Author: Chaltikian Arsine

Divided by a common language

story/0,,1830481,00.html

The internet is a global revolution in communication – as long as you use
letters from the western alphabet. Kieren McCarthy on the growing pressure
for a net that recognises Asian, Arabic and Hindi characters, too

Thursday July 27, 2006
The Guardian

According to Kaled Fattal, "People say the net works, but it only works for
those communities whose native language is Latin-based. The rest of the
world is totally isolated." Fattal speaks perfect English but as chairman
and chief executive of the Multilingual Internet Names Consortium (MINC),
and an Arab, he knows that the majority of the world’s population does not.

And he knows that this means the internet is a bewildering and often
incomprehensible place for the billions of people who live east of Greece.

Despite everything you may have heard, the global resource we all know as
the internet is not global at all. Since you are reading this article in
English you probably won’t have noticed, but if your first language was
Chinese, Arabic, Hindi or Tamil, you would know very different. At most
websites you visit you will be scrabbling to find a link to a translated
version in your language, seemingly hidden amid tracts of baffling text.
Even getting to a website in the first place requires that you master the
western alphabet – have you ever tried to type ".com" in Chinese letters?

If you think this situation needn’t worry you as an English speaker, think
again. At a meeting in the House of Commons this month, a number of
prominent MPs and industry experts listed internationalised domain names
(IDNs) as one of the internet’s most pressing priorities. In June, at a
meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann)
in Marrakech, the "father of the internet" himself, Vint Cerf, highlighted
the introduction of IDNs as vital for the future of the net.

Why the urgency? Because a number of companies – and even countries – that
are frustrated by years of delays have started offering the internet in
their own languages by working outside the existing domain name system
(DNS).

The DNS is the internet’s global directory and links particular websites to
particular computers, so if you type in, say, "guardian.co.uk", no matter
where you are on the internet you always end up at the same website. The
problem is that, at the moment, the DNS works only with western languages.

The logic of maintaining a single global directory has so far prevented
people from building and using a different system that includes their
language, but in the past few years there has been such a build-up in demand
from millions of new internet users that the previous agreements are
starting to unravel and risk causing a split in the internet itself.

If that were to happen, the web address you type in could suddenly end up at
an entirely different website depending on where in the world you are, or
which ISP you use. You may want to buy a book from Amazon.com but find that
you end up at a Russian website all about the world’s longest river. Email
sent to you could end up with someone you don’t know in Korea.

The internet community received a scare in February when China announced it
had created three new top-level domains that were the Chinese equivalents of
".com", ".net" and ".china". If China had decided to break away from the
global internet,others would certainly have soon followed. There was a huge
wave of relief when the Chinese government explained that it had made the
new domains available only within China itself. But the fact that experts
didn’t doubt that China was capable of and willing to separate from the
global internet was a wake-up call in itself.

And it’s not just China. Israel has set up its own internal system for
domains in Hebrew. Korea has done the same in its language – as has Iran,
Syria and Japan.

But as the world grows smaller, these countries are no longer prepared to
stick with their add-on systems, accessible only when they are in their own
country. They want to register a domain name that is accessible across the
world in the same way that western domains have been from day one.

At a May meeting of the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva,
however, the western world finally woke up. MINC’s Fattal demonstrated a
prototype system that worked with the existing internet but also allowed new
languages to be added to the global system.

"We have found a way of connecting these islands [of different-language
networks] and also connecting to the global internet," Fattal explains.
"With this approach, we can leave the current DNS untouched and safe while
helping coordinate between other countries in the namespace. In other words,
now there’s a choice."

In Fattal’s presentation, suddenly the internet that we all understand as
the global internet today was represented as the "ASCII ‘English’ internet",
which took its place alongside the Arabic internet, Persian internet,
Chinese internet, Indian internet, Korean internet and so on.

To understand how we have reached the position where there is a real risk of
the internet fragmenting, you need only review the term ASCII itself. It
stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange and it is the
code devised to enable computers to represent and process all the characters
in the English alphabet (a through to z, plus 0 to 9 and the various symbols
you get on your keyboard such as % and &).

It was first developed in 1967 and written into the internet’s foundations
by American scientists. It is now so hardwired into the net that the only
way to include other characters such as accents on letters, or Chinese or
Arabic script, is to use complex combinations of letters that don’t exist in
English words in order to represent them.

Linguists have created long tables to represent all the possible
combinations and permutations of different languages. In the case of
internet domain names, the address is preceded by "xn--" and then an agreed
code. For example "www.rémax.com" is represented as ";.
Using this method, it suddenly becomes possible to have internet domain
names containing foreign characters, and hence foreign language domain
names.

