ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
November 7, 2004

AZERBAIGIAN: LEZIONI DI TOLLERANZA DA PAESE SCIITA / ANSA

DIVERSE RELIGIONI MA UNICO OBIETTIVO: LO SVILUPPO ECONOMICO

BAKU

(dell’inviato Alberto Zanconato).

(ANSA) – BAKU, 7 NOV – Un insolito Ramadan quello che si
celebra in questi giorni in Azerbaigian. Nonostante sia questo
un Paese musulmano – e l’unico oltre all’Iran quasi totalmente
sciita – l’impressione che si ricava da un giro per il centro di
Baku e’ quella di una citta’ laica. Pochissime le donne velate,
ristoranti e bar frequentati anche nelle ore diurne (quelle del
digiuno), vodka, vini georgiani e azeri serviti generosamente.

Eppure, assicurano molti abitanti della capitale, il digiuno
viene osservato da oltre meta’ della popolazione. Ma cio’ senza
ostentazioni, in un Paese dal governo laico dove i musulmani,
che sono il 93 per cento, i Cristiani ortodossi e gli ebrei,
ridotti a poche migliaia, coabitano senza tensioni reciproche.

Lo conferma l’ambasciatore italiano a Baku, Margherita
Costa. “Sono ottime – sottolinea la diplomatica – le relazioni
tra lo sceicco dei musulmani, Allahshukur Pasmazadeh, il
patriarca ortodosso Aleksandr, la guida spirituale degli ebrei
Semion Isiilov e il capo della comunita’ cattolica, il salesiano
Ian Kaplan”.

“E’ vero – dice Nargis, 25 anni, che lavora per l’ufficio
relazioni estere del Museo della Citta’ vecchia della capitale,
un gioiello di architettura medievale – molti giovani oggi si
rivolgono all’Islam, studiando con attenzione le fonti, alla
ricerca di radici che sembravano dimenticate. E forse a
digiunare per il Ramadan sono fino al 65 per cento degli azeri.
Ma questa e’ una libera scelta, non un’imposizione”.

La voglia di riscoprire queste radici sembra giustificata, se
si pensa che proprio dalle regioni azere, nel sedicesimo secolo,
nacque la dinastia dei Safavidi, fondata dallo Shah Ismail,
destinata a convertire alla religione sciita lo stesso Iran.

Ma anziche l’ ‘hejab’ l’abbigliamento islamico obbligatorio
per legge in Iran, alle donne di Baku piace di piu’ sfoggiare
nelle strade vestiti di marche italiane. Intanto la vodka scorre
nei bar del centro, nei negozi i salumi sono esposti in vetrina
con le sole avvertenze di ‘halal’ (permesso dall’Islam, cioe
non di carne suina) o ‘haram’ (proibito) e sulle bancarelle per
i turisti i cimeli dell’era sovietica fanno mostra di se
accanto ai ‘taspi’, rosari musulmani per la preghiera.

L’Azerbaigian e’ terra di antiche tradizioni religiose.
Queste lande, gia’ considerate il sito del biblico Giardino
dell’Eden, sono state meta di parte della diaspora ebraica,
hanno visto il passaggio del profeta Zarathustra e poi la
cristianizzazione, prima appunto dell’affermazione della Shia
islamica. Ma con il regime sovietico hanno anche testimoniato
una tra le piu’ crude repressioni anti-religiose. Negli anni ’30
furono abbattuti alcuni dei monumenti sciiti piu’ sacri, il
mausoleo di Bibi, sorella dell’ottavo Imam, e la cattedrale
Alexander Nevsky di Baku.

La moschea di Bibi e’ stata la prima ad essere ricostruita
nell’intera ex Unione Sovietica, negli anni ’90, e l’allora
presidente Gheidar Aliyev, padre dell’indipendenza e difensore
della laicita’ dello Stato, decise personalmente di finanziare
uno dei minareti.

