Turkish Press
May 12 2006
Press Review
SABAH
TURKISH-FRENCH COMMERCE ASSOCIATION SENDS LETTER TO CHIRAC OPPOSING
ARMENIAN BILL
The Turkish-French Commerce Association this week sent a letter to
French President Jacques Chirac warning that the bill could have
negative effects. Also a Turkish parliamentary delegation, currently
in Paris to lobby against the so-called Armenian genocide bill,
yesterday met with French Parliament Foreign Commission Deputy Chair
Herve de Charette. The delegation includes Mehmet Dulger and Musa
Sivacioglu from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) as
well as Onur Oymen and Gulsun Bilgehan Toker from the main opposition
Republican People’s Party (CHP). /Sabah/

Turkish Press
May 12 2006
Where Is “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”?
Published: 5/12/2006

BY TUFAN TURENC
HURRIYET- Years ago when I was studying at a French high school in
Istanbul, Turkish-French relations were so different than today.
There were no problems but rather trust and warmth between the two
countries. To visit France, whose language and culture we were trying
to learn, was our greatest dream.
Back then the French language and culture were popular in Turkey, but
over time, American culture replaced it. Our society began to rapidly
adopt the American lifestyle. Today, there are deep rifts between
Turkey and France.
Hatred against Turks in France has risen over the last 10-15 years.
One of the greatest architects of that was former President Giscard
d’Estaing.
During current President Jacques Chirac’s first years in office,
relations began to improve, but he couldn’t insulate them from
political pressures and began to take a harmful course of action.
On the other hand, Nicholas Sarkozy, who is a clear enemy of Turks,
is the strongest contender for the presidential elections to be held
this time next year.
If he is elected, it is certain that our relations suffer a blow.
When I see this scene, I feel that I’m being betrayed, as a person
who made such great efforts to learn this country’s language and
culture. I no longer want to travel to France.
Then why did this happen?
First, it should be made clear that Turkey has no responsibility for
the current situation.
France is no longer Europe’s powerhouse. It has many problems, both
economic and social. Recent movements of both immigrants and students
shook the country sharply.
Al these negative developments are dragging the French people into
depression.
They have serious problems with 5 million Muslims living in their
country, and they don’t know how to deal with the issue.
The anger and hatred accumulated in their hearts against Muslims
living in France has been transferred to Turks, even if they know
little about Turkey.
Currently the country is experiencing a dramatic paradox, and France,
a European champion of democracy, secularism, and freedom of thought
and expression, is moving far from wisdom and logic.
France is in such a miserable situation, and has so lost its control
and identity of `liberty, equality, and fraternity’ that they intend
to put people behind bars it they deny that an Armenian genocide took
place.’

Zaman, Turkey
May 12 2006
French Companies Worried About Boycott Threats
While debates over the bill to criminalize the denial of the
so-called Armenian genocide continue in France, French companies
worry about a possible boycott threat from Turkey, officials said.
French businessmen regard the proposed bill proposal as the
“irresponsibility of politicians,’ wrote the French daily Le Monde.
“This crisis could be worse than the crisis that occurred between the
two countries when France officially recognized the so-called
genocide in 2001,” commented reporters, while boycott calls on French
goods in Turkey received wide coverage in the news.
Meanwhile, “The Defense Committee for Armenian Case” (CCAF) in France
reacted to the rejection of the bill at the Parliament Law Affairs
Commission in yesterday’s session.
The CCAF disclosed that the bill was rejected upon the request of
President Jacques Chirac.
Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission Vice President Herve de
Charrette; however, pronounced his objection to the bill and said
that the bill would most probably be rejected in the General
Assembly.

