Author: Topchian Jane

UA asst. professor acquitted of insulting Turks

The Associated Press

Tucson Citizen, AZ
Sept 22 2006

ISTANBUL, Turkey – A University of Arizona assistant professor who is
one of Turkey’s leading authors was acquitted Thursday of "insulting
Turkishness" in a novel that touched on the mass killings of Armenians
during the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

The panel of judges said there was no evidence to support the charge
against Elif Shafak, who gave birth Saturday and did not attend
her trial.

Shafak, who is on a one-year leave from her teaching post in UA’s
department of Near Eastern studies, expressed satisfaction with the
verdict and called for greater freedoms and tolerance.

"You would counter writing with writing, not with a gun," Shafak
told private NTV television about protests and scuffles that took
place outside the courtroom after the verdict was read. "Insulting
Turkishness? According to whom? Who determines it?"

Shafak said the law on insulting Turkishness "has been used as a
weapon to silence many people. . . . My case is perhaps just another
step in this long chain."

Shafak’s publisher said her acquittal was a relief and that there
should be more tolerance in Turkey.

"We want a country where people are not interrogated because of
their novels," said Muge Sokmen, Shafak’s publisher. "As the public,
we need to be more tolerant to the thoughts of others."

Shafak was charged over the words uttered by fictional Armenian
characters in her novel "The Bastard of Istanbul." In the book,
an Armenian character refers to "Turkish butchers."

Turkey’s mass expulsion of Armenians during World War I, which
Armenians say was part of a genocide that claimed 1.5 million lives,
is a dark chapter rarely discussed in Turkey or taught in its schools.

The court, which opened Shafak’s trial earlier Thursday, concluded in
an hour-plus session that there was insufficient evidence to suggest
that she committed a crime.

She could have faced three years in prison.

The European Union has warned Turkey that putting writers and
journalists on trial for their speech could hamper its efforts to
join the bloc.

Riot police contained angry nationalist protesters who briefly scuffled
with another group outside the court room after the ruling.

A small group of nationalist lawyers outside the courthouse burned
a picture of Shafak in protest.

Some protesters held a European Union flag adorned with a Nazi swastika
in the middle and a slogan that read: "EU fascism."

The protesters were also holding several Turkish flags.

Her book was released in Turkey on March 8 and has sold more than
50,000 copies.

A Turkish court dropped charges last year against Orhan Pamuk, one
of the country’s most famous novelists, who faced trial on charges
of insulting Turkishness for commenting on the killings of Armenians.

The charges were dropped for technical reasons amid intense
international pressure.

A high court recently confirmed a six-month prison sentence imposed on
Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink for attempting to influence the
judiciary after his newspaper ran articles criticizing the law that
makes it a crime to insult Turkishness. Dink’s sentence was suspended.

THE RAILWAY WILL NOT BYPASS ARMENIA

A1+
[01:01 pm] 22 September, 2006

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly today praised a key Senate
committee for affirming U.S policy in the South Caucasus by prohibiting
funding for a bypass rail link sponsored by the Turkish and Azerbaijani
governments and aimed at excluding Armenia from economic and regional
transportation opportunities.

"Armenia is a valued friend of the United States and our government
ought not to be supporting programs or initiatives in the South
Caucasus that exclude that country from participation," said
Santorum. "The manager’s amendment adopted today by the Committee on
Banking will make sure such a scenario does not happen."

"We cannot continue to stoke the embers of regional conflict by
supporting projects that deliberately exclude one of the region’s most
important members," said Menendez. "Fundamentally, this amendment is
about fairness and about inclusion, rather than exclusion.

With this amendment, we are sending a simple message — that we believe
that the United States should support an integrated and inclusive
approach to economic and regional development in the Caucasus region."

PROSECUTOR GENERAL MEETS WITH TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL’S REGIONAL
DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA

AzerTag
September 20, 2006

[September 20, 2006, 15:25:22]

Prosecutor General of the Azerbaijan Republic Zakir Garalov has met
with the visiting Transparency International’s Regional Director for
Europe and Central Asia Miklos Marschall.

