Turkish Forum

Category: Main Issues

  • ANCA: Pallone Urges to Turkey to Make Real Peace Efforts

    ANCA: Pallone Urges to Turkey to Make Real Peace Efforts

    ANCA: Pallone Urges to Turkey to Make Real Peace Efforts
    September 11, 2008 17:43:18

    ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
    1711 N Street NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Fax: (202) 775-5648
    Email: [email protected]
    Website: www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    September 11, 2008
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Email: [email protected]

    PALLONE CALLS ON TURKEY TO FOLLOW SOCCER
    DIPLOMACY WITH REAL STEPS TOWARD PEACE

    — Urges Ankara to End Genocide Denial,
    Remove Article 301, and End Blockade

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank
    Pallone (D-NJ) welcomed Armenia’s diplomatic outreach to Turkey and
    called on Turkey to reciprocate this gesture of good will with
    concrete steps toward an enduring peace based on truth and justice,
    reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

    The New Jersey legislator’s House floor statement comes in the wake
    of the recent Armenia-Turkey World Cup soccer qualifying match in
    Yerevan that Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul attended at the
    invitation of his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan. In his
    remarks, the Congressman specifically calls upon Turkey to end its
    denial of the Armenian Genocide, to remove Article 301 and other
    free speech restrictions on the discussion of this crime, and to
    lift its illegal 15-year old blockade of Armenia.

    In the days prior to the soccer match, the ANCA circulated a letter
    explaining to every Member of Congress that, "for this initiative
    to succeed, Turkey’s leaders need to view this as a true
    opportunity for enduring peace, not simply as a photo opportunity
    to help alleviate the growing international pressure it is under to
    recognize the Armenian Genocide."

    The full text of Congressman Pallone’s remarks is provided below.

    #####

    PALLONE CONGRATULATES ARMENIA ON
    HISTORIC SOCCER MATCH WITH TURKEY

    Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Armenia and its
    president, Serge Sargisian, on the historic soccer match between
    Armenia and Turkey this past weekend.

    On July 9th, President Sargisian, in the Wall Street Journal Europe
    Addition, took a surprising and historic step, by inviting
    President Abdullah Gul of Turkey to sit with him and watch the two
    nations play a World Cup qualifier match in Yerevan, the capital of
    Armenia.

    In an effort to warm relations between the two countries, President
    Sargisian wrote, ‘…just as the people of China and the United
    States shared enthusiasm for ping pong before their governments
    fully normalized relations, the people of Armenia and Turkey are
    united in their love for football.’

    President Gul accepted the offer, and on Saturday, September 6th,
    he became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia.

    Armenia initiated soccer diplomacy with Turkey despite nearly a
    century of Turkish genocide denial and 15 years of an economic
    blockade. For years, Armenia has been ready to establish
    relations with Turkey without preconditions and President
    Sargisian’s recent efforts reinforced this commitment. President
    Gul must also be commended for his efforts to see past the
    opposition of some in his country to attend the match.

    With the recent violence between Russia and Georgia, further steps
    to promote stability in the Caucasus must be taken. Strengthening
    Armenian and Turkish relations is essential to these efforts.

    Turkey can strengthen its relationship with Armenia by ending its
    policy of genocide denial; policy that is imposed both globally and
    domestically. The Turkish government lobbies heavily against the
    international community’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

    Domestically, Turkey should lift all restrictions imposed by
    Section 301 of the Turkish penal code on individuals who study,
    discuss, or recognize the Armenian Genocide. Silencing academics
    and writers limits freedom of speech and makes any serious
    discussion of the Armenian Genocide within Turkey taboo.

    To improve relations, Turkey must also lift its stifling economic
    blockade on Armenia. The State Department estimates that the
    blockade inflates Armenia by 30 to 35 percent. Removing the
    blockade will enable the development of needed infrastructure
    projects and regional communications, energy, and transportation in
    the Caucasus. The removal of the blockade would also do much to
    catalyze global investment in Turkey and Armenia.

    With the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia, Armenia proved
    itself to be a constructive partner to Georgia. The Armenian
    government provided safe transit for U.S and international
    officials and thousands of Georgian nationals, and non-governmental
    organization representatives.

    But Armenia experienced significant economic distress due to the
    conflict. The country lost an estimated 650 million dollars and
    shortages in fuel and wheat were rampant. With renewed volatility
    in the Caucasus, Armenia can no longer afford to suffer from duel
    blockades.

    President Sargisian’s initiation of soccer diplomacy and President
    Gul’s reciprocal invitation to watch a game next year in Turkey is
    a positive breakthrough in a region of historic violence and tense
    emotions.

