“ZERKALO”: EUROPE AND THE NOTORIOUS “GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS”
M. Mejidli

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
May 22 2006

France has postponed “restoration of inquisition”

Regardless of expectations of Armenian lobby, parliament of France
has postponed voting concerning bill presented by Socialist Party. It
should be pointed out that the said document envisaged criminal
penalty – 1 year imprisonment or fine amounting to 45,000 Euro – of
persons who, being in France, do not recognize “Genocide of Armenians”
or oppose this “fact”. Armenians were getting ready thoroughly for
this event and they were almost convinced that statements of Turkish
authorities that in case of adoption of the bill they would review
Turkish-French relationship, would have no effect for French parliament
members. However, speaker of the French Parliament, Jean Louis Debre,
opposed it. Armenians, attending the meeting, as informed “Zerkalo”,
started loud protest. They were turned out from the meeting hall
by representative of security service. This time Turkey managed to
defend its position. But it is not the end. Armenian lobby with the
help of one of French parties may attempt to re-introduce the bill
with the same content next year.

Even when this bill was introduced to the commission of French
Parliament, our newspaper asked: why Armenian lobby are so insistent?

Lawmakers of France recognized “Armenian Genocide of 1915”, isn’t
it enough?

It is clear that there is precedent, as Jewish community made the
world recognize Holocaust. Moreover, denial of Holocaust is persecuted
in such developed countries as Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic,
France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Switzerland,
and of course, Israel. And now Armenians decided to introduce the
similar bill to parliaments of different countries.

Their logic is based on precedent in the form of persecution of
Turkish historian, Yusuf Galaoglu well known with his anti-Armenian
statements, on the part of Swiss authorities. Earlier Federal
Department on Foreign Affairs of Switzerland emphasized the use of
Swiss law with respect to representative of Turkish Labor Party,
Dogu Perinchek who denies the fact of “genocide of Armenians”. The
matter is that accordingly criminal code of Switzerland, denial,
underestimation and justification of genocide and other crimes against
humanity are punishable actions. Though, Switzerland had to soften
its position under pressure of Turkish government. In this respect
Swiss representatives said that they welcome proposal of Turkish
government concerning creation of joint Turkish-Armenian historic
commission, which should investigate historic facts of “genocide
of Armenians”. We wrote about it several times. However, Armenians
continue attacking Turkish positions despite discontent of European
countries. For example, professor of law from Belgian university ULB,
O. Gorten, calls the use of punishment of people who deny this “fact”
restoration of inquisition. Accordingly to him, history of Europe
is full of facts of “genocide” of different nations and if “Armenian
genocide” is recognized chain reaction will occur (“Hurriyyet”).

“I am not historian, and I cannot judge the events of 1915. But as a
jurist I believe that this issue is unacceptable. I informed commission
of Belgian parliament about the issue in question.

Armenians are ready to introduce the same bill to it. I gave my advices
to the French parliament”, jurist pointed out. The main reason of
Gorten’s discontent is that, first, there is no court decision of
those years proving the fact of “Genocide of Armenians”.

Second, even if such decision had been made by French parliament,
the law would not have had retroactive effect.

“At the beginning of XX c. there was no notion of “genocide”. History
does not provide unique evaluation of events of 1915. If we accept
the events of the beginning of XX century then how can we call actions
of Belgium in Congo? I think that the notion of “genocide” should be
used in connection with events occurred after World War II.

Otherwise, whole Europe will face legal questions – which criterion
prove realization of genocide? If we review history then facts of
killing of people can be found right up to the times of Roman Empire.

But to use punishment for the actions which cannot be proved is
unacceptable from legal point of view”, Gorten said.

“Imagine, that Belgium will adopt the mentioned law. And what do
we have to do – to arrest our Ministry descent from Turkey, Emir
Kir, who does not recognize “genocide of Armenians”. Or to send to
prison Turkish high officials who no doubt touch upon this issue
during discussion on European Union membership. If Belgian parliament
accepts this issue, it will be unpleasant surprise for me”, Belgian
professor stressed. It should be pointed out that, Emir Kir does not
recognize “genocide” that is why some Belgian politicians cooperating
with Armenian lobby have launched undermining campaign against him,
attempting to slander the Minister.

Ambassador of Algeria to Egypt, Abdulkadir Khijar, said: “First,
France should answer for mass destruction of population in Algeria
and Africa”. “Why world is silent when the matter concerns the fact
that during the war for independence of Algeria (1954-62) the French
destroyed 1,5 million Algerians. I partook in liberation fight
of Algeria. I was cruelly tortured in prison. When France started
occupation of Algeria in 1830, population was 9 millions. 120 later,
when we started liberation fight there were 10 millions of Algerians.

Is it possible for Muslim country to have just one more million
of population for 120 years? It proves the fact that our nation
was destroyed deliberately. What France dares to speak about?”,
Ambassador stressed.

There are many similar opinions. But it is strange that Europe
follows Armenian lobby and imposes “genocide of Armenians” on the
world. As for Turkey, the response of European country is substantial
step. In the end Europe will see that Turkey in turn will issue decree
on prohibition to deny in Turkey “genocide Algerians by France”,
“genocide in Congo by Belgium” etc. And to arrest diplomats who will
not recognize the fact of “genocide”.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey expressed discontent concerning
temporal postponement of consideration of bill on persecution for
denial of “genocide of Armenians”. Accordingly to “Trend” agency in
Ankara referring to Turkish mass media, Turkey expects that France
will reject bill and Paris will promote organization of meeting
between Turkish and Armenian historians for unbiased investigation
of made up problem of “Armenian genocide”.

–Boundary_(ID_fW9oInUfX34FtljsrOZb8A) —

CONSTRUCTION OF 22.5 KM LONG SECTION OF IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE TO BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST

Regnum, Russia
May 22 2006

The ArmRosgazprom Company intends to complete construction of 22.5
km of the first 47 km long section of the Iran-Armenia pipeline,
ArmRosgazprom Director General Karen Karapetyan announced at a
meeting with the press on May 22. According to him, the agreement
on construction of the 22.5 km long section worth $2.7 million was
signed by the company and Arvandan Company (Iran).

“After finalizing construction of the first section of the Iran-Armenia
pipeline, it will be connected to ArmRosgazprom gas system,” Karen
Karapetyan noted adding that ArmRosgazprom will have to increase
carrying capacity of its pipes, in particular, by extending the
diameter. “We do not know yet, how it will be financed, probably,
from the Armenian state budget, probably, by the Iranian side, or,
maybe, with the help of new investors,” Karen Karapetyan noted.

As he said, all the countries in the region experience deficit in
energy. “From this point of view, Armenia has an opportunity to
become a liberal place, as there is untapped energy potential and a
brilliant perspective to supply energy particularly to Iran, Iraq,
Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan,” Karen Karapetyan pointed out.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REGNUM STATEMENT ON ARCHITECTURAL SITES IN THE WORLD AND TRANSCAUCASUS

Regnum, Russia
May 22 2006

On May 21, Azerbaijani Day.az web-site released information that
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bul-Bul Ogli was going “to
take very serious measures against REGNUM, including taking it into
court, if it is necessary.” The statement was based on REGNUM reports
about discussion of members of the Russian Public Chamber on future
of Armenian architectural sites (khachkars) located in Nakhichevan.

According to the ambassador, the Russian Public Chamber did not
actually discuss the question.

Sincerely respecting Mr. Bul-Bul Ogli as an outstanding artist,
long-term Culture Minister of Azerbaijan, we have to note that he
arrogates information to REGNUM, which has not actually been released
by the agency.

As it is evident from our May 17 report, the appeal on the khachkars
future was discussed by Commission of the Public Chamber on Cultural
Sites and Spiritual Heritage and not at a plenary session of the
chamber itself. Primarily, editors of Russian Armenians’ Yerkramas
Newspaper received information about the commission’s session. Our
news article contained reference to the source pointing out in such way
to the fact that only viewpoint of the Armenian side on the event was
presented. Later, we received and published exclusive commentary on the
held session of Commission Deputy Chairperson Galina Bogolyubova. Her
commentary clearly demonstrated that the Public Chamber Commission had
approached to difficult question of Transcaucasian cultural heritage’s
preservation from positions of peace and tolerance, not focusing on
accusations against any single country of the region.