Zakir Garalov expressed gratitude for the attention shown by
the organization Transparency International, the world’s largest
anti-corruption organization, informed the visitor in detail on the
measures taken in this sphere under the leadership of Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev.

The Prosecutor General noted that Azerbaijan has acceded to a
number of Conventions of the Council of Europe in the mentioned
sphere, especially underlining the "State Program on Combat Against
Corruption".

Having noted, that special value in combat against this dangerous
phenomenon is given to establishment of close contacts with public
organizations and nongovernmental structures, the Prosecutor General
has emphasized importance of cooperation with the organization
functioning in the country "International Transparency- Azerbaijan".

Having noted, that the international organizations highly value
strengthening anti-corruption measures in Azerbaijan, Miklos Marschall
emphasized the necessity for further steps in this direction.

The guest expressed hope that Azerbaijan, though encountering problems
caused by occupant policy of Armenia, would become a developed country
soon. The international organizations will assist the country in this,
Mr. Marschall stressed.

Secretary of the Commission on combat against corruption under the
Public Service Administration Council Inam Kerimov and Executive
Director of "International Transparency" Azerbaijan Section Rena
Safaraliyeva took part in action.

MetroWest Daily News, MA

Films go international at Framingham State

By Bob Tremblay/ Daily News Staff
Thursday, September 21, 2006

Once again, fans of foreign films have reason to cheer in a multitude
of languages as the International Film Series resumes tonight at
Framingham State College.

Part of the college’s Arts & Humanities Program, the series begins
with a screening of "L’Enfant" ("The Child"). Winner of the Palme d’Or
at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, the movie focuses on a 20-year-old
petty thief whose 18-year-old girlfriend has just given birth to
their son. Joy turns to heartbreak when the young man sells the baby
on the black market.

Directed by the Belgian brothers Luc and Jeane-Pierre Dardenne,
the 95-minute film is in French with English subtitles.

The second film in the series, "Vodka Lemon" screens Oct. 26. Set in
an isolated mountainous village in post-Soviet Armenia, the movie is
a comedy that weaves together several stories, the most prominent
of which is the tentative romance between a 60-year-old grizzled
patriarch and a shy, middle-aged woman. The film is the third feature
from exiled Iraqi Kurd director Hiner Saleem. Winner of the San Marco
prize at the Venice Film Festival in 2003, this 88-minute film is in
Armenian, Russian and Kurdish with English subtitles.

The third film, "The Holy Girl" ("La Nina Santa") screens Feb. 22. Set
in a large, dilapidated hotel during a medical convention, the 2004
movie deals with a young teenage girl torn between her burgeoning
sexual awareness and her strict Catholic upbringing.

Directed by the Argentinian Lucrecia Martel ("La Cienaga"), the
103-minute film is in Spanish with English subtitles.

The final film, "Take Care of My Cat" ("Goyangireul Butakhae"),
screens March 22. The 2001 South Korean movie tells the story of a
close-knit group of five 20-year-old women trying to find their place
in the world. In Korean with English subtitles, the 113-minute film
marks the feature debut of director Jeong Jae-Eun.

The film series’ founder, Arthur Nolletti Jr., professor of English
and film studies at Framingham State, says he chose this quartet of
films because of their quality and approach to subject matter. "(The
series) is opening up a window for people to see what is going on in
films around the world," said Nolletti.

"The themes…are of interest to us but they’re not necessarily handled
in the same way as they would be in most serious American films."

Nolletti started the series in 1975 at the Danforth Museum in
Framingham where it continued until 1989. The museum resumed the
series in 1997 and the following year it moved to Framingham State
where it has continued since.

"From the start what made the series unique was the fact that each
screening was followed by a discussion," said Nolletti, who leads
the discussions.

"I learned that people want to share their impressions and opinions
with others; they want to talk about the film they’ve seen. Being
given the opportunity isn’t all that common since most film series
screen the film and that’s pretty much it."

US ISSUES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT ON CYPRUS

Financial Mirror, Cyprus
18/09/2006

US State Department issued on Friday its annual international religious
report, noting that Cyprus’ constitution provides for freedom of
religion, which is "generally respected" by the Cypriot government.

According to the report, the Government at all levels sought to
protect the freedom of religion "in full and did not tolerate its
abuse, either by governmental or private actors."

The State Department’s report, presented to the US Congress, also
refers to northern part of Cyprus, occupied since the 1974 Turkish
invasion, as "area administered by the Turkish Cypriots," reiterating
however that the US "does not recognize" the occupying regime, nor
does any other country except Turkey.

The report says that the occupying regime "provides for freedom of
religion and Turkish Cypriot authorities generally respected this
right in practice," adding that "the politically divisive environment
of Cyprus, however, engendered some restrictions on religious freedom,
particularly for Greek Cypriots and Maronites."

On the government-controlled areas, the report says that 96 percent
of the population belongs to Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, while
estimated 0.7 percent of the remaining population was Maronite,
slightly less than 0.4 percent was Armenian Orthodox, 0.1 percent
was Latin (Roman Catholic), and 3.2 percent belonged to other groups.

"The generally amicable relationship among religious groups in society
contributed to religious freedom," the report says, adding that in
July 2005 the first Buddhist temple in Cyprus opened in Nicosia. In
September, Cyprus’s first new synagogue in at least twenty years
opened in Larnaca.

As far as the restrictions on religious freedom is concerned, the
report recalls since 2003, when restrictions of movement were relaxed,
"Greek Cypriots have reported relatively easy access to Apostolos
Andreas Monastery and other religious sites in the area administered
by Turkish Cypriots."

"Likewise, Turkish Cypriots enjoyed relatively easy access to religious
sites, including Hala Sultan Tekke in the Government-controlled area,"
the report says.

The report also refers to the request submitted by the government for
an additional Church of Cyprus priest be assigned to minister to the
Greek Cypriots living in the Karpas region "of the area administered
by Turkish Cypriots."

"Turkish Cypriot authorities agreed in principle to this request,
but the first proposed individual could not go for personal reasons,"
the report says, adding that "Turkish Cypriot authorities objected to
the second individual who was proposed, claiming he disliked Turkish
Cypriots and had made inappropriate statements about their community."

"Turkish Cypriot authorities asked that the Government nominate a
different priest. At the end of the reporting period, the position
remained open and the Government had not nominated a new priest,"
the report adds.

ARMENIA LOOKS INTO FUTURE NOT GOING TO REFUSE MEMORIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2006 13:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within past several years Armenia continued its
complementary policy in the foreign arena, Armenian President Robert
Kocharian stated at the opening of Armenia-Diaspora third forum. In
his words, large mutually beneficial economic programs were launched
with Russia, military and political cooperation is being strengthened,
sustainable and effective relations are formed. At the same time
Armenia makes active steps to strengthen relations with EU, the
Armenian leader added. Talks over the document within the ENP framework
are over. The IPAP with the NATO is already agreed upon and underway.

Within fight against terror Armenia-US cooperation has
expanded. Armenian peacekeepers take part in missions in Iraq and
Kosovo. "I would characterize our policy this way: we are strengthening
our international involvement along with ties with traditional
friends," Armenian President said. He emphasized that when making
decisions on acute international issues, as well as regional ones,
Armenia takes into account the Diaspora interests.

"Within the foreign policy the Diaspora potential for political
lobbying is an important factor. Armenian organizations, recognized
in the political arena, assist Armenian diplomacy and owing to
them Armenia’s voice is better heard at the international arena,"
Robert Kocharian remarked. Due to joint efforts with the Diaspora,
serious progress is made in international recognition and censure of
the Armenian Genocide. "In this issue the clear wording of Armenia’s
position had an important part: we look into the future not going to
refuse memories and we should sustain this approach," the President
underscored.

