FORMER BELGIAN FM MICHEL SPEAKS IN SUPPORT OF TURKISH EU MEMBERSHIP
Hurriyet, Turkey
Oct 2 2006
Support for Turkey in the face of pressure from within the EU to accept
Armenian claims of genocide has come from EU Commission member and
former Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel. Speaking on the subject,
Michel said yesterday “New political criteria cannot be put in front
of Turkey for it to gain EU membership. Turkey has great importance
for the EU. It is enough just to look and see where energy lines
cross eachother to understand this.”
Speaking in Brussels, Michel touched further on Turkey’s role in the
region, and how it was tied to what he called “the EU’s great need
for Turkey”:
“Just look at the problems in the region. Take a glance at the problems
in Iraq, the greater Middle East, Iran. You will notice that Turkey
is a key country in this all…..There are parliamentarians from the
European Parliament who seem to behave as though Turkey will become
a member tomorrow. Turkey’s membership will take time, and we must
give the country time to prepare.”

GAS SUPPLY TO ARMENIA RESTORED
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 12:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia has restored gas supply to Armenia. As
reported before, September 28 gas supply to Armenia was interrupted
due to reconstruction and regulating of Red Bridge measuring unit
in Georgia.
The work in the unit was planned to last 4 days, however it was managed
to be completed earlier. In that period gas supply for population
of the republic was secured at the expense of reserves of Abovyan
underground gas storage, reports Interfax.

CHIRAC POKES FINGER IN TURKEY’S EYE ON ARMENIA ‘GENOCIDE’
By Andrew Rettman
EUObserver, Belgium
Oct 2 2006
French president Jacques Chirac paid no heed to Turkish sensitivities
on his first-ever visit to Armenia this weekend, calling on Turkey to
own up to “genocide” before joining the EU and comparing the killings
to Nazi Germany’s holocaust.
“Should Turkey recognise the genocide of Armenia to join the EU?” Mr
Chirac asked, AP reports. “I believe so. Each country grows by
acknowledging the dramas and errors of its past…Can one say that
Germany, which has deeply acknowledged the holocaust, has as a result
lost credit? It has grown.”
The French leader made the remarks in Yerevan on Saturday (30
September) at a wreath-laying ceremony beside the country’s “Genocide
Monument”, before visiting the “Genocide Museum” and writing the
solitary word “remember” in the visitors’ book.
Armenia says Turkish forces slaughtered 1.5 million Armenians between
1915 and 1917 but the Turkish government and Turkish history books
claim that 300,000 Armenians and 300,000 Turks died in a ‘civil war’
in the region.
Fifteen countries, including France, Switzerland, Russia and Argentina,
have previously classified the killings as “genocide” – defined by
the UN as “harmful acts…committed with intent to destroy, in whole
or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.”
In Turkey, any deviation from the official line can land novelists
or university professors in jail under article 301 of the country’s
new penal code against “insulting Turkishness.”
But there has been no official reaction to Mr Chirac’s statements so
far, despite mumblings by unnamed Turkish diplomats in the Turkish
Daily News that they are “worried” about worsening bilateral relations.
Chirac goes further than EU The French leader’s remarks go further
than Brussels’ formal EU accession conditions, which require Ankara
to boost democratic standards in areas such as free speech and to
lift its blockade on Cypriot shipping – but do not mention the thorny
Armenian question.
MEPs voting on a highly-critical report on Turkey’s EU accession
progress last week also opted to cut out a clause calling for
recognition of the Armenian genocide for fear of stirring up a
nationalist backlash in the EU’s most controversial candidate state.
Armenia itself has so far shied away from confrontation on the subject,
with president Robert Kocharian on Saturday saying merely “we would
like that our interests be discussed” in the EU-Turkey accession talks.
The small, landlocked country of 3.6 million people is in a tricky
position: it has closed borders with Turkey in the west; the prospect
of a Russian-Georgian conflict in the north; escalating tensions with
Azerbaijan in the east and borders with international pariah Iran in
the south.
But France plans to keep on pressing the issue with a vote tabled
in parliament on 12 October over a fresh resolution that Turkey must
give the Armenian killings their proper name.
About 400,000 Armenian ex-pats live in France, with some – such as
singer Charles Aznavour – rising to social prominence and with Paris
promising to hold a referendum before it ratifies Turkish EU accession
in the future.