>From the western perspective this approach was sufficient for the rest of
the world to use the internet. But the problem is that each of these domains
still has to use the existing domain system with ".com" or ".net" – suffixes
that are virtually incomprehensible to non Latin- derived language users.

The problem was initially overcome by keyboard manufacturers adding buttons
with ".com" printed on them that did nothing but add ".com" to the end of
what a user had typed. But as the number of new top-level domains has
expanded over time, this sticking plaster approach has proved unworkable.
People want their own domains in their own language, as was made clear by a
recent addition to Japan’s own internal domain name system that advertised
itself: "At last – the domain name you can spell!"

There is only one organisation that can add new top-level domains to the
existing global internet, and it is a not-for-profit company based in
California and controlled by the US government: Icann.

Icann was first approached in the year it was created – 1998 – with the aim
of introducing "internationalised domain names" into its system. But it has
yet to introduce a single one. Many members of the global internet community
have cried foul at the endless delays from a company based in the least
linguistically diverse area of the world (the US has speakers of 170
different languages, compared to 364 in Europe and 2,390 in Africa).

These accusations have only been strengthened by the fact it is American
companies that own and run the existing global domains and so have the most
to lose from new foreign-language additions. These companies not only have
disproportionate influence over Icann but have also been insisting on being
given automatic ownership rights to any foreign versions of their domains –
an argument of such corrupt logic that the very fact it is even discussed is
a major cause of concern.

On top of that, the proud and ancient cultures of Asia, Africa and the
Middle East are offended by the very suggestion that they should need to
apply to a private US company in order to have their language accepted as
legitimate on the internet.

As overall coordinator of the domain name system, Icann is caught in a bind
in which it is desperate to avoid the political repercussions of approving
or not approving languages, whilst at the same time maintaining overall
charge of the domain name system to prevent everything falling apart.

Icann has successfully delayed the day it has to make such decisions by
pointing to the complex technical issues that have to be decided first.
However, with non- Latin-language networks becoming increasingly advanced,
China making it clear it is prepared to break away from the internet, MINC
touting a solution that could bypass its processes altogether and, perhaps
most crucially, Microsoft deciding to include IDN10 technology in the new
version of Internet Explorer, out later this year, Icann has been left with
no choice but to speed up the technical side of internationalised domain
names in a bid to keep the net together.

Once that technical side is completed, it will take a masterstroke of
international political will to keep the internet as we now know it together
in one piece.

The sore reality is that global internet politics mean nothing to users in
Korea, Syria or Egypt. They simply want to be able to use this remarkable
medium in their own language, in their own way.

GLO denounces Matthew Bryza’s intention to visit Khankendi from Yerevan

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 27, 2006

Azerbaijan’s Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) made a statement
regarding US co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza’s upcoming
visit to the South Caucasus region. The GLO told the APA that it
denounces Bryza’s intention to visit Khankendi from Yerevan.

"Matthew Bryza’s intention to arrive in Khankendi, occupied Azerbaijani
lands from Armenia should be regarded as disrespect to Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and support for Armenia’s aggressive actions. On
the other hand, this step by the US co-chair aims at propagation of
the alleged Nagorno Karabakh Republic established by Armenia in the
occupied Azerbaijani lands and artificially drawing the terrorist
group to the negotiating process. The GLO demands Matthew Bryza to
comment on this intention to visit Khankendi from Armenia and give
it up," the statement concludes./APA/

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT GIVEN FOREIGN AND HOME CURRENCY Ba2 RATINGS

YEREVAN, JULY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The Moody’s Investor Service
international rating organization gave the Armenian government foreign
and home currency Ba2 ratings. This was said at the July 25 joint press
conference of RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatrian
and CBA Chairman Tigran Sargsian. The Moody’s Investor Service for
the first time estimates the reliability of the Armenian government
as a debtor.

According to T.Sargsian, the above mentioned rating is higher than the
same rating given to many CIS countries. When calculating the Armenian
rating they took into account the country’s progress since 1995 when
the 7-year period of economic recession caused by the collapse of the
Soviet Union came to the end. It was also taken into consideration
that starting 2001, 10% and more growth of GDP was registered in the
country. At the same time, the inflation was low, dram appreciated
in conditions of cautious monetary-credit and tax-budget policy. The
low index of foreign debt/GDP ratio contributed to receiving a high
rating. This ratio in 2005 made 23%. At that, 90% of the debt was given
by preferential terms, is long-term and has minimum expenditures of
debt service.

According to the sectors of the financial market, in the total
rating of Armenia the possible highest ratings were given for the
reliability of medium-term and long-term bonds, debt in local currency,
bank deposits in local currency. The reliability of bank deposits in
foreign currency in Armenia was also highly appreciated. According to
the conclusions of Moody’s, Armenia has stable development prospect
on the line of all above mentioned ratings.

