STEP TOWARD CLOSURE?
By Yonet Tezel
Charge d’affaires, Turkish Embassy
Globe and Mail, Canada
May 17 2006
Ottawa — It might surprise many Canadians to know that, for centuries,
the Turkish-Armenian relationship was predominantly about friendship,
tolerance and peaceful co-existence. It is unfortunate that, all too
often, only the incriminating version of the tragic events of 1915
are taken to represent this relationship.
It should not be inconceivable for both nations to come to terms with
what happened during the First World War and renew their friendship.
That is why Turkey has made a serious effort to engage the Armenian
side in a dialogue about that tragic phase and has proposed
establishing a group of Turkish, Armenian and other historians and
experts to study the events, not only in the archives of Turkey and
Armenia, but in all relevant archives. Their findings would then be
presented to the international community.
Despite Turkey’s offer, however, some accuse the Turks of being
“denialists” and try to discredit any non-Turkish scholars, should
they dare question the validity of Armenian claims.
It is disappointing that Patricia Marchak (The Bonds of History —
letter, May 12), in stating that she has already done research on
this subject for a book she wrote, brushes aside this honest effort
to get to the bottom of the claims of genocide by conducting a joint
study of the primary sources.
Genocide is a very serious accusation. The language of knowledge,
not conviction, should prevail. It could be the first step toward
real closure for both peoples.
tory/LAC.20060517.LETTERS17-11/TPStory/Comment
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATIONALIST ATTACK DISSIDENTS DINK AND ENGIN DURING TRIAL
BÝA, Turkey
May 17 2006
Armenian Turkish journalists Dink and Engin were attacked during court
hearing in Istanbul. Defendants escaped near-lynch attempt under police
protection. “They are exploiting court cases for nationalist plots”
says Dink.
BÝA (Istanbul) – Groups of nationalist spectators attacked defendants,
their lawyers and observers during the court hearing of bilingual
Armenian-Turkish Agos newspaper editor Hrant Dink, the paper’s
editor-in-chief Serkis Seropyan and columnist Aydin Engin at the
Istanbul 2nd Court of First Instance.
The defendants and their lawyers barely escaped a lynch attempt
as the tiral closed. After an hour-long siege in the justice hall,
they were escorted out to safety by policemen.
Dink, Engin and their lawyers Fethiye Cetin and Ergin Cinmen told
bianet that tensions in Tuesday’s hearing, where the defendants are
on trial for attempting to “influence justice”, started when they
turned up in front of Istanbul’s Sisli justice hall.
The group arrived at the court building to find its entrance populated
by angry nationalists shouting “get the hell out of this country”
to them in a physically threatening manner.
“We had to enter the court building surrounded by a police cordon”
Cetin explained. Dink added, “thankfully the police officers did
everything to get us into the court building safely. They took us up
to the court room in a special lift”.
The defendants and their lawyers were then verbally abused and had
to divert physical assaults in the corridor before they entered the
court room itself, where during the hearing coins and pencils were
thrown at them and they were insulted by a group of observer believed
to be led by nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz.
“I was only harassed verbally and through physical attacks by those
people filling the corridors of the court room” Dink said, noting that
they were mainly shouting “get the hell out of this country” to them.
Hearing under abuse
Dink and his co-defendants Seropyan and Engin attended Tuesday’s
court hearing under heavy verbal and physical abuse that was also
noted into court records.
Nationalist “Jurists Union” lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, Civilian Society
Organisations Union of Turkey (TSTKB) member Ramazan Kirkik, retired
general Veli Kucuk and Independent Turkish Orthodox Patriarchy
spokesman Sevgi Erenerol were among those at the hearing demanding
to be accepted as official complainants of the journalists and were
repeatedly warned for their behaviour by the bench.
During the hearing itself, defence lawyers were repeatedly threatened
verbally, being told “we are also watching you”.
Agreeing with prosecutor Mustafa Dag’s views, the court decided to
reject three separate appeals by the nationalists to be accepted
as complainants on grounds that they were “not directly effected by
the alleged offence” while judge Yalcin Hayret issued a warning to
Kerincsiz and those around him for repeatedly interfering in the case.
Kerincsiz claimed the judge himself had “lost his objectivity” and
asked for his removal on grounds that he was preventing intervention
on part of complainants but both his request for Hayret’s removal
and to be accepted as a complainant were turned down.
Dink: I have been made a deliberate target
More than defending themselves at court, Dink and his co-defendants
were forced to defend themselves from the intervening groups and
nationalists that turned up at the hearing.
“The marginal nationalists are clearly trying to make such cases
popular and are trying to produce a nationalist policy” Dink told
Bianet after the eventful hearing. “We should not fall into this trap”.
Dink added, “In all of the cases launched against me up till this
day, I not asked any support from inside or abroad, from the press
or politicians. Because this would mean falling into the trap of the
marginal nationalists”.
“I have been deliberately made a target. And they want to use and use
this target. By giving the impression that I have committed a crime
that I have not, the impression that I have insulted, they want to
isolate me in front of the Turkish society. At least those who know
how to read and who understand are standing up against this”.
Engin: Lynching Justice
Aydýn Engin said, meanwhile, that justice itself was being lynched.
“A group led by Kerincsiz and his friends have attempted to lynch
justice” he said. “And in a big way they have succeeded”.
He added, “I have seen many trials but throwing coins and pencils at
us and defence lawyers by those who managed to enter the court room
as complainants is something I have seen for the first time.”
Engin argued that the conditions of a “fair trial” no longer existed in
the case noting, “we ourselves are being put on trial for influencing
a fair trial but in reality today the conditions of a fair trial have
been eliminated”.
Cetin: Influencing fair trial
Defence lawyer Fethiye Cetin explained that the Dink and co-defenders
case was launched on allegations of influencing justice and added,
“what has taken place today and what is being done in other trials
is influencing justice itself”.
“They are creating such an atmosphere that one cannot talk about a fair
trial. They are putting pressure on the defendants, the defence, the
judge and prosecutor. During the hearing they insulted the prosecutor”.
Cetin continued “the pressure is directed at the court. When they
wanted to be accepted as complainants they said the Turkish nation
is a complainant and we are watching”.
Trial under pressure
During the hearing itself a number of people around Kericsiz wanted
to be accepted as complainants to argue their cases but their appeals
were turned down and due to their behaviour they were repeatedly
warned by the judge. To the extent that, according to Cetin, the
judge was almost calling the police into the courtroom.
Defence lawyers themselves were threatened by the so-called complainant
group saying “we are watching you too” and when Yucel Sayman reacted
to them saying “you can’t threaten us” coins and pencils were hurled
at the defence from observer seats.
When the hearing came to an end a group gathered downstairs and
attacked the defendants, lawyers and observers. Two people were
physically hit and the defendants could only leave the building an
hour later under police escort.
Cinmen: Police were tolerant
Defence Layer Ergin Cinmen referred to the incident at the end of the
hearing as “short of a lynch” and said it “reflected the intolerance
to freedom of expression in Turkey”.
“The number [of protestors] is small but because they are extremely
fanatic, it is a mass that can show itself. Security forces on the
other hand are incredibly tolerant to them. Two people were hit by
fists during the tumult. If they had the opportunity they would have
attacked the lawyers”
Case adjourned to 4 July
Following Tuesday’s hearing the court was adjourned to July 4.
Hrant Dink is on trial in this case for his article titled “Is
democracy going to be established with this penal clause?” while
Aydýn Engin is charged for his article “One should touch the justice
system”. Both defendants are charged under Turkish Penal Code article
288 for attempting to influence fair justice.
Dink, Engin and Arat Dink refuted the charges in the hearing and
maintained they had committed no offence.
–Boundary_(ID_CzXjIa0Bov58kOjd3e9kDg)–

