389) Armenian conference chance for Turkey to repair 'inaccurate anti-democratic image’ - FM Gül to deliver speech - Sep 23 in Turkey

Armenian conference chance for Turkey to repair 'inaccurate anti-democratic image’

 

  An international conference on the Armenian issue postponed after politicians condemned the conference and its participants for having ideas and beliefs against Turkey's official stance on Armenian genocide allegations will convene in a few weeks.

 

  Hrant Dink, editor in chief of the bilingual (Armenian-Turkish) Agos weekly, expressed hope that the conference would reflect a true image of Turkey, a country that has taken significant steps towards democratization.

 

  “The cost of the postponement [of the conference] was high and unfair to Turkey because the anti-democratic image reflected by the debates at the time was not a true reflection of Turkey,â€� Dink told the Turkish Daily News. At the same time he confirmed that he had received an invitation to the conference slated for Sept. 23 to 25.

 

  The postponement of the conference scheduled for May 25 consequently turned out to be a diplomatic issue for Turkey after Justice Minister Cemil Çiçek delivered harsh remarks on the domestic initiative, which dared question Turkey's official position on the Armenian issue. Çiçek said in Parliament that the conference of Turkish historians was a “stab in the back for the Turkish people.â€�

 

  “We must end this treason, the spreading of propaganda against Turkey by the people who are a part of it,â€� Çiçek had said.

 

  The conference will serve as an opportunity for Turkey to repair the unfortunate consequences of the postponement, according to Dink. 

 

  Çiçek's remarks, delivered in Parliament in his capacity as justice minister and government spokesman, were described by European diplomats as “shooting himself in the footâ€� and would “kill any support for Turkey's European Union drive in Europe.â€�

 

  A Turkey-based EU diplomat said following Çiçek's remarks the Turkish government could well have a hard time explaining to the bloc that reforms for broadening freedom of expression in the country are still priorities.

 

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

 

***********************************

 

FM Gül to deliver speech at international studies conference

 

  Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül will deliver a speech tomorrow at the First International Studies Conference, to be held at Istanbul's Bilgi University.

 

  Well-known political scientists will participate in the conference, scheduled for Aug. 24-27 and put on under the auspices of the World International Studies Committee (WISC).

 

  Approximately 1,000 scientists from WISC are expected to participate in the upcoming meeting.

 

  Some 20 international, regional and national study associations and departments of political science established WISC.

 

  “We want to look at global problems through different lenses and at regional and local problems from varying perspectives,â€� reads WISC's Web site, adding that the goal is to bring together scholars for the first time from all parts of the world to examine the contrasting approaches and agendas of international studies.

 

  WISC wants to encourage panels and papers on various themes, including weapons of mass destruction, new wars and soft security, human rights and needs, identity issues, and fundamentalism and new trends in diplomacy and foreign policy.

 

  Former President Süleyman Demirel will also make an address during the event.

 

 

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

 

 

***************************

 

Postponed Armenian Conference to be Held on September 23 in Turkey

Bogazici University Rector Professor Ayse Soysal and Sabanci University Rector Professor Tosun Terzioglu announced that the postponed academic conference on Armenian issue titled “Ottoman Armenians During the Decline of the Empire� would be held at the Bogazici University, Istanbul on September 23 and 25.

 

Professor Soysal and Professor Terzioglu said a preparatory committee composed of various academics from different universities has recommenced its studies regarding the conference. The two rectors noted that the committee has officially applied to both universities regarding the organization. The conference on Armenians during the decline of the Ottoman Empire, which was termed by Turkish Minister of Justice Cemil Cicek as a “dagger in the back of the Turkish people�, had been postponed following negative reactions.

 

By Anadolu News Agency (aa)
Published: Wednesday, August 24, 2005
zaman.com