Losing Freedom of Speech
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
May 5 2006
Turkish foreign minister, Abdullah Gul, asked a quite meaningful
question to French politicians whether he or one of his colleagues
would be punished for rejecting the Armenian genocide. It was a very
well advised question indeed. Really how should the Turkish
politicians answer questions regarding the so called Armenian
genocide? Getting a prison sentence is not a very weak possibility
even for political figures. The leader of the Turkish Proletarian
Party, Dogu Perincek, was arrested in Switzerland due to his speeches
regarding the issue just a few months before.
Such a thing has of course roots in (political) attitudes toward
other nations, but it would be missing the entire picture to say that
such instances are directed to a certain case, nation, or belief. The
situation seems much worse than just blindly opposing a particular
group of people. Europe recedes from its tolerant culture in general.
Tolerance is not the only value, which we back out of. The
humanitarian values, on which the modern Europe is built, are now on
a quite splitting base.
The cartoons of Jyllands-Posten led to an intense tension in the
world public opinion. Many supported them quite passionately, however
people preferred to keep their silence in many similar issues
afterwards. The famous historian, David Irving, experienced quite
uneasy days when he contradicted the established belief on the
Holocaust. Thanks to God, it did not realize but the Austrian court
jailed him for three years for the speeches, he gave ten years
before. What he said is open to debate but rejecting what someone
says is something and abolishing the right to express what he wants
to do are two very distinct things. Sentencing an academician for
what he said is totally another thing. It is thought provoking that
all the process about Mr. Irving took place in February this year, in
the middle of all the discussion about the cartoon issue.
Nowadays the Dutch Labor Party discusses introducing a preliminary
evaluation and checking of interviews, its members give. The recent
abolishment of a commercial Tv advertisement in the Netherlands is
even more confusing. The publicity medium was Rita Verdonk (the
Minister of integration and minorities) and her strict attitude was
criticized in a quite funny approach. Just like in many other cases,
she was quite determined in expelling a refugee because his residence
permit had expired. The fact that this refugee was a famous
footballer, made the case much more popular than the others. In the
advertisement, Mrs. Verdonk’s husband was driving crazy when that guy
scored against the Netherlands. The Dutch courts will now punish the
advertiser 50 000 Euros each time if it continues showing the
advertisement. People criticized this repressiveness but it can not
be said that there was a remarkable opposition to all these
happenings. People did not underline the significance of freedom of
speech in many of these instances. Restrictiveness seems to grow
silently. The list of examples can be further lengthened…
The point is to be wise enough to be able to form a common platform
to discuss this. Opposing or supporting the Holocaust is one thing,
but sentencing an academician to prison just because of his speeches
is another thing. Maybe the most frightening aspect of all these
cases is that, they take place without any noteworthy opposition. Of
course not everything can be said, there should be some basic
concerns and some exceptions like respect, national integrity, etc
but one sightedness should not be the guide.
We, all are on the edge of a gloomy phase indeed and losing something
very valuable. It took quite a long time for people to become wise
enough to learn the importance discussing rather than blindly
promoting their own ideologies. The democratic values thought people
the significance of providing a neutral ground, on which different
people could express what they believed. We are now edging away from
liberal democratic ideology and becoming hostiles again. On the other
hand, liberals, themselves also act highly contradictory to their
ideologies nowadays. How much liberal are liberals themselves in this
context? Or does liberalism just follow a path towards a different
form of fundamentalism? Liberals are quite open when what they
believe is at stake but critical and even aggressive when people
contradict them. Ayaan Ali Hirsi, the member of parliament of Dutch
Liberal Party, recently published an article with the title of
confrontation in place of collaboration. She was charging Islam due
to being the source of terrorism and radicalization within the
society in her article, just like she does in all her speeches. In
the meantime, she is chosen as the candidate for the Nobel price for
this year.
To conclude, Europe losses its basic principles and exaggerated
nationalism, Islamaphobia, exclusionism take their place. Maybe we
should now ask ourselves the question whether systems can survive
despite eradicating their core values.
05 May 2006
Nermin Aydemir is Netherland representative for Journal of Turkish
Weekly

