Author: Nahapetian Lilit

ALGERIAN GENOCIDE MONUMENT IN ANKARA

Turkish Press
Oct 23 2006

ANKARA – Members of (Turkish capital) Ankara Municipality Assembly
submitted a resolution in regard to construction of a monument
representing French genocide in Algeria to Turkish Parliament on
Monday.

Municipality members prepared a resolution regarding construction of
the monument in Paris Street in Ankara.

The resolution is expected to be discussed in the parliament after
the voting on the French bill which criminalize denial of so-called
Armenian genocide in France on October 12th.

LETTER FROM YOK PRESIDENT TEZIC TO CHIRAC

Turkish Press
Oct 23 2006

ANKARA – "Can it be stated that the resolution making denial of the
so-called Armenian genocide a crime in France, does not contradict
freedom of expression," Supreme Board of Education (YOK) President
Prof. Erdogan Tezic asked in a letter he sent to French President
Jacques Chirac.

In the letter Tezic urged President Chirac not to approve the
resolution in question.

"French National Assembly is getting prepared to adopt a resolution
making denial of the so-called Armenian genocide a crime. To this end,
I want to share my concerns with you," Prof. Tezic noted.

"Can it be said that big states did not provoke and support the
Armenian gangs in the Ottoman Empire during World War I? And they do
not have any responsibility on these sufferings?" Tezic underlined.

"I believe that you will not consent to the adoption of such a
resolution which will pave the way of hatred among young generations
as a veteran statesman of a country like France which has a rich
cultural heritage," he indicated.

October 20, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

DURING A MEETING WITH THE ARMENIAN ECCLESIASTICAL BROTHERHOOD
SPIRITUALITY MUST RADIATE THROUGH OUR LIVES AND OUR MISSION

On the morning of Thursday, October 19, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed executives of the Armenian
Ecclesiastical Brotherhood to the temporary Prelacy offices in Encino.
Also participating in the meeting was Christian Education Department
Co-Director Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, who is the representative
of the Prelate at the Ecclesiastical Brotherhood.

During the meeting, the Brotherhood executives briefed the Prelate
on their current and future activities. The Prelate commended their
devotion to the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as their role
in the spiritual nourishment of Armenian youth, and subsequently
reaffirmed the Prelacy’s support to the Ecclesiastical Brotherhood.

The Prelacy has a history of collaboration with the Brotherhood
including, but not limited to, Prelacy clergy members visiting the
center of the Brotherhood to lecture to the faithful.

In keeping with the collaborative tradition, the members requested that
the Thanksgiving event they are planning for November 20 be held under
the auspices of the Prelate. Furthermore, on the evening of Saturday,
October 21st, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian will be lecturing to the
youth at the Brotherhood’s center on the Armenian Church and Halloween.

Turkish broadcasting watchdog recommends boycott of French media programs

Associated Press
Oct 19 2006

The Associated Press
Published: October 19, 2006

ISTANBUL, Turkey Turkey’s state broadcasting watchdog recommended
Wednesday that television stations not broadcast French media programs,
the latest backlash against a French law that would criminalize denial
that the mass killings of Armenians in Turkey was genocide.

Members of the broadcasting group said they had decided by an unanimous
vote that their recommendation would stay in place until France took
the law completely off its agenda.

French films, TV series and music account for about 10 percent of
the content on Turkish radio and television, according to figures
provided by the broadcasting watchdog. It was not immediately able
to say how much Turkish broadcasters pay annually for French content.

Saban Sevinc, a member of the watchdog’s board, said French films
were third in popularity in Turkey behind American and Turkish films.

"France is trying to raise its voice in the world film sector. (We)
hope this decision will make some noise, even if it’s small, in
the French film industry and art world and make them ask ‘What have
we done?’"

The genocide denial bill was approved by lawmakers in France’s lower
house last week, but still needs approval from the French Senate and
President Jacques Chirac to become law.

