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TOP STORIES
07/10/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM
1) EU Leaders Want Genocide Recognition as Precondition to Turkey's Membership
2) Hai Tahd Office Inaugurate in New Julfa
3) Turkish Author Elif Shafak Faces Trial
4) PACE Delegation Secures Self-Determination Definition
5) Armenia Concerned About Russian-Georgian Border Closure
1) EU Leaders Want Genocide Recognition as Precondition to Turkey's Membership
BRUSSELS (Combined Sources)Leading European Parliament political factions
called for the introduction of the Armenian Genocide recognition issue into
the
agenda of the EU-Turkey talks. The parliamentarians urged Brussels to set the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey and lifting of the blockade of
Armenia as a precondition for Turkey's EU membership.
Finland, which accepted the EU presidency for the next six months, threatened
to break off the talks with Turkey. "The dialogue with Turkey can be
stopped at
any moment if Ankara fails to meet commitments to the European Union," Prime
Minister Matti Vanhanen said.
"We commend the initiative of the Members of the European Parliament whose
amendments are going to embed these important issues within the current
negotiation process. We invite their colleagues from the Foreign Affairs
Committee to follow suit in adopting these amendments," stated Hilda
Tchoboian,
the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation.
"20 years ago, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on 'a political
solution to the Armenian question,' which considered these issues as
'insurmountable obstacles' to Turkey's membership in the Union. Today, 20
years
later, none of these issues has been resolved and the continuing negotiations
within this framework have created a political anomaly that must end," added
Tchoboian.
"We want the executive bodies of the Union to redeem themselves by listening
to public opinion and place strong and non-negotiable demands on Turkey,
notably the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Otherwise, each step forward
in this process will be a retreat for Europe, " concluded Tchoboian.
Turkey doesn't recognize the sovereignty of Cyprus, which joined the EU in
May
2004 and doesn't receive planes and ships from this state. The European
Parliament committee on foreign affairs is scheduled to review Turkey's
progress during a session Wednesday. Aside from the two issues, Turkey is also
being urged to settle the Kurdish issue and secure the rights of national
minorities.
In October 2005, EU foreign ministers gave the go-ahead to Turkey's EU
membership talks. However, they specified that the process will not be
automatic and can be stopped any time. european Parliament: turkey's
application under scrutiny.
2) Hai Tahd Office Inaugurate in New Julfa
YEREVAN (YERKIR)With the blessing of Bishop Backend Chadian, Prelate of
Isfahan, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau representative Hrant
Markarian and prominent Iranian-Armenian Tatul Oahanian Friday inaugurated the
Hai Tahd offices in New Julfa.
The Tehran-based Alik daily newspaper reported that local Armenian community
members met with Markarian at the Ararat Hall. Issues related to Armenia,
Karabakh and Javakhk were discussed. During this meeting Markarian detailed
the
ARF's position on the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
New Julfa is Markarian's birthplace.
3) Turkish Author Elif Shafak Faces Trial
Elif Shafak, a highly respected and best-selling author, is facing trial on
charges of "insulting Turkishness" under the notorious Article 301 of the
Turkish Criminal Code.
Her publisher, Semi Sokmen of the Metis Publishing House, and translator Asli
Bican are also facing charges. They are accused in connection with Shafak¹s
book, The Bastard of Istanbul. International PEN considers that Article 301 of
the Turkish Penal Code falls foul of international standards that protect the
right to freedom of expression and to which Turkey is a signatory. It urges
that the court hearing the case takes this breach into consideration and
reconsiders its decision to proceed with the case.
One month ago, on June 7, the Beyoglu Public Prosecutor in Istanbul dismissed
proceedings launched against Shafak after hearing Shafak and Sokmen's argument
that the book was a work of literature and it was therefore not appropriate
for
prosecution.
They added that the book aimed to promote the culture of peace. However, in
early July the Istanbul 7th High Criminal Court over-ruled the decision not to
proceed, following a complaint filed by Kemal Kerincsiz, a member of a
group of
right wing lawyers known as the "Unity of Jurists" who have been active in the
launching of prosecutions of numerous writers and journalists in recent
months.
The trial date has not yet been set.
