Football News
Sun 10/18/09 12:02
Armenia, Turkey pursue 'soccer diplomacy'
The Associated Press
October 14,2009
By SUZAN FRASER (AP)
BURSA, Turkey ? Turkey defeated longtime foe Armenia on a soccer field
Wednesday ? an event that had little significance in the world of sports but
meant a lot in the arena of international politics.
Armenian President Serge Sarkisian arrived in Turkey to attend the World Cup
qualifier after a dinner hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Bursa,
a former Ottoman imperial capital. Gul attended an initial game in Armenia
in a goodwill gesture last year, kicking off a round of "football diplomacy"
that led to the signing last weekend of an agreement to establish diplomatic
ties and open their border within two months.
Turkey's Halil Altintop scored with a header in the 16th minute, and Servet
Cetin fired the ball into the Armenian net in the 28th minute to make it
2-0, a lead that held until the end. After the first goal, Sarkisian shook
Gul's hand to congratulate him.
The game, televised live in both countries, began after Turkish fans booed
and whistled as an announcer read out the Armenian lineup, and cheered the
Turkish players. Some fans released white doves in a gesture of peace that
drew applause in the stadium.
The announcer urged fans to show "traditional Turkish hospitality" to the
visiting team and not to jeer or whistle during the playing of the Armenian
national anthem. His appeal was mostly ignored. Police in riot gear stood
outside the stadium.
A bus taking Armenian journalists to the stadium was pelted with stones by
Turkish fans, but there were no injuries or broken windows.
After the game, Sarkisian told reporters: "Both sides have achieved a lot
and this is the evidence."
He also said Armenia was taking all opinions into account but was pressing
ahead with its reconciliation agenda. He was referring to fierce opposition
from some Armenian groups, including sectors of the powerful Diaspora.
Gul sounded a similar note.
"Try and remember two years ago and you will see the distance that we have
covered in relations," Gul said. "What's important here is to make the
region into a region of cooperation."
Earlier, Turkish diplomats who attended a meeting between Gul and Sarkisian
quoted the Turkish president as saying: "We're not writing history, we're
making history."
Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey of Switzerland, along with the foreign
ministers of Turkey and Armenia, also attended the match. All three
participated in last weekend's signing in Switzerland of the agreement,
which needs to be approved by the parliaments of both countries.
The deepest dispute is over history and has yet to be resolved: Armenia and
many historians allege that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against
Armenians early in the last century, a charge that Turkey denies. The
countries have agreed to set up a commission to study the issue, though they
are unlikely to give much ground on their positions.
Police intensified security ahead of Wednesday night's match for fear of
protests from Turkish nationalists who oppose reconciliation with the
country's eastern neighbor. Both teams have already been knocked out of the
World Cup qualifying, so neither can deliver a killer blow to the other's
athletic hopes. Turkey won the first game against Armenia 2-0 in Yerevan in
September 2008.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned against "provocations
that might come from people who desire to abuse the process between Turkey
and Armenia."
The agreement has strong support in the two countries' parliaments but faces
stiff opposition from nationalists. Turkey has said it would send the
agreement to parliament next week. It was signed only after U.S. diplomats
helped to resolve a last-minute hitch.
A day after the deal was signed on Saturday, Erdogan repeated a demand that
Armenia withdraw from the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia
controls the enclave in Azerbaijan, which is inhabited mainly by ethnic
Armenians. Turkey, in a show of solidarity with ally Azerbaijan, sealed its
border with Armenia in response to the country's invasion of
Nagorno-Karabakh in 1993.
Azerbaijan, a regional oil and gas power, has criticized the
Turkish-Armenian deal, saying it aggravates the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. A
group of Azeri lawmakers were to meet Erdogan on Wednesday to express their
concerns.
Turkish and Azerbaijani flag stickers were pasted on dustbins, electricity
poles and billboards surrounding the stadium in Bursa. Street peddlers sold
Turkish and Azerbaijani flags.
Virtually all flags inside the stadium were Turkish. One fan unfolded an
Azeri flag and briefly held it up.
FIFA ? world football's Zurich-based governing body ? earlier contacted
Turkey's Football Association and asked it to ensure that Azeri flags were
not flown inside the stadium, in line with FIFA's stance against political
interference and provocative acts.
"The governor was ordered to prevent fans from entering the stadium with
Azeri flags," said Mahmut Ozgener, head of Turkey's football association.
"FIFA is very sensitive about political issues."
Ozgener also said that football is instrumental in "opening a new era
between Turkey and Armenia."
The Turkish-Armenian deal also faces opposition from groups in the powerful
Armenian Diaspora, which insists that Turkey accept that the killing of up
to 1.5 million Armenians during the final days of the Ottoman Empire amounts
to genocide. Turkey says the number is inflated and that many died on both
sides during a chaotic period.
Still, the agreement could benefit Turkey in its long-standing bid to become
a member of the European Union.