L’Azerbaigian di oggi, ammesso dal 2001 nel Consiglio
d’Europa con l’obiettivo di entrare un giorno nell’Unione
europea e nella Nato, si presenta come un Paese non toccato
dalle tensioni religiose che si fanno drammaticamente sentire ai
confini caucasici e, a sud, in Iraq e Medio oriente. Anche la
guerra con la cristiana Armenia dei primi anni ’90 per il
Nagorno Karabakh ebbe poco a che fare con la religione. Una
prova ne e’ il fatto che il grande vicino sciita, l’Iran, fu
accusato da Baku di sostenere proprio le truppe di Erevan.
Nonostante le rassicurazioni del presidente iraniano Mohammad
Khatami, il quale visitando quest’anno Baku ha detto che Teheran
considera “la sicurezza dell’Azerbaigian importante tanto
quanto la propria”, le relazioni non sono migliorate di molto.
A renderle ostili e’ la disputa ancora aperta per la spartizione
delle acque del Caspio (e il petrolio sotto il fondo di questo
mare) a 13 anni dalla caduta dell’Urss, oltre ai timori di
Teheran – condivisi dalla Russia – per un possibile arrivo di
truppe americane nel vicino Paese.

Tra le prime preoccupazioni del presidente Ilham Aliyev –
succeduto al padre Gheidar nelle elezioni dell’ottobre 2003 – e
quella di prevenire attriti religiosi che possano mettere a
rischio il rilancio dell’economia resa possibile dal petrolio. E
finora c’e riuscito. Tensioni politiche vi sono. Lo dimostrano
le condanne fino a cinque anni di reclusione inflitte nei giorni
scorsi a sette leader dell’opposizione per la loro
partecipazione, lo scorso anno, a manifestazioni di protesta per
l’elezione del nuovo presidente, che provocarono un morto e
quasi 200 feriti. E cio’ dopo che osservatori occidentali
avevano messo in dubbio la regolarita’ della consultazione.
Ma la religione, almeno per ora, resta fuori da tutto questo.
(ANSA).
From: Baghdasarian

Azeri speaker pleased with results of France meeting with Armenian
counterpart

ANS TV, Baku
7 Nov 04

[Presenter] The heads of the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Georgian
parliaments have agreed to set up a working group to study tourism
opportunities and the present situation of historical and cultural
monuments in these countries during their meeting in Versailles
[France].

[Murtuz Alasgarov, chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament] I think
this event is rather important. Overall, our visit was at a very high
level. We stated our position, as we have done it before, that
Azerbaijan’s official stand is that we must liberate our occupied
territories and refugees must return home. Our objective in general
is to protect the territorial integrity of states in accordance with
international norms.

[Correspondent over video presumably of France] This is how Mr
Alasgarov briefly described the negotiations in France. He said that
it was proposed at the meeting of the speakers of all three countries
to set up a working group to boost tourism. The group which will
include five members from each of the three countries will examine
tourism opportunities in the South Caucasus countries and cultural and
historical monuments. The speaker said that the Azerbaijani delegation
supported this proposal because the establishment of the working group
did not contradict Baku’s interests.

[Alasgarov] We also have a lot of monuments in our occupied lands. I
think we will also have our say there [in the working group] as to
where and how many monuments have been destroyed and how many
historical monuments we have. The biggest is Azix Cave in the
territory of Fuzuli District, and its restoration and preservation are
extremely important for us. Generally, the restoration of all
national, cultural and historical monuments in Azerbaijan means the
preservation of our national heritage.

Holiday-making in Nagornyy Karabakh is that [changing tack], oh yes,
meaning Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan – if people travel there, we
will raise the issue of them travelling there with Azerbaijan’s
permission.

[Correspondent] Unlike the Strasbourg meeting of the speakers, this
time no proposal was made to set up a Caucasus parliament.

[Alasgarov] The speaker of the Armenian parliament had made such a
proposal at the meeting in Strasbourg. I said that as long as the
occupied [Azerbaijani] lands are not liberated, there can be no talk
about a Caucasus parliament. Of course, there is a need for a common
parliament of the Caucasus states, the South Caucasus republics, in
the future in order to achieve economic growth in the region and
develop relations. But since our lands are still under occupation,
there can be no talk about that.

[Correspondent] Murtuz Alasgarov said that the date for the next
trilateral meeting is still to be fixed. It was the third time that
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia had held a meeting in this format. One
may wonder that although the Azerbaijani and Armenian speakers are
negotiating at the highest level, Murtuz Alasgarov thinks it necessary
to hold discussions with Armenian parliamentarians, too, within the
framework of the 58th Rose-Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly. Mr Alasgarov explains his position in the following way.

[Alasgarov] I think that there is no need for objecting to the visit
by representatives of the [Armenian] parliament. They are not
servicemen. They are representatives elected by the people. Let them
come and we will have our say here as well. In any case, the purpose
of this seminar and event where NATO representatives and members will
be present is to raise the issue with NATO and see what kind of work
NATO can do to get our occupied lands liberated.

