Author: Virabian Jhanna

LET’S TALK TURKEY; REBEL LAND **** BY CHRISTOPHER DE BELLAIGUE BLOOMSBURY

The New Review
April 18, 2010
First Edition

Rebel Land opens with the perplexed author staring at himself in the
mirror in eastern Turkey: not only has he aged since his days as a
foreign correspondent, but his self-conception is at odds with his
actual reflection. It is the disjuncture between his personal view of
Turkey and the one which was held up to him in protestation after he
wrote an article about the country’s history, that is the genesis of
this book: after his article was published, Christopher de Bellaigue
was reprimanded as an apologist for the Turks, and thereafter set
out to investigate the truth by hearing first-hand the stories of the
"forgotten peoples" of the land. (Kurdish troubles in the east linger,
while Armenians still talk of a genocide in the region, in 1915-17.)

The book exposes the complexities and compromises of narrative:
De Bellaigue holds up many mirrors to many people, each reflecting
different versions of the truth. He also ponders his own subjectivity
as a one-time public schoolboy for whom "bucolic authoritarianism
was cool".

What would compel someone to leave behind their home country at all,
in order to live among strangers? Insights into the author’s own
wanderlust create the engaging emotional landscape, tracing its roots
in childhood and on into adulthood, when a romance with a Turkish lady
first led him to the area. (Although that ended, his love affair with
the country continued.)

For one who, like myself, has travelled through eastern Turkey, whose
wild, beautiful landscape lingers in the mind, this book is packed with
fascinating factual nuggets. For those who have not ventured there,
the author conjures vivid scenes. This book is far from perfect; an
uneven cacophony. But it is precisely through honest consideration
of the imperfection in life and in literature that the author finds
his forte, shining valuable light on little-known terrains.

BORDER WITH ARMENIA TO STAY CLOSED, SAYS ERDOGAN

Asbarez
Apr 19th, 2010

ANKARA (Combined Sources)-Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
said Sunday Turkey will keep its border with Armenia closed if the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unresolved.

Erdogan was quoted Monday by the Anatolia news agency as saying that
"if the occupation of (Nagorno Karabakh) continues, we will not take
such a step."

He made his remarks during a press conference where he sought to update
the media on his recent trip to Washington DC for US President Obama’s
Nuclear Summit. Erdogan met with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian
on the sidelines of the trip for talks centered on their countries’
stalled diplomatic rapprochement.

The reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border is part of a US-brokered
accord the two countries signed in October to establish diplomatic
ties and needs parliamentary ratification to take effect.

In discussing his talks with Sarkisian, Erdogan said: "I think if
the Karabakh issue is solved, there will be no problems in opening
the Turkish-Armenian border. Therefore, the Minsk Group should step
up its work. I discussed the issue with the presidents of the United
States and Russia, Obama and Medvedev, in Washington, as well as with
President Sarkozy during my recent visit to Paris. But despite this,
they have been unable to achieve results for 20 years now."

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in a show of solidarity
with Azerbaijan after the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic declared its
independence from Soviet Azerbaijan.

Erdogan also criticized Washington for not inviting Azerbaijan to the
Nuclear Security Summit held from April 12-13. "I told the American
administration openly that had Azerbaijan been among the participants,
we could have held meetings with six states, including the co-chairs
of the Minsk Group. That is, we would have had more active meetings
on all these issues."

Diaspora expansion takes priority to borders

Sabah-Tr
16 April, 2010 03:25:00

With just days left before April 24th rolls around, Turkey has
decided to take a surprising step. DavutoÄ?lu met with the Ambassadors
and Consuls based in North America in order to deliver the message;
`The normalization of relations with Yerevan will only be possible if
it includes the diaspora.’

As the international community awaits the Turkish-Armenian borders to
open, Turkey has decided to open the door to the diaspora first.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu made an announcement to
the mission chiefs in North America where the diaspora is most
prominent. "Normalization is only possible if it includes the Armenian
diaspora. This process will be completed with the diaspora.’ Minister
DavutoÄ?lu was joined by the ambassadors in the North American
continent as well as consuls from Toronto, Chicago, New York, Houston,
Los Angeles and Boston to receive detailed information regarding the
differences between the diaspora. During the meeting, in which mission
chiefs from the United States as well as Canada were in attendance,
DavutoÄ?lu expressed that the normalization process with Yerevan would
soon be coming up. Emphasizing that the process will be successful if
the diaspora is included, DavutoÄ?lu made the following requests:

Open the mission doors to the Armenian diaspora, and invite them in.
Attend meetings and events held by the diaspora and explain our
position to them¦
Invite the diaspora to come to Turkey, including even those who are
opposed to Turkey.
Try to attend meetings with Armenian diplomats¦
Explain our position to almost everyone, including Macedonia, Albania
and the Palestinians¦

ATHENS EXAMPLE FOR YEREVAN

Minister DavutoÄ?lu delivered these requests to diplomats following
Prime Minister ErdoÄ?an’s recent meetings in Washington with US
President Barack Obama and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. During
ErdoÄ?an’s meetings in Washington and with the United States’
initiative, it was decided to; `prepare the public psychologically for
the normalization process.’

