TURKISH MEDIA: WASHINGTON NO LONGER TRUSTS AKP GOVERNMENT
Middle East Media Research Institute, DC
April 24 2006
The American-Turkish Council’s annual conference, which took place
in Washington, D.C. in late March 2006, reflected the current chill
in Turkish-U.S. relations. While in previous years this conference
was always attended by leading Turkish and U.S. government figures,
businessmen, and military figures, this year it was marked by sparse
participation. Most of the Turkish officials in attendance told the
press that Turkish-U.S. relations were in much worse shape than they
had previously believed.
Two emissaries sent by Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan on a
fence-mending mission to Washington following the ATC conference also
failed in their mission. The emissaries, PM Erdogan’s personal advisor
Cuneyt Zapsu and AKP Party Deputy Chairman and MP Saban Disli, came
under fire from senior U.S. officials with whom they met on April
7, 2006 at the American Enterprise Institute. During the meeting,
the U.S. officials expressed their anger regarding several issues:
the AKP government’s unpredictable policies, Turkey’s February 2006
hosting of a Hamas delegation, and the release of the anti-American
and antisemitic Turkish film Valley of the Wolves – Iraq, which had
the endorsement of high level AKP figures at the level of the wife
of the PM, cabinet ministers, the parliamentary speaker, and other
dignitaries who attended the film’s festive opening gala.
The U.S. officials also told Zapsu and Disli that the U.S. had
considered the AKP government unreliable since March 1, 2003, when it
had rejected a parliamentary motion to allow U.S. forces passage to
northern Iraq through Turkey – which damaged the U.S.’s war plans and
resulted in U.S. losses. Zapsu argued in response that since there was
no alternative to the AKP in Turkey, the U.S. would just have to live
with it for the next six to seven years – and that it should utilize PM
Erdogan instead of trying to have him removed. These remarks provoked
an onslaught of criticism by Turkish politicians and the Turkish media.
Despite 50 years of strategic Turkey-U.S. alliance, ever since the
AKP came to power Turkish polls have shown continued erosion of these
relations. A recent study found that the vast majority of Turks harbor
anti-American sentiment and see the U.S. as a major threat to Turkey.
Following are excerpts from the Turkish media on the crisis in
Turkey-U.S. relations:
The ATC Conference “The AKP Has Lost All its Credit in the U.S.”
In a March 29, 2006 column titled “A Saddening Picture in Washington,”
Asli Aydintasbas wrote in the centrist, secular Turkish daily Sabah:
“[…] For many years, [ATC meetings] were important summits, with
the participation of leaders from the Turkish government, business
circles, and the [Turkish] General Staff.
American senators, a few cabinet secretaries, countless generals,
U.S. bureaucrats, and business executives used to fill glamorous
ballrooms for the banquet.
“This year, the meeting was almost empty, with low representation
from both the U.S. and Turkey. […] This is the sign of a ‘confidence
crisis’ in the bilateral relations. At lunch yesterday, I spoke to an
important American official who told me that everyone [in the U.S.]
was tired of talking about the so-called Turkish-American strategic
partnership, and that clearly there were problems. He was not attending
the ATC meetings, but he had much to complain about: the film Valley of
the Wolves – Iraq, [1] the visit (to Ankara) by the Hamas delegation
[…] and the possible legalization of the Koran classes by the
[AKP] government. He said not a single positive thing about the AKP
government. He was afraid that Turkey would become another Malaysia.
“[Clearly] his perception was that [Turkey] was adamant about becoming
more fundamentalist [i.e. Islamist] than Western. […] This was the
sad picture in Washington D.C. […].
“[…] As happens every year, the resolution on the so-called Armenian
genocide will again be on the agenda in April. Turkey can no longer
be certain of the Jewish lobby’s support. Some foresee that this year
the U.S. senators might be coerced [to pass it]. If that happens,
the 50-year friendship between the U.S. and Turkey will be a thing
of the past.”
In an April 3, 2006 article titled “The AKP’s Credit Diminishes in the
U.S.,” Yasemin Congar, Washington correspondent for the mainstream,
secular Milliyet, wrote:
“[…] Those who came from Turkey to Washington for the annual
ATC meeting reflected their pessimism in saying: ‘The state of
[U.S.-Turkey] relations is much worse than what we had thought.’ […]
In fact, nothing was new; the Americans conveyed to their Turkish
counterparts the mounting discomfort they felt about the already
well-known issues, as follows: Sharp reactions regarding the February
visit by Hamas… the movie Valley of the Wolves – Iraq and the
general anti-Americanism in Turkey, for which they blame the AKP […]”
“Hamas Visit Equals [Turkey’s] March 1 Rejection”
Congar continued, “A high-level American official told a Turkish former
politician who visited him, ‘As far as we are concerned, the Hamas
visit equals [Turkey’s] March 1 [2003] rejection of the motion [to
allow U.S. forces passage to northern Iraq through Turkey]. The Turkish
source told us that he had left this meeting with the understanding
that ‘the [U.S.] attitude to the AKP and to the Hamas visit was much
worse than previously thought.’ A leading Turkish businessman who
held a series of meetings with Americans said, ‘We saw that the AKP’s
credit here [i.e. in the U.S.] is fast disappearing.’ […]”
U.S. Ambassador Wilson’s Statements Differed from Official U.S.
