Author: Frangulian Shushan

TURKEY IS AFRAID OF THE PROTOCOLS

Agos Weekly
=news&news_id=1444&cat_id=11
Feb 21 2010
Istanbul

The protocols, which plan for the creation of diplomatic relations
between Armenia and Turkey, set out a neighbourhood policy that can
incorporate the common past, and call for the opening of the land
border, are turning out to be more than Turkey can swallow.

Today, the Foreign Ministry of Turkey desperately tries to use an
annotation of the Armenian Constitutional Court in the approval
of the protocol. The campaign is on to make Turkish public opinion
believe that Armenia proposed an "additional condition" and "damaged
the essence" of the protocols. Yet, this campaign has to assume that
the public’s opinion is so ignorant as to be easily manipulated. As is
known by the Turkish public and the world, it was Turkey that proposed
additional conditions and bound itself unwisely with these additional
conditions. It was Tayyip Erdogan who made the issue of Karabakh
almost a "pre-condition" and committed to it in the Parliament of
Azerbaijan while there was not a single mention of Karabakh in the
protocols… Minister of Foreign Affairs Davutoglu also spoke in
the same manner, making the protocols an extension of the "alliance"
between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Actually, Armenia should have objected at that point. They didn’t,
Turkey was shown tolerance, and apparently, this was the mistake.

However, along with the entire world noting that there was no
relationship between the protocols and Karabakh, Turkey withdrew inward
and it was revealed that the domination strategy conducted through
self-confidence in this process only turned out to be self-deception.

It cannot be taken seriously to pretend that the annotated approval
of the Armenian Constitutional Court is an obstacle. Before all else,
demonstrating any country’s reference to its own constitution as an
obstacle can be only possible for those who are alien to the state
tradition. The constitution in question was in force before the
signing of the protocols and was associated with the Declaration of
Independence in 1992. That the Armenian Constitutional Court approved
the protocols only by adding an annotation shows that they pushed their
state mentality to the limits. A society that believes in the existence
of genocide wholeheartedly and feels it in every family individually
allows disputability of this matter by the hand of the supreme court.

The annotation refers to article 11 of the Armenian Declaration of
Independence, and says that Armenia will support "the efforts in the
international arena for the recognition of 1915 Genocide". What can
be more natural? Or, is it supposed that signature of the protocols
implies that Armenia ceases to regard the 1915 events as genocide
officially? What is the use of a "historical commission" in this case?

As the protocols do not imply that Turkey names 1915 as genocide,
they do not prove that Armenia gives up the genocide argument,
either. Both countries will sustain their general stance in line with
their ideologies and constitutional frameworks. This is the meaning
of the protocols in opening a door between two countries without
offending their ongoing attitudes.

Unfortunately, while Turkey has passed the "democratic threshold" on
the Armenian issue, it has not passed the "psychological threshold"
yet. Turkey is afraid of the protocols… This is the only way of
explaining the awkward "conspiracy" scenes of Davutoglu. Isn’t it the
same timing every year for the draft likely to be brought to the U.S.

House of Representatives? Davutoglu claimed that it is "not
unconscious"… Was he expecting it to be unconscious? What would be
the "right timing" if he were a member of the Armenian Diaspora or
a U.S.

parliamentarian? Departing from the absence of any time pressure on
Turkey when the protocols were signed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs
has complained that Turkey was put under pressure by using the date
of April 24. It would be asked then, "What have you done so far?" Or,
are we doomed to such a shallow point of view that they could expect
the opening of border and postponement of the recognition of the
genocide eternally by signing a protocol?

It is not possible to imagine that the Foreign Ministry and the
state of Turkey could approach the matter so superficially. However,
no one should assume that the society of Turkey is so simple-minded
as to be satisfied with state manipulation. The only reason for the
blockage of the protocols period is that Turkey could not pass the
psychological threshold coming from the past and the government could
not carry this burden.

Turkey was scared of the protocols because it means "normalization"
that is not to be controlled by any state. In other words, both
societies will get to know each other again and recall their own
history together. The "Armenian" side longs for meeting and recalling,
the "Turkish" side is anxious about this. The past to be revealed
brings the "clean" history established by the Republic and the
dependent "clean" identity down to the ground, to reality.

In fact, the protocol is just a ghost… Turkey is scared of its own
past, itself.

CROSSING THE RED LIGHT
Hakob Badalyan

hos16905.html
11:16:23 – 22/02/2010

Nadezhda Sargsyan who is protesting that the national selection for
Eurovision 2010 was rigged and as a result her daughter Emmy will
not leave for Oslo, states that the head of the Public TV Aleksan
Harutyunyan had promised her that Emmy and Mihran duet would represent
Armenia at Eurovision. Aleksan Harutyunyan stated that he had never
promised such a thing to Nadezhda Sargsyan. The point is not this.

The point is that complaining of injustice and fraud Nadezhda Sargsyan
uses as an argument the fact that she was promised that her daughter
would be sent to the competition. Have she thought for one second
to say that she would be happy but she prefers the one who would
justly win to go to Eurovision? Or maybe the promise to send Emmy to
Eurovision dimmed Nadezhda Sargsyan’s sense of justice and the notion
of choice?

Probably not. Everything is much simpler, and should be considered in
the plane of the Armenian perception of "fairness". For most Armenians
injustice is not acceptable only if it applies to them personally
or to their immediate environment, otherwise everything is fair
and lawful. Well, if injustice serves for them and their relatives,
so this is already the highest degree of "fairness".

That is why when someone from the "privileged" crosses a red light, the
other drivers are complaining not because it is unjust, but because
such a privilege is unavailable to them. In other words, most of
the drivers of Armenia do not require equality under the red light,
but "equality to cross the red light". And so is in every field of
life. Armenians are outraged when they are cheated and right after,
they begin to look for someone to cheat.

Nadezhda Sargsyan had better to apply to the court not because
the elections were rigged, but because she was cheated. And it has
nothing to do with justice because justice has nothing to do with
the Armenian environment, represented by all of us, including those
involved in Eurovision.

Therefore the main task is to transform the perception of justice of
the society for the latter not to accept the injustice regardless of
the person to whom it applies. In the end, the society is to blame
for this perception because the ruling elites in our country for
many years created the conditions under which people were forced to
rely on injustice and privilege to achieve well-being. Therefore,
the transformation of perception of justice is a primarily task for
the elite. And it is sufficient to ensure the conditions under which
a citizen would have hoped for the fairest way to achieve prosperity.

But the reluctance of elites to create such conditions is quite
understandable. ‘The Armenian perception" of fairness is preferable
for the so-called elite, because in these circumstances, injustice
has a legitimate status, and the society does not complain of the
dominance of injustice, but the lack of personal access to the
privileged injustice, though paradoxical it may seem.

PICKET OUTSIDE IRANIAN EMBASSY IN AZERBAIJAN – PHOTOSESSION

APA
587
Feb 22 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elnur Mammaldi – APA. World Azerbaijanis Congress and Citizen
Solidarity Party picketed outside Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan,
APA reports.

The picketers protested against the action held outside Azerbaijan
consulate in Tabriz, Armenia-Iran relations.

The picketers were carrying photos of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
and Iranian President Ahmadinejad with the words "Real face of Muslim
fanatics", slogans "Brotherhood with Armenia contradicts Islamic
values!", "No to Persian chauvinism!".

The picketers also chanted "Azerbaijan!", "Russians, Persians and
Armenians are enemies of Turks!".

Chairman of the Permanent Council of the World Azerbaijanis Congress
Ajdar Tagizadeh condemned Iran’s establishing relations with Armenia,
pressures against Azerbaijanis and arrests in Iran.

Following this, a statement was presented to the embassy.

The statement demanded Iran to release the imprisoned Azerbaijanis,
stop relations with Armenia and end insult of Azerbaijanis in Iranian
press.

ADP CONDEMNS STATEMENT BY IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

APA
Feb 22 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elnur Mammadli – APA. Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) demands
explanation from Iran. ADP board of chairmen discussed the press
statement by Iranian ambassador to Armenia in its meeting on Monday,
ADP press service told APA. The party considered the ambassador’s
statement about Iran’s resistance in the case of deployment of
international peacekeeping forces in Nagorno Karabakh, which is
neighboring with Iran, as a statement against territorial integrity
and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. ADP considers that the statement is
contradictory to the historic and political ties between the two
countries and doesn’t conform to the recent statement by Iranian
president about Iran’s close support to Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh
issue and called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan to
demand Iran to explain its double-faced behavior.

Last socio-political processes in the country and world, as well as
organizing issues were also discussed at the meeting. Participants
of the meeting called the visit of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
to the region as the next step towards peace and security in the
region. But they strongly condemned the discussions held by the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office in Yerevan with participation of Nagorno Karabakh
separatist leader Bako Saakian and said this action was contradictory
to the OSCE’s mediating mission.

`Hayasa Properties Ltd’ Pays Record Amount for Nicosia Real Estate
2010/02/20 | 17:29

diaspora

Hayasa Properties Ltd, along with its sister company, Hayasa
Productions, has paid Eur 18.25 million, the highest price ever, for a
piece of downtown Nicosia real estate.

Hayasa Productions is a music and digital media company owned by
French and Cypriot Armenians, according to a piece in yesterday’s
Financial Mirror.com. A company official says that the 2,000 square
meter purchase will be developed into a multi-storey venture that will
include a modern boutique hotel, commercial and residential space and
the capability to rise up to 18 floors with five underground levels.

230 THOUSAND EURO FROM ITALY

ml
13:55:51 – 19/02/2010

Paolo Dieci , CISP Director and Legal Representative and Orran founder
Armine K. Hovannisian signed an agreement laying the foundations for
the construction of a an Orran center in Vanadzor. The 230,000 Euros
is the gift of the Italian Foreign Ministry and comes to confirm once
again the Italian’s people’s camaraderie with the Armenian people.
`We were very impressed to learn of the tremendous work that Orran has
been doing in helping families in need. Our organization works in 25
different countries mostly in projects involving children’s rights.
We applied to the Italian Foreign Ministry with the request to assist
Orran in building a center in Vanadzor, and received approval’ stated
Mr. Dieci.

The construction of the four story building on a 1000 square meters
land will start immediately. `We are so happy that CISP and the
Italian government came to support our work and to add to the generous
donation of Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Anna Krikorian who had commenced
the project with a $250,000 donation in the year 2008′ explains Armine
Hovannisian.

The Orran center in Vanadzor was founded on leased premises in
September of 2009 with the financial support of the Open Society
Institute and VivaCell-MTS. Currently there are 50 needy children
receiving a daily hot meal, tutorial, medical, psychological and
social services. The children are also learning skills in pottery and
woodcraft. Once the construction of the new building is completed,
more children will be embraced in the program.

If you would like more information on Orran, please refer to

SEBOUH CHULJYAN: TURKEY AND ARMENIA SHOULD START BUILDING DIALOGUE WITHOUT MEDIATORS

Armradio.am
19.02.2010 11:20

For the first time in history, an Armenian candidate will likely head
the Armenian Patriarchy of Turkey.

Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese of Gougark Bishop Sebouh Chuljyan
Primate will be the 85th patriarch of Armenians in Turkey if he wins
the elections expected to take place in May.

According to an 1861 Ottoman regulation that is applicable even today,
a bishop can be the patriarch of Armenians in Turkey if his father
was born in Turkey.

Speaking at the historical Armenian church of "Surp Kevork" (St.

Gregory) at KocamustafapaÅ~_a in Istanbul, Chuljyan said if he wins,
then the patriarchy would be "kept away from politics."

"Let politicians deal with politics. I will put effort into enhancing
the dialogue between the Turkish and Armenian peoples," he said. "We
need to look deep in each other’s eyes and talk about grievances."

Chuljyan also said the recent warming of bilateral relations is
a historic milestone. He said steps must be taken immediately to
re-establish official relations. "This chance to open the path of
dialogue between the two peoples should not be missed. Time works
against us," he told the Hurriyet Daily News.

The bishop criticized the Western world’s mediation, also saying that
Germany played a major role in the events of 1915. "Germany has not
accepted its responsibility in the events of 1915 until today. It has
always preferred to keep silent," he said, adding that the innocent
Armenian population in Anatolia went through great agonies in the
past because of the "egocentric stance of the West."

"The Western world has manipulated us for its benefits in Anatolia,"
he said. "I would like to think that those who try to act as mediators
between the Turkish and Armenian peoples are trying to get rid of
the burden of their consciences. However, they have their interests
in mind once again, in the form of the Caucasus."

Chuljyan said he believes Turkey and Armenia should start building
dialogue immediately, without mediators. "There is no one who knows
us better than us. Let us overcome our grievances together and start
a dialogue," he said.

Chuljyan was actually born in Turkey, in the eastern province of
Malatya, before migrating to Armenia at the age of 10 with his family.

If he is elected patriarch, he will apply for Turkish citizenship,
provided the Turkish Republic approves. He said he would keep his
Armenian citizenship and become a dual citizen, Hurriyet reports.

When reminded of the possibility of reopening for prayer the historical
church of Surb Khach on Aghtamar Island in Van province in eastern
Turkey, Chuljyan said: "I believe that the Turkish people have respect
for all beliefs. I believe they will understand the importance of
Surb Khach for Armenians."

WHEN THREATENING ARMENIA AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH, AZERBAIJAN SHOULD KEEP IN MIND WAR 08.08.08

ArmInfo
2010-02-20 14:27:00

ArmInfo. When threatening Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan
should keep in mind war 08.08.08, Svante Cornell, Director of Silk
Road Studies Program, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, John Hopkins
University, says in an interview to Zhamanak newspaper.

Cornell does not rule the possibility of Azerbaijan’s attacking
the Armenians in the long-term future as Baku’s capacities are
constantly growing. However, Cornell is not saying that Azerbaijan
can take Nagorno-Karabakh now. A framework agreement between Armenia
and Azerbaijan may be enough for the Turkish Parliament to ratify
the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Withdrawal of Armenian troops from
one-two territories in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh could well bring
the Armenian-Turkish process back onto its natural track.

TURKEY’S IDEA ON CREATION OF EURASIAN UNION TO MORE DAMAGE ITS GAME

ArmInfo
2010-02-19 13:02:00

ArmInfo. Turkey’s idea on creation of the Eurasian Union will more
damage its game, ex-Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan told
ArmInfo.

"I do not think that the idea on creation of the Eurasian Union,
voiced by Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, is a regular
populist statement in Erdogan’s style, since every statement hides
something. However, it is my strong belief that Turkey’s current idea
will lead nowhere, as it is trying to establish relations with the
Arab and Islam world and is simultaneously in war with the USA and
Israel", he said.

The politician thinks that Ankara will be immersed in this regional
geopolicy even more, it will be short of resources to implement such
ideas as creation of the geopolitical center. "Something like this
happened after the USSR collapse when Turkey rushed into all the Turk
countries of the Soviet Union. I think the same will happen in the
context of Turkey’s idea on creation of the Eurasian Union. Indeed,
there are too many disagreements and areas of influence in the Middle
east region", he said.

On February 4, during the meeting with Turkish ambassadors to Eurasian
countries, Ahmet Davutoglu offered to create nothing less than an
equivalent of the European Union in the form of the so-called Eurasian
Union. Davutoglu thought that EU countries have to cooperate more
closely and create railway, overland and maritime traffic networks.

Noteworthy, he called the future railway branch Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
as the brightest example of cooperation. This branch will be "the
shortest route" to connect Central and South-Eastern Asia with the
European Union.

EX-US OFFICIAL HAILS TURKEY, ARMENIA FOR TALKS

Hurriyet
Feb 18 2010
Turkey

Both the Turkish and Armenian leadership deserve great credit for
taking enormous political and domestic risks, a former U.S.

congressman has said in reference to the recent normalization talks
between Yerevan and Ankara.

Former Rep. Robert Wexler, who served as chair of the U.S. Congress’
Caucus on U.S.-Turkish Relations, recently resigned from his
congressional seat to lead the Center for Middle East Peace, a think
tank. He spoke at the SETA Foundation as part of a Washington, D.C.,
event called "Model Partnership: Creative Approaches to U.S.-Turkey
Relations."

In his remarks, Wexler explained how little attention was being paid
to the American-Turkish relationship when he was first elected to
Congress in the late ’90s, then added that he defined the current
relationship between the two countries as good.

The better relationship between Turkey and the U.S. was obvious,
Wexler said, when he received "arguably the most positive briefing in
years" at the U.S. State Department before his last visit to Turkey
in January. "It was positive because American-Turkish relations are
at a point of honesty – based on real, mutual interest and, at times,
differences in perspective," Wexler added.

Ratification process

Responding to a question about the ratification process of the
protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia, the former congressman
said he would like to advise Turkish leaders to stay one step, or
even a half step, ahead in this process. Such an attitude, he said,
would serve Turkey’s interests.

While accepting the importance of the U.S. administration’s reaction
in terms of making a difference on the ground, Wexler said he still
expects the State Department and the Pentagon to oppose the Armenian
"genocide resolution," which will be put to a vote in early March
in the House Foreign Relations Committee, as they did under past
administrations.

The U.S. administration’s attitude toward the resolution "remains to
be seen," he added.

Though some say Turkey’s foreign policy is shifting away from the West,
Wexler said that he finds little convincing evidence that Turkey is
moving to the East rather than staying anchored in the West.

Even though he disagrees with many foreign policies of the current
Turkish administration, Wexler added, he finds Turkey more democratic
and freer than it has been in decades, although he stressed that some
issues, such as the situation of the media, are cause for alarm.

Turkish-Israeli ties

Wexler also discussed the strained relationship between Turkey and
Israel and urged both governments to consider the importance of this
relationship. "The Israelis ought to give strong consideration to
a role Turkey can play on humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Though I
don’t agree with Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan’s narrative,
his views in respect to Hamas, and with respect to what occurred
in Gaza – I fundamentally disagree – but he is a passionate man on
humanitarian issues in Gaza," he said. "This could be a significant
element of bridging the divide between Turkey and Israel."

Responding to a question about the prospects of the Turkish mediation
role between Syria and Israel, Wexler stated that for Turkey to take
up that role again, the trust issues between Turkey and Israel need to
be resolved and the parties have to work hard to regain each other’s
confidence. Working toward this end, he added, is a two-way street.