At the same time, it was mentioned at the press conference that
the unstable regional geopolitical situation, insufficient level of
development of the Armenian securities market, high level of Armenian
economy’s dollarization had a negative impact on the rating given to
Armenia by Moody’s.

To recap, this year Armenia for the first time has received a rating
of reliability as a debtor by the Fitch organization as well.

KLO issued protest statement related to "World Armenian youth forum"

Today, Azerbaijan
July 25, 2006

Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) issued protest statement
related to "World Armenian youth forum" planned to be held in Khankendi
July 26.

The measure was called in the statement as cheap show to propagandize
alleged Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Stating Armenian conducts to be beyond the international law forms
KLO leadership called on world states not to participate in the
measure. KLO considers that Azerbaijan government should act to
prevent insidious intentions of Armenia, international organizations
should not give chance to implementation of this measure. Separate
countries should withdraw their Armenian origin citizens from joining
this measure.

Otherwise, KLO will demand stopping the activities of those states
in Azerbaijan who will participate in that forum, APA reports.

URL:

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway

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

========================================== ======
Wednesday 26 July 2006
TURKEY: LITTLE PROGRESS ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Despite hopes, there has been little progress in achieving true religious
freedom in Turkey, argues Otmar Oehring of the German Catholic charity
Missio
< schen-kulturen/themen/menschenrechte>.
Delays in changing the Foundations Law; declining official interest in
acting on EU and Council of Europe advice; the lack of concrete impact of
limited changes in the way the state records individual religious
affiliation; "massive nationalistic indoctrination" in schools; and
continuing systematic discrimination against Muslim and non-Muslim
minorities contribute to Turkey’s religious freedom deficit. In this
personal commentary for Forum 18 News Service <;, Dr
Oehring maintains that the Turkish government no longer seems willing to
improve the religious freedom and human rights situation. Many think that
EU accession negotiations may fail, and he suggests that this is likely to
end any progress towards religious freedom.

TURKEY: LITTLE PROGRESS ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

By Otmar Oehring, head of the human rights office of Missio
<;

The Turkish parliament has now departed for the holidays – without
approving the new Law on Foundations as it had been expected to do. The
proposed Law would regulate how "community foundations" – the
organisations allowed to some non-Muslim ethnic/religious communities –
own and recover property. Parliament said it would come back early from
holiday and reconvene in September, rather than October, to consider this
proposed law and other laws aimed to bring Turkish laws into line with
European Union (EU) norms. The aim is, reportedly, to approve at least the
Foundations Law before the EU reports again on accession in early October.

Although politicians and the EU are concentrating now on the Foundations
Law, this focuses only on one fairly narrow issue: what to do with
buildings and other property taken from religious communities by the
government and sold to third parties (see F18News 13 December 2005
< e_id=704>). The government
cannot now give these properties back, so it will have to offer
compensation. However, it is not willing to do so and parliamentary
deputies think Turkey should not offer such compensation. As the European
Commission is telling the Turkish government it must do so, the issue is
deadlocked.

Despite the urging of the European Commission’s Enlargement
Directorate-General that Turkey should use the good offices of the Council
of Europe, both to help it understand what needs to be done in the area of
religious freedom and to help draw up laws on religious freedom and the
status of religious communities, the Turks are reluctant. In April 2006,
the Turkish government contacted the European Commission to ask for
specialists who could advise on these issues. The EU was willing to send
three experts, two from the Council of Europe as well as a French expert
on "laicism". But to the astonishment of those involved, the day before
the experts were due to travel the Turkish government informed them there
was "no need" to come.

The involvement of the Council of Europe in helping Turkey’s
transformation is very tricky. Its Venice Commission – which advises on
how constitutions and other fundamental laws could conform to European
democratic standards – could help Turkey on religious freedom, but can
only get involved if Turkey invites it to do so. But Turkey is not
interested.

Official religious affiliation records

One small step has been taken in the way the state records individuals’
religious affiliation. A new Personal Status Law approved on 25 April
gives citizens for the first time the possibility to ask the authorities
to remove information about their religious affiliation (or presumed
religious affiliation) from their official records. However, the law is
contradictory: while Article 35 paragraph 2 allows individuals to ask for
their religious affiliation to be removed from their records or amended,
Article 7 paragraph 1(e) specifies that citizens have to provide such
information.

Yet despite discussion for at least the past decade, Identity Cards still
carry a section giving the holder’s religion. One of the major
contributors to the debate was Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who is now Turkey’s
President, in his former capacity as Chief Justice of the Constitutional
Court. A committed secularist, he argued that, in a secular state, an
individual’s religion should not be mentioned in official documents.