Statement
Congar wrote: “I asked U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson: Did
your private statements, which differed from the official U.S.
statement, lead to the misconception in the Turkish public opinion?’
[…He] emphasized that it was natural to convey certain views on
certain issues to the government without sharing them with the press.
He said, ‘If the Hamas visit was one of those, so be it.’ In reality,
[Wilson’s previous] statements had recently been the topic of intense
discussions within the Bush administration, and many [U.S.] officials
were concerned that failing to respond strongly [regarding the Hamas
visit] so as to avoid strong reactions from Turkish public opinion
was compromising the effectiveness of the messages given [by the
U.S.] to the AKP government. [2] […]”
Congressman Robert Wexler: “We Were 100% Against Turkey Talking
to Hamas”
On March 30, Asli Aydintasbas of Sabah wrote: “[…] Important
[U.S.] officials to whom I spoke called the Hamas visit a ‘second
March 1 incident.’ Turkish officials who could no longer be certain
of the support of the Jewish lobby were talking with fear about the
possibility of the U.S. Senate passing the Armenian genocide resolution
this year. […] U.S. Congressman Robert Wexler, [whom I went to
see,] is chairman of the Turkish caucus in Congress, and considered
‘the voice of Turkey’ within Congress. Wexler, who will be visiting
Turkey next week to meet with PM Erdogan, is our No. 1 lobbyist…
“These were his words: ‘[…] On the issue of Hamas, as I wrote to
your PM, it was an unfortunate decision [by Turkey] to be the first
Western country to meet with that organization. It is impossible to
comprehend how this could benefit Turkey. For the first time in a
long time, the U.S. and Europe are on the same page about this issue,
and they are against any contact with Hamas. On the subject of Hamas,
the U.S. position is very clear. We were 100% against your talking to
Hamas. […] Some say that [the AKP’s hosting of the Islamist Hamas]
is due to an [Islamist AKP] reflex. […] Democratic countries like the
U.S., England, and Turkey do not host terrorist organizations […]’
“[I asked,] Would you also react the same if Muqtada Al-Sadr came
[to Turkey]? [3] [He said,] ‘This would be extremely negative. Al-Sadr
plays a direct role in the killing of U.S. soldiers in Iraq. It would
be like you inviting bin Laden, or us inviting Ocalan [from the PKK].'”
AKP Emissaries Meet with U.S. Officials in Washington U.S. Officials
to AKP Leaders: “We Don’t Trust AKP Government!”
AKP emissaries Zapsu and Disli, who were sent to mend the strained
U.S-Turkey relations, ended up further exacerbating tensions. Their
controversial visit was extensively covered by all the Turkish media.
Following are excerpts from the coverage:
Quarrel in Washington
On April 9, 2006, Asli Aydintasbas wrote in Sabah: “[…] The polemic
between the advisors and Richard Perle and another Pentagon official
[at the AEI] was harmful and damaging. In the presence of journalists,
Americans saying ‘We don’t trust the AKP government’ and the Turkish
side responding ‘And you [the U.S.] are talking to the PKK’ will open
diplomatic wounds. […] This can be called the wrong method and the
wrong officials.
“[…] The Turkey-U.S. crisis, which has not been resolved [since March
1, 2003] and even became chronic after the Hamas visit and Valley of
the Wolves, cannot be solved by sending ‘advisors.’ […] After three
years of experience with the AKP, the Americans are upset, and think
‘you give us private messages [and promises] and then go and do the
opposite.’ […]
“Now Turkey and AKP must decide: For its national interests, does it
want a close friendship with Washington, or does it prefer, in the
name of having a ‘multi-axis foreign policy,’ a cordial relationship
based on lowest common denominator? The choice belongs to Turkey,
and not to the U.S….
“[…] The American side is not interested in a ‘media flirtation’
with the AKP government, but wants a ‘state-to-state,’ organic alliance
[with Turkey] that includes economic and military ties. [The U.S.] is
inclined to ‘downgrade’ its relationship with a Turkey that they no
longer trust. Yet despite its negative psychology towards the AKP,
[…] no one in Washington wants to lose Turkey […]. [They want]
a strong, democratic, secular, and Western Turkey that can continue
its friendship with the U.S. and stay on the path towards Europe – all
of which is in the interest of both the Bush administration and Ankara.
