Turkey-Armenia protocols can still be brought forward to the Turkish Parliament and be voted on, European Program Director at the International Crisis Group Sabine Freizer told Armenian News-NEWS.am.
In an e-mail letter she commented on recent statement by Turkish President Abdullah Gul that the protocols cannot be considered dead.
The expert considers Turkish parliament is unlikely to vote until there is some positive movement on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In October 2009 Armenia and Turkey signed protocols in Zurich to normalize diplomatic relations between the states. The documents had to be ratified in both countries’ parliaments. However, in 2010 the Armenian president suspended the process due to Turkey’s non-constructive stance.
Ankara set preconditions and linked the reconciliation process to resolution of the Karabakh conflict.Turkey decided to remove the protocols from parliament’s agenda this August.
“Even though there is no legal link between the two issues, in practice and for political reasons Turkey has linked them. Ankara has not clearly defined what it means by ‘progress’ however, it could possibly mean the signature of an agreement on basic principles or the start of withdrawal by Armenian forces of one or two of the occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh,” she said.
According to Freizer, such a withdrawal would indeed change the whole dynamic in the region towards peace and development. “Neither Armenia nor Nagorno-Karabakh have ever claimed sovereignty over territories like Fizuli,” she said.
Commenting on the protocols, she stressed that even if they are not yet signed, “normalization between Armenia and Turkey is moving forward with regards to contacts in many fields.”
via Turkey will sign protocols if Armenia surrenders 2 regions – Sabine Freizer | Armenia News – NEWS.am.
Judgment at Istanbul: The Armenian Genocide Trials
New York and Oxford: Berghahn Books, 2011. 363 pp.
ISBN 978-0-85745-251-1 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-85745-286-3 (e-book)
$110 ($75 to Zoryan Friends).
In the aftermath of its disastrous defeat in World War I, Ottoman Turkey had to face the wartime crime of the destruction of its Armenian population. An inquiry commissioned by the Ottoman government in 1919 presented enough preliminary evidence to organize a series of trials involving the perpetrators of these crimes. It is the record of these trials, and the unparalleled details they provide on the planning and implementation of the crimes, that brought together the two most renowned scholars of the Armenian Genocide, Professors Vahakn Dadrian and Taner Akcam, in their first joint publication. After years of research and analysis, the authors have compiled the complete documentation of the trial proceedings and have set these findings in their historical and legal context.
The book is entitled Judgment at Istanbul: The Armenian Genocide Trials and is published by Berghahn Books of New York and Oxford.
In describing the book, Dadrian said, “This is a most important work, for two reasons. First, it is based on authentic Turkish documentation, which the Ottoman government was forced to release during the trials. Second, unlike most books on the Armenian Genocide, which are historical interpretations, this study, for the first time, is based also on the testimony of high-ranking Ottoman officials, given under oath, on the magnitude of the crimes against the Armenians, and in this sense, serves as a legal case study of the Armenian Genocide.”
During his more than 50 years of research on the subject, Dadrian discovered that the Takvim-i Vekayi, the official Ottoman government’s gazette, was not the only major source of information on the military tribunals. In fact, Renaissance, a French-language Armenian newspaper in Istanbul at the time, reported summaries of many of the trial proceedings taken from the reports of the Ottoman-language newspapers of the day, which were otherwise not accounted for in official government records.
Akcam, the book’s co-author, noted that “While the official government record lists only 12 trials, newspapers provide us details on 63. For the first time, information from the Ottoman newspapers of the era has been utilized to reconstruct the trials. A great deal of effort was required to track down all issues possible of 14 different Ottoman newspapers, which meant visiting many libraries in different cities. Often, the articles we were looking for had been cut out of the paper in one location, but we were able to find a copy in another location.”
The Zoryan Institute sponsored the collection of these newspapers, their translation and transliteration, as part of the long-term project known as “Creating a Common Body of Knowledge,” and retains copies in its archives.
According to the Institute’s president, K.M. Greg Sarkissian, “The objective is to provide knowledge that will be shared by Turkish and Armenian civil societies and western scholarship. The aim is to locate, collect, analyze, transliterate, translate, edit, and publish authoritative, universally recognized original archival documents on the history of the events surrounding 1915, in both Turkish and English. Elaborating on the importance not only of the primary source material in this book, but also the analysis provided by the book’s authors,” he continued, “the more such documents are made available to Turkish society, the more it will be empowered with knowledge to question narratives imposed by the state. Restoring accurate historical memory will benefit not only Turkish, but also Armenian society. Both will be emancipated from the straightjacket of the past. Such a common body of knowledge will hopefully lead to an understanding of each other, act as a catalyst for dialogue, and aid in the normalization of relations between the two societies. Judgment at Istanbul is the most recent example of the Zoryan Institute’s strong belief in the importance of a Common Body of Knowledge as a key factor in helping the future of any relationship between Turkey and Armenia.”
The trials described in Judgment at Istanbul had a far-reaching bearing in the international community. As the first national tribunal to prosecute cases of mass atrocity, the principles of “crimes against humanity” that were introduced then had their echo subsequently in the Nuremberg Charter, the Tokyo Charter, and the UN Genocide Convention. This book is an essential source for historians, legal scholars, political scientists, sociologists, policy makers, and those interested in genocide studies, Turkish studies, and Armenian studies. It also holds great current relevance, with recent interest internationally regarding the Armenian Genocide and its denial.
To order a copy for yourself or as a gift, or to help sponsor a book to be placed in university libraries, contact the Zoryan office by calling (416) 250-9807 or e-mailing [email protected].
via Dadrian, Akcam Co-Author Book Setting Istanbul Trials in Legal Context | Armenian Weekly.
France’s foreign minister today said that his country could host a Turkish-Armenian joint history commission meeting.
Alain Juppe defined the incidents of 1915 as a challenging issue, and all countries were making a memory homework about their history.
Such a memory homework could be done in a history commission, Juppe told a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu in Ankara.
Juppe defined those days as a troublesome for both Turkey and Armenia, and said France may host a joint history meeting.
The French foreign minister expressed thought that a significant progress could be made in such a meeting.
Davutoğlu, in his part, said Turkey had accepted Juppe’s call for establishment of a joint history commission to investigate incidents of 1915.
“We are ready to discuss our own history and other countries’ history in an atmosphere of mutual respect and freedom,” he said.
Davutoğlu said however, Turkey was against laws and resolutions that would make its self-defense impossible, and noted that there was such a resolution at the French Senate today.
“Implementation of this resolution is against French intellectual tradition and freedom of thought,” Davutoğlu said.
Davutoğlu said Turkey would welcome any initiative from France regarding establishment of a joint history commission between Turkey and Armenia, and hoped that it would contribute to Turkish-Armenian rapprochement and normalize relations.
In 2005, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a letter to the then Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and proposed to establish a joint commission of historians to study the Ottoman-era incidents of 1915.
via France offers to host Turkish-Armenian history meeting – Hurriyet Daily News.
She’s done it before, with Saudi Arabia. This time, Rep. Shelley Berkley doesn’t want another Israel-antagonist, Turkey, to be allowed to buy U.S. military materiel.
Berkley is co-sponsoring a resolution to block the proposed sale of $111 million of U.S. attack helicopters to the NATO ally, and to require that the president consult Congress whenever the administration is planning to sell more than $50 million in military equipment to Turkey.
In the “Dear Colleague” letter she and Rep. Eliot Engel have been circulating this week, Berkley lists several objections to Turkey’s political positions, including its “belligerence against Cyprus” that is “intensifying,” being “late to distance itself from the nightmare in Syria,” “undermin[ing] international efforts to impose strong sanctions on Iran,” and continued “refus[al] to apologize for the Armenian genocide.”
But the key complaint Berkley has with Turkey is its increasingly icy relationship with Israel.
Turkey’s humanitarian support for Palestinians in Gaza had already begun to vex Israel before May 2010, when things exploded into a full-fledged diplomatic crisis over an incident on the Turkish ship, the Mavi Marmara, which was part of an anti-occupation movement’s “Freedom Flotilla” to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israeli commandos boarded the approaching ships at sea, and in the skirmishes that followed on board, killed nine Turkish nationals. Israel has not apologized for the incident, claiming it was self-defense.
In the months since, Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel, expelled the Israeli ambassador to Turkey, and refused Israel’s offer of aid after a devastating earthquake that hit Turkey’s eastern region around Lake Van.
“This is the time for the United States to be raising our very serious concerns about Turkey, rather than selling arms to them,” Berkley and Engel wrote.
(One point of dispute with Berkley’s complaints: while Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was late to support NATO action on Libya, his harsh criticism of Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown against protesters in Syria began only shortly after Hillary Clinton’s and before Barack Obama joined the fray. Turkey is now harboring most of the Syrian refugees, including military defectors who are helping coordinate the uprisings. One thing noticeably missing from Berkley’s letter: any mention of the Kurdish population of Turkey, currently being subjected to the most humanitarian injustices at the hands of the Turkish government.)
Berkley isn’t going so far, as she did with Saudi Arabia, as to claim Turkey would use these weapons against Israel — just arguing that Turkey should not be rewarded for its anti-Israel and anti-Cypriate behavior.
But if Berkley is this upset about the sale of three attack helicopters, it’s only bound to get worse: Turkey has also requested to purchase Predator and Reaper drones from the United States, and according to reports, the Pentagon isn’t opposed to the idea.
Turkey has lobbied the U.S. to become a base for a fleet of Predator drones, most of which are operated from the Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, once the United States leaves Iraq at the end of the year. Turkey wants to use the drones to fight the P.K.K., the Kurdish separatist group that is fighting for its own country on Turkish territory.
The United States and Turkey have collaborated on the P.K.K. in the past, with the United States sharing drone footage from northern Iraq, where there is a strong Kurdish population and from where, Turkey says, most of the group’s attacks are coordinated.
In the past, the U.S. has cited Turkey’s strategic military position as a reason not to antagonize the country over some of the political positions Berkley complains of in her letter, including its occupation of part of Cyprus and its disavowal of the Armenian genocide.
via Rep. Shelley Berkley opposes arms sale to Turkey – Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 | 1:14 p.m. – Las Vegas Sun.
He made it clear that as long as Turley refuses to implement its obligations these chapters cannot be opened.
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Sun, Nov 06, 2011
Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has warned Turkey that if it continues to refuse to implement its EU obligations towards Cyprus, the opening of its accession chapters, frozen since December 2009, is not possible.
Invited to comment on statements made by Turkeys Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis reiterating Turkeys position on the assumption of the EU Presidency by Cyprus, Stephanou said that the successful achievement of this national target would upgrade the status of Cyprus both within the EU and the wider international arena.”
The Republic of Cyprus will successfully exercise the Presidency of the European Council in the second half of 2012 thus proving that even small countries like Cyprus, can run EU presidency efficiently, he said.
Turkey has threatened to freeze relations with the European Union if Cyprus is given the EU presidency in 2012.
He added that the EU must deal with statements made by the Turkish officials in relation to Cyprus EU Presidency, noting that the EU must warn Turkey that such behaviour damages its own European perspective and that it acts in a way that causes tension in the region, which is trying to bring into the European area.
Invited to comment on statements made by Turkeys Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis urging the EU to persuade Cyprus to open Turkey’s EU Energy chapter, Stephanou said that energy is one of the chapters Cyprus has ‘frozen’ in December 2009 because Turkey refuses to implement its obligations towards Cyprus.
He made it clear that as long as Turley refuses to implement its obligations these chapters cannot be opened.
Cyprus position on this issue is that the energy chapter cannot be opened as long as Turkey threatens and is being provocative in relation to the explorations and efforts made by Cyprus to locate and exploit hydrocarbon deposits in its exclusive economic zone.
The EU will be the first to benefit if natural gas deposits are found and the Republic of Cyprus proceeds with their exploitation because as an EU member state, Cyprus can supply energy to the EU.
He also said that the issue of natural gas could serve as an incentive to solve the Cyprus problem, adding that Turkey could also benefit through partnerships and synergies with the reunited Federal Republic of Cyprus, that is if it decides to cooperate and work towards a Cyprus settlement based on UN resolutions that will end occupation of Cyprus.
Unfortunately, he concluded, Turkey continues to repeat itself, to threaten and be provocative.
(KYPE)
via Bleak EU future if Turkey does not act on Cyprus.
Ankara says will not stand for Israel-Cyprus independent gas exploration in east Mediterranean
Ynet
Published: 11.05.11, 18:56 / Israel Business
Ankara will not allow for any independent natural gas exploration projects in the east Mediterranean, Turkey’s Minister of Transport, Maritime and Communications Binali Yildirim told the Turkish Daily Hurriyet on Saturday.
Yildirim’s statement followed a comment made by President Shimon Peres, who – while on a State visit to Cyprus – lauded Israel’s joint gas exploration projects with Cyprus.
Turkey will not stand for any “threats” by Israel over its proprietary interests, he said: “The Turkish ‘road map’ on the matter is clear… No project will be allowed to take place without Turkey’s consent.”
Much of Peres’ visit to Nicosia focused on Israel and Cyprus’ collaborations in the field of maritime gas exploration. But the matter is at the heart of growing tensions between Turkey and Cyprus.
Ankara and Nicosia have launched UN-brokered negotiations to try and resolve the gas rights dispute.
The Cypriot government is under contract with Noble Energy, which is partially owend by Israeli businessman Yitzhak Tshuva. Cyprus is set to hold gas explorations in an area bordering Israel’s territorial waters, where a vast depository of natural gas is believed to exist.
The area is adjacent to the Levitan offshore rig.
Israel and Cyprus have recently signed a new cooperation agreement in the field of energy development, exploration and conservation.
via Turkey warns Israel against ‘threatening’ gas proprietorship – Israel Business, Ynetnews.