System of a Down will perform in Turkey, if it recognizes the Armenian Genocide

July 13, 2014 By administrator

ARMENPRESS – American-Armenian drummer, composer, member of the famous band System of a Down John Dolmayan answered a question concerning the Armenian Genocide on the popular U.S. social news website Reddit. As reports “Armenpress”, one of the Turkish users of the social network wrote to Dolmayan that he is a fan of his songs, and that the Turkish fans of System of a Down were eagerly waiting for the band’s concert in Turkey. The user asked whether System of a Down would perform in their country, so that his dream would come true.

“Your dream will become a reality if Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide. And thank you for your love,” answered Dolmayan. Answering another question, whether the drummer and System of a Down are going to hold a concert or some other thing for the forthcoming 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, John Dolmayan noted that the group is now discussing it, but at this point, there is still no plan.

With Peace Process in Muddle, PKK Gets More Recruits

July 11, 2014 By administrator

By RUDAW yesterday at 07:42

Murat Karayilan, a key figure in the Kurdistan Worker’s Communities (KCK) which acts as the PKK’s political wing, has said the deadline for Ankara to act on the peace process is right after the August 10 elections. Photo: AFP

ANKARA, Turkey – Twenty one university students in Turkey are joining the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) movement, saying Ankara has been “fooling Kurds” with a peace process it has done nothing to advance.

Speaking on behalf of fellow students, Leila Nusaybein said they were declaring allegiance to the group after losing faith in Ankara’s sincerity toward the peace process, and because PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan remained jailed in his Turkish island prison.

The announcement by the students, who come from 13 different universities, comes as PKK fighters are expected to continue withdrawing from Turkey to bases in the Qandil Mountains in Iraqi Kurdistan by this autumn.

“The process will be over unless they make a move right after the elections. Those moves may not come on the first day after the election, but if they make no move in one or two weeks, everyone should know that the process is over,” Karayilan said.

In its latest move, the Turkish government has proposed a “Draft Law to End Terrorism and Strengthen Social Integration,” which aims to legalize direct and indirect talks between the government and top PKK officials, including Ocalan. The bill would also disarm PKK militia fighters and grant them amnesty from prosecution.

Because Turkey designates the PKK as a terrorist organization, talks can easily be categorized as a crime under Turkey’s existing anti-terror legislation. Ocalan has welcomed the draft as an “historical development.”

Turkey’s Kurdish peace process is seen as key to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s presidential hopes in the August polls. He has exhausted his three permitted terms as prime minister and is therefore eyeing the presidency.

Ocalan, who is serving a life sentence for treason since 1999, is still perceived as a partner in the Turkish-Kurdish peace process, and plays a monumental role inside his highly extended and organized movement.

Turkey: Tablet found in Armenian church ruins, date back to 2,000 years ago

July 10, 2014 By administrator

BATMAN – Doğan News Agency

A historical tablet with Armenian writings on it was discovered in the ruins of an Armenian church. DHA photo

In the ruins of the Surp Asvadavin Mother Mary Church, which is located on Mount Mereto in the eastern province of Batman’s Sason district, a historical tablet and some historical artifacts have been discovered. The tablet and pieces were delivered to the Batman Museum Directorate.

The ruins of the Armenian church, some part of which was damaged in 2012, were cleaned by the Istanbul-based Sason Armenians Association Chairman Aziz Dağcı with 10 people. They found the historic pieces during the cleaning.

He said they had removed the ruins for restoration under the surveillance of Batman Museum officials. “When we removed the ruins, we found a big tablet with Armenian writing on it. We also found historical horseshoes and some Armenian historical figures,” Dağcı said, adding they had delivered them to the Batman Museum.

The historical pieces will be examined in the Istanbul Armenian Patriarchate, he said. “Our goal is to restore this church, which collapsed two years ago. The church is located on the peak of the 2,973-meter-high Mount Mereto. We estimate that these remains date back to 2,000 years ago. We also applied to the Batman Governor’s Office for the construction of a different road to the church,” he said.

