Author: Kafian Jirair

AZ Central.com, AZ
June 12 2005

Armenian leader to bless site

Diana Balazs
The Arizona Republic

The spiritual leader of the world’s 7 million Armenian Apostolic
Christians will visit Scottsdale on Thursday to bless construction of
a new sanctuary.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all
Armenians, will visit the Armenian Apostolic Church of Arizona, 8849
E. Cholla St. Ceremonies begin at 4 p.m. His visit is part of a U.S.
tour this month.

The Scottsdale church is the only one in Arizona and serves the
entire state. Arizona has about 2,200 families of Armenian descent
with more than half living in the Valley. advertisement

The Scottsdale church has a multipurpose cultural center where both
religious services and non-religious activities are held. The plan is
to build a 6,000-square-foot sanctuary to be used only for Divine
Liturgy, its worship service, said Scottsdale resident Jerry Avakian,
chairman of the parish council.”It’s beyond what I can describe. It’s
not something that happens every day. It’s something that doesn’t
happen at all in most communities. It is very fortunate that he
selected to come here,” Avakian, 60, a real estate investor, said of
Karekin II’s visit.

This is his second visit to Arizona. In May 2001, Karekin II visited
Scottsdale as part of a U.S. tour celebrating the church’s 1,700th
anniversary. Armenia, which is in Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey,
is home to 2.9 million people, according to the World Factbook. It
was the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official religion
in A.D. 301.

Although Karekin II is blessing the sanctuary site, the actual
building groundbreaking won’t take place until early 2006, Avakian
said. The church still must obtain design approval from Scottsdale.

Church members are continuing with fund-raising efforts, said Donna
Sirounian, fund-raising chairwoman. The project is expected to cost
$1.5 million with about two-thirds of the money raised.

The Arizona Armenian community is a close-knit one with many
traveling far to attend the Scottsdale church.

Arsen Ovanessoff, 25, is a church sub-deacon who drives in from
Tucson. Ovanessoff and Sevag Hagopian, another church sub-deacon,
operate a Web site directory at that links
Armenians statewide.

Ovanessoff said he is excited about Karekin II’s visit.

“There are more Armenians outside of Armenia than actually inside
Armenia throughout the world. It’s exciting that the Catholicos is
coming. We call him the Catholicos. For me, particularly, he’s very
involved with the youth,” Ovanessoff said.

Sirounian, who lives in Goodyear, doesn’t mind the long drive to
Scottsdale. She said she is doing it for her two children, ages 2 ½
and 5 months.

“I’m doing it for them so they have a church to grow up in. It’s my
heritage and faith. It’s very important for me to continue it,” she
said.

–Boundary_(ID_Jk9+IJN9Q5zwh34tRxDO9Q)–

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:

His Holiness Karekin ii
catholicos of all armenians
In the western DIOCESE

his holiness visits
savey tufenkian school
Wednesday, June 8, 2005

At 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, paid a Pontifical visit to the Savey
Tufenkian School where he was greeted by the administration, students
and faculty of the school.

His Holiness was accompanied by high ranking clergy, including His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese;
His Eminence Archbishop Nerses Bozabalyan of the Mother See; His
Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, as well as several clergy
of the Diocese.

A program took place by the students of the school in honor of His
Holiness, during which principal Arsine Yegazarian and His Eminence
Archbishop Mardirossian conveyed their remarks.

His Holiness blessed the children and conveyed to them the blessings
of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

his holiness meets with

Government and ecumenical guests

during vip Luncheon

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, met with
government and ecumenical guests on June 8, 2005 during a VIP
Luncheon hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Walter and Laurel Karabian. The
Luncheon was held in the Kalaydjian Hall of the Arshag and Eleanor
Dickranian Complex of the Western Diocese in Burbank.

His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese; His Eminence Archbishop
Nerses Bozabalyan of the Mother See; His Eminence Archbishop Vatche
Hovsepian, as well as several Diocesan clergy.

Mr. Richard Mushegain, Esq., former Chair of the Diocesan Council,
served as Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Walter Karabian, Esq. delivered
the opening remarks in which he welcomed His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, to the Western Diocese. Mr. Karabian
introduced his daughter, Madeline Karabian, who in both Armenian and
English beautifully welcomed His Holiness on behalf of her family,
and gave a perspective on the family’s personal history and
involvement within the Western Diocese.

Over 200 guests including government and religious leaders were
present during the reception. Mr. Karabian acknowledged the federal
and state government and official leaders, as well as judges in
attendance. Local government leaders were introduced by Paul
Krekorian, President of the Burbank Unified School District.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western
Diocese, introduced the Ecumenical leaders who were present, Rev. Fr.
John Bakas, Dean of the St. Sophia Cathedral; Rev. Fr. Alexei Smith,
Director of the Ecumenical & Interreligious Office; His Eminence Mor
C. Eugene Kaplan, Archbishop of the Western Archdiocese of the Syriac
Orthodox Church; His Grace Bishop Serapion, Primate of the Coptic
Orthodox Church; Rev. Dr. Paul Lance; Dr. Michael Mata, Claremont
School of Theology; Rev. Dr. Fr. Efstathios Mylonas, Coptic Orthodox
Church; Bishop Dean Nelson, Evangelical Lutheran Church; Rev. Fr.
Justin Rose, Greek Orthodox Church; Rev. Dr. Lloyd Saatjian, United
Methodist Church; Rev. Gregory Bishay, Coptic Orthodox Church; Albert
Cohen, Southern California Ecumenical Council, Rabbi Mark Diamond,
Board of Rabbis, Rev. Fr. Gwynne Guibord, Episcopal Diocese of LA;
Rev. Mark Jauffman, Chaplain of Glendale Memorial Hospital; Dr. Jay
Johnson, Southern California United Church of Christ; Very Rev.
Josiah Trenham, Antiochan Orthodox Church; Rev. Sally Welch, Southern
California Ecumenical Council.