    As President Sargisian wrote, ‘A more prosperous, mutually
    beneficial future for Armenia and Turkey, and the opening up of a
    historic East-West corridor for Europe, the Caspian region and the
    rest of the world, are goals that we can and must achieve.’ As a
    Congress, we must do all we can to support these efforts. Thank
    you.

    _____________________________________
    Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Communications Director
    Armenian National Committee of America
    1711 N Street NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Fax: (202) 775-5648
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Internet: www.anca.org

    Submitted by Emil Lazarian

  • OBAMANIN YOLDASI DEMOKRAT, Frank Pallone calls on Turkey to end its denial of the Armenian Genocide

    OBAMANIN YOLDASI DEMOKRAT, Frank Pallone calls on Turkey to end its denial of the Armenian Genocide

    12.09.2008 18:21 GMT+04:00    

    /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) welcomed Armenia’s diplomatic outreach to Turkey and called on Turkey to reciprocate this gesture of good will with concrete steps toward an enduring peace based on truth and justice, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

    The New Jersey legislator’s House floor statement comes in the wake of the recent Armenia-Turkey World Cup soccer qualifying match in Yerevan that Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul attended at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan. In his remarks, the Congressman specifically calls upon Turkey to end its denial of the Armenian Genocide, to remove Article 301 and other free speech restrictions on the discussion of this crime, and to lift its illegal 15-year old blockade of Armenia.

    In the days prior to the soccer match, the ANCA circulated a letter explaining to every Member of Congress that, “for this initiative to succeed, Turkey’s leaders need to view this as a true opportunity for enduring peace, not simply as a photo opportunity to help alleviate the growing international pressure it is under to recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

    Rep. Pallone said in his address:

    “Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Armenia and its president, Serge Sargsyan, on the historic soccer match between Armenia and Turkey this past weekend.

    On July 9th, President Sargsyan, in the Wall Street Journal Europe Addition, took a surprising and historic step, by inviting President Abdullah Gul of Turkey to sit with him and watch the two nations play a World Cup qualifier match in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

    In an effort to warm relations between the two countries, President Sargisian wrote, ‘…just as the people of China and the United States shared enthusiasm for ping pong before their governments fully normalized relations, the people of Armenia and Turkey are united in their love for football.’

    President Gul accepted the offer, and on Saturday, September 6th, he became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia.

    Armenia initiated soccer diplomacy with Turkey despite nearly a century of Turkish genocide denial and 15 years of an economic blockade. For years, Armenia has been ready to establish relations with Turkey without preconditions and President Sargsyan’s recent efforts reinforced this commitment. President Gul must also be commended for his efforts to see past the opposition of some in his country to attend the match.

    With the recent violence between Russia and Georgia, further steps to promote stability in the Caucasus must be taken. Strengthening Armenian and Turkish relations is essential to these efforts.

    Turkey can strengthen its relationship with Armenia by ending its policy of genocide denial; policy that is imposed both globally and domestically. The Turkish government lobbies heavily against the international community’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

    Domestically, Turkey should lift all restrictions imposed by Section 301 of the Turkish penal code on individuals who study, discuss, or recognize the Armenian Genocide. Silencing academics and writers limits freedom of speech and makes any serious discussion of the Armenian Genocide within Turkey taboo.

    To improve relations, Turkey must also lift its stifling economic blockade on Armenia. The State Department estimates that the blockade inflates Armenia by 30 to 35 percent. Removing the blockade will enable the development of needed infrastructure projects and regional communications, energy, and transportation in the Caucasus. The removal of the blockade would also do much to catalyze global investment in Turkey and Armenia.

    With the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia, Armenia proved itself to be a constructive partner to Georgia. The Armenian government provided safe transit for U.S and international officials and thousands of Georgian nationals, and non-governmental organization representatives.

    But Armenia experienced significant economic distress due to the conflict. The country lost an estimated 650 million dollars and shortages in fuel and wheat were rampant. With renewed volatility in the Caucasus, Armenia can no longer afford to suffer from duel blockades.

    President Sargsyan’s initiation of soccer diplomacy and President Gul’s reciprocal invitation to watch a game next year in Turkey is a positive breakthrough in a region of historic violence and tense emotions.

    As President Sargisian wrote, ‘A more prosperous, mutually beneficial future for Armenia and Turkey, and the opening up of a historic East-West corridor for Europe, the Caspian region and the rest of the world, are goals that we can and must achieve.’ As a Congress, we must do all we can to support these efforts. Thank you.”

  • AFP: Cyprus rivals begin key phase of peace talks

    AFP: Cyprus rivals begin key phase of peace talks

    NICOSIA (AFP) — Rival Cypriot leaders began talks on Thursday on how to share power in a future unified state, their first substantive negotiations in a bid to end the Mediterranean island’s 34-year division.

    President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat discussed power-sharing and governance during what UN envoy Alexander Downer called “productive and fruitful talks.”

