Author: Karabekian Emil

ALIYEV, MEDVEDEV HOLD ‘DETAILED’ TALKS ON GARABAGH

AzerNews Weekly
Nov 26 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Dmitry Medvedev
held detailed discussions on progress in the ongoing talks on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict during their
meeting in Russia on Tuesday, the Russian President’s spokeswoman,
Natalya Timakova, said.

"Ilham Aliyev informed Dmitry Medvedev in detail about the outcomes
of another round of his negotiations with Armenian President
Serzh Sarkisian held with the participation of the Minsk Group
representatatives [the Russian, French and US co-chairs brokering
the peace process]," Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency quoted Timakova
as saying. "The Russian president welcomed the positive movement of
the negotiating process, assuring his counterparts that Moscow will
further make all the efforts necessary to achieve a settlement to
the Upper Garabagh conflict.

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the
signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy
part of Azerbaijani territory, including the Upper Garabagh region,
in defiance of international law. Peace talks have been largely
fruitless so far.

According to Timakova, Presidents Aliyev and Medvedev also discussed
issues of cooperation, including that in the field of economics,
as well as a schedule for further high-level contacts.

PADLOCKED GATES & WINDFALL MONEY
By Albert Khachatryan

news.am
Nov 25 2009
Armenia

A decrease of as much as 5.1% in the gross domestic product (GDP) was
registered in Armenia this October as compared with this September. So
the present state of affairs has confounded the optimistic expectations
of a fundamental improvement aroused by the earlier published data
for September. We would remind you that, to everyone’s surprise,
4.8% GDP growth was registered this September as compared with the
previous month. That growth gave rise to claims that the "ailing"
economy was recovering, and Armenia would close this year with better
figures. Now that "better figures" have been called in question it is
time to think about the ongoing processes and understand the causes of
the economic collapse. And it is not only the global economic crisis
that has played a role.

The global crisis only exacerbated the negative trends started
many years ago. In its euphoria over the two-digit GDP the Armenian
authorities "overlooked" the fact that the Armenian market was from
year to year getting more and more dependent on the "outer world."

Imports were "snowballing" until they reached U.S. $4bn, a fantastic
amount for a small country like Armenia! Quite a good figure – if
counterbalanced by adequate exports of goods and services. However,
the unfavorable foreign trade balance reached a tremendous amount as
well – round U.S. $3.3bn.

In Soviet times a positive foreign trade balance was registered –
exports exceeded imports. Exports comprised a rather wide range of
products – both industrial and consumer goods. In 1990s, after the
USSR collapsed, the foreign markets were lost, and most of the local
industrial enterprises, faced with insurmountable problems involving
raw materials and energy resources, were closed up. So what is the
reason why, after some economic progress, they were not re-operated?

There exist to diametrically opposite opinions. Some think that the
gates of the enterprise are padlocked, and "should the Government
wish," it can unlock them. The enterprises will be re-operated, with
numerous jobs created and an end put to unemployment – a real idyll!

The illusions even experts are entertaining are obviously naïve,
and we do not have to dispel them. Those holding the opposite opinion
believe that the Armenian industry has no future, and the Government
had better focus on such growth sectors as tourism, IT and so on. So,
in this respect, we will have a bright future! Incidentally, let us
cite the example of India, where the IT industry is showing impressive
results: the industry’s share in the country’s GDP has increased from
1.2% up to 5.8% over the last decade. But, has this "breakthrough"
enabled the country to cope with the centuries-long poverty? One could
hardly say it. It is only "a limited contingent" of intellectuals
and the maintenance staff that are "doing well." Local experts admit
that the recent GDP growth pales in comparison with poverty level in
the country.

Determining Armenia’s growth economic sectors requires a critical
analysis of human resources in the country. The once implemented full
employment policy enabled numerous people without any professional
education to be employed. At present, however, the same people are
either unemployed or running "land-office businesses" at Armenia’s
trade fairs. It cannot be helped – even specialists with higher
education are unable to find jobs for years. No wonder that thousands
of able-bodies citizens are emigrating to the other CIS states or
foreign countries. By their financial aid to their own families in
Armenia, the Armenian guest workers "proved a great help" to Armenia’s
economic recovery. Indeed, the Armenian economy used to be "well
nourished" due to private transfers, which totaled U.S. $1.5bn yearly.

On the other hand, they proved fatal to the country’s industrial
development.

Since early 1990s, about 40% of the Armenian population had received
money transfers from their relatives abroad, which enabled them to
purchase more goods and services than they would have been able to
purchase on their salaries, pensions or allowances alone. A consumer
society was formed in Armenia. In other words, the solvent demand
significantly exceeded the production output in the country. Armenia
had not traditionally manufactured many consumer products – household
appliances, a number of food products, etc… Pursuing easy profit,
shrewd businessmen promptly arranged the import of the products in
question, and the Armenian market was soon flooded with cheap Chinese,
Turkish and Iranian goods. Along with the products not manufactured
in Armenia, they were importing products that were actively competing
with their home-made counterparts. Vodka is a glaring example. Early
in the 21st century the "demon drink" was mainly produced by local
enterprises, its import being merely symbolic. At present, however,
the imports of this "intoxicating liquor" constitute almost 1/3
of the total amount on the market, with dozens of distilleries,
including rather powerful ones, operating throughout Armenia!

As regards habit buying goods (i.e. tobacco), the situation is clear.

The worst of it is that the cheap imports prevent the restoration
of a number of industries, especially the light industry, in
Armenia. A great many reasons can be cited. Among other problems,
such as raw materials, relatively expensive energy carriers and low
labor productivity is the aforementioned loss of foreign markets. As
regards the local market it is too narrow for the giants. Small-scale
production results in a much higher cost of production, which makes
Armenian products noncompetitive with their Chinese and Turkish
counterparts. Could the problems be resolved? We think that many
of the "commercially unviable" enterprises would be re-operated if
the Government showed an adequate approach. True, we cannot dream
of a prospering light industry – it is different times now. It is
the golden mean in the opinions on the development prospects of our
industry. However, what has been an obstacle to at least partial
recovery of the industries?

Trade capital turnover ratio is much higher than that of industrial
capital, with a much larger cleanup. Monopoly over the import of a
number of products yielded profits industrials did not even dream of.

So many Armenian businessmen invested their capital in trade rather
than in industry. The high interest rates set banks producers were
unable to afford contributed to the process as well. The result is
what we have now. Affected by the global crisis, the Armenian economy,
which had to a great extent been based on financial transfers from
abroad, collapsed like house of cards. Experts estimate a decrease
in the financial transfers to Armenia this year at as much as 30%,
which, no doubt, has seriously affected the population’s solvency. The
low rates of increase in retail turnover (0.1% this January-October),
as well as a 1.5% decline in the paid services sector first observed
over the last few years, proved to be the first alarming symptom.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS KAREKIN II IS IN MOSCOW ON A THREE-DAY VISIT

ARMENPRESS
Nov 25, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: His Holiness Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II paid November 24 a three-day visit to Moscow
where he will consecrate the cross of dome of a small church built
in the vicinity of the Moscow church complex. Catholicosate press
service told Armenpress that during the visit the Catholicos will
meet with the All Russio and Moscow Patriarch Kiril.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER TO OPEN SOONER THAN SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: AMERICAN ANALYST

Tert
Nov 24 2009
Armenia

The Armenian-Turkish border will most likely open sooner than the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be settled, stated American analyst
Jeffrey Mankoff, who deals in international affairs, in an interview
with Azerbaijani news source Day.az.

According to Mankoff, Armenia has an economic interest in opening
the border. He stated that for the Armenian Diaspora, which doesn’t
directly deal with consequences of Armenia’s economic and political
isolation, it is easy to criticize this arrangement, which doesn’t
settle the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. But for residents of Armenia,
the benefit from that step is indisputable. For its part, Turkey,
in opening the border, may increase Ankara’s weight in the region,
including in its negotiations with the European Union.

According to the American analyst, the only way which Armenia
and Turkey can reach at least a limited deal is by putting the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue aside.

Taking into consideration the pressure, which the Armenian government
was experiencing, it’s unlikely that Yerevan will make any concessions
in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Turkey, too, must retain some leverage
with Azerbaijan, who is concerned about Armenian-Turkish relations. It
will take time to analyze these Protocols and to discuss their
perspectives in Armenia’s and Turkey’s parliaments. And registering
progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, which is more complicated by
its very nature, will take more time, the analyst concluded.

SARGSYAN SHOULDN’T HAVE LEFT FOR MUNICH

4/vahanhovhannisian
24/11/09

"The Armenian side had to refuse to meet in Munich after Aliyev’s
bellicose statements and that would be the right step to take," head of
the ARF faction Vahan Hovhannisyan told "A1+" and mentioned that unlike
previous statements, Aliyev’s current statement recalled an ultimatum.

"It is totally wrong to negotiate under the pressure of an ultimatum.

After that statement, the Armenian side had to address the
intermediaries, telling them to either pull the Azeri president
back or that Armenia no longer sees the need to negotiate in these
conditions. Since they haven’t done that, there are contradicting
statements, including "EuroNews", the denial of the Armenian side
and releases on Azeri websites."

Vahan Hovhannisyan is certain that everything is being done to
make Armenia compromise and facilitate the ratification of the
Turkey-Armenia Protocols in the Turkish parliament.

"Armenia is currently in a trap and it had to get out of that trap
a year ago, but it is still possible now. It will be more difficult,
but possible," he said.

Vahan Hovhannisyan also remarked that by participating in the meeting
in Munich after Aliyev’s statements, the Armenian side apparently
underestimated the Meindorf declaration in which the sides had excluded
the military solution and which served as the best opportunity to
pull back from the negotiations, at least from that meeting.

As far as the counter-attack by the president’s press speaker Samvel
Farmanyan is concerned, according to which "Armenia may recognize
Karabakh’s independence", Vahan Hovhannisyan said: "That is only one
of the components of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. The
more important components are international recognition, that is,
recognition or partial recognition by different international
organizations, or at least other countries. The other component,
which is more important, is to bring Karabakh back to the negotiating
table and that is the most important way of recognition. The easiest
is Armenia’s recognition of Karabakh’s independence."

"No matter when Karabakh is recognized, it can’t contribute to
Artsakh’s full integration in the negotiations. If Azerbaijan
attacks Artsakh, I believe that the first objective must be to
completely eliminate the Azeri aggressors on the battlefield, and
not recognition."

Vahan Hovhannisyan doesn’t believe in the Minsk Group Co-Chairs or
the Armenian side that claims that the issue of return of territories
has not been discussed. "I don’t believe that they have talked about
Karabakh’s status for four hours and the Azeri side has not raised
the issue of the return of territories."

Hovhannisyan added that there was a time when the Armenian side made a
tactical step that later turned into a strategic mistake. This refers
to the possible return of territories, which had to be discussed by
the consent of the Armenian side after determining the status. But
thanks to the consistent efforts of the Azeri, today the talks are
about the return of territories and then the prolonged referendum,
which is undetermined as to where and when it will be held and in
which format.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN AWARDS NIKOLAY BORDYUZHA WITH A MEDAL OF HONOR

Panorama.am
15:57 24/11/2009

Politics

President Serzh Sargsyan today received the Secretary General of
the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Nikolay Bordyuzha,
President’s press office reported.

Greeting the guest, President Sargsyan expressed gratitude for the
effective joint work and said:

"I’d like to appreciate the pace of cooperation within the framework
of the CSTO and underline that a serious work has been done over
the recent period. It’s quite possible that this was the first
good precedent when an oral decision grew into a document in a short
period of time: collective rapid reaction forces were established, and
military exercises were conducted. I do believe that in the near future
we’ll complete the development of normative acts, and our organization
will become a stronger security guarantee for its members."

President Sargsyan awarded Nikolay Bordyuzha with a Medal of Honor
of the Republic of Armenia.

Expressing gratitude for the state award, the CSTO Secretary General
said he views it as an advance and he will do his best for the
Organization’s work to get more active and for all problems to be
solved more efficiently.

TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian School
1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Tel: 323-461-4377
Fax: 323-323-461-4247
Contact: [email protected]

TCA Arshag Dickranian School Celebrates
A Festive Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

Los Angeles, November 23, 2009 – The Parent-Teacher Organization of TCA
Arshag Dickranian School held its traditional Thanksgiving Dinner-Dance at
the Walter & Laurel Karabian Hall on Saturday evening, November 21, 2009.

Friends, parents, teachers and students were gathered in the tastefully
decorated hall to celebrate the occasion together as one large family. As
in previous years, the menu was comprised of an assortment of festive
Armenian appetizers and the Thanksgiving turkey entrée catered by Anoush
Restaurant.

Following the PTO Chairperson Mrs. Ophelia Garibyan’s opening remarks,
school Principal Mr. Vartkes Kourouyan was invited to the podium to greet
the guests and express his thanks and appreciation to all the stewards of
the school. As dinner was being served, the guests were treated to a
lively program of Armenian folk dances, choral selections and recitations,
which were performed by the Dickranian students under the guidance of
dance teacher Rubik Arakelian, music teacher Komitas Kesheshian and
Armenian teacher Mrs. Emma Umroyan.

Disco music for dancing was provided by 11th grade student Alex Garibyan.
Over the years, the PTO has been vigorous in supporting the school by
organizing various social and fundraising functions, providing students’
daily lunches and promoting goodwill. One such
major function being The Annual Dinner Dances held in the month of March.

Located at 1200 North Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, the TCA Arshag
Dickranian Armenian School is a federally tax exempt, Pre-K to 12th grade
private educational institution. For more information visit the school
website at

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

A GENERAL MEETING OF THE BROTHERHOOD

On the occasion of the visit of the Prelates of North America, His Holiness
Aram I organized a general meeting of the Brotherhood. He expressed his
appreciation of all the clergy serving the Armenian Church through the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, and spoke of their mission as ‘servants’ of God.

The meeting provided the opportunity for an intergenerational dialogue and
learning, and it ended with an agape meal.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

Armenia opens National Tourism Office in Moscow
21.11.2009 13:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s National Tourism Office (NTO) was launched
in Moscow, Organization’s Director Mariam Atayan told INTERFAX-TOURISM
agency.

"One of the priorities of office is to conduct PR and marketing
campaigns for shaping Armenia’s image as an interesting and
cost-effective tourism sphere for Russia, as well as increasing
tourists’ flow and raising tourism expenses, " Atayan said.

Besides, on December 15-18, NTO is planning to organize Russian
leading media’s press-tour to Armenia on the occasion of Chirstmas
holidays. Early in February, the presentation of Tzahkadzor, one of
Armenia’s largest downhill health resort, will take place in Moscow.

NTO also has plans to create a network of Armenian tourist operators
and organize their coordination with Russian partners,» office
director said.

Gulf News, UAE
Nov 22 2009

Turkey in regional activism mode

Since the Israeli war on Gaza, Ankara has become a frequent critic of
Israeli policy, despite the strong alliance the two sides formed in
the 1990s.

By Rauf Baker, Special to Gulf News
Published: 00:00 November 22, 2009

The Middle East has been noticing with both curiosity and admiration ‘
mostly in the Arab world, the resurgence of Turkey as a regional power
player. Since the Israeli war on Gaza, Ankara has become a frequent
critic of Israeli policy, despite the strong alliance the two sides
formed in the 1990s.

Recently, the Turkish government voiced unprecedented support to
Iran’s position on the current standoff over the nuclear issue between
Tehran and the West. In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu outlines what he describes as his
country `recent activism’ in the Middle East.

Gulf News: Are we witnessing the formation of a new alliance in the
region that includes Turkey, Iran and Syria, especially after the
Turkish support to a nuclear Iran; and can we expect talks between
Washington and Tehran in Turkey similar to the ones between Syria and
Israel?

Ahmet Davutoglu What you are referring to seems to be the recent
activism that has been observed in the Turkish foreign policy. This is
actually a policy of dialogue, inclusiveness and constructive
engagement that is based on common denominators of achieving
sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in the entire region. As
such, our initiatives regarding Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and
Bosnia-Herzegovina, among others, should also be taken into
consideration as integral parts of a larger regional and global
vision.

As to the particular countries that you mention, Syria is one of our
most important neighbours with whom we share the longest border. Our
relations are defined by strong historic and cultural ties between our
peoples, as well as dictates of geography, common interests and
concerns relevant to regional developments. On the other hand, Syria
is a key country in the region whose contribution is essential for
regional peace and stability. Moreover, for Turkey, Syria is a gateway
opening into the Gulf region. Therefore, our enhanced relations with
this country would also help promote intra-regional economic and
commercial integration.

We believe that a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear issue is
achievable and necessary. Given the already volatile situation in the
region, diplomacy is the only viable avenue for a solution. Any
solution to this issue should observe the right to make peaceful use
of nuclear energy, as well as the IAEA [International Atomic Energy
Agency] norms and the NPT [Non-Proliferation Treaty] obligations.
Concerns of the international community regarding the proliferation of
WMDs [Weapons of Mass Destruction] should also be addressed. Our
position on this matter has not changed since the outset of the
problem. The Geneva meetings between P5+1 [France, Germany, UK, China
Russia and the US] and Iran on October 1st and ensuing talks
demonstrate that diplomatic process is underway. We welcome the
ongoing efforts. It is important to keep the momentum. Turkey will be
ready to assume an active role if needed in order to facilitate a
diplomatic solution.

Are you concerned with the troubled situation in Iraq, and do you
doubt that the issue of Kirkuk carries potential threat to the next
Iraqi elections and even to Ankara’s relations with Baghdad?

The deterioration of the security situation in Iraq will profoundly
undermine what Iraq and Middle East needs today, which is peace and
stability. Therefore, the countries of the region all have a stake in
a stable, democratic and prosperous Iraq. Turkey believes that, before
the legislative elections in January next year, there is a need for
continued and enhanced international support from all countries and
international organisations to assist the Iraqi Government and the
people in their quest for democracy, national dialogue and political
reconciliation.

As Kirkuk is a microcosm of Iraq, a small spark in this governorate is
likely to inflame the whole country. Therefore, working towards a
settlement that will be acceptable to all groups in Kirkuk, is crucial
for the maintenance of peace, stability and tranquillity in Iraq. We
believe that giving a special status to Kirkuk, which will allow all
the communities in this governorate to live in peace and harmony,
would offer a lasting solution to this issue.

Is Turkey disappointed with the `veto’ raised by Greece, France, and
Germany on its bid to join the EU and is it possible that you might
halt what some inside Ankara describe as a `humiliating process’?

Since there is no `veto’, there is no disappointment! Nevertheless it
is an undeniable fact that we face some artificial political obstacles
while we move on in our accession process. Politically motivated
statements by some EU leaders have negative repercussions, in this
respect. Yet, given that this process continues on its path, these
views should not be perceived as `veto’. On the other hand, the aim of
the reforms undertaken in line with accession negotiations is to
attain the highest possible standards and norms in all walks of the
daily lives of Turkish citizens. If carefully followed, one would see
that the record of the last seven years is unique in this respect.
Consequently, the distance between Ankara and Brussels is now closer
than ever. Furthermore, accession process has never been easy for
aspiring countries. Some of today’s member states had to deal also
with severe opposition both internally and externally. However, they
moved forward with determination. With the same resolve, we are fully
committed to the accession process and determined to continue with
reforms.

Many predict that the recent Turkish-Armenian rapprochement is far
from guaranteed, what are the main obstacles facing the
reconciliation?

Turkey would like to develop good-neighbourly relations based on
mutual respect with all its neighbours. In the recent past, we have
achieved progress in solving our differences with many of our
neighbouring countries. We also took a courageous step by initiating a
process of dialogue with Armenia, which culminated in the two
protocols that were signed on October 10 in Zurich. It provides a
significant opportunity to establish lasting peace and security
between Turkish and Armenian States, as well as between Turkish and
Armenian nations and beyond, contributing to the solving of other
outstanding issues in the region.

There is an opposition stemming from the Armenian Diaspora towards
these protocols based on their different interpretation of the events
of 1915. However, the protocols present an opportunity to conduct an
impartial scientific examination of the historical records and
archives on this painful episode of the Turkish-Armenian common
history and shed light on the truth. A sub-commission will be created
with this task. This is what we long asked for. We believe, this
sub-commission will be instrumental in overcoming the conflict of
collective memories with respect to the events of 1915 and reach to a
just memory together.

Turkey has started the process of normalisation with Armenia in
good-faith and with a sincere political will and therefore my
government remains committed to taking this process forward. However,
realism dictates evaluating the fate of our relations with Armenia not
in a total vacuum, but rather in light of the big picture in the South
Caucasus.

Our efforts with Armenia, if not supplemented with some progress in
the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, would not suffice to
bring a comprehensive and sustainable normalisation to this region.
Concrete steps for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem
would also be necessary in this regard. A positive development; a
tangible progress would not only contribute to the ratification
process, but also to the peace and stability in the whole region. We
trust that both of the parties to this conflict, as well as the
co-chairs of the Minsk Group who are tasked with facilitating the
negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, are well aware of this
reality on the ground.

The protocols are now submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly
for approval. If all the actors act with responsibility and do their
utmost to contribute to the realisation of long awaited peace in the
South Caucasus, our parliamentarians would not have much difficulty in
giving their consent to these protocols which will facilitate these
two neighbouring people to embrace each other again. And this is the
only prospect that we would currently like to place our bets on for
the sake of all the peoples of South Caucasus.

Will Turkey make parallel steps with Greek Cypriot government?

We should, before everything, be aware of the nature of the Cyprus
question which is totally different from the Turkish-Armenian context.

Cyprus is a complex political issue. It ultimately revolves around one
fundamental fact: the existence of two distinct peoples on the Island,
namely the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots; and their
relationship. It is both useful and important to keep in mind that
there has never been a `Cypriot nation’ in Cyprus due to the distinct
national, religious and cultural characteristics of each ethnic people
who, in addition, speak different languages.

The Republic of Cyprus established on August 16, 1960 in accordance
with the international treaties as a partnership based on the
political equality of the two peoples. The sovereignty of the Republic
of Cyprus was limited by the guarantor rights given to three
countries, namely Turkey, Greece and the UK.

The Partnership Republic of 1960 was destroyed by the Greek Cypriot
side who tried to change unilaterally the very nature of the state of
affairs in the island in detriment of the Turkish Cypriot people. The
Turkish Cypriots, at the end of 1963, were systematically excluded
from the state mechanism at gunpoint and were to live in enclaves
corresponding to the 3 per cent of Cyprus under Greek Cypriot siege.
As of that date, the Republic of Cyprus has become defunct and the
Greek Cypriots have no authority to represent the whole of Cyprus or
the Turkish Cypriots.

In 1964, the UN Peacekeeping Force was established in the island to
protect the Turkish Cypriots from further massacres, but had been
unsuccessful in this task. This tragic situation lasted until 1974,
when the military regime in Greece instigated a coup d’etat in the
island in order to achieve `enosis’, which led to the intervention of
Turkey in line with its rights and obligations stemming from the 1960
Treaty of Guarantee. Turkey’s intervention saved the Turkish Cypriot
people from ethnic cleansing.

The negotiations between the two peoples in the island have been going
on since 1968. The Turkish Cypriot side has always supported a just,
lasting and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue throughout
the negotiations under the auspices of the UN secretary-general’s Good
Offices mission. The Greek Cypriot side, however, rejected all the
settlement plans devised by the UN and lastly, the UN Comprehensive
Settlement Plan in 2004. As a matter of fact, the then UN
secretary-general Kofi Annan, in his report dated May 28, 2004
(S/2004/437), clearly stated that "if the Greek Cypriots are ready to
share power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriots in a federal
structure based on political equality, this needs to be demonstrated,
not just by word, but by action".

As for the ongoing negotiating process for a comprehensive settlement
in Cyprus, Turkey as a guarantor power has given its full support to
the constructive efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side for the
establishment of a new Partnership in Cyprus with two Constituent
States of equal status based on political equality and bi-zonality.
Turkey has already expressed its readiness to establish relations with
the new Partnership State that will emerge following the comprehensive
settlement which will bring peace and stability to the Eastern
Mediterranean. Let me also emphasise that we are grateful to our
Muslim brothers as the Organisation of the Islamic Conference adopted
various resolutions that supported the call of the UN
Secretary-General to end the unjust isolations imposed on the Turkish
Cypriots.

– Rauf Baker is a Dubai-based journalist who specialises in Eastern
European Affairs

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