Shafak¹s book tells the story of two families ­ one based in Istanbul, the
other an exiled Armenian family living in San Francisco - who share a family
secret dating from the early 19th century that continues to effect the
lives of
their daughters in the present. Originally written in English, the book was
published by the Metis Publishing House in March 2006 and has since become a
best seller. It is due to be published in English by Viking/Penguin.
Elif Shafak was born in France and spent her childhood in Spain. After
studying political science in Turkey, she held teaching positions in the
United
Kingdom, Turkey, and the United States. She is now Assistant Professor in the
Dept. of Near Eastern Studies at University of Arizona. Her publications
include both novels and essays, among them The Saint of Incipient Insanities,
which was her first book published in English, Bit Palas, Mahrem, which won
the
Turkish Writers' Association Best Novel of the Year Award.
4) PACE Delegation Secures Self-Determination Definition
YEREVAN (YERKIR)At the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
summer session, the Armenian delegation succeeded to ensure the support of
other countries in turning down proposals put forward by the Azeri and Turkish
delegations, Vahan Hovhannesian, head of the Armenian delegation to the PACE
and National Assembly vice speaker, told a news conference Monday.
Meanwhile, Hovhannesian said, resolutions favorable for Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh have been passed.
"This time our cooperation with leading nations was successful, I mean, the
US, Canada, France and Russia," Hovhannesian said. "Most importantly, we
succeeded in including a provision regarding the right to self-determination
within PACE resolutions based on the results of the Montenegro referendum."
He noted that the adoption of those resolutions demonstrated a precise
balance
between the rights to self-determination and territorial integrity.
Hovhannesian said the resolutions caused havoc for the Azeri delegation. The
Azeri and Georgian delegations tried to counter those resolutions by two
others
that would put disputed territories under the control of states, to which they
formerly belonged but both resolutionsbacked by Turkeywere turned down,
Hovhannesian added.
In conclusion, Hovhannesian mentioned that most Council of Europe countries
have a vague understanding how the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would be
resolved,
but they realize which side is prepared to make compromises and which one is
not.
5) Armenia Concerned About Russian-Georgian Border Closure
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)Armenian officials and business leaders expressed concern on
Monday about the sudden closure of the main Russian-Georgian border crossing
which is used by Armenian companies exporting goods to Russia and other former
Soviet republics.
The Russian government brought commercial and individual traffic through the
Upper Lars crossing to a halt on Thursday, saying that it needs to carry out
repairs at the customs and border checkpoints on the Russian side of the
mountainous frontier.
The move was denounced as politically motivated by Georgia's Foreign
Ministry,
which sent a note of protest to Moscow. It came on the heels of a highly
controversial Russian ban on imports of Georgian wine and mineral water. The
ban, which has hit hard two key sectors of the struggling Georgian economy, is
widely seen as a retaliatory measure against Tbilisi's pro-Western foreign
policy.
Vahan Hovhannesian, deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament and a leader of
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation deplored the closure of Upper Lars,
effectively dismissing the Russian assurances that political factors are
not at
play. "This definitely has to do with Russian-Georgian tensions that
periodically escalate and are then defused," he told reporters. "Our partners
in Russia must understand that any action against Georgia automatically hits
Armenia's interests as well, and they must be more flexible and cautious."
Arsen Ghazarian, the chief executive of a freight company who also heads the
Armenian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, likewise complained that
the decision to temporary shut down the Russian-Georgian border crossing "no
economic basis."
"We hope that this is a temporary phenomenon," he told RFE/RL. "This major
regional highway, which connects Armenia and the other South Caucasus counties
to Russia, can not remain closed forever."
Georgia's Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli insisted over the weekend that
Russia could hardly inflict additional economic damage on his country with its
latest actions. "As Georgia virtually exports nothing to Russia, it is first
and foremost Armenia that has been affected the most, if we are speaking in
economic terms," Noghaideli told reporters. "Accordingly, I have notified the
Armenian prime minister and they too will react to this."
Upper Lars handles the bulk of Russian-Armenian trade in summer months. Its
closure could be particularly damaging for Armenian exports of fruit and other
agricultural produce that were already stymied by high transportation costs.
Ghazarian insisted, however, that local exporters would not face financial
ruin, as there is an alternative transport route for shipping cargo to Russia.
"We are used to working through [Black Sea] ports," he said.
All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.
ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.
--Boundary_(ID_CbI/pkCbm7gzwu7uAZqLBA)--
TOP STORIES
07/10/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM
1) EU Leaders Want Genocide Recognition as Precondition to Turkey's Membership
2) Hai Tahd Office Inaugurate in New Julfa
3) Turkish Author Elif Shafak Faces Trial
4) PACE Delegation Secures Self-Determination Definition
5) Armenia Concerned About Russian-Georgian Border Closure
1) EU Leaders Want Genocide Recognition as Precondition to Turkey's Membership
BRUSSELS (Combined Sources)Leading European Parliament political factions
called for the introduction of the Armenian Genocide recognition issue into
the
agenda of the EU-Turkey talks. The parliamentarians urged Brussels to set the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey and lifting of the blockade of
Armenia as a precondition for Turkey's EU membership.
Finland, which accepted the EU presidency for the next six months, threatened
to break off the talks with Turkey. "The dialogue with Turkey can be
stopped at
any moment if Ankara fails to meet commitments to the European Union," Prime
Minister Matti Vanhanen said.
"We commend the initiative of the Members of the European Parliament whose
amendments are going to embed these important issues within the current
negotiation process. We invite their colleagues from the Foreign Affairs
Committee to follow suit in adopting these amendments," stated Hilda
Tchoboian,
the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation.
"20 years ago, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on 'a political
solution to the Armenian question,' which considered these issues as
'insurmountable obstacles' to Turkey's membership in the Union. Today, 20
years
later, none of these issues has been resolved and the continuing negotiations
within this framework have created a political anomaly that must end," added
Tchoboian.
"We want the executive bodies of the Union to redeem themselves by listening
to public opinion and place strong and non-negotiable demands on Turkey,
notably the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Otherwise, each step forward
in this process will be a retreat for Europe, " concluded Tchoboian.
Turkey doesn't recognize the sovereignty of Cyprus, which joined the EU in
May
2004 and doesn't receive planes and ships from this state. The European
Parliament committee on foreign affairs is scheduled to review Turkey's
progress during a session Wednesday. Aside from the two issues, Turkey is also
being urged to settle the Kurdish issue and secure the rights of national
minorities.
In October 2005, EU foreign ministers gave the go-ahead to Turkey's EU
membership talks. However, they specified that the process will not be
automatic and can be stopped any time. european Parliament: turkey's
application under scrutiny.
2) Hai Tahd Office Inaugurate in New Julfa
YEREVAN (YERKIR)With the blessing of Bishop Backend Chadian, Prelate of
Isfahan, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau representative Hrant
Markarian and prominent Iranian-Armenian Tatul Oahanian Friday inaugurated the
Hai Tahd offices in New Julfa.
The Tehran-based Alik daily newspaper reported that local Armenian community
members met with Markarian at the Ararat Hall. Issues related to Armenia,
Karabakh and Javakhk were discussed. During this meeting Markarian detailed
the
ARF's position on the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
New Julfa is Markarian's birthplace.
3) Turkish Author Elif Shafak Faces Trial
Elif Shafak, a highly respected and best-selling author, is facing trial on
charges of "insulting Turkishness" under the notorious Article 301 of the
Turkish Criminal Code.
Her publisher, Semi Sokmen of the Metis Publishing House, and translator Asli
Bican are also facing charges. They are accused in connection with Shafak¹s
book, The Bastard of Istanbul. International PEN considers that Article 301 of
the Turkish Penal Code falls foul of international standards that protect the
right to freedom of expression and to which Turkey is a signatory. It urges
that the court hearing the case takes this breach into consideration and
reconsiders its decision to proceed with the case.
One month ago, on June 7, the Beyoglu Public Prosecutor in Istanbul dismissed
proceedings launched against Shafak after hearing Shafak and Sokmen's argument
that the book was a work of literature and it was therefore not appropriate
for
prosecution.
They added that the book aimed to promote the culture of peace. However, in
early July the Istanbul 7th High Criminal Court over-ruled the decision not to
proceed, following a complaint filed by Kemal Kerincsiz, a member of a
group of
right wing lawyers known as the "Unity of Jurists" who have been active in the
launching of prosecutions of numerous writers and journalists in recent
months.
The trial date has not yet been set.