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian
15 Sep 06

PRESIDENT URGES ARMENIAN DIPLOMATS ABROAD TO BE MORE ACTIVE

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has received representatives of
the Armenian diplomatic corps who are attending the annual conference
of ambassadors in Yerevan.

Noting the importance of such meetings, the president said that they
make it possible to specify the current development of Armenia’s
foreign relations.

[Passage omitted: the president awarded the Armenian ambassadors to
China and Germany for their contribution to Armenia’s foreign policy]

Kocharyan said that the diplomatic corps should take more active
steps to promote the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy. The
president also noted the importance of expanding external economic
ties. At the same time, he said that not all Armenian diplomats
abroad are making full use of the potential of economic cooperation.

Touching on the Armenia-Diaspora forum that will be held in Yerevan
in the next few days, Kocharyan said that a number of important
issues have been put on its agenda and their solution will facilitate
the systematization of work in the future.

Lider TV, Baku, in Azeri
15 Sep 06

AZERBAIJAN TO ALLOCATE 220M-DOLLAR LOAN FOR RAILWAY BUILDING IN
GEORGIA

[Presenter] The Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railway, which causes Armenia’s
concern, may be put into operation soon. The sides are doing their
best for the implementation of the project, Georgian ambassador to
Azerbaijan Zurab Gumberidze has told Lider TV in an exclusive
interview. He said that Azerbaijan will finance part of the
construction of the main line passing through Georgia.

[Gumberidze speaking from his office in Georgian with Azeri
voice-over] Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey attach great importance to
this project. Azerbaijan is interested in a rapid operation of the
railway. Azerbaijan and Georgia have already discussed all parameters
of a credit agreement. Under the document, Azerbaijan will allocate a
220m-dollar interest-free loan for the construction of the main
railway line going through Georgia. A total of 192 km of the railway
line passing though Georgia needs restoration and 29 km needs
reconstruction. Azerbaijan has always supported Georgia. This project
once again shows friendly and fraternal relations between the states.

Panorama.am

13:15 16/09/06

CRU SUSPENDS ITS VICE-CHAIRMAN’S ACTIVITY

Our sources say that Constitutions Right Union (CRU)
board has temporarily suspended the activity of Haik
Babukhanyan, CRU vice-chairman. Today the party is
holding its conference to be followed by the party
assembly which will elect CRU leadership. Babukhanyan
is the second figure in the party after Hrant
Khachatryan and the suspension of his activity is
quite an intrigue. In case the party splits up, it
will be fatal for CRU. It will be sad to see that
since, despite of being few in numbers, CRU is an
organization with a distinct face in the political
field. /Panorama.am/

PanARMENIAN.Net

US State Department: Hoagland Will Get 51 Votes Required for Confirmation
15.09.2006 17:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s the prerogative, I think of any senator to put
a hold on a particular Senate action, US State Department Spokesman
Sean McCormack said, when commenting on the decision of Senator Robert
Menendez to `freeze’ the process of confirmation of Richard Hoagland
as US Ambassador to Armenia. Sean McCormack also noted, `In this case,
our nominee has been reported out of committee to the floor of the
Senate. We think that he should have an up-or-down vote. We think that
given the opportunity that he will get the 51 votes required for
confirmation. So we would hope the Senate would move forward on it,’
says a release at the US Senate website.

We remind that in blocking the Hoagland nomination, Sen. Menendez
stressed that, "as a leader and defender of democracy, it is our
nation’s responsibility to speak out against injustice and support
equality and human rights. But if the Bush Administration continues to
refuse to acknowledge the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide, then
there is certainly cause for great alarm, which is why I am placing a
hold on this nominee." He added that, "I will continue to work with my
colleagues in the United States Senate to make strides toward ensuring
that all people, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, receive
protection from policies of discrimination and hate that lead to
genocide."