[…]
Fight Over Hamas
On April 8, 2006, Yasemin Congar of Milliyet quoted the tense
interactions at the AEI meeting between officials from the White House,
Vice President Cheney’s office and figures close to the Pentagon,
and AKP’s Disli and Zapsu, as follows:
“Zapsu: We got your message on the Hamas issue loud and clear… Here,
we are arguing over the method rather than the essence. I certainly
would meet with [Hamas] if there was a one in 1,000 chance that [Hamas]
might change; I would meet with them again. It would be naïve to say
that there are no talks at all with groups that have killed people.
“AEI official: So, should we meet with the PKK, because there might
be a one in a 1,000 chance that they might change too?
“Zapsu: Aren’t you […] meeting [with the PKK]?
“Pentagon official: No, the U.S. government does not meet with the PKK.
“Disli: We came to have a friendly dialogue. But if you ask us
[questions] using [the same] language as […] PKK representatives,
we cannot.
“[U.S. official]: In March 2003, we understood that we could not
trust Turkey… We can love and respect you as a country and as a
people, but, government to government, there may not be a relationship
of trust.
“Zapsu: Saying ‘we understood that we cannot trust Turkey’ is not the
right approach. The U.S. government must live with this [Turkish]
government. We [i.e. AKP] are leading the polls with 42.7%. As the
AKP, we will be in power for another six to seven years. Wouldn’t it
be wiser if we sorted out these misunderstandings, and misjudgments?
[…] We need the U.S. and the U.S. needs us.[…] This man [i.e. PM
Erdogan] is honest; he is sincere in his beliefs. You must take
advantage of him. He enjoys wide popularity. […] Instead of trying to
knock him down, instead of sweeping him down the drain, use him. […]”
Emissary Disli: U.S.-Turkey Tensions are ” Provocation by Jewish Lobby”
On April 8, 2006, the centrist, secular daily Aksam reported:
“[…] A Turkish Foreign Ministry official evaluated the tensions
in Washington as the manifestation of the great anger felt by the
White House towards the AKP. He said: ‘It is clear that they [the
Americans] are reacting to the [AKP] government.’ On the other hand,
[the AKP’s] Disli said that the incident was a provocation by the
Jewish lobby. […] Disli told Aksam: ‘There is an attempt to create
an atmosphere that relations with the U.S. are severed, that they
are finished. The Jewish lobby is behind all this.'”
U.S. Ambassador “Changed His Statements After He Went to Washington”
The report continued: “[Turkish] Foreign Ministry sources drew our
[Aksam’s] attention to the fact that Ambassador Wilson had given
softer messages on the issue of the Hamas visit ‘but changed his
statements after he went to Washington. We know that the U.S.
administration’s reaction to Wilson caused the change.’ [4]
“Another Foreign Ministry official told us: ‘After the [Turkish
parliament’s] March 1 [2003] rejection of the motion [to allow U.S.
forces passage to northern Iraq], the element of trust in our bilateral
relations with the U.S. diminished. […]”
Wife of Turkish PM Attended Gala Opening of Valley of the Wolves –
Iraq, Praised Film Tearfully and Emotionally
Aksam continued: “During the talks in Washington by Zapsu and
Disli, there was criticism also against [the Turkish PM’s wife]
Emine Erdogan’s praise for Valley of the Wolves – Iraq. Zapsu said
that some Washington circles had asked them how they would react if
First Lady Laura Bush had [seen and] praised the [anti-Turkish film]
Midnight Express. Zapsu said: ‘Such a comparison would be wrong.'”
(It is noteworthy that in a recent interview with Robert Pollock of
The Wall Street Journal, PM Erdogan refrained from condemning, or
even criticizing, this “religiously and racially divisive” film that
depicts Americans “murdering and dismembering Iraqis, to steal their
organs for Jewish markets.” Instead, Erdogan justified the making of
this film, and its popularity, by saying that it was “based on media
reports” and “TV images.” [5] )
Disli: “The PKK is a Terrorist Organization […] This Kind of
Comparison [to Hamas] Is Completely Ugly”
On April 10, the Turkish Islamic daily Zaman, which is owned by
Turkish Islamic leader Fethullah Gulen, reported:
“In their joint statement, Zapsu and Disli said: ‘We emphasized
that a fairly elected political party can never be seen [as] equal
to a terrorist organization. The PKK is a terrorist organization
responsible for the killings of thousands [of mainly soldiers and
police officers], whose participation in an election is impossible;
therefore, this kind of comparison between two friendly countries is
completely ugly. We also said at that particular [AEI] meeting that
the U.S. has broken many promises to us about [helping] our struggle
against the PKK, which is sheltered in northern Iraq – a factor which
fuels the anti-Americanism in Turkey.'”
Hurriyet: AKP Misled [Turkish] Public Opinion on Hamas Visit
On April 9, 2006, Turkish columnist Oktay Eksi of the mainstream,
secular Hurriyet wrote: “It is understood that Washington has written
Tayyip Erdogan off […] Erdogan should really be nervous. […]
Obviously, the information that the AKP gave the public following Hamas
leader Khaled Mash’al’s visit in February did not reflect the truth.
