On a new state department policy on Turkey and Armenia, Bruce Fein

Bruce Fein

The Quest for Change

Posted March 7, 2008 | 05:36 PM (EST)

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By all accounts, the 2008 presidential election is about "change," yet it is politics as usual when it comes to the ongoing Armenian dispute with Turkey. The quarrel over World War I history in Anatolia -- which many have difficulty even finding on a map -- has been turned into a special interest issue by the Armenian lobby. Political calculations prompted Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to release presidential campaign statements supporting a congressional resolution to mischaracterize tragic events which unfolded during the waning years of the Ottoman Empire as genocide. The two White House aspirants are aping the Armenian resolution initiative of the House of Representatives in the previous Congress, whereby Members would hijack the role of both historian and the World Court in deciding the genocide question; this resolution was derailed by the then House Speaker. The Obama-Clinton pandering to the Armenian lobby betrays the signature Washington habit of making promises now and thinking about them later. It speaks volumes that Senator John McCain, arch enemy of earmarks and sister special interest money, refrained from bowing to Armenian campaign contributions and votes.

For several decades, some outspoken Armenian-Americans have politicized the events of 1915 in lieu of seeking the full truth. By playing their game, Obama and Clinton wander from history, fan the flames of division, and stray ever farther from what they purport to be about: change from past myopia, folly, or pettiness.

Turkey opened the Ottoman archives for academic research many years ago. Armenian archives that remain closed, including those in the United States, should be opened for examination by scholars. Openness would foster constructive change by creating an impartial forum free from the influences of domestic electoral politics to establish a more comprehensive narrative of the events of 1915. Genocide questions are too important to be entrusted to amateurs. They should be addressed by objective experts in the proper forum un-distracted by political calculations.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul responded to the recent Armenian presidential election results by calling for "normalized relations" between Turkey and Armenia and urging increased cooperation. His remarks highlight Turkey's commitment to change from a political landscape reminiscent of a petrified forest. Our nation's leaders, both current and prospective, should follow President Gul's instruction.

Reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia is no pipedream. Who ever thought Germany and France would reconcile in the short decades after World War II? At issue are not only the grim events of 1915, where innocent life was tragically lost on both sides during the war, but also Armenia's occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, territory belonging to Azerbaijan. Turkish-Armenian reconciliation may need the catalyst of leaders who care not only about geostrategic maneuvering, but the people whose lives would be directly implicated. To play the role of facilitator, a United States leader would need to harmonize the disparate voices of domestic constituencies, without neglecting strategic allies such as Turkey.

A leader who promotes reconciliation and peace among peoples and nations is the architect of change.

America deserves that kind of leader.

Response:

Bruce Fein Explains the Turkey/Armenia Issue
Michael van der Galien on March 13, 2008 @ 12:02 pm CET
Publish Post

Bruce Fein wrote a great post for the Huffington Post (of all places) about ” the ongoing Armenian dispute with Turkey.” “The quarrel over World War I history in Anatolia — which many have difficulty even finding on a map — has been turned into a special interest issue by the Armenian lobby,” he writes, and American politicians seem all too willing to give in to Armenian pressure.

Political calculations prompted Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to release presidential campaign statements supporting a congressional resolution to mischaracterize tragic events which unfolded during the waning years of the Ottoman Empire as genocide. The two White House aspirants are aping the Armenian resolution initiative of the House of Representatives in the previous Congress, whereby Members would hijack the role of both historian and the World Court in deciding the genocide question; this resolution was derailed by the then House Speaker. The Obama-Clinton pandering to the Armenian lobby betrays the signature Washington habit of making promises now and thinking about them later. It speaks volumes that Senator John McCain, arch enemy of earmarks and sister special interest money, refrained from bowing to Armenian campaign contributions and votes.

For several decades, some outspoken Armenian-Americans have politicized the events of 1915 in lieu of seeking the full truth. By playing their game, Obama and Clinton wander from history, fan the flames of division, and stray ever farther from what they purport to be about: change from past myopia, folly, or pettiness.

He goes on to write that Turkey open its archives (for research) years ago. The Armenian archives, on the other hand, remain closed. Why don’t Armenians open their archives? Well, the reason is simple: Armenians misbehaved tremendously before, during and after the first World War. The world doesn’t have to know that, of course. Those who want to spend time investigating this matter know so nonetheless, but if the Armenian archives contradict the Armenian claims (and propaganda), well, they’ve got a problem.

So, that’s why many people who know a bit about this issue think the Armenians refuse to open their archives (interestingly enough, they continue to say that Turkey has to open its archives, even though Turkey has opened them; it’s all part of the propaganda war).

Fein also writes that if Armenians want reconciliation, they should open up the archives. The problem with this kind of reasoning is, of course, that Armenian lobbyists don’t want reconciliation. They want money and lands.

However; at the moment that Armenia understands that this isn’t going to happen, then - and only then - they might be willing to reconcile with Turkey. In order for that to happen, Fein writes, the US should stop functioning as a mouthpiece for Armenian propagandists. The US shouldn’t be an activist, it should play “the role of facilitator.”

The next president, he writes, should be a person who understands that. Not a person who’s willing to condemn Turkey for something that happened before Turkey existed and who doesn’t understand the difference between a tremendous tragedy with many deaths (on both sides) and genocide.

Well said Bruce.
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6 Comments

1.

1 Harb
March 13, 2008 @ 2:08 pm CET

The issue of whether or not a genocide was committed by the Ottoman Empire against their Armenian Citizens has been decided. The International Association of Genocide Scholars has determined it to be a genocide. It seems that Clinton and Obama are courageously standing against genocide denial despite the fallout with Turkey.
2.

2 raffi
March 13, 2008 @ 3:23 pm CET

i don’t think that for obama and clinton, it’s an issue of courage, but rather of votes. either way, the content of this article is total bullox. it is true that the turkish archives are open, no one disputes this, however, it is a question of ‘what’ is open. though technically you may enter through the doors, the number of articles that one may read are quite restricted, mostly because turkish scholars must go over them first. now, about the armenian archives of 1915, i find it rather difficult to see how mr. fein wants them open. he must not have realised that in 1915, armenia did not exist, for it was under ottoman occupation for the last 400 years. records have been kept, however, and today’s modern republic of armenia’s archives are quite open. it is interesting to note that mr. fein places all armenians in the same boat, as if they were one thinking block. he seems to be sure that all armenians are sleeper agents, part of a global conspiracy to soil the ‘good name’ of the turkish state. it is unsafe to say that all armenians just want land and money. the land issue has nothing to do with the genocide, as it is related to the sevres treaty, and compensation is not such a bad thing to be sure, the jewish state was built on german money after all. how easy is it to say that armenians are some sort of money hungry creatures. many times over, armenian families of genocide victims have gone to court to retrieve their insurance money. however, after winning, they were only payed a tiny fraction of what was owed, but to the armenians it was not the monitary value that counted, but rather the symbolic value. thus it is my opinion that bruce fein is living in a kemalist fantasy world. also it must be noted that politics are what create history, so for turks to claim that armenians are trying to ‘politicise a historical issue’ is quite wrong.
3.