In its annual progress report on that effort Wednesday, the bloc urged
Turkey to boost its chances by speeding up reforms, but EU Enlargement
Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed the accord.
"I'm encouraged by the historic steps Turkey and Armenia have just taken
toward normalizing their relations. This process should now lead to full
normalization as soon as possible," Rehn said.
The Associated Press
October 14,2009
By SUZAN FRASER (AP)
BURSA, Turkey ? Turkey defeated longtime foe Armenia on a soccer field
Wednesday ? an event that had little significance in the world of sports but
meant a lot in the arena of international politics.
Armenian President Serge Sarkisian arrived in Turkey to attend the World Cup
qualifier after a dinner hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Bursa,
a former Ottoman imperial capital. Gul attended an initial game in Armenia
in a goodwill gesture last year, kicking off a round of "football diplomacy"
that led to the signing last weekend of an agreement to establish diplomatic
ties and open their border within two months.
Turkey's Halil Altintop scored with a header in the 16th minute, and Servet
Cetin fired the ball into the Armenian net in the 28th minute to make it
2-0, a lead that held until the end. After the first goal, Sarkisian shook
Gul's hand to congratulate him.
The game, televised live in both countries, began after Turkish fans booed
and whistled as an announcer read out the Armenian lineup, and cheered the
Turkish players. Some fans released white doves in a gesture of peace that
drew applause in the stadium.
The announcer urged fans to show "traditional Turkish hospitality" to the
visiting team and not to jeer or whistle during the playing of the Armenian
national anthem. His appeal was mostly ignored. Police in riot gear stood
outside the stadium.
A bus taking Armenian journalists to the stadium was pelted with stones by
Turkish fans, but there were no injuries or broken windows.
After the game, Sarkisian told reporters: "Both sides have achieved a lot
and this is the evidence."
He also said Armenia was taking all opinions into account but was pressing
ahead with its reconciliation agenda. He was referring to fierce opposition
from some Armenian groups, including sectors of the powerful Diaspora.
Gul sounded a similar note.
"Try and remember two years ago and you will see the distance that we have
covered in relations," Gul said. "What's important here is to make the
region into a region of cooperation."
Earlier, Turkish diplomats who attended a meeting between Gul and Sarkisian
quoted the Turkish president as saying: "We're not writing history, we're
making history."
Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey of Switzerland, along with the foreign
ministers of Turkey and Armenia, also attended the match. All three
participated in last weekend's signing in Switzerland of the agreement,
which needs to be approved by the parliaments of both countries.
The deepest dispute is over history and has yet to be resolved: Armenia and
many historians allege that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against
Armenians early in the last century, a charge that Turkey denies. The
countries have agreed to set up a commission to study the issue, though they
are unlikely to give much ground on their positions.
Police intensified security ahead of Wednesday night's match for fear of
protests from Turkish nationalists who oppose reconciliation with the
country's eastern neighbor. Both teams have already been knocked out of the
World Cup qualifying, so neither can deliver a killer blow to the other's
athletic hopes. Turkey won the first game against Armenia 2-0 in Yerevan in
September 2008.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned against "provocations
that might come from people who desire to abuse the process between Turkey
and Armenia."
The agreement has strong support in the two countries' parliaments but faces
stiff opposition from nationalists. Turkey has said it would send the
agreement to parliament next week. It was signed only after U.S. diplomats
helped to resolve a last-minute hitch.
A day after the deal was signed on Saturday, Erdogan repeated a demand that
Armenia withdraw from the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia
controls the enclave in Azerbaijan, which is inhabited mainly by ethnic
Armenians. Turkey, in a show of solidarity with ally Azerbaijan, sealed its
border with Armenia in response to the country's invasion of
Nagorno-Karabakh in 1993.
Azerbaijan, a regional oil and gas power, has criticized the
Turkish-Armenian deal, saying it aggravates the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. A
group of Azeri lawmakers were to meet Erdogan on Wednesday to express their
concerns.
Turkish and Azerbaijani flag stickers were pasted on dustbins, electricity
poles and billboards surrounding the stadium in Bursa. Street peddlers sold
Turkish and Azerbaijani flags.
Virtually all flags inside the stadium were Turkish. One fan unfolded an
Azeri flag and briefly held it up.
FIFA ? world football's Zurich-based governing body ? earlier contacted
Turkey's Football Association and asked it to ensure that Azeri flags were
not flown inside the stadium, in line with FIFA's stance against political
interference and provocative acts.
"The governor was ordered to prevent fans from entering the stadium with
Azeri flags," said Mahmut Ozgener, head of Turkey's football association.
"FIFA is very sensitive about political issues."
Ozgener also said that football is instrumental in "opening a new era
between Turkey and Armenia."
The Turkish-Armenian deal also faces opposition from groups in the powerful
Armenian Diaspora, which insists that Turkey accept that the killing of up
to 1.5 million Armenians during the final days of the Ottoman Empire amounts
to genocide. Turkey says the number is inflated and that many died on both
sides during a chaotic period.
Still, the agreement could benefit Turkey in its long-standing bid to become
a member of the European Union.
In its annual progress report on that effort Wednesday, the bloc urged
Turkey to boost its chances by speeding up reforms, but EU Enlargement
Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed the accord.
"I'm encouraged by the historic steps Turkey and Armenia have just taken
toward normalizing their relations. This process should now lead to full
normalization as soon as possible," Rehn said.
Sarkisian Condemned For Turkish Goal `Celebrations'
Turkey -- The scoreboard at Bursa's Ataturk Stadium during the Turkey-
Armenia football match on October 14, 2009.
15.10.2009
Irina Hovannisian, Ruzanna Stepanian
President Serzh Sarkisian faced harsh criticism from domestic
political opponents, media and football fans on Thursday for what they
saw as his unbridled celebration of Turkey's defeat of Armenia in a
high-profile match the previous night.
Playing in the northwestern Turkish city of Bursa, the Armenian
national soccer team was beaten 2-0 by the superior Turks in front of
about 19,000 passionate spectators as well as the presidents of the
two mutually antagonistic countries.
Sarkisian broadly smiled and promptly congratulated his Turkish
counterpart Abdullah Gul with handshake every time Turkey scored to
seal the victory. The scene, highly unusual for heads of state
attending major football games, was repeatedly replayed by Turkish
television broadcasting the match to both countries.
The spokesman for Sarkisian's Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)
defended the president's seemingly warm reaction to the Turkish goals
that came after a mass jeering of Armenia's national anthem played in
Bursa's Ataturk stadium. `He smiled because the goal was nice. He
enjoyed watching football,' Eduard Sharmazanov explained at a news
conference in Yerevan, sparking laughter among journalists.
ARMENIA SAW TURKISH HOSPITALITY: ERDOGAN
News.am
12:58 / 10/15/2009
Turkey-Armenia rapprochement process started before the football match,
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated before leaving for Iraq,
CNNTurk reports.
"I consider match was held in peaceful atmosphere and Armenia saw
hospitality of Turkish people," Erdogan said.
Yesterday Turkey-Armenia football match took place in Bursa. Armenian
and Turkish Presidents Abdullah Gul and Serzh Sargsyan attended.
The two leaders' negotiations were held in Almira hotel right before
the match and later dinner was offered in honour of high rank guests.
Despite Armenian team lost 0:2, according to Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandyan "it was something more than just a sport
event." He stated that it has evoked a wide response and inaugurated
the Armenia-Turkey normalization process.
News.am
12:58 / 10/15/2009
Turkey-Armenia rapprochement process started before the football match,
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated before leaving for Iraq,
CNNTurk reports.
"I consider match was held in peaceful atmosphere and Armenia saw
hospitality of Turkish people," Erdogan said.
Yesterday Turkey-Armenia football match took place in Bursa. Armenian
and Turkish Presidents Abdullah Gul and Serzh Sargsyan attended.
The two leaders' negotiations were held in Almira hotel right before
the match and later dinner was offered in honour of high rank guests.
Despite Armenian team lost 0:2, according to Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandyan "it was something more than just a sport
event." He stated that it has evoked a wide response and inaugurated
the Armenia-Turkey normalization process.
HOW TURKEY'S BURSA WELCOMES ARMENIAN DELEGATION
Aysor.am
Friday, October 16
Football match Armenia v. Turkey in 2010 World Cup qualifying group
game in Turkish northwestern province of Bursa is over.
Given that this was more round of "football diplomacy" began last year,
than a football match, find some details on Turkish welcome below.
As reported Aysor's correspondent from Bursa, the stadium was
completely filled despite the non-sold tickets. By the way, Turkish
fans were angered by this gathered at adjoining to stadium side.
It was repeatedly reported that Azerbaijan's symbols were strongly
prohibited; however one could buy Azerbaijan's flag near stadium
paying 20 dollars. The road to stadium was full of fluttering
Azerbaijan's flags.
Despite the diplomatic context of the match, the Turkish fans hissed
Armenia's Anthem. Moreover, the bus with Armenian journalists
was stoned. Police saw it never lifted a finger to prevent the
provocation. The Turkish fans, who stoned at one of the buses of the
Armenian delegation, carried Turkey's flags.
It's worth mentioning, that Turkish side repeatedly announced that
all necessary security measures would be provided.
ARMENIAN JOURNALISTS PROHIBITED FROM WAVING STATE FLAGS
News.am
00:44 / 10/15/2009
Armenian journalists were prohibited from bringing Armenian flags to
tribunes, NEWS.am correspondent reports from Bursa.
Referring to the FIFA law, banning to place flags at the journalists'
tribunes, but not those of fans, Turkish football federation threatened
Armenian journalists to be strongly punishment.
Scuffle between Armenian delegation and those responsible for the
press occurred. Only after persistent insistence, Armenian journalists
achieved the waving of the state flag.
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