Ayaz Mirzayev and Emil Babaxanov for ANS.

Azeri envoy to India to focus on improving economic ties

ANS TV, Baku
7 Nov 04

[Presenter] Azerbaijan’s newly-appointed ambassador to India, Tamerlan
Qarayev, is expected to submit his credentials to the Indian president
today. Mr Qarayev said before his departure to India that he had
already resolved financial problems pertaining to the opening of the
embassy.

[Correspondent over video of scenes in India] Azerbaijan should
reconsider its relations with India. The reason is that bilateral
economic and commercial relations are at a very low
level. Azerbaijan’s newly-appointed ambassador to India, Tamerlan
Qarayev, says that it is possible to hope for relatively increased
cooperation after the opening of the embassy in that country.

[Tamerlan Qarayev speaking at a news conference] Our economic
relations are still not at the satisfactory level, and one of the main
tasks the [Azerbaijani] president has set us and the embassy is to
expand and deepen economic relations. As for relations, after the
embassy opens and starts operating there, we will try to maintain good
relations.

[Correspondent] Mr Qarayev also said that he had already been to India
once and had conducted consultations about the premises of the
embassy.

[Qarayev] After that, I returned and resolved some financial issues
here. I am now leaving and from now on, there are certain ideas to
rent an office and a residence in the future. Two of my employees have
already started working there. The remaining employees will go there
at the beginning of the next year.

[Correspondent] Unfortunately, Armenia opened its embassy in India
before Azerbaijan: it has had an embassy there for five years now. But
Qarayev thinks that the Azerbaijani lobby will become stronger with
the opening of the embassy there and work will be carried out at least
to make up lost ground.

[Passage omitted: repeating the same ideas]

Ayaz Mirzayev and Emil Babaxanov for ANS.

OBSERVERS CALL ON TO MOBILIZE DIPLOMATIC RESOURCES FOR NEUTRALIZATION
OF AZERBAIJAN’S INITIATIVES IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

YEREVAN, November 5 (Noyan Tapan). The November 5 seminar organized
by the Center for Development and Public Dialogue was dedicated to
discussion of the situation formed in CE in the issue of peace
settlement of Karabakh conflict. Arayik Margarian, Head of the CE
Department of RA Foreign Ministry, briefly represented the history of
discussion of Karabakh issue in CE. He touched upon the report made by
Terry Davis, former PACE reporter on Nagorno Karabakh issue.
Margarian declared that this report once more affirmed the anxiety of
the Armenian side about the fact that high-ranking officials or
organizations who aren’t aware of all the necessary details regarding
the issue aren’t able to make an objective document. As for David
Atkinson, the new PACE reporter, the Foreign Ministry representative
declared that Atkinson was among the few PACE deputies who displayed
interest to Karabakh settlement from the very start. Arayik Margarian
also mentioned that the Armenian side has always strived for making
the discussions on Karabakh issue in CE only of information character
in order that no structure competing with OSCE should be established
within the framework of CE. What, according to him, can’t be said
about Azerbaijan, which has always strived for establishment of
another format besides OSCE for Karabakh peace settlement. According
to Khachik Galstian, expert of the Media Model research center,
experience shows that the more structures are involved into discussion
of this or that problem the less effective the results of the
decisions are. He called on for mobilization of all diplomatic
resources of Armenia for neutralization of Azerbaijan’s initiatives in
international organizations.

Manila Times, Philippines
Nov 8 2004

DOUBLETAKE

Upholding the child’s dignity

By Eric F. Mallonga

TWO years ago, at the UN General Assembly Special Session on
Children, His Serene Highness, Prince Albert of Monaco formally
proposed the recognition of the most serious crimes against children
as crimes against humanity. The proposal had its roots in the
recommendation to the World Association Children’s Friends, or
Association Mondiale des Amis de L’ Enfance (Amade), by its
Philippine chapter. HRH The Princess of Hanover fully supported the
move so that highly organized criminal syndicates exploiting children
for commercial sex, slavery, bonded labor, organ harvesting, military
conscription, armed conflict and targeting children for military
objectives could be held criminally accountable before international
tribunals. With qualification of crimes against humanity, even
monarchs, presidents, and prime ministers cannot invoke sovereign
immunity from accountability for involvement in such abominable
crimes.