Changing religious affiliation on an individual’s personal records was
possible before, but required an individual to do this through the courts.
Fear of social ostracism or hostility meant that few did this.

Although the new Personal Status Law appears to be a positive step, this
is not the case. In practice, individuals trying to change their religious
affiliation in their official records could still face problems. For a
start, they would have to tell officials – who could just record that the
individual had requested to change their religious affiliation without
actually changing it. At least this Law offers the possibility to remove
any religious affiliation from individuals’ Identity Card, but if this
does not become common any official or police officer would then ask an
individual why no religion was given. Giving no religion would be
tantamount to an admission that the individual is possibly a Christian or
a Jew – the only faiths apart from Islam allowed to be listed.

It remains unclear how many people have asked to change the affiliation on
their official records since the new law came in. In the past, individuals
did of course change their religion, but were not always prepared to do so
publicly through the courts. The authorities have given conflicting numbers
of such converts. In February 2005 the Interior Ministry’s
Directorate-General for Administration of the Provinces told parliament
that 344 people had converted from Islam to Christianity between 1997 and
2004, while six had converted from Islam to Judaism. No converts to other
faiths were mentioned. However, Minister of State Mehmet Ayd&#305;n,
quoting figures from the government’s Presidency of Religious Affairs
(Diyanet) (see F18News 12 October 2005
< e_id=670>), said 368 people had
converted "under the influence of missionary activities".

There is much hostility to the peaceful sharing of non-Islamic beliefs,
which may have been a factor in the murder of Fr Andrea Santoro (see
F18News 9 February 2006
< e_id=724>).

The way officials record religion on personal records is predictable.
Children born to parents who are recorded as Muslims are automatically
recorded as Muslim. De facto, only three religions are permitted in the
records: Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Atheist or non-believer are not
in practice allowed as options. Nor are Baha’i or Jehovah’s Witness, to
take two other examples. It remains unclear whether this has now changed,
though in practice the whims of the official are likely to override any
official decision. And if an individual asks to change the religion on
their identity card, there is no guarantee officials will also change it
on their personal record on the national register. And when you need any
official document, the first place officials look is on the register.

Islam, Islamic Minorities and Citizenship

In the Muslim world, there is a tradition that the nationality is Islam:
the nation is the umma, the body of Muslim believers. The concept of
citizenship separate from religion is not known in Islamic law and
tradition. Despite the government’s insistence that it is "secular",
Turkey remains a deeply Islamic society so these views have a strong hold
on the population.

For almost a quarter of a century, Alevi Muslims have been pushing for
recognition as a distinct community able to organise themselves in
accordance with their own beliefs. But in May, Professor Ali Bardakoglu,
the head of the government’s Diyanet <; –
which controls all official Muslim life in Turkey, despite the claimed
secularism of the state – declared once again that Alevis are de facto
Sunni Muslims. This is like saying that all Protestants are Catholics.
Predictably, Alevis were unhappy over this statement, which means that in
practice, the government does not recognise that Alevis and Sunnis are
different. The government maintains that Cem Houses, where Alevis worship,
are not considered places of worship but cultural centres. "We’re not
against Cem Houses, but they’re no alternative to mosques," is the
government message.

The Alevis are divided as to how to respond to the government’s attitude –
some groups are broadly pro-government, some anti-government and some
pro-Kurdish. The Republican Education Foundation, which is under Alevi
control, is regarded as more ready to work with the government. It says it
does not want to see a separate government body to handle Alevi affairs,
but argues that taxes from Alevis are being used (or misused) solely on
Sunni mosques and imams. It insists that as Alevis are Turkish citizens
and taxpayers it wants to see their taxes used to support Alevi
structures.

Islamic groups that do not regard themselves as being under government
control – such as the Islamic brotherhoods (the Sunni Nakchibendis,
Mevlevis and others as well as the Shi’ite Bektashis) or new Islamic
movements (such as the Nurcus and Suleymancis) – are in practice left
alone. Yet there is no chance that the government will recognise Muslim
differences, even though Turkey has Sunnis, Alevis and a small Shia
minority. This indicates that the government is not just Muslim, but
specifically Sunni Muslim, despite its proclaimed secular nature.

Nationalism in Education

Discussion continues over changing the school curriculum to treat all
faiths in Turkey in a new way. The Alevis – like other religious
minorities – complain that no progress has been reached for their
teachings to be mentioned in school curricula. Further, Alevis have warned
that if the government does not introduce separate religious education for
Alevi children, they will lodge a case against it at the European Court of
Human Rights in Strasbourg – to which Turkey is subject, as a member of the
Council of Europe.