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 5 2006
All possible ways for resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict already
considered – Azeri President states
Source: Trend
Author: S.Aliyev
05.05.2006
All possible variants for the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh have been already considered,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated on 5 May, Trend reports.
The President informed that the co-chairs were actively involved in
the conduct of intensive consultations and different options are
under consideration. He did not rule out possible innovations in the
resolution process.
“I don’t believe that a new proposal can be forwarded for the
resolution of
the problem, or any new proposal can be submitted for the settlement
of the problem. Soon changes can be injected in the proposals which
are under discussion. I do not exclude it, as it could bring us
closer to the resolution of the conflict,” Aliyev underlined.
Azerbaijan’s position remains unchanged, he stated. “We support the
use of international legal norms and there should be a unified
approach in this issue, he said. The conflict and mechanisms for its
resolution must not be separated from common processes ongoing
throughout the world. We cannot agree with the application of a
special option.’

Armenian foreign minister: “We are coming to the second stage of democratization”
Regnum, Russia
May 5 2006
By present day, Armenia has become a more democratic country than it
was while joining the Council of Europe, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan has announced at a conference held to honor fifth
anniversary of the Armenian membership in the Council of Europe. By
the way, according to him, Armenia is left to do a lot to become a
fully democratic country.
As a REGNUM correspondent informs, as the minister puts it, Armenia
has fulfilled almost all its obligations taken at joining the Council
of Europe. “We are coming to the second stage of democratization. It
is a very difficult stage, as it envisages reforms that would
directly touch upon the political elite. We should show our political
will,” noted the foreign minister. “We do comprehend that democracy
is a tough way, and it cannot be established in a night. Deciding to
become a member of the Council of Europe, Armenia has chosen the way
for democratization and exact steps have been undertaken in this
direction,” Vardan Oskanyan stressed.
In his turn, Director General of Political Affairs of the Council of
Europe Jean-Louis Laurens has announced that one of Armenia’s
achievements in recent years is the way to Europe chosen by it. “It
is not so important, what steps are taken and where Armenia is on the
way to democracy; the way it chose is important,” the Council of
Europe official noted. “It is very important that Armenia holds
transparent parliamentary and presidential elections,” noted
Jean-Louis Laurens, adding that the Council of Europe and
international institutions would render assistance to Armenia in
carrying out transparent and fair elections. According to him, the
Armenian authorities have elaborated 67 draft laws in accordance with
the new Constitution and a proportion of these laws has been
introduced to the CE for analysis. It is also important for Armenia
to establish the ombudsman institution, noted Jean-Louis Laurens.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Russian TV shows underwater probe used at plane crash site
RTR Russia TV, Moscow
6 May 06
Russian recovery workers are using a “unique” underwater visual
observation system to pinpoint wreckage from the Armenian Airbus A-320
that crashed in the Black Sea off Sochi, Russia TV reported on 6 May.
An object 20 metres by 30 metres has already been located on the
seabed, but it is not clear whether it is part of the plane’s fuselage
or a rock, the report said.
A correspondent described the underwater probe – known as Obzor-600
– as a “remote-controlled robot that can descend to a depth of 600
metres in order to pick up a picture of the seabed using a video
camera installed on it”.
The whole underwater investigation system is known as Kalmar [squid].
Describing how it works, the correspondent said: “A special echo
sounder located in the bow of the ship scans the whole surface of
the seabed, and as soon as an object appears the command goes out to
drop anchor.”
He went on: “The robot is connected to a monitor by a fibre-optic
cable and lowered into the water. It descends not under its own
weight, but with the help of three independent engines controlled by
a joystick from a control unit. So in just a few minutes a picture
of the seabed appears.”
A ship’s engineer introduced as Dmitriy demonstrated the robot and
described how it works: “Its maximum working depth is 600 metres. It
has two video cameras – one black-and-white and one colour. It has
light-emitting diode lighting. This is the manipulator. This is the
locator and this is the navigation system.”
Sergey Biryukov, captioned as chief of underwater work, said in an
interview: “It is a miniature craft designed exclusively for visual
observation. More powerful heavy-duty equipment with manipulators
and a lifting capacity of around 30 kg would be needed for lifting
a black box. As far as I know, the navy does have such craft.”
[Video showed image of seabed on screen, close-up of the Obzor-600
robotic probe being handled by ship’s engineer who points to its
various features, robot being lowered overboard, cable being played
out trailing behind robot, man with joystick-like hand-held control
unit, recovery workers at crash site, victims’ relatives giving blood
for identification purposes in Sochi]

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 5 2006
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev: “It is impossible to settle
Nagorno Garabagh conflict out of the international law norms”
[ 05 May 2006 15:30 ]
Azerbaijan is a country suffering from terror. As a result of more
than 30 terror acts of Armenians against Azerbaijanis more than two
million innocent people died.
President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev told these words at the 9th
summit of Organization for Economic Cooperation and called whole
world to join in the struggle against international terrorism.(APA).
President stated that all the Armenian aggression is a great obstacle
in the development of the region and noted that all terror
organizations should be treated on the same way. I.Aliyev stated that
Azerbaijan supports peaceful resolution of Nagorno Garabagh conflict
and noted that patience of Azerbaijan people is not endless.
President noted that the settlement of Nagorno Garabagh conflict on
the basis of international law norms is very important and it’s
possible to settle the conflict by the way of occupied territories of
Azerbaijan to be freed: ” No agreement exists outside of it.” Ilham
Aliyev expressed his gratitude to ECO member countries for supporting
Azerbaijan. /APA/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

French experts say radio signals are from A-320 black boxes
13:34 | 05/ 05/ 2006
RIA Novosti, Russia
May 5 2006
SOCHI, May 5 (RIA Novosti) – Airbus experts believe that radio
signals they have picked up were coming from flight recorders on
board an Armenian airliner that crashed Wednesday in the Black Sea,
an emergencies official said Friday.
“Experts from France confirmed that these were [signals from] radio
beacons [black boxes],” said Sergei Kudinov, the head of a regional
emergencies ministry center.
The ongoing recovery operation involves more than 700 rescue workers,
23 boats, deep-sea vehicles, a Be-200 amphibious aircraft and a
Ka-32 helicopter.
An experimental rescue boat, Katran, and a new Kalmar deep-sea search
vehicle are expected to arrive at the scene to help locate parts of
the wreckage and flight recorders.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan for peaceable resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict – Azeri president
TREND Info, Azerbaijan
May 5 2006
Source: Trend
Author: S.Aliyev
05.05.2006
Azerbaijan wants to resolve the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh in a peaceable way and is sure that there are still
chances for it, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated in Baku on
May to the opening of the 9th summit of the ECO members-states.
The head of state sated that the patience of the Azerbaijani people
is limited. The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict can be resolved only
within the framework of the international rule of law. “Armenian
occupants forces must leave the Azerbaijani lands and the Azerbaijani
ought to be repatriated to there native lands in order to restore
justice. Any agreement out of this agreement is impossible, as it is
a requirement of the international law,” Aliyev said. The territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan cannot be topic of talks. The President
voiced his gratitude to ECO countries for recognition of Azerbaijan’s
position.
The President stated that there are all terms among ECO member-states
for comprehensive development of economic relationships, whilst their
deepening requires the strengthening of necessary measures in
security of the region. “Azerbaijan takes an active part in the
process and will continue doing so. However, there are a number of
questions exciting concerns. First of all these are issues of
combating international terror, which also requires unification of
efforts of all countries,” the President underlined, noting that all
terror organizations should be viewed from one and the same point. He
reminded that Azerbaijan is a country which suffered from this
problem. The Armenian terror organizations organized over 30 terror
attacks on Azerbaijan, which resulted in death of over 2000 innocent
civilians. The ongoing conflict broken out by Armenia in respect to
Azerbaijan is the major obstacle in the regional, Aliyev underscored.