Shafak¹s book tells the story of two families ­ one based in Istanbul, the
other an exiled Armenian family living in San Francisco - who share a family
secret dating from the early 19th century that continues to effect the
lives of
their daughters in the present. Originally written in English, the book was
published by the Metis Publishing House in March 2006 and has since become a
best seller. It is due to be published in English by Viking/Penguin.
Elif Shafak was born in France and spent her childhood in Spain. After
studying political science in Turkey, she held teaching positions in the
United
Kingdom, Turkey, and the United States. She is now Assistant Professor in the
Dept. of Near Eastern Studies at University of Arizona. Her publications
include both novels and essays, among them The Saint of Incipient Insanities,
which was her first book published in English, Bit Palas, Mahrem, which won
the
Turkish Writers' Association Best Novel of the Year Award.
4) PACE Delegation Secures Self-Determination Definition
YEREVAN (YERKIR)At the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
summer session, the Armenian delegation succeeded to ensure the support of
other countries in turning down proposals put forward by the Azeri and Turkish
delegations, Vahan Hovhannesian, head of the Armenian delegation to the PACE
and National Assembly vice speaker, told a news conference Monday.
Meanwhile, Hovhannesian said, resolutions favorable for Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh have been passed.
"This time our cooperation with leading nations was successful, I mean, the
US, Canada, France and Russia," Hovhannesian said. "Most importantly, we
succeeded in including a provision regarding the right to self-determination
within PACE resolutions based on the results of the Montenegro referendum."
He noted that the adoption of those resolutions demonstrated a precise
balance
between the rights to self-determination and territorial integrity.
Hovhannesian said the resolutions caused havoc for the Azeri delegation. The
Azeri and Georgian delegations tried to counter those resolutions by two
others
that would put disputed territories under the control of states, to which they
formerly belonged but both resolutionsbacked by Turkeywere turned down,
Hovhannesian added.
In conclusion, Hovhannesian mentioned that most Council of Europe countries
have a vague understanding how the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would be
resolved,
but they realize which side is prepared to make compromises and which one is
not.
5) Armenia Concerned About Russian-Georgian Border Closure
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)Armenian officials and business leaders expressed concern on
Monday about the sudden closure of the main Russian-Georgian border crossing
which is used by Armenian companies exporting goods to Russia and other former
Soviet republics.
The Russian government brought commercial and individual traffic through the
Upper Lars crossing to a halt on Thursday, saying that it needs to carry out
repairs at the customs and border checkpoints on the Russian side of the
mountainous frontier.
The move was denounced as politically motivated by Georgia's Foreign
Ministry,
which sent a note of protest to Moscow. It came on the heels of a highly
controversial Russian ban on imports of Georgian wine and mineral water. The
ban, which has hit hard two key sectors of the struggling Georgian economy, is
widely seen as a retaliatory measure against Tbilisi's pro-Western foreign
policy.
Vahan Hovhannesian, deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament and a leader of
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation deplored the closure of Upper Lars,
effectively dismissing the Russian assurances that political factors are
not at
play. "This definitely has to do with Russian-Georgian tensions that
periodically escalate and are then defused," he told reporters. "Our partners
in Russia must understand that any action against Georgia automatically hits
Armenia's interests as well, and they must be more flexible and cautious."
Arsen Ghazarian, the chief executive of a freight company who also heads the
Armenian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, likewise complained that
the decision to temporary shut down the Russian-Georgian border crossing "no
economic basis."
"We hope that this is a temporary phenomenon," he told RFE/RL. "This major
regional highway, which connects Armenia and the other South Caucasus counties
to Russia, can not remain closed forever."
Georgia's Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli insisted over the weekend that
Russia could hardly inflict additional economic damage on his country with its
latest actions. "As Georgia virtually exports nothing to Russia, it is first
and foremost Armenia that has been affected the most, if we are speaking in
economic terms," Noghaideli told reporters. "Accordingly, I have notified the
Armenian prime minister and they too will react to this."
Upper Lars handles the bulk of Russian-Armenian trade in summer months. Its
closure could be particularly damaging for Armenian exports of fruit and other
agricultural produce that were already stymied by high transportation costs.
Ghazarian insisted, however, that local exporters would not face financial
ruin, as there is an alternative transport route for shipping cargo to Russia.
"We are used to working through [Black Sea] ports," he said.
All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.
ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.
--Boundary_(ID_CbI/pkCbm7gzwu7uAZqLBA)--