Zaman, Turkey
May 12 2006
‘French Parliament Seized by Armenian Lobbyists’
By Ali Ihsan Aydin, Paris
Published: Friday, May 12, 2006
zaman.com
A well-known French academic, Professor Pierre Nora, has strong
criticism for the bill advocating the imprisonment of those who deny
the Armenian Holocaust.
The respected historian told Zaman his opinions on the bill to be
discussed in the French National Parliament, and said, “The French
parliament is being held captive by Armenian pressure groups.” Nora
pointed out that the approval of the bill will end the discussions on
the Armenian genocide and added, “It is much easier to discuss the
Armenian problem in Istanbul than it is in Paris.”
Professor Nora, one of the French historians that composed a protest
letter against the proposed Armenian genocide law, said, “The bill is
a Socialist Party bid to win Armenian sympathy before the elections.”
Nora also criticized the genocide law passed in 2001 and recalled the
appearance of famous historian Bernard Lewis in court. He said these
kinds of scandalous events should not be repeated.
The French historian said “I’m afraid this bill will pass” as he
warned the Armenian problem will become impossible to discuss if it
becomes a law. Nora asserted this attempt will open the door for
other societies’ to demand similar laws, and “the past will be
imprisoned in law” as historians will be prevented from studying the
most controversial historical events.
Nora noted they founded the “Association of Freedom for History” with
a group of French academics after the French Parliament began to
discuss laws on historical issues. He expressed that they want bills
which determine what historians should teach and what should be
studied to be withdrawn. The French historian maintains this kind of
law is an attempt to form an official version of history and said:
“France has become accustomed to making such laws. But a law
restricting the freedom of historians does not suit a free country.
They can only happen in the totalitarian countries where politicians
talk about the official reality.”
Bill, a political investment
“It is easier to discuss the Armenian question in Turkey than it is
in Paris” said Nora, highlighting the conferences held for the
Armenian issue in Turkey and the Turkish government’s initiative to
create a commission of historians, which he considers significant
improvements. “The French Parliament is being taken hostage by
Armenian oppression groups,” said Nora, claiming that Armenian groups
in France are extremely powerful and well-organized, and consequently
influence politics. Nora expressed his disapproval of the `Genocide
Law’ issued in 2001, and qualified the judicial process of renowned
historian Bernard Lewis for such a case as a “scandal”.
Recalling the “guarantee” given to them by members of the parliament
whom they met with after the law on communicating the good sides of
colonialism, and the call from President Jacques Chirac to the
Parliament to remain detached from historical subjects, Nora assessed
PS’ law proposal, which disregards all of the above, as “shocking.”
While historian claims that this was a political investment of
Socialists, he said, “The only aim of the bill is to win the
sympathies of Armenians for the upcoming elections.”
Historians also strive to stop Armenian Bill
French politics are so hard to decipher that even the French
themselves have a hard time making sense of it, said a historian in
his reaction against French politicians, `The situation is so
nonsensical that one can hardly ever take a serious look at it.’
Ratification of the proposed `genocide’ bill will further complicate
the Turkish march towards membership with the European Union (EU),
said Nora, and pointed the finger at the incongruity of the PS’
effort, considering the party used to back the Turkish struggle for
an EU membership.
It is not up to French historians to speak out about the Armenian
genocide because they do not have an understanding of its specific
conditions, said Nora, as he declined to express his own ideas over
the Armenian issue, mentioning instead he is rather interested in the
French politician’s attitude towards the Armenian question.
Historians are also making an effort to stop the bill from being
enacted, said Nora, adding that the news media will hear further
statements from the historians in the near future.
As Nora stressed their ongoing efforts to keep in touch with
parliamentarians, he quoted the parliamentary group leader of the
Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) as saying in a telephone
conversation that there is no guarantee for anything yet, but there
will be every possible effort to stop it from happening. What is more
striking is the fact that 300 Armenians gathered just outside the UMP
headquarters during the parliamentary discussions over the Armenian
genocide bill.
Nora is a member of the Academic Francaise, and is widely known as a
French historian and intellectual.

Zaman, Turkey
May 12 2006
Belgium Discusses ‘Penalizing Genocide Denial’
By Vedat Denizli, Brussels
Published: Friday, May 12, 2006
zaman.com
A legislative proposal similar to the bill pending at the French
parliament that would criminalize denial of the so-called Armenian
genocide is trying to make its way onto the agenda of the Belgium
Senate.
In the new bill presented to the Senate, Francois Roelands du Vivier
and Christine Defraigne, senators of the joint government party
Reform Movement (MR), suggested the so-called Armenian genocide be
considered within the framework of the Holocaust Law and that those
who deny the so-called genocide be punished with one year
imprisonment and fined about 5,000.
The Belgium Parliament had shelved similar bills and various
proposals after discussions last year.
Fatma Pehlivan, the only Turkish member of the Belgium Senate, told
Zaman that MR members continuously attempt to keep the so-called
Armenian genocide fresh on the agenda.
Pehlivan emphasized the bill’s acceptance is impossible, and a
general assembly approval is difficult even it passes in the
commission.

TREND Info, Azerbaijan
May 12 2006
Truth about Azerbaijan made public through German MPs, German press –
NAP functionary

Source: Trend
Author: J.Shahverdiyev

12.05.2006

The German public has been informed about the truth on Azerbaijan
through the Bundestag and the German press, the head of the South
Caucasus Initiative Group on Azerbaijan, also Deputy Executive
Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), Siyavush
Novruzov, told Trend.

According to Novruzov, as a result of tough public political
situation in Armenia the delegation of this country did not
participate in the 5th plenary meeting of the group. Armenian
Ambassador was in attendance. `There is resistance between parliament
and President of this country in connection with the integration in
Europe,’ he underlined.

Novruzov stressed that every member of the Azerbaijani delegation
demonstrated serous position on the issue included in the agenda.
`The delegation informed the German public through the Bundestag and
press about damage on the Azerbaijani ecology, threats caused by
Armenian nuclear power station, cut of woods in the Armenian-occupied
Azerbaijani districts Kelbajar and Zangelan,’ he announced.
During the gathering members of meetings were held with members of a
friendship group of Bundestag on South Caucasus. `Next year Germany
will undertake chairmanship at the European Union. One of Germany’s
foreign objectives is integration of the south Caucasus into the EU.
>From this aspect these meetings assume special importance,’ he
stressed. However, he regretted that the group of headed by a
pro-Armenian MP who tries to promote the recognition of the so-called
`Armenian genocide’ by Bundestag. `We tried to explain that it will
complicate the Armenian-Turkish relationships,’ Novruzov underscored.
He also informed about his meeting with the German Minister Ãåðìàíèè,
which mulled the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and development of
Azerbaijan.
An initiative group of the South Caucasus parliament group held its
5th meeting on `Globalization and its impact on South Caucasus’ in
Berlin on 9-11 May with the financial support of Adenaur Fund. The
gathering held an exchange of opinions in impacts on politics,
economy, environment and pubic life of the region of globalization.

TREND Info, Azerbaijan
May 12 2006
PACE hearing on the Stability Pact for the South Caucasus was
interesting – Azeri Ambassador

Source: «Trend»
Author: E.Huseynov

12.05.2006

A parliamentary hearing on the Stability Pact for the South Caucasus
took place today, 12 May in Belgian Senate in Brussels, organized by
the Political Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), Trend reports quoting Arif Mamedov,
Azeri Ambassador to Benilux and the EU.
At the hearing was performed CE special representative for South
Caucasus Peter Semnebi, on behalf of governments – Ambassadors of
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, PACE’s speaker for South Caucasus
Charles Tanek, etc. At the session were also performing heads of
Azeri and Armenian delegation to PACE Samed Seyidov and Tigran
Torosyan. «We opined at the hearing that prior to restoration of
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity it is untimely to talk of
stability on South Caucasus», – Ambassador said.