At the Makati Shangri-La Hotel colloquium held under joint
sponsorship of Amade-Philippines, Virlanie Foundation, and
Development Academy of the Philippines, UP Law Professor Harry Roque,
a Master of Laws cum laude, specialist in International Humanitarian
Law from the University of London, expounded on the necessity for a
progressive evolution of world humanitarian law. As stressed by
Roque, international crimes of genocide, war crimes, crimes against
aggression and crimes against humanity evolved because of the need to
proscribe conduct that denies dignity to human beings owing to their
basic humanity. Genocide, torture and slavery are international
crimes because they contravene basic standards by which human beings
should be treated under laws of humanity. The Amade proposal to
qualify the most heinous crimes against children as crimes against
humanity is consistent with the universal pattern that seeks to
uphold the dignity of human beings under all conditions, whether in
times of war or peace.

But simple recognition of these crimes within the international
sphere may remain a principle that eludes enforceability. The UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child may have radically provided for
the recognition of children’s rights but it remains an unenforceable
document because there is no recognized international tribunal
through which the rights of children can be adjudicated and sanctions
can be imposed upon the violators. Thus, the logical progression to
strengthen existing recognition of rights to protection of
defenseless children is the punishment of crimes through
international tribunals. However, the recognition of international
tribunals is a fairly recent initiative.

According to Roque, the League of Nations, at the end of the First
World War, tried to convene an international tribunal to try grave
breaches of the laws and customs of warfare. Nations were aghast over
the use of weapons of mass destruction, which did not distinguish
between civilian and military targets as well as the deaths of more
than one million innocent Armenian civilians, mostly children, at the
hands of invading Turks. This original initiative did not succeed
because of a legal objection interposed by the United States.
Pursuant to their concept of legality, war crimes could only be
prosecuted if there is a domestic penal law defining war crimes.
Consequently, America also argued that such prosecutions could only
be held before domestic judicial tribunals. The same problem arose at
the end of the Second World War. Despite existence of nonderogable
treaties protecting civilians and prohibiting warfare that produce
superfluous injuries or unnecessary sufferings, 10 million civilians,
mostly Jews, died in Europe, and another seven million died
elsewhere, including Asia.

The Philippine Supreme Court, despite the objections of the
Americans, ruled in Yamashita v. Styler that since nonderogable
treaties have been proven grossly insufficient to implement norms of
International Humanitarian Law, the individual should, and could, now
be made criminally accountable for his criminal acts under customary
norms of public international law. The latter was sufficient legal
basis for prohibiting grave breaches thereof. General Yamashita, the
feared Tiger of Asia, was thus convicted for war crimes, including
instances committed in the province of Batangas where the Japanese
Imperial Army specifically targeted children. The Japanese Kempeitai
were known for their atrocious behavior, specifically for hurling
infants into the air and sticking their bayonets into the descending
bodies of the babies.

America, however, has remained recalcitrant. It rejects the Rome
Statute on the International Criminal Court. It refuses to recognize
that crimes against children are crimes against humanity. It rejects
the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It denounces any
submission to the United Nations on vital decisions that aspire only
to establish world peace and prosperity.

With such stance, innocent children in Iraq and Afghanistan will be
murdered with impunity, as thousands of innocent children were
similarly massacred by American troops at Pampanga, Samar, Bud Daho
and Bud Bagsak. With such recalcitrance, children born crippled at
former American military bases in Angeles and Olongapo cities will
continue to suffer and die, with impunity. Sadly, children will
remain collateral damage – without any real recourse for vindication of
their rights – in America’s `moral’ war.

Zaman Online, Turkey
Nov 7 2004

Yerevan Mellows about Genocide Claim

It is reported that this year the Armenian government has not
included an article about the so-called genocide in the 2005 budget
draft that has been sent to Parliament.

According to the Armenian Arminfo news agency, the decision to
improve relations with Turkey, Georgia and Iran was included in the
draft of foreign policy priorities of the government. While the news
has not been officially confirmed, Ankara evaluated Armenia’s
omission of the so-called genocide article from the budget draft as a
positive step.

Diplomatic sources said that although this omission was important, it
would not be enough to normalize relations between the two countries.
There remain articles in Armenia’s constitution, which are against
Turkey’s territorial integrity. In the draft sent to the Parliament,
there were some expressions such as providing for the security of the
country, maintaining stability and democracy and providing a peaceful
and fair solution for the Nagharno Karabagh problem.

