Author: Khoyetsian Rose

THREE ARRESTED OVER PLANS TO ASSASSINATE KURDS

Today’s Zaman
Sept 10 2009
Turkey

Police have raided a group of homes in Igdir, arresting three people on
charges of planning to assassinate Kurdish politicians and businessmen
as part of efforts to sabotage the government’s recently announced
democratic initiative to solve the Kurdish problem.

According to reports, police arrested three people who had allegedly
formed a "death squad" to kill notable Kurdish personalities. The
raids took place on Monday night at the homes of Mucahit Yalcin, the
president of the Igdir branch of the Grey Wolves ultranationalist
group, and Turan Cevik, the former head of the Melekli district’s
Grey Wolves branch.

Police searches of the homes yielded documents that detailed plans
to sabotage the government’s newly launched democratic initiative on
the Kurdish problem. Among the documents was a "hit list" listing
the names of Kurdish businessmen and politicians to be killed to
harm the government initiative. Also seized was a Kalashnikov rifle
and ammunition.

Yalcin, Cevik and his son Kamil Cevik were arrested by order of the
Igdir state prosecutor and sent to Igdir Prison. Police are reportedly
still searching for one individual, Zafer Agridag, in connection
with the death squad. Police had been monitoring Agridag and Turan
Cevik ahead of the raids, and they say that suspicious conversations
between the two helped lay the ground for the police bust.

‘Agridag one of Kucuk’s soldiers’ The police raid reportedly took
place after a period of police monitoring of Zafer Agridag. Agridag,
who in 2000 served in the military alongside retired Gen. Veli Kucuk —
among the defendants in the ongoing trial over Ergenekon, a clandestine
deep-state group that plotted to overthrow the government — had been
taken into custody and interrogated following a Jan. 31, 2009 raid by
Igdir police on his home as part of the Ergenekon investigation. In
the search of his home, police had confiscated a journal in which he
praised Kucuk.

In 2007, Agridag had been caught by police when he and a friend,
Isfandiyar Ekinci, traveled to Istanbul as part of a plan to steal
a ship traveling from Lapseki to Gallipoli in protest of the public
usage of the slogan "We’re all Armenian" following the assassination
of Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink.

GlobalPost
September 5, 2009 Saturday 9:07 AM EST

Opinion: The Turkey-Armenia detente

by Ian O. Lesser
Sep. 5, 2009

WASHINGTON – This week, Turkey and Armenia announced their intention
to establish diplomatic relations, open the closed border between the
two countries and launch a series of talks and confidence-building
measures aimed at resolving long-standing disputes and fostering
closer cooperation.

To be sure, these protocols will need to be ratified in Ankara and
Yerevan, and some important political hurdles remain. But these new
accords, reached with the help of Swiss mediation, could prove
transformational for regional stability in the Black Sea region. They
are also very good news for American and European interests.

These positive developments are a direct result of the opening
established last September when Turkeys president, Abdullah Gul, took
up an invitation from the Armenian president, Serzh Sargysan, to
attend a Turkish-Armenian soccer match in Yerevan. The visit was
unprecedented and groundbreaking.

In a more fundamental sense, this weeks announcement flows from years
of quiet, unofficial dialogue among senior intellectuals and opinion
shapers on both sides. The changed atmosphere also shows the influence
of business leaders keen to capture the benefits of bilateral trade,
and enlightened policy figures anxious to take a long-standing problem
off the table.

The normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations will produce clear
benefits for the region and transatlantic security interests. First,
an open border will contribute to the economic development of Armenia
and rebalance the countrys position between East and West. Since the
collapse of the Soviet Union, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict pitting
Russian-backed Armenia against Turkish-backed Azerbaijan, and the
closure of Turkeys border with Armenia in 1993, Yerevans ties to the
West have remained underdeveloped. Open links to Turkey will give
Armenia new options on the international scene and contribute to the
economic development and stability of the country. (Substantial
numbers of Armenians already work and trade in Turkey on an
undocumented basis.)