Question of Armenian cultural sites in Nakhichevan, as well as
Azerbaijani sites in Nagorno Karabakh, was politicized to the highest
extent during Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and it often became
subject of verbal dueling of the conflicting parties. Covering the
situation in Transcaucasus every day for many years, REGNUM wishes to
become the site, where both Armenian and Azerbaijani public figures and
experts could express their ideas concerning ways of Karabakh conflict
settlement. The position of us has already obtained recognition of
many people in both countries. And we believe it to be inadmissible
to allow that our agency’s activities in this direction would suffer
as a result of the misunderstanding.

TURKISH PARADE EXCITEMENT IN US

Zaman, Turkey
May 22 2006

The Turkish Day parade, which was first held in reaction to attacks
in the 1980s against some Turkish diplomats from ASALA, an Armenian
terror organization, celebrated its 25th anniversary over the weekend.

New York hosted the “Turkish parade” and attracted the largest ever
turnout of Turkish people in the United States.

Thousands of people gathered in the Madison Street and Dag Hammarskjold
Park with Turkish flags in their hands.

The parade, which is held every third Sunday of May, welcomed people
from all over the US.

The Turkish people-either independent or associated with an association
of foundation-from Rochester to south New Jersey, from Ohio to Florida
joined the march.

The Turks later held a celebration in Dag Hammarskjold Park. Mehmet Ali
Sahin, the Minister of State and the Deputy Prime Minister, said he was
very happy to see Turks here living together in peace and solidarity.

Omer Onhon, the Turkish counsel general, expressed how deeply affected
and touched he was by the parade, indicating his 4-year term would
be ending in the upcoming months.

Zaman Stand Draws Attention

Zaman was, as always, there to support the parade with a display stand.

Its colorful stand received much welcome from the public.

Thousands of people were given a copy of Zaman for free.

Yuruyus was another newspaper that attracted great public attention.

Yuruyus wants its news articles to be an exploration of the Turk’s
history in the United States.

People were also informed about the books that Zaman has so far
distributed.

70,000 ARMENIANS RESIDE IN TURKEY ILLEGALLY
Author: A.Àlasgarov

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 22 2006

Around 70,000 Armenians illegally reside in Turkey, the special
correspondent of Trend in Turkey reports. They have arrived in the
country mainly over the past ten years, and live and work in districts
of Istanbul and Kars.

As written in the newspaper, Armenians’ long-term stay in Turkey and
their illegal labour activity are realized by violating the national
laws of the country.

–Boundary_(ID_aLv7oN2eWvi3Hlo7peRkeg)–

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER STEPS DOWN

ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 22 2006

YEREVAN, May 22 (Itar-Tass) – Armenian parliamentary speaker Artur
Bagdasarian resigned on Monday.

Earlier, the right-wing party Orinats Erkir (The Country of Law)
he heads decided to withdraw from the ruling political coalition to
join the Opposition.

Bagdasarian, who is known for his pro-western stands, had repeatedly
disagreed with the Armenian authorities on major issues of interior
and foreign policies.

The 38-year Bagdasarian has occupied this post since June 2003.

Bagdasarian deems it “important and necessary” to expand the country’s
Euroatlantic integration.

“We consider it necessary to boost relations with the European Union
and Armenian-U.S. cooperation,” he said.

“We have two paths to follow – to be in the same union with Russia
and Belarus and have good relations with the EU, or to be in the
EU and have good relations with Russia. We choose the second path,”
Bagdasarian said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJANIS OPPOSED TO EXPOSITION OF “NAGORNO-GARABAGH REPUBLIC”

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
May 22 2006

Recently a group of Azerbaijani students organized protest action
against exposition of unrecognized “Nagorno-Garabagh Republic”
exhibited in Moscow international travel exhibition.