The Azerbaijani daily Express reported that Turkish and Armenian
diplomats would meet in Istanbul next week to discuss the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and
also how Yerevan’s policy about the so-called genocide would be
handled, but there was no official confirmation of the meeting.
Ankara indicates that Armenia should first take some steps to solve
the Karabagh problem.

In Armenia’s former budget drafts, there was an apparent policy about
the recognition of the so-called genocide by Turkey by other
countries. Commentators claim that the article about the ‘security of
the country’ was related with the genocide claims and that Yerevan
cannot give up its claims about genocide in the short term. In the
11th article of the Declaration of Armenian Independence it states,
‘Armenia will support activities to provide the international
recognition of genocide in Ottoman Turkey and West Armenia (East
Anatolia).’

Tacy Ltd., Israel
Nov 7 2004

ARMENIA CUT DIAMOND OUTPUT FALLS 25%

Armenia produced US$160 million worth of cut diamonds in the first
nine months of 2004, marking a decrease of some 25 percent as
compared to the same period of 2003, according to a spokesman for the
Trade and Economic Development Ministry of Armenia.

Sales of cut diamonds fell to US$157 million, while exports fell to
US$156 million.

The decreases are attributed to a drop in supplies of Russian rough
diamonds. Armenia imported just 100,000 carats of rough diamonds from
Russia in the nine months under an intergovernmental agreement that
provides a quota of 400,000 carats for 2004.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Harvard Independent, MA
Nov 7 2004

Interview with Brian Viglione of The Dresden Dolls
An intimate look at punk.
By Justine Nagurney

With their eponymous debut album garnering national attention, and a
recent US tour hot on the heels of a European one, one might have
assumed that Amanda Palmer (piano, vocals) and Brian Viglione (drums)
of The Dresden Dolls had finally outgrown Boston. Then they go and
win “Best Local Act,” “Best Live Act,” and “Best Female Vocalist” in
the Phoenix’s Best Music Poll. To convince you, we even tracked down
the affable and articulate Viglione en route to South Carolina to
explain his cross-dressing, the real meaning of “punk cabaret,” and
why the duduk is “righteous.” Enjoy.

I: How has it been interacting with fans across the nation? Are you
seen as a novelty act or do people know your music?

BV: We get the same overwhelmingly positive and heartfelt response
wherever we go. Like last night, there were kids who were crying at
the show, hugging us. We dole out more hugs than Mr. Rogers. It is
pretty ridiculous at times, and pretty beautiful… and we are
traveling with a fantastic band from Boston, Count Zero, who we love
dearly…

I: I think that what makes your live show one of the best I have seen
in recent years is the element of theater, and I was wondering how
you saw that fitting into your music.

BV: It’s definitely an integral part of who we are as people. And the
music is really a vehicle to be able to express all those different
sides of us…Acting is something that has been with both of us since
we were little. We both love theatrics and getting dressed up in
costumes and makeup and playing with images. We were extremely
fortunate to have found in each other the ability to play around and
manipulate these looks and roles and to find that sort of central
duality that we are involved with….We used to just get up and play
in our street clothes and let the passion and energy speak for
itself. We’ve found that the passion and energy can still hold their
own without our being seen as pretentious in having a look. It’s only
an enhancement and not a crutch.

I: No, it seems completely organic. That’s what is so powerful.

BV: Yeah, absolutely. It’s great to see people turned on by that. We
are lucky that the climate right now is very conducive to playing
with image. Bands like Slipknot, Britney Spears, whatever, are all
very much into that kind of play. So for us, we’ve always seen this
look as a neutral, traditional kind of look. We perform wearing suits
and striped stockings, which we see as a timeless, classic
look….People ask us, “How do you feel about kids coming to the
shows dressed up as the two of you?” Well, if that is a starting
point, then so be it. But we hope that it carries on beyond the
Robert Smith phenomenon of everyone coming in white face and big hair
and the same kind of makeup. We hope that kids really take this and
run with it to their own punk shows, their own creative outlets. It’s
more of an idea and a spirit than a look that needs to be copied.

I: Your music is characterized as “punk cabaret.” Do you think having
this terminology that people aren’t necessarily familiar with has
helped you?