July/10/2014

Turkey has lied for 99 years – Armenia MFA

July 10, 2014 By administrator

July 10, 2014 | 00:26

Turkey is to blame for the failure to advance in the normalization of ties with Armenia because the government of Recep Erdogan demands “impossible” pre-conditions, the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told the Buenos Aires Herald during a visit to the Argentine capital city.

“Our president attempted to normalize relations between our two countries. We agreed on two protocols to normalize our relations, including the establishment of diplomatic relations. Unfortunately, after the signing ceremony — which took place in Zurich in October, 2009 — the Turkish Parliament hasn’t been able to ratify and implement agreements and Turkey is now coming up with new pre-conditions,” Nalbandian said.

Nalbandian is part of the delegation that accompanied Armenia President Serzh Sargsyan to Argentina, where the two participated in the inauguration of the Museum of Armenian Genocide, the first of its kind outside Armenian borders. According to Nalbandian, the opening of the museum “is a very important step and we appreciated it very much, as well as the recognition of the genocide (by the Argentine government) through a special law.”

Why is it so important for Armenians that the international community acknowledges the genocide? “It was the first genocide of the 20th century. And unfortunately, the fact that it was not recognized by the international community at the time made it possible for other genocides to take place. So we feel a responsibility as a people who suffered the first genocide in the 20th century not to allow new crimes against humanity in the future,” Nalbandian responded.

Regarding Turkey’s refusal to acknowledge the scale of the killings, the Foreign Minister said that “it has less to do with the reparations that the Turkish state would have to pay to Armenian families (of victims), than with the fact that it is difficult to look at your own people in the eye and say: ‘we’ve been lying to you for 99 years.’”

Armenians around the world will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the massacre next year and Nalbandian said he was confident “that many countries in the world will express their solidarity to the Armenian people.”

Armenia president to Turkey leadership: We cannot accept such a ‘just memory’

July 8, 2014 By administrator

July 08, 2014 | 17:59

YEREVAN. – Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide. April 24 is undoubtedly a symbolic day, but it is clear that the genocide did not start and did not end in one day.

Moreover, the genocide is not completed until Turkey’s authorities continue to deny what has been committed, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan said during his meeting with the Armenian community of Argentina.

“However, the day when Turkey will face its history is not far away,” president said.

He is convinced that social consciousness in the face of young, educated generation who believe it is better to apologize than to abandon the past shamefully will contribute to the recognition.

“Yes, thousands of Turks do not accept the official policy of denial and express solidarity with the Armenian people. These processes are evident and they make the Turkish authorities to take certain steps” Sargsyan emphasized.

Th Armenian leader recalled that Turkish leadership is speaking of the need for “a just memory” between Armenians and Turks, but by the next step is trying to undermine justice, putting an equality sign between one and a half million innocent victims, mostly elderly, women and children, and the Turkish military who died as a result of adventurous actions orchestrated by the leaders Ottoman Empire.

“It is not ‘a just memory’. We can not accept such ‘just memory’. In fact, this is an updated, improved, re-packaged version of the policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide,” Sargsyan added.

The President noted that Armenia will continue joint activities in terms of international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.

“But we have to respect the memory of our ancestors, not only through bringing our struggle till the end, but also by strengthening our homeland using the talent and capabilities of every Armenian for the benefit of homeland,” he added.

According to him, every Armenian should be proud of the fact that on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we stand with the existence of two independent states – the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

“Even under the blockade and situation of ‘no war, no peace’ our homeland is developing,” he added.

ECHR finds Turkey guilty of violating freedom of speech in cases of jailed journalists Şık and Şener

July 8, 2014 By administrator

STRASBOURG

Both Ahmet Şık (L) and Nedim Şener spent more than a year in prison while awaiting trial before the publication of Şık’s book, titled ‘The Imam’s Army.’

