Asbarez.com news room 07-21-2000

[Guest]

1. New Turkish Code to 'Punish' Genocidal Acts

ISTANBUL (Marmara)--A committee working to revise the Turkish criminal code has repealed the death penalty and has added a provision which envisions severe punishment toward those who engage in genocide--acts aimed at annihilating people based on ethnic, political, religious motivations--the Istanbul-based Armenian newspaper Marmara reported Friday.

 

These changes have been made in an effort to conform to preconditions set for its membership in the European Union.

 

Thus far, the Turkish criminal code did not include provisions on punishment for genocide, despite the fact that the European Union codes contain punishment measures for such crimes.

 

In repealing the death penalty, the committee recommended that individuals sentenced to death, will serve a "severe life sentence."

 

Another change in the criminal code envisions three to six-year prison terms for credit card fraud.

 

The committee, which is working to revise the 1997 Turkish criminal code, is chaired by Dr. Sulhi Deonmezer.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Krasnodar Armenians Appeal to Putin

 

KRASNODAR, Russia (Noyan Tapan)--The sizable Russian-Armenian community of Krasnodar issued an appeal to Russian president Vladimir Putin early this week, urging him to personally address the racial intolerance toward Armenians by local authorities.

 

The appeal was approved during the first general meeting of the Hamshen organization, which has been founded by the Armenian community leaders of the Apsheron and Tuapse regions of Krasnodar.

 

The organization gets its name from an historical Armenian region in Western Armenia, whose residents fled to Krasnodar and Abkhazia following the Genocide.

 

The appeal to the Russian president points the finger at the Russian authorities of Krasnodar, who consistently, through public appearances and media reports, are inciting racism among the minorities living in the region.

 

Given the region's geopolitical situation, the letter warns, the climate could deteriorate to a point that conflicts such as the ones in Chechnya, Crimea and Abkhazia could erupt, if those actions do not cease.

 

"We wholeheartedly support your efforts to establish constitutional rule in Chechnya, as well as the efforts of the Russian Federation authorities, which aim to strengthen Russia's [territorial] integrity," stated the letter to Putin.

 

The letter also urges Putin to promote tolerance among the Russian people, despite their ethnic background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Hearing Addresses Youth Violence

* Youth panels testify to state, city and judicial officials.

 

PASADENA--Senator Adam Schiff, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Juvenile Justice, held an interim hearing of the committee, titled "Combating Youth Violence" from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday in the auditorium of the Glendale Central Library, 222 E. Harvard St. The hearing, organized in partnership with the Glendale Unified School District and the City of Glendale, featured panels comprised of youth representatives testifying to state, city and judicial officials.

 

"The recent tragic stabbing death of Raul Aguirre in Glendale points to the fact that as community leaders we must re-examine our efforts to discourage youth violence," said Senator Schiff. "As the community fashions solutions, it is imperative that we hear from the group most affected - our young people. This hearing gave our youth the opportunity to voice their concerns about violence and offer their solutions."

 

Senator Schiff was joined by Senator Hilda Solis; Assembly members Tony Cardenas and Scott Wildman; Glendale City Councilman Rafi Manoukian, Glendale School Board member Chuck Sambar and Pam Ellis and Presiding Judge Terry B. Friedman of the Juvenile Division of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

 

The first youth panel testified regarding "Challenges Facing Youth: A Local Perspective." A second panel testified regarding "Local and Regional Solutions to Combating Youth Violence." A third panel talked about "Local Programs Addressing Youth Issues and Concerns." The youth on the panels were nominated by Clark Magnet School; Roosevelt Middle School; Allan Daily, Hoover, Glendale and Crescenta Valley high schools; the We Care for Youth organization; the Glendale Youth Coalition; the Glendale Youth Alliance; Homenetmen; Armenian Relief Society; New Horizons Family Center; the AGBU Young Professionals mentoring program; Gaidz Youth Organization and the Glendale YMCA.