The Messenger, Georgia
May 5 2006
You have just won a free, week-long holiday to either Armenia or
Azerbaijan. Which country would you choose to visit?
“Neither of them! I would sell my ticket and buy a ticket to my dream
country – Brazil. I would like to visit this country very much
because the people seem cool and of course I love samba. As for
Armenia and Azerbaijan they are the two countries I like least of
all.”
Tiko, student, 23
“I would choose Azerbaijan. I have been to both of these countries
and would freely choose a week-long holiday in Baku rather than in
Yerevan. Due to favorable natural resources and the inflow of
capital, Baku has become the dream city of the Caucasus. Believe me
and take your rest there.”
Tiniko, office manager, 37
“Well, it would be super to win a free week’s holiday and if I had
such chance I would prefer to go to Armenia because I have lots of
Armenian friends and want to know what their motherland looks like.”
Lia, student, 18
“I do not really know. I was in both countries during Soviet times
but I am not sure which of them would be worth visiting nowadays. I
guess would just flip a coin.”
Nodar, unemployed, 57
“Because I am interested in taking a closer look at all the Caucasian
countries I do not know which one I would choose. I would definitely
try to visit both. If I had to pick one I guess I would have to ask
Mom to decide.”
Nino, manager, 26
“Each of these countries has their own interesting history and
culture. I like traveling and therefore I would divide my free,
week-long holiday and I would visit both countries.”
Lika, accountant, 29
“Oh, it would be really great to a win free, week-long holiday. But
to tell the truth if I had such a chance I would prefer to go
somewhere other than Armenia or Azerbaijan.”
Gigi, artist, 22
“If I had such a chance I would prefer to go to Azerbaijan because I
know that it is a very good country and that its capital Baku is very
beautiful. I would like to spend a week there.”
Nia, teacher, 45
“If I won a free week-long holiday either to Armenia or Azerbaijan
and I had to choose I would choose Azerbaijan because I have seen the
pictures of Baku and I liked it very much. It would be great to visit
such a beautiful city and even to spend a week there.”
Keti, accountant, 34

TREND, Azerbaijan
May 5 2006
Azerbaijan and Armenia accepted to CE for peaceful resolution of
Nagorno-Karabkh conflict
Source: Trend
Author: A. Mamedov
05.05.2006
Necessity in peaceful resolution of conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is
one of the main reasons for acceptance of Azerbaijan and Armenia to
the CE, reportedly said Jean-Louis Loran, CE Director General for
political affairs.
“I am sure that the fastest peaceful resolution of this conflict
enables the two countries shorten their way to integration with
European value system”,- he said in the course of his speech within
today’s forum “Armenia in CE, 5 years of membership” in Yerevan.
Loran said also South Caucasus shall become a part of today’s Europe,
providing that no hate or hostility continues under the all-European
‘roof’.
The Council of Europe has operated since 1949, includes 46 countries
of the world with total population over 800mln people. Armenia joined
the CE January 25, 2001, alongside Azerbaijan, Armenia-Novosti reports.

Greek American Membership Organizations’ 2006 Policy Statement on Armenia
_ l?newsid=5023&lang=US_
( =5023&lang=US)
WASHINGTON, DC– American Hellenic Institute president Gene Rossides
announced today that the major Greek American membership organizations
endorsed the 2006 policy statement on Armenia. Prepared by the
American Hellenic Institute, it is part of the 2006 Greek American
Policy Statements. The major membership organizations are: the
Order of AHEPA, the Hellenic American National Council, the Cyprus
Federation of America, the Panepirotic Federation of America, the
Pan-Macedonian Association of America, the PanCretan Association
of America, the Pan-Pontian Federation of U.S.A. and Canada and the
American Hellenic Institute. The endorsed statement follows:
Armenia
We support the Armenian American community’s efforts to secure full
recognition, proper commemoration, and a just resolution of the
Armenian Genocide.
In 2006, the 91st anniversary of the Genocide, the Administration
should, for the sake of U.S. interests and American values, finally
bring an end to all forms of U.S. complicity in Turkey’s denial of
this crime against all humanity. The President, in his annual April
24th remarks, should properly recognize the Armenian Genocide as a
clear instance of genocide, as defined by the United Nations Genocide
Convention. In addition, the Administration should refrain from taking
punitive actions against diplomats, such as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
John Evans, who have spoken truthfully about the Armenian Genocide.
The U.S. Congress should adopt legislation both recognizing the
Armenian Genocide and urging the American people to apply the lessons
of this tragedy to the cause of preventing future genocides.
Finally, Turkey must be pressured to acknowledge its genocidal crime
against the Armenian nation, to come to terms with this chapter in
its history, and, consistent with the Genocide Convention and other
relevant international legal instruments, to make full reparations
to the Armenian people.
We also support efforts to press Turkey to lift its illegal blockade
of Armenia and to end the mistreatment of the Armenian population
in Turkey.
We refer readers to Professor Peter Balakian’s recent book The Burning
Tigris, a remarkable history of the Armenian Genocide by the Young
Turk government in Turkey. Professor Balakian includes the details
of the humanitarian movement of leading American public citizens
and ordinary citizens to save the Armenians.