Stating, `We do not want to have to deal with a poor neighbor,’
DavutoÄ?lu reminded of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council
meeting with Greece in May and mentioned; `Why can’t we do what we do
with Greece with Armenia?’

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Ave. | New York, NY | 10016

The Armenian Church Leader

April 16, 2010

Diocesan Legate encourages members of Congress to renew efforts to end
genocide in Darfur

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern), and fellow members of the Interfaith Sudan Working Group
are encouraging members of Congress to renew efforts to bring peace to Sudan
and end the ongoing genocide in Darfur.

"April is a particularly important month, and it is heartening to know that
it has been designated as Genocide Prevention Month in recognition of the
fact that the Holocaust and the start of the genocidal atrocities that
befell the Armenian, Ukrainian, Cambodian, Rwandan, and Darfurian peoples
all took place in April," said Archbishop Aykazian. "It’s a shame that at
the beginning of the 21st century genocides are still taking place. If the
Armenian Genocide was recognized in the beginning of the 20th century, maybe
those genocides wouldn’t have followed."

On March 2, the Interfaith Sudan Working Group-a coalition of Christian,
Jewish, and Muslim organizations working for lasting peace in the East
African nation-held a prayer breakfast at the U.S. Capitol.

The group also met with Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, who has been a
supporter of Genocide recognition and prevention. Archbishop Aykazian
thanked the senator for his efforts on Darfur and for co-sponsoring Senate
Resolution 316 on the Armenian Genocide.

Last month’s event was sponsored by the American Jewish World Service.

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian with Senator Russ Feingold.

AZERBAIJANI MP: ARMENIA MISSED HISTORICAL CHANCE
Aydin Mirzazade

Today
/66096.html
April 14 2010
Azerbaijan

How do you assess the outcome of the Sargsyan-Erdogan meeting? Can
it be considered success in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict resolution?

This meeting was at the center of attention not only of societies of
the two countries, but also around the world. The question of opening
borders between Turkey and Armenia has long been a matter of debates
of heads of state and media. So, this meeting will reveal news details
in this matter.

During the Washington talks, Turkey has reiterated its principled
position on linkage between opening borders with Armenia and liberation
of occupied Azerbaijani territories.

Today, most of all, Armenia needs the borders opening. It has ended up
in isolation as a result of territorial claims to neighboring states.

It has closed borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey and experienced
certain problems with Georgia. In the meantime, open borders with Iran
do not give it direct access to Europe due to geopolitical situation
of Iran.

Armenia is a captive of its ideological and nationalistic prejudices.

Today Armenia’s politicy is identified with the policy once pursued by
the communist leaders of the Soviet Union where ideology was superior
to public or economic interests.

Therefore, I think, opening of Turkey’s borders with Armenia will be
postponed in view of Armenia’s refusal to withdarw from the Azerbaijani
territories and failure to respect international legal norms.

However, during the meeting that lasted an hour and a half, Erdogan
raised the issue of "genocide" recognition promoted by Armenia through
a number of parliaments of the world.

Armenia is more concerned with its ideological issues than a normal
nation-building. At that meeting, no agreement ad no concrete results
were reached, except that the foreign ministers of both countries
will periodically communicate.

But there is a result – Turkey remains committed to its previous
statements. Turkey demands respect for its territorial integrity and
solving historical issues by scientists, but not politicians.

Another result is that the world once again witnessed Armenia’s
uncivil policy both internal and external areans.

According to Turkish Foreign Minister, Karabakh was one of the key
issues debated during the Sargsyan-Erdogan meeting. In your opinion,
may this meeting influence settlement of the conflict?

I think that this was quite expected given Turkey’s principled position
in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Of course, position of brotherly
Turkey will further influence the solution to this problem.

What is your assessment of the Sargsyan-Erdogan meeting in the context
of Armenian-Turkish relations? In your view, what further steps will
Armenia take to normalize relations with Turkey?

This was second such meeting in the last two years. The first meeting
between Erdogan and Sargsyan took place in 2008. I think that Armenia
has an opportunity to improve relations with its powerful neighbor,
and show commitment to international legal norms and to show that it
is seriously engaged in building its statehood seriously.

Unfortunately, Armenia missed its historical chance this time, too.

Following the meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Serzh Sargyan also
met with the Armenian Diaspora in the United States…

I would even say that Armenia rather reported to the Armenian
Diaspora. Everyone knows that the Armenian leadership is accountable
to the Armenian Diaspora, rather than to its people.

With regard to his statements, today the world does not act based
on statements or prejudice of any nationalist circles. There are
world standards, and they must be respected. If Armenia demands
Turkey to recognize what it did not commit, this is not a normal
political action.