Turkey sees the bill as a hostile, anti-Turkish development,
and has warned that the lawmakers’ vote has already deeply harmed
Turkish-French relations.

Turkey’s main consumer group also organized a boycott of French goods,
saying it would publicize a French company each week and encourage
Turks to boycott it.

Turkey vehemently denies that it committed genocide against Armenians,
though many nations have classified the World War I-era killings
as such.

Turkey acknowledges that large numbers of Armenians died in mass
expulsions and fighting, but says the number of dead is exaggerated
and that most were killed in interethnic battling as the Ottoman
Empire collapsed.

Armenians and many nations say some 1.5 million Armenians were killed
in a genocidal campaign devised and executed by Turkish leaders.

The European Union and European media have criticized the French
bill, however, saying it is not in line with the principle of free
expression and is not helpful to encouraging dialogue with Turkey,
a hopeful EU candidate.

Total trade between Turkey and France last year stood at nearly
US$10 billion, with Turkey importing goods from France worth nearly
US$6 billion.

The Armenian issue is one of the most divisive and emotional in
Turkey. Those who classify the killings as genocide are often accused
of treason.

ISTANBUL, Turkey Turkey’s state broadcasting watchdog recommended
Wednesday that television stations not broadcast French media programs,
the latest backlash against a French law that would criminalize denial
that the mass killings of Armenians in Turkey was genocide.

Members of the broadcasting group said they had decided by an unanimous
vote that their recommendation would stay in place until France took
the law completely off its agenda.

French films, TV series and music account for about 10 percent of
the content on Turkish radio and television, according to figures
provided by the broadcasting watchdog. It was not immediately able
to say how much Turkish broadcasters pay annually for French content.

Saban Sevinc, a member of the watchdog’s board, said French films
were third in popularity in Turkey behind American and Turkish films.

"France is trying to raise its voice in the world film sector. (We)
hope this decision will make some noise, even if it’s small, in
the French film industry and art world and make them ask ‘What have
we done?’"

The genocide denial bill was approved by lawmakers in France’s lower
house last week, but still needs approval from the French Senate and
President Jacques Chirac to become law.

Turkey sees the bill as a hostile, anti-Turkish development,
and has warned that the lawmakers’ vote has already deeply harmed
Turkish-French relations.

Turkey’s main consumer group also organized a boycott of French goods,
saying it would publicize a French company each week and encourage
Turks to boycott it.

Turkey vehemently denies that it committed genocide against Armenians,
though many nations have classified the World War I-era killings
as such.

Turkey acknowledges that large numbers of Armenians died in mass
expulsions and fighting, but says the number of dead is exaggerated
and that most were killed in interethnic battling as the Ottoman
Empire collapsed.

Armenians and many nations say some 1.5 million Armenians were killed
in a genocidal campaign devised and executed by Turkish leaders.

The European Union and European media have criticized the French
bill, however, saying it is not in line with the principle of free
expression and is not helpful to encouraging dialogue with Turkey,
a hopeful EU candidate.

Total trade between Turkey and France last year stood at nearly
US$10 billion, with Turkey importing goods from France worth nearly
US$6 billion.

The Armenian issue is one of the most divisive and emotional in
Turkey. Those who classify the killings as genocide are often accused
of treason.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA REPRESENTATIVES AND U. S. LAWMAKERS
DISCUSS U. S. – ARMENIA RELATIONS

DeFacto, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

With Congress in recess until after the November elections, the
Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) stepped up its advocacy efforts,
meeting with several lawmakers to promote Armenian-American concerns.

According to the information DE FACTO Information-Analytics Agency
received at the AAA, Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member
Annie Totah, along with Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny,
met with Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to discuss the U.S.-Armenia
relationship as well as key issues such as reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide. Cantwell, who is serving her first term in office,
is a cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S. Res. 320).

Totah and Ardouny also met with Armenian Caucus Member Representative
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), an avid supporter of Armenian issues including
the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act (H.R.