3 Richard
March 13, 2008 @ 3:26 pm CET

Interesting piece from the "Resident Scholar for the Turkish Coalition of America. Prior to this position, Mr. Fein was also resident scholar at the Assembly of Turkish American Associations and a columnist for the Turkish Times".

He repeats a few inaccuracies though. Armenia’s archives are open and accessible. The various Ottoman and Turkish archives have been progressively opened in recent years although some still remain restricted and there is evidence of "cleansing".

The U.S.A. should be putting more pressure on Turkey to end its blockade of Armenia and re-establish diplomatic relations with this tiny country. Armenia has offered to do so without pre-conditions. This is the way forward to reconciliation.
4.

4 Nihat
March 13, 2008 @ 5:15 pm CET

There wasn’t Armenia in those years, so there are no Armenian archives to speak of. That’s a good one…
5.

5 Harut
March 13, 2008 @ 6:36 pm CET

When you have thousands upon thousands of Armenians who are living today all over the world, who did not see any grandparents, any aunts, any uncles, any cousins because all were massacred by the Turks, this are the Armenian archives. When you have both of your parents growing up after the 1915 Genocide with out any relatives, this is the Armenian archives. And also to mention that this archives have mouths and this archives do speak. And times this archives speak very loud. And even when there time is up and they have to pass on, their off springs in multiple numbers will be continuing to be the old and new archives.

The Bible says:
John 12:24
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
6.

6 Jason
March 13, 2008 @ 9:37 pm CET

Because so many (more than 60% of all comments on this thread) of those who disagree have shown themselves unwilling or unable to do so without using racial and ethnic slurs and baseless accusations of corruption, comments have been deleted and this comments thread has been closed.

Let this be a warning to those who would use racial, religious, and national slurs and baseless accusations in the future as well. If you do it, your comments will be deleted, threads closed, and you may be banned.

If you can disagree civilly, without name-calling, without bigotry, and without accusations of corruption, you are welcome and encouraged to comment.

Meanwhile, in the former SSRepublics

“Armenia is rushing between ‘open arms’ of Russia and the US”: Armenian press digest

Read it in Russian

Armenia-Turkey

Yerkir daily reports Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II to take part in the 2^nd Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, Kazakhstan. On the last day, Karekin II addressed the Congress on “The Importance of Faith.” He said that “despite the Genocide of 1915, repressions and persecutions, the Armenians have stayed loyal to their faith.” On September 14 the Congress adopted a statement stressing the need “to fight prejudice and ignorance.” “Almost 150 journalists covered the congress. In conclusion, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II appeared with propaganda of the Armenian Genocide and got applause for his words,” says Hurriyet daily (Turkey) and reminds that, when visiting Istanbul, “on behalf of the Armenian Diaspora, Karekin II urged Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915.”

Azg daily reports that not only Orthodox leaders but also Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger supported Karekin II. “As a mouthpiece of the Armenian Diaspora, His Holiness Karekin II misses no single opportunity to speak in public about the Armenian Genocide.” In Istanbul they have even brought a lawsuit against him: they charge him with hurting the national pride of the Turks. One more topic for heated debate was the meeting of Karekin II with Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew.

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has been informed of the intention of the expert commission of the World Armenian Congress to urge the Hague Tribunal to recognize the Armenian Genocide. During a press-conference in Yerevan, President of WAC and the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan said that in early May 2005 they submitted to the Armenian Foreign Ministry a resolution on the Armenian Genocide by 15 international lawyers. “We informed the FM that we were going to use it as a basis for an appeal to the international court,” Abrahamyan said. “For the first time in the history of the Armenian Genocide studies, we have prepared three legal codes. 25 experts from 20 countries, 15 lawyers have been working on them for 2.5 years. They used archives from various countries, including Russia,” Abrahamyan said (REGNUM).

French President Jacques Chirac is going to visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan. This may complicate relations between Turkey and France, reports The New Anatolian news agency. During his visit to Yerevan, Chirac will officially inaugurate the Year of Armenia in France and will meet with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan. The presidents are supposed to discuss the problem of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the future status of Nagorno Karabakh and French-Armenian relations (PanARMENIAN.Net).

While in Paris for attending the French FM conference “The Dialogue of Cultures,” Turkish FM Abdullah Gul met with Turkish journalists. Azg daily notes that Gul’s visit coincided with the “Armenia is My Friend” events in France. Asked by the journalists to comment on the events, Gul said that Turkey does not seek to prevent France’s relations with third countries. However, Armenian problems should not damage Turkish-French relations. Zaman daily (Turkey) reports Gul to note that there are over 400,000 Turks in France and to say: “Any contradictions can be discussed. One can also express his opinion. However, they should not cause any troubles or conflicts. We would not like to see these problems cause any troubles. Hence, everybody – Turks, Armenians and French – should be careful.”

Turkish Economy Minister and Special Representative at the talks with the EU Ali Babacan says that the Armenian Genocide may be recognized if the joint Armenian-Turkish historical commission comes to such a conclusion. Mediamax news agency reports Babacan to say this in the interview to Dutch NRC Nadelsblad, published on September 9 under the title “Turkey May Recognize the Armenian Genocide.” Asked if the Turkish Government will accept the decision of the commission if it concludes that it was actually a genocide, Babacan says: “Yes, we will agree with any decision.” At the same time, he slates the European Parliament’s position on the Armenian Genocide. He says: “Parliamentarians are not historians, and the European Parliament is not an institution that can decide what has actually happened and what has not.” Babacan says that all Turkish archives are open for scientists, and Turkey’s proposal for setting up an Armenian-Turkish historical commission is in force.

After receiving the report of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs stipulating the Armenian Genocide as a pre-condition for Turkey’s EU membership, the Turkish Foreign Minister sent a letter to the European Parliament. Zaman daily (Turkey) reports that in its 22-page letter the FM answers each point of the report prepared by the representative of the Christian-Democratic Party of the Netherlands to the European Parliament Camiel Eurlings.