BV: Absolutely. We saw that as an empowering move, to label our own
music before the press did…. We said, it’s definitely punk in the
spirit and energy of it, as well as the rebelliousness of saying that
this is absolutely our own thing that sprung from pure energy and
ambition. There is no conforming to any preconception…A really fun
aspect of the show is that people come and say, “Okay, I see a girl
on piano and this guy drummer in a suit and I know what this is going
to be,” and then, by the end of the show, these people say, “God, I
had no fucking idea.” The cabaret aspect is there in the very
intimate atmosphere, the intimate connection with the audience, and
the very vulnerable open lyrics. We hope for the audience to have the
same sort of release that we are afforded ourselves as performers.
That’s very much what cabaret was: to hold up this mirror for people
to take a look at their own lives, you know, through parody or satire
or drama or comedy or whatever, and that is something that we
definitely hope to provide for our audience as well. Joni Mitchell
said she felt that in recent times there have been a severe lack of
role models for young performers to try and emulate or glean ideas
from for direction and I sort of agree. I definitely have found
myself looking back for inspiration to these jazz drummers from the
1940s and 1950s, and performers like Billie Holliday, Louie
Armstrong. We definitely have a lot of inspiration from that kind of
dedication to art and the delivery of the performance.

I: Is there a role for politics in your art?

BV: Hopefully it’s again that we can challenge people to think for
themselves…. I think that is the greatest thing that an artist can
offer the public: the chance to challenge your preconceptions and
perspective…

I: [rambling question about creative energy, influences, and
lynchpins]

BV: I have been listening to a lot of weird world music, a lot of
jazz stuff recently.

I: Like what?

BV: Well there is this amazing group of gypsy musicians who put out a
CD called “Taras de haïdouks.” and another one called “Armenian
Lullabies” which is beautiful stuff, all sort of traditional
lullabies from Armenia with the duduk. It’s totally
righteous….Another great woman called Iva Bittova who’s got a
record called “Bile Inferno.” And so that stuff, mood-wise, has
absolutely influenced the stuff I play…And Amanda keeps me in touch
with the newer stuff, like The Decemberists…we have a lot of
different stuff.

I: I know you guys are working on a new album. Do you see it as going
in more of a rock kind of direction?

BV: There is always a natural sort of mix of moods. The last record
had “Coin-Operated Boy” and “Miss Me,” and this record may have
“Amsterdam” and “Pierre.” There is a lot of driving material on this
record…. Sean Slade is a great Boston rock producer and has worked
with bands like Dinosaur Jr and the Pixies and Radiohead and Hole, so
he has a real handle on what we are trying to do and I think we are
going to really try and harness the energy from the live show….It
is going to be very stripped-down, only drums and piano and just
really to keep straight on record what we do live.

I: I’ll look forward to hearing the new stuff on Saturday.

BV: We have some surprises planned. It should be cool.

Turkish Press
Nov 7 2004

News Analysis by Ugur Akinci, Ph.D.

Turkish Fears and Emerging Processes at EU’s Threshold
Ugur Akinci: 11/6/2004

Turkey is about to start full-membership talks with the European
Union (EU). But there is a “minor problem.” To become a part of EU
requires a shift in national identity and a nuanced approach to
sensitive concepts like “minority” and “sovereignty.”

The Turkish establishment interprets these terms by taking the
Lausanne Treaty of 1923 as its sole reference while EU insists on its
current definitions and implementations as reflected in the famous
“Copenhagen Criteria” of 1993, which Turkey has endorsed.

Since Turkey is the one who wants to join the EU, and not the other
way around, Turkey`s insistence on its own definition of such
politically-loaded concepts as “sovereignty” and “minority” is
interpreted by some observers as an attempt (to use an Americanism)
to have one`s cake and eat it too.

But this is a static approach and the dynamic reality is more nuanced
than that.

******** The static picture

According to the static approach, Turkey needs to choose either the
EU`s or its own definitions of “sovereignty” and “minority.”

The differences are glaring indeed.

For Turkey, a “minority group” is one of the specific non-Muslim
minorities defined by the Lausanne Treaty. That is why the Jewish,
Greek-Orthodox and Armenian-Orthodox communities are today recognized
as minorities with distinct rights and privileges protected by the
Turkish Constitution — but the Alawis, Kurds or, let`s say, Women,
are not.

In EU, any group with sufficient numbers, self-identification (and
political clout, one must add) counts as a “minority,” whether they
are defined by any international treaty or not. This does not to mean
that their “rights” are always “granted,” or if granted, “observed”
and “enforced.” Just ask the Turks living in Germany and other EU
countries. However, at least there is no deep-seated collective fear
in EU to recognize a self-identified group as a minority.