3361) and the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 316). This past
summer Maloney spearheaded a letter to the European Union expressing
concern regarding Turkey’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide.

In her letter, Maloney urged the European Commission to consider
Turkey’s stance on the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing blockade,
which impairs the regional stability of the South Caucasus in
consideration of its membership into the European Union. Maloney is
a Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee as well as a member
of the Financial Services and Government Reform Committees and serves
as a co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus. Totah and Ardouny thanked the
Congresswoman for her strong support of the Armenian community.

Additionally, Totah and Ardouny met with Armenian Caucus Members
Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Edward Royce (R-CA)
and thanked the Representatives for their support of H.R. 3361, a
bill prohibiting U.S. funding for a rail link that connects Baku,
Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey while bypassing
Armenia. They also commended the lawmakers for sponsoring an
amendment ensuring that no Export-Import money is spent on efforts
that would isolate Armenia from economic and regional transportation
opportunities. A similar amendment was adopted by the Senate Banking,
Housing and Urban Affairs Committee with strong Assembly support.

"We thank Senator Cantwell for her receptiveness to the concerns of
the Armenian-American community, and we look forward to working with
her and her staff in promoting Armenian concerns," said Totah.

"Additionally, we thank Representatives Crowley, Maloney, Royce and
Sherman for their continued support and work on the federal level
for the Armenian community."

Patriarch voices concern over foundations bill

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Oct 20 2006

The New Anatolian/ Ankara

The Armenian patriarch yesterday sent three letters to top Turkish
officials expressing his concerns about the recent controversial
foundations bill.

Armenian Patriarch in Turkey Mesrob II yesterday sent letters to
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, expressing his concerns over the
foundations bill, arguing that the bill would exacerbate long-rooted
problems.

Mesrob II, in a letter, also argued that the bill is a violation of
the principle of equality in the Constitution and described it as
technically flawed.

Stating that he has met with state officials on the issue, the
patriarch said they concluded that it would be useful if their opinions
on foundations bill were examined.

In his letter, Mesrob II said that the bill was approved by the
commission and sent to the Parliament floor before they were able to
express their opinions.

Mesrob II said Armenians have no demand other than equal citizenship.

"For this reason the evaluation of our rights within the context of
reciprocity and being treated as foreigners have deeply saddened us,"
wrote Mesrob II.

"We are citizens of this country and we think there is nothing more
natural than expressing our problems to you and the Parliament,"
said Mesrob II, arguing the recent bill is a violation of principle
of equality.

In another letter to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Mesrob II expressed
his concerns about the private education institutions bill.

The patriarch asked the president to veto a clause in Article 5 of
the bill.

Mesrob II said they welcome the recent legal reforms regarding
religious minorities on the way towards democratization.

The patriarch said the bill on private education institutions also
interests Armenians since the bill covers Armenian schools.

As in his letter to Arinc, Erdogan and Gul, Mesrob II said the
principle of reciprocity shouldn’t be applied in this bill too and
asked the president to veto a clause in Article 5 of the bill.

President Sezer previously vetoed some articles of the bill and sent
it back to Parliament for re-debate.

ALIEV VOWS TO ‘FIGHT’ ARMENIAN DIASPORA

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 17 2006

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliev announced Tuesday a campaign to
counter the influence of the Armenian diaspora.

Aliev said his oil-rich ex-Soviet republic was opening embassies
and consulates in parts of the world where the Armenian diaspora was
especially influential.

"It’s no secret that California is a state with a large Armenian
population. We opened a consulate general (in Los Angeles) to be
there and to fight the Armenian lobby," Aliev said in an interview
with Arabic network Al-Jazeera, a transcript of which was published
by Azerbaijan’s state news agency Azertaj.