 

Panelists included, Romik Kazaryan of Allan Daily Continuation High School (Glendale Youth Coalition), Anita Avakian of Crescenta Valley High School, Margaret Khachikyan of Glendale High School (New Horizons Family Center), Andre Manukyan of Glendale High School (Glendale Youth Coalition), Nayiri Gharibian of Glendale High School (Gaidz Youth Organization), Artiom Badalyan (Armenian Relief Society), Eddie Karibyan of Glendale High School grad/GCC freshman (YMCA) and Ara Mahdessian (Homenetmen).

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Three POWs Sent to Baku

YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Another three Azerbaijani prisoners of war were set free from captivation in Armenia. They left for Baku on June 21 by the UN World Food Program plane and were accompanied by Red Cross officials.

 

Though prisoners Islamov Elshan Sabir, Rahimov Cyamran Abdul Rahim and Cyamirov Elnur Khanverdi refused to speak to reporters, it was evident by their appearance and clothing that they had been kept in good conditions.

 

"These prisoners of war are sure that no persecution will threat them in their country", said Larisa Alaverdian, head of the Against Legal Violations organization. She added that she had met with the Azerbaijani national security minister Namik Abassov in Baku June 29, who said that nothing threatens the prisoners of war and that they can return to Azerbaijan.

 

It should be mentioned that since 1992 Armenia returned 1,067 prisoners of war, 14 of whom were later imprisoned by Azerbaijani authorities. Most of them were accused of cruel attitude to their compatriots during the captivity.

 

In contrast to Azerbaijan, none of the Armenian prisoners of war who have returned to Armenia have been arrested since 1992.

 

The Armenian side has recently presented the information on 12 Armenian prisoners of war kept in Azerbaijan. According to Alaverdian, Azerbaijan has not given any reply to the letter yet.

 

It is worth mentioning that another two Azerbaijani prisoners of war and a civilians are kept in Armenia, but they have not expressed wish to return to their native country yet.

 

According to official data, two Armenian prisoners of war are still in Azerbaijan and Armenia expects their return soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Constitutional Court To Consider Kim Balayan's Claim

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--The Constitutional Court will take the claim of the candidate for Parliament in Yerevan's election district No. 5 Kim Balayan into consideration. The Constitutional Court will likely discuss the claim within the next few days. In his claim, Kim Balayan demands the decision of the Yerevan Regional Election Commission of July 11 be revoked. The decision nulls the by-elections in the No. 5 election district. Balayan demands that the Constitutional Court oblige the Yerevan Election Commission to register him as member of Parliament.

 

The other candidate for Parliament in this district, Yeghya Shamshian, also applied to the Constitutional Court on July 17. He demands that the they study the facts presented by him and "cancel the registration of the candidate Kim Balayan." The Constitutional Court has not yet made any decisions on Shamshian's claim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Serge Sarkissian to Visit US Sunday

YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenia's defense minister Serge Sarkissian is scheduled to arrive in Washington Sunday, for a series of talks with US Secretary of Defense William Cohen.

 

During the meeting with Cohen, scheduled for Monday, bi-lateral cooperation between Armenia and the US on the military realm will be discussed, after a proper evaluation of the current status of those ties.

 

This meeting will end with the signing of an agreement on cooperation in proliferating weapons of mass destruction.

 

The defense ministry press service reported that Sarkissian is also scheduled to meet high-level officials in the State Department and discuss with them the Nagorno-Artsax peace process, as well as issues of regional security and stability.

 

Sarkissian will also be the guest of the Armenian Assembly of America and will have the opportunity to meet with the Armenian-American community in the area before returning to Yerevan Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Azeri Assembly Cuts Opposition Role in CEC

BAKU (Reuters)--Azerbaijan's parliament voted on Friday to cut the opposition's clout in the Central Election Commission, drawing threats of a boycott of a November parliamentary election.

