Zaman, Turkey
May 14 2006
Compelling Statements from Erdogan
By Ekrem Dumanli, Bali, Indonesia
Published:
zaman.com
Journalists had the opportunity to hear significant remarks from
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on domestic and
international issues during his visit to Indonesia.
Erdogan traveled to Indonesia to attend a gathering of D-8 countries
after his visit to Austria, where a meeting of officials from the
European Union and Latin American countries was held.
On the flight from Austria to Indonesia, journalists heard Erdogan
speak on a wide range of topics – from the Middle East to the upcoming
presidential elections in Turkey, from the tension between the
governments of Turkey and France over the so-called Armenian
genocide, to his recent football performance.
Erdogan is making plans for a surprise visit to the United States; he
believes that as Turkey is Co-President of the Greater Middle-East
and Northern Africa Projects, it has an immense responsibility and
the Turkish government should do its utmost.
`The tension in the region is set to mount due to Iran’s nuclear
activities. I do not expect to see a war; however, there is bound to
be a heavy price for us to pay. I have plans to take a trip to the
United States as soon as I return to my country.’
Erdogan pressed for the need to recognize Iran’s right to have
nuclear power, provided that Iran’s nuclear involvement be open to
international inspection.
The Tehran administration does not object to an examination of its
nuclear activities, said Erdogan, and stressed the need not to be
over-judgmental, since it is not the change of regime in Iran that
deserves focus.
The recent growing trend of reactionary news in Turkey is bound to
the approaching presidential elections, said Erdogan.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced he will ask
the United States for an appointment to discuss the Iran, Iraq, and
Palestine issues after returning to Turkey from Indonesia.
`As co-chairman of the Greater Middle East and Northern Africa
Projects, Turkey is under a huge responsibility,’ Erdogan said,
tension has escalated in the region due to Iran’s nuclear activities.
`I predict hot developments in the region. In such a case, Turkey
will suffer greatly. I am thinking of visiting the US as soon as I
return to Turkey, and I will ask for an appointment. On May 25 and
26, I will meet the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, which is
important for the United Nations Security Council. We should discuss
the Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Palestine issues.’
Erdogan stressed that the Iranian issue can be resolved
diplomatically and said Iran has the right to enjoy nuclear power;
however, its activities should be open to international inspections.
`The issue should not be quickly and harshly resolved. A regime
change in Iran should not be discussed. There are problems with
transparency, however, Iran is not against International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections and the international community
should be informed about that.’
Erdogan said he did not approve of the international community
halting the transfer of financial aid to Palestine after HAMAS
(Islamic Resistance Movement) won the elections and discussed the
issue with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
`Palestine is like an open prison,’ Erdogan said, adding, `When Rice
came to Turkey I asked her about the decision to stop humanitarian
and financial aid to Palestine and said, `It is not appropriate.’
Rice said `the US is still sending humanitarian aid’ and I told her
that `Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas does not confirm this.’ We
are discussing humanitarian aid including food, oil, and sugar with
Turkey’s Special Coordinator to Palestine Vehbi Dincerler. I spoke to
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He also shares our feelings.’
Algeria bill implications
Erdogan noted France’s bill to criminalize denial of the so-called
Armenian genocide is related to its domestic political issues.
Emphasizing that French President Jacques Chirac also voiced his
discomfort over the bill during their conversation in Vienna, Erdogan
said: `Chirac wants that the bill be decided by the lower wing and
should not be carried to parliament. He said the agenda of the French
Parliament was already too busy.’
Erdogan said he met with representatives of French companies
operating in Turkey and added that they are also uncomfortable with
the current situation.
Erdogan said that a country that has considerable investments in
Turkey will of course be negatively affected with this kind of a
situation.
Replying to a question on whether Turkey could take a similar
decision about the genocide in Algeria in response to France’s move,
Erdogan said, they have not made any moves towards such a decision
yet and added: `Our patience continues up to a certain point. We want
to reach an agreement and we will continue to act with patience, but
I don’t know what will happen if this process in France continues. We
are not in the position of hostility; however, we can apply our own
sanctions.’
Negotiations can start next month
Prime Minister Erdogan also touched upon Turkey’s relations with the
European Union (EU) during our conversation and said that half the
screening process was complete.
Erdogan said the negotiations, which will be conducted as two
chapters, will start before Austria’s term presidency ends in June.
Erdogan said the process continues and that they do not need to visit
all EU member countries as they did prior to the December 17 process,
and added: `We already meet with the leaders during the summits and
have had the opportunity to impart our position. Even if we do not
have a place in the family portrait, we are invited to participate as
a gesture.’
Erdogan emphasized the government evaluates the developments over the
EU in all meetings it conducts and added that some important steps
will be taken next year in order to strengthen ties with the EU.
AKP ready for contributions to CTA, not for its withdrawal
`We are ready to work with anybody prepared to contribute to the
Counter-terrorism Act (CTA). The lawyers or others should come and
share their concerns about the CTA with us; however, no one should
expect us to completely withdraw the CTA. About twenty NGO’s came to
us with their concerns about the CTA. I told them `Let’s make this
law as a nation not just as the Justice and Development Party (AKP)
Government.’ The security forces expect legal support from us for
their struggle against terrorism. The CTA was already prepared
consulting all organs of the state. The Turkish Armed Forces is one
of them and the Presidency is another.’

