Big News Network, Australia
Dec 15 2004

Turkey riled by genocide reference

France’s demand that Turkey accept responsibility for the alleged
1915 Armenian genocide has drawn an angry denial from Ankara, The
Times of London reports.

In preliminary talks among European foreign ministers on Turkey’s
entry into the European Union, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier
said Turkey must first officially recognize the 1915 genocide.

When the time comes, Turkey should face up to the requirement of
remembrance, Barnier said. The European project itself is founded on
reconciliation.

Historians claim Turkish authorities orchestrated the killing of 1.5
million Armenian Christians, who were indigenous inhabitants of
Turkey, in an attempt to make an ethnically pure nation. However,
subsequent Turkish governments have maintained only a small number
were killed in spontaneous violence.

Tuesday saw a similar denial from an unidentified government official
in Ankara.

They are just trying to make us angry. It is their last chance to
cause trouble against us, the official said.

Jakarta Post, Indonesia
Dec 15 2004

Dividing the Ukraine, Putin’s imperial dream

Vytautas Landsbergis, Project Syndicate

To divide a people in order to conquer them is an immoral strategy
that has endured throughout recorded history. From Alexander the
Great to Stalin the Cruel, variants of that strategy have been used
to keep nations in thrall to the will of an emperor.

We are now seeing this strategy at work again as President Vladimir
Putin stealthily seeks to restore Kremlin supremacy over the lands
treated as “lost” when the USSR imploded in 1991. In so overplaying
his hand in Ukraine’s recent election, however, Putin clearly
revealed to the world his neo-imperialist designs.

In the wake of the euphoric mass protests in Kyiv, Russia’s president
has since said that he can work with whatever government Ukraine’s
people choose. These are mere words, for in mind and action Putin
does not want anyone to rule Ukraine that he has not put in place. No
price is too high to achieve that end, so traditional threats about
dividing Ukraine have been used.

I speak as someone who has been on the receiving end of Russian
imperialist designs. When Lithuania and then the other Baltic States
— Estonia and Latvia — which were occupied by Stalin early in World
War II, seized their opportunity for freedom in 1990-1991, the
Kremlin did not sit on its hands. It knew that the rest of Russia’s
colonies — the so-called “Soviet republics” — would want to follow
the ungrateful Baltic countries into freedom.

Although Russia’s rulers were by then communists in name only, they
didn’t hesitate to reach for the old Leninist recipes. They began to
foster and incite splits and confrontations. They stoked supposed
resentments among different national or ethnic communities based on
Lenin’s idea that even small groups of villages could demand
territorial autonomy.

Note the word “territory.” The demands were never about normal
cultural autonomy as a means of continued identity and supposed
self-protection. Only territorial autonomy, it seems, would do.

This way, minorities become easily manipulated majorities. Divide
enough, stoke enough resentment, and a nation becomes nothing more
than a ruined society within a national territory. Arm some of these
manufactured minority structures so that they can demand autonomy at
the barrel of a gun, and you get the kind of chaos the Kremlin can
use to reassert its control.

Fortunately, Lithuanians — as well as Estonians and Latvians —
understood this game. It failed also in Crimea when Russia sought to
deploy its old strategy of divide and rule there in 1991. But these
defeats did not inspire the Kremlin to abandon the basic strategy. On
the contrary, Russia’s imperial ambitions persisted, and persistence
has paid off.

Around the Black Sea, Russia has called into being a series of
artificial statelets. Georgia and Moldova have both been partitioned
through the creation of criminal mini-states nurtured by the Kremlin
and which remain under its military umbrella. Indeed, in the very
week that Putin was meddling in Ukraine’s presidential election, he
was threatening to blockade one of those statelets, Georgia’s
Abkhazia region, after it had the temerity to vote for a president
the Kremlin did not like.

Moldova has been particularly helpless in the face of the Kremlin’s
imperial designs. A huge Russian garrison remains deployed in
Transdneister, where it rules in collaboration with local gangs.
Proximity to this lawless territory has helped make Moldova the
poorest land in Europe. To the east, Armenia and Azerbaijan were
pushed into such bloody confrontation at the Kremlin’s instigation
that the only way for them to end their ethnic wars was to call in
the Russians — as in Transdneister — for a kind of “Pax Ruthena.”