Turkey interprets all such attempts to label self-identified groups
as minorities as a sinister move to split Turkey — and for
understandable historic reasons. Certain European powers have spent
well-documented amounts of cash to mobilize religious and ethnic
minorities against the Kemalist movement right after the First World
War, and through the `20s. That`s why the Turks do have a valid
historic reason to get paranoid every time the Europeans start
talking about the “minority rights.” In that sense, the First World
War is still not over for a lot of Turks.

However, if Turkey is to join the EU, then she also has to decide
whether she is joining a group of enemies or friends. She has to
decide which historic memory she is going to emphasize as a main
reference in configuring her relationships in the 21st century.

Desperately trying to join the EU while treating it as a source of
threat to one`s national unity is like stepping on the gas and the
break pedals simultaneously. It is political schizophrenia.

The same is valid for “sovereignty” as well. Joining the EU, by
definition, means relinquishing the exclusive “national right” to
decide on which policies to follow in favor of the collective
policies of the EU. However, I must also add that in matters of
foreign policy, for example, member countries will retain the right
to ratify or veto the EU decisions.

As an EU member, Turkey will not be able to fend off inquiries on
sensitive political issues on the grounds that “foreigners cannot
interfere with our internal affairs” simply because, A) the fellow
family-members will not count as “foreigners” anymore and, B) what
was once an “internal” affair will now be a permissible topic of
discussion for all the twenty five European countries. There is no
way getting around that hard fact.

Just to give an example, Turkey will have to recognize the
“Greek-Cypriot Administration” as the only legitimate Government of
Cyprus, like the rest of the EU.

Another example: Turkey will not be able to spend the monies she
wants on the projects she wants without first getting the approval of
the other 25.

There will be a lot of “interruptions,” frequent “interferences,” and
a very different meaning of “national sovereignty” on the table.

Thus more Turkish “fears and loathing” should be expected in the days
ahead.

******** The dynamic reality

What I have portrayed above is a static picture of irreconcilable and
clashing interests. If that was all to this story, we might have to
reach a “take it or leave it” type of harsh conclusion as far as
Turkey`s EU membership is concerned. But, since the famous “Law of
Unintended Consequences” is at work 24 hours a day, we are witnessing
surprising “third alternative” solutions emerging without tipping the
cart.

The Turkish state is totally committed to EU membership and, at this
point, it will not and cannot change its mind. However, in the main,
the Turkish establishment is equally committed to its traditional
definitions of politically sensitive concepts such as “sovereignty”
and “minority.”

So, I see a new process emerging right before our own eyes:

Turkey is delivering the CONTENT of EU conditions without admitting
the European FORMS that traditionally accompanied such content.

Turkey is delivering the same wine in new bottles, so to speak, to
keep the guests and the host still sitting at the table. I think,
whether it is intentionally implemented that way or not, we are
looking at a very nuanced and creative policy process at work here.

>>> Example 1:

Turkey has not surrendered its national sovereignty in jurisprudence
to anyone. She still has her own independent courts. However, in May
2004, as a part of the Constitutional reform package regarding human
rights, Turkey has admitted the supremacy of international agreements
over domestic courts in matters concerning “human rights and
fundamental freedoms.”

Since October 2003, for example, the European Court of Human Rights

(ECHR) delivered 161 judgments on Turkey. In 132 of these court cases
Turkey was found “in violation” of Turkey`s international treaty
commitments. In 23 cases a “friendly settlement” was reached, and in
2 cases Turkey was not found in violation.

Some readers might also remember the case of of Ms. Louzidou, a
Greek-Cypriot woman who sued Turkey in ECHR for losing her property
and won a handsome monetary settlement from Ankara.

Thus Turkey has already surrendered the ultimate legal arbitration
authority in human rights cases to EU without creating much fuss at
home about “national sovereignty.”

>>> Example 2:

Another dynamic policy development in which Turkey has proven that
she can indeed “eat her cake and have it too” took place in
broadcasting in “minority languages.”

In June 2004, the Turkish Radio and Television (TRT), the Turkish
state-owned broadcasting company, has quietly started to broadcast
programs in the following non-Turkish languages: Bosnian, Arabic,
Circasian, and in two Kurdish dialects (Kirmanci and Zaza).

