Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

Tribute to Hrant Dink at UCLA

ArmRadio.am
09.02.2007 10:55

Hrant Dink: His Legacy and His Challenge" is the theme of an
afternoon program to be held at UCLA in tribute to Hrant Dink. The
event will include speakers from Turkey and the United States, a
video presentation, musical interludes, and a general discussion,
followed by the sharing of the traditional memorial "helva."

The Sunday afternoon program will be held on February 25, at 3:30
p.m. in 147 Dodd Hall on the UCLA campus. The sponsoring organizations
are the UCLA Armenian Studies Program, Near Eastern Center, and
Jewish Studies Center, together with the Organization of Istanbul
Armenians (OIA) and Initiative of Turkish Students to Commemorate
"Our Hrant." Professor Richard Hovannisian of UCLA will moderate the
event. Keynote speakers are Professor Ayse Gul Altinay of Sabanci
University in Istanbul, a dear friend of Hrant Dink, and Dr. Ruben
Cetinyan, a Ph.D. in political science from UCLA. Brief comments
will be made by Mr. Simon Acilac, President of the OIA; Ms. Zeynep
Turkyilmaz of the Initiative of Turkish Students; and Dr. David Myers,
Director of the Jewish Studies Center. Musical selections will be
rendered by Mr. Albert Gyunasdyan, violin, and Mr. Mamekon Arutunyan,
duduk. A video montage of "Our Hrant" will be shown during the program.

TURKISH NGOS PROPOSE CHANGES TO FREE SPEECH LAW

Agence France Presse — English
February 8, 2007 Thursday 11:16 AM GMT

Turkish civic bodies presented Thursday a proposal to amend a law
that has been used to prosecute dozens of intellectuals, among them
slain journalist Hrant Dink, and triggered EU criticism over Ankara’s
respect for free speech.

The government has said it is open to suggestions to amend the penal
code article, blamed by many for the murder of Dink, the ethnic
Armenian journalist who was gunned down in Istanbul last month in an
attack suspected to have been carried out by an ultra-nationalist.

"We believe our proposal will help overcome existing difficulties"
related to Article 301, Davut Okutcu, the head of the Economic
Development Foundation (IKV), said in a televised news conference.

"We now expect the government to evaluate our proposal," he said.

Article 301 provides for jail terms of between six months and
three years for "denigrating Turkishness," the Republic and state
institutions such as the government, parliament, the judiciary and
the security forces.

It calls for an increased penalty if the crime is committed abroad.

Dozens of intellectuals, among them the 2006 Nobel literature laureate
Orhan Pamuk, have been tried under the article, mostly for contesting
the official line on the massacres of Armenians under the Ottoman
Empire. Some countries have angered Turkey by branding this genocide.

No one has been imprisoned under the provision, but the appeals court
in July confirmed a suspended six-month sentence against Dink, making
him a hate figure among nationalists.

The European Union, which Turkey is seeking to join, has slammed the
article on many occasions as a threat to freedom of speech and urged
Ankara to either amend or scrap it.

Critics say the article’s wording is too vague and opens the way for
zealous judicial authorities to prosecute those exercising free speech.

Okutcu explained that under their proposal, the term "Turkishness"
would be clarified to mean only citizens of Turkey.

The proposal also lessens the possible jail term to a maximum of
two years, which would allow the sentence to be commuted to a fine,
Okutcu said.

It also introduces a new wording that would allow courts to look for
a deliberate intent in alleged crimes, Okutcu explained.

"The new wording will exclude statements made without intent. It will
denote a concrete and imminent danger" to public order, he added.

WORLD PRESS DISCUSSES TRABZON

Sabah, Turkey
Feb 8 2007

World press is discussing Trabzon; a city which came up with the Dink
killing. Two giant newspapers of the West; Financial Times and New
York Times have published long articles that explicate Trabzon.

Using expressions such as ‘fading giant of Turkish football’,
Financial Times wrote: "Since the murder in Istanbul on January 19 of
Hrant Dink, a Turkish-Armenian journalist, and of Andrea Santoro, an
Italian Roman Catholic priest, at his church not far from the Trabzon
stadium a year ago this week, Turkey’s gaze has turned on this city
as never before. Anguished that the chief suspect in each case was
a teenage boy from this city, Turks have only one question: what is
the matter with Trabzon? In their search for answers, experts have
seized on the city’s alleged status as a hotbed of ultra-nationalism
and ultra-Islamism, the fiery nature of Black Sea Turks, the rise
of organized crime and gun culture (a sign in the arrivals hall at
the airport reminds people to collect their guns), and educational
under-achievement.There is substance to these arguments, but anecdotal
evidence suggests Trabzon is no more nationalist or conservative than
other Turkish cities. And these are symptoms, not causes. Trabzon’s
problem, many here say, is economic decline and social stagnation."

British newspaper also indicated that other cities in Anatolia –
especially Ankara, Kayseri and Konya – are booming and vibrant places
where people are flocking to live. But the economic revival that
Turkey has enjoyed since 2002 seems to have passed Trabzon by.

