Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

Zaman Online, Turkey
June 12 2005

New Strategic Relations with the US

ERHAN BASYURT
06.12.2005 Sunday – ISTANBUL 16:14

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s contacts in Washington
are clear signs that the crisis atmosphere between the two countries
will be resolved. The meeting that lasted nearly one hour between
Erdogan and U.S. President George W. Bush at the Oval Office, in
which several issues were discussed, is of paramount importance.

Bush said in a press release after the meeting, “Turkey and the U.S.
have an important strategic relationship.” The _expression “strategic
partnership” had been used to describe bilateral relations before the
Iraq crisis. Bush’s remarks confirm there is a slowdown in the crisis
process, that began with the March 1 deployment motion. Still, it
signifies that both parties need bilateral relations “strategically”
and believe that cooperation will bring mutual benefits.

It is not right to put all the blame on the Justice and Development
Party (AKP) for the deterioration in relations. Michael Rubin, who
served at the Pentagon during the said period, analyzes this
situation quite well in one of his articles entitled, “A Comedy of
Errors,” in the recent edition of the Turkish Political Quarterly
that is published by the Ari Group. He refers to the [Massoud]
Barzani factor, the U.S. diplomatic aloofness and the military
operation launched by CENTCOM, which is alien to the Turkish army, to
show what they have done to hurt relations.

On the other side, another crucial factor is the US indifference to
the presence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist
organization in Northern Iraq. The fight against terrorism plays an
important role for Turkey in developing its relations with both
Israel and the US. The tolerance shown towards the PKK, inevitably
forced Turkey to adopt a definite stance on the issue, and the US
took immediate against Ansar al-Islam in Northern Iraq after Saddam
was toppled. However, it did not act against the PKK. Today, it might
be difficult for the US to take such action due to the ongoing
insurgence; however, there was no such insurgence at that time.
Furthermore, the “Sack Operation” also took place.

Remarks on possible factors that have caused a deterioration in
relations, and which side has made more mistakes, are meaningless
from now on. What is important is that both parties give strategic
importance to the continuation and development of relations. As a
matter of fact, the US made a significant gesture by puncturing the
air embargo and sending Congressmen to the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The support the US gives to Turkey on this
issue might play a balancing role regarding the unilateral pressures
from the European Union (EU). Bush also backed Turkey’s proposal for
a “joint commission of historians” to deal with the so-called
Armenian “genocide” allegations. Now, these gestures need to be
strengthened with concrete cooperation against the PKK. In this
respect, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reassured Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul one more time. Any steps taken by the US
against the PKK will contribute to restoring confidence.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s opening the Incirlik Base for logistic support;
the positive roles, both civilian and military, it has played in
Afghanistan, are also other issues. Turkey also supports the U.S.
Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative. Bush thanked Turkey
for this support and emphasized once again that Turkish democracy
represents a “model,” during his announcement at the Oval Office.

Within the framework of the Broader Middle East initiative, Turkey is
co-chairman of the “Democracy Assistance Dialogue” group together
with Italy and Yemen. It is conducting studies on strengthening
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Islamic countries and also on
increasing women’s role in public life. Turkey will host an
international conference on women’s position in public life within
the framework of the Broader Middle East Initiative in the upcoming
days.

It seems that the “strategic partnership,” that was established
during the First Gulf War and damaged by the Second Gulf War, has
given way to “strategic relations.” Erdogan’s visit is important in
terms of overcoming the bottleneck in bilateral relations; however,
this does not mean that relations will return to their pre-crisis
levels. Reciprocal steps that will be taken in the months ahead will
determine how much the crisis has been resolved.

Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep
June 11 2005

Armenian Says U.S. Should Help Resolve Dispute With Turkey

Washington, 11 June 2005 (RFE/RL) — Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian is urging the United States to get more involved in helping
Armenia and Turkey reach a settlement of their dispute.

Oskanian made the call after meeting Friday in Washington with U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Oskanian in particular urged the
United States to help persuade Turkey to reopen the border with
Armenia and resume normal trade ties.

Armenia has also recently urged the European Union to pressure Turkey
to reopen the border, which the Turks closed in 1993 during the
conflict between Armenian-backed forces and Azerbaijan over the
mainly ethnic Armenian populated Nagorno-Karabakh enclave in
Azerbaijan.

In addition to the Turkish trade embargo, Armenian-Turkish ties are
strained by Turkey’s rejection of Armenia’s contention that Ottoman
Turks committed genocide against Armenians from 1915-1923.