His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians addressed the
attendees, thanking them for their continued support of the Western
Diocese and her missions. He blessed them and conveyed to them his
love from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Government and civic leaders included Supervisor Michael Antonovich,
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor-Elect of Los
Angeles, Mary Boger, President, BUSD; Lisa Kalustian, Chief Deputy
Director, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; Joyce Streator,
Council Member, Pasadena; Bob Yousefian, Glendale City Council; Greg
Krikorian, GUSD; Katherine Barger Leibrick, Chief Deputy to Sup.
Antonovich; Rafi Manoukian, Mayor of Glendale; Judge Ronald Sohigian;
Prof. Jonathan Kemp, Director, Davenport Institute; Peter Abajian,
Lena Kaimian and Nicole Shahian, Armenian Assembly; Randy Adams,
Glendale Chief of Police; Dennis Zine, Los Angeles City Council; Dr.
Michael Mata, Claremont School of Theology; James Bozajian, Mayor of
Calabasas; Haig Kartounian, District Representative, Cong. Adam
Schiff; Frank Quintero and Ara Najarian, Glendale City Council;
Michael Mahdessian, LA Planning Commission; Andrew Adelman, General
Manager, City of LA Dept. of Building and Safety; Sarkis Aghazarian,
Senior Building Inspector, City of LA Dept. of Building and Safety;
John Boyajian, LA Transportation Commission; Berj Boyajian and Sarkis
Kitsinian, Board Member, Mayor’s office of International Trade; G.
Steve Simonian, Chief, Bureau of Investigations; Dr. Dean Nielsen,
President, Woodbury University; Congresswoman Lois Capps; Cindy
Montanez, California State Assembly; Laura Chick, LA City Controller;
Maria Mehranian, Planning Commission, La Canada; Linda Shahinian,
Planning Commission, Culver City; Armond Agakhani, Parks and
Recreations Commission, Glendale.

reception for his holiness and

recipients of medals of honor

and letters of pontifical blessings

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

A reception was held on June 8, 2005 in the Kalaydjian Hall of the
Diocese for His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and
the recipients of Medals of Honor and Letters of Pontifical
Blessings. The reception was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Armen and Nora
Hampar.

His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and His Eminence Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian. The clergy of the Diocese were also in attendance.

His Holiness entered the Hall in a procession consisting of the
Diocesan clergy, singing the hymn, `Hrashapar’. The evening began
with the Invocation by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians. Master of Ceremonies Mr. Parsegh Kartalian invited to the
podium the host of the evening Mr. Armen Hampar, who welcomed His
Holiness and conveyed his joy in having the opportunity to host the
reception for His Holiness.

Entertainment during the reception was provided by Capri Mugrdichian
Compton who presented several musical selections accompanied by Gloria
Michaelian.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian welcomed His Holiness
Karekin II and extended to the guests of honor his appreciation for
the dedication with which they have served the Western Diocese.

His Eminence made two noteworthy announcements. He announced a list
of individuals who have made significant donations to the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin, which the Catholicos announced will be allocated
towards the renovation of Holy Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The second announcement made by the Primate was that Dn. Dr.
Varoujan Altebarmakian, benefactor of the Diocese and current Chair
of the Diocesan Council, was appointed to the Supreme Spiritual
Council, comprised of Archbishops and laymen who under the presidency
of the Catholicos meet regularly in Holy Etchmiadzin.

Following the address of the Primate a Pontifical Encyclical read
issued by His Holiness Karekin II, bestowing the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Medal of Honor upon Mr. Albert Boyajian, who through his
generous donations through the past several years has supported
numerous activities of the Diocese.

In appreciation of their selfless service to the Mother See, the
Western Diocese, their parishes, and their faithful, the clergy of
the Diocese were each given a cross by His Holiness, to be worn
around heir necks.

In his closing remarks His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, congratulated the recipients of the Medals of Honor. He
commended their unrelenting dedication and devotion to the Armenian
Apostolic Church, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Western
Diocese and the Armenian people both in Armenia and the Diaspora.
Seeing the vast crowd of medal recipients gathered in the hall, he
said, `My, what a great army we have before us.’ He urged them to
continue their service to the Church in the name of God and for the
prosperity of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

His Holiness also extended his appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Armen
Hampar, the hosts of the evening and presented to them a silver
cross. The Catholicos also recognized the 75th Birthday of His
eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, former primate, and commended
his accomplishments during his tenure.

OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE
June 8, 2005
Burbank, California

Pan Armenian News

IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO RA: I NEVER ADVISED IRANIANS NOT TO SEND CHILDREN TO
STUDY IN ARMENIA

08.06.2005 04:49

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Alireza Haqiqian refuted the
information spread by some media, according to which he allegedly called
upon Iranian families not to sent their children to study in Armenia. `My
words were wrongly interpreted. I never gave such advice to Iranians’, the
diplomat stated, IA Regnum reports. In his words, the relations between Iran
and Armenia have been developing since Armenia became independent and the
multilateral development and strengthening of relations in all the fields
are supported by the top officials of both states. `The development of
scientific and educational cooperation between the two states is one of the
most important reasons of bilateral cooperation’, the Iranian diplomat
noted. When touching upon the mutual acknowledging and confirmation of the
diplomas issued by the institutes of higher education of the two countries.
Mr. Haqiqian noted that the appropriate memorandum has been already signed.
`The increase of the number of Iranian students in Armenia is conditioned by
this fact’, he stressed. He also clarified his position on the border
cooperation between Iran and Armenia. `The joint overland border plays an
important role in bilateral relations. I take into account the ties and
transportation across the border as well as the increasing flow of people
and vehicles. Presently the alleviation of traffic on this way is in focus’,
he said.

Washington Times, DC
June 7 2005

UPI Terrorism Watch

By John C.K. Daly and Philip Turner
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL

According to Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamlet Gasparyan,
Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has
pardoned six members of an Armenian flight crew convicted on Nov. 26
last year of plotting to overthrow his government. President Obiang
issued the pardon on his birthday. The Armenian Foreign Ministry at
the time of the crew’s trial said that they were in no way involved
in activities against the authorities. The court in the Guinean
capital Malabo sentenced the crew chief to 24 years in prison; the
other crewmembers received 14-year sentences. The crew had worked in
Equatorial Guinea onboard an Antonov-12 registered in Armenia since
January 2004; they were arrested in Malabo on March 7 on charges of
participating in a coup attempt and engaging in espionage. The pilots
claimed that they were solely involved in delivering cargoes under a
contract with a German company. The six were serving their sentences
in the Black Beach prison in Malabo; two months ago Amnesty
International said their trial was “grossly unfair,” and that they
risked starving to death in jail.