PRESIDENT ALIYEV: “NO TRADE-OFFS IN NK ISSUE DURING MY PRESIDENCY”
Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006
President Ilham Aliyev participated in the opening of the parliament’s
autumn session.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said on Monday he was in favor of
an active policy in the settlement of the conflict around the mostly
Armenian populated Azerbaijani enclave of Nagorno Karabakh.
The President emphasized a need to use all possibilities for a
peaceful settlement of the conflict, noting that “Azerbaijan will
continue cooperation with international organizations on that issue.”
He told a parliament session that co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group
for Nagorno Karabakh arrived on Monday in Baku and stressed that his
country “is not going to reject that format of the settlement.”
“However, we believe that the activity of other international
organizations can also contribute to a peace process,” Aliyev said.
At the same time he stressed that “Azerbaijan will never allow the
setting up of a second Armenian state on its territory.”
“Azerbaijan will never sign a peace agreement that would not meet
the national interests of the country,” he said. “As a President,
I will never sign it,” he emphasized.
The president also said that under a 2007 draft budget, Azerbaijan’s
defense expenditures will grow 17.8 percent, and will reach 900
million dollars.
“The growth of military expenses must not worry anyone. This is our
sovereign right. Besides, a growth of the military budget cannot
automatically lead to a war. We must ensure our security and be ready
for any development of the events,” the President said.
URL:

FRANCE ADDS TO EU PRESSURE ON TURKEY
EUPolitix.com, Belgium
Oct 2 2006
French president Jacques Chirac has pressed Turkey to recognise the
role played by Ankara in the Armenian genocide during WW1.
Chirac’s comments came during a visit to Armenia over the weekend
and could indicate a hardening of France’s stance towards Turkey’s
EU membership.
“Should Turkey recognise the genocide of Armenia to join the EU?”
Chirac asked.
“Honestly, I believe so. Each country grows by acknowledging its
dramas and errors of the past.”
“Germany has recognised its role in the Holocaust, and has not suffered
as a result. In fact, its status has grown. Turkey would do well…to
take note,” he added.
Armenians say up to 1.5 million people were systematically killed by
the Turkish authorities between 1915-1923.
Turkey has acknowledged that large numbers died, but insists that
the overall figure has been overstated.
The French parliament has officially recognised the killings as
genocide.
But Chirac has rejected calls by socialists that denial of the genocide
should become a crime in France.
Germany is also expected to add to EU pressure on Turkey this week –
as Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to Istanbul.
But while Merkel may share French scepticism over Turkey’s EU entry
ambitions, she will also be keen to avert a crisis ahead of her EU
presidency in the first half of 2007.
EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn will also be in Turkey this
week – with a carrot and stick message for the country.
Rehn will visit Ankara on Tuesday to pressure officials to deliver
on freedom of expression and religion, and on Cyprus.
Over the weekend the Cypriot government warned there could be no
further accession talks with Turkey if it does not formally recognise
Cyprus.
The Turkish parliament is currently debating a wide ranging reform
package – but EU officials fear it falls short of Brussels’ demands
on free speech and religious minorities.
The European commission is set to report on Turkish progress on
November 8.
Turkish officials will be hoping to avoid the “train crash” Rehn has
warned of.

PRESIDENT OF FRANCE VISITS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM
ARMINFO News Agency
September 30, 2006 Saturday
President of France Jacques Chirac with spouse Bernadette Chirac
laid flowers on the Armenian Genocide Memorial “Tsitsernakaberd,”
on Saturday in the morning.
Visiting the Genocide Museum-Institute and meeting with the Director of
the Institute-Museum, Doctor of Historical Studies Lavrenty Barseghyan,
Jacques Chirac expressed a great excitement. The French president
put a note of one word “Remember!” in the Book of Honorable Quests
of the Museum. Then, by tradition, the French president planted a
fir-tree in the alley on “Tsitsernakaberd.”
The delegation of the French president comprises Foreign Minister
Philippe Douste-Blazy, Transport, Tourism and Navigation Minister
Dominique Perben, Minister of State Service Christian Jacob, Minister
of Culture and Communications Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres.
Accompanying the delegation are businessmen, representatives of
science, education, culture and sport, as well as members of the
French-Armenian Diaspora and journalists.

