoire de sejourner sur le
territoire, le temps qu’elle finisse sa terminale, et que ses parents,
un couple mixte azeri-armenien, s’organisent pour demander l’asile
politique”, a indique a l’AFP Catherine Terret, professeur et membre
du collectif nivernais de soutien aux elèves sans papiers.
D’après le Reseau Education sans frontières (RESF), la jeune fille,
ses deux frères majeurs, ses parents ainsi que deux cousins, ont ete
transferes vers differents centres de retention administrative de la
region parisienne.
Mardi, des manifestants s’etaient deja rassembles devant le
commissariat de Nevers.
–Boundary_(ID_B2wNCm7g9u0wQK5hHmvLRA)–

USA Today
Sept 19 2006
Author could face prison if convicted of ‘insulting Turkishness’
Updated 9/19/2006 10:43 PM
Elif Shafak
By Michael Kuser, Special for USA TODAY
ISTANBUL – Turkish novelist Elif Shafak faces trial here Thursday on
charges of “insulting Turkishness” through comments made by a
fictional character in her latest novel, The Bastard of Istanbul.
Shafak, 34, who teaches Middle Eastern studies at the University of
Arizona, splits her time between Tucson and Istanbul, where she is
helping set up a master’s program in American culture and literature
at Bahcesehir University.
The charges against Shafak – the latest of at least 60 cases
involving authors and journalists here – raise questions about
Turkey’s readiness to become a full member of the European Union, a
move the United States supports as a way to bolster a secular,
democratic Muslim state in a pivotal geographic and political
position.
She could face up to three years in jail on charges she violated
Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code by having an Armenian character
in the book say that “Turkish butchers” killed her family and that
the deaths were “genocide.”
Shafak – who delivered her first child, a girl, on Saturday – wants
to appear in court when the trial starts, her husband, Eyup Can, said
Tuesday.
Can, who is editor of a Turkish business daily, said, “Most probably
she won’t be able to go, due to her condition.” He said Shafak’s
lawyer will ask for a one-month postponement.
Turkey has been making efforts to change its criminal and justice
systems to meet European standards to qualify for full EU membership.
That’s the goal of negotiations that started last October and could
take a decade.
The failure to remove restraints on freedom of speech has led to
charges against writers including Shafak. Under the 2005 law, anyone
who criticizes the state or denigrates Turkish identity in any form
can be prosecuted.
Several writers have been convicted, though none has gone to jail.
Instead, the courts have handed down fines. The maximum amount
levied: $4,000.
National history
The charges against Shafak are based on events that, although they
took place nearly a century ago, remain a sore spot for Turks and
Armenians.
Official Turkish history says the mainly Orthodox Christian Armenians
sided with Russia in an attempt to carve out a chunk of territory
from the crumbling Ottoman Empire. History books here say many
Muslims were killed in the fighting and the Armenians paid the price
for their losing bid.
It is a criminal act in Turkey to back the view that forced marches
to the Syrian border that killed up to 1 million Armenians should be
considered genocide.
Other taboo topics include the rights of Turkey’s Kurdish minority
and Turkey’s justification for invading the now-divided island nation
of Cyprus in 1974.
Many Turks support Article 301 because they fear dredging up the past
will hurt Turkey’s aspirations to join the EU. “Talking about Turks