A1plus

| 18:02:18 | 10-06-2005 | Politics |

IS THE GENOCIDE PART OF THE COMMON CULTURE?

«We have a common culture», said doctor Turhan Chomez, deputy of the Turkish
Parliament during the meeting with the Yerevan State University professors
and students. Doctor Chomez is the youngest deputy in Turkey, member of the
governing «Fairness and Development» party, and is the advisor and assistant
of the Prime Minister Rejeb Taip Erdoghan. He explained his visit to Armenia
by his desire «to make a step in the Armenian-Turkish relations».

He informed that they had fears in Turkey that he would not be received well
in Turkey. «I was not very quiet while coming but when I return I will tell
that I was received warmly», said the Turkish deputy. «Today I am your
friend from Turkey», finished the prologue of his speech Doctor Chomez. Then
YSU pro-rector Aram Avetisyan invited the professors and student of the
University to an interview.

The President of the YSU Student Council immediately informed the Doctor
that «we do not have a common culture». The he asked, «Is it normal to
condition the Armenian-Turkish relations by the Armenian-Azeri ones? ». The
Turkish deputy did not answer the question (by the way, he did not answer
any question about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the Armenian-Azeri
relations – editorial). He only said, «In order to make the settlement of
the relations of the two countries possible it is necessary to see the
common circles of problems». Then he said that the relations must be
established without prejudice. According to him, the reconsideration of
prejudices must be the first step towards the establishment of relations.

President of the YSU Students Scientific Union Erjanik Mirzoyan asked the
deputy if he has been to the Genocide Victims Museum or if he is going to
visit it. Turhan Chomez said that he is here as a guest of the Armenians and
added, `The program of my visit was made by Mr. Ozalan, and I did not find
it necessary to visit it’. The deputy qualified the Armenian Genocide as
`something very bad’. `It is impossible not to mourn the death of so many
Armenians because of the migration’, he added. And he said that `for 850
years we have lived together with the Armenians’. `And during the war with
Byzantium there were many Armenians fighting on our side’, added his
assistant.

Foreign service union withdraws award from ambassador who made `genocide’
reference
AP Worldstream; Jun 09, 2005

The union of career diplomats has withdrawn an award it had granted to
the U.S. ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, who classified as
“genocide” the deaths of large numbers of Armenians at Turkish hands
in 1915.

Evans’ comments to an Armenian group in California did not reflect
official U.S. policy.

In recognition of his independent stand, the American Foreign Service
Association decided to present Evans with its “constructive dissent
award.”

The Washington Post reported Thursday that the association decided to
withdraw the award because Evans did not meet the selection criteria.

It said that after complaints from Turkey, Evans amended his remarks
to say the events of 1915 represented an “Armenian tragedy” but not a
genocide.

The Post reported that Evans said he had used the term “genocide” in
his “personal capacity” during “informal meetings,” and “this was
inappropriate.”

The newspaper said the association decided to withdraw the award
shortly before Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with
President George W. Bush on Wednesday in Washington.

Separately, Armenia’s foreign minister also was scheduled to hold
talks this week with senior officials.

Official expects progress in peace talks

Baku, June 9, AssA-Irada

The Azerbaijan-Armenia talks on the Upper Garabagh conflict settlement over
the past few months can be considered a step forward and certain progress is
likely to be achieved, a presidential administration official said.
Head of the President’s Office department on international relations Novruz
Mammadov says that the Armenian leadership has started realizing and assessing
the processes ongoing in the region and around the world. `Armenia has begun
to assess the position of the international community and is stepping up its
efforts to settle the conflict’, Mammadov said.
`Armenians understand that if they don’t take steps to solve the conflict
peacefully, the situation will not be in their favor.’
Mammadov noted that Armenia’s statements and ways of approaching the
resolution of the Upper Garabagh conflict show that `they are not
indifferent to the problem and are more inclined to negotiating’.
The presidential administration official also said it is premature to
disclose the content of the talks at this point.*

International conference appeals to UNESCO

08.06.2005 14:01

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Participants of a conference held in Stepanakert to
celebrate the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet and the
establishment of the first Armenian school in Karabakh sent a letter
to the UNESCO secretary general, Armenpress reported.

The letter, in part, asks the UNESCO to take the Amaras School founded
in Karabakh in 405, under its protection and establish there a
regional scientific and educational center. “We believe that
establishment of such center would greatly contribute to the
enhancement of the educational system and settlement of the ethnic
conflicts in the region.”

Baku threatens Moscow with “countermeasures” over arms transfer to Armenia

Turan news agency
7 Jun 05

Baku, 7 June: Russia has responded to Azerbaijan’s note concerning the
redeployment of arms from Russia’s bases in Georgia to Armenia. Moscow
explained the move as an ordinary relocation of arms from one base to
another, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told
journalists today.

“From the legal point of view, it is perfectly normal to transfer arms
from one base to another. This holds true for both Russia and Armenia.
However, the South Caucasus needs demilitarization. For this reason,
there is no need for tanks and other heavy military hardware in the
region,” Mammadyarov said.

The minister also said that Baku may resort to “counter-measures”.
However, he stopped short of spelling out what that might entail.

A number of unnamed sources said in the local media that Azerbaijan
might reject further cooperation with Russia in the lease of the
Qabala radar station.

The Messenger, Georgia
June 7 2005

Political Analysis: GUAM contemplates ‘GUAAMK’
By M. Alkhazashvili

GUAM is actively debating possible new members. While Kyrgyzstan’s
membership is widely anticipated, other candidates, like Armenia,
seem unlikely.

When the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly met in Italy last month,
Vladimir Litvin, the speaker of the Ukrainian legislative body, the
Supreme Rada, announced the organization was prepared to consider
Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Armenia and other countries as potential
members. However, Azerbaijan, a founding member of GUAM, raised
serious concerns about Armenia’s possible participation in the
alliance.

“We principally state that as long as 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s
territory is occupied by Armenia – and Armenia maintains a hostile
attitude toward us – we cannot have normal relations with them,”
Speaker of the Mili-Mejlis – the Azeri legislature – Murtuz Aleskerov
said during a press conference on May 31. He added that in addition
to blocking Armenia from entering the GUAM, Baku is actively trying
to stop it from joining the EU as well.

However, not all politicians in Baku are against Armenia becoming
part of the GUAM in the near future. According to Elmar Mamedov, the
foreign minister of Azerbaijan, if Armenia is ready to sign the all
of the base documents prepared by GUAM, their membership is
acceptable.

He added that the GUAM base document is concerned with on going the
struggle against separatism and the restoration of territorial
integrity. “If Armenia and Russia or Lithuania and Latvia share the
same feelings with GUAM member countries, they can apply and join
this organization too,” Mamedov was quoted as saying by the newspaper
Rezonansi.

According to reports, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and
Bulgaria have all expressed interest in joining GUAM.

At the same time, the current members are considering a name for the
organization with a bit more ring. Earlier in May the Ukrainian
Ministers of Foreign Affairs Boris Tarasyuk announced that the
organization was considering a name change with one possible
appellation being the “Commonwealth for the Democracy and
Development.”

GUAM was started in 1997 by founding members Georgia, Ukraine,
Azerbaijan and Moldova. Uzbekistan joined the alliance in 1999, but
left this year. It was created largely as an economic alliance,
although recently GUAM has reinitiated efforts to solve the multitude
of separatist issues troubling several of the member states. Both the
OSCE and the United States have supported its work to solve
territorial problems.

Pan Armenian News

SWEDEN READY TO SERIOUS COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA

07.06.2005 05:08

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden
to Armenia Johan Molander (residence in Moscow) presented credentials to
Armenian President Robert Kocharian, reported the Press service of the
Armenian leader. In the course of the meeting the Swedish diplomat noted
that his country intends to increase attention to the region of the South
Caucasus and development of relations with Armenia is very important in this
respect. In his words, Sweden hails Armenia’s commitment to Euro-integration
and is ready to serious cooperation. R. Kocharian noted exchange of
information and activation of business ties was necessary to expand
Armenian-Swedish relations.

A1plus

| 12:39:05 | 06-06-2005 | Official |

AWARDS FOR BRAVERY

With the decree of the RA President Robert Kocharyan a number of servicemen
of the Defense Ministry have been awarded RA medals for bravery.

The award «Vardan Mamikonyan» has been given to Colonel Stepan Galstyan, son
of Robert, Commander of the 14018 military unit, and assistant of the
Defense Minister General-lieutenant Alik Mirzabekyan, son of Razmik.

The Martial Cross of the second degree has been given to Colonel Egor
Hambaryan, son of Artavazd, deputy Commander of the 14018 military unit.

Medal of military service has been awarded to Captain Hrachya Araqelyan,
chief lieutenant Gevorg Khourshoudyan, and Arthur Nikogosyan, all of them
from the 53660 military unit.