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 14 2006
Azeri MP slams French parliament `genocide’ decision
AssA-Irada 14/05/2006 01:44
An Azeri parliament member has aired discontent over the law the
French parliament is planning to enforce that allows prosecuting
persons denying the so-called Armenian genocide.
Raising the issue at a session of the Milli Majlis (parliament) on
Friday, the Great Establishment Party chairman, MP Fazil
Gazanfaroghlu suggested that Azerbaijan reject this country’s
co-chairmanship in the OSCE Minsk Group (MG) mediating settlement to
the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict.
The MP said the stance of all the three countries co-chairing the MG
(Russia, France and the United States) on the Garabagh problem is
against Azerbaijan. `We should therefore ensure that another, more
neutral country, replaces France,’ he said.
Gazanfaroghlu said Azerbaijan should stand by Turkey on the issue.
`The claims being laid out against Turkey directly refer to
Azerbaijan. If we do not take this seriously, the French Senate may
also pass a decision in the near future criminalizing the recognition
of Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh as Azeri territory,’ the MP said.
Gazanfaroghlu suggested that the legislative body set up a taskforce
that would further prepare an appeal to world parliamentarians. `It
should say that the French parliament’s decision was fully prompted
by their harboring Armenians and animosity toward Turks.’

Itar-Tass, Russia
May 14 2006
Russian weapons loaded on train in Georgia by schedule – official

TBILISI, May 13 (Itar-Tass) — The loading of the first train with
hardware and weapons from Russia’s military base in Akhalkalaki is
underway in the town of Tsalka, 50 kilometres from the base, and
proceeding by schedule, Deputy Chief of the Georgian General Staff
Alexander Kiknadze said.
He is personally watching the loading at Tsalka. `Seven T-72 tanks,
eight armoured reconnaissance vehicles, four armoured fighting
vehicles, 28 automobiles, and 340 boxes of shells for Grad systems
will be loaded today and tomorrow,’ he said.
Officers from the Group of Russian Troops in the Transcaucasia told
journalists that `all technical questions and problems that could
arise during the loading of hardware and weapons and their withdrawal
have been resolved together with the Georgian side.’
The weapons and hardware will take up 16 carriages, one carriage will
be for the guards and two for the property to be withdrawn from the
base to Russia, the command of the Russian troops in the
Transcaucasia told Itar-Tass.
Last week Russian troops set up a field camp and a ground for
collecting trains at Tsalka. Military hardware and weapons to be
shipped with the first train were brought to Tsalka in advance
because there is no railway in Akhalkalaki.
It will take two days to load the first train. It will leave Tsalka
on May 15 to go to Russia via Azerbaijan. The next three trains will
go to Russia on May 23, 25, and 30.
Trucks will take some of the military hardware and weapons from the
base in Akhalkalaki to the Russian base in Gyumri (Armenia). The
first convoy of trucks will go there on May 18.
The Georgian Defence Ministry and local law enforcement agencies will
ensure the security of the withdrawal.
The Russian pullout from Akhalkalaki will be completed in 2007. The
biggest part of military hardware and weapons will be withdrawn
between May 15 and August 15, 2006. The first motor vehicles left the
base in Akhalkalaki in the summer of 2005.