Education remains very nationalistic (see F18News 12 October 2005
< e_id=670>). Some officials of
the EU and of EU member states have complained of what one privately
described as "massive nationalistic indoctrination" in schools. So it is
highly unfortunate that the Education and Culture chapter (Chapter 26) in
the EU accession negotiations was opened and closed on the same day,
without addressing this central point. Without change in the curriculum
and teaching, there can be no progress in a society whose nationalism has
a noticeable impact on social attitudes (see F18News 19 January 2006
< e_id=716>).

Non-Muslim Minorities

Meanwhile, tensions for religious minorities remain high, as evidenced by
the murder of one Catholic priest and attacks on other priests this year.
Speculation persists that the "deep state" – the nationalist circles in
the army, police, National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) secret police
and state administration which regard themselves as the custodians of the
Ataturkist ideology – might have been behind the murder in February of
Italian priest Fr Andrea Santoro in his church in the Black Sea port of
Trabzon, an area well known as a nationalist stronghold. Other factors
behind the murder are also suggested (see F18News 9 February 2006
< e_id=724>). Such attacks on
priests could spread to other nationalist areas. Some Catholic leaders
still have police outside their residences, though how an unarmed,
plainclothes police officer could offer any protection remains unclear.
Some wonder whether they are there more to listen to what those leaders
are saying than to protect them.

Of course, all religious minority leaders remain under government
surveillance, forcing them to be very cautious in everything they say – or
to be willing to pay the price for their frankness. They know their
telephones are occasionally tapped and mail is sometimes opened before it
is delivered. "Walls have ears," religious minority leaders say. Secretive
officials occasionally come to visit them to ask questions – people
speculate that they are from the MIT secret police.

In what is seen by Turkish Christians as a continuing humiliation, all
Christian Churches – whether their leaders and members are Turkish
citizens or not – are regarded as foreign. This attitude persists, even
though Christian communities were present on the territory of what is now
Turkey many centuries before the Turkish state, its ancestor the Ottoman
Empire, and Islam. Discussions between Christian Churches and the state
are normally handled by the Foreign Ministry, or sometimes by another
state authority chosen by the government. This humiliation is clearly
deliberate.

Nothing has happened about plans for the Ecumenical Patriarchate to be
able to reopen its seminary on the island of Heybeliada (Halki in Greek)
in the Sea of Marmara, once famed for its scholarship throughout the
Orthodox world. Closed in 1971, Turkey has grudgingly promised to reopen
it under US and EU pressure, but that now seems further off than ever.
Discussion has now fizzled out, though Patriarch Bartholomew always tries
to raise the issue whenever he can. The Armenians saw their Holy Cross
seminary in Istanbul closed at the same time, but have given up any hope
to be allowed to reopen it as a separate institution. Armenian Patriarch
Mesrop has instead proposed inaugurating a chair of Armenian Studies at
one of Istanbul’s state universities – so far with no result.

Pope Benedict’s Planned Visit

The planned visit of Pope Benedict XVI, due in November 2006, could also
raise tensions. Benedict is scheduled to meet the Turkish President and
government in Ankara, and address a selected public in the capital.
Presumably, the Pope will want to talk about relations between the
Christian and Islamic worlds and seek to overcome ideas about the "clash
of civilisations". The Turkish public is unlikely to be present. Any views
they might have of the speech will be formed by how the local media covers
it. In Istanbul, Benedict will meet the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Armenian
Patriarch and other local religious leaders, as well as the Catholic
community.

Most Turks either do not want the Pope to visit, or are indifferent to his
visit. Some Western-oriented Turks welcome it, as they think it could help
Turkish society better understand both the Catholic Church and western
views of Islam. Some of these Turks also hope that the visit will help
Turkey understand the progress it needs to make on religious freedom. But
nationalists who strongly oppose Europe and accession to the EU – who are
growing more influential – could cause headaches for the police during
Benedict’s visit.

The government too will be closely scrutinising the Pope’s words for any
hint of anything that could be interpreted as anti-Turkish and
anti-Islamic. As soon as any comments are linked to Turks as a people and
a society, problems will arise. The Pope will doubtless be very delicate.

The row stirred up by remarks about the Armenian genocide in the final
years of the Ottoman Empire made by the Armenian Catholicos, Karekin II,
on a visit in June is ostensibly related to a historical ethnic conflict
dating back ninety years. But it is relevant to a discussion on religious
freedom, especially as the Istanbul prosecutor’s office decided to
investigate the remarks for a possible prosecution of the Catholicos for
"anti-Turkish remarks". The very prospect of a criminal case over these
remarks shows the lack of freedom of speech. But whenever religious
leaders are prosecuted there is a knock-on effect on the rights of the
religious community. The Armenian Apostolic community – the largest of
Turkey’s Christian communities by far – was embarrassed by Karekin’s
remarks, knowing they will make their already precarious existence more
difficult.