SENIOR OFFICIALS OF OSCE MG CO-CHAIRING COUNTRIES TO ASSEMBLE IN BAKU
Author: R.Abdullayev
TREND, Azerbaijan
May 17 2006
On 24 May the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Karasin will
pay a visit to Azerbaijan, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Trend.
The two-day visit will focus on the situation with the resolution of
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Along with Karasin, the Director of the French Foreign Institute for
political issues, Stanislav D’Labule and US Assistant Secretary of
State, Daniel Fried.
They will be accompanied by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, Russian
Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov, French Ambassador Bernard Fassie and US
Ambassador Steven Mann.
Earlier Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian announced that the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will visit Armenia on 25-26 May.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WORK IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2006 INCREASES BY 41.1% ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR
Noyan Tapan
May 17 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The total amount of geological
surveys conducted in Armenia in January-March 2006 made 28.8 mln
drams (about 64 thousand USD) or by 41.1% more than in the same
period of 2005. According to the RA National Statistical Service,
the amount of geological survey work in January-March 2006 exceeded
36fold the respective index of 2003. In the first quarter of 2006,
2.6 mln drams was collected in VAT for the geoligical survey work,
or by 8.3% more than in the same period of 2005, 26 times as much as
during the first three months of 2003.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO IRAN, A NEW CHAPTER IN RELATIONS
Fars News Agency, Iran
May 17 2006
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Armenian Energy Minister Tuesday met
with Iranian Foreign Minister and discussed avenues available for
consolidation of the two countries’ ties.
A statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and
Press Bureau said that during the meeting, Mottaki noted the common
interests shared by the two states and their profound relations and
stated that the visit to Iran by the Armenian Energy Minister could
pave the way for future agreements in the two countries’ 6th joint
commission meeting.
Noting the necessity for promoting the two countries’ relations,
the Iranian Minister underlined that the two sides should study new
ideas and grounds of cooperation very actively.
He also stated that the two countries should prepare the grounds
required for the promotion of relations through cooperation in areas
of road communication, tunnel excavation, railroad, activation of
private companies, providing more business facilities, reducing trade
risks and facilitating of exchanges.
Mottaki said that the two states’ cooperation could reach a desirable
level through upgrading of the existing trade balance, adding that
Iran and Armenia should build more and more capacities.
For his part, Armenian Energy Minister Armen Mousisian expressed
pleasure with the performance of the two countries’ joint commissions
and welcomed the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s taking up of the
responsibility of the said commissions.
“In light of the two countries’ profound ties, we have succeeded in
implementing all the approvals of the joint commission,” he said.
Viewing exchange of visits by the two countries’ officials significant,
he said that the upcoming visit to Tehran by the Armenian president
could open a new chapter in the two states’ interactions.
Mousisian further stated that talks by the two countries about
construction of the gas pipeline project, exchange of electricity and
construction of new link roads could serve to be a turning point in
mutual cooperation.