Itar-Tass, Russia
May 14 2006
Kocharyan praises Armenia’s cooperation with OSCE

YEREVAN, May 13 (Itar-Tass) — Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
praised cooperation with the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Kocharyan met with OSCE Secretary General Mark Peren de Brisambo on
Saturday. Brisambo arrived in Armenia to attend the opening ceremony
for an enterprise at Kaltakhchi, not far from Spitak, which will
recycle a component of missile fuel left over from Soviet times.
Kocharyan and Brisambo discussed the latest events in the OSCE area
and the organisation’s reform.
The president briefed the guest on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement
efforts. He stressed the importance of the fact that these efforts
are taking place within the OSCE framework and an effective format.
The two men also discussed relations between Armenia and Turkey, two
neighboring countries that have no diplomatic relations.
In a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan, Brisambo
lauded the country for its contribution to the OSCE’s work. They also
talked about the programmes implemented by the OSCE Yerevan office
and democratisation processes in Armenia.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 13 2006
Azerbaijanis close exposition of tourism company from Nagorno
Garabagh in Moscow
[ 13 May 2006 20:22 ]
Azerbaijanis staged a protest action related to the opening of an
exposition by the separatist Nagrono Garabagh regime, which has
occupied Azerbaijan’s lands, during the exhibition organized by
Moscow, Russia (APA).
Our 15 young compatriots surrounded the exposition for the Nagorno
Garabagh’s tourism company holding Azerbaijan’s national flag,
demanded closing the exposition. Azerbaijanis said Nagorno Garabagh
belongs to Azerbaijan, and Armenians has occupied it. The exhibition
organizers called militia to the site. The militiamen prevented
Azerbaijani young protesters to come into conflict with Armenians
from Nagorno Garabagh.
The separatist regime removed the expositions after that./APA/

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 13 2006
Armenian President discusses Garabagh conflict with OSCE Secretary
General
[ 13 May 2006 18:51 ]
Armenia’s President today had talks with OSCE Secretary General Marc
Perrin de Brichambaut (APA).
The sides exchanged views on the ongoing processes in the region and
reforms in OSCE as well. Kocharian informed the OSCE Secretary
General about the current negotiating process for the settlement of
the Nagorno Garabagh conflict. Armenian President said he supports
solving the problem in OSCE framework which is effective.
The sides also exchanged views on Armenia-Turkey relations./APA/

Zaman, Turkey
May 13 2006
French Deputies Hid from Turkish Delegation
By Ali Ihsan Aydin, Paris
Published: Saturday, May 13, 2006
zaman.com
A delegation from the Turkish Parliament scheduled to meet in Paris
about the parliamentary bill to criminalize denial of the so-called
Armenian genocide could not meet with the bill’s architects.
The Turkish deputies said in a news conference after their three-day
meetings that those who proposed the bill did not want to meet with
them under the pretense of being busy.
Socialist Party (PS) Leader Francois Hollande and Pierre Moscovici,
one of the leading figures of the party and former European Minister,
are among the politicians who prepared the bill.
Though Moscovici told the Turkish delegation that he would not be in
Paris and would be unable meet with them, to the annoyance of the
Turkish delegation, he was seen in the party building in Paris while
Turkish parliamentarians were visiting.
Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Gulsun
Bilgehan noted that Moscovici said he would be in Brussels. Hollande
defended he genocide law right after the Turkish delegation’s visit
to PS at a meeting at the Foreign Press Center.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Turkish Parliament,
Mehmet Dulger said the bill, which will be discussed in French
parliament on May 18, is against freedom of speech and human rights.
Dulger noted France should play an intern mediatory role between
Turkey and Armenia to resolve the problem of these countries rather
than trying to increase the tension.
“The bill was accepted as a declaration of war in Turkey and this
will halt Turkey-France relations,” said Bilgehan, “You will visit me
at prison next time with my Legion d’Honneur Medal.”
CHP Deputy Onur Oymen said France, who is supposed to be the defender
of freedom, turned out to be a pro-censorship country. “Do not
sacrifice 70,000,000 Turks for 4,000,000 Armenians,” Oymen said,
adding if the law passes, a British minister, for example, would be
arrested as soon as he comes to France if he denies the so-called
Armenian Genocide, and that the bill exceeds all boundaries.
Turkish deputies asserted that if the bill passes in the Parliament
it will be dissolved by The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
The Turkish delegation held a number of meetings on the issue with
many authorities, including Speaker of the French National Parliament
Jean Louis Debre, the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP)
Parliamentary Group Chairman Bernard Accoyer, PS Group Leader Jean
Marc Ayrault and Parliamentary Foreign Affairs President Eduard
Balladur.