Now Ukraine’s people may face a similar test after supporters of
Viktor Yanukovich threatened to seek autonomy should the rightful
winner of the country’s presidential vote, Viktor Yushchenko,
actually become president. Who can doubt that the hand of Russia is
behind this? Would Moscow’s mayor Yuri Luzkhov, a loyal creature of
Putin, have dared to attend the rally where autonomy was demanded
without the sanction of the Kremlin’s elected monarch? Indeed, Putin
openly claims this part of Ukraine as a Russian “internal matter.”

It is to be hoped that Ukraine’s Russian-speaking citizens, having
witnessed the economic despair — and sometimes the bloodshed —
caused by the Kremlin’s manufactured pro-autonomy movements, will
realize that they are being turned into Putin’s pawns. The test for
Viktor Yushchenko and his Orange revolutionaries, as it was for
Lithuania’s democrats in 1990-1991, is to show that democracy does
not mean that the majority suppresses any minority. Lithuania passed
that test; I am confident that Viktor Yushchenko and his team will do
so as well.

But Europe and the world are also being tested. Russia is passing
from being the Russian Federation of Boris Yeltsin to a unitary
authoritarian regime under Vladimir Putin and his former KGB
colleagues. Europe, America, and the wider world must see Putin’s
so-called “managed democracy” in its true light, and must stand
united against his neo-imperialist dreams.

The first step is to make Russia honor its binding commitment to the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as to
the Council of Europe, to remove its troops from Moldova and Georgia.
Any plans to “defend” Yanukovich and the eastern part of Ukraine by
military force must be confronted.

Vytautas Landsbergis, Lithuania’s first President after independence
from the Soviet Union, is now a Member of the European Parliament.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Mehr News Agency, Iran
Dec 15 2004

Ardebil governor meets Armenian officials

TEHRAN (MNA) – Heading an industrial, economic delegation, Ardebil
governor, Javad Negarandeh paid a four-day visit to Yerevan, capital
of Armenia.

In his meeting with Armenian Minister of Agriculture Tavit Lokian,
Negarandeh underlined the establishment of joint workgroups in both
countries, especially for boosting economic and trade relations. The
two sides had met each other this summer in Ardebil. On his part,
Lokian stated that a large exchange market could be established on
the borderline of Armenian Syunic Province and Ardebil Province.

Agence France Presse
Dec 15 2004

Powell, Gul discuss Turkey’s EU accession

WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (AFP) – US Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke
Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, on Turkey’s EU
accession, which could benefit from strong US backing.

“The secretary spoke this morning with foreign minister Gul, just to,
kind of, check in and see where things are,” State Department
spokesman Richard Boucher said.

“I think foreign minister Gul is already in Brussels working with the
European Union there. And we’ll continue to keep in touch with
Turkish leaders on the subject,” he told reporters.

The European Union is waiting to give its approval to Turkey’s
negotiated accession during a summit to open late Thursday in
Brussels.

In Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, no stranger
to hard bargaining, stood firm on the eve of the Brussels summit.

“We do not expect any unacceptable conditions to be put before us,
but if such conditions are imposed … we will definitely put the
matter in the refrigerator and continue on our way,” he said before
heading for Brussels.

Ankara notably wants the EU talks to start in the first half of 2005,
as opposed to later next year as sought by some EU states. It has
also dismissed an offer of a “privileged partnership” as an
alternative to full EU entry.

Turkey has also repeatedly rejected calls to give formal recognition
to the government in Cyprus.

Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974, when Turkish
troops occupied the northern third of the island in response to a
coup engineered by the then-ruling military junta in Athens to unite
the country with Greece.

Only the Greek-Cypriot south has been able to enjoy the benefits of
EU membership since the island joined the bloc on May 1, after Greek
Cypriots rejected a UN blueprint to reunify Cyprus.