    The four-hour meeting at Nicosia’s abandoned airport in the UN-patrolled buffer zone followed the launch last week of official negotiations seen as the best chance of peace for years despite entrenched differences.

    “We began negotiations on the substance of governance and power-sharing. The talks have been productive and… fruitful,” Downer said, adding that the leaders would meet again on September 18.

    “There are no particular timelines agreed, but the two leaders are doing what they can to push the process ahead at the appropriate speed. There’s a long way to go.”

    Afterwards Christofias was reluctant to comment on how the meeting went. “This is not the time to say whether I’m pleased or not.”

    AFP: Cyprus rivals begin key phase of peace talks

  • CONF./CFP- Society for Armenian Studies, UCLA, March 27-28, 2009

    CONF./CFP- Society for Armenian Studies, UCLA, March 27-28, 2009

    Posted by: Hovann Simonian <[email protected]>

    Call For Papers

    Armenian Studies at a Threshold: Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of
    the Society for Armenian Studies

    An international conference organized by the Society for Armenian
    Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, March 27-28, 2009
    To mark the 35th anniversary of the Society for Armenian Studies
    (SAS), the executive committee of the Society is organizing a special
    academic conference titled “Armenian Studies at a Threshold:
    Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Society for Armenian Studies.”

    This multidisciplinary gathering will give the opportunity to SAS
    members as well as other scholars from around the world to present
    their latest research in the field of Armenian studies, along with
    research from other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences
    in which the case studies are related to themes affecting Armenia or
    Armenians. The organizers hope that this conference will help break
    new ground in Armenian studies in general and in some of its
    sub-disciplines such as history, linguistics, literature, political
    science, anthropology, sociology, economics, musicology, and so on.

    Scholars who wish to present papers at the conference are requested to
    submit a one-page proposal by December 1, 2008. The proposal should
    include the title of the paper, a 300-word abstract, a brief
    biography/institutional affiliation of the author(s), and contact details.

    The committee invites proposals for panels organized around a
    particular theme and for roundtable discussion sessions concentrating
    on problems of theory and methodology in Armenian studies. Panels
    should include three or four papers, and roundtable discussion
    sessions should not exceed six participants. Abstracts of 500 words
    for panels and roundtables should be submitted by December 1.

    All proposals will be peer reviewed by an ad hoc committee of the SAS.
    In case more proposals are received than the conference can
    accommodate, priority will be given to SAS members who have recently
    joined the organization, to young, forthcoming scholars, and to those
    whose papers explore previously uncharted topics and/or breaking new
    theoretical or methodological grounds in the field.

    The deadline for drafts of accepted papers is March 1, 2009. The
    organizers will circulate electronic versions of these drafts to other
    participants before the opening of the conference. The maximum time
    limit for the oral presentations is 20 minutes.

    The Society for Armenian Studies has only limited funds to assist some
    participants with travel and accommodation expenses. Hence, the
    committee urges all presenters to apply for institutional or
    organizational support. Those who have no means to obtain outside
    assistance should submit to the conference organizers a request for
    travel and accommodation assistance along with their proposal.

    Proposals should be submitted by December 1, 2008, to the SAS Secretariat:

    [email protected]

    Society for Armenian Studies
    Armenian Studies Program
    California State University. Fresno
    5245 N. Backer Avenue, PB 4
    Fresno, California 93740-800

  • Turkey, Armenia vow to end enmity after Gul’s visit

    Turkey, Armenia vow to end enmity after Gul’s visit

    YEREVAN (AFP) – Armenia and Turkey pledged to overcome decades of enmity over the massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces after Turkish Pre­sident Abdullah Gul’s pathbreaking visit to Yerevan for a football match.

    Gul, the first Turkish president to visit Armenia, Saturday held talks with counterpart Serzh Sarkisian after which the two agreed there was the “political will” to improve ties frozen for decades over the 1915-1917 massacres by Turkish troops.

    Moscow News – World – Turkey, Armenia vow to end enmity after Gul’s visit.

  • Armenia Inclined to Free Azerbaijan’s Lands: Turkish President

    Armenia Inclined to Free Azerbaijan’s Lands: Turkish President

    Azerbaijan, Baku, 11 September/ TrendNews/ President of Turkey Abdullah Gul has stated that Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan, Dunya bulteni news agency of Turkey reported.

    Abdullah Gul said to journalists after his visit to Baku that Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan and that Sarkisyan understands significance of resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

    “Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan. I witnessed it during my meeting with Sarkisyan,” Gul said.

    Gul said he believes Russia also has a positive attitude toward the resolution Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “I think Russia also wants Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict to be solved. Because Russia will not accept its isolation in the region,” he added.

    Source: news.trendaz.com, 11.09.08