What Prospects for the Future?

The prospect of Turkey’s EU accession seems to be the only thing capable
of driving change in the area of religious freedom and human rights more
widely. Yet the government is now not willing to enact change. Indeed, it
is becoming ever more nationalist – even if this might simply reflect the
AKP’s need for votes from the nationalist constituency. It is careful not
to show too openly that it is Islamist, as this would cause problems with
the President and the military.

All this could change after the next parliamentary elections (due in late
2006 or early 2007) and the presidential election (due next year), if the
current ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) wins. If the current
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan – or a puppet – succeeds in becoming
President, the Ataturk legacy could be changed. There will then not be a
President willing to veto laws that contradict this legacy. This would
definitely lead to a worsening climate for religious freedom. The position
for Sunni Muslims would improve, while for Alevis the situation would
remain as restrictive as it is now. Despite the religious differences with
the majority population, the Sunnis are still seen as Turks. For other
minorities – especially Christians – the situation would be worse.

Government officials sympathetic to the ideal of secularism – and
secularists more widely – are growing increasingly concerned. They fear
that, if the AKP substantially increases its vote at the next election, it
would be strong enough to change the Constitution – even against the wishes
of the opposition. It could also install a President from its ranks, who
would not then veto laws deemed to be part of an Islamist agenda, as the
current President has done.

Secularists in particular are afraid for the future. Turkish diplomats –
who are already concerned over the changing mood among state officials as
an increasing number of AKP supporters fill official positions – are very
afraid of a fundamental change in the country’s course. Many believe any
sweeping AKP victory in the next national elections would speed up the
replacement of state officials with AKP loyalists.

The old establishment is seeking to build up political forces attractive
to the electorate, in a last-ditch bid to head off the AKP challenge.
However, it remains unclear if the electorate will back them. Voters threw
out the old establishment in disgust at its corruption and ineffectiveness.
The AKP has been careful to be on its best behaviour during its current
period in office.

Although there is much talk of a military coup in the event of such
fundamental changes, no-one knows if the majority of army officers still
support Ataturk-defined secularism – or if they would be prepared to back
such an anti-Islamist coup.

Prospects for EU Accession

The level of optimism or pessimism over the future depends on who you talk
to. Western-oriented Turks still hope EU accession negotiations will
continue and that Turkey will eventually join the EU. They hope
desperately that the process will generate its own momentum that would
force the government, the administration and the army to look forward and
support reforms. This could happen, but it looks unlikely.

As the general election looms, the government is doing nothing that could
be seen as a positive step towards the reforms the EU would welcome.

Many observers are not optimistic. They do not believe the Turkish side –
whether the current AKP government or the "deep state" – is interested in
seeing such reforms. Many Turks have not even understood what religious
freedom – for example as defined in the rights set out in Article 9 of the
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – actually means (see F18News 13
December < 704>). Or they
understand it – but reject it. Turkey ratified the ECHR in 1954, but over
50 years later has yet to abide by it.

Ataturkists fear that granting religious freedom as outlined in the
Convention would give power to the Islamists. Yet Paragraph 2 of the
ECHR’s Article 9 prevents the abuse of religious freedom by freedom’s
enemies. This states that "freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs
shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are
necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for
the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of
the rights and freedoms of others." Indeed, Article 9 would safeguard a
real separation of religion and the state, as the Ataturkists claim to
want.

This fear is also felt on the EU side, which means that it too is
increasingly reluctant to clearly advocate religious freedom along the
lines of the ECHR. EU governments also fear such rights would open the
doors to Turkey’s Islamist groups. Although EU officials involved in the
accession process are interested in seeing religious freedom promoted
properly – indeed, they regard it as the second most important issue after
recognition of Cyprus – they seem to know that this is seen as a political
issue which is over their heads.

Many believe the accession negotiations will fail this autumn, not over
democratisation and human rights, but over the Turkish government’s
refusal to recognise the government of Cyprus in Nicosia. Many Turks would
not be unhappy at this. Yet if the EU suspends the accession negotiations,
the Turks will feel insulted and spurned by Europe. Some believe the
European Commission is therefore trying to manoeuvre to find a way for
Turkey itself to suspend the negotiations.