“As you will remember, they [i.e. the AKP] had claimed that both the
U.S. Embassy in Ankara and Israel were informed of the visit [in
advance] and said, ‘Ignore the public expressions of displeasure;
they [i.e. the U.S. and Israel] were agreeable.’ Apparently, there
was nothing given or taken or agreed upon… And now, Washington has
told Zapsu and Disli […] that the U.S. no longer trusts the AKP.
“In fact, love turning to hatred between the U.S. and the AKP is
nothing new. It has happened before… with the U.S. feeling betrayed
after the rejection of the March 1 motion… [and] on July 4, 2003,
when the U.S. trampled the honor of the Turkish Armed Forces and our
nation by arresting 11 Turkish soldiers and officers in Suleymaniye
and put sacks over their heads… [when] Tayyip Erdogan declared that
Israel was a ‘terrorist state’ when Hamas leader Yassin was killed;
when he used a similar term [i.e. “genocide”] for the U.S. attack on
Fallujah; [when] he kept [former] U.S. Ambassador Eric Edelman waiting
for months for an appointment – all these were incidents that brought
about this result. […]”
Unofficial AKP Mouthpiece Yeni Safak: The American Enterprise Institute
is Home to Warmongers [and] a Bloodthirsty Group On April 9, 2006,
columnist Fehmi Koru of the Islamic daily Yeni Safak wrote:
“[…] The AEI is the home of the worst warmongers in the U.S. All
the pretexts for the assault on Iraq were planned and decorated with
lies and deceptions by AEI ‘experts,’ and they were carried out by
bureaucrats and politicians with AEI origins.[…]
“There is no way of convincing this bloodthirsty AEI group, that has
brought nothing but blood and tears to the Middle East. They have lost,
and they want others [i.e. the AKP] to pay for it… […]”
“An Open Warning to the US!”
In an April 9, 2006 column titled “An Open Warning to the U.S.!”
Cuneyt Ulsever wrote in Hurriyet: “There is a survey that studied a
concept that has recently preoccupied Turkey: A survey on nationalism
has been conducted by Bilgi University and the Infakto Research
Workshop on behalf of Tempo magazine. […] The field work was
conducted […] February 18-28, 2006. […] I will issue a serious
warning to our American friends [emphasis in original] about one
aspect of the findings of this serious study.
“One of the questions asked was: ‘Which of the following [countries]
poses the greatest threat to our nation’s security?’ Pay attention
to the fact that the question is not about ‘love-hate’ or
‘appreciation-criticism.’ […] The [Turkish] citizens were asked
about the very sensitive issue of ‘perception of threat.’ […] The
resulting picture of the ‘perception of threat’ by the Turkish public
is as follows:
“U.S.: 35%; a probable independent Kurdish State in Northern Iraq:
25.8%; Greece: 9.5%; EU: 5.5%; Israel: 4%; Iraq: 3.5%; Iran: 1.5%;
Russia: 0.3%; Other: 1.1%; None of the above: 1.9%; Don’t know: 8.2%.
“It must be noted that the Turkish people’s perception of ‘an
independent Kurdistan’ is also [closely] related to the perception of
the U.S.’s role as the party responsible for this and provoking this.
Therefore, you can conclude that 60.8% of the respondents perceive
the U.S. as a ‘threat.’ […]
“I hope that the U.S. leaders who have expectations from Turkey as
part of their Middle East policies will carefully examine and analyze
these findings.”
————————————– ——————————————
[1] The anti-American and antisemitic Turkish blockbuster Valley of
the Wolves – Iraq is the most expensive film ever made in Turkey,
and has drawn the biggest crowds, and has also been selling very
well in Turkish communities in Europe and in Arab counties. The film
depicts Americans as barbaric murderers who rape and kill Iraqis,
with an American Jewish doctor dismembering them to supply organs for
Jewish markets. While Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan had the film privately
screened for him, his wife Emine Erdogan attended the February 2006
gala opening, sitting with the film’s very popular lead actor and
Turkish Parliamentary Speaker Bulent Arinc. After the screening,
an emotional and tearful Mrs. Erdogan praised the film, and Speaker
Arinc called it “very realistic.”
[2] See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 1114, “Hamas Visit to Turkey
Deepens Secular-Islamist Rift” (see “U.S. Ambassador Wilson:
“Hamas Criticism – of Certain Groups in the U.S., Including
Leading Jews – Not U.S. Official View”) March 14, 2006,
ries&Area=turkey&ID=SP111406.
[3] After the Hamas delegation’s February 2006 visit to Ankara,
Iraqi Prime Minister Designate Ja’fari came to the Turkish capital
at the invitation of the AKP government. It was announced at that
time that the Turkish government had also extended an invitation to
Shiite leader Muqtada Al-Sadr, who is expected to come in a few months.