killing people will give people in Europe and America the wrong idea,
for it started with the Armenian attacks,” says Banu Aktac, 43, a
tour guide in Istanbul.
International PEN, a London-based group that promotes free speech,
says Article 301 fails to meet international standards that protect
freedom of expression such as the European Convention on Human
Rights, which Turkey has signed.
“The trial against Elif Shafak is another sign that the situation in
Turkey has become stricter,” says Eugene Schoulgin, a PEN board
member who is in Istanbul to attend the trial. “It’s basically a
crackdown on writers and journalists and is a result of the country’s
paranoiac attitude toward honor.”
Author’s themes
The Bastard of Istanbul tells the story of two women connected by a
family secret. In the novel, a woman whose Armenian grandmother was
raised by a Turkish Muslim family after being orphaned says, “I am
the grandchild of genocide survivors who lost all their relatives in
the hands of Turkish butchers in 1915.”
The themes of The Bastard of Istanbul- how memories differ from
person to person – evolved from the author’s previous work exploring
mysticism, religion and nostalgia, among other subjects.
Born in Strasbourg and raised in France, Spain, Jordan and Turkey by
a single mother who was a Turkish diplomat, Shafak began as a child
to question her nationality and what it means to be a woman. “Only
through my novels can I continue to explore the boundaries of
identity,” she says.
Shafak wrote The Bastard of Istanbul in English. She then wrote a
translated version for the Turkish market. The novel was published
here in March and has sold more than 60,000 copies. The
English-language version will be out early next year.
University of Arizona officials sent letters to Turkey’s foreign
minister and to the Turkish ambassador in Washington to protest
Shafak’s prosecution, says Anne Betteridge, director of the school’s
Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Betteridge was not aware of any
response.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara has been closely following Shafak’s case
and others that involve free speech. “We have raised concerns about
freedom of expression issues with Turkish authorities,” embassy
spokeswoman Kathryn Schalow says.
Among other writers who have been prosecuted under Article 301 is
Hrant Dink. His six-month suspended sentence for “insulting
Turkishness” in his newspaper, Agos, was upheld last month.
Shafak’s case, dismissed by a lower court, was reinstated by another
court in early July after Kemal Kerincsiz filed a complaint. The
ultranationalist lawyer initiated many of the cases against writers
who brought up the Armenian deportations through the 800-member
Jurists Union, an independent, non-governmental organization he
founded in 2002.
Kerincsiz says his campaign is a way to derail Turkey’s negotiations
to join the EU. He has called membership in the 25-nation bloc a form
of slavery. He also dismisses writers’ concerns about being put on
trial. “What’s the big deal with a trial? Orhan Pamuk became a
prince,” he says, referring to Turkey’s leading writer, who also is
on trial. “And now Elif will be a princess.”
Shafak says hostility to EU membership is a troubling sign for
relations with the West. “Anti-Turkish sentiment in Europe buttresses
Turkish nationalism,” she says, referring to European concerns about
admitting the predominantly Muslim nation of 70 million to the EU. “I
only fear a backlash because it gives foreigners the impression that
Kemal Kerincsiz represents the majority, which I don’t believe he
does.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

King Congratulates President of Armenia
Jordanian News Agency
September 20, 2006 Wednesday 2:29 PM EST
Amman, September 20 — His Majesty King Abdullah II on Wednesday
sent a cable to President Robert Kocharian of the Republic of Armenia
congratulating him in his name and on behalf of the Jordanian people
and government on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day.
The King wished the president continued good health and happiness
and the people of Armenia further progress and prosperity.

Five items on Turkey on the agenda of the European Parliement session
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 20 2006
20.09.2006 18:18 — By the offer of French Socialists, the agenda of
the European Parliament session to be held September 25-28 includes
5 items referring to Turkey. These include cancellation of the
Talaat-Pasha movement, recognition the Armenian Genocide by Turkey,
establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia and opening of the
Turkish-Armenian border. Besides, the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide was suggested as a precondition for Turkey’s accession to
the EU. The French socialists also insist on inclusion of an item
on Turkey’s deliberate non-acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide,
reported APA.

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 20 2006
Arkady Ghukasyan: During the years of independence we have built two states
20.09.2006 18:02
Alisa Gevorgyan
“Radiolur”
“The 15 years of independence were first all years of struggle for real
independence of Armenia. Unfortunately, in any struggle, losses are
inevitable. It is the duty of all of us to pay tribute to those who
sacrificed their lives for our real independence,” Defense Minister
Serge Sargsyan says. What did we learn during these 15 years and how
should we continue?
“These 15 years were filled with the joy of success and grief of
failures. These years have taught us that any decision should be
taken in the result of long discussions and considerations, to have
these correspond to the interests our state and people.
Unfortunately, here also we cannot do without mistakes, since every
people passes the path of independence on its own, and it is impossible
to fully repeat the way passed by other nations, Sege Sargsyan told
the journalists.
In NKR Presidnet Arkady Ghukasyan’s words, the real achievement
of the past 15 years was the statehood of the Republic of Armenian
and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. “It is natural that not all of
our problems have been resolved, but I’m sure these will find their
solution If we are united. War takes the best, those who are on the
front line, and we are obliged to build a state that will deserve
their dreams. During these years we have built two states instead
of one, and I think that this is a great achievement. Certainly,
this Armenia and Karabakh are not completely what we desired, but
everything is in our hands and it’s senseless to rely upon others.”
In NKR President’s words, if you do not wish war, you must always be
ready for it. He considers that during the years to come the emphasis
should be laid on security issues and the power of the army. “War is
not our choice, this war was imposed to us and we won, but life has
proven that wars never resolve questions. We should try to find the
solutions of our problems in the political field,” Arkady Ghukasyan
stated.

Vardan Oskanian: The Co-Chairs may discuss the opportunity of Karabakh’s participation in the talks
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 20 2006
20.09.2006 17:17 — It is not ruled out that the opportunity of Nagorno
Karabakh’s participation in the talks will be discussed during the
upcoming meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in New York,
RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian declared today.
At the same time the Minister noted that after the last meeting with
the Co-Chairs the situation has changed to some extent. As it is
known, the question of frozen conflicts on GUAM territory has been
put on the agenda of the 61st session of the UN General Assembly. It
has been included also in the agenda of the talks with the Co-Chairs.

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 20 2006
Rudik Usnunts: All pecularities of Artsakh’s statehood should be
included in NKR Constitution
20.09.2006 15:45
“Our party has its position on the draft Constitution presented to
the consideration of the Parliament. We think that all peculiarities
of Artsakh’s statehood should be embraced in the Constitution. As
member of the State Constitutional Commission, I have made a number
of suggestions, many of which have already been adopted at the
Commission’s sitting,” NKR Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Co-Chair
of the “Azat Hayrenik” Party Rudik Usnunts said in an interview with
“Demo” newspaper.
In his opinion the adoption of the Constitution will promote the
rise of the effectiveness of the activity of the three branches of
government. The Constitution will provide for the balance between the
activity of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of power,
which will in its turn, bring to the reinforcement of democracy in
the country.
“According to the draft Constitution, the Prime Minister is appointed
by the President after consulting with the National Assembly Speaker
and Heads of Parliamentary factions. We consider that the Prime
Minister should be approved by the Parliament, which will lead to he
rise of the Parliament’s role,” Usnunts noted. The Deputy Speaker of
the National Assembly characterized the adoption of the Constitution
as an important step towards integration into the civilized world.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Yuri Merzlyakov: “Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers will not meet in New York”
Today.Az
21 September 2006 [10:22] – Today.Az
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and
Vartan Oskanian will not have talks on the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict during the 61st session of the UN General Assembly
in New York.
The ministers will meet with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
separately. Russian co-chair of the Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov told
the APA exclusively.
Commenting on the reasons to the failure to organize the ministers’
meeting, the co-chair said Armenian minister Vartan Oskanian warned
during his meeting with the co-chairs in Paris on September 12 that he
would refuse meeting with Elmar Mammadyarov if the “frozen conflicts”
are included into the agenda of the UN session.
“During our meeting with Mr. Mammadyarov in London on September 13 it
was reported that the General Committee of the Assembly did not include
the issue on unresolved conflicts that was offered by the GUAM. And
we agreed with Mr. Mammadyarov for the meeting of ministers in New
York. However, after that GUAM’s offer was discussed at UN General
Assembly’s plenary session and accepted by the vote. Following that,
Vartan Oskanian declared that he would not meet with Mammadyarov but
have talks with the co-chairs only,” Mr.Merzlyakov said.
During the talks between the co-chairs and the foreign ministers in
Paris and London, it was agreed to arrange meeting of Mammadyarov
and Oskanian in New York on 25-26 September