 

Opposition parties had earlier refused to take up their six seats in the Central Election Commission and objected to a seventh presidential appointee, preventing the 18-member body from forming a two-thirds quorum and starting its work.

 

Government officials said this could have prevented the election from being held on time.

 

Friday's vote stripped the opposition of the right to veto the presidential appointee, allowing a rump election commission of all pro-government members to begin work.

 

``We had no choice in the matter because the holding of elections was jeopardized and we needed to accept these changes,'' parliamentary speaker Murtuz Aleskerov told deputies at the end of a tense session that lasted late into the evening.

 

Opposition deputies stormed out of parliament before Friday's voting began. Gulamgusein Aliyev of the Popular Front opposition party told Reuters the changes were unacceptable.

 

``The parliament's decision shows that the government isn't interested in holding a democratic election and we will discuss a boycott of (the election itself),'' he said.

 

Azeri opposition parties refused to participate in the election commission unless changes were made to an election law to allocate more seats to party lists. They say voters are more familiar with parties than with individual candidates.

 

Previous elections in the oil-producing former Soviet republic have been criticized by international observers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Turkey Invites Bell To Helicopter Talks

ANKARA, July 21 (Reuters) - Turkey on Friday put a US firm at the top of its list for a tender for 145 strike helicopters and said it would buy 26 large military transport planes being developed in the European Union.

 

Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit put Bell Textron ahead of a grouping of Russia's Kamov-A and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) in a list of the two companies he invited to enter talks for a tender to buy the helicopters.

 

The deal is worth an estimated $4.5 billion and the first helicopter is planned for production in the second half of 2003.

 

"Bell is at number one on the list, but this is not a final decision and the ranking can change," Ecevit told reporters after a meeting of defense officials.

 

A final decision had been expected on Friday. It has been delayed twice in the past.

 

A third bidding firm, Italy's Agusta, could be approached if talks with the first two groups proved unsuccessful, Ecevit said.

 

Ankara says the powerful aircraft, equipped with anti-tank rockets and rapid-firing heavy machine guns, are necessary to face potentially hostile neighbors in one of the world's most unstable regions.

 

Bell is offering its King Kobra AH-1Z, a model similar to one already used by the Turkish armed forces.

 

Ecevit also said Turkey was ready to participate in a aviation project backed by firms from several EU member countries for a large military transport plane.

 

Turkey itself is a candidate to join the 15-member EU bloc.

 

Ecevit said Turkey was prepared to buy 26 of the planned aircraft, once know as the Future Large Aircraft but now called the A400M and being developed by Airbus Military Company.

 

"Turkey foresees a participation in that project of 26 planes, depending on its industrial needs," Ecevit said.

 

He said a concrete commitment on the deal would be made by Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu on July 27 at an international air show to be held in Britain.

 

The helicopter deal coincides with the planned purchase of up to 1,000 main battle tanks to replace Turkey's aging inventory by 2013.

 

The Turkish armed forces already have nine Super Cobras helicopters and generals say they are happy with their performance even though one was shot down by Kurds in northern Iraq in 1997.

 

The armed forces have tried to buy 10 more Super Cobras, but canceled the order in 1995 after the US Congress threatened to block the sale over human rights concerns.

 

And that could be the major sticking point for Bell this time round as well. The US administration cannot guarantee Turkey will not face another embarrassing snub since it cannot put the matter before Congress until the contract is signed.

 

Countering the claims of rights abuses in Turkey's 15-year conflict with Abdullah Ocalan's Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) members, US officials say strike helicopters have little to do with torture in custody and limits on freedom of expression.

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Government to Discuss Energy Privatization Issue

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—The Government of Armenia made a decision to recommend the President to call a special session of parliament on July 24. The agenda of the session is supposed to include amendments to the draft law "On the program of privatization of state property in 1998-2000" and the draft law on the privatization of the close joint-stock companies Yerevan Electricity Network, North Electricity Network, South Electricity Network and the Central Electricity Network.