[4] Turkish Daily News, April 10, 2006: “[…] the U.S. Ambassador
to Turkey Ross Wilson said the visit was ‘disappointing’ and
stressed that some members of Congress asked where Turkey is
heading. ‘They were expressing concern, and even beyond concern, their
anger.’ They said, ‘We cannot accept that a country like Turkey,
which suffered much from terrorism, let this happen’ Wilson was
quoted as saying during a meeting last week [in Washington].” See:
ies&Area=turkey&ID=SP111406.
[5] The Wall Street Journal, March 18, 2006.
ives&Area=sd&ID=SP114506
–Boundary_(ID_4 zu1DrBbfhDmwFa6xXPbqw)–

“JUGHA CEMETERY”
Open Democracy, UK
April 24 2006
Photographs of the Armenian medieval cemetery at Jugha, the largest and
most precious of its kind, before and after its systematic destruction.
gha_3470.jsp
“It has become one of the most bitterly divisive issues in the
Caucasus – but up until now no one has been able to clear up the
mystery surrounding the fate of the famous medieval Christian cemetery
of Jugha in Azerbaijan.
The cemetery was regarded by Armenians as the biggest and most
precious repository of medieval headstones marked with crosses –
the Armenians call them “khachkars” – of which more than 2,000 were
still there in the late Eighties. Each elaborately carved tombstone
was a masterpiece of carving.
Armenians have said that the cemetery has been razed, comparing its
destruction to the demolition of two giant Buddha figures by the
Taliban in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan has hit back by accusing Armenia
of scaremongering, and of destroying Azerbaijani monuments on its
own territory.
Now an IWPR contributor has become the first journalist to visit
the site of the cemetery on Azerbaijan’s border with Iran – and has
confirmed that the graveyard has completely vanished…”
See
pc_state=henpcrs&s=o&o=caucasus_jugha.html
and
,,135 09-2144112,00.html .

JOINT GATHERING OF THE AZERBAIJAN AND TURKISH YOUTH
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 24 2006
On April 24, in the Artaturk Center in Baku took place the meeting
joint assembly of the youth organizations of the Yeni Azerbaijan Party
and the Justice and Development Party of Turkey. Prior the beginning
of action, the delegation of the brotherly country has met the head
of the Center, MP Nizami Jafarov.
Chairman of the Youth Organization of the Justice and Development
Party Hakan Tutunchu, chairman of the Youth Organization of YAP Ramil
Hasanov, chairman of the World Public Association of Young Turkic
Writers Akber Goshali, chairman of Public Association of Graduates of
Turkish Universities Chingiz Bayramov and others spoke of strengthening
of the Turkish-Azerbaijan friendly ties basing on historical, ethnic
and religious roots, around of the genius personality Ataturk and
Heydar Aliyev.
It has been noted, that Armenian chauvinist circles, trying by all
means to prevent development of both countries, growth of their
authority on the world and region, with the purpose of concealment
of the evil deeds accomplished in the beginning of the past century
by dashnaks in East Anatolia and Azerbaijan, have put forward the
claims connected with invented “genocide of Armenians”. Unfortunately,
parliaments of some countries support these conjectures of Armenians.
As a sign of the protest against it, on behalf of participants
of gathering, it was adopted an Appeal and decided to sent it to
international organizations.
** The same day, delegation of the youth organization of Turkey
met with the Deputy Chairman of YAP, Executive Secretary of Party
Ali Ahmadov.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

‘ANTI-TURKISH EUROPEANS EXPLOIT ARMENIAN ISSUE’
By Ali Ihsan Aydin, Paris
Zaman, Turkey
April 24 2006
Turkey’s proposals of settling the Armenian question received support
from the Armenian Diaspora before the anniversary celebrations of
the so-called genocide on April 24.
Isabella Kortian, a French researcher of Armenian origin who lives
in Paris, asked to settle the Armenian issue through dialogue, when
she said arguments over Armenians are being abused by some European
countries objecting Turkish accession to the European Union.
The Armenian Diaspora is struggling to bring up arguments for
discussion on a global level via April 24, the day declared as the
anniversary of the 1915 so-called Armenian genocide. Influential
Armenian associations in Diaspora have been organizing activities with
this idea in mind across the United States (US) and Europe, among
other parts of the world. There is, however, growing support among
the Armenians in the Diaspora for the Turkish proposal of resolving
the Armenian issue with help of the efforts to create dialogue.
Ms. Kortian is one of the Armenians in the Diaspora who voiced her
support to the Turkish proposals. Only through dialogue between
the Turkish and Armenian societies can we reach a solution for the
Armenian question, said Kortian, who is employed at the Geo-Strategy
Center, a subset of Ecole Normale Superieure, the high-prestige French
institution of high education.