New York Times: "A hotbed of Turkish Ultranationalist Sentiment"
Publishing a Trabzon source news, New York Times has emphasized
the fact that suspcts of the Dink killing have grown up in Trabzon;
a hotbed of Turkish ultranationalist sentiment.

New York Times wrote "With fishing boats pouring in and out of a busy
harbor, white minibuses crisscrossing in all directions and shopping
streets bustling, this regional capital nestled on the Black Sea
appears to be a vibrant city. But beneath the colorful shopping malls
filled with trendy clothes and chic cafes, the poverty, unemployment
and lack of opportunity that afflicts many of Turkey’s cities is
crushing here – especially for young people."

PELOSI ‘COULD NOT ACCOMMODATE’ GUL MEETING

ASBAREZ
2/8/2007

GLENDALE–House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office told Asbarez Wednesday
that a request to meeting with the Speaker by visiting Turkish Foreign
Minister Abdulla Gul was received. "The Speaker’s office was could not
accommodate that request due to scheduling issues," said Drew Hammill,
a spokesman for the Speaker, explaining that with the new budget and
other pending legislation, it was a scheduling matter.

Gul told reporters that he was not going to meet with Pelosi because,
"She is devoted to this problem (Armenian problem). So, it will be
difficult to talk to her. But I will meet with the people close to
her and express our position."

Gul was expected to meet with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
(D-Mich.) and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Tom
Lantos (D-Calif.)

Before the November elections, Pelosi pledged that she would support
a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide if she became Speaker
of the House.

OSCE PA PRESIDENT: THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT CAN BE SETTLED AFTER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 5 2007

"Agreement on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict can
be reached after the parliamentary elections in Armenia," President
of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Goran Lennmarker said in Yerevan,
APA reports.

The PA President stressed the importance of reaching regional
agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the framework of the
Minsk Group. He also said the continuation of dialogue at the level of
Foreign Ministers of the two countries will have a positive influence
on the settlement of the conflict.

ARMENIAN CB INTENDS TO SECURE INFLATION AT THE LEVEL OF 4% IN 2007 AND NOT TO ALLOW DRASTIC WEAKENING THE INFLATION PRESSURE

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
Feb 5 2007

Yerevan, February 5 /Mediamax/. The Central Bank (CB) of Armenia
intends to secure inflation at the level of 4% in 2007.

Mediamax reports that the CB Chairman Tigran Sarkisian said this at a
news conference in Yerevan today, while presenting the money-credit
policy for 2007. He noted that in 2006 the inflation made 5,2%,
and the permissible corridor of fluctuations is established as 1,5%.

As the CB Chairman stated, the drastic weakening of inflation pressure
is undesirable for Armenia, as, taking into consideration the high
speeds of the economic growth during the recent 8 years, this can
lead to greater strengthening of the national currency.

Tigran Sarkisian stated that the average index of inflation in
Armenia during the recent 8 years made 2,5%, which is one of the
lowest indices among CIS states.

The CB Chairman noted that in 2006 the Armenian dram strengthened for
9%. In 2005 the mean rate of the dram to the U.S. dollar made 457,
and in 2006, it made 416 drams.

According to Tigran Sarkisian, in 2007, the Central Bank of Armenia
intends to implement new regimes of the rate, harmonious with the
inflation processes. He noted that while calculating the revenues
and the expenditures of the state budget, they will use the rate,
registered a month before the budget draft elaboration.

The Daily Telegraph (LONDON)
February 3, 2007 Saturday

A swift demolition job

by Malcolm Pein

THE last-round battle for the pounds 10,000 first prize at the
GibTelecom Masters was over almost as soon as it had begun. Vladimir
Akopian of Armenia, ranked world number 20, demolished the defences
of the Ukrainian teenager Yuri Kuzubov straight out of the opening to
claim the top prize. After a single tactical blow on the 18th move,
the game was won and Akopian took clear first on 7.5/9 (see below).

England number one Michael Adams was frustrated by GM Mohamad
Al-Modiahki of Qatar, who survived a difficult position to draw.
Adams saw three players overtake him with last round wins to reach
7/9.

Thomas Rendle of Hastings held Mikhail Gurevich and finished with a
fine 6.5/9, which was good for his first GM result. After an
indifferent start, Rendle defeated two GMs and an IM in straight
games to set up his GM norm opportunity. Although he was outplayed
somewhat, he managed to steer the game into a drawn rook and pawn
endgame.

Final scores: 1 Akopian (Armenia) 7.5/9; 2-4 Areshchenko (Ukraine),
Nakamura (USA), Sutovsky (Israel) 6.5; 5-16 Adams (England),
Al-Modiahki (Qatar), Efimenko (Ukraine), Ehlvest (Estonia), Gurevich
(Turkey), Kuzubov(Ukraine), Milov (Switzerland), Pavlovic (Serbia),
Rendle (England), Ris (Holland), Sandipan (India), I Sokolov
(Holland) 6.5.