Middle East Media Research Institute, DC
Special Dispatch Series – No. 916
June 6 2005

Antisemitism in the Turkish Media (Part III): Targeting Turkey’s
Jewish Citizens

The following is the third report in a series on the issue of
antisemitism in the Turkish media. [1] This phenomena is directed not
only against the Jews in general, it also targets Turkey’s Jewish
citizens, in the form of multiple attacks on Turkey’s Chief Rabbi;
insults to and offensive characterization of Turkey’s Jews; and
accusations of disloyalty, espionage, and treason. The media
frequently accuse Turkish Jews of destroying the Ottoman Empire,
carrying out the ‘genocide’ of Armenians, hatching sinister plots
against Turkey, establishing a secular ‘anti-Islamic’ regime in
Turkey; also blaming Jews for being rich and influential is often
seen.

Publications by the Islamic terrorist organization IBDA-C, [2] which
claimed responsibility for the November 15, 2003 bombings of two
Istanbul synagogues, circulate freely in Turkey; dozens of pages in
each issue are dedicated to virulently antisemitic literature. [3]
Books such as Mein Kampf,The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and The
International Jew are high on Turkish bestseller lists, and are
displayed prominently in the front of bookstores.

The following report also focuses on some of the intellectuals and
liberal journalists in Turkey who have spoken out against this wave
of antisemitism.

“Judaism is Synonymous With Treason”
Columnist Fahri Guven wrote in the Islamist daily Milli Gazete: [4]
“[…] The Ottomans saved the Jews from the hands of Christians, who
murdered them along with the Muslims in Endulus [Muslim Spain]. When
Russia and Hungary persecuted the Jews, again the Ottomans saved
them. The Muslim Turks rescued Jews yet again, from the hands of
Hitler, who was himself a hidden Jew […]. From the beginning, the
Ottomans showed hospitality, seemingly even by allotting the best
homes to the Jews – along the Bosphorus, in Istanbul’s most luxurious
area.

“And, characteristic of their savage, treacherous [nature], in return
they [the Jews] first overthrew Sultan Abdulhamid and destroyed the
Ottomans; [5] [then], like insects, they ate away at the Ottoman
[Empire]; and as if this were not enough, they stabbed the Muslim
Turkish soldiers in Palestine in the back.

“‘Judaism’ is synonymous with ‘treason’ […] They [the Jews] even
betrayed God […] When God told them to bow their heads while entering
Al-Quds [Jerusalem], they entered with their heads up. The prophets
sent to them, such as Zachariah and Isaiah, were murdered by the Jews
[…] In fact, no amount of pages or lines would be sufficient to
explain the Koranic chapters and our Lord Prophet’s [Muhammad’s]
words that tell us of the betrayals of the Jews. […]”

“Here is the Real Jew!”
Columnist for the ultra-nationalist daily Ortadogu Selcuk Duzgun, in
an article titled “Here is the Real Jew,” wrote: [6] “Salamon [a
Jewish name often used in a derogatory way] is on his deathbed. He
asks his wife about each member of his family and wants to know if
they are present. When the wife assures him that all his loved ones
are beside him, he is angered and shouts at them for leaving the shop
unattended.

“This is a clear example of what the real Jew is. While we read and
laugh at our jokes about the Jews, they [the Jews] are enjoying
themselves by fooling the entire world.

“[…] Oh my naive people – you have elevated so many of these [Jews],
and you have given an identity to so many [who had none]. You have
saved, protected, and fed so many of them!… […] and they have
created the [country’s] agenda and continued their march to [their]
‘Promised Land.’ While we were calling them Masons, Sabbateans,
Rotarians, etc., they had the privilege of ruling our country.
Whatever name we call them, we always are faced with the truth that
they are the ‘JEWS.’

“[…] We are surrounded. Wherever we look we see traitors. Wherever we
turn we see impure, false converts. Whichever stone you turn over,
there is a ‘JEW’ under it. And we keep thinking to ourselves: ‘Hitler
did not do enough to these Jews.'[…]”

Turkey’s Chief Rabbi Attacked, Reviled By Media
On August 17, 2004, the Islamist daily Anadolu’da Vakit, popularly
known as Vakit, published a column by Abdurrahim Karakoc that lauded
Hitler for his “foresight” and for “purging the bloodthirsty,
swindling Jews” and also praised Osama bin Laden. [7]

In February 2005, the publication of the daily in Germany was banned
by the German government because of its antisemitic incitement and
Holocaust denial. The Turkish press reacted with attacks on and
smears against the German government, particularly German Interior
Minister Otto Schily.

On March 2, 2005, German Ambassador to Ankara, Wolf Ruthart Born,
sent a letter to Turkish Press Council President Oktay Eksi, of the
centrist, widely circulated daily Hurriyet, who had called Germany’s
ban on Vakit “the murder of the law.” In it, Ambassador Born said
that Vakit ‘s articles were ‘inciting and disgusting’ and that it
would be better for the Turkish Press Council to focus on these
inappropriate publications instead of giving legal advice to the
German Interior Minister. Since then, the German government has
approached Turkish Interior Minister Aksu to protest against Vakit ‘s
ongoing attacks on Germany and its government.

At a May 18, 2005 press conference, German Interior Minister Schily
said: “As you know, Anadolu’da Vakit was banned because of its
virulent antisemitism. Then it began publishing articles attacking me
and, lately, Prime Minister Schroeder. The Turkish government must
also concern itself with the Vakit newspaper. […] This paper has
depicted me, and also our Prime Minister, as neo-Nazis […] If the
Turkish government does not have the necessary laws, they should
create them.” [8]

Following the August 17, 2004 publication of Karakoc’s article in
Vakit, the Turkish Chief Rabbinate sent a letter of complaint to
several liberal columnists in Turkish newspapers, prompting a
campaign of daily attacks and revilement against Turkish Chief Rabbi
Izak Haleva by journalists and politicians who write primarily for
Vakit.

The following are only a few sample excerpts from this campaign:

The Chief Rabbi must condemn Israel

On August 26, 2004, the headline of Vakit’s lead story read: “The
Chief Rabbi who criticizes ‘[free] thought’ is indifferent to
Sharon’s cruelty. Turkey’s Chief Rabbi, who criticized our writer
Abdurrahim Karakoc in a letter he sent to some columnists, has never
said anything about Israel’s massacres that have turned into
‘genocide.'”

On August 27, Vakit’s headline, and a report by Kenan Kiran in the
paper, read: “Still not a sound from the rabbi. Chief Rabbi Haleva,
who sent a letter to journalists targeting our writer Karakoc, has
not answered our questions for yet another day.

“The Chief Rabbi’s letter prompted many reactions […]: “AKP MP from
Manisa, Huseyin Tanriverdi, said: ‘[…] [The Chief Rabbi’s] attitude
that is disrespectful of free conscience is wrong. […] Those who call
themselves ‘men,’ and especially the faithful, cannot be silent about
the savagery in Palestine. Mr. Haleva must condemn Israel’s inhuman
massacres.

“MP Tanriverdi added: ‘In the face of the existing barbarism and
massacres, Mr. Karakoc has sought to stop this human tragedy by
reminding [us] of historical facts. […] Mr. Karakoc has made very
reasonable observations.’

“Chief Rabbi Haleva stated that he would send a written reply to [
Vakit ‘s] questions. Although two days have passed, the following
questions remain unanswered: ‘Do you consider Hitler cruel? Do you
also consider Sharon cruel, knowing the world media’s decision that
the massacres he commits are similar to what Hitler did to the Jews?
Do you condone the Israeli soldiers’ aggression against Palestinian
civilians?'”

Rabbi Haleva, if you do not stop Sharon, anti-Jewish voices may turn
into anti-Jewish actions!

On August 29, Vakit ‘s Ilhan Toprak reported: “Turkish Health Workers
Union President Mustafa Basoglu criticized Turkey’s Chief Rabbi [in a
letter he sent to him] for being disturbed at Karakoc’s comparing
Hitler and Sharon. […] [The letter read:] ‘As a religious leader,
Izak Haleva must make all the necessary efforts to prevent Sharon’s
negative attitudes […] If Sharon […] is not stopped, the voices being
raised against the Jews […] might turn into actions. To prevent that,
the Chief Rabbi must stop Sharon […]’

More Turkish politicians join in: Chief Rabbi must apologize

On August 28, the front page of Vakit read: “[…] Politicians are
reacting to Chief Rabbi Haleva: AKP MP from Kahramanmaras and former
President of Turkish Writers Association Atilla Maras said it was a
crime for Turkey’s Chief Rabbi to send letters of complaint to
journalists against Abdurrahim Karakoc. MP Maras added: ‘Turkey’s
Chief Rabbi Izak Haleva must condemn Israel and Sharon’ […]

“Nurettin Aktas, AKP Member of Parliament from Gaziantep, said that
Turkey’s Chief Rabbi had no reason to be disturbed by Karakoc’s
article, ‘Israel is perpetrating state terrorism […] The Chief Rabbi
[…] must warn Sharon and apologize to the Palestinian people. The
world condemns Sharon, just like they condemned Hitler.'”

“Chief Rabbi, the Commander”

On August 29, in an article titled “Chief Rabbi, the Commander,”
Vakit columnist Huseyin Uzmez joined in: “[…] Why is it that one of
the [Turkish] authorities does not come forward and say: ‘You, [Chief
Rabbi,] come here! Haven’t you learned when and how to submit a
complaint? How dare you cross your limits?'” […]

Chief Rabbi beats the drums!

On August 31, Hasan Karakaya added another article to the attack on
Turkey’s Chief Rabbi: “[…] It was clear that…the mallet beating these
drums [the six journalists to whom Rabbi Haleva wrote] was in the
hands of that [person], whatever his name is: Helava [derived from
the Turkish word for ‘sewage’ or ‘toilet’] or ‘Haleva.'”

Turkish columnist: “Chief Rabbi’s synagogues are Zionist bases”

On September 2, 2004, Vakit columnist Nurettin Sirin wrote: “[…]
Firstly, the Chief Rabbi who uses his synagogues as Zionist bases
must learn that no Jew has the right to teach a lesson on ‘human
rights’ to [us], the children of the Ottomans. These [Jews], who fled
Spain’s massacres and found shelter thanks to Ottoman tolerance, have
carried out nothing but treason and plots on Ottoman territory, and
have [always] carried out the ugly designs of Zionism on this
[Turkish] land.

“These people [the Jews] […] tried to ‘Israelize’ the Ottoman
[Empire] from within, carrying out their treachery through some
Zionist organizations. With the help of Masonic lodges, Lions and
Rotary clubs, and political, academic, economic, media, and
bureaucratic co-conspirators, they have woven a ‘web of Semitism’ on
this Islamic geography.

“‘Semitism’ in this country [Turkey] is the name of ‘treason’ against
Islam and Muslims, and against all our national and moral values. […]
Documenting this treachery is as easy as proving the laws of gravity.
In face of this truth, the Chief Rabbinate and their allies’ cries of
‘antisemitism’ and their fake claim to innocence are laughable.

“[…] Has he [the Chief Rabbi] ever condemned the genocide by the
Jews, that he [dares] to talk of the so-called persecutions of the
Jews? […]

“[…] It is these so-called innocent Jews who are responsible for the
loss of our Ottoman [Empire], for the trampling of our sanctity, for
the hanging of our forefathers, for the humiliation of all our
beliefs, and for the ban on our women’s covering [as demanded by
Islam].

“[…] [Karakoc’s] article will be an important contribution to the
questioning of [the Jews’] sinister plots, satanic steps, and
historic treason in our country. When the masks of these so-called
innocent people and groups fall, we will clearly see the monster
behind them.

“[…] At this opportunity, I would like to also place my signature
under the article titled ‘Foresight, Israel Shameless’ written by my
brother and friend Karakoc, and to express my willingness to be
judged [as I stand] right next to him. God bless your pen and your
heart, brother Karakoc… […]”

For more examples of the attacks on and revilement of Turkish Chief
Rabbi Izak Haleva see Appendix I.

Turkish Columnist Warns: Last Chance for the Jews
Columnist for the mainstream secular liberal daily Aksam, Sakir
Suter, wrote: [9] “In Turkey, there are ‘sworn enemies’ of the Jews.
[But] Jews also have some friends, even if they are not ‘sworn
[friends]’ […] Quite a few people [in Turkey] are pleased by their
friendship with Turkish citizens of Jewish descent. There are some
common [shared] historical sorrows and joys.

“Today, however, we are on the verge of saying ‘there WERE’ [in the
past].
We will either cross-out this friendship or continue with a ‘bad
taste.’

“In Turkey, there is a big ‘maybe’ hanging in the minds of [even]
those who [until now] did not see the Jews as ‘enemies.’

“They [the Turkish Jews] have an obligation to show us that they are
distanced from the terror that resulted in the death of thousands in
Turkey [due to terrorism activity by the PKK, a separatist Kurdish
organization]… and that the Jews are not ‘plotting’ against us [the
Turks] together with the [Kurdish] elements in Northern Iraq, who
definitely cannot be our friends.

“[…] The burden of proof is on […] Tel Aviv to show that they [the
Jews] are not playing out any Israeli ‘anti-Turkish plots in Northern
Iraq,’ as reported even by the foreign media. Instead of providing
the required proof, making nasty threat-like comments against Turkey
is ugly.

“[…] If they [the Jews] claim to be real friends of Turkey, the
burden is not on the Turks, who have proven their friendship, but on
the Jews, whose ‘hostility’ we are discussing.

“We, on our part, are offering one last chance before officially and
openly declaring that the Jews are our ‘enemy.’

“[…][Now] we have reached such a juncture that… millions in Turkey
are all too eager to pour out to the streets and cry out: ‘Death to
Zionism!’… ‘You [Jew]! Let us hear you [reply]!’ ‘You must either
prove your innocence… or apologize [immediately] to the Turks, who
took you for a ‘friend’ for over 500 years!”

Jewish Espionage

Columnist Suat Gun wrote in the nationalist daily Once Vatan: [10]
“Upon the discovery of an Israeli mole in the Pentagon, I remembered
the book by the late General Cevat Rifat Atilhan, titled Suzi
Liberman, the Jewish Spy…

“Cevat Rifat Atilhan was an officer, much valued by great Ataturk.
His units fought in important […] battles [during WWI]. When the
Arab-Israel war started in 1948, he joined that front with the 300
volunteers he gathered, and was successful in capturing a Jewish
settlement from the enemy.

“Cevat Rifat Atilhan is an unequalled patriot, who informed the
Turkish public of the ‘Jewish threat.'[…]

“This present day espionage [in the U.S.] is an operation undertaken
by the Jews […] who like a cancer virus have spread everywhere,
destroying the American governmental system. In reality, the U.S. has
been infected with a ‘Jewish cancer,’ and the Jews will bring about
its death, demise, or destruction [whichever term you choose]….”

“Politics are Committing Adultery With Our Honor”
Liberal columnist Ayse Onal, formerly of the secular, Kemalist daily
Aksam and who writes now for the Star Gazete, wrote an article
protesting the Turkish media’s accusation of the Jews for every
disaster in the world. She opens with quotes by antisemitic writers:
[11]

“335 children and teachers were murdered in Beslan by the Jews. The
barbarism of 9/11 was a Jewish plot. Turkish society and family
values are being destroyed by the Jews. It is the Jews who are
cutting off heads in Iraq. They [the Jews] are so blinded [with
hatred] that in order to conceal the Jewish finger [role] in all of
that, they sometimes butcher [their fellow] Jews as well. It was them
[the Jews] who bombed their own synagogues. And when their own
families died, they shed false tears.

“The Jews are like a punching bag. Hit [them] and hit [them], as much
as you can… Punch [them] as much as you want, with no fear, shame,
respect or sense of boundaries… In any event, only about 15,000 Jews
remain [in Turkey], and they have no voice to be heard.

“The Jews are a convenient, living shield for all immorality, all
murders, savagery, and lies… If you place a Jew where there is
barbarism or fraud, you have solved the problem…

“And knowing too well what would await them, nobody has the
possibility, nor the courage, to ask, ‘Where are the human rights and
freedoms, values of equality, principles of non-discrimination with
regard to religion, race, and ethnicity?’ If the honor [of the
citizens] is indeed under the protection of the [Turkish]
constitution, this means that according to the State, Jews are either
not human, or not citizens.[…]

A Nauseating Synagogue in the Land of the Prophets
In the Islamist daily Milli Gazete, Burhan Bozgeyik wrote: [12] “[…]
We went to the city of ªanliurfa to visit friends and relatives.
Before entering the city, we went directly to the garden of the
revered Hajji Halil’s father. We performed our noon prayers there.
Our young brothers went all out to show us hospitality. We were in
the place where […] Ibrahim Aleyhisselam [Abraham] lived. […]

“After food and conversation, we started thinking about our next
stop, Adana. But, since we had come this far, we had to first visit
the cave where Halilullah [Abraham] was born […] So we went to the
Dergah Mosque, and there we performed our mid-afternoon prayers.

“I have told you all this as an introduction to our real subject: On
the way back, our guide said, ‘Just take a look here, look at this
synagogue.’ We looked: it was an impressive building. “This entire
area was expropriated; this park is going to be expanded so that the
synagogue will be prominent,’ he said. [13]

“When we saw the synagogue, we lost all our joy. It wiped away the
vision of the beautiful garden, the magnificent banquet, the mosque,
the shrine […] Instead, this frightful building stood in front of our
eyes like a ghost. What was a synagogue doing in this ‘Land of the
Prophets?’ […] Where did this ‘Jew-love’ come from?

“[…] Frankly, we were extremely nauseated when we saw the synagogue.
The food we had eaten stuck in our throats like a knot […]”

Respect for Christians and Jews Harms This Country
In another article, Burhan Bozgeyikwrote: [14] “Some people in this
country are mistaken in how they treat Christians and Jews. Such
mistakes are harming not only the perpetrators, but also all the
young Muslims of this land, and directly or indirectly, this country.

“Heading the list of these mistakes is the respect and reverence
shown to Christians and Jews […] It is a mistake to include them in
the protocol of meetings, to let them speak, to applaud them, to
quote their words in the newspapers […]. It is not just wrong, it is
a frighteningly grave mistake […]

“It is a mistake for so-called professors, writers, thinkers, and
famous intellectuals to make ‘sympathetic’ statements about
Christians and Jews. Particularly, to say that ‘they too will go to
heaven’ is an even bigger mistake. […] Christians and Jews, who have
rejected our Prophet and refuse to recite ‘Mohammed is the Messenger
of God’ belong forever in Hell.

“In the eyes of God, there is only one religion, and that is Islam
[…] There is only one book, and that is the Koran. […]

“For so-called ‘dignitaries’ to present Christianity and Judaism as
‘godly religions’ is terribly wrong. […]

Let Us Be Wary of Becoming Neo-Nazis
Columnist Mehmet Barlas of the mainstream, large circulation Turkish
daily Sabah criticized the antisemitism in the Turkish media: [15]
“[…] Being ‘European’ implies that all the people and the ‘media’
accept a [particular] philosophy. Three days ago, the European
Council Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published a report on
Turkey which included the following criticism of the Turkish media:

“Antisemitic propaganda continues to be published by some Turkish
media organs. Identifying the Turkish Jewish Community […] with the
policies of the State of Israel is frequent in the Turkish media.”

“All those who follow world developments know what this statement
means. Publication of materials that incite and generate hatred and
hostility against a race or an ethnic group is now considered a
‘crime against humanity.’ The concept of crime is not only valid for
bureaucrats and politicians. For example, Nigerian journalists who
engaged in similar practice against their country’s minorities were
convicted last year by the international court. It is becoming
dangerous for the members of the Turkish media to engage in racism as
they hide behind the assertion, ‘I’m commenting on Middle East
politics.’

“Those who make remarks such as ‘anyway, he’s a Sabbatean, we know
his [real] identity’ may cause serious harm to their country and
their profession and bring serious problems upon themselves.

“Those who aspire to be patriots, nationalists, or Arab sympathizers
can [easily] turn into Neo-Nazis.

“[…] We in the media should refrain from using expressions which do
not fit the European pattern. This kind of behavior is ‘shameful,’
even when not ‘criminal.’ […]

IBDA-C Publication: “The Best Jew is a Dead Jew!”
Aylik is a monthly magazine published in Turkey by the Great East
Islamic Raiders Front, IBDA-C, which is the terrorist organization
which claimed responsibility for the November 15, 2003 attacks on
Istanbul’s two main synagogues that killed 26 and wounded dozens.
Turkish authorities have stated that this organization has ties to
Al-Qa’ida. The April 2005 edition of Aylik includes 18 pages of
antisemitic propaganda.

The first article concerning the Jews, titled “The Internal and
External Enemy: Yahudi” was written by Salih Izzet Erdis, also known
as Salih Mirzabeyoglu, who is the ‘architect’ or ‘commander’ of the
organization and is presently serving a life term in a Turkish
prison. The following are few excerpts from his article:

“[…] The race that bred in evil and treachery, creating the real Jew,
and the one that has become a curse to the world, is the Jew…

“[…] The one who blamed the Prophet Jesus [for blasphemy], who came
from their own [kind], and whom they sold to the Romans […], that
lowly treacherous one, is (Judah), the Jew…

“The one who later distorted the belief of Jesus and made up the lie
and the insult that he is the son of God is (St. Paul) the Jew…

“[…] The ones who, through planning and plotting, brought to Turkey
adultery, immorality, and destruction, who built Israel right at the
heart of Islam and next to the oil and other natural resources […] as
a tiny model of their secret [world] empire…

“Like an octopus hiding its tentacles under its belly, watching [for
opportunities] to grab Iraq with one arm, Syria with another arm, and
with others Kuwait, Hijaz [Saudi Arabia], Egypt, and Libya; they who
need a world tragedy in order to carry out their aims […] In short,
those who stir the witches’ cauldron to melt all civilizations within
it are Jews… It is only the Jew, always the Jew…”

The second article, which was prepared for publication by Unsal Zor,
is titled, “Cursed Until Eternity”: “The rabbis falsified the Torah
[which Muslims believe otherwise would be identical to the Koran].
They concealed the power and greatness of God and presented their own
race instead as the ‘Chosen’ One…

“[…] It is always said that the accusations against the Jews were all
‘libels.’ None of those [accusations] were ‘libels.’

“[…] Their important book the Talmud commands hating all those who
are not Jews, and when possible acting by [killing] them. […]

“An important Talmud writer, Maimonides, has said: ‘[…] It is
prohibited to save the life of anyone who is not a Jew […] It is
forbidden for a Jewish doctor to heal a non-Jew, even if he is paid
to do so – unless not treating the non-Jew would cause a public
reaction which might harm the Jews.

” Haham [Rabbi] Sofer has said about the Muslims and Christians in
the Ottoman Empire: ‘They are believers in other gods; therefore,
they must be killed using indirect methods.’ […]

“The Talmud says: ‘If a Jew finds a lost object and realizes that it
belonged to a Jew, he is obligated to return it. But if the owner is
not a Jew, then it is imperative not to give it back. […] Dishonesty
is acceptable towards a non-Jew. […]

” Yahudi [Jew] the thief! […] These few examples provide a glimpse of
the ‘Jewish ideology.’ […] If the Talmud says all these things, then
we say: ‘Nobody should shed tears and mucus, or mourn when a Jew
dies. The best Jew is a dead Jew!’ […]”

The next article in the magazine, “Why Antisemitism?” by Cumali
Dalkilic, declares Jews the ‘enemy’ of the Turks, of Islam, and of
the entire world. Jews are alleged to have a ‘disgusting nature’ and
are defined as ‘the people eternally cursed by God and His prophets,
who are not wanted by anyone and thrown out of every place.’

The article quotes many pages from Hitler’s Mein Kampf and shows
admiration for Hitler, calling him ‘a hero’, ‘a rare mind’ that
grasped the [‘real’] meaning of the Jew and the Jewish problem, ‘a
true statesman to whom no other can stand up.’ The article, which
also includes excerpts from the notorious Protocols of the Elders of
Zion, ends with Holocaust denial, cuts down the number of Jewish
victims from millions to 130,000 to 150,000, and called on its
readers to read and understand Hitler through his own writings
instead of believing the ‘historic fraud’ of the Jews [that]
‘prostitutionalizes’ the conscience.

The final three articles on the Jews exhibit the most virulent
demonization of the Jews. One ends with expressing satisfaction at
the new rise in anti-Jewish sentiment in Turkey and credits IBDA and
its leader Salih Mirzabeyoglu with this ‘achievement.’ The last
sentence reads: “This is the ‘real’ and ‘final’ place for settling
accounts with the Jews.”

Another, titled “The Cifit’s [filthy Jews’] [16] Castle” attacks the
Donme, [17] claiming that they are not ‘real Muslims’ or real
‘Turks,’ but ‘filthy Jews’ under cover, and that they are responsible
for the present secularism in Turkey, as well as for all the
wrongdoings in the world. The article also states that “the only
barrier before the filthy Jews is the ‘wall of Islam.'”

Appendix I:

List of additional articles attacking Turkey’s Chief Rabbi Izak
Haleva:

Vakit, August 26, 2004, “Dedicated to the Rabbi.” Front page
headline.

Vakit, August 27, 2004, “Chief Rabbi’s Musketeers (1),” A. Karakoc.

Vakit, August 28, 2004, “Chief Rabbi’s Musketeers (2),” A. Karakoc.

Vakit, August 28, 2004, “Haleva Must Apologize.” Headline.

Vakit, August 29, 2004, “Chief Rabbi’s Musketeers (3),” A. Karakoc.

Vakit, August 29, 2004, “The Sharons and the [Media] Barons, Shoulder
to Shoulder,” Hasan Karakaya.

Vakit, August 29, 2004, “Hitler or Sharon [Same Thing],” Ilhan
Toprak.

Vakit, August 31, 2004, “Beat the drums!” Hasan Karakaya.

Tercuman, Dunden Bugune, August 31, 2004, “The Tactical Mistake of
the Chief Rabbi and his Friends,” Serdar Arseven.

Vakit, August 31, 2004, “Has the Human Rights Organization Given up
on Freedom of Thought?” Ali Karahasanoglu.

Vakit, September 1, 2004, “Listen to the cries…,” Hasan Karakaya.

Vakit, September 9, 2004,”Oppressions of the Oppressor,” A. Karakoc.

——————————————————————————–

[1] See also, MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 900, “Antisemitism in the
Turkish Media: Part 1,” April 28, 2005,
;Area=sd&ID=SP90005
and MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 904, “Antisemitism in the Turkish
Media (Part II) – Turkish Intellectuals Against Antisemitism,” May 5,
2005,
;Area=sd&ID=SP90405.

[2] The Great East Islamic Raiders Front (IBDA-C) was established in
the mid-1970’s by a faction of the youth group of former Turkish
prime minister Erbakan’s MSP (National Salvation Party), which was
outlawed during the 1980 military intervention.

[3] The names and phone numbers of the publication’s editorial staff
appear on the first page.

[4] Milli Gazete, February 4, 2005. This daily is affiliated with
former PM Erbakan’s Islamic movement Milli Gorus, from which current
Turkish PM Erdogan and his AK (Justice and Development) Party
emerged. On December 28, 2002, columnist Y. Bayer of the mainstream,
high circulation Turkish daily Hurriyet wrote: “Did you know that: In
1974, when [Turkish Prime Minister] Tayyip Erdogan was president of
the Beyoglu [Istanbul] Youth Group of the [Islamist] MSP [National
Salvation Party], he wrote and directed a theatrical play called
Maskomya and also played the lead role of the ‘bad son?’ And that the
role of Erdogan’s grandmother was performed by a girl from a CHP [the
secular, Kemalist Republican People’s Party] family, and that the
play was staged 10 times despite the complaints of a board member to
Erbakan?”

The historian/researcher Rifat N. Bali also commented on Erdogan’s
play: “Maskomya, or in its correct form Mas-kom-Ya, was a theatrical
play that was staged everywhere in the 1970s, as part of the
‘cultural’ activities of MSP Youth Branches. The unabbreviated
version of Mas-kom-Ya is Mason-Komunist-Yahudi [Mason-Communist-Jew].
It is known that the play was built on the ‘evil’ nature of these
three concepts, and the hatred towards them.”

[5] Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II (1842-1918) was dethroned in 1909 by
the Young Turks revolution.

[6] Ortadogu, February 13, 2005. Ortadogu is a ultra-nationalist
Turkish daily close to MHP (Nationalist Movement Party), a coalition
partner in former governments.

[7] For more on this article, see MEMRI Special Dispatch Series No.
900
(;Area=sd&ID=SP90005).

[8] Sabah, May 18, 2005.

[9] Aksam, June 24, 2004.

[10] Once Vatan, December 23, 2004.

[11] Aksam, September 12, 2004.

[12] Milli Gazete, May 9, 2005.

[13] The synagogue is part of an inter-faith project which also
includes a mosque and a church, which is being developed in Southeast
Turkey to demonstrate tolerance and pluralism in Turkey’s history.

[14] Milli Gazete, April 13, 2005.

[15] Sabah, February 17, 2005.

[16] The word ‘Jew’ in Turkish is Yahudi, and is derogatory. Cifit
[pronounced “chee-fut”] means “filthy Jew.”

[17] The Dönme [Sabbateans] are descendants of the Jewish followers
of the self-proclaimed messiah Sabbetai Sevi (1626-1676), who in 1666
was forced by the Sultan to convert to Islam. They consider
themselves Muslims and are officially recognized as such. Dönme is
the Turkish word for ‘convert,’ but also carries overtones of
‘turncoat.’

;Area=sd&ID=SP91605

NKR DM REFUTES REGULAR INFORMATION OF AZERBAIJANI MASS MEDIA ON
EXCHANGE OF FIRE ON CONTACT LINE OF AZERBAIJANI AND NKR ARMED FORCES

YEREVAN, JUNE 1. ARMINFO. The NKR Defense Ministry refutes regular
information of Azerbaijani Mass Media on an exchange of fire on the
contact line of Azerbaijani and NKR Armed Forces. Head of the NKR
DM Press Service Senor Asratyan informs ARMINFO that no incidents
were registered on the contact line yesterday. He says that the
information of an exchange of fire in Terter region was nothing but
misinformation. According to Azerbaijani Mass media, as a result of an
exchange of fire in the above region, an Azerbaijani conscript Zafar
Khahlilov was killed. To note, the press-service of the Azerbaijani
Defense Ministry has been recently spreading misinformation every
day accusing the Armenian party of violation of the cease-fire regime.

INTERVIEW-Georgia says Russia has woken up to regional change
By Margarita Antidze

TBILISI, June 1 (Reuters) – Russia’s compromise after a long and
bitter dispute over military bases in Georgia shows that Moscow at
last realises it no longer decides the affairs of ex-Soviet states,
Georgia’s Foreign Minister said on Wednesday.

On Monday, the two countries announced that by 2008 Moscow would
close its two military bases in Georgia, whose pro-Western government
likens the presence of Russian troops in the Soviet-era bases to an
“occupation”.

“Probably the Ukrainian revolution played an important role in the fact
that Russian leaders finally realised that the time had come to accept
new realities in their neighbourhood, to accept the fact that these
countries are independent and that military bases belong to the past,”
Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili told Reuters in an interview.

President Vladimir Putin openly backed the loser in last year’s
disputed Ukrainian presidential polls. The eventual winner, the
West-leaning Viktor Yushchenko, came to power on the back of the
people power “Orange Revolution”.

That in turn was barely a year after Georgia’s “Rose Revolution” when
thousands took to the streets of the capital, also after a disputed
election, to force long-serving Presdient Eduard Shevardnadze to
step down.

Zurabishvili said Monday’s agreement with her Russian counterpart
Sergei Lavrov was a high point for her.

“It was the pinnacle of my negotiating career to be able to negotiate
such an agreement,” said the former French diplomat, enticed back
by President Mikhail Saakashvili to the country her grandparents fled
almost a century ago.

“It was also very important for me personally as my family left when
the Russian army entered Georgia and I signed the document by which
it is going to leave.”

NO SECRET DEAL

“There is no secret deal. There was more compromise from the Russian
side than from the Georgian,” she said.

All Russian military hardware will be taken out and allowed to be
taken into neighbouring Armenia, a close Russian ally, if Moscow so
wishes. Any of the 2,500 troops deployed in the bases can remain in
Georgia if they want.

Georgia also agreed to allow in Russian technical experts to help
the withdrawal.

Zurabishvili said the main compromise by Georgia was to agree to set
up a joint anti-terrorist centre in the country.

Russia has long expressed concern that Georgia’s mountainous Pankisi
Gorge was being used as a safe haven by rebels fighting Moscow rule
in neighbouring Chechnya.

“It’s linked … keeping some form of Russian influence in this region
and the feeling that they are not completely excluded from the region,”
she said.

The bases issue is one of several to have strained relations
between Russia and its small southern neighbour since Georgia gained
independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Georgia accuses Moscow of backing separatists in its two breakaway
provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia suspects Georgia of
turning blind eye on Chechen guerrillas.

Zurabishvili said the deal over bases would create a new atmosphere
in bilateral relations and would help solve other problems such as
the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“It has to be resolved between the parties in these conflicts and not
with Russia. But it’s very important that Russia … becomes neutral,
which has not been the case.”

06/01/05 14:45 ET

First batch of Russian military equipment leaves Georgia

Imedi TV, Tbilisi
31 May 05

[Presenter] The successful negotiation [on the pull-out of Russian
military bases] seems to have produced a practical result – Russian
military hardware is leaving Georgia.

A short time ago the first train loaded with military vehicles left
the Urekhi firing range near Batumi [in Ajaria]. The transit procedure
was agreed with the Georgian authorities. The equipment being withdrawn
from Ajaria will be redeployed to Armenia and Russia.

The train is carrying chemical reconnaissance vehicles of several
types, decontamination kits, special thermal equipment and long-range
missiles [as heard]. The train is accompanied by several Russian
servicemen. It is not yet known when the next batch of military
equipment is scheduled to be withdrawn. Now you can see exclusive
footage provided by our correspondent in Batumi, Merab Tsulukidze.
[Video shows moving train loaded with various military lorries]

ERDOGAN: ISTANBUL CONFERENCE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SHOULD TAKE PLACE

Pan Armenian News
31.05.2005 05:44

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The postponed conference on the Armenian Genocide
initiated by the Bosphorus University should take place, Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in an interview with the Turkish
Daily News. “People should not be afraid of expressing their viewpoints
publicly,” the Turkish PM said, reported the Yerkir newspaper.

Euro-reporters.com, Belgium
May 31 2005

Turkey under pressure

Written by David Ferguson in Brussels

Tuesday, 31 May 2005

“Turkey’s will to reform is the deciding factor. If Turkey wants
to make sure that accession negotiations start on 3 October 2005,
it must not deter from its current course of reforms,” said German
Green MEP Cem Ozdemir, himself of Turkish origin. “The image that
Turkey is currently projecting must be changed immediately,” continued
Ozdemir, also a member of the European Parliament’s Turkey delegation.
“Violent police action on International Women’s Day, the recently
cancelled Armenia conference in Istanbul and recent calls to burn
the books of authors like Orhan Pamuk are intolerable relapses into
a bygone era.”

Ozdemir does not expect the French rejection of European Constitution
to hold up further enlargement: “Ten member states have already
approved the constitution. The ‘no’ in France is a large burden for the
European Union to bear, but the ratification process will continue,
as planned, until October 2006.” Turkey’s latest application to join
dates back to 1987 and, if all conditions are met, the country should
begin accession negotiations in October 2005.

“The outcome of the French referendum does not stand in the way of
accession negotiations with Turkey. The EU must also be ready to take
on new members. It is in Europe’s own interest to reform itself as
quickly as possible, in order to remain functional with 25 members
and soon 27 members. If Turkey joins the EU within the target time
period of ten to 15 years, it will become part of a stronger union.”

Turkey is under great pressure to maintain and extend press freedoms
and human rights. But doubts have been increasingly raised over the
pace of change in Turkey. In April, Ankara announced a two or three
month delay for reform of the country’s 79-year-old penal code to
meet the EU’s political standards. One of the draft articles of the
revised code still deemed it an offense calling for Turkish withdrawal
from Cyprus or talk of an Armenian genocide.