In Brussels the EU has sought to maintain pressure on Ankara to
recognize Cyprus — by signing a formal EU diplomatic agreement which
amounts to a de facto recognition.

“Otherwise we will have a problem with Cyprus, that’s absolutely
clear,” said an EU presidency source.

Although Washington has long favored Turkey’s entry into the European
Union, Boucher did not offer to take a position on how that would
happen, saying that the two sides would have to work out the details.

When asked if recognition of a “genocide” of Armenians in 1915 by
Turkey should be an EU demand for entry, he said, “As the secretary
said about four times last week: All these matters are matters for
the Europeans to decide.

“We believe that Turkey has gone a long way in meeting the
requirements of membership and the requests that were asked of
Turkey, and it will be for the Europeans to make that judgment
themselves.”

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
12/15/2004
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1) EU Assembly Backs Calls for Armenian Genocide Recognition
2) Aram I Expresses Concerns Over Turkey’s EU Bid
3) ANCA Welcomes European Parliament Vote Pressing Turkey to Recognize the
Armenian Genocide
4) ARF Bureau Representative Holds Political Meetings in Cyprus
5) BRIEFS

1) EU Assembly Backs Calls for Armenian Genocide Recognition

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–On Wednesday, the European Parliament added its voice to the
French government’s calls on Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide in
order
to win membership in the European Union (EU).
Reaffirming its earlier resolutions, the EU’s legislative body urged
Turkey to
“promote the process of reconciliation with the Armenian people by recognizing
the genocide perpetrated against the Armenians” in 1915-1923. It also
called on
the EU’s member states and executive commission to seek Turkish recognition of
the genocide during the anticipated accession talks with Ankara.
The calls were part of the European Parliament’s non-binding but important
resolution urging EU leaders to give the green light for the start of such
talks at this week’s summit. The French government has already indicated that
it will press Ankara to end its long-running policy of genocide denial.
Still, France’s Foreign Minister Michel Barnier made it clear that that will
not a be precondition for the entry talks, a statement echoed by European
Parliament President Josep Borrell. “We are just recognizing certain
historical
events,” Borrell told a news conference in Strasbourg. “We are not stating
that
this would be a prerequisite to opening negotiations.”
The European Parliament also renewed its calls for Turkey to reopen its
border
with Armenia “as soon as possible.” The resolution notes that by repeatedly
refusing to do so, Ankara “missed an opportunity to promote good neighborly
relations with Armenia.”
The Turks imposed the blockade in 1993 out of solidarity with Turkic
Azerbaijan and made its lifting contingent on a pro-Azerbaijani solution to
the
Mountainous Karabagh conflict and an end to the Armenian campaign for
international recognition of the genocide.
The resolution was welcomed later on Wednesday by a Brussels-based lobbying
group representing Armenian communities in France and other EU countries.
“This
is a brilliant victory for all those Europeans who want to preserve the
European values in the face of an unrepentant state,” the president of the
European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy, Hilda Tchoboian, said
in a statement.

2) Aram I Expresses Concerns Over Turkey’s EU Bid

ANTELIAS–During a phone interview with a European press agency, His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, expressed his deep concern
about
Turkey’s EU bid, stating, “The European community was not established only on
economic interests and political collaboration. It is fundamentally a
community
of human values which ensures the identity, integrity, and unity of Europe,
and
gives a particular place and role to Europe within the international
community.
Among these values, human rights occupy an important place.”
Pointing to Turkey’s notorious human rights record, the Cathlicos remarked,
“To what degree and in what way are human rights accepted, respected, and
practiced within Turkey? Turkey still ignores its immediate past–it still has
failed to recognize the genocide planned and executed by Ottoman Turkey in
1915. I believe that the recognition of the Armenian genocide by Turkey is not
only an ‘Armenian problem.’ It is an issue that impacts the international
community, since it deals with the fundamental issues of justice and human
rights. The recognition of the Armenian genocide by Turkey must be taken very
seriously by Europe, as Turkey is trying by all means to become a full member
of Europe.”
In concluding his remarks, Aram I said, “In this globalized world of ours
nations, religions, cultures, and civilizations must live together on the
basis
of peaceful coexistence. But living together as good neighbors and as part of
the broader community implies that we must accept our faults, affirm truths,
and recognize the rights of others. The foundation of a real community is
built
on mutual trust and justice. Therefore, it is my firm expectation that beyond
economic and political interests, Europe will continue to remain firmly
attached to basic human values. It is the expectation and hope of Armenians
all
over the world that the government of Turkey will reaffirm the truth by
recognizing the historical validity of the Armenian genocide.”