Aliev said his country planned to open an embassy in Argentina, where
the Armenian lobby "is strongest among Latin American nations." "One
might ask, ‘Why open an embassy in a country with which we have no
serious links.’ But we’re opening an embassy to fight the Armenian
lobby on its own turf," Aliev said.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a territorial dispute over
the Nagorno-Karabakh ethnic-Armenian enclave since before the break-up
of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan lost control of the territory and seven
surrounding regions during a war in the early 1990s, but Karabakh’s
status has yet to be settled. Diaspora Armenians are key to financing
the rebel government controlling the enclave. The world-wide Armenian
diaspora has numbered in the millions since Armenians were forced out
of Ottoman Turkey in a series of massacres and forced marches during
World War I.

Aliev said Azerbaijan’s new oil wealth gave it a chance to
outweigh ethnic-Armenians’ influence abroad. "What is attractive
about Armenia…? Only the fact that it has a rich diaspora that
influences the policies of various countries," Aliev said. "Azerbaijan
is a country that will supply Europe and world markets with energy
resources. Imagine Azerbaijan on one side of the scale and Armenia
on the other."

I DON’T TRUST CHIRAC
By Tufan Turenc

Turkish Press
Oct 16 2006

HURRIYET- I want to write very harsh words about French President
Jacque Chirac. I’m trying hard to stop myself. I don’t trust Chirac
at all. His majesty called Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and
told him that he was very sorry. He said that he understands and
shares our feelings and criticism and that this development stems
from the upcoming general elections. Then he promised that he would
do his best to make sure the bill won’t become law. So kind of him!

Where has he been until now as France’s president? I wonder if Chirac
is making fun of the Turkish nation. They immediately forgot the
show that he made in the Armenian capital Yerevan last week. I also
wonder if he didn’t say last week that each country has to face up
to its tragedies and mistakes in the past in line with its level of
development and that Turkey should recognize the Armenian genocide in
order to gain European Union membership. What sort of a statesmanship
is this? How can the Turkish nation trust a president whose words
now contradict what he said just a week before? Who can guarantee
that his majesty won’t say something against Turkey tomorrow? Chirac
should realize that the Turkish nation knows better than to take
him seriously.

I wonder what Erdogan and the Cabinet ministers think about Chirac. I
believe they don’t trust him either. Turkey should act coolly now. We
should see that this nonsensical, illogical law which completely
violates democratic values has damaged France’s international
respectability and we should make use of it very well. We should make a
dignified response to this hostile stance of France. Let’s not sully
our just cause with pointless displays like throwing eggs at the
doors and windows of French representatives and setting their flag
on fire. Let’s not forget that trying to impose excessive sanctions
on commercial interests would only harm us. The Turkish Republic is
a state of law. Harming French firms which have invested in Turkey
would hit us like a boomerang. Our struggle with France should be
done through political and legal avenues. Turkey has the resources,
experience and diplomatic culture to do this.

STATUE HONORING MASSACRED ARMENIANS STOLEN

United Press International
Oct 15 2006

A bronze statue honoring the memory of Armenians killed in Turkey
during World War I has been stolen from its pedestal in a Paris suburb.

The statue stood in front of the train station in Chaville. It
disappeared late Friday or early Saturday, the BBC reported.

Investigators are unsure if the motive was financial or political. The
660-pound bronze statue is worth a lot of money as scrap metal but the
theft also occurred immediately after a vote in the French parliament
to make denying the Armenian genocide a crime.

Police say there was no vandalism apart from the taking of the statue
and no graffiti or other hints of political purpose.

Turkey has objected strongly to the proposed French law, which
must still pass the upper house of parliament and be signed by the
president.

RA FM DISCUSSED KARABAKH PROBLEM RESOLUTION WITH NKR LEADERSHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.10.2006 14:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ October 15 Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian paid a visit to Stepanakert, reported the RA MFA press
office. Vartan Oskanian met with NKR President Arkady Ghukasian and FM
Georgy Petrosian to discuss the Naforno Karabakh conflict settlement
process before the meeting with Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov in
Paris scheduled for October 24.