In your opinion, what conclusions Armenia should draw from the
Sargsyan-Obama and Sargsyan-Erdogan meeting?

I guess Armenia has once again met with Turkey’s serious stance.

Armenia must draw a conclusion if it wants to have strong and
developing state. Armenia must respect its neighbors, give up
territorial claims to them and do what its people, but not Armenian
Diaspora, expects it to do. If Armenia fails to draw conclusions,
it will face more serious problems.

AZERI MASS MEDIA CANNOT BE TRUSTED, ARMENIAN FM STATES

news.am
April 14 2010
Armenia

"At the dinner U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave in the
honor of the foreign ministers that participated in the Global Nuclear
Security Summit in Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
assured me that he had not given an interview to the APA news agency
of Azerbaijan, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told Armenian
journalists in Washington.

He stressed that the Turkish Foreign Office has refuted the information
as well. "This is another piece of evidence that Azeri mass media
cannot be implicitly trusted," the Minister said.

On April 13, the APA News Agency published an "interview" with
the Turkish FM, who allegedly linked the ratification of the
Armenian-Turkish protocols to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and to
the issue of Armenian Genocide.

EU COMMISSION URGES PARTIES IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT TO SEEK PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT

Interfax
April 13 2010
Russia

All sides involved in the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict must seek a
peaceful settlement, said the European Union’s Enlargement Commissioner
Stefan Fuhle.

This conflict must be settled peacefully, he said in Baku on Friday,
adding that the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia must assume
definite responsibilities.

Fuhle said that he had discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh problem with
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and met with Azeri refugees.

He said it was important for him to see everything with his own eyes.

However attentive one may be to refugees and displaced persons,
they need to return to their native land, he said.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed territory inside Azerbaijan with a
population largely made up of ethnic Armenians.

ARMENIAN PREMIER VISITS LORI

news.am
April 13 2010
Armenia

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan went on a working visit to the Lori
region, Armenia, on April 13.

The Premier stopped over at the monastery of Sanahin. In 2000 the
monastery was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with
monastery of Haghpat, Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the
Archaeological Site of Zvartnots Monastery of Geghard. The Premier
was informed of the present state of the monastery and of its problems.

Tigran Sargsyan also visited the Mikoyans’ memorial flat and the
Mikoyan School and held a meeting with the teachers and students.

The Premier held a meeting to discuss the issue of renovating the
monastery. He pointed out the need for a comprehensive program and
a commission of experts. The RA Premier was also informed of the
problems of Sanahin village. He issued instructions to the relevant
agencies and presented the school with a computer.

Thereafter, the RA Premier left for Alaverdi.

"TURKEY SHOULD MAKE GESTURES OF GOOD WILL TO ARMENIA"

APA
April 13 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. In an article published by Carnegie Endowment, Turkey and
Armenia are called to take confidence building measures to revive the
process of normalization, APA reports quoting turkishny.com web-page.

The article listed opening of borders to tourists, invitation of
diaspora Armenians to Turkey and initiation of Yerevan-Istanbul
flights by Turkish airlines as important steps that can be made and
called Turkey to make gestures of goodwill to Armenia.

Before the meetings that U.S. President Barack Obama will hold with
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Armenian President Serzh
Sarksyan during this week and before April 24th, American think tank
organization Carnegie Endowment published an article and called Turkey
to make gestures of good will towards Armenia to revive the process
"after a year of dragging feet".

Washington based think tank organization Carnegie Endowment’s
experienced Russia and Eurasia expert Thomas de Waal published an
article entitled "Armenia and Turkey: Bridging the Gap" and wrote
that current crisis between Turkey and Armenia will reach a head by
April 24.

The author stated that almost no hope exists about ratification of
protocols which signed by two countries any time soon and called
countries to make little steps to build confidence and to confirm
their belief on the process.

Stating that ratification of protocols will end the loneliness of
Armenia and let Turkey gain a new role in Caucasus, Thomas de Waal
called Turkey to open Turkish-Armenian border for tourists, to open
Ottoman archives and digitalize whole archive, to invite Armenian
diaspora to visit Anatolia and to initiate of Istanbul-Yerevan flights.

Political expert said that Armenia should end isolation of Nakhichevan
in return although it stresses that there is no connection between
Nagorno-Karabakh problem and Turkish-Armenian normalization process.

‘ARMENTEL’ PRESENTED A FAMILY OF OPERATORS WITH AN APARTMENT

ArmInfo
2010-04-13 10:59:00

ArmInfo. In Sevan town ‘ArmenTel’ company has presented the Gasparyans
family of operators with an apartment, press-service of the company
reported. The head of the family Artavazd Gasparyan started working
in the regional commutator of the ‘Telephone nets of Armenia’ in 1941
and dedicated 55 years of his life to this job. Then he was followed
by his son, who worked in this sphere from 1972 to 1992.

Director General of the CJSC ‘ArmenTel’ Igor Klimenko hopes that this
initiative of the company will help the family to look in future more
confident and will become a stimulus for welfare.