Second, improved relations between Armenia and Turkey can have an
important demonstration effect. Multiple flashpoints and Å`frozen
conflicts around the Black Sea underscore the dangers of resurgent
nationalism against a backdrop of economic strain. The conflict
between Russia and Georgia, and looming tensions between Russia and
Ukraine, highlight the risk. Open borders and confidence-building
measures can encourage the emergence of a more integrated Black Sea
region, rather than a retreat to inward-looking, nationalistic
postures. If Ankara and Yerevan can change course and resolve disputes
long seen as intractable, this can set a positive precedent for crisis
management and conflict resolution from the Balkans to the Caspian,
and beyond. Could the Å`intractable Cyprus dispute be next?

Third, for Turkey, a genuine opening to Armenia will reinforce the
countrys new approach to foreign policy. In recent years, Turkish
leaders have pursued a Å`zero problems approach to relations in the
Balkans, the Aegean, the Black Sea and the Middle East. By and large,
Ankara has succeeded in transforming its often troubled relations with
neighbors as diverse as Greece, Bulgaria and Syria. Western observers
may be ambivalent about some aspects of this Turkish strategy, not
least Ankaras improved ties to Iran and Russia. But Turkish-Armenian
detente is another matter. Like the rise of Turkish-Greek detente over
the last decade, normalized relations with Yerevan should be an
undiluted benefit for Turkeys transatlantic partners. At a time when
Turkeys European Union candidacy faces serious challenges, the opening
to Armenia can also remind Europeans that Turkey is a producer rather
than a consumer of security in Europes neighborhood.

Finally, the roadmap set out by the parties envisions the
establishment of an international commission to review the contentious
history of 1915 and its aftermath that has bedeviled Armenian-Turkish
relations for nearly 100 years. It would be surprising if this group
manages to reconcile strongly held and competing historical
narratives. It would be even more surprising if detente between Ankara
and Yerevan ends the perennial debate in the U.S. Congress on an
Armenian genocide resolution – feelings run too high on this matter,
especially among the Armenian diaspora.

Yet a formal dialogue about the tragic events of 1915 will extend the
trend of recent years, in which both societies have become more
comfortable with frank discussion about Armenian-Turkish relations,
past and present. From the perspective of American regional interests,
there is much to be gained from a climate in which pressing bilateral
issues, including Iran, Russia and energy security, can take center
stage in relations with Ankara – and Yerevan.

The prospect of genuine Armenian-Turkish detente can help make this a
reality. The process deserves continued and unreserved support from
Washington.

Ian O. Lesser is a Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall
Fund of the United States in Washington.

SERZH SARGSYAN TO VISIT CROATIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
04.09.2009 21:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On September 7-8, RA President Serzh Sargsyan will
visit Croatia on official invitation of Croatian President Stipe
Mesic. RA leader will deliver a statement at Armenian- Croatian
Business Forum due in Zagreb.

Presidential negotiations are also on visit agenda, RA President’s
press service reported.

FATHER OF ARMENIA-CAPTURED AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER CONCERNED WITH LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT HIS SON

Today.Az
Sept 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Rahman Hasanov, father of Armenian-captured Azerbaijani soldier Rafig
Hasanov has not heard of his son since July 27.

Rahman Hasanov said the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) visited Rafig Hasanov and monitored his detention conditions
on July 23.

The captive’s letter was delivered to his family on July 27. Since
then, Rahman Hasanov has not received information about his son.

"Before we received Rafig’s letter, Baku office of the International
Committee of the Red Cross told me that he felt bad. Later, I received
his letter. Maybe they have killed him. I demand accurate information
about my son," he said.

Hasanov said the local bodies showed indifference to the captivity
of his son.

"Neither the military commissariat nor Aghdam region executive power
concerned itself with us. I sent my son safe and sound and now i want
him back him safe and sound," he said.