KOCHAIAN, CHIRAC OPEN FRANCE SQUARE IN YEREVAN
Mediamax news agency, Yerevan,
30 Sep 06
Yerevan, 30 September. The Armenian and French presidents, Robert
Kocharyan and Jacques Chirac, opened today the France Square in the
centre of Yerevan – at the intersection of Sayat-Nova and Mashtots
avenues.
Mediamax reports that before the beginning of the ceremony the Armenian
and French national anthems were played, and then Yerevan mayor
Yervand Zakharyan read out the decision of the city authorities on
the opening the France Square “in the heart of Armenia’s capital city”.
In his speech, Robert Kocharyan spoke about the Armenian people’s
deep gratitude to France and its people for their support and
assistance. The Armenian president recalled that the law on recognition
and condemnation of the Armenian genocide had been passed in France
in 2001. Kocharyan said that France and Jacques Chirac personally
were playing a constructive role in the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
settlement. He stressed that France rendered Armenia priceless
assistance in the process of European integration.
On behalf of the French people, Jacques Chirac thanked the Armenian
authorities for the decision to open the France Square in Yerevan. He
said that the square would symbolized friendly Armenian-French
relations. The French president said that his official visit to
Yerevan was “evidence of my confidence in Armenia and its future”.
Talking about the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict settlement, Chirac urged
Yerevan and Baku to make “the final steps” required for achieving
peace. “Today, I believe that there is a possibility of achieving
peace,” the French president stressed.
Robert Kocharyan and Jacques Chirac concluded their speeches with
words “Long live France! Long live Armenia! Long live Armenian-French
friendship!”
Earlier today, President Chirac laid a wreath at the memorial to the
victims of the 1915 Armenian genocide and visited the genocide museum.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS IN TURKEY UNHAPPY AT LINKAGE WITH GREEKS’ PROBLEMS, PATRIARCH
Hurriyet , Turkey
29 Sep 06
“Let us educate Armenian children”
Patriarch Mesrob II, in a letter that he wrote to Prime Minister
Erdogan, has noted that the principle of reciprocity may only be
valid for the citizens of foreign countries.
Mesrob II, patriarch of the Armenians in Turkey, sent a letter
to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and stressed that the principle
of “reciprocity” may only be valid for the citizens of foreign
countries. Stating that they feel uncomfortable with the fact that
the problems encountered by the Armenian community are based on the
principles of reciprocity between Turkey and Greece, Mesrob II said
the following: “My community is seriously uncomfortable with the fact
that each and every issue related to the Armenian community is being
linked to the problems of the Greek Orthodox community. With their
Turkish citizenship, the Turkish Armenian community does not have any
problems related to reciprocity with any other country. Therefore
Turkish Armenians believe that it is meaningless to put this issue
on the agenda every now and then. They also believe that they are
becoming the victims of the dispute between Turkey and Greece.”
Recalling that 30,000 to 40,000 citizens of the Republic of Armenia
live in Turkey due to the tolerance displayed by the administrators of
the Republic of Turkey, Mesrob II called upon Prime Minister Erdogan to
resolve the education problems of the children of these people. Noting
that these children may receive education in the Armenian schools
that operate within the framework of the National Education Ministry,
Mesrob II underlined that this may serve the dialogue between Turkey
and Armenia. Mesrob II continued as follows: “Please allow me to say
that I have been following the discussions in this regard with sadness
and that I believe that the policies pursued over these children are
very regretful. These foreign citizens who live in Turkey are the
children of the neighbouring countries with which our country should
develop a dialogue. If these foreign children learn fluent Turkish,
will they not contribute to the dialogue that will be established
with the citizens of these countries in the future?”

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS
Azeri Press Agency
Oct 2 2006
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today received the Co-Chairs
of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier
(France) and Mathew Bryza (US). President’s press service told the APA.
The sides exchanged views on current state of and prospects for the
negotiations on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Nagorno-Garabagh.

FRENCH LEADER IN FAVOR OF OSCE MEDIATION IN NK TALKS
Mediamax news agency, Yerevan,
30 Sep 06
Yerevan, 30 September: French President Jacques Chirac said in Yerevan
today that he believes it would be counter-productive to extend the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict settlement beyond the OSCE Minks Group
and involve other international organizations, particularly the UN,
in the process.
President Chirac said this asked by Mediamax news agency at his joint
news conference with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today.
“The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen have been working excellently over
the past years and are the best experts on the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem. I think that if agencies that are less aware of the history
and niceties of the conflict start dealing with the settlement,
that will be counter-productive and might complicate the situation,”
Chirac said.
He described the latest proposals of the Minsk Group co-chairmen
as “very serious” and voiced the hope that Yerevan and Baku would
accept them.
Answering Mediamax’s question, Armenia President Kocharyan voiced
his confidence that “not international forums that take decisions
through voting, but professional teams of mediators should deal with
the Karabakh conflict settlement”.
“Before voting, the [conflicting] countries look for allies to
ensure required votes. Such processes do not lead to settlement, on
the contrary, they cause new conflicts, this time on international
organizations’ rostrum. And when someone is trying to lead the process
to this direction, we have serious doubts about sincerity of his
intentions,” Kocharyan said.
Speaking about President Chirac’s personal involvement in the Karabakh
settlement, Kocharyan said that “the French president knows the
problem at the level of an exert”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress