FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=O2ahsjstv5_YVcGjJkwhAw9-4YZXOUBF43rUoCS5gF4&e=

The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief

=================================================

Thursday 
TURKEY: WHY CAN'T ARMENIANS ELECT A PATRIARCH?

The state has again blocked the long-delayed election of a new Armenian
Apostolic Patriarch, arguing that such an election would be contrary to the
community's traditions. Yet, freedom of religion or belief protects the
right of religious communities to elect leaders in accordance with their
traditions as they interpret them.

TURKEY: WHY CAN'T ARMENIANS ELECT A PATRIARCH?
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2352&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=zcph7_IF2SFFhdH1aYGWp79_GQeYJQ4tLVC3uIP_VcE&e=
By Dr. Mine Yildirim

The state has, again, blocked the process for the election of a new
Patriarch for Turkey's Armenian Apostolic community. The Istanbul
Governorship intervened again in early February as the community appeared
to be on the point of initiating the long-delayed election. In light of the
interference, the Armenian Patriarchate's Clerical Council felt compelled
to back down, annul its 2017 election of a Locum Tenens (temporary leader)
and acknowledge the authority of the Patriarchal Vicar-General, Archbishop
Aram Ateshian.

The Istanbul Governorship - a state institution under the Interior Ministry
responsible for state administration in Istanbul province, where the
Armenian Patriarchate is based - argued that the Armenian community cannot
elect a new leader as the previous Patriarch - unable to fulfil his
functions since 2008 because of illness - is still living (see below).

Despite Turkey's international human rights obligations protecting the
right of religious communities to elect their leaders, it is "established
practice" that the state interferes in how some religious communities elect
their leaders, particularly the Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Jewish
communities. The state also appoints the head of the Presidency of
Religious Affairs which is the state institution providing Islamic
religious services including the administration of mosques and teaching
(see below).

The state blocking of the election of a new Patriarch leaves the Armenian
Apostolic Church community - the largest Christian community in Turkey -
facing uncertainties and controversy. Within the community many views have
been expressed in the past 10 years about how to elect a new leader in
accordance with the community's traditions. But state interference has been
a crucial factor obstructing progress being made in electing a new
Patriarch (see F18News 11 August 2010
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1477&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=ZJPEZDLo5JmHjC8QdTTDYbcMQ8STGxK_bk6ZcSsHbnI&e=>).

Momentum for new election blocked

Momentum to initiate patriarchal elections gained pace in 2017 within the
Armenian community, despite state reluctance to give the "go ahead" since
2008. The state's response did not show cooperation and facilitation of the
right of religious or belief communities to elect their own religious
leaders. On the contrary, the state obstruction which followed illustrates
well the challenges faced in this process.

The head of the Surp Pirgic Armenian Hospital Foundation - the largest
Armenian community foundation - Bedros Sirinoglu raised the election issue,
among other community matters, when he met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
in January 2017. The President responded that the state would tackle the
issues of the elections of the Armenian Patriarch and of the boards of
directors of non-Muslim community foundations. He said this would happen
after the April 2017 referendum on wide-ranging changes to the Constitution
to increase the President's powers.

Yet since the referendum, the state has taken no steps to resolve the
problem either of electing a new Armenian Patriarch or the community
foundations' boards of directors.

Non-Muslim community foundations are not religious communities but are
associated with them (see F18News 6 October 2011
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1621&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=-lsSbk6KGRxP6Hjb4D8yNGC7TK1OSlEwdyO6wlAD_iw&e=>).

While the authorities need to adopt a new regulation for non-Muslim
community foundations to hold elections for their board members, legally
this is not required for the election of the Armenian Patriarch. Therefore
while on the one hand it is difficult to understand the need for President
Erdogan's involvement in the process, on the other, the lack of legal
certainty resulting from a lack of legal framework explains the Armenian
Church's need to ensure state cooperation.

The crucial impetus was the resignation in February 2017 of Bishop Sahak
Mashalyan as head of the Clerical Council. His resignation caused much
reaction from the Armenian community pressing for the election. His
subsequent withdrawal of his resignation led the Clerical Council the same
month to declare the seat of the Patriarch vacant and start the election
process by electing a Locum Tenens (Deghabah), who would oversee the
election of a new Patriarch.

After the Clerical Council's decision to hold patriarchal elections, four
prospective candidates for election were mentioned: Patriarchal
Vicar-General Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Bishop Sahak Mashalyan, Archbishop
Karekin Bekdjian (the spiritual leader of Germany's Armenian community),
and Archbishop Sebouh Chouljian (spiritual leader of the Gugark region of
Armenia). All four have Turkish citizenship, which is a prerequisite for
being eligible to become the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul.

On 15 March 2017, the election of the Locum Tenens (temporary leader,
Deghabah, Turkish: Patrik Kaymakamı) took place. The spiritual leader of
Germany's Armenians Archbishop Bekdjian was elected at 15:00. Immediately
following the announcement of the election results, Archbishop Ateshian
shared with the press an official letter the Istanbul Governorship had sent
that same day to the Patriarchate of Turkey's Armenians stating that
"legally it is not possible to start the election process".

The letter, sent at 13:47 that day, states that "it is understood that
there is a desire to de facto start the Patriarchal Election procedure".
The letter said the election was not legally possible, claiming the process
could cause splits in the community by giving way to restlessness, and that
the Patriarchal Vicar-General is on duty. It added that the community knows
full well the procedural principles and jurisprudence applicable to
patriarchal elections. This letter obstructed the election process.

In spite of these developments, Archbishop Ateshian did not resign from his
position as Patriarchal Vicar-General. This led the Clerical Council to
remove him from his position on 28 June 2017, with 22 members in favour and
2 against this decision.

Since then, the Armenian community has repeatedly appealed both for
dialogue with the state authorities and available judicial remedies to be
able to hold elections.

In February 2018, the Election Steering Committee in charge of holding the
elections for Patriarch filed a complaint against the Interior Ministry for
failure to respond in time to its application to proceed with the election.

On 6 February 2018, the Istanbul Governorship wrote to the Armenian
Patriarchate stating that, as Patriarch Mesrop is still alive, the
conditions for the election of a new Patriarch have not materialised. The
letter argued that health reasons do not justify considering the position
of the patriarch vacant and that Archbishop Ateshian continues to hold his
position as Patriarchal Vicar-General.

After sending the letter, the Istanbul Governorship invited the heads of
the Armenian community foundations for a meeting on 7 February, where
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu met and "listened to them". At the
meeting, a prominent lawyer in the Armenian community Sebu Aslangil
outlined the legal objections to the Governorship letter, the local
Armenian weekly newspaper "Agos" reported the following day.

Aslangil reiterated that the state's decision not to allow the Armenian
community to proceed with elections amounted to compelling the Clerical
Council to elect someone whom they had already removed (a reference to
Ateshian). He added that the letter's reference to the "so-called locum
tenens" (Archbishop Bekdjian) was not an appropriate way to refer to a
person elected by the Clerical Council.

Interior Minister Soylu replied that the state has a responsibility to
uphold the law and accordingly to protect the Patriarchal Vicar-General,
"Agos" added. However, Soylu said he was aware of the problems and will
take them into account. It was agreed to meet again in a month.

After receiving the Istanbul Governorship's letter, Bishop Mashalyan
convened the Clerical Council on 9 February, with Archbishop Ateshian
presiding.

"The election of a patriarch is initiated and concluded with acting
together with the state, this fact has always been evident in Patriarchal
history," declared the Clerical Council's statement issued after the
meeting. "Therefore the official letter is taken into account in this
context. Since the state's will is that the conditions for the 85th
patriarchal elections have not materialised, it is stated in the letter
that the election of a Locum Tenens has no basis. Therefore the decision to
retire Patriarch Mesrop II and declare his seat vacant does not comply with
the rules."

Notably, the Clerical Council also remarks that when the conditions are
conducive the necessity of a new Patriarch Election remains.

Archbishop Bekdjian did not participate in the meeting due to his expressed
intention to resign from the Locum Tenens position. In his farewell
message, published on 13 February, he stated that even though the state's
obstruction appears to target him, in reality it aims to "sabotage the 85th
Patriarchal Election and is the product of a long and planned campaign".

Why was patriarchal vicar elected in 2010?

Patriarch Mesrop became unable to carry out his duties for health reasons
in July 2008 and is still incapacitated. He was elected against the wishes
of Turkey's government and became incapacitated under much pressure from
the government, media and the public, as well as the Armenian diaspora (see
F18News 21 October 2008
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1206&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=X4E_R-W2nwEm8pPaYeTJzj_vL-1VMU95SnXck237yF4&e=>).

It is believed that according to Armenian Apostolic Church tradition, a
Patriarch must either die or resign from his position before the election
of a successor can be held. For two years following 2008, discussions took
place within the community on whether elections would be held or not. Two
competing views emerged: one wanting to elect a new Patriarch and the other
a Co-Patriarch.

However, in 2010 with a decision of the Istanbul Governorship Archbishop
Ateshian became Patriarchal Vicar-General, a post the state invented as
opposed to the election of a Co-Patriarch which, the state argued was not
found in the Armenian tradition. (see F18News 11 August 2010
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1477&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=ZJPEZDLo5JmHjC8QdTTDYbcMQ8STGxK_bk6ZcSsHbnI&e=>).

In October 2016, the Clerical Council decided to retire Patriarch Mesrop on
the grounds that he had been unable to perform his duty for 7 years. The
election process for a new Patriarch was initiated following this decision.

Impact on the community

The inability to elect a Patriarch has harmed Turkey's Armenian community
in many ways. "Not having a head [leader] for ten years deepens existing
problems, leads our people to hopelessness and our youth to a search for
new horizons," Bishop Mashalyan, whose resignation as head of the Clerical
Council in 2017 played an important role in triggering the new election
process, told Forum 18 in February 2018. "On top of this, the election
atmosphere - always on the agenda, but never resolved - provides the ground
for church divisions and conflict."

Bishop Mashalyan added that although the Church is able to continue its
routine work, making decisions on issues "important for our community" and
developing new projects are impossible. "The representation of our
Patriarchate weakens and crucial contact with the state cannot be made," he
told Forum 18. "The uncertainty of these extraordinary circumstances can no
longer be tolerated."

Is state permission needed to elect Patriarch?

Views differ on whether the state needs to give permission for the
community to proceed with the election of the Patriarch. During the Ottoman
Empire, the 1863 Armenian Nation [Millet] Regulation formed the legal basis
for the election of a new Patriarch. Whether this Regulation applies in the
modern Turkish Republic is far from clear.

The Regulation enshrines extensive rules on the internal management of the
Armenian community, including the election of a new Patriarch. The
non-religious autonomous administrative organs that are referred to in the
Regulation were, however, annulled during the Republic. Hence, whether and
to what extent the Regulation is legally binding remains unclear.

On the other hand, practice in the Turkish Republic demonstrates that the
state has interfered in every election process. Throughout the Republic,
five elections for a new Armenian Patriarch have taken place. Each time the
state authorities have interfered regarding the timing of the election or
the election rules.

Views also differ within the Armenian community, it appears. Archbishop
Ateshian argues that in order to proceed with the election, the first step
is to obtain permission from the state. According to Bishop Mashalyan, such
permission is not needed, and notifying the state and obtaining a date for
the election is enough.

Bishop Mashalyan sees the lack of legal personality and the lack of a legal
framework that regards the Armenian community as a collective whole as the
main obstacles. For example, without legal personality judicial
applications become meaningless. He considers, "the good will of Ankara" as
"the only contingent". He maintains hope saying, "the state's reply is
delayed, but there is no refusal".

As on previous occasions, according to Bishop Mashalyan, the election is to
be held in accordance with the Ordinance and date given by the Interior
Ministry with the signature of the Cabinet approving the application by the
elected Deghabah (Locum Tenens) and the Election Steering Committee.

Another way of moving forward might be the resignation of Archbishop
Ateshian as Patriarchal Vicar-General. However, in a lengthy public
statement published on Facebook on 3 January 2017, he reiterated that the
state does not recognise the Locum Tenens. "Since the Locum Tenens is not
officially recognised, isn't it better that someone [himself] who is
recognised is in this position?" he asked.

If and when the Locum Tenens were to be approved by the state, Archbishop
Ateshian promised to leave his position. Since the Governorship's letter
does not recognise the election of the Locum Tenens, Archbishop Ateshian
believed that he should remain in his position as Patriarchal
Vicar-General.

According to the "Agos" newspaper, his statement signalled that Ateshian
regards the dynamics of bureaucratic relationships as more important than
the will of the General Assembly of Clergy and the people's demands. It
appears that this approach has prevailed at this time.

No uniform legal framework for election of religious leaders

No uniform legal framework applies to the election of religious leaders in
Turkey, which leaves some communities vulnerable. The state interferes the
most in the elections for leaders of the non-Muslim communities as viewed
by the state as being protected under the 1923 Lausanne Treaty (Armenians,
Jews and Greeks and to some extent and more recently Syriacs).

The Prime Minister appoints the head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs
(Diyanet), a government agency which is the largest provider of Sunni
Islamic religious services (see F18News 4 May 2011
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1567&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=Q0Ja-hbyUnyMuUbCPx271tCDE5yi9q4_IyaIYlJVk6U&e=>).

The state has not interfered in the selection of leaders of other religious
communities - including Alevi Muslims, Protestants, and the Baha'is. But
their leaders do not enjoy state recognition (see F18News 11 August 2010
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1477&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=ZJPEZDLo5JmHjC8QdTTDYbcMQ8STGxK_bk6ZcSsHbnI&e=>).

In contrast to the state obstruction of the election of the Armenian
Patriarch, Turkey's Jews re-elected their Rabbi Rav Ishak Haleva on 14 May
2017. Yet even this process, which from the outside appeared to run
smoothly, still included state involvement.

The Jewish community previously changed its rules about electing the Chief
Rabbi, requiring election every seven years. When the seven-year term came
to an end, the community applied to the Istanbul Governorship on 4 April
2017. The Election Steering Committee met and announced the election rules
on 28 April. Accordingly, candidates could announce their candidacy by 5
May. In the absence of any other candidates, Rav Ishak Haleva, who has been
the Chief Rabbi of Turkey's Jews since 2002, was elected again.

Interference incompatible with international human rights law

The situation of the Armenian community illustrates clearly the
vulnerability of religious communities. First, the lack of an effective
legal framework enforces dependency on political will, which can often
change. Such an arrangement is not compatible with the norms enshrined in
the European Convention on Human Rights.

Since in Turkey no religious or belief community has legal personality as
such, religious or belief communities cannot form legal entities with their
internal governing processes. As a result, they are dependent on the
approval of the state authorities. The right to acquire legal personality
is indispensable for numerous aspects of the exercise of freedom of
religion or belief in its collective dimension.

In a case originally launched by Hungary's Mennonite Church, the European
Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) held in April 2014 that "there is a positive
obligation incumbent on the State to put in place a system of recognition
which facilitates the acquisition of legal personality by religious
communities" (Application No. 70945/11 et al,
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__hudoc.echr.coe.int_eng-3Fi-3D001-2D142196&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=WH9eIaGDpBMCi6sWVbuESnuFcwVX0t3qYPhhdiTpsdg&e=>).

Similarly, the then United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of
Religion or Belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, drew attention to legal obligations
flowing from the provisions protecting freedom of religion or belief. "Such
an administrative decision [on legal personality] should not be
misconceived as an act of mercy, however," he noted in his December 2011
report (A/HRC/19/60, 
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__undocs.org_A_HRC_19_60&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=rwMj2-YfQ0b9jLDSdZgCN72Ya1lyYpSPuJu5h7JlU7I&e=>).

"Under international law, States are obliged to take an active role in
facilitating the full enjoyment of human rights, including freedom of
religion or belief," Bielefeldt noted. "By not providing appropriate legal
options that, de jure and de facto, are accessible to all religious or
belief groups interested in obtaining a legal personality status, States
would fail to honour their obligations under the human right to freedom of
religion or belief."

Secondly, the right of religious or belief communities to chose or elect
their leaders and teachers is an integral part of the right to freedom of
religion or belief in its collective dimension, as noted in General Comment
22 of the UN Human Rights Committee. If states take steps to interfere in
this right, it is the obligation of the state to demonstrate, among others,
that this restriction is prescribed by law, pursues a legitimate aim to
protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights
and freedoms of others and is proportionate to the aim pursued.

It is hard to see that the steps taken by Turkish state authorities in the
case of the election of the Armenian Patriarch could pass a rigorous
scrutiny of the restrictions test.

Thirdly, if and when differing views exist within a religious or belief
community on, for example, when and how elections of their leaders should
be carried out, it is not the role of the state to impose a certain way. On
the contrary, the ECtHR holds that "the internal structure of a religious
organization and the regulations governing its membership must be seen as a
means by which such organizations are able to express their beliefs and
maintain their religious traditions" (Hasan and Chaush v. Bulgaria, 30
October 2000, Application No. 30985/96,
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__hudoc.echr.coe.int_eng-3Fi-3D001-2D58921&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=TPfw89yBXznbYwaRV8q6pd75eH6W_9qdQNTw_SM9yNQ&e=>).

In light of this, the role of the Turkish authorities should be to respect
the will of the Armenian Apostolic community and cooperate with it to
ensure that the elections run smoothly. This would provide conditions
conducive for the internal mechanisms of the community to manage tensions
and conflicts without state interference.

In addition, the Turkish authorities need to ensure that the collective
dimension of freedom of religion or belief is effectively protected,
including by creating a legal framework for religious communities to
acquire legal personality and ensuring that non-Muslim community
foundations can elect their board members. (END)

For more background, see Forum 18's Turkey religious freedom survey
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1916&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=-aFxGL9eEDr6MksA8wKkj3XxqmQXZ3CWnRbEbxTGmbA&e=>,
 and the Norwegian
Helsinki Committee: Turkey Freedom of Belief Initiative (NHC:IÖG)
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.inancozgurlugugirisimi.org&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=VbflmdSvZUk7ifqBysCdBepL7MiZ9vv4WrL19_BfECs&e=>.

More analyses and commentaries on freedom of thought, conscience and belief
in Turkey can be found at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Fquery-3D-26religion-3Dall-26country-3D68&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=EiT6TNm20fA5sLMY8AgOihQT-kMOTG8uWtGN0bC9__E&e=>.

A compilation of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) freedom of religion or belief commitments can be found at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1351&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=sL5B-XCB5wVaZEKwR-FZccX_cc59EeYGAIKowbVOohU&e=>.

A printer-friendly map of Turkey is available at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nationalgeographic.org_education_mapping_outline-2Dmap_-3Fmap-3DTurkey&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=pQBtf-38Bf4IHevyfWA8MoJE_RISg_jzv3ytLFOarZQ&e=>.

Twitter @Forum_18

Follow us on Facebook @Forum18NewsService

All Forum 18 News Service material may be referred to, quoted from, or
republished in full, if Forum 18 <www.forum18.org> is credited as the
source.

© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855.

=================================================

SUBSCRIBE here:
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_subscribe.php&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=JPtztHJA3Tbcsuy3N2R0XUX3TeBiy0imXhVdiLA2sCI&e=
 and enter your e-mail address for
either the full or the weekly edition.

- Or send an empty e-mail to (for the full edition):
f18news-eurasia+subscribe@forum18.org

(for the weekly edition):
f18news-weekly+subscribe@forum18.org

UNSUBSCRIBE here:
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_subscribe.php&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=nAf0Q4betPIy1oDBxRLghfTno2xRiFwUDKY3gfO1p8c&s=JPtztHJA3Tbcsuy3N2R0XUX3TeBiy0imXhVdiLA2sCI&e=
 and enter your e-mail address for
either the full or the weekly edition.

- Or send an empty e-mail to (for the full edition):
f18news-eurasia+unsubscribe@forum18.org

(for the weekly edition):
f18news-weekly+unsubscribe@forum18.org


=================================================
If you need to contact F18News, please email us at:  
f18news @ editor.forum18.org

Forum 18
Postboks 6603
Rodeløkka
N-0502 Oslo
NORWAY
=================================================