Zaman, Turkey
May 13 2006
Chirac to Erdogan: We’ll Consider Your Concerns
By Cihan News Agency, Anadolu News Agency (aa), Vienna
Published: Saturday, May 13, 2006
zaman.com
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met French President
Jacques Chirac during the Latin America-European Union (EU) Summit in
Austria’s capital Vienna. The main topic of the meeting was the draft
bill that would carry a fine of imprisonment for those who deny the
so-called Armenian Genocide.
Erdogan reacted to the regulation, which will be discussed at the
French National Parliament on May 18, and demanded the bill’s
cancellation.
Chirac said they will show the necessary sensitivity to Turkey’s
concerns about the issue.
Erdogan also met his Greek counterpart Kostas Karamanlis and German
Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Reportedly, dual relations were discussed during the meetings in
addition to Turkey’s accession to the European Union.
A unique protest took place during the `family photo’ taken at the
Vienna Congress Center. After the leaders took their places on the
platform, Evvangelina Carrozzo, an accredited journalist for the El
Diario newspaper in Argentina, walked towards the leaders half naked
sporting a banner. The Greenpeace member and Uruguay national was
protesting environmental pollution.
After drawing surprised laughter from the leaders, she was escorted
out of the hall and detained.
Following his participation in the football match organized in the
frame of the EU-Latin America summit upon the invitation of Austrian
Prime Minister Wolfgang Schussel, Erdogan also participated in the
opening session of the summit as the “Special Guest of Schussel.”
Erdogan spoke with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan
about developments in the Middle East and the political process in
Iraq during an official dinner for the leaders.
Turkish Prime Minister left for Bali after the meeting to attend the
D-8 summit.
The echoes of the football match, in which Erdogan scored two goals,
still resound. The British Financial Times commented on the game with
jokes and wrote Prime Minister Tony Blair rejected Schussel’s
invitation, but he established a team of all-stars including the
Turkish PM.

TREND Info, Azerbaijan
May 13 2006
Anne Derse: The US examine the possible operations on drawing
feasibility study for Trans-Caspian pipeline

Source: «Trend»
Author: A.Mamedov

13.05.2006

US Government “examine the possible operations on drawing feasibility
study for Trans-Caspian pipeline” and are going to promote
Azeri-Kazakh intergovernmental agreement on transportation of Kazakh
oil though Azerbaijan, reportedly said Anne Derse, nominated by
President George W Bush to the post of US Ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Diplomat said development of Caspian resources and their supply to
the world’s markets is one of the priority-driven issues of US
Government in the region.
Speaking of prospects of relieving matters around Nagorno-Karabakh,
Ms Derse said Washington hoped for mutual agreement between
Presidents Aliyev and Kocharyan in the shortest time. “We are
currently observing a significant stage of conversations, – US
official said. – This year, a window opens for achieving some
agreement through conversations… It would be a tragedy to return to
violence”.
Ms Derse said, quoting, “US relations with Azerbaijan have a
promising future but will only reach their full potential if
Azerbaijan strengthens its commitment to democracy and the rule of
law”. “Azerbaijan is an important partner to the US in a
strategically significant region that grows even more important in a
view of our political and economic interests”, – Ms Derse, said,
ITAR-TASS reports.

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 13 2006
Wrecked plane recorders retrieval to start May 16 – minister
16:37 | 13/ 05/ 2006
MOSCOW, May 13 (RIA Novosti) – The recovery of flight recorders from
the Armenian Airbus airliner that crashed off Russia’s Black Sea
coast last week, killing all 113 people on board, will start May 16,
Russia’s transport minister said Saturday.
Igor Levitin said special equipment, which is currently in the port
of Novorossiisk, would be delivered to the scene shortly. It will be
prepared for the operation in Sochi, the resort city not far from the
scene, Monday, he said.
The effort to recover the objects, believed to be the black boxes
that are crucial for explaining the cause of the crash, may take two
or three days, the minister said.
“It depends on weather conditions,” he said.
Levitin said the recorders could be at a depth of 496 meters (1,627
feet), and visibility was good enough for the recovery effort. The
distance between the recorders was reported at about five meters (16
feet).
An emergency official said earlier in the day that searchers had
received images of objects believed to be parts of the crashed
airliner from a new Kalmar deep-sea search vehicle working at the
scene to locate pieces of the wreckage and the flight recorders.
“The objects are presumably parts of the airliner. They have been
found with the same coordinates as the radio signals believed to be
coming from the flight recorders,” he said.
The Airbus, owned by Armenia’s Armavia airline, crashed in stormy
weather near Sochi on May 3.