The European Court of Human Rights (EHCR) on July 8 found Turkey guilty of violating freedom of speech and the right to a free trial in the prosecution of journalists Ahmet Şık and Nedim Şener, who were jailed as part of the controversial OdaTV case.

Both Şık and Şener spent more than a year in prison while awaiting trial before the publication of Şık’s book, titled “The Imam’s Army,” which focused on the organization of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s followers within the police and the judiciary.

Their long detentions had sparked global outcry and many campaigns were launched by international rights groups for their release. They were eventually freed on March 12, 2012.

In two separate ECHR rulings for both Şık and Şener, Turkey was found guilty of violating Article 5-3 of the European Convention of Human Rights on the “length and reasonableness of pre-trial,” Article 5-4 on “procedural guarantees of review,” and Article 10 on “freedom of expression.”

The Strasbourg-based court also fined Turkey to pay 10,000 euros in compensation to Şık and 20,000 euros to Şener.

‘Ruling on journalism’

Şener hailed the EHCR’s decision as a ruling that shows journalism is not a crime, noting that the court had accepted their application even before the trial commenced.

“The application was accepted at a time when Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the book as a ‘bomb.’ This decision shows that the book was not a bomb and that journalism is not terrorism,” Şener said.

The two journalists applied to the ECHR in 2012 on the grounds that they had been arrested without concrete evidence and had not been informed of the charges against them. The two also claimed that their freedom of expression was being restricted. The court accepted the application and demanded the Turkish government’s defense in November 2011, setting March 14 as the deadline.

In its July 8 decision, the ECHR also rejected the Turkish government’s argument that the case was reviewed before the exhaustion of internal legal paths.

July/08/2014

Demirtaş: Turkey’s leader wealthier than Arab sheikhs

July 7, 2014 By administrator

Selahattin Demirtaş, co-chairman of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and current presidential candidate, said on Monday that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is wealthier than many Arab sheikhs.

“One of the wealthiest leaders of the world is ruling our country. The person who governs Turkey is wealthier than many Arab sheikhs,” Demirtaş said while attending an iftar held in Mardin’s Kızıltepe district.

“Those who say that they follow this person because of God’s instructions should look at the Prophet and him. On one hand is the Prophet of Islam, who passed away with only a shroud next to him. On the other hand, look at those who run the country all while often mentioning the Prophet’s name. If you are keen on having that great amount of property and money, we have nothing to say. But a person cannot both worship God and money at the same time. You have to abandon the worship of one of these. This system should end.”

Arguing that this malicious attitude dominated Turkey for years, Demirtaş went on to say: “Those who claim that they favor people are the same people who have stolen the most. Do not give them credit. The upcoming presidential election is a chance to teach them a lesson. There are no two candidates in front of us. There is only one candidate. The understanding is the same and it is represented in the two different political parties. There is no difference actually. According to this understanding, the state is sacred. According to our understanding, the state serves its people. We will continue our struggle to place this understanding in governance.”

Demirtaş called on Erdoğan, the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) candidate in the presidential election, and Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, the joint candidate of the main opposition Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), to declare their assets accurately.

“Can both Erdoğan and İhsanoğlu commit to declaring all of their assets? How can those who hide their assets from people rule the country? How can people believe in those who hide the real amount of their assets from others? Let’s assume that they convinced a part of society to believe their lies. But how can they convince God?” Demirtaş asked.

Report: so called Vehicles stolen in Turkey used by ISIL in Syria, Iraq??

July 7, 2014 By administrator

Everytime Turkish government caught red handed they have answers this time STOLEN?

More than 1,000 vehicles stolen in Turkey have been sent to Syria to be used by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in clashes in Syria and Iraq, a Turkish daily reported on

Monday.

According to the Milliyet newspaper, citing an intelligence report, there are around 1,800 vehicles, which have been stolen in Turkey since 2013 and illegally taken into Syria, that are now being used by ISIL militants. After arming these vehicles, many of which are pickup trucks and panel vans, the al-Qaeda splinter group uses the vehicles in clashes in Iraq and Syria, the report says.

ISIL has also been working on obtaining stolen vehicles from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia; however; most of the stolen vehicles are from Turkey, the report says.

Milliyet reported that ISIL has been operating with gangs of thieves in Turkey to obtain these vehicles. The al-Qaeda splinter group let the gang members know the type and number of vehicles they want. The gangs then steal the vehicles in the big and border cities and change the license plates before sending them on to Syria. After the stolen vehicles are sent to the southeastern border cities, they pass the vehicles on to brokers. Brokers then sell the vehicles to ISIL, according to the report.

While vehicles such as small trucks and pickups have been used for transporting heavy arms, panel vans are used for bomb attacks, Milliyet reported. Stolen vehicles are also reportedly sold to other armed groups in Syria.

Source: ZAMAN

Turkey, In Gaziantep, ‘We do not want the Syrians’ action

July 7, 2014 By administrator

In Gaziantep, a group of ‘We do not want the Syrians’ action performed. Activists marching with slogans in front of the Metropolitan Municipality, the Mayor did not keep his promises Fatma Sahin called for the resignation grounds.

Located in the city three years, the group said that they are uncomfortable with Syrian refugees, ‘the crime rate has increased’ claim to be found. House rents to rise, and in health care problems experienced protesting activists, ‘Falcons surprised, our patience overflow’, ‘Falcon resign’, ‘Susman cried, Syria’ no ‘,’ Pistachio Syrians do not want ‘chanting slogans municipal building, walked to the front.

Fatma Sahin, local election after the Mayor was in Gaziantep in refugee camps 37 thousand, in the city 150 thousand Syrians had stated that, professional working with asylum-seekers’ lives and for the integration of the necessary preparations had been made had said. (GK)

Turkish Court rejects request to return Armenian Patriarchate building

July 4, 2014 By administrator

Turkey’s Armenian Patriarchate has lost its legal battle to reclaim the Sansaryan Han building, which was confiscated by the state about seven decades ago.

The court rejection came in spite of a recent government plan to return seized properties to minority groups.

The historic building, built in 1895 and commissioned by Mıgırdiç Ağa Sanasaryan, was designed by architect Hovsep Aznavour. It was seized by the Turkish state in the early years of the republic. The Armenian Patriarchate has been fighting a legal battle for its return since 2011.

The İstanbul 13th Court of First Instance rejected the patriarchate’s request for the return of Sansaryan Han in the last session on Friday, attended by lawyers representing both the Patriarchate and the Treasury.

A contractor leased the building on June 18 from Turkey’s Directorate General for Foundations (VGM). The lease agreement was executed before the conclusion of the lawsuit and prompted speculation that the building will be turned into a hotel.

Ali Eyüboğlu, an attorney for the Armenian Patriarchate, said the court’s reasons for not returning the building are not clear as all the documents and expert reports indicate that the building rightfully belongs to the patriarchate. Eyüboğlu said they will appeal the decision once the court issues its reasoned opinion regarding the verdict.

In a related development, Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Sezgin Tanrıkulu submitted a parliamentary motion addressed to Minister of Culture and Tourism Ömer Çelik inquiring whether the speculation that the Sansaryan Han will be turned into a hotel is true.

Minority foundations, seeking the return of properties that were seized by the Turkish state in the first decade of the Turkish Republic, have long been saying that they have experienced a number of challenges. Despite a 2011 law passed to ensure confiscated property be returned to its rightful owners, the foundations indicate that reclaiming the properties is not going to be easy.

In August 2011, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government adopted legislation to return all confiscated immovable property belonging to minority foundations in Turkey, a long-overdue step towards expanding the rights of minorities in the country. The decree allows foundations to reclaim real property declared in 1936, when all the foundations were asked by the government to present lists of their property assets. Applications for at least 88 items have been rejected.