Rafig Hasanov, 20, was captured on the contact line in Gazakh on
Oct. 8, 2008.

YOUNG ARMENIAN WEIGHLIFTERS TO PARTICIPATE IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
YEREVAN

The 7th European Youth Weightlifting Championship will be held in
Eilat, Israel, on September 6-13. The Armenian team composed of 8
young men and 2 women and led by President of the RA Weightlifting
Federation Samvel Khachatrian will leave for Eilat on September 5.

NKR OVERCAME DIFFICULTIES IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.09.2009 19:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On September 2, 1991 the people of Artsakh
opened a new chapter in our ancient history resolutely embarking
on the hard and honorable way of building free and independent,
sovereign and democratic state, NKR President Bako Sahakyan said
in his congratulatory address on the occasion of NKR independence
day. "From the very first day of its inception, our country was
forced to solve hard problems and ensure security for the state and
its citizens. Together with Armenia and the Diaspora Artsakh carried
out this mission with flying colors, defending state independence and
further strengthening its security. Many Armenians sacrificed their
lives for their Fatherland. Eternal glory to them! After the war,
the country faced new challenges, this time in economic domain. We
had to restore the wrecked economy and lay firm foundations for the
country’s further development. Armenian people’s creative will and
optimism about future, as well asthe inexhaustible energy of Artsakh
people enabled Nagorno Karabakh Republic to overcome all that in a
relatively short period," NKR President noted.

Mr. Sahakyan also stressed that the country showed stable growth in
almost all the branches of economy. "Our democratic system complies
with international norms and criteria. Artsakh is one of the key
factors contributing to maintenance of stability in the region, and
its international recognition is only matter of time. NKR Defense Army,
our most important security guarantor, is capable of giving a fitting
rebuff to any encroachment upon its independence and security. Yet,
much is to be done to overcome the existing challenges and strengthen
our native land. On the path of building and developing its statehood,
Nagorno Karabakh Republic guides itself by the principles of
establishing friendly ties and achieving peaceful co-existence with
neighboring states. We are sure that any disputable issue should be
resolved exclusively through peaceful methods and open dialogue. At
the same time, we should rule out possibility of weakening the state’s
independence and security. These are exclusive values not subject
to any speculation. Dear compatriots, I heartily congratulate all
of us on this holiday and wish you peace, health and all the best,"
NKR President said.

GOAL, BUT IN WHOSE GATE

Lragir
=lrahos||politics&pid=15029
12:14:12 – 01/09/2009

We have to admit that few of the spectators of the Armenian and Turkish
relation would expect the two protocols, issued on August 31. Even
if such an event was expected in the process of the normalization
of the Armenian and Turkish relations, nevertheless, very few people
imagined that such a thing might happen in the nearest future.

Above all doubts, the Armenian government will represent this event
as a success of Armenia, because the protocols prepared by Armenia
and Turkey, dwell on the opening of the border and establishment
of relations.

But both of the protocols contain not only amazing but also worrying
points for the Armenian side. The point is that the protocols run
that Armenia and Turkey, the countries who sign the protocols, respect
the territorial integrity of other countries. Is there not any danger
in connection with the Karabakhi conflict? Is Azerbaijan not one of
the other countries? The point is that there does not seem to be any
exception in the protocol.

Besides, the sides also recognize each other’s borders. There is
no comment either relating to the fact that the sides set up an
intergovernmental commission to shape an atmosphere of mutual trust
among the societies, which will also have other issues, including a
sub-commission to study the genocide issue.

There is not a single word of course about the genocide or the
commission to study it in the protocol. But what means impartial and
through examination of historical documents. Turkey has never posed
the genocide question such as but it has always dwelt on historical
issues. Consequently, Turkey means the genocide examination, and
for the Armenian side the real meaning of the formulations should
be clear. If the Armenian side fails to notice the real meaning,
this means that the document with Turkey is signed by people far from
politics and diplomacy.