3) ANCA Welcomes European Parliament Vote Pressing Turkey to Recognize the
Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON, DC–The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) welcomed the
adoption of three strongly worded measures by the European Parliament calling
on Turkey to properly recognize the Armenian genocide. These measures were
actively supported by the Brussels-based European Armenian Federation for
Justice and Democracy (EAFJD), which represents more than two hundred Armenian
associations across Europe.
The provisions were added on the eve of the December 17 vote of the European
Council on opening membership talks with Turkey as amendments to a
Parliamentary report on Turkey’s progress toward accession to the European
Union. The report, prepared by Camiel Eurlings (PPE/The Netherlands),
passed by
a vote of 407 to 262. The Eurling Report stresses in Paragraph 55 that, “the
opening of negotiations will be the starting point for a long-lasting process
[…] and does not lead ‘a priori’ and automatically to accession.” An
amendment to the report suggesting that Turkey be granted a “privileged
partnership” rather than actual membership in the European Union was rejected
by a secret ballot.
“Armenian Americans join with the European Armenian Federation and Armenians
across Europe in welcoming this historic vote reaffirming the international
consensus that Turkey must recognize the Armenian Genocide, lift its blockade
of Armenia, and abandon it hostile policies toward Armenia and the Armenian
people,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The strong support for
these measures across the European political spectrum has resonance around the
world, including here in the United States, where a growing number of American
legislators are growing tired of increasingly strident–often
desperate–Turkish efforts to dictate US policy on the Armenian Genocide.”
The Eurling Report made specific reference to Armenian issues in eight
separate paragraphs, with three dealing specifically with Armenian genocide
recognition. Amendments on the genocide were brought to the floor by the
following political groups: Group of the European People’s Party (Christian
Democrats) and European Democrats (EPP), Socialist Group in the European
Parliament (PSE), Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
(ALDE), Confederal Group of the European United Left–Nordic Green Left, and
The Independence and Democracy Group ( IND/DEM/ Netherlands).
The European Parliament urged Turkey to “promote the process of
reconciliation
with the Armenian people by acknowledging the genocide” and called on the
European Council and Commission to demand it to “formally acknowledge the
historic reality” of the genocide.
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) welcomed
the adoption of the Eurling Report and the three amendments clearly
articulating the European consensus that Turkey must acknowledge the Armenian
genocide. “On the eve of the European Summit, heads of state must, as they
chart a course for the future, take into account the democratic will of the
European electorate and our elected representatives in the European
Parliament,” stated Hilda Tchoboian, Chairperson of the European Armenian
Federation. “This is a tremendous victory for Europeans who want to preserve
European values in the face of Turkey’s ongoing denial of the Genocide,” she
said.
Since the European Parliament resolution of 1987, which set the
recognition of
the Armenian genocide as a precondition to the consideration of Turkish
accession to the Union, the European Parliament has continuously restated this
principled position in successive resolutions. This message was reinforced
earlier this week by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, who called on
Turkey to recognize the genocide against the Armenians. The clear consensus
within European circles remains: Turkey cannot join the Union without
giving up
its ultra-nationalist and aggressive policy towards Armenia. “European
Armenians urge the upcoming meeting of the European Council to reflect the
will
of the European public, to honor this vote of the European Parliament, and to
respect the European values on which the European project is based,” concluded
Tchoboian.

