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ASBAREZ Online [06-30-2005]

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  • ASBAREZ Online [06-30-2005]

    ASBAREZ ONLINE
    TOP STORIES
    06/30/2005
    TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
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    1) Schiff Introduces Bill Urging End to Turkish Blockade of Armenia
    2) Erdogan Visits Azerbaijan to Boost Ties
    3) Germany~Rs Turkish Intellectuals Want Turkey to Recognize Armenian Genocide
    4) New Karabagh Assembly Elects Leaders
    5) Oskanian Arrives in Lebanon

    1) Schiff Introduces Bill Urging End to Turkish Blockade of Armenia

    Chairman Hyde agrees to mark-up bill in committee

    WASHINGTON, DC--Late yesterday, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced a
    bill urging the President and Secretary of State to call on Turkey to
    immediately lift its ongoing blockade of Armenia. Congressman Frank Pallone
    (D-NJ) was an original co-sponsor of the bill.
    This bill also requires a report from the Secretary of State within 30
    days of
    final passage that will outline steps taken by the US to end Turkey's blockade
    of Armenia. The State Department has estimated that the blockade is inflating
    Armenia's transportation costs by 30-35%. The blockade also prevents the US
    and
    international humanitarian assistance from crossing its borders, which is a
    violation of US law and international humanitarian standards.
    House International Relations Committee Chairman, Henry Hyde (R-IL), has
    agreed to a subcommittee mark-up on Schiff's bill in July and a full committee
    mark-up shortly after the August recess. A mark-up is the final obstacle a
    bill
    must overcome before a vote by the full House of Representatives is possible.
    "It is time to step-up pressure on Turkey to lift the draconian blockade of
    Armenia, allowing desperately needed humanitarian assistance into the country,
    and permitting Armenian businesses to compete fully in the global economy.
    I am
    grateful for Chairman Hyde's commitment to a timely hearing on my bill," said
    Schiff.
    "President Bush and the Secretary of State can no longer stand by and allow
    Turkey to blockade Armenia without voicing any opposition or concern," said
    Congressman Frank Pallone. "The time is long overdue for Congress to send the
    Bush administration a strong message that it's time to terminate this blockade
    so Armenia can realize its full economic potential."
    "The Armenian National Committee of America welcomes Congressman Schiff's
    legislation, requiring a State Department report on any steps it has
    taken--and
    any actions it plans to take in the future--to bring an end to Turkey's
    illegal
    blockade of Armenia," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian
    National Committee of America. "We look forward to helping Congressmen Schiff,
    Pallone, and other sponsors of this measure to work toward final passage in
    the
    House of Representatives."
    Congressman Schiff is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on
    National
    Security and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations
    committees. He represents California's 29th Congressional District, which
    includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East
    San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena,
    and Temple City.


    2) Erdogan Visits Azerbaijan to Boost Ties

    BAKU (Combined Sources)--Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan began his
    two day official visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday, in an effort to boost
    already close ties and trade links.
    Marking his first official visit to the country as Prime Minister, Erdogan
    met
    with Azeri president Ilham Aliyev to discuss issues including cooperation in
    the oil-and-gas industry and steps toward a possible settlement of the
    Karabagh
    conflict.
    Thanking the Prime Minister for Turkey's position and support on the Karabagh
    conflict, Aliyev expressed confidence that the visit will serve as an
    important
    catalyst for further development of the political, economic, and cultural
    relationship between the two countries.
    Recalling Heydar Aliyev's "One nation, two states," slogan, Erdogan noted,
    "Turkey has always been side by side with Azerbaijan, and this policy will be
    continued in the future." He said that in addition to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
    oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines, which "were of exceptional
    significance for Azerbaijan and Turkey," the countries would also develop
    their
    trade cooperation.
    On the issue of the Russian military base transfer from Georgia to Armenia,
    Erdogan clarified that Turkey could only serve as a "passive onlooker" in the
    situation, "without trying to sway Russia's decision."
    On May 30, Russia and Georgia agreed that Russia's two bases pull out by
    2008.
    The withdrawal of military hardware from the Akhalkalak base near the
    Georgian-Armenian border is scheduled for 2006 and the facility's closure is
    due the following year. The Batumi base, on the Black Sea coast, will close in
    2008.
    Reports have said the Turkish leader is also expected to urge Azerbaijan to
    pursue democratic reforms ahead of the country's November elections.
    Earlier this week in an interview with CNN-Turk television, Aliyev said he
    ruled out the possibility of a popular uprising in Azerbaijan similar to those
    that occurred in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.
    Aliyev, however, pledged that the November vote would be "bright, democratic
    and transparent."
    Erdogan is expected to address Azeri parliamentarians and meet with Turkish
    and Azeri business people.


    3) Germany~Rs Turkish Intellectuals Want Turkey to Recognize Armenian Genocide

    BERLIN--A group calling for an end to Turkey's official denial of the Armenian
    genocide held a vigil on June 29 in Berlin, directly across the Turkish
    Consulate there. Interestingly, the gathering was organized by a group of
    Turkish intellectuals, who call themselves "Turks of Berlin."
    Approximately 25 people--Turks and Germans alike--conducted the 5-hour vigil,
    calling on Turkey to officially recognize the genocide of Armenians by the
    government of Ottoman Turkey, and to issue an apology to the descendents of
    the
    Genocide.
    The group displayed a banner that read in Armenian, German, and Turkish: "I
    denounce the genocide of 1915, and apologize to the Armenian people." They
    also
    made available photos depicting the Armenian genocide, and lit candles.
    The following day, Turks and Armenians debated the topic: "Were Armenians the
    Victim of Genocide 90 years ago, in the Ottoman Empire." According to German
    Security Services, Turkish nationalist groups in Germany, including Milli
    Gorus
    (National Vision) organized an exhibit to counter the efforts.
    Milli Gorus is an organization of Turkish immigrants in Europe, composed of
    members of the former Turkish Welfare Party and the fascist Gray Wolves. Their
    aim is to shield Turkish immigrants from Western cultural and political
    influences.
    Organizers of the debate, which took place in Bremen, were not concerned with
    the efforts of the Turkish groups.


    4) New Karabagh Assembly Elects Leaders

    YEREVAN--Karabagh's new parliament held its first session on Thursday and
    elected its leadership. The new speaker of the local assembly is Ashot Ghulian
    the leader of the Democratic Party of Artsakh (AZhK). Ghulian resigned as
    Karabagh's minister of education and culture before taking up the new post. He
    had previously served as foreign minister.
    In his acceptance speech, Ghulian pledged to adhere to "good traditions of
    the
    previous parliament." The parliament's deputy speaker, Rudik Hyusnunts, is a
    senior member of the Azat Hayrenik (Free Fatherland) party that finished
    second
    with 10 seats.
    Other Azat Hayrenik deputies, including the party's leader Arayik
    Harutiunian,
    were elected as chairmen of two of the Karabagh National Assembly six standing
    committees.
    Ghukasian, insisting that the election, monitored by over a hundred
    representatives of foreign non-governmental organizations, was "truly free,
    fair and transparent," urged lawmakers to be "active" in their work in
    order to
    make government more efficient.


    5) Oskanian Arrives in Lebanon

    BEIRUT--Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday
    evening to take part in the celebrations dedicated to the 50th anniversary of
    the Beirut-based Armenian Haigazian University. Oskanian will serve as keynote
    speaker.
    During his three-day visit, Oskanian will meet with Lebanon's top government
    officials, as well as with family members of the late former Prime Minister
    Rafik Hariri.
    Oskanian is also scheduled to meet with Catholicos Aram I, Haigazian
    University faculty, and members of the local Armenian community.


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