V Akopian – Y Kuzubov

GibTelecom Masters (9)

Sicilian Defence

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 (Giving up bishop for knight but
damaging Black’s pawn structure) 4…dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 b6 (So that
Be3 does not gain a tempo by attacking the c5 pawn. Black needs time
for Nh6 and f6 to give the knight a safe square on f7) 7.Nc3 Nh6
8.Be3 f6 9.Qd2 Nf7 10.0-0-0 (White intends a kingside attack with
pawns if Black castles kingside) 10…e5 11.Nh2 Be6 12.f4 exf4
13.Bxf4 Qd7 (13…0-0 14.Ng4 b5 15.Qf2 f5!? is more combative, but
Black may have been thinking more in terms of safety and a share of
first) 14.Nf3 0-0-0 (This looks safe enough; it’s astonishing how
quickly Black’s position collapses) 15.d4! cxd4 16.Nxd4 Qe7 (16…Ne5
looks playable and if 17.Bxe5 fxe5 18.Nxe6 Qxe6 19.Qe2 Rd4! or 17.Qe2
Bc4 18.Qf2 Qc7) 17.Qe2 Kb7

Kuzubov

Akopian

Position after 17…Kb7

18.Nxc6!! Kxc6 19.Nd5 Qe8 (19…Bxd5 20.exd5+ Kd7 21.Qb5+ Kc8 22.Qc6+
Qc7 23.Qxc7 mate; or 19…Qc5 20.b4) 20.Qa6 Bf8 (There is no defence,
20…Bxd5 21.exd5+ Rxd5 22.Rxd5 Kxd5 23.Rd1+ Kc6 24.Qa4+ Kb7 25.Rd7+
Ka8 26.Qxa7 mate) 21.Qxa7 Bc5 22.b4 Qd7 23.Qa6 1-0

Kuzubov

Akopian

Position after 23.Qa6

187 MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ACCREDITED FOR COVERING ACTIVITIES OF RA NA
SPRING SESSION

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The last session of RA National
Assembly of current convocation will start from February 5. As Noyan
Tapan correspondent was informed by Anahit Adamian, Head of NA Public
Relations Department, 187 representatives of media have been
accredited for covering the activities of 2007 spring session. It was
mentioned that the number of accredited journalists have been kept
unchanged as compared with the previous sessions.

HAKOBYAN BECAME THE BEST IN GIBRALTAR
[08:10 pm] 01 February, 2007

Levon Aronyan’s success in the Wijk aan Zee chess
tournament t was immediately followed by Vladimir
Hakobyan’s victory. The latter has become the winner
of the Gibraltar chess tournament with 7.5 points.

Hakobyan beat his rival Sakolov in the previous round
thus becoming the leader of the tournament. In the
last 9th round Hakobyan played with Kuzubov and beat
him in the 23rd step, thus moving up to the first
place.

By the way, at the beginning of the tournament
Hakobayan was beaten by Irina Krush and seemed to be
far from the victory. But the Armenian chess player
could regain his losses in the next rounds. The
tournament was held by the Swiss model, that’s to say,
only the rivals having equal points met in each round.

Reuters, UK
Jan 31 2007

Turkey charges seventh man over Dink murder
Wed 31 Jan 2007 15:43:15 GMT

ISTANBUL, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Turkey charged a seventh man over the
murder of Turkish-Armenian editor Hrant Dink on Wednesday, a court
official said.

Salih Hacisalihoglu, 30, was charged with belonging to an armed gang,
the official said. He was detained this week in the Black Sea town of
Trabzon, home of the other six men charged over the Jan. 19 killing.

Turkish newspapers say police were warned a year ago about a plot to
kill Dink and failed to act. Interior Ministry inspectors are due to
start investigating the handling of the case by Istanbul police on
Thursday, media said.

Dink was shot dead by a 17-year-old unemployed youth outside his
Istanbul office. His funeral drew some 100,000 mourners on to the
streets to protest at the militant nationalism which apparently
inspired his killer.

Police are still questioning four people in the case.

Inspectors have already examined the Trabzon police handling of the
case and were also questioning officials in the Black Sea town of
Samsun, where the murder suspect Ogun Samast was caught.

The government has dismissed Trabzon’s governor and police chief over
the Dink case.

Dink, 52, was a hate figure for ultra-nationalists because of his
comments on the mass killing of Armenians on Turkish soil in 1915,
still a highly sensitive issue in this European Union candidate
country.

Eighteen writers and journalists have been granted police protection
since Dink’s murder, an official at the Istanbul governor’s office
told Reuters.

German publishers said on Wednesday Nobel-prize winning Turkish
novelist Orhan Pamuk had cancelled a trip to Germany at short notice
over concerns for his personal safety.

Pamuk, like Dink, has been prosecuted under laws restricting freedom
of expression in Turkey over comments he made on the mass killing of
Armenians during World War One. (Additional reporting by Emma
Ross-Thomas in Istanbul, Madeline Chambers in Berlin)