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  • Palestinian and Israeli people want peace

    Palestinian and Israeli people want peace

    Палестина посол

     

     

     

     

    Gulnara Inandzh,

     

    Director of Information and Analytical Center Ethnoglobus (ethnoglobus.az),

    editor of  Russian section of  Turkishnews American-Turkish Resource website www.turkishnews.com  ,

    Head of  Representative Office of  Lev Gumilev Center of Russia in Azerbaijan.  

     

    After the parliamentary elections held in Israel there are hopeful statements by Tel Aviv’s officials on Palestine – Israel issue. Now there are hopes for restoration of peace negotiations which remains frozen for a long time. From now negotiations will be conducted under new conditions – with Palestine, a country awarded observer status at the United Nations.

    Palestinian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Naser Abdel Karim comments on the issue for turkishnews.com American-Turkish portal.

     

     

     -New Israeli PM and Foreign Minister agrees on recognition of independence of Palestine.But during previous period of Benjamin Netanyahu negotiations on Israel-Palestinian conflict was frozen. What is the reason that new Israeli government demonstrates interest in the settlement of the conflict?

     

    –         It is nice to hear news on recognition of Palestine as an independent state. But it would be better if it is connected with good will and be implemented seriously, without affecting already signed agreements and international treaties.

    Palestine Liberation Organization and State of Israel recognized each-other’s statehood in 1993. This statement doesn’t provide for objection to Palestine’sobserver status at the United Nations.

    However, Netanyahu government causes problem to recognition of State of Palestine.It is clear that for any just and comprehensive peace, independence of the State of Palestine should be recognized based on pre-1967 borders, including Eastern Quds, in accordance with resolutions under international legislation.

     

    -Israel government offers Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah movement leader, to mention in Arabic that Israel is the home to Jews against recognition of Palestine by Israel government. How do Palestine officials approach this statement?

     

    –         As I stressed above in my first answer, Netanyahu government continues laying down new conditions to already agreed problems. Palestine Liberation Organization already recognized Israel in 1993 and no Tel Aviv official has raised a question on the mentioned issue within these years.

    Netanyahu offered this condition, along with a number of others, to cause problem and delay negotiations. By the way, it is not the conclusion that we come but all the world leaders consider B.Netanyahu as non-serious.

    We want to return to the negations process which was frozen at the end of period of former PM Ehud Olmert. Negotiations should be conducted within some period and it should not be formal. At the same time, we want illegal settlement to be stopped in the invaded territories of Palestine. This is not the conditions offered by Palestine, but also the condition put before Israel which is provided by the Road Map agreement developed for solution of the conflict.

     

    -US President Barack Obama is expected to discuss the circumstances over the solution of the conflict during his visit to Israel. How do you think, what can the US offer?

     

    –         We hail Obama’s visit to the region. His visit shows that White House administration has important plans for both the countries regarding peace based on independence principles. But in order his visit to be effective for the region the US should use its position to have more pressure over Israel to cease settlement of Jews in the Eastern Quds and other Palestinian territories, while Tel Aviv should comply with the previously signed treaties. This should happen within the certain period. Negotiations depend on these treaties and international resolutions.

           

    -How is the notion of peacefully living with Jews accepted in Palestinian’s public thoughts?

     

    –         I guess that the people of Palestine, as well as, majority of Israelis want to achieve a peace and to put an end to the conflict. It is also proved by the survey carried out among the people of Palestine and Israel. State of Palestine wants to live in peace and friendship with its neighbor Israel based on pre-1967 borders, including Eastern Quds.

     

     

    -Former Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has said that Palestine cannot be recognized as an independent state. In Palestine, there are also radical powers which refuse to recognize Israel as a state and in that case how do you forecast the events?

     

    –         It is true that Mr. Lieberman represents the radical ideology being natural in Israel government. His party “Israel Is Our Home” is in coalition with B.Netanyahu’s “Likud” party. How can Foreign Minister use threat and digression methods, but Prime Minister refrains himself from reproaching him. A.Lieberman should make serious efforts to support for peace process by his statements.

    Despite radical minority in Palestine, president Mahmoud Abbas, Palestine Liberation Organization (Fatah) and State of Palestine have always insisted on compliance with peace principles. He has consistently tried to persuade radical powers in Palestine and achieved to get population’s opinion by stressing the necessity of achieving peace based on pre-1967 borders.

  • Christian Exodus from Syria Raises Hopes for Resurrection in Turkey

    Christian Exodus from Syria Raises Hopes for Resurrection in Turkey

    Christian Exodus from Syria Raises Hopes for Resurrection in Turkey

    Civil war pushes more Christian refugees into nearby Armenia and Turkey.

    Melissa Steffan

    Escalating violence in northern Syria is forcing Christians to flee their homeland and take refuge in nearby regions of Armenia and Turkey.

    The New York Times reports that several hundred Syrian Christian refugees have arrived in Turkey throughout the past few weeks, heading for “the monasteries and towns of Mardin and Midyat in Tur Abdin, an ancient region in southeastern Turkey, less than 50 kilometers, or 30 miles, from the Syrian border that is the historical heartland of the Syriac Orthodox Church.”

    The exodus from Syria is raising hopes of resurrecting the Christian presence in southeastern Turkey, which “is still dotted with Syriac churches like Mor Gabriel, which was founded in the year 397 and is one of the oldest active monasteries in the world today,” reports the Times. “But apart from the monks, very few Syriacs remain.”

    USA Today also reports that an “estimated 7,000 of Syria’s Christian-Armenian community have arrived in Armenia since the start of the uprising.” Christian refugees have headed for Aleppo, which is now the temporary home for nearly 8 in 10 of the Syrian Christians in Armenia.

    CT previously has reported on Syria, including how many Christians backed Assad’s regime and have been working to avert an all-out civil war. CT has also noted the legal troubles of Mor Gabriel.

    CT has also reported on Syriac Christians, who speak Aramaic (the language of Jesus), and “religicide” in the Middle East.

    posted by Melissa Steffan | Comments (0)

    via Christianity Today Gleanings: Christian Exodus from Syria Raises Hopes for Resurrection in Turkey.

  • Azerbaijan and Turkey can produce anti-tank missiles

    Azerbaijan and Turkey can produce anti-tank missiles

    Azerbaijan can produce UMTAS and OMTAS anti-tank missiles with Turkey, Turkish defence industry delegation told APA at 11th International Defence Exhibition (IDEX – 2013) exhibition.

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    Azerbaijan is closely following the project of medium and long-range guided anti-tank missile complex. At the same time, the Azerbaijani delegation familiarized themselves with these missiles in ROKETSAN Company in Turkey. Azerbaijan’s participation in this project was discussed at the meeting between the sides.

    Along with this, the preparations for the production of 107 mm and 122 mm missiles in Azerbaijan with the participation of ROKETSAN Company are at the final stage. Production of these missiles will start at the facilities of Azerbaijan Ministry of Defence Industry in the near future.

    News.Az

    via News.Az – Azerbaijan and Turkey can produce anti-tank missiles.

  • Turkey Human Rights Groups to Aliyev: End Lynching Campaign!

    Turkey Human Rights Groups to Aliyev: End Lynching Campaign!

    ISTANBUL, Turkey (A.W.)–Four Turkish human rights and anti-racism groups sent a letter to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev urging him ”to urgently put an end to the lynching campaign against Ekrem Eylisli” for his positive portrayal of Armenians.

    Ekrem Eylisli

    The Armenian Weekly publishes the text of the letter in full.

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    Mr. İlham Aliyev

    President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

    Baku, Azerbaijan

     

    Dear Mr. President,

    We, the defenders of human rights in Turkey and supporters of fight against racism, nationalism, and hatred, are appalled by and deeply concerned with the aggressive campaign and threats of violence against the writer Ekrem Eylisli in your country. The only crime committed by your fellow citizen Ekrem Eylisli, whose security is your responsibility, is to have defended in his recent novel the solidarity of peoples.

    As the Human Rights Watch has declared in its global press release, Eylisli has been targeted with an increasingly aggressive campaign of enmity and defamation, further endorsed by official spokespersons and the media, only because he has written a novel in which he has chosen not to represent Armenians as an object of hatred. Since January 31st, the said transgressions have included protests in front of his house, insults and threats, and book-burning.

    Notorious for her racist views, member of Azerbaijani parliament Melahat İbrahimkızı has accused Eylisli of offending not only Azerbaijan but the entire Turkish nation, thus sending a message to Turkey and provoking the same campaign of hatred against Armenians in Turkey.

    Eylisli’s family too has been subjected to retribution: His son Necep Naibov, employed by the Ministry of Customs, and his wife Galina Alexandrova, a library director, have been dismissed without just cause.

    The lynching campaign has reached its peak with the pro-government Moderna Musavat Party leaders putting a reward of ten thousand Manat on Ekrem Eylisli’s ears.

    And you, Mr. President, in your capacity as the higher most leader of the state of Azerbaijan, have endorsed and even encouraged threats against Eylisli’s life by signing the presidential decree on Eylisli’s divestiture of the title “Writer of the People” and on the termination of his entitlement to  pension.

    We are the defenders of human rights and opponents of racism, discrimination, and hate in a country where, throughout its history, writers have fallen prey to unsolved cases of murder, or left to rot in prison. Ours is a country where those who express diverse views remain under constant threat. We know well how the racist, nationalist, and discriminatory state politics have driven the masses to the streets and turned individuals into murderers, even of their own neighbors.  We have lost many in such attacks, but we also bear witness to the fact that the people will not be silenced by oppression.

    At the same time, we have seen firsthand how your state and the rulers of the Republic of Turkey have joined endeavors in inciting enmity among their peoples against Armenians. The hateful slogans against Armenians in the “Hocalı Protest” in Taksim Square, Istanbul, are still ringing in our ears; the banners bearing the words “You are all Armenians, you are all bastards” are still before our eyes. As a result of our opposition, those carrying these banners have been charged and indicted. For us, the defenders of rights and opponents of racial hatred in Turkey, opposing enmity against Armenians and diverse ethnic and religious identities is a foremost duty.

    As the proponents and defenders of peace, democracy, and justice, of solidarity of the peoples and equal coexistence, we invite you, Mr. President, to use your office and enlist all your subordinates to urgently put an end to the lynching campaign against Ekrem Eylisli.

    Leaders who have incited peoples to transgressions of racist hatred, who have condoned such transgressions or turned a blind eye to them, have come to be known in history as a disgrace, whereas the memory of those who strive for peace will forever live to honor humanity.

    HELSINKI CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

    SAY STOP TO RACISIM AND NATIONALISM INITIATIVE

    HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION TURKEY

    ASSOCIATION FOR FACING HISTORY

    via Turkey Human Rights Groups to Aliyev: End Lynching Campaign! | Armenian Weekly.

  • Armenia vs. Turkey

    Armenia vs. Turkey

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    Armenia’s national Greco-Roman wrestling team will battle for third place Wednesday in the 2013 FILA (International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles) Greco-Roman Wrestling World Cup competition, which is being held in Tehran, Iran.

    Armenia will compete against Turkey for the bronze medals.

    The makeup of the teams and the fighting pairs are announced, and the matches will get underway shortly.

    NEWS.am Sport

    via Armenia vs. Turkey | NEWS.am Sport – All about sports.

  • Leviathan gas sales to Turkey worth $3-4b a year

    Leviathan gas sales to Turkey worth $3-4b a year

    Leviathan is not big enough for exports by pipeline and LNG, and this could harm Woodside’s plans to build an LNG facility.

    17 February 13 17:43, Amiram Barkat and Hillel Koren

    A natural gas export contract with Turkey could generate $3-4 billion revenue a year for the Leviathan partners, Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL), Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG), and Ratio Oil Exploration (1992) LP (TASE:RATI.L), according to an analysis of market prices and the quantities of gas under discussion by the parties. Turkey currently pays $11-16 per million BTU for natural gas it buys via pipeline, depending on the contracts with natural gas suppliers.

    Turkish daily “Sunday’s Zaman” reports that Turkey’s main gas supplier, Russia, which supplies 55% of the country’s gas, charges $400 million per billion cubic meters, or $11 per million BTU. Azerbaijan, which supplies 10% of the country’s gas, charges $300 million per billion cubic meters, and Iran, which supplies 25% of the country’s gas, charges $505million per billion cubic meters. Turkish complaints about the high price of Iranian gas resulted in the opening of arbitration proceeding in March 2012. Nonetheless, Turkey increased its gas purchases from Iran by 10%, compared with 2011, to 8 BCM, at a cost of over $4 billion.

    Talks between Turkish companies and the Leviathan partners mention gas deliveries equal to Turkey’s imports from Iran.

    Energy analysts are currently skeptical about a deal, saying that there is nothing to price at this time, and that Egyptian gas affair demonstrates the geopolitical risks of any gas contract. “If the gas flow stops after two years, how will that affect the return on investment and yields? After all, no one can guarantee such large gas sales,” a market source says.

    Noble Energy executives have said in the past that any deal with Turkey would require changes in the diplomatic landscape. In addition, any large gas deal with Turkey could have ramifications on liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plans and on plans by Australia’s Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (ASX: WPL) to become a partner in Leviathan for the purpose of building such a facility.

    The size of gas discovery at Leviathan and other fields are not big enough for simultaneous exports by pipeline and LNG, even assuming that the Tzemach Committee does not reduce its gas export recommendations, following disappointing results from wells drilled after the report was published.

    Market sources believe that that Leviathan partners will soon announce an update on the discovery. Source close to the matter are optimistic about an upward revision from the current estimate of 17 trillion cubic feet of gas. The Leviathan 4 verification well, begun in mid-November, will take four months to complete. The well is targeting strata at a depth of 5,300 meters, including 1,600 meters water depth. The well will later serve as the gas production rig as part of Leviathan’s development plan.

    Published by Globes [online], Israel business news – www.globes-online.com – on February 17, 2013

    © Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013

    via Leviathan gas sales to Turkey worth $3-4b a year – Globes.