Though meant for informative purpose mostly, the letter is, in fact, a political statement. The Turkish FM points out that it will not agree to any status other than EU full member and advises the EP not to make contradictory political requirements now that Turkey is negotiating for its admission into the EU. The FM notes that, if the talks are stopped, the EU will also suffer from it. “The unfavorable situation that may be caused by unreasonable demands will not contribute to the fulfillment of the global EU goals,” says the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Special attention is given to the problems of Cyprus and Kurds and also to the Armenian problem. Particularly, the Turkish FM says that Turkey was the second country after Latvia to recognize Armenia’s independence, and that Turkey’s commodity turnover with Armenia totals $120mln. Some 40,000 Armenian citizens are living and working in Turkey. “We regret at Armenia’s position. Armenia has not yet responded to our proposal to set up a joint historical commission. We think that the European Parliament may influence Armenia in the matter. As regards the closure of the Turkish-Armenian border, this is Turkey’s response to Armenia’s occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and refusal to recognize the existing border with Turkey,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry says in its letter to the European Parliament (ArmInfo).

Noyan Tapan news agency reports that during the conference on the 15^th anniversary of the Institute of History of Turkey Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said that one simply can’t find a nation that would be “as innocent as the Turkish nation is.” He said that some forces “are trying to blacken the glorious history of our nation. They are doing it for political purposes and the statements about the Armenian Genocide are typical example of it.” Hurriyet daily (Turkey) reports Erdogan to say that he has personally suggested setting up a joint historical commission “for studying the events” of the last years of the Ottoman Empire. “However, I have not, to date, received any positive response from Yerevan,” Erdogan said. In his address to the conference and President of the institute Yusuf Alacogli, Turkish President Ahmed Sezer said that “those alleging the Armenian Genocide will fail to conceal the truth.”

15th anniversary of independence

On September 21 Armenia celebrated the 15^th anniversary of its independence. During its first session on Aug 23, 1990, the Supreme Council of Armenia abolished the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and proclaimed the independent Republic of Armenia. On Sept 21, 1991, the Supreme Council decreed to hold a referendum on secession from the USSR and proclamation of independent republic. 94.99% of Armenians voted for independence. Two days later the Supreme Council proclaimed Armenia as an independent state (REGNUM).

“To be independent for 15 years in the last 600-year history is already a big achievement. If today we have many problems, this is not because of independence – as some people say — but because of inaction,” says one of the leaders of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsoutiun (ARFD) Kiro Manoyan. Looking back at the past 15 years Manoyan says: “We have not only managed to stay independent for 15 years but we have also liberated Nagorno Karabakh and have formed the most efficient army in the region. Until today unity has been the only pledge of all our victories. I would like to use the occasion and to say that Armenia’s independence and the struggle for Nagorno-Karabakh’s liberation are one and the same thing.” Irrespective of existing inter-party contradictions, Manoyan believes that political forces in Armenia are beginning to show right attitude towards state building.

“After all, each Armenia must feel that only strong Armenia can guarantee his future,” says Manoyan. “We can correct our mistakes if we stop concealing them. For example, it is wrong to say that the Republic of Armenia is not a home for all Armenians but only for those who live there or that the Republic of Armenia can feed only limited quantity of people. Today, we are reaping the fruits of such approaches. We cannot get rid of corruption, people continue emigrating and injustice is still ubiquitous. All this is a big threat to our national security.” “I am sure that people are emigrating because they are forced to. The majority has nothing, while the minority has everything at the expense of the majority. People can no longer stand such injustice. Nothing will change in the country until we realize that we are the masters of this country, and everything depends on us,” says Manoyan. (A1+).

In its article “Holiday Which is Not With You” 168 Zham daily says: “Even though we are pleased that we are independent, we, the Armenians, still deny independence. Just look how readily we are getting rid of our strategic facilities.” “We don’t like bearing responsibility for something, making decisions. We let other countries think in our stead.” “We need petty, provincial pleasures that have nothing to do with independence and human values.”

In its article about the 15^th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, Haykakan Zhamanak daily compares the systems of values of present-day Armenia and the French Counter-Revolution of Thermidor: “The key basis of our Armenian ‘Thermidor’ is electoral fraud of all levels – a process that sprang up in 1995 and evolved from relatively ‘modest’ and improvised violations in the 90s to an absolutely infallible fraud machine during the constitutional referendum of 2005.” “Oppressing people and distancing itself from them, the state has lost the effective levers and capacities it could use in case of threat or necessity of mobilization… As a result, almost all the past 15 years were an epoch of losses for the Armenian people,” says the daily.

168 Zham daily reflects what Armenia has gained and what it has lost in the past 15 years: “What we really have is just one instance of free choice throughout all those years – choice we made through national awakening.” “Now everything is happening through ‘approvals,’ ‘hints,’ ‘messages’ and sometimes even direct instructions, but never through our own free will. Perhaps, that’s exactly what we call independence – that’s it, independently from the people?” The daily says that today independent Armenia is rushing between the “open arms” of Russia and the US – as we realize that expecting good from the Russians or the Americans is like getting blood from a stone.

“Is there anybody who will dare to say that today we are not dependent on the Russians? It’s enough to say that 80% of our energy sector is in their hands. And in order to justify this, our authorities have invented a high-flown term: ‘strategic partnership.’ If we, the Armenians, understand ‘partnership’ as ‘friendship’ or ‘fraternity,’ for the Russians we are not even junior brothers but junior partners: friendship is good but never mix it with business… And so, they are appropriating our factories, power plants and many other strategic facilities – aren’t we partners?! On Nagorno-Karabakh too, we haven’t heard anything comforting from the Russians.” As regards the Americans, they are generally known for their strong passion even for those living thousands of kilometers away from them – Iraqis, Afghanis, Serbs…

The daily also says that, according to the report made for the US congressmen, the US is the biggest donor of Armenia and Georgia. In 1992-2005 Armenia got over $1.5bln. “Georgia has got a bit more $1.6bln but has paid off in full by becoming one of the most pro-American countries in the world. Now, it’s our turn.” “So, are we independent or not?” wonders the daily. “On paper, we are, but, in reality, today, the situation is even worse than before… If formerly we knew that we were dependent, today, we don’t know whose open arms to throw ourselves to – Russia or the US? And people are pushed aside just to watch what our political forces will decide before the elections… That’s what independence we have created for ourselves during those 15 years – and are now going to celebrate it with pomp…”

Waiting for elections

Hayastani Hanrapetoutyun daily publishes an interview of US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans to Mediamax. Evans says that Armenia will certainly become a strong state if it holds democratic elections. “A year ago experts advised us to spend no more money on the work with Armenian parties, but we did not agree with them as we were not ready to give up on Armenian democracy. Now too we are not ready to do it.”

Armenia will hold parliamentary elections in 2007. Earlier this year there were talks that the Millennium Challenge Compact might be suspended if the elections fail to meet the international standards. Does this mean that for this time the U.S. is not going to accept the outcome of the elections if they are not free and fair?

Answering this question of Mediamax news agency, US OSCE MG co-chair Matthew Bryza said: “Democratic reform is on the top of our agenda not only with Armenia, but also with Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia and Central Asia. I can’t predict what will happen in Armenia, but we are working hard through our Embassy in Yerevan with the Armenian government and the civil society to do whatever we can to ensure that the upcoming elections will be as free and fair as possible.

I am not going to make any threats about the Millennium Challenge Account, but the reality is that we don’t decide who is in and out of the program. There are indicators provided by the World Bank and by the Freedom House, and it is theoretically possible that if the elections are deeply problematic, those indicators will change and Armenia could no longer meet the criteria of Millennium Challenge Account and in such a case we will be obligated to suspend the program. But it’s not a threat on my part, I am just stating a fact. Our goal is to do everything we can with Armenia to avoid any chance of that happening.”

“We must do our best to make it clear for all political forces, including our partners, that free and fair elections are prerequisite and the only way-out,” the member of the ARF Dashnaktsoutyun Bureau, the vice speaker of the Armenian parliament Vahan Hovhannissyan said during a press-conference, when asked if one can be sure that ARFD’s coalition partners actually want free and fair elections. (Aravot).

168 Zham daily reports that the US Government is going to provide $6.5mln for ensuring legal parliamentary elections in Armenia in 2007 and notes that certain Armenian oppositionists are already “racing” for this money. First, Chairman of the National-Democratic Union (NDU), MP from the Justice group Arshak Sadoyan came out with a novelty – e-voting – and said that he needs $2.5mln to carry out this project. He was followed by Shavarsh Kocharyan, Chairman of the National-Democratic Party (NDP), also from the Justice group, who said that his party and the Democracy NGO had developed an e-program of election control that costs no more than $4mln.

New Time daily reports ARFD to speak up about its plans on the forthcoming elections. The ARFD member Armen Rustamyan said that his party will not support Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan during the presidential election 2008. As regards the parliamentary elections, Rustamyan said nothing new – ARFD will run on its own.

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Opening a Pandora's Box: Kosovo "Independence" and the Project for a "New Middle East"

Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya, Globalresearch
February 20, 2008

Western public opinion has been misled. Unfolding events and realities on the ground in the former Yugoslavia have been carefully manipulated.

Germany and the U.S. have deep-seated geo-strategic interests in dividing Yugoslavia. Washington, D.C. and Berlin have also been the first governments to recognize the secessionist states, which resulted from the breakup of the Yugoslav federation.

The Broader Implications of Kosovo "Independence"

The February 2008 declaration of independence of Kosovo is a means towards legitimizing the dissolution and breaking up of sovereign states on a global scale.

Eurasia is the main target. Kosovar "independence" is part of a neo-colonial program with underlying economic and geo-political interests. The objective is to instate a New World Order and establish hegemonic control over the global economy.

In this sense Kosovo provides a blueprint and a "dress-rehearsal" which can now be applied to restructuring the economies and borders of the Middle East, under the Project for a "New Middle East."

The restructuring model that is being applied in the former Yugoslavia is precisely what is intended for the Middle East — a process of balkanization and economic control.

Kosovo’s Pseudo-Declaration of Independence

On February 17, 2008, the secessionist province of Kosovo declared unilateral independence from the Republic of Serbia. The occasion was declared through an extraordinary gathering of the Kosovar Parliament and its executive bodies. Belgrade has not had any control over Kosovo since 1999, when NATO went to war with Serbia to impose control over Kosovo under humanitarian arguments.

President Fatmir Sejdiu, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, and the Speaker of Parliament Jakup Krasniqi all marked the occasion with speeches inside and outside of the Kosovar Parliament.

Many in Kosovo’s ethic Albanian majority celebrated what they believed was a shift towards self-determination. The truth of the matter is that the Kosovar declaration of independence was a declaration of dependency and the surrounder of Kosovo to colonial forces.

Without any remorse Kosovar leaders have transformed their land into a colonial outpost of Franco-German and Anglo-American interests. February 17, 2008 also marked the day that Kosovo further entrenched itself as a NATO-E.U. protectorate. Under the so-called independence" roadmap, NATO and E.U. troops and police officers will formally administer Kosovo.

In reality, Kosovo would have had greater independence as an autonomous province in an agreement of autonomy with Serbia, which had been envisaged in bilateral talks between Belgrade and Pristina. The majority of Kosovars would have been satisfied under such an agreement.

However, the talks were never meant to succeed for two obvious reasons:

1) the leadership of Kosovo are agents of foreign interests that do not represent the Kosovar populaiton;

2) the U.S. and E.U. were determined to establish another protectorate in the former Yugoslavia.

Kosovo: Another phase in the Economic Colonization of the former Yugoslavia

One of the leading global academic figures who has thoroughly documented the foreign-induced disintegration of Yugoslavia and the situation in Kosovo is Michel Chossudovsky. He has documented the economic and geo-strategic motives that have acted as the fingers pulling the strings that have caused the collapse of Yugoslavia and the drive for the independence of Kosovo from Serbia. His work unmasks the truth behind the downfall of Yugoslavia and the tactics being used to divide nations and peoples who have lived together in peace for hundreds of years.

A glance at the restructuring of Bosnia-Herzegovina must be made before further discussing the case of Kosovo.

Bosnia’s constitution was written at a U.S. Air Force base in Dayton, Ohio by U.S. and European "experts."

Chossoduvsky appropriately labels Bosnia-Herzegovina as a neo-colonial entity. NATO troops have dominated Bosnia-Herzegovina, closely followed by the imposition of a new political and economic framework and model.

Chossudovsky’s work also reveals that the real head of the Bosnian government, the High Representative, and the head of the Bosnian Central Bank are both foreigners that are hand-picked by the European Union, the U.S., and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). [1] This is a clear re-enactment of a colonial administration.

This model has also been replicated with some variations in several of the former republics of the Yugoslav federation. The major obstacle to the full implementation of this agenda is the popular will of the local people in the former Yugoslavia, especially the Serbs.

Serbia, like an island of resistance, is the last bastion of independence left in the former Yugoslavia and the Balkans, but even in Serbia a modus vivendi exists where the local people have made a one-sided accommodation with the foreign economic agenda to allow their way of life to go on for a little longer. However, this accommodation is not meant to last.

The same Political and Socio-Economic Model is being applied in the Balkans and the Middle East
The process in Iraq is no different than the model applied in the former Yugoslavia. Divisions are fueled by foreign catalysts, the economy is destabilized, national dissolution is induced, and a new politico-socio-economic order is established.

Foreign interference and military intervention have also been justified on bogus humanitarian grounds. It is no coincidence that a "High Representative" was appointed by the American-led coaltion to govern occupied Iraq, thereby replicating the Bosnia-Herzegovina model, which is characterised by a E.U. appointed "High Representative." The pattern should start becoming startlingly familiar!

The parallels between Iraq and the former Yugoslavia are endless.

In the wake of the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq, the U.S. and Britain established the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA), which evolved into the Coalition Provisional Authority.

The head of the Coalition Provisional Authority was also called "Special Representative," "Governor," "Special Envoy," and "Consul."

The justifications for setting up the occupying administration in Iraq, similarly to Bosnia-Herzegovina, where originally humanitarian and national stabilization. However, the main objectives of the Coalition Provisional Authority were to decentralize the state and implement a mass privatization program of Iraqi resources and wealth.

It is no coincidence that Bosnia-Herzegovina was divided alongside ethnic and religious lines: Serb, Croat, and Bosniak; Christians and Muslims. To these various ethnic-religious divisions further sectarian divisions were also added amongst the Christians: Eastern Orthodoxy versus Roman Catholicism.

A similar strategy of "divide and rule" was applied in Iraq. In Iraq the same pattern is being replicated alongside ethnic and sectarian lines: Arabs, Kurds, Turcoman, Assyrian, and others; Shiites versus Sunnis. Just like in the former Yugoslavia the centralized economic system of Iraq was also shattered by the occupying administration. Under the Anglo-American occupation and its Coalition Provisional Authority foreign corporations entered Iraq in a second wave of foreign invasion, an economic takeover.

This neo-colonial project is based on two inderdependent building blocks: a military stage executed by NATO and a process of political, social, and economic restructuring executed by the U.S. and E.U. with the help of corrupt local leaders in the occupied countries. The shock and awe of war opens the door for destabilization followed by "nation building" or the restructuring process, which even attacks the cultural and social roots of the target nation-state. The important cultural and historic aspects unifying the occupied nation-states have also been systematically attacked and errased.

The Economic Colonization of Kosovo

The economic affairs of Kosovo are to be exclusively under the hands of the E.U. in partnership with the United States. The euro was already being used in Kosovo, despite of the protests of Belgrade, as the official currency for a number of years before 2008. The utilization of the euro was part of the process of untying the Kosovar economy from the rest of the Serbian economy and a means of establishing control over the sovereignty of Kosovo via monetary and financial means.

The Kosovar flag has been designed to match both the flags of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the European Union. The Bosnian flag was also designed to match the flag of the European Union. To many these in the Balkans these flags are symbols of vassaldom and the protectorate status of these territories.

This unraveling process involving military means has been the modus operandi throughout the former Yugoslavia. The key players behind this process are the usual players; the U.S., Germany, Britain, and France, which have been sharing the spoils of war and economic colonization in the former Yugoslavia. NATO and the E.U. have been the agents of this process on behalf of all four Western powers.

An Illegal Precedent: Paving the Way for the Dismantlement of other Nation-States

In the realm of international law, a Pandora’s Box has been opened. A new form of interventionism which threatens nation-states has emerged. Worldwide, nations have been divided into two camps in regards to Kosovo: those that recognize it at the expense of international law and those that do not recognize Kosovar independence.

There are profound implications in regards to the events in Yugoslavia. The law of the jungle and the concept that "might is right" have been unveiled as the true ideals of E.U. and American foreign policy. From Somalia, Sudan, and Iraq to the Russian Federation and Central Asia, a dangerous precedent has been established. The latter is intent upon fracturing and dividing.

The E.U. and NATO have also threatened Belgrade and the Serbian people with military action if they try and keep Kosovo. NATO had prepared for Kosovar independence through the holding of war games in late-2007. As Germany has admitted, negotiations for a solution were never taken seriously by Western powers from the start. NATO’s military preparations for the secession of Kosovo suggests that the negotiations were a diplomatic game, which was never intended to succeed.

The global ramifications of E.U.-U.S. interventionism and open disregard for fundamental international laws are significant. Nations combating secessionist movements worldwide have voiced disapproval of the Kosovar declaration of independence, while expressing apprehension in regards to the enthusiastic support shown by American, German, British, and French officials.

China has voiced disapproval out of fears that Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) may declare independence under the precedent set by Kosovo. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Spain, Georgia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Russia have all voiced opposition because of their own secessionist movements such as the Tamil Tigers and the Basque separatist group ETA.

Ramifications of the Kosovo Precedent in the Caucasus and the Former Soviet Space

While fully acknowledging the fact that the Kosovo precedent is internationally illegal, Moscow has nonetheless used the Kosovo precedent against Georgia. Moscow’s objective is to strengthen its control in the geo-strategically important Caucasus region. Georgia has opposed the push by Kosovar Albanians for independence because of secessionist movements in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Adjara. While Adjaran separatism has declined, Abkhazia and South Ossetia have standing armies with close ties to Moscow and are virtually independent.

Russia is arguing that if the U.S. and E.U. recognize the independence of Kosovo, then the independence of Abkhazia and South Oesstia must also be recognized based on the same principle.

The Kosovar declaration of independence also has ramifications for Trans-Dniester (also known as Transnistria or Transdniestria), a tiny breakaway Russian-majority portion of Moldava bordering Ukraine.

The effects of Kosovar independence have also been watched carefully by the leaders of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, because of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict. In the cases of Trans-Dniester, Nagorno-Krabakh, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia, all four breakaway republics believe they have far stronger cases for lobbying for official recognition by the Commonwealth of Independent States (C.I.S.), Russia, and the United Nations.

Preparing a Dangerous Precedent for the Middle East and Beyond

The ghosts of Versailles and earlier schemes that the model in Yugoslavia and the Middle East is replicating still hunt humanity. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s seemingly good intentioned declaration of creating an arc of "national self-determination" stretching from the Baltic Sea and the Balkans to the Middle East after the First World War is coming into fruition.

Since the First World War, the larger and more powerful states of Eastern Europe and the Middle East have progressively been carved up into smaller and weaker states. This process was part of a colonial project to control the Eurasian Heartland that still survives. [2]

The board is being set for the recognition of new states in a redrawn Middle East in total disregard for international law. The Kosovar declaration of independence from Serbia is part of the broader post-Cold War balkanization and dismantlement of Yugoslavia. The legitimization of Kosovar independence through international recognition serves to extend Anglo-American and Franco-German influence across Eurasia and the globe. This model is tied in a straight line with the forthcoming plans in the Middle East to breakup countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Iran in fragmented and easy to control protectorates managed by the E.U., the U.S., and Israel.

Russia and China also are aware of the real danger of plans to divide their territories as has been advocated for years by Anglo-American policy makes in Washington, D.C. and London going back to before the First World War. Iran is also aware of a Kosovo-like scenario planned for its predominately Arab regions in Khuzestan. The declaration of independence was also closely watched by the Kurdish Regional Government of Northern Iraq.

The synchronization of other global events with Kosovo Independence: Coincidence?

The "Arc of Instability" is yet again being exasperated and agitated. In Pakistan threats of civil war and balkanization loom large. In the Levant one of Hezbollah’s top officials, Imad Mughniyeh, was assassinated in Syria by a car bomb similarly to those killing Lebanese politicians.

Most probably Imad Mughniyeh was assassinated by the Mossad, the intelligence agency of Israel. American, Jordanian, Saudi, French, British, and German intelligence were almost all likely to be involved. It is an open secret that all these intelligence agencies have been collaborating together in Lebanon against Hezbollah and have been behind attempts to assassinate Hezbollah leaders. The timing of the assassination is extremely suspicious.

Mughniyeh’s assassination also came just before the anniversary of the Hariri Assassination and could have been meant to further galvanize political tensions in Lebanon and create a sectarian divide amongst the Muslims of Lebanon. Israel has denied being behind the assassination, but it is now talking about a new war with Lebanon that it conveniently plans to blame Hezbollah for starting with the help of Syria and Iran.

The rupture of multiple conflicts and crises can be a means to also encircle and envelope the westernmost periphery of Russia within an arc of conflict or in other words there may be a deliberate attempt to supersaturate the "Arc of Instability" to paralyze Russia and other opposing players.

A Prepackaged Solution: Supranationalism?

The leadership in Serbia is playing a balancing act between its people and foreign interests. The Serbian people are against the foreign agenda in their region, but the leadership in Serbia is the spawn of a Western-funded and supported Velvet Revolution that occurred in 2000 and ousted Slobodan Milosevic. A large portion of Belgrade’s leadership supports the foreign agenda and has been co-opted into the neo-liberal restructuring project for the Balkans. The fact that the U.S. and the E.U. became major paymasters for Serbia after the Kosovo War is a mere testimony to this.

Surpanationalism or entry into the E.U. or a larger supranational entity for both Serbia and Kosovo is most probably going to be presented as the solution for Kosovar independence. Similarly such a solution may also be presented for a balkanized Middle East through such projects as the Mediterranean Union. Supranationalism is also being pressed as an answer to the unification of Cyprus under the Mediterranean Union.

Returning to Serbia and Kosovo, many of the leaders of Serbia are opposing Kosovar secession, but this is merely a façade that is meant to occupy the minds of the Serbian general public. These same leaders are taking a soft stance on the issue and also moving towards integration into the European Union. To them supranationalism is a solution.
On the Eve of the New World Order: Welcome to the Rule of the Jungle

While the E.U. pushes for a bridge to end national and ethnic divisions amongst its own members it does the opposite in the cases of Kosovo and other regions. Is not the American Civil War marked with honour, because the Union States fought a war to keep the Confederate States within the "American Union" by force?

Whatever the case, the hypocrisy of the E.U. and the U.S. in international relations is exposed by the recognition of Kosovar independence. Firstly, it is a breach of international law, but also it is insincere and for self-serving motives and not because of genuine principles or concerns for the people of Kosovo.

In addition, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has a far more legitimate case of being recognized in addition to its own functioning institutions and maturity. Although there is a secure and stable means to peacefully address the desires of the Basque and the Catalans in the Pyrenees and the Flemish in the Flanders region of Belgium, these separatist movements are also ignored.

The Armenian majority in Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence on December 10, 1991. Yet, the self-proclaimed and functioning breakaway republic enjoys no backing from either the U.S. or the E.U. unlike Kosovo. What sets Northern Cyprus, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and Trans-Dniester apart from Kosovo? The answer is: Anglo-American and Franco-German interests represented through the E.U. and NATO are the forces behind self-serving "exceptionalism" — the same force that permitted the Nazis to believe that they could colonize Eastern Europe and the Eurasian Heartland without guilt.

American and European Union leaders have argued that the Serbs are no longer morally capable of managing the affairs of Kosovo. What gives the governments of the U.S., Germany, France, and Britain any moral capability after years of blood baths and a deficit in credibility? If these claims where based on any principle then what about the case of the Palestinians? Does Israel have any moral capability to occupy the Palestinians? Yet, the occupation continues. Ironically it is not Serbian troops who occupy Kosovo, but NATO troops and tanks.

NOTES

[1] Michel Chossudovsky, The Globalization of Poverty and the New World Order, (Montreal, Global Research, 2003), pp.257-277.

[2] Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya, The "Great Game:" Eurasia and History of War, Global Research, December 3, 2007.

Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya is an independent writer based in Ottawa specializing in Middle Eastern affairs. He is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG).

:: Article nr. 41322 sent on 20-feb-2008 18:15 ECT

www.uruknet.info?p=41322

Link: www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=8132

On Mehmet Celebi and Hillary, some resources

Mehmet Celebi - Partner

Mehmet’s experience in management and finance spans the globe. Professionally, Mehmet worked in a management capacity at some of the world’s largest financial institutions and has provided financial guidance to many high-net worth individuals and celebrities as well as corporations. Born in Syria, he moved to the United States in 1988 and received a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and International Economics with concentration in the politics of the Middle East and Central Asia from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mehmet is also an authority on international relations. He has worked with various political leaders from Turkey as well as other countries on issues dealing with Turkish-American relations and Turkey at large, and is considered one of the national leaders of the Turkish-American community in the US. He has been serving as the President of the Turkish-American Cultural Alliance since 2000, and as Member of the Board/Vice-President of the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations, a Washington, D.C. based umbrella organization representing 57 organizations.

Mehmet has also been a member of the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations’, “Task Force on Islamic relations in the US,” since 2003. In addition, he sits on the board of several non-profit organizations including the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Turkish-American Doctors Association of Midwest (Advisory Board) and the Association of Turkish-American Scientists, Engineers and Architects.

Mehmet is the co-founder of the Turkish-Greek Friendship Committee. He was also the first Turkish Community leader to ever visit an Armenian event where he met with the Armenian Community leaders to discuss ways to improve the relations between the Turkish and Armenian communities.

Mehmet is fluent in English, Turkish, Arabic and Spanish.

At Least Norman Hsu Wasn't Anti-Semitic

MSM ignoring the lates Hillary fundraising scandal (Via Instapundit):

The Kurdish News reported that the producer of one of the most hostile anti-American films made in Turkey "Valley of the Wolves-Irak" is a Hillary Clinton mega-donor and bundler and was appointed a delegate by Hillary Clinton to the Democratic National Convention later this year:

Hillary Clinton has recently employed Mehmet Celebi, a Turkish ultra-nationalist - who has worked on and raised money for various anti-American, anti-Armenian, anti-Semitic and anti-Kurdish projects - as one of her delegates for her campaign for President of the United States.

This is not surprising when knowing that the Clinton Administration has been one of the most pro-Turkish U.S. administrations in the history of the U.S. donating more military arms to Turkey than all the other U.S. presidents combined.

Mehmet Celebi co-owns BMH Worldwide, which produced "Valley of the Wolves-Irak."

Mehmet Celebi is a "Hillraiser" for the Clintons.

Hillary Clinton accepted over $100,000 from this Holocaust denier.
Don't expect this to make any headlines.

Hillary Clinton Funding Problems And Mehmet Celebi February 6 2008 at 6:12 PM		Mehmet Celebi, a Turkish ultra-nationalist
Hillary Clinton Funding Problems And Mehmet Celebi AS noted: Kurdish News reports that the producer of the film “Valley of the Wolves-Irak” is a donor to Hillary Clinton and was appointed a delegate by Hillary Clinton to the Democratic National Convention later this year: Hillary Clinton has recently employed Mehmet Celebi, a Turkish ultra-nationalist - who has worked on and raised money for various anti-American, anti-Armenian, anti-Semitic and anti-Kurdish projects - as one of her delegates for her campaign for President of the United States. This is not surprising when knowing that the Clinton Administration has been one of the most pro-Turkish U.S. administrations in the history of the U.S. donating more military arms to Turkey than all the other U.S. presidents combined. And the film is of interest because: So what makes the film so controversial? For starters, American soldiers are portrayed as violent, brutish, trigger-happy, civilian-murdering, hyper-religious, sadistic gun-nuts. The star villain is an arrogant, murderous character named Sam Marshall (played by American actor Billy Zane), who is killed by the Turkish protagonist at the film’s end. Another stereotypical villain is a Jewish doctor (played by American actor Gary Busey) stationed at Abu Ghraib prison who extracts human organs from prisoners for export to Israel, England and the USA. Says Gateway Pundit: Mehmet Celebi co-owns BMH Worldwide, which produced “Valley of the Wolves-Irak.” Mehmet Celebi is a Hillraiser for the Clintons. Hillary Clinton accepted over $100,000 from this Holocaust denier. Don’t expect this to make any headlines. It already has. But, if true, does it really have anything to with Clinton? Can she check everything every donor is involved with?

ARMS SALES to dictators increases: Daily KOS (Daisy Cutter)

Another one of those items I happen to "miss" once in a while. I found it by tracking what goes on and off on that swicki over there on your left.

This is one not to miss - and it indicates what might happen if the oo-la-la Hillary gets in as she and Bill are the couple deluxe for "making" big points with foreign dictators who they try to "dust up" into "supporters of democracy". Big, big buck$ in that manoveur.

Question really is: Arms to protect whom? YOU and me, surely NOT.

Who, just who, is oversighting these guys? I ask you ..

I think I should start a new category called

Military KeynesianISM, the proof is in the pudding.

Arms sales to dictators increase under Bush

by Daisy Cutter [Subscribe]

Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 03:21:17 PM PST

Among Bush apologists, there is somewhat of a myth that the Bush administration is somehow different from old conservative realists in that they put pressure on authoritarian regimes to improve their human rights practices and generally put "freedom over stablity". Michael Rubin in particular recently made the claim that Bush puts fear into the hearts of even long-time allies such as Mubarak. He makes the laughable claim that Egypt's elections were a victory for Bush's "pro-democracy" policy, despite the subsequent crackdowns and arrests of dissidents.

We can now officially put the myth of a democracy promoting Bush administration to rest:

• Daisy Cutter's diary :: ::
• 
  

In the five years since the Sept. 11 attacks, the Bush administration has solidified a trend of supplying high technology weapons and millions of dollars in military assistance to allies in the "war on terror." "We’ve found that in exchange for support of U.S. efforts to stamp out international terrorist networks or operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States is sending military assistance to countries with poor human rights records, lack of democracy, and even past support of terrorism, " said Center for Defense Information Senior Analyst Rachel Stohl. "This is an alarming trend," Stohl added.
...
On average, countries have received 50 percent more U.S. weaponry and military training in post-Sept. 11 years than in pre-Sept. 11 years. This trend has been dominated by marked increases in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) specifically. On average, countries are receiving 80 percent more FMF and DCS since FY 02 than prior to FY 02. The increase in FMF and DCS demonstrate that both the U.S. government and U.S. defense industry are reaping the rewards of the increased sales.

At the same time that U.S. military assistance is increasing, the poor human rights situations in many countries have not improved since the start of the "war on terror" (and in some cases have become worse). In 2005, alone, the State Department reported that "serious abuses" were committed by the government or state security forces in more than half of the countries examined in this series.

From this link you can view some reports on separate countries with spotty human rights records and their relationship with the US since September 11. In this diary I will only focus on a couple of countries, beginning with Armenia:

The U.S. State Department’s 2005 Human Rights Report concluded that, despite limited improvements, the human rights situation in Armenia remains quite poor. Freedom of assembly and religion are somewhat limited and, although there is no official censorship, many journalists practice self-censorship. Security forces continue to engage in torture and arbitrary detention, and the courts are subject to political pressure from other branches of the government. Corruption is acknowledged as endemic in all branches and levels of government. Armenia has no laws against domestic violence, which is believed to be widespread, and human traffickers continue to use Armenia as a trafficking corridor. Although the U.S. State Department’s 2005 Terrorism Report noted "few perceived terrorist threats" in Armenia, the country’s porous borders allow it to be used as a corridor for the trafficking of, "illicit materials, persons, and finances." The report also made mention of Armenia’s "deepening political and economic ties with neighboring Iran" and its relations with Syria as points of potential concern.

How do you suppose an Uncle Sam who cares about human rights and open societies might treat such a country? Not as you'd expect:

Military aid to Armenia since Sept. 11, 2001, mirrors that of its neighbor and rival, Azerbaijan, both of which the United States now views as partners in the "global war on terror." Armenia was one of six countries (along with Azerbaijan) that had U.S. sanctions against it removed in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.2 The arms sanctions were lifted despite the fact that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict was still unresolved (the justification for imposing the sanctions). Armenia immediately began receiving IMET funding and FMF in FY 02, with assistance totaling $75,000 and $4 million, respectively. In FY 03 these numbers rose to almost $700,000 and $5 million, and funding for these two programs has remained relatively consistent since, with another $790,000 for IMET and $3.5 million for FMF requested for FY 07. Although commercial weapons sales to Armenia did not experience a significant escalation after 2001 (only $63,000 of DCS licenses have been issued between FY 02 and FY 05), $12.1 million of defense articles have been transferred under FMS licensing during the same period. Additionally, Armenia received $332,000 in Anti-terrorism Assistance (ATA) through the Non-proliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Activities (NADR) account in FY 05, and is slated to receive over $1 million more in FY 06 and FY 07. Whereas, before Sept. 11, Armenia had received no military assistance whatsoever from the United States, the country received more than $30 million between FY 02 and FY 05 alone, with an estimated $12 million more slated to go to Armenia in FY 06 and FY 07.

Next comes Azerbaijan:

the U.S. State Department’s 2005 Human Rights Report classified Azerbaijan’s human rights record as poor and reported that the government continued to commit human rights abuses against its citizens. Moreover, corruption is endemic at every level of government, specifically within the law enforcement sector, and the executive branch continues to dominate the political system, which is marked by a lack of checks and balances and a merely nominal division of power. Arbitrary arrest is common and there are credible reports of torture being used on detainees. The mass media and civil society do not enjoy freedom of speech or the press and there are documented cases of harassment of and violence against journalists. All organizations – including political parties, religious groups, and NGOs – are required to register with the Ministry of Justice and while many are able to do so without incident, certain NGOs were unable to register, and others that were registered were intimidated by the government. Although freedom of assembly was restored for the first time since 2003, it was systematically restricted around the time of the November 2005 parliamentary elections. In the run-up to the November 2005 parliamentary elections, Aliyev issued two presidential decrees stressing the importance of these elections complying with international election standards; the decrees notwithstanding, monitors still reported "major irregularities and fraud" during the elections. The U.S. State Department noted in its 2005 Terrorism Report that Azerbaijan "aggressively" pursued and prosecuted suspected terrorists, convicting six men in February 2005 that were allegedly involved in "al-Qaeda Caucasus" and plotting an attack on the capital. However, Azerbaijan’s lax border security allows for its continued use as a corridor for the transit of terrorists as well as their money and weapons.

Now why on Earth would we aid such a state?

Despite the flawed elections, Azerbaijan has become considerably important to U.S. interests due its strategic geographical position (the country serves as a bridge between Western Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East) and its rich energy resources. Congressional budget documents refer to Azerbaijan as, "a vital link in the Trans-Caspian energy corridor." In 1994, Azerbaijan signed a major oil contract with the Western Oil Consortium, which marked a major breakthrough in Azerbaijan’s integration into the world economy, and also marked a significant change in the post-Soviet power balance in the Caucasus region. The Shahdeniz gas field (discovered in 1999) is expected to diversify the regional gas supply that currently comes predominately from Russia, and a Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline which is currently under construction. The development of its domestic gas industry, in addition to the completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline in May 2005, has further strengthened the economic independence of Azerbaijan.

I'm beginning to notice a pattern here:

There was once a time when I wondered why people rolled their eyes whenever our leaders preached to the rest of the world about democracy and human rights. By now, every single American should know why.

Tags: human rights, arms trade, friendly dictators, Armenia, Azerbaijan,

Aren't the Armenians just LUCKY? Eu to host Kurdish conference

European Parliament to host Kurdish conference

A conference on the European Union, Turkey and the Kurds will begin today in Belgium with the participation of high-level diplomats and Nobel Prize winners.

The two-day international conference focusing on the EU, Turkey and the Kurdish issue will be held in Brussels, hosted by the European Parliament in memory of prominent Kurdish novelist Mehmed Uzun, who lost his life in October after a lengthy battle with stomach cancer. Participants in the conference will include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu; Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi; Nobel Prize in Literature laureate Harold Pinter; Bianca Jagger, Council of Europe goodwill ambassador and chairman of the World Future Council; writer Noam Chomsky; writer Yaşar Kemal; and leading Kurdish politician Leyla Zana. Today's conference is the fourth of such conferences arranged by the EU-Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) in cooperation with the Rafto Foundation of Norway, UK-based Kurdish Human Rights Project and Germany-based Medico International. The first such conference was held in November 2004. The keynote speeches at today's gathering will be delivered by European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering, Zana, Jagger and Frances Wurtz, a French leftist member of the European Parliament. Joost Lagendijk, co-chair of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, Akın Özçer, former Turkish diplomat, and Ahmet Türk, the former head of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), are among those who will discuss during the conference whether Turkey would be able to enter the EU without resolving the Kurdish issue. The conference is expected to end after a final statement is released on Tuesday. Late last month, after the chief prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals opened a court case against the DTP at the Constitutional Court by claiming that it is in conflict with the independence of the state and the indivisible integrity of its territory and nation, the EUTCC urged the Turkish government "to curb judicial attempts to derail the democratic and peaceful exercise of the right to free expression, and called on it to enter into a dialogue with all parties to come to a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue and prevent the escalation of ethnic violence in Turkey."

03.12.2007

Today's Zaman Ankara

Beautiful Christian music from Kurdistan



Fakepolitik
If Realpolitik is "diplomacy based primarily on practical considerations, rather than ideological notions", then it's almost funny that letter written by EIGHT former US Secretaries of State asking Speaker Pelosi not to introduce the genocide bill has to be fakepolitik. Why fakepolitik? Well they cannot even show a real, concrete, practical consideration which would make you think that recognition of the genocide would be bad for US interests. What reasons do they site for not wanting to see the bill passed? In their own words, no doubt written by someone paid by Turkey:

We are writing to express concern that H. Res. 106 could soon be put to a vote. Passage of the resolution would harm our foreign policy objectives to promote reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia. It would also strain our relations with Turkey, and would endanger our national security interests in the region, including the safety of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So, let's analyze this shall we?

# They are concerned with harm to promoting Turkish-Armenian reconciliation???? This is of course the richest of all their reasons. There is nothing close to a reconciliation, or even a process, or even relations that could develop into reconciliation. This is of course all thanks to a Turkey which refuses to establish relations with a country it is mad at for not disappearing off the face of the earth during WWI like it was supposed to. Do they think they can't promote reconciliation once the historical facts that everybody already knows are recognized by a congress Turkey knows very well the US President and State Department can't control? Has it occurred to them they can better promote it once the bill passes?
# Strain relations with Turkey. This one of course is the reason they really want to drive home. Scare Congress with Turkey's reaction, just like they scare Americans out of their rights, simply by hinting at a possible threat of terrorism. What is Turkey realistically going to do? It's going to cry and whine a bit, and cancel contracts, just like it did with France and Switzerland. Then it will move on and get over it, in true Realpolitik style, and face the fact that everybody in the world recognizes the genocide, despite all their crying and threatening and huffing and puffing.
# The safety of our troops in Iraq AND Afghanistan is threatened? By what? The only possible lever Turkey would realistically use is the temporary closure of Incirlink air base. So what? The US has over a hundred thousand troops in Iraq, let them keep their planes there too.

Anyway, the fact that this letter was even written makes me wonder what upheaval is going on in Turkey, and the State Department. But in any case, bravo to the Armenian Government (in the person of Vardan Oskanian) for slamming these former secretaries. He quite rightly states that "I regret to say that there is no process in place to promote normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey. Expressing concern about damaging a process that doesn’t exist is disingenuous", and goes on to say that he'd like to "express our deep concerns and to dismiss as unfounded any implication that a resolution that addresses matters of human rights and genocide could damage anyone’s bilateral relations."