In other words, it seems to be evident that the protocols signed by
Armenia and Turkey include all the three preconditions, which the
Turkish side was presenting to the Armenian one in exchange of opening
the border and establishing diplomatic relations through leakages of
information and Turkish high ranking officials.

The Armenian side has always refused the existence of preconditions,
but getting acquainted with the text of the protocols, it is difficult
to believe those refusals. We only need to believe that that during
these six weeks of consultations, which are going to be held on the
protocols, the Armenian side will manage to eliminate the dangers
present in the texts of the protocols. However, the fact that the
text was published by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, means that it
did not find any dangerous points in it or it did not want to.

PARTICIPANTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CAMP "LET’S LEARN TOLERANCE THROUGH ENGLISH" AT THE US EMBASSY

armradio.am
31.08.2009 14:31

On July 31 teenagers and teachers who participated in the international
camp "Let’s Learn Tolerance through English" met with Her Excellency
Marie L. Yovanovitch, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. The Camp, in which
15 Armenian, 19 Turkish and 10 American students age 14-17 took part,
was implemented July 19-31 in Canakkale with the support of the US
Embassies in Armenia and Turkey.

The participation of the 15 Armenian students (plus 3 Armenian
teachers) was organized by "The Future is Yours" NGO. The aim of
the camp was to help the students and teachers to communicate across
cultural boundaries and understand each other better. For that purpose,
they engaged in interactive programs using multi-cultural literature
from the United States to teach English.

Students were given opportunities to learn English and learn about
each other’s respective cultures. Different interactive events,
English language courses, and intercultural meetings were organized
for the students. The Armenian participants presented their Armenian
culture through dances, a performance and a presentation. They had
an opportunity to visit Troy, Asos and Gelibolu (Edirne) during their
stay in Turkey.

FIRST STAGE OF CSTO JOINT TRAININGS OVER

PanARMENIAN.Net
31.08.2009 16:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The basic goals and objectives of the first stage of
CSTO joint trainings are met, CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Borduzha
said. "The first stage devoted, inter alia, to the use of Collective
Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) enabled us to elaborate an algorithm of
actions to resist possible tensions in CSTO region. At this stage,
direct participants gained a good experience of working in complex
and rapidly changing atmosphere," Borduzha noted.

Second and third stages of trainings are due in Belarus, on September
19-28 and October 2-15 respectively. Trainings will involve 7 thousand
servicemen, 120 tanks, over 200 IFVs and APCs as well as more than
40 airlines and helicopters, Russian media report.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Aug 31 2009

Aliyev meets top Turkish diplomats in Baku

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and visiting top Turkish diplomats
had talks in Baku over the weekend on recent developments in the
Caucasus, the Anatolia news agency reported. The meeting among Aliyev,
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Feridun SinirlioÄ?lu
and Ambassador Ã`nal Ã?eviköz, the deputy
undersecretary for the Caucasus and Central Asia, was held on Saturday
following a Friday telephone conversation between Aliyev and Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an.

During Friday’s conversation ErdoÄ?an briefed Aliyev on
normalization efforts between Turkey and Armenia, while Aliyev
informed ErdoÄ?an about developments regarding the resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Prime
Minister ErdoÄ?an’s office said in a written statement.

Ahead of their departure from Baku later on Saturday,
SinirlioÄ?lu told reporters that they explained Turkey’s views
to Aliyev concerning both the normalization efforts between Turkey and
Armenia and the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between
Armenia and Azerbaijan, without elaborating further.

For more than one-and-a-half years, Turkey and Armenia have been
holding closed-door talks, mediated by Switzerland, to restore their
diplomatic relations severed by Turkey in 1993 in a show of solidarity
with Azerbaijan after Armenia occupied a chunk of Azerbaijani
territory in a war over Nagorno-Karabakh. But the process stalled
after Ankara said progress in efforts at normalization was linked with
progress in Armenia’s Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Armenia rejects any
link between the two issues.

31 August 2009, Monday
TODAY’S ZAMAN WITH WIRES ANKARA