Kortian underlined for Zaman that the Armenian problem is being
exploited by certain European countries that object to Turkey’s
admission to the EU. The attitude of these countries is actually
closing the door for a resolution, said Kortian, and the proposal from
the Turkish government for formation of a commission of historians
is an attempt that requires sensitivity. Kortian also pressed for
discussion of the Armenian question only between the Turks and the
Armenians, without third-party interference. Both the Turks and
the Armenians are enslaved by this version of history, said the
Armenia-born researcher, and expressed her belief that agreement
between the two countries would be one of the most important incidents
of the 21st century.
Kortian hopes for a resolution in 2014, the 100th anniversary of
World War I, as historians from Turkey, Armenia and other countries
can conduct studies about this bitter part of history.
Despite official inauguration of EU-Turkey talks, some European
countries object to Turkey’s accession to the Union as a member,
said Kortian, and the leaders of such countries tend to make
different suggestions to hide their obvious rejection of Turkey’s
entry. There is an anti-Turkish atmosphere in Europe, according to
Kortian who emphasized the Armenian issue is being abused by those
with anti-Turkish views.
“That is why we need to bring up this question for discussion
elsewhere. We have to agree to discuss this issue without external
interference,” said the French researcher criticizing politicians’
abuse of the Armenian question.
“If they have anti-Turkish or racist views, they should reveal their
views without making Armenians seem to have similar views.” The
statements just quoted here do not, however, mean that “terrible
things” did not happen in 1915, Kortian asserted.
There is an urgent need to set platforms for dialogue and discussion
between the two societies and countries, she said, because different
methods seem unlikely to help in resolving the problem.
The proposal from the Justice and Development Party, the ruling party
in Turkey, to form a commission of historians from both countries as
well as from the international arena, is “an attempt that requires
sensitivity,” said the French researcher, as she called for response
from the Armenians.
“We cannot carry on with refusals to accept proposals for dialogue.
‘No’ should not be the word to use in a response. I think everyone
will eventually be logical,” Kortian said.
A possible agreement between the Turks and Armenians would be one of
the milestones of the 21st century, said Kortian, and came up with
an interesting date for the resolution of the Armenian question. The
100th anniversary of World War I coincides with the year 2014, said
the French researcher who expressed her hopes for a resolution of
the Armenian problem as historians from Turkey, Armenia and other
countries that can conduct researches about the 1915 incidents.
The historians will carry on with their research as they train
young researchers from each country involved in this project. Great
contributions to the resolution of the matter at hand are expected
to come from those young researchers, as they will be trained
in an environment completely different from our own. Apart from
forming a commission of historians, there is also a need for social
organizations to bring together the two societies, said Kortian: “We
do not have to wait to hear a decision from historians. We are not
acquainted with each other. We do not really know about each other,
whether we are close or far away from one another. We grew up with
representations laden with cliches. We have to find a way to learn
about each other.” Kortian holds meetings with Turkish doctorate
students in Paris to develop acquaintances between members from both
countries. A Turkish student joined our interview with Kortian when
he said that there are many Turkish students that agree with Kortian.
The Turkish student also hoped to continue their meetings with
Kortian on regular basis. The Armenian question no longer remains a
taboo for the Turkish audience and there is real willingness in the
Turkish audience for exploration of what really happened in 1915,
said Kortian, and emphasized the importance of a look at all that has
happened in Turkey from the viewpoint of the Diaspora. Both societies
are obsessed with the past, said the French researcher, and added that
new developments will have an impact on Armenians in the Diaspora:
“We are all enslaved by the past. We have to face in an environment
of dialogue and sympathy all that has happened in the history so that
we can escape from this prison.”
Kortian said, “A victim status does not give an identity” defending
that the identity of a nation cannot be constructed upon its
grievances, in reply to the interpretations suggesting “antagonism
of Turks give Armenians their identities.” The researcher says a
nation should have other things to give for their identities and
adds that “Armenian children in the Diaspora do not even know the
Armenian language. They should first be taught the language.” Extreme
expressions, she adds, by some people in the Diaspora do not hold the
whole nation responsible but only themselves; however, these extremists
are very much on the map and the Diaspora should be tolerated due to
the difficult times it goes through.
“Living in the Diaspora is not very easy,” Kortian says, “It is
an uncertain status.” She was faced with silence even in Europe and
suffered great psychological effects due this. An independent Armenian
state is very important for the Diaspora and the most important thing
is the future of the state. “Diaspora’s project for the future is
dependent on Armenia. Armenia should have good neighbor relations
with Turkey. This is obvious.”
“If the events of 1915 had not happened, I would not be in France
today. If only I could tell you all these in Turkish,” said Kortian,
whose family migrated to France from Dortyol.

DEPUTY DM VIEWS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE FACT DENIAL BY TURKEY AS TEMPORARY PHENOMENON
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 24 2006
YEREVAN, April 24. /ARKA/. Armenian Genocide fact denial by Turkey
is a temporary phenomenon, Armenian Deputy Defense Minister Arthur
Aghabekyan told journalist on Monday.