Approximately 15 young Azerbaijani people with national flag of
Azerbaijan encircled the exposition of travel agency exhibited “NGR”.

The exposition of unrecognized “NGR” was exhibited within the framework
of international travel exhibition organized at Guest Palace by
Moscow Government.

Opposed to it Azerbaijanis based on the fact that Nagorno-Garabagh
is occupied territory, demanded to close the exhibition. Besides the
national flag of Azerbaijan, they had slogans “Garabagh is occupied”,
“Stop Armenian aggression”, “Azerbaijan’s lands occupied”, etc. It
is known that protest action was organized by Youth Department of
All-Russian Azerbaijan Congress.

But policemen called by exhibition organizers did not allow
further development of events and without use of force requested our
compatriots to leave the building. Nevertheless, exposition operated
from 11 to 14 May.

As Rufat Azizov and Orkhan Akbarov, Members of Coordinating Board of
Azerbaijani youth informed, albeit “NGR” lacked in list of participants
the exhibition was opened. In connection with that Shamil Garayev
and Javanshir Akhundov, representatives of the Embassy of Azerbaijan
to Russia, conducted negotiations with representatives of Exhibition
Center that gave no results.

It is known that the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Moscow sent a note to
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. But yet no respond.

–Boundary_(ID_zbK8XYeUOcQXTFL6pEX7mA)–

1915 – DEAR BROTHER IN LAW

Collectif des Democrates Armeniens d’Europe, France
May 22 2006

Le ttre d’un volontaire armenien dans l’armee russe, ecrite en 1915
a son beau-frère.

Dans cette lettre, E. Vartanian fait allusion a l’organisations des
troupes armeniennes dans l’est de l’Empire Ottoman en 1915.

Letter from Mr. E. Vartanian, an Armenian-American Volunteer in the
Russian Service, to His Brother-in-law in Egypt ; Dated 9th /22nd
July,1915, and Published in the Armenian Journal “Houssaper,” of Cairo.

“We have been here three days. Some of us are going to be sent to
Erivan ; the rest of us are starting in two days for Van.

The enthusiasm here is very great. There are already 20,000
volunteers at the front, and they are trying to increase the
number to 30,000. Each district we occupy is placed under Armenian
administration, and an Armenian post is running from Igdir to Van.

The Russian Government is showing great goodwill towards the
Armenians and doing everything in its power for the liberation of
Turkish Armenia.

When we disembarked at Archangel the Government gave us every possible
assistance. It even undertook the transport of our baggage, and gave
us free passes, second class, to Petrograd.

At Petrograd we received an equally hearty welcome, and the
Governor of the city presented each of us with a medal in token
of his sympathy. The Armenian colony put us up in the best hotels,
entertained us at the best restaurants, and could not make enough
of us. This lasted for five days, and then we continued our journey,
again at the Government’s expense, to Tiflis.

Everywhere on the way the population received us with cheers and
offerings of flowers. Just as we were leaving Archangel, a young
Russian lady came with flowers and offered one to each of us. I
also saw a quite poor man who was so moved by the speech in Russian
that one of our comrades had made, that he came and put his tobacco
into the pipe of a comrade standing next to me, and kept nothing for
himself but a bare half-pipeful. A third, an old man, was so moved
by the speech that he began to cry and nearly made off, but a little
while after I saw him standing in front of the carriage window and,
with a shaking hand, holding out a hard-boiled egg to our comrade
the chemist Roupen Stepanian. Probably it was his one meal for the day.

And so at every step we found ourselves in the midst of affecting
scenes. At Petrograd Railway Station the crowd was enormous. There was
an Armenian lady there who offered each of us a rose. There were boys
and young men who wept because they could not come with us. At Rostov
a young Russian joined our ranks. He was caught more than once by his
parents at the stations further down the line, but he always succeeded
in escaping them and reioining us. We have christened him Stepan.

When we arrived at Tiflis, we marched singing to the offices of
the Central Armenian Bureau, with our flag unfurled in front of us,
and the people marched on either side of us in such a crowd that the
trams were forced to stop running.

That is enough for to-day. My next letter shall be written from
Armenia itself..

Please say nothing to my sister about this resolution that I have
taken. I hope, of course, that she would know how to sacrifice
her affection for her brother to her love for the nation and for
liberty.. I should curse any of my relations who lament my resolution ;
they would have committed treason against the nation. There are five
of us brothers ; was it not imperative that at least one of us should
devote himself to the cause of a national emancipation ? Let us keep
up our courage, realise the urgency of the moment and do our duty.”

–Boundary_(ID_5XGWcKzHCeImPKL4fVwtFA)–

TILL THE NEXT TIME
Recep Guvelioglu

The New Anatolian, Turkey
May 22 2006

The French Parliament has decided to hold the leverage in its hand
by delaying a decision on criminalizing denial of the so-called
Armenian genocide. Depending on many factors, it may be re-debated
this November. That means until this case is completely closed, Turkey
has to bow its head to whatever our French friends (!) demand from us.

November isn’t the exact date. When Paris decides that it’s the time,
they will discuss it again.

Typical blackmail.

If you lack sufficient political and economical strength, you’re
subject to this kind of blackmail all the time. On the other hand,
even if you’re economically strong, in some cases you still should
defend yourself logically, with words everyone can understand.

Since we have no money and no logic, we will always be in trouble,
just like sitting on a nail.

I’m sure that after the French Parliament’s delay of the bill,
we aren’t going to deal with the Armenian claims until the next
bill appears.

Let me remind my readers of a couple of things.

The Armenian genocide claims aren’t a purely historical matter.

They’re a completely political issue. Presenting material supporting
your case isn’t enough. You also need political determination,
persistence, tactics and a good presentation of your thesis. It
requires contingency plans, good conduct, etc. What I mean is that
this matter has two faces: the first is the study of history, while
the other consists of political and PR activities.

There’s another, equally important point.

It isn’t solely the job of the Foreign Ministry to deal with the
so-called Armenian genocide claims. Research, preparation and
organization should also be carried out in support of diplomatic
efforts. Collective work should be undertaken from the prime
ministerial and even the presidential offices right down to census
bureaus of the most remote towns. I don’t want to mention the state
archives, since I’ve figured out that they will never finish their
job. Armenia’s keeping its archives off-limits shouldn’t be used as
an excuse for us.

Dividing the issue into two separate categories, historical points
and political points, doesn’t mean we should undervalue either. Work
on both of them should be carried out side by side.

The last point I’d like mention in this article is about the Armenian
and Western worlds’ projects about this.

It is 2006. In 2015 it will be the centennial of what they call the
Armenian genocide. By that time some of the countries in the world, if
not all of them other than Turkey and Azerbaijan, will have recognized
the so-called genocide.

The pressure will mount, and the blackmail will be even worse than
it is today.

What will Turkey do?

If nine years from now our mentality is the same as it is today,
not caring what happens in the future, then as usual we’ll leave the
problem for future generations to deal with.

Special note: My two-part article last week entitled “Lesser-known
facts about the Armenian genocide claims” got a lot of attention. I
received many e-mails. Thanks to everyone who sent them. I’d like to
mention an Armenian reader in Canada who called me “a hard-headed
Turk.” I thank him as well, because at least he didn’t call me an
“empty-headed Turk.”

RESTRAINT AND MODERATION, ANYONE?
Nazlan Ertan

The New Anatolian, Turkey
May 22 2006

Last week was a difficult one, both at home and abroad. On the
international front, Turkey struggled with the Armenian genocide
revisionism bill, which, if it had passed, would have made denial of
the 1915 Armenian “genocide” a criminal offense in France.

On the domestic front, the tentative “national consensus,” on the
decline since November, suffered a serious setback at Kocatepe Mosque,
where Cabinet members were booed as they attended the funeral of a
Council of State judge assassinated by a gunman.

Armenian knot

When French Socialists wanted to introduce a new bill on the Armenian
genocide allegations, officials and civil groups alike in Turkey
were duly alarmed and got mobilized. Unlike the first such bill,
passed in 2001, which had no practical effect as it was limited to
a simple “recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide” by France, the
new law would enable anyone who denied the allegations to be fined
or imprisoned.

Given the highly organized nature of the Armenian lobby, the easy
passage of the first bill and, finally, the Turkish incapacity to
lobby effectively and moderately, there was very little doubt that
the second law would pass and erupt into a full-fledged crisis between
Turkey and France.

Then, both the Turkish government and civil groups did something that
surprised us all. Keeping public threats and insults to a minimum
(again something that contrasted deeply with the Turkish policy during
the first bill), the Turks started a steady flow of “persuasion tours”
to France, ranging from Parliament officials to government figures
to university academics. French intellectuals were mobilized in the
name of freedom of expression. And, of course, the economic stick
was also shown to France.

The first signal that these efforts were going somewhere came when
a commission of the French Parliament voted against the bill. A week
later, France shelved the critical vote. In the very lively debate that
the Turkish audience could watch live on news channel NTV, the speech
of French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy was a notable act of balance:

“France is a loyal friend of Armenia — it was one of the first
countries to recognize its independence and since then, supported
the young republic with all its efforts. But France is also a friend
of Turkey, to which it was an inspiration during the foundation of
the republic. Since then, Turkey and France have enjoyed strong,
consistent ties. In the face of his double friendship… France must
continue to pursue a policy of peace and reconciliation.”

Was the decision a partial victory? Perhaps. As pointed out, the law
may always reappear on the agenda of the French National Assembly
although certain French sources, more optimistic than their Turkish
counterparts, think that the law, now buried, will not see the light
of day again.

But that would also depend on whether or not Turkey takes necessary
steps on its past and its relations with neighboring Armenia.

Who shot, what was killed?

The shooting attempt against five judges of the Second Chamber of the
Council of State has proved to be more than a police affair. Rather
than forge a unity against those who resort to violence, it has
sharpened the divide between the government and three key institutions
of the state which felt that they have become vulnerable due to
government policy — namely, the judiciary, the military and the
Board of Higher Education (YOK).

Those two groups, backed by remarks of the president calling for
secularism, made separate declarations which indicated all too
clearly that they found the government responsible for what has
happened. Particularly the Council of State indicated that it found
the government’s condemnation of the attack insufficient and declared
that the attack was partly encouraged by the government’s criticism
of a ruling of the chamber several months ago. The second chamber
had ruled in favor of a decision that prevented a teacher who wore
a headscarf on her way to the school from becoming principal.

The anger of the judiciary toward the government, demonstrated by the
cold reception given to the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at
the Council of State, spilled over to the streets and to the funeral
of a judge who died in the attack. While Prime Minister Erdogan did
not attend the ceremony, the Cabinet ministers who did were booed.

The angry public, which greeted with warmth the top brass, president
and veteran politicians such as Bulent Ecevit, shouted slogans such as
“the government is the assassin.”

While certain ministers simply downplayed the events, Erdogan, on his
way to Egypt, raged over the demonstrations. His anger also targeted
Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, who had said that he hoped the
Turkish sensitivity in protection of secularism should be consistent.

Escalation seems inevitable in the coming week. But there is something
that should not be missed in last week’s political landscape: Tens
of thousands who have marched to Anitkabir, Ataturk’s mausoleum,
were shouting slogans against the government.

Wasn’t the demonstrators precisely “the centrist voters” that the
AKP hoped to have in the next elections?

If…

There are certainly many things that can be said of Ecevit, both good
and bad. When the soft-spoken and hard-principled leader of the left
decided to go to early elections in 2002, most Turks were more than
relieved to see the ailing man bow out of politics.

But he was seen as a wise man, a model of honesty and principle —
just like the ideal man described in Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If,”
which Ecevit translated.

The firm defender of secularism lies in a coma — Turks mourn for him,
but also, perhaps, what he symbolized.