Other ethnic groups living in Turkey may conceivably demand similar
non-Turkish broadcasts and these may be followed by similar
non-Turkish broadcasts by private radio and TV stations as well. All
may become a reality in due time.

This has all happened without changing a single letter of the classic
definition of a “minority group” in Turkey. In that regard, the
Lausanne Treaty of 1923 is still the only reference. However, as long
as “minority languages” are freely spoken, printed, and broadcast,
how can EU complain about “violations of cultural rights and
fundamental freedoms”?

I think the Turkish establishment is showing some flexibility and
creativity in meeting the EU requirements without opening the cans of
worms that have been sealed shut since 1923.

If and when Turkey joins the European Parliament it will be one of
the largest voting blocks to determine the common policies of the
Union.

And that`s why some EU observers are as worried about losing their
“sovereignty” as some of their Turkish counterparts.

But static fears are not the end of the road. The dynamic mid-path
solutions developed by Ankara are creative policy alternatives worthy
of emulation.

Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California, CA
Nov 7 2004

Language Program Faces Possible Cuts

By CHARLES NGUYEN
UCSD Guardian Staff Writer

The UCSD Heritage Language Program is in financial danger because of
university budgetary issues and could be cut midway through the year,
according to Robert Kluender, chair of the linguistics department.

`At this point, we don’t have enough money to get through the year,’
he said. `Every year we have a bit of trouble, but this one is
especially hard.’

The program began in 2001, when a graduate student started an
informal Armenian language class, which quickly gained popularity.

This unplanned beginning precluded any long-term financial planning
for the Heritage Language Program according to Kluender. He also said
university budget cuts pose an additional burden for the program.

The program is geared toward `heritage speakers,’ which Kluender
defined as `those who were exposed to their native language in
childhood but became dominant in English later in life.’

`There seemed to be quite a response initially,’ Kluender said. `In
response to that, we tried to add on more languages to the program.’

The strongest interest in the program comes from students whose
speaking ability doesn’t reach their comprehension level of their
native language, according to Kluender.

It includes Persian, Armenian, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese
languages. Arabic had been offered previously, but was not included
this fall.

`The program really serves students that want to know more of their
native language,’ Vietnamese American Youth Alliance Committee chair
Tri Nguyen said. `It builds on the foundation that you already have
of your language.’

Campus administrators said they have responded to demand for the
program, as Dean of Social Sciences Paul Drake granted a special
allocation of $48,000 to the Heritage Language program last summer.

`We thought it was a very innovative, creative and exciting program,’
Drake said. `It could be a great service to the San Diego community.’

Kluender is drafting a grant request to the U.S. Department of
Education for funds for South Asian studies, which would benefit
Heritage Language Programs such as Vietnamese and Tagalog.

While he is grateful for the administration’s aid, Kluender said more
money is needed to keep the young Heritage Language Program afloat.

Various UCSD student organizations have responded to the cause. For
example, the Vietnamese Students Associations at UCSD and San Diego
State and VAYA held a `Saving Language, Saving Diversity’ concert at
a San Diego high school on Oct. 16.

The concert raised approximately $8,171, according to Nguyen, far
short of the $47,000 needed to fund the Vietnamese Heritage Language
Program this year.

The concert featured traditional Vietnamese performances as well as
modern native Vietnamese singers.

`People were really supportive,’ said concert attendee and Thurgood
Marshall College freshman Jaclene Le. `It was a really good effort
and there were a lot of sponsors.’

The groups banded together for the event in order to provide
additional funds to the program, according to a letter sent to
possible sponsors.

`As part of the effort to save the Heritage Language Program at UCSD,
we are organizing a Heritage Concert to raise funds for this
excellent program,’ VAYA stated in the letter. `Due to our limited
budget, we have to look for sponsorships from individuals, businesses
and organizations … who, in return, may benefit from sponsoring
this project.’

The Vietnamese sections of the program are the most popular among
students, with three class sections of approximately 30 students each
during the current quarter, according to Kluender.

The UCSD Pilipino Students Saving Tagalog group has also been
involved in aiding the language program, hosting charity banquets the
past two years for the Tagalog Heritage Language Program, in
conjunction with UCSD Kaibigang Pilipino. The groups plan to sponsor
another similar banquet during winter quarter, according to KP
Academic Director and PSST core member Jimiliz Valiente.

Kluender said that he had reached out to student organizations for
aid.

`Everyone seems very motivated,’ he said. `We need the student
organizations to reach out to the community for support of the
program.’