4) ARF Bureau Representative Holds Political Meetings in Cyprus

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–On December 14, an Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
delegation, headed by bureau representative Hrant Margarian, held several
meetings with the leaders of various Cypriot political parties.
The ARF delegation met with Cyprus Socialist Democratic Party (EDEK) chairman
Yanakis Omiru, who, underscoring the centuries-long friendship between the
Armenians and Greeks, spoke about the Republic of Turkey’s attempt to join the
European Union, and the need for it to recognize the Republic of Cyprus and
properly address the issue of the Armenian genocide before gaining membership.
Hrant Margarian pointed to the close ideological ties between the ARF and
EDEK, and noted that the meeting is aimed at conveying the ARF’s concerns
about
Turkey’s EU bid ahead of the December 17 summit. Echoing Omiru’s statements,
Margarian added that Cyprus is expected to take a firm stance against Turkey’s
entry and bring forth the genocide issue. Omiru, in turn, said that his party
is in favor of using Cyprus’s right to veto Turkey’s membership if it fails to
meet such requirements.
During his stay in Cyprus, Margarian was also received by Dimitris
Christofias, president of the Cyprus parliament and secretary general of the
Communist Party, AKEL. At the meeting, the bureau representative highlighted
the ARF’s stance and noted that Turkey, through the blessing of the United
States, would try to derail the system of values held in high esteem
throughout
Europe.
In response, Christofias noted that his heart “demands a veto,” but added
that
his party will support Cypriot President Tassos Papadopulos’s decision.

5) BRIEFS

Annan Asks UN Members for Holocaust Commemoration

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters)–Secretary-General Kofi Annan has begun efforts to
convene a special session to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of
Nazi concentration camps.
A majority of the 191-member assembly will have to approve the January
session, requested by the United States and supported by Russia, France,
Hungary, Canada, and the Netherlands, representing the 25-member European
Union, as well as other nations.
Although US Congressman Tom Lantos, a California Democrat visiting Annan on
Monday, said Arab nations had raised objections, Yahya Mahmassani, the Arab
League’s UN ambassador, told Reuters he was unaware of any opposition.
Lantos survived by serving as a 15-year old messenger for Raoul Wallenberg,
the Swedish diplomat who saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from Nazi
destruction near the end of World War II. Wallenberg is the uncle of Nane
Annan, the wife of the secretary-general.

Britain’s Straw Meets Azeri President

LONDON (AFP)–British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw met Azeri President Ilham
Aliyev Tuesday in the Central Asian leader’s first official visit to Britain
since taking office last year. They discussed oil, the major industry for
petroleum-rich Azerbaijan, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project
intended to provide a major export route for oil from the Caspian region.
“We fully support Azerbaijan’s commitment to political and economic reform
and
to deepening relations with the European Union,” Straw said, adding that
Britain would continue to urge the state to make greater democratic and human
rights reforms.
Referring to the Karabagh conflict, Straw said he assured Aliyev of Britian’s
support for efforts to find a peaceful settlement.

Blair and Aliyev to Work Together on Karabagh Conflict

LONDON (Armenpress)–Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair and Azeri President
Ilham Aliyev agreed to “work together on the peaceful and stable resolution of
the Karabagh conflict,” according to a joint statement published after their
meeting.
According to the document, Blair and Aliyev “expressed support to the OSCE
Minsk Group efforts, pointing out the importance of preservation of the
armistice established in 1994.” They also stated their readiness to help South
Caucasus “to become peaceful stable and prosperous region within the
frameworks
of Wider Europe policy.”

Rising Gas Use in Armenia Prompts Safety Concerns

YEREVAN (RFE-RL)–A consumer rights group accused Armenia’s government and
natural gas distributor on Wednesday of failing to take adequate
precautions in
restoring centralized gas supplies to households that were disrupted shortly
after the Soviet collapse. The Armenian Union of Consumers said lax safety
controls have been responsible for the death of seven people reportedly caused
by gas leakages and carbon monoxide emissions.
“We have serious concerns on this issue. In terms of safety, the situation is
far from satisfactory,” said the union’s chairman, Armen Poghosian. “According
to our information, there have already seven death cases in the country in
recent weeks.”