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 12 2006
Armenian speaker denies Karabakh differences forced him out
16:16 | 12/ 05/ 2006

YEREVAN, May 12 (RIA Novosti) – The former speaker of the Armenian
parliament said Friday he had not quit his post over differences on
how to resolve a long-running territorial dispute with Azerbaijan.
Artur Bagdasaryan announced his resignation Friday after his party,
Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law), pulled out of the governing
coalition late on Thursday, citing pressure from the authorities.
“I have no disagreements with other senior officials on the
settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict,” he said. “I think
negotiations on peaceful resolution and Armenia’s position are both
fairly constructive.”
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh – a
province in Azerbaijan with predominantly ethnic Armenian population
– first erupted in 1988, when Karabakh claimed independence from
Azerbaijan to join Armenia. A ceasefire was concluded in 1994,
leaving Nagorny Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions between
Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the world’s
largest regional security organization, conducted monitoring along
the disputed border in April after both sides traded allegations of
ceasefire violations.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 12 2006
12 years have passed since ceasefire announced between Azerbaijan and
Armenia
[ 12 May 2006 16:34 ]
12 years have passed since ceasefire announced between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. (APA). Bishkek protocol signed between two countries, came
into force on May 12.
Spring of 1994 was a hard period in Armenia-Azerbaijan war. Summer-
autumn of 1993 was also hard period for Azerbaijan, in 1994 January,
some successful resistance operation was implemented, in general,
winter campaign was not resulted as it was expected. At that time,
Russia as chairman in OSCE Minsk Group in 1994 has forced the sides
to ceasefire, and as a result, ceasefire protocol was signed.
Azerbaijani parliament chairman and Nagorno Garabagh Azerbaijani
Community head, from Russian side V.Shumeyko, on behalf of CIS PA the
chairman of the organization, Speaker of Kyrgyzstan, Armenian speaker
and Nagorno Garabagh Armenian community has signed the document.
Azerbaijani side has lost 5 thousand militaries within 12 years as a
result of violation of ceasefire, unofficial sources has
informed./APA/

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 12 2006
Update: Armenian speaker quits, party goes into opposition
15:28 | 12/ 05/ 2006

YEREVAN, May 12 (RIA Novosti) – The speaker of Armenia’s parliament
quit his post Friday, and said his party would join the opposition
after leaving the ruling parliamentary coalition.
The Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) party pulled out of the governing
coalition late on Thursday, citing pressure from the authorities.
“Nobody is waiting for us with open arms, either the authorities or
the opposition. But we are going into opposition,” Artur Bagdasaryan
said, adding that Orinats Yerkir had its own set of values and its
own path.
“The path is to create a prosperous and well-to-do Armenia,” he said.
Orinats Yerkir, headed by Bagdasaryan, had been in the governing
coalition together with the Republican Party and the Dashnaktsutyun
party (Armenian Revolutionary Federation) since parliamentary
elections in 2003.
Bagdasaryan also thanked all the political groupings his party had
been working with in the coalition.
“It was a time of failures, achievements and misfortunes,” he said.
Bagdasaryan said his resignation Friday was the direct result of the
party’s decision to leave the coalition.
“I find it immoral to stay on in the speaker’s post at a time when
the Orinats Yerkir party has withdrawn from the ruling coalition,”
Bagdasaryan said. “I think all the party’s members working in the
government should leave as well.”
In the past ten days, nine parliamentarians – all respected
businessmen – have left the party in disagreement with the faction’s
policy. Experts said they sought to deprive the party of funding
ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for 2007, and to force
Bagdasaryan to resign.
The speaker said he would file his resignation May 22 at a
parliamentary session, the Novosti-Armenia agency said. The
resignation must be confirmed or rejected within the next five days.
Bagdasaryan said he could have held a vote of confidence on his
resignation instead.
“However, I will not do this because I think it would be better and
more moral to leave decently,” he said said.