“Sooner of later the fact must be admitted” Aghabekyan said.
He is convinced that Armenia pursued a right policy in a bid to obtain
international recognition of the genocide fact.
He thinks the international community must know that Armenia will be
steadfast in its efforts to obtain the worldwide official condemnation
of this horrible conspiracy against Armenians.
The 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide orchestrated by Ottoman Turkey’s
leadership is the first genocide of XX century. Half a million
Armenians were slain in Western Armenia, which was a part of Turkey
then.
The fact of Armenian Genocide has been officially admitted by
Uruguay, Russia, France, Lower House of Italian Parliament, many of
the U.S.A. states, parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium,
Wales, Switzerland’s National Committee Canadian Parliament’s Community
Chamber and Polish Seim.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILLBOARD CRUMBLES FROM WATER DAMAGE
By Christopher Loh/ Staff Writer
Watertown TAB & Press, MA
April 24 2006
A billboard at 160 Arsenal St., promoting awareness of the April 1915
Armenian Genocide, looked as though it had been vandalized, as a large
section in the middle was torn from the top all the way to the bottom.
However, Watertown Police said it doesn’t appear to have been
vandalism.
The billboard’s collapse couldn’t have happened at a worse time,
because this past weekend was the 91st Anniversary Commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide.
The billboard’s condition was reported to the Watertown Police
Department on Saturday, April 22, at 5 p.m.
Police said Clear Channel, who owns the billboard, investigated the
matter Monday morning, but found no evidence of foul play.
Lois Catanzaro, director of public affairs for Clear Channel, said
company representatives had gone to the site, and believed the damage
was caused by water.
Daniel Hejinian, a representative of Peace of Art, the company who
owned the advertisement, said the cause of the damage could be many
things, and that Peace of Art is looking to replace the billboard
with another concerning the Armenian Genocide.
The representatives removed the remaining remnants of the
billboard. Currently an old United States Navy advertisement is
displayed.
Police are still investigating the matter.

FAKING IT: VODKA FLAVORED WITH CELERY AND TEA: A SEMI-OFFICIAL REVIEW
by Corina Zappia
Village Voice, NY
April 24 2006
Modern Spirits Vodka’s Grapefruit Honey infusion
photo: Corina Zappia
Occasionally we’re thrown a compliment we don’t quite deserve. A
PR rep or spirits company mistakes us for a seasoned oenophile or
fine-drink connoisseur, and an invite to an intimate tequila tasting
or a meal of beer-glazed specialties finds its way into our mailbox.
So we’ll swirl the $60-a-bottle liquor in the glass, or take a gentle,
modest sip vs. the happy-hour whore gulp.
At a vodka-pairing dinner we were recently invited to, it is clear
they mistook us for a serious critic. The maker of a new line of
infused vodkas, Modern Spirits, had invited us to try his wares with
a few select experts and distributors. It was a huge compliment. It
was also seven vodkas in a row.
The night’s recap:
Grapefruit Honey vodka Clean, sharp and vivid, grapefruit honey is
mildly tart with a hint of bitterness and a touch of sweetness from
a dollop of honey.
We walk into the private dining room at the Harrison and take our seat
with all the other people invited for the night’s event-the executive
editor of Saveur, Wine & Spirits folks, the president of James
Beard. The boozing commences with the creator/owner explaining the
origins of his company-he would make special flavored vodkas for his
wife to take to family functions, as she found the vodka his Armenian
relatives normally drank a bit hard to swallow. A heartwarming tale
of the lengths one will go to for love, granted, but clearly not the
most aggressive PR: Grapefruit-honey vodka needs a grander marketing
scheme. Grapefruit-honey vodka needs Mr. T endorsements.
Celery Peppercorn vodka The ultimate power drink. The celery’s green
bouquet is complemented by savory spices and a touch of heat from
Malabar peppercorn and dried red chilies.
This is our favorite: We like the peppery kick-it’s like a bloody
mary without tomato juice-and can’t help but notice at the end of the
party, all the foodie witches snatch away the freebie bottles of this
vodka first.
Black Truffle vodka Infused exclusively during the season, the
telltale scents of port, rich soil, pineapple and chocolate make this
a first-class libation.
It is around this time that the Wine & Spirits art director next
to us instructs us on the “swirl,” and why people do it. When you
swirl the liquor in a glass, the motion stirs up the oxygen and
releases the aroma. It actually works, and then you are supposed to
inhale deeply into your drink. Now we feel bad for making fun of the
critics who face-dive into their liquor, for there we are, face-diving
ourselves. (No. That’s a lie. We don’t feel bad. It looks dumb.)
We have a hard time comparing the taste to truffle oil, our only
prior experience with this mushroom. Truffle oil never seems that
memorable to us, beyond the fact that it’s expensive presence must
be formally announced whenever included in any dish.