Mines in Karabagh Kill Ten this Year

STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)–The HALO Trust, a British humanitarian
organization,
reported that 31 people, including three children, were injured by
antipersonnel and anti-tank mines this year in Karabagh; of these, ten people,
including one child, died as a result of their injuries. The Trust said the
accidents were due to stepped-up agricultural works and failure to observe
safety rules. The organization said it intends to expand its efforts to inform
the population about the danger of mines, and noted that there have been fewer
accidents involving children since the NGO began working to educate school
children of the danger.

Soccer-Teenager Manucharyan Voted Armenia’s Top Player

YEREVAN (Reuters)–Teenage striker Edgar Manucharyan, whose goals helped
Pyunik Yerevan clinch a fourth consecutive Armenian league title, has been
voted the country’s player of the year. The 17-year-old, currently on trial
with Dutch champions Ajax Amsterdam, scored 21 goals this season to finish as
Armenia’s joint top scorer with team mate Galust Petrosyan. The pair also led
Pyunik to a league and cup double in 2004, their second such feat in the last
three years.

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Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep
Dec 15 2004

EU’s Parliament Wants Talks Opened With Turkey

15 December 2004 — The European Parliament today called on European
Union leaders to open membership talks with Turkey as soon as
possible.

The European Parliament made its call in the form of a nonbinding
resolution that urges Ankara to carry out further democratic reforms
— including a “zero tolerance” approach to torture — and move
toward recognizing Cyprus.

It also calls on Turkey to acknowledge “the genocide perpetrated
against the Armenians.” That statement refers to the 1915-23 killing
of as many as 1.5 million Armenians through actions under the Ottoman
Empire in eastern Turkey.

Speaking in Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
welcomed the resolution. But he reiterated that Turkey will say “no”
to the EU if it imposes unacceptable conditions on starting
membership talks.

EU leaders are expected to decide at a two-day meeting that begins
tomorrow in Brussels whether or not to start entry talks with Turkey.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Dec 15 2004

DUMA SPEAKER: RUSSIA BACKED NONE OF UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

YEREVAN, December 15 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – At the
presidential election in Ukraine Russia gave no backing to any
candidate, Boris Gryzlov, speaker of the State Duma, told journalists
on Wednesday. He is now in Armenia on a visit.

“During the presidential election in Ukraine, Russia gave no
protection to any candidate. It is my official statement,” Mr.
Gryzlov emphasized.

He stressed that the Supreme Court of Ukraine exceeded powers passing
an unprecedented verdict and nullifying the runoff election. He said
that, under the current legislation, only the Ukrainian Central
Election Commission could take such a decision.

Mr. Gryzlov believes that the runoff was clearly under the force
pressure of one side.

He also noted that only the talks between Viktor Yushchenko and
Viktor Yanukovich had helped in preventing bloodshed in Ukraine.

What happened in Ukraine has produced an effect on the entire
Commonwealth of Independent States, Mr. Gryzlov said.

The State Duma speaker also said that that Russia will cooperate with
any elected president of Ukraine no matter what his name will be.

Baltic Times, Latvia
Dec 15 2004

TURKEY MUST FACE THE TRUTH

The debate over whether to include Turkey in the European Union
crystallizes the essence of what it means to be “European.” Not
surprisingly, the range of answers is broad, often diametrically
opposite. Geography, history, religion, economics and even mentality
have been cited as reasons why or why not to invite the Muslim
country to the world’s biggest economic bloc. Simple
“expansion-fatigue” within the 25-nation (and soon to be 27-nation)
union is another.

One thing you can’t take away from Turkey: the country truly longs to
be a EU member. Both its political leaders and the public, any the
religious and the secular segments of society, want to build their
future as part of Europe. They have had this desire for decades now,
even throughout the multiple political changes and economic pitfalls
the country has undergone.

As a result, on Dec. 17 EU leaders are likely to give the green light
to begin accession talks – e.g., to designate Turkey a candidate
country for membership – at their summit in Brussels. This will
entail 10 – 15 years of accession negotiations before the country is
formally granted member status, and there are likely to be a number
of stop signs and roadblocks along the way. But even on this score
the debate is heated, with pro-Turkey advocates arguing that
accession criteria for the 70-million-plus country should be no
different than for, say, miniscule Malta.

But they should. The choice of accepting an ant or an elephant into
the family has radically different implications for the household,
and those who are blind to that are likely to be the first to
complain when something goes wrong later.

Regarding Turkish membership, the real issue is not about size. It is
about mentality. Specifically, the country has refused to acknowledge
the genocide of 1915, when over 1 million Armenians were led to their
death in the Syrian deserts or just slaughtered. The incident has
been well documented and includes thousands of eyewitness accounts.
Yet Turkey continues to deny it, saying a lot of people died at the
time, including Turks (an argument Russia employs in regards to WWII,
as Balts are well aware). The country has closed its archives and
even banned use of the word genocide. Is this the behavior of someone
ready for Europe?

Imagine how different Europe would be today if for the past 60 years
Germany had denied the Holocaust. Now transfer that image onto the
Anatolian peninsula and you will see what is taking place today –
Turks, Kurds and Armenians living side by side and in a state of deep
animosity and suspicion.

Thankfully, France has taken the lead in putting the genocide issue
on the accession table. (France is one of the only countries that has
recognized the 1915 Genocide. The United States hasn’t.) Foreign
Minister Michel Barnier said last week that France wants Turkey to
recognize the genocide as part of its membership requirements. “This
is an issue that we will raise during the negotiation process. We
will have about 10 years to do so, and the Turks will have about 10
years to ponder their answer,” he said.

It was the first time someone has tried to link EU membership with
the Ottoman atrocities. As expected, the reaction from Ankara was
swift and unequivocal, with one official saying that Turkey would
never recognize the “so-called genocide.”

If that is the case, then the door to the EU should be closed. As a
Polish poet once wrote, “How frightening is the past that awaits us.”
If a country cannot come to terms with its past – as Germany has –
then the future will have precious little to offer it. In Europe,
truth and reconciliation must come first.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Dec 15 2004

PACE TO HOLD HEARINGS ON REPORT ON NAGORNY KARABAKH IN WINTER SESSION

[December 15, 2004, 21:06:55]

The Report prepared in connection with the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict, will be discussed in the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe in January next year.

Head of the Azerbaijan parliamentary delegation at PACE Samad
Seyidov, who is currently staying in Paris, has acquainted with the
text of the Report, Milli Majlis press service said.

As stated, the document reflecting the fact of occupation by Armenia
of the Azerbaijan lands, fully meets interests of Azerbaijan.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Dec 15 2004

FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN MEETS MINISTER OF DEFENSE OF BELARUS
[December 15, 2004, 23:16:36]

On December 15, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan
Republic Elmar Mammadyarov has met Minister of Defense of Belarus
Leonid Maltsev.

Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov, having noted successful development of
relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus, has emphasized that the two
countries are connected with common history since the soviet times
and that between the sides there are successful cooperation. Having
expressed confidence that after opening embassy of Azerbaijan in
Belarus, cooperation between the two countries will become even
wider, Minister of Foreign Affairs has noted, that hopes also for
opening of embassy of Belarus in Azerbaijan.

Informing the visitor about political, economic and social situation
in the country, the Minister has in detail dwelt on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Having emphasized that
the conflict impedes development of Armenia, than Azerbaijan more,
the Minister has expressed hope for settlement of the given problem
within the framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan according
to norms of international law.

Having expressed satisfaction with development of cooperation between
Belarus and Azerbaijan, Minister of Defense Leonid Maltsev has
especially emphasized importance of use by the sides of all
opportunities for the further expansion of relations between two
countries. Minister of Defense of Belarus has noted that successful
cooperation of the countries in military sphere is evidence to
development of links between the sides also in the field of politics
and economy. The visitor, informing Minister of Foreign Affairs on
reforms conducted in his country in military sphere, has expressed
confidence of the further continuation of relations between Belarus
and Azerbaijan.

The sides have carried out exchange of opinions on the events
occurring in region and all over the world, have discussed the
questions representing mutual interest.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress