Author: Kharatian Ani

TURKISH NATIONALISTS ARE AGAINST ERDOGAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
27.05.2009 16:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Unless Prime Minister Erdogan apologizes for his
words, he’ll play into the hands of Armenians and Greeks, giving them
the chance to use those words against Turkey. Erdogans statements
are directed against Turkish people and he deserves our condemnation,
Turkish Nationalists’ Leader Devlet Bahcheli said. "Let’s call things
by their names, to please his overseas and European masters, our Prime
Minister betrays the memory of his forefathers. Turkish people say
no to such government and Prime Minister, Milliyet cited Bakhtcheli
as saying.

"Historical fact of ethnical minorities’ eviction is a fascist action,"
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated at the annual
congress of Justice and Development Party (AKP).

AMBASSADOR OF TURKEY IN RUSSIA: DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA SHOULD BE RESTORED

Today.Az
cs/52591.html
May 26 2009
Azerbaijan

But on par with the settlement of the problem of Karabakh and
Armenian-Azerbaijani relations

"Turkey holds an optimal policy towards Armenia", said Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Russia Khalil Akinci
during an Internet-conference on RBK website.

According to him, the problems between Turkey and Armenia are not only
the closed borders. "There are relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan,
about which we say that we are one nation and two states", said Akinci.

In addition, he said, there is a difference in the interpretation of
some events in history.

"Turkey has recently conducted such a policy of eliminating problems
with neighbors and Turkey has made much efforts in this direction. For
example, air flights are carried from Armenia to Istanbul. The land
border is closed, but the air communication is open.

On the other hand, look what Armenia is doing. Diplomatic relations
should be restored, but on par with the settlement of the problems
of Karabakh and Armenian-Azerbaijani relations", said the ambassador.

"Turkey has demonstrated good will and last year our president went
to Yerevan for a football match as a spectator. We are realists
in this matter and we hold the optimal policy towards Armenia. But
Armenia should understand that it must also take some steps. We wish
sincerely that the borders in the Caucasus were open and all were
friends to each others", noted the diplomat.

The Ambassador also recalled that after the August events of last year,
when the clash between Russia and Georgia occurred, Turkey proposed
the initiative a platform of stability and cooperation in the Caucasus.

YEREVAN TO HOST HOLIDAYS AND TOURISM 2009 AND DESIGN 2009 EXHIBITIONS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
26.05.2009 17:40 GMT+04:00

On May 29-30 Yerevan will host "Holidays and Tourism 2009" and
"Design 2009" exhibitions, organized by ECO exhibition center.

"Holidays and Tourism 2009" second national exhibition will host local
and international organizations. The exhibition aims to introduce
new offers in the sphere of tourism.

"Design 2009" international exhibition will provide new design-related
ideas in the sphere of exterior and interior, clothes and decorations,
publishing and web-design. A draw with numerous prizes will be
organized at the exhibition.

ERDOGAN NAMES EXPELLING OF MINORITIES FASCIST ACTIONS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
25.05.2009 13:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdohan’s recent speech
on the historical events of expelling ethnic identities out of Turkey,
which he defined as a fascist act, is seen as a significant step by
some commentators. However, the community members want to see action.

It was fascistic to expel ethnic identities out of the country,
Turkey’s prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the annual
congress of the Justice and Development Party held in the western
province of Duzce.

According to the Hurriyet Daily News Turkish news paper, Erdogan’s
speech on Saturday was a historic one, as it was the first time a
high official accepted that there have been unlawful and undemocratic
practices against minorities in the past.

Erdogan’s speech is seen as a reference to the Sept. 6 and 7 events
in Istanbul in 1955 when many Greek shops and houses were pillaged by
crowds after false news reported that Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk’s house in the Thessaloniki neighborhood of Greece was burnt
down. After the pogrom, many Greek people who were born and lived in
Istanbul had to leave the city.

Kezban Hatemi, a lawyer, told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review
that the country lost its glamour after the events of Sept. 6 and 7
adding: "The prime minister’s speech reveals that they [the government]
are showing an effort in removing the obstacles in front of democracy."

Words alone do not solve the current problems the communities
face in Turkey, according to Mihail Vasiliadis, editor-in-chief of
the Apoyevmatini, a Greek-language Istanbul newspaper. . "I have
heard things like that before and have gotten excited, but now the
continuation of those speeches should come," said Vasiliadis.

Cengiz Aktar, a columnist at the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review,
said it was important to mention the discrimination and assimilation
committed against ethnic identities, especially during the first eras
of the Turkish Republic. "However, even the laws to protect the ethnic
identities are not applied in reality.

Meanwhile, opposition parties reacted to Erdogan’s speech. Onur Oymen,
vice president of the main opposition Republican People’s Party,
or CHP, said associating Turkey’s history with terms like fascism
through hearsay information is not right.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 24 2009

Normalization and Peace in the South Caucasus: Ä°s it still possible?

by
SUAT KINIKLIOÄ?LU

Where are we now with the normalization process between Turkey and
Armenia? What is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh with the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group process? Are
the optimistic predictions for a stable Caucasus over?

These are some of the questions that continue to occupy the minds of
people who are concerned with the South Caucasus. Such questions also
busy decision-makers and pundits outside the region. If a sober
stocktaking is needed — maybe this is the time to do it.

First of all, we must underline that the normalization process between
Turkey and Armenia is still on track. True, Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip ErdoÄ?an’s speech to the Azerbaijani parliament and the
press conference in Baku has produced an atmosphere that suggests the
process has become more problematic, but the fact remains that the
sides are committed to continuing the process. It was never going to
be easy, and frankly, I was predicting opposition to Turkish-Armenian
normalization to materialize even earlier. If it was going to be easy,
this issue would have been resolved much earlier. The fact that the
challenges appear to be greater for Turkish-Armenian normalization
should not discourage us. Ultimately, the basic reasons why
normalization is important remain there.

There is no doubt — and recent weeks confirm that — that
Turkish-Armenian normalization contributes positively to the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. From a selfish point of
prioritization, we need to focus on Turkish-Armenian normalization and
the Karabakh peace process simultaneously. When it comes to these two
issues, one needs to see them as two parallel processes which are
`mutually reinforcing each other.’ There is a certain level of
`interaction’ between them, and from this perspective, they need to be
monitored closely. It is satisfying that all three Minsk Group
co-chairmen — from France, Russia and the US — have a common
position on the Karabakh peace process and are working together to
bring the sides closer to a roadmap for a solution. However, without
the necessary political will in Baku and Yerevan, it will not suffice.

Having said that, we believe there is a historic opportunity at hand
and almost all of the stars are lined up in the right
place. Therefore, all parties must contribute to make this historic
rapprochement a reality. A normalized South Caucasus will benefit
Russia and Turkey as well as the three states of the South
Caucasus. Russia particularly bears significant responsibility as it
has great influence in Armenia and Azerbaijan and is a traditionally
powerful actor in this region. The European Union and the United
States also have an interest in seeing normalization and the peace
process on Karabakh succeed. What needs to be done? First of all,
there is no doubt that public opinion on all sides is having an
unhelpful effect and therefore must be managed carefully. Secondly,
there needs to be leadership and vision to carry these two very
delicate processes through. Thirdly, the US, Russia and the EU must
bring appropriate pressure to bear.

The coming weeks and months will be critical in seeing how this
process will evolve. There is no doubt that no one will have the
luxury of an extended vacation this summer. There needs to be hard
work done this summer to hopefully facilitate a breakthrough.

Turkey, as a regional hegemon toward which all eyes are directed,
bears a heavy burden in this issue. Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan
must rise to the occasion and should view this as a win-win
situation. We owe peace in the South Caucasus to our children and our
peoples.

24 May 2009, Sunday

S. SARGSYAN: "I CONSIDER TURKEY STILL PRESERVES ITS GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONVINCE THE WORLD COMMUNITY THAT IT IS A MODERN COUNTRY AND IS GOVERNED BY PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW"

ARMENPRESS
May 22, 2009

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS: "I consider Turkey still preserves
its great opportunity to convince the world community, why not the
Armenian citizens as well, that it is a modern state and is governed
by modern standards and principles of international law," during the
joint press conference with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan said.

Referring to the latest pessimistic assessments on regulation of
Armenian-Turkish relations S. Sargsyan noted that like he was not
encouraged with optimistic statements at the beginning, the same
way he is not displeased, disappointed with pessimistic assessments
now. According to him, it is still very early to make conclusions.

Nevertheless the Armenian President advised not to undergo the
speculation of other sides and media and not to attach the Karabakh
issue to the Armenian-Turkish negotiations.

"The Armenian-Turkish relations are entirely different relations; these
negotiations vary from those held between Armenia and Azerbaijan or
over the Nagorno Karabakh issue. I must say that regulation of most
difficult issues demand great efforts, demand a hard way to pass.

During overcoming of this most difficult way surely in Armenia as
well as in Turkey there will be optimists and pessimists who, being
unaware of the whole information, can emotionally express their joy
or displeasure, optimism or pessimism." Armenian President said.

PRESIDENT SAYS ARMENIA HAS NOT MADE ITS POSITION ROUGH

Panorama.am
15:50 22/05/2009

Armenia has not made its position rough towards the Nagorno Karabakh
negotiations, President Serzh Sargsyan announced in a joint press
conference with the President of Croatia Stjepan Mesic.

"I don’t think that Armenia has roughed its position in the
negotiations with Azerbaijan," emphasized the President and added,
"As you know the problem number one in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
is the status of Nagorno Karabakh and if we put straight questions
during the negotiations expecting definite answers it does not mean
we rough our positions."

Serzh Sargsyan said that another meeting in June is expected and
stressed: "I hope that after that meeting the Azeri mass media will
not falsify the meaning of our meeting and will not announce that
Armenia has made its positions rough."

RUSSIA GRANTS $500 MILLION LOAN TO ARMENIA

Panorama.am
16:46 20/05/2009

Moscow grants Yerevan $500 million loan to contribute to the
improvement of the Armenian economy amid the ongoing economic crisis,
Russian media reports. The agreement to extend the 15-year loan at
LIBOR plus 3% was signed by Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin
and his Armenian counterpart Tigran Davtyan in Moscow.

Russian minister Kudrin said that the loan was granted on concessional
terms, with interest at about 4% per annum, a reflection of the
current market situation. "We’ll grant a five-year grace period,
during which only interest will be paid," Kudrin said.

Armenian minister of economy emphasized that the loan would be of
great significance for the Armenian economy during the crisis.

PRESS CONFERENCE WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE PPA

armradio.am
21.05.2009 18:07

The members of the Progressive Party of Armenia Lewon Zurabyan,
Wladimir Karapetyan and Patwakan Howakimyan met with the journalists
in the club "Pastark". The Congressmen made complaints about the
conditions of the elections: one writes about their party not enough,
and there are many electoral violations registered. The first problem
is the question of the journals. One can vote instead of the man who
did not come to the elections, because they control the journals. This
is the most usable mean of the electoral violations. The Responsible
for the foreign affairs of the Progressive Party of Armenia Wladimir
Karapetyan added: they did not invite the OSCE observers; it means
they extra avoided the OSCE observers. The Congressmen are sure 20
observers cannot control more than 400 electoral points. They think,
it would be better to have one observer for each electoral point. "But
we are going to the elections with the positive mood, we are sure,
we will win", – said the congressional representative Lewon Zurabyan.

US-BASED ARMENIAN LOBBY STEPS UP ‘GENOCIDE’ RECOGNITION EFFORTS

Hurriyet
May 20 2009
Turkey

ISTANBUL – Four more U.S. congressmen have lent their support
to a resolution accepting the 1915 incidents as "genocide," an
American-Armenian group said Wednesday, as the Armenian diaspora
steps up its efforts for the recognition of the bill.

Congressmen Bruce Braley, Peter Defazio, Bobby Rush and John Yarmouth
extended their support to the "genocide resolution," bringing the
total number of the co-sponsors from both parties in the House of
Representatives to 125, the Armenian Assembly of America, or AAA,
said in a statement.

Armenian lobby organizations, disappointed by U.S. President Barack
Obama’s decision to refrain from recognizing the 1915 incidents as
"genocide" in his annual April 24 statement, have increased efforts
to have their claims regarding the 1915 incidents recognized by the
U.S. Congress.

"Reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide will not be sidelined in
the 111th Congress," AAA Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said in
the statement.

"The Assembly will continue to educate Members of Congress on the
importance of H. Res. 252 and, through its activists across the
nation, energize the community on the local level to contact their
Representatives directly," he added.

The bill, titled, "The Affirmation of the U.S. Record on the Armenian
Genocide," was introduced by four congressmen in March.

Turkey has warned that the introduction of the resolution could harm
both efforts to improve ties with Armenia and bilateral relations
with the United States.

U.S. lawmakers almost passed a similar resolution two years ago, but
congressional leaders did not bring it up for a vote after intense
pressure from then-President George W. Bush and top members of his
administration.

The issue is highly sensitive for Turkey as well as Armenia. In the
1915 incidents, around 300,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks,
died in civil strife that emerged when Armenians took up arms, backed
by Russia, for independence in eastern Anatolia.

However Armenia, with the backing of the diaspora, claims up to 1.5
million of their kin were slaughtered in orchestrated killings in
1915. The issue remains unsolved as Armenia drags its feet in accepting
Turkey’s proposal of forming a commission to investigate the claims.