Possible Impact on Religious Freedom

Yet any suspension will have a very negative impact on religious freedom –
indeed, the position for religious minorities could end up being worse than
when the negotiations started. Suspension would incite nationalist feelings
and many Turks would openly say that the negotiations and even membership
of the EU itself would not benefit Turkey. Then a hunt would begin for
those who had caused the mess. Most Turks would not point to their own
government but to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Armenian Patriarchate,
the Catholic Church, the Protestants, and other obvious symbols of the
outside world.

The only hope many can see for progress towards religious freedom is that
the EU accession negotiations continue. If EU negotiations stop
completely, no hope for religious freedom will remain. Yet even if the
negotiations stagger on, it is doubtful that the majority of the
population is prepared to change its attitude to nationalism and religion,
and even consider accepting Alevis and non-Muslim Turks as full Turkish
citizens. The only other possible hope is that the reform process will
gather its own momentum independent of the EU. However, at present, there
is little sign of this happening. (END)

– Dr Otmar Oehring, head of the human rights office of Missio
< lturen/themen/menschenrechte>, a
Catholic charity based in Germany, contributed this comment to Forum 18
News Service. Commentaries are personal views and do not necessarily
represent the views of F18News or Forum 18.

For further overviews by Dr Oehring of religious freedom in Turkey, and of
the need for fundamental reform of the Constitution, see
< =68>.

For commentaries by the Anglican Chaplain in Istanbul on the roots of
Turkey’s attitude to religious freedom see
< _id=716>, and on Turkish
society’s reaction to the murder of Roman Catholic priest Fr Andrea
Santoro, see < 724>.

For a personal commentary on religious freedom under Islam, see
< _id=227>

For a personal commentary assessing western European "headscarf laws", see
< _id=469>

A printer-friendly map of Turkey is available at
< s/atlas/index.html?Parent=mideast&Rootmap=turk ey>
(END)

© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855
You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to
F18News

Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at

Before You Leave

Sunday, July 23, 2006
KATHRYN KURTZ

Liberty Orchards is the birthplace of Aplets & Cotlets candy and not
to be missed before you leave Cashmere.

The story of this candy grew from immigration, friendship, patriotism,
innovation — and too much fruit. Specifically Armenia, World War I
and surplus apples.

It began early last century in Seattle. Two Armenian immigrants —
Armen Tertsagian and Mark Balaban — became friends. These new American
entrepreneurs found little success making yogurt or running an ethnic
restaurant, so they headed for drier weather and new opportunities east
of the Cascades. In the vale of Cashmere at the edge of the Cascades,
Tertsagian and Balaban bought an apple orchard and named it Liberty
in celebration of their new adopted country.

To survive tough financial times and make use of surplus fruit during
World War I, they began making apple-plum jam and drying apples. The
dried fruit went to nourish American soldiers overseas. Soon, a
longing for the Near Eastern fruit candies they had loved as kids
took them into the kitchen to cook.

By 1920 their experiments with apples and English walnuts became the
distinctive candy they named Aplets, followed soon by Cotlets, made
from apricots and nuts. The cornstarch and powdered-sugar-dusted,
two-bite, jellylike candies haven’t changed much in 86 years.

Liberty Orchards no longer grows fruit, buying instead from local
farmers. President Greg Taylor, grandson of a founder, runs the
company; all the stockholders are family members. Twenty-eight
flavors of fruit candy are made, among them peach, blueberry, grape
and raspberry, as well as nut-free, sugar-free and chocolate-covered
varieties.

Visitors can tour the factory, including the nut-sorting room, kitchen
and packaging room. Free samples inevitably lead to purchases at the
Candy Store.

Before you leave: Tour Liberty Orchards and buy a box of Aplets &
Cotlets. Where: 117 Mission Ave., Cashmere, Wash. Hours: 8 a.m.-5:30
p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends. Free 15-minute tours leave
every 20 minutes. More info: 1-800-888-5696,

Before You Leave appears on the fourth Sunday of the month
in Destinations. Reach Kathryn Kurtz, a freelance writer, via
[email protected].

ARMENIAN APPLICANTS MAY ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES IN TSU BRANCH IN
AKHALKALAKI

Lragir.am
21 July 06

Akhalkalaki, July 21. A-Info reports that the Javakheti Armenians
may ancounter difficulties at the Akhalkalaki branch of Tbilisi State
University in this academic year as well.

The problem is that admittance exam in Georgian will be the same
level for the graduates of both Armenian and Georgian schools.

Perhaps this is the reason why less Armenians, about 45, applied to
the University.

By the way, in the last academic year only four students from
Javakheti entered the Akhalkalaki branch of Tbilisi State University,
two Armenians and two Georgians.

Stepan Grigoryan: Mutual concessions should be based upon the reconciliation of the sides

ArmRadio.am
20.07.2006 17:05

Attaching importance to the role of experts in the process of
settlement of the Karabakh issue, the "Armenian Association for Peace
and Conflict Studies" and the "Social Communication" Organization
arranged a workshop today, where different opinions on the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict were voiced.

The disclosure of the principles of the Karabakh conflict settlement
by US CO-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza became a matter
of active discussions.

Head of the Chair of Philosophy of Yerevan State University Alexandr
Manasaryan criticized the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group, saying
that the latter have taken an incorrect course, since they try to
somehow resolve the conflict instead of discussing the core of the
problem. In his opinion, the suggestions of the OSCE Minsk Group for
the resolution of the Karabakh conflict are unacceptable. What is
acceptable, is the suggestions of the Dartmouth conference group.

To remind, the agreements of the Dartmouth group were reached
last year between representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Nagorno-Karabakh. Manasyan himself was representing Nagorno Karabakh.

Political scientist Stepan Grigoryan turned to the statement by RF
President Vladimir Putin during the G8 summit in Saint Petersburg,
which, in his opinion, means that the mutual concessions should be
primarily based upon the reconciliation of the sides.

"The document should be signed when the societies are prepared to it,"
the political scientist noted.

Armenians exposed dysfunctional systems

Kenya Times, Kenya
July 19 2006

THE Kiruki Commission of Inquiry into the Arturs saga has made
considerable unflattering revelations of shocking lapses and
inefficiency in a number of key government departments.

The jury may still be out, but the Kenya Airports Authority,
Immigration Department, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)
and many others have all had their noses bloodied and image soiled.

Joining that catalogue is the office of the Registrar of Companies
under the office of the Attorney General’s Chambers. This is one of the
busiest public offices handling and processing not only documents with
a bearing on the economy and security of this nation, but generates
huge revenue for the government.

This office has, for as long as one cares to remember, been the
epitome of inefficiency and influence peddling. To date it remains
defiant to the spirit of new governance characterised by e-governance
mechanism. We are perturbed that here, companies can be registered
in breach of the rules governing the department.

A visit to the registry, makes a sad statement of a department which
has refused to be automated despite huge funds having been appropriated
for its computerisation for many years. The Kiruki Commission has
been told by employees of the office that among the reasons for its
poor performance is the incomplete computerisation.

But for those who have been doing business with the Registrar’s
office, the refusal to modernise seems to be more deliberate than
lack of resources. One gets the distinct impression that there are
officers—and this not just criticism for the sake of it—who want
to perpetuate inefficiency in the registry to create a conducive
environment for corruption.

Talk of the government’s determination and commitment to implement
Information Communication Technology policy and immediate introduction
of e-governance across the entire civil service. Nothing like
e-governance it seems obtains at the Registrar of Societies office
save for few underutilised computers which can’t track any data.

Inefficiency in government departments, especially those handling
justice, trade and investments, immigration, revenue, transport,
registration of persons, deaths and births contribute significantly
to activities that undermine growth, economic development, security
and the nation’s ability to act in concert with the rest of the
world. Due to predisposition to corruption, laxity and negligence
apparently obtaining at the department, we could be having hundreds of
"Artur brothers" with a purpose to sabotage the aspirations of this
great nation.

The government must not wait for a day longer before it launches a
major overhaul of this critical department.

NATO RESCUER-2006 EXERCISES START IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, JULY 17, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. NATO Rescuer-2006
exercises started on July 14 in Yerevan. As John Evans, Ambassador of
the U.S. to Armenia, stated at the solemn opening of the exercises,
cooperation between Armenia and NATO continues to deepen. The
Ambassador expressed the hope that henceforth Armenia will continue to
efficiently cooperate with NATO within the framework of the Partnership
for Peace program.

As RA Defence Minister Serge Sargsian stated, the Rescuer-2006 is
already the second large-scale exercise held in Armenia after the
Best Joint Effort-2003.

"Such exercises not only contribute to immediate testing of the
special skills of subdivisions and servicemen taking part in them,
but also are a good occasion for different countries’ subdivisions
interested in the general security and stability of our region to
work out joint operations and to jointly solve the problems faced by
them. I think this is too important today, as a necessity to conduct
such operations can emerge at any moment," the Minister said.

The goal of the exercises is to coordinate the Actions of Armenian
Defence Ministry’s Forensic Department and Rescue Service in case of
natural and manmade disasters and to ensure their possible cooperation
with NATO member-countries.

Over 300 forensic doctors, rescuers, representatives of Armed
Forces of the U.S., Armenia, Albania, Austria, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrghyzstan, Macedonia, Romania, Tajikistan and the Ukraine take part
in the exercises.