IT IS ENVISAGED TO OPERATE UPON 8 CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS THIS YEAR IN ARMENIA WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF WORLD VISION’S PROGRAM OF CHILDREN’S PROTECTION
Noyan Tapan
May 17 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. It is envisaged to operate upon 8
children with special needs this year within the framework of the World
Vision charity organization’s Children’s Protection program. Marina
Hovhannisian, Head of the program, informed about it at the May
17 official reception organized for the purpose of getting funds
necessary for the operation and treatment. She mentioned that about
26 thousand dollars is necessary for these operations.
According to M.Hovhannisian, the program has been implemented since
2002 with the resources received from Great Britain. 9 children with
serious facial and bearing-moving problems were operated on during
that year, another 4 were operated on in 2005 and 3 will be operated
on during the coming month. A videotape presenting the stage preceding
the operation of children with special needs was shown during the
event under the title “Giving Heartly You Give the World”, after which
pupils of Foundation after Spivakov came up with a musical performance.

“YOUTH, REALITY, PROSPECTS” YOUTH CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON JUNE 13-15
Noyan Tapan
May 17 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. By financing of the RA Ministry of
Culture and Youth Issues, the Center on Organizing Youth Issues
will hold a youth conference entitled “Youth, Reality, Prospects”
on June 13-15 in Yerevan. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Center
on Organizing Youth Events,” the goal of the conference is to arise
problems relating to youth and discuss ways of their solution. During
the conference a number of discussions as well as an exhibition
entitled “Fair of Opinions” will be organized in which Armenian, NKR
and Javakhk youth NGOs, international organizations will participate.

NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED INVOLVED IN “PAID PUBLIC WORKS” PROGRAM TO INCREASE IN SYUNIK
Noyan Tapan
May 17 2006
KAPAN, MAY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. By the decision of RA Government, 85.6 mln
drams has been allocated to Syunik region this year for implementing
the “Paid Public Works” program. The resources allocated this year
exceed by 15.6 mln drams (about 35 thousand dollars) the sum allocated
in 2005 for these works. As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed
from the regional structure on program’s implementation, this will
enable to increase not only the programs to be implemented in the
region, but also the number of the unemployed involved in them. The
Syunik Regional Commission on Assistance to Employment has already
distributed these resources according to the unemployment level in
the regions of Syunik. Thus, 35.5 mln drams will be given to Kapan
region, 25.7 mln drams to Goris region, 18.3 mln drams to Sisian
region, 6.1 mln drams to Meghri region. It is envisaged to give more
than 57 mln drams to rural communities.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SYUNIK PSYCHONEUROLOGIC DESPENSARY IN URGENT NEED OF SPECIALISTS
Noyan Tapan
May 17 2006
KAPAN, MAY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Most of the 2,182 patients registered
at the Syunik regional psychoneurologic dispensary are from
Kapan region. Director of the dispensary Ararat Vardanian told
NT correspondent that about 20 patients a day on average undergo
out-patient treatment at the dispensary. The inpatient unit has 80
beds, 10 of which are envisaged for narcological medical services. The
unit receives about 58 visiting patients daily, about 30 patients
are under constant care. According to A. Vardanian, the hospital is
in urgent need of qualified doctors: instead of the required six,
only two doctors are currently working here, one of whom is the
dispensary director himself.

PROTEST TARGETS PROPOSED FRENCH LAW ON ALLEGED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
NTV MSNBC, Turkey
May 17 2006
France prepared draft legislation making it a crime to deny the
so-called Armenian genocide.
NTV-MSNBC
Guncelleme: 10:50 TSÝ 17 Mayýs 2006 CarþambaANKARA – The French
embassy in Ankara was the target of a group protesting against a
proposal before the French parliament to make it a criminal offence
to deny the Ottoman Empire committed an act of genocide against its
Armenian citizens during the years of the First World War.
A group calling itself the “Great Project 2006” kicked off the first of
what are intended to be a series of protests described as a “warning
on duty” by closing the road to the French Embassy on Monday.
The protestors included some parliamentary deputies of the opposition
Republican People’s party (CHP), the Turk-Is trade union, the Ataturk
Thought Association and the Workers Party (IP).
Ferit Ilsever, the Secretary General of the IP, called on France to
immediately withdraw the proposed legislation. Ilsever said that if
the law was passed Ankara should consider boycotting French goods,
downgrade its diplomatic relations with Paris and withdraw from its
negotiation process for European Union membership.
French parliament is expected to debate the draft on May 18.
–Boundary_(ID_/1SFP7aqDxsNH8457Zwcyg)–