 

The National Assembly standing commission for finance-crediting, budgetary and economic affairs held a meeting on July 21 for the purpose of considering the bill on the privatization of electricity distributing companies submitted by the government. However, for lack of quorum, only Energy Minister Karen Galustian made a speech, after which the meeting was postponed until July 24.

 

Karen Galustian presented the bill. He said that the major goals of the companies' privatization were the following: Reliable and uninterrupted supplies of electric power to consumers, higher reliability of electricity distribution networks, minimization of losses of electricity, and replenishment of the budget.

 

The minister said that at least 51 percent of shares of each distribution network is sold through an international tender to persons that undergo a preliminary attestation in a manner subscribed by the government. Up to 20 percent of the shares of each electricity distribution company may be sold immediately to an international financial organization. As for the organization of a tender on electricity distribution companies and major principles of evaluation of bids, Galustian made it clear that the tender commission at any time may make a decision at its own discretion and without any commentary to suspend the tender as well as refuse to conclude an purchase-sale agreement with the side that wins the tender. He said that under the bill, the Energy Commission concludes a tariff margin agreement with well-known strategic investors that win the international tender fixing a concrete margin. The minister said that the tariff margin should be agreed with the calculations of strategic buyers.

 

Galustian reported that in cases regulated by laws the government is entitled to take action to regulate the activities of the energy sphere in the event of emergency situations. He said that the bill consists of 17 items. The authors of the bill recommend the National Assembly to take general control of the privatization process and the government to assume responsibility for the drafting of the purchase-sale agreement.

 

 

 

 

10. Turkmenistan Bars Revival Of Armenian Church

BY LAWRENCE UZZELL

 

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (Keston News Service--Resistance by the secular authorities and by the Moscow Patriarchate continues to prevent the Armenian Apostolic Church from reviving any of its parishes in Turkmenistan, a Keston representative learned from various well-informed sources during a mid-July visit. So far the authorities still refuse to allow even the architectural restoration of a century-old Armenian church building in the town of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea coast.

 

Turkmenistan became part of the Russian Empire only in the late 19th century, and the Armenian form of Christianity has as strong a claim as the Russian Orthodox Church to be a `traditional religion' there. Before the Bolshevik take-over the Armenian community maintained approximately six parishes within the borders of today's Turkmenistan, and to this day the republic has approximately 40,000 citizens of Armenian descent. Those who want to follow the faith of their ancestors, however, must content themselves with occasional restricted visits by Armenian priests from neighboring countries. One of those countries is Uzbekistan, which despite its generally authoritarian policies on religion has nevertheless allowed the reopening of an Armenian parish in Samarkand.

 

The Armenians are also trying to revive their parish in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital, along with an Armenian cultural center. So far the authorities have refused to permit either. One well-informed source said that he thought that there was a roughly `fifty-fifty' per cent chance of progress on these issues; he also opined that pressure from the West would hurt rather than help.

 

Meanwhile, the Armenian Embassy in Ashgabat is the site of a Sunday school focusing mainly on language and cultural lessons. Turkmenistan citizens of Armenian descent who want liturgical services in a real church building have no choice but to attend one of the city's two Russian Orthodox parishes.

 

The Armenian church is theologically and sacramentally distinct from the Orthodox Churches; the Oriental tradition to which it adheres separated from the rest of the Christian world in the fifth century AD. The secular authorities in Turkmenistan, however, have in effect granted veto power over Armenian Christian activities to a Russian Orthodox priest, Rev. Andrei Sapunov who serves as a deputy chairman of the republic's Council for Religious Affairs.

 

Mered Chariyarov, a staff consultant for the CRA, told Keston on July 11 that Rev. Sapunov handles all issues related to all Christian confessions. Chariyarov himself claimed never to have heard about the Armenian church building in Turkmenbashi. Keston requested a meeting with Father Sapunov but was told that he was out of town. %st HD