Pear Lavender vodka Combining the lingering sweetness of pears with a
light touch of lavender creates an intimate and delicate infusion. It
is our ode to poetry.
We miss out on that ode for some reason. Nor can we taste the pear
or smell the lavender really. We have a feeling this is no reflection
on the liquor but has more to do with the multi-vodka diet we’ve been
on since the night began.
The evening wears on, and several more vodkas are tried: a candied
ginger (tastes exactly like ginger), tea (tastes like tea) and even
chocolate-orange (like eating a box of Godiva, without feeling like the
big fat pig you really are). We become completely wasted, drunkenly
catching our chair on the rug and stumbling to the bathroom, almost
spilling chocolate-orange vodka on our skirt, pushing past someone
to grab our free bottle of booze. We thank the alcohol maker for the
compliment of including us-then haul it out of there as fast as we can.

MOSCOW TEEN BEING HELD IN ALLEGED RACIALLY MOTIVATED SLAYING
Ayinde O. Chase – All Headline News Staff Writer
All Headline News
April 24 2006
Atlanta, GA (AHN) – Moscow police are holding a high school student
tied to the killing of an Armenian teenager in the Moscow subway over
the weekend.
A spokesman for the Moscow Prosecutor’s Office says, “A 17-year-old
student from a Moscow high school has been detained in connection with
the killing of an Armenian committed last Saturday,” adding that the
teenager had admitted his involvement in the incident.
Prosecutors believed the case to be racially motivated due to a string
of recent attacks aimed at foreigners or people with darker skin.
The latest victim was Vagan Abramyants, 17, of the Moscow Academy
of Management was attacked and stabbed to death on the platform of
Pushkinskaya metro station in the center of the capital at about 5
p.m. on Saturday.

ACTIVITY DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS IN OTTOMAN EMPIRE IN 1915 HELD IN SWEDEN
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 24 2006
YEREVAN, April 24. /ARKA/. An activity dedicated to the Armenian
genocide victims in Ottoman Empire in 1915 was held in Upsala,
Sweden. The coordination center of Armenian unions of Sweden reported
that hundreds of Armenians, Swedes, representatives of political
entities and NGOs kept a moment of silence in the memory of the
Armenian genocide victims.
During the activity the professor of the university of Lund, the
author of the books “From Ararat to Nagorno-Karabakh” and “History
of the Genocide” Claus-Joran Karlsson held a lecture. In his turn,
the MP Ulla Hoffman pointed out the necessity for Sweden and other
European countries to support Armenia.
She denounced the Turkish policy of denying the genocide. “Without
Turkey’s recognizing the genocide and reconsidering her past,
development of real Armenian-Turkish relations and reconciliation
cannot be attained,” she said.
The representative of the green party, the member of Upsala’s town
council and candidate to Riksdag Helena Liedner pointed out that the
Swedish society should know about the Armenian genocide as much as
it knows about the Jews’ holocaust.
This activity was organized on the initiative of the Coordination
center of Armenian Unions of Sweden and the Armenian Cultural Union
of Upsala with the support of church councils, “Hayastan” All-Armenian
Foundation and the country’s NGOs.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY: ARMENIANS RECALL ANNIVERSARY OF ‘GENOCIDE’
AKI, Italy
April 24 2006
Istanbul, 24 April (AKI) – Armenians worldwide Monday commemorated the
anniversary of the alleged genocide of more than 1,3 million Armenians
in 1915-1921 with the biggest demonstrations in New York, Brussels
and Paris. Turkey, which is seeking to join the European Union, is
under growing pressure to recognise its role in the slaughter. Ankara
firmly maintains the deaths of Armenians during the collapse of the
Ottoman empire were not part of a genocidal campaign, arguing that
many ethnic Turks were also killed in that period.
The Istanbul chief of Human Rights Association, Eren Keskin on Monday
said that 24 April symbolises the Armenian genocide and the state
should face with this fact.
“Denying the word ‘genocide’ is also denying the huge pain that
Armenians lived. Denying the genocide is a violation of human rights.
Denying the genocide is also preventing the mourning of Armenians”
she said in a press released on Monday.
The official view that the 1915-21 mass killings of Christian Armenians
under Muslim Ottoman rule never took place
Nearly 5,000 people marched after the service in St. Sarkisian
Church in Tehran. Under heavy security, the protestors chanted
‘Accept the genocide.’
In December 2005, French foreign minister Michel Barnier announced
that Turkey would be expected to recognize the event during EU
accession negotiations.
Best-selling Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk was prosecuted last year for
“insulting Turkish identity” by referring to the Armenian genocide in
a Swiss newspaper interview. Charges were dropped in February after
considerable international protest.
Small Armenian groups protested in front of the Turkish Embassy in
both Jerusalem and Tbilisi, Georgia.
Photo: Armenian protestors in Tehran insisting that the genocide of
1915-21 is recognised by Turkey.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress