Month: June 2005

An Egyptian-Armenian sculptor heads back to Egypt to hold his first solo exhibition
By Laura Kassabian
Egypt Today, Egypt
June 5 2005
Nativity in Black
June ,2005
CONTRADICTORY ART would be a somewhat fitting title for Armen Agop’s
latest exhibition, which is nothing short of an experience in
rhythmic motion and yet static composure generated by basalt objects
that seem to fluctuate as you move from one piece to the next, some
of them expressing uplifting emotions and some conveying depressing
feelings.
The overall view of the black, revolving stone bodies arranged in the
pale exhibition space is a head-spinning encounter which has the
power to capture the curiosity of viewers.
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Armen Agop’s individual basalt and granite sculptures are
fascinating; each oval or circular art piece has its own unique
character; each is designed to lead the eyes, almost instinctively,
to follow the object’s lines and finally reach a certain point,
giving the impression that they’re searching for an exit from the
composite stone bodies.
The series of lines and points play a pivotal role in these
compositions. At times the lines are sharp, with aggressive cutting
edges, whereas other pieces have more subtle, meek lines, that also
seem to lead gently to a point. The points themselves differ on many
occasions, varying from the minute and almost insignificant to other
heightened, bolder ones. You can feel a sense of entrapment inside
Armen Agop’s twirling shapes, as your eyes involuntarily set out on a
search for these points.
The pieces seem to have a life of their own. The first quick glances
at them reveal only perfect, static bodies, each one being pulled
inwards by its own inner forces, as if wishing to remain as compact
as possible. But the reality is far from that. Some pieces display a
glimpse of hope, a touch of curiosity about the happenings going on
in the surrounding space. The ones that have sharp lines and boldly
standing-out points have weak relationships with their own forms;
They too are choked by the basalt and are seeking escape. The pieces
with softer lines and points seem pleased with the way they are
sitting comfortably with less curiosity regarding the outside world.
Not all of them are as mightily stable as they seem; a viewer, in
curiosity, gently pushes one of the objects and observes as it rocks
back and forth, hence discovering a more jovial side to the dancing
bodies. The black granite pieces are arranged on square stands that
are painted in white, accentuating the contrast of both the curved
and sharp dark forms with the surroundings. It feels as though Agop
had frozen certain volumes of space, thus creating these enticing
bodies.
Armen Agop
Basalt sculptures by Armenian-Egyptian artist Armen Agop
Despite the striking, unorthodox physical attributes of the objects
with their inner and outer curves and sharp edges, they clearly yet
somewhat surprisingly transmit Sufi transcendental suggestions to the
audience.
The exhibition at the Center of Arts (Arts Palace) is Agop’s first
solo exhibition after many collective shows in Egypt, Italy, the
United States, China, Norway, Sweden and Japan. Agop felt it was only
reasonable for him to have his first solo exhibition in Cairo, where
he initially started off as a sculptor.
Born in Egypt to an Armenian family in 1969, Agop’s artistic
creativity is strongly connected to his environment. The survival of
ancient Egyptian heritage through time influenced him, in addition to
the desire of the Armenian community as a minority in Egypt, in which
he grew up, to continue and survive. It is not a coincidence that he
works with basalt, which has a strong inner gravity, is compact and
hard to work with as it stubbornly refuses to break apart. Very
similar to the qualities of basalt are Agop’s qualities as an artist
and person.
Although Agop has been living in Europe for the past five years,
where there’s more focus on the instance of expression than its past
and future, Agop refuses to give up the value of permanency that is
deeply embedded in his personality and work. Even the development of
his technique conforms to this attachment to his heritage. The shiny
surfaces of some of the stone bodies, which Agop had sculpted during
his first year in Italy, were polished using modern techniques. As
years went by, Agop discovered an ancient Egyptian technique, which
yielded stone bodies with a matte finishing which he sculpted only a
year ago during this transition from using modern technology to
depending on primitive, mostly pharaonic, techniques.
Armen Agop’s sculptures are truly worth visiting. Those whirling and
yet ironically immobile bodies can touch the emotions when viewed
through the eyes of even the most amateur of viewers.

THERE ARE ALL BASES FOR DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
04 June  05
In the framework of his visit to Yerevan the speaker of NKR National
Assembly Oleg Yessayan met with the speaker of the National Assembly of
Armenia Arthur Baghdassarian on May 31st. The speaker of NKR National
Assembly will not stand for parliament this time. The department of
public relations of the National Assembly of Armenia informed that
the colleagues summed up the results of the joint work done in the
past several years and assessed it as positive. All the points of the
agreement on parliamentary cooperation signed by the two speakers in
2003 had been implemented. The cooperation was shifted to a higher
level. During the meeting Oleg Yessayan gave an assessment of the
activity of the NKR National Assembly of third convocation. The
number of laws adopted by the present parliament exceeds twice the
laws adopted by the previous parliament. Parliamentary hearings,
temporary committees and audit conducted by the Chamber of Audit
having existed for three years only are already part of the tradition
of the National Assembly. The establishment of the representation of
NKR National Assembly in the National Assembly of Armenia, provided
for by the agreement, made the cooperation of the two parliaments more
direct, and the visits of the members of parliament more frequent. Oleg
Yessayan pointed out the fact that in the past two years the members
of parliament of NKR were included in the parliamentary delegations
of Armenia. The speakers also discussed issues on the upcoming
election. Oleg Yessayan informed that more than fifty international
observers will monitor the parliamentary election in NKR. According
to Mr. Yessayan, there is basis for holding legitimate, free and
transparent elections, which is so important for a country which
seeks for democracy, in this case the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
04-06-2005
–Boundary_(ID_cMCdpAFTgddmV+VsgNfRIg)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FATHERLAND AND PEOPLE ARE INDIVISIBLE
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
04 June 05
The term of the National Assembly is coming to an end. The
parliamentary election is coming up, therefore the Democratic Party
of Artsakh makes an account of the past five years work. In the
parliamentary election of 2000 the party held the majority of seats
in the National Assembly and, guided by its political programme, got
engaged in legislative activity, aiming to promote the rule of law,
democracy, economic progress, to pursue tax reforms, improvement of
social conditions and to build a civil society. In this context the
parliamentary faction supported the social and economic policy of
the Executive, which resulted in the growth of the NKR Budget twice,
and the receipts grew three times. This shows that the government
of the country has adopted a line of using the inner potential
of the country to create a self-sufficient economy, reflecting the
interests of the state and the people. We may reasonable state that by
supporting this policy we secured the interests of the majority of the
population, and the results are already tangible. At the same time,
we are far from considering all the problems of the republic to have
been solved. We can see the problems better than any other political
force; however, we prefer the steady rate of development to winning
over some additional votes through populist slogans. Otherwise, it
is not possible to achieve desirable results. I want to focus on the
legislative activity of the party, holding the majority in the National
Assembly, directed at promoting democracy in the NKR home policy. The
majority of the National Assembly drafted a series of important bills
which were enacted. Among these the law on television and radio,
providing for the establishment of the public television and radio
of NKR, is especially important. The legislation on the mass media
was improved to correspond to the European standards. Starting from
the right of the citizens for information, our parliamentary faction
proposed the bill on information which was enacted despite lasting
public debates and political manipulations. The adoption of the NKR
Electoral Code is also the outcome of the practical and constructive
work of the majority in the parliament. I also want to point out the
law on political parties and the law on non-governmental organizations,
which work and coordinate the relationships government – political
parties and government – non-governmental sector. Our faction attaches
great importance to human rights. The evidence to this is the adoption
of the law on the defender of human rights. We may say that by this
law we completed the first stage of creating a legislative basis for
this sphere. Certainly, I cannot deny that there are faults in our
work. More exactly, we did not manage to do everything. However,
we have what to report on and we have political will to admit our
mistakes, as well as we have future legislative projects. And what
about our opponent? I call the opposition alliance in the name of the
Democratic Party of Artsakh to present a similar report. If they have
anything to say, they are welcome. And for the time being, dear fellow
countrymen, I allow myself to state that a political force which votes
against the state budget bill but fails to come up with an alternative
bill has no right to express alleged anxiety about the social state
of the country. A political force which dissipated a sum counting
hundreds of millions in the framework of programmes of re-settlement,
such as the Artsakh branch of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation,
has no right to speak about the poverty, because if there are poor
people in our republic, they are first of all in the re-settled areas,
and the responsibility for the policy of resettlement was assumed
by the Artsakh branch of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. But
as soon as the international organizations started to deal with the
re-settled areas, the political force considering itself the devotee
of the nation hurried to give up responsibility. The preachers of the
opposition alliance like asking questions. I do not want to answer
back in the same manner but, nevertheless, I would like to ask:
“Is there any relation between the involvement of international
organizations and the refusal of the programme of re-settlement by
the Artsakh branch of the ARF? Do you perceive patriotism as denial
of responsibility or assumption of greater responsibility? And is
this how you are responsibility for the fate of the country and the
people?” Dear compatriots, I call to your civic resolve and ask you
to give the following question to the candidates of the opposition
alliance: “What does the slogan “Let the People Win” mean? Who are
the people going to defeat? Themselves?” This is not a rhetorical
question. People have already defeated the enemy once. Elections are
not for dividing the people into two camps. It was Stalin who said:
“Those who are not with us are our enemies.” Does the slogan mean
that if anyone does not belong to the alliance, they do not belong
to the people? With this medieval thinking certain people try to
divide the fatherland from the people. Whatever the outcome of the
election is, it will be the choice of the people. The political force
or candidate that will get the vote of confidence of the people will
win the election. Dear compatriots, I am convinced that on June 19th
you will not let certain people press you to defeat yourselves, and
you will make the right choice, giving your vote to the Democratic
Party of Artsakh which advocates stability and progress, peace and
welfare, the rule of law and human rights.
VAHRAM ATANESSIAN. 04-06-2005

Settlers turn hotel into Gaza fortress
Israeli extremists dig in for last stand against expulsion by Sharon
Conal Urquhart in Gush Katif
Sunday June 5, 2005
The Observer
RIght-wing Israeli extremists are turning a Gaza hotel into a fortress
to resist the Israeli army’s attempts to expel them forcibly in August
when Gaza is cleared of its Jewish settlers. Among them are supporters
of Baruch Goldstein, a settler who shot dead 28 Palestinians as they
prayed in 1994.The activists, who have come from Hebron and Gush Etzion
in the West Bank and Jerusalem, have taken over the deserted Palm Beach
hotel and are stockpiling food. They say 15 families have moved in as
they carry out renovations and they expect a hundred more to arrive
by 15 August, when Israeli forces are set to begin their withdrawal.
Their takeover comes as increasing numbers of settlers in Gaza are
turning their backs on the extremism of their West Bank counterparts
and preparing to leave peacefully. That pragmatism, however,
is rejected by the activists who took over the hotel last week,
declaring it their private property and installing guards with Uzis.
Nadia Matar, the head of Women in Green, a right-wing settler group,
believes the hotel will become a centre of resistance. ‘Tens of
thousands of people will break down fences to get here to stop [Prime
Minister Ariel] Sharon’s plan. That’s why we are stockpiling tents
and food so we can support them when they come.
‘We do not need to use violence to stop disengagement. Our numbers
will be enough. There will be 30 families living at the hotel, and
there are a further 150 who will come to stay . This is not easy. It’s
a sacrifice.’
Matar was joined by other figures from Israel’s extreme right,
including Baruch Marzel and Itamar Ben Giver, believed to have links
to Jewish underground groups that have claimed the lives of nine
Palestinians since 2000.
Many see the fight to thwart Sharon in apocalyptic terms. Shalom
Woollens, 44, who arrived in Israel five years ago from New York,
said the Gaza settlements are the Jewish line in the sand. ‘This is
the fulcrum of the battle on terror. I am putting my life on the line
for this.’
Matar added: ‘This is not just a fight for these settlements. It’s
a fight for Western civilisation. If we lose here, Arab terrorists
will see that their violence is rewarded.’
The hotel was built in Gush Katif in the Eighties on a beautiful beach
closed to the Palestinians. Since the beginning of the intifada in
2000, it has had no customers and was closed down.
Not all the protesters present the battle in such stark terms as
Matar, however. Danny Cohen, 33, a teacher from Jerusalem, mixed his
activism with pleasure as he playfully buried three of his four sons
in sand on the beach. ‘It makes a nice change and I hope it will make
a difference. My wife is on extended maternity leave and I commute
to teach in Jerusalem. We will stay until we are sure the threat
to the settlements is over. I have informed the army that I will
only serve my reserve duty here. If they want to send me to prison,
I will go to prison with the same pride with which I used to perform
my military service,’ he said.
But the extremists appear to be in a minority as large numbers of
Gaza settlers resign themselves to their fate. In Rafiach Yam, one
of Gush Katif’s settlements, many houses are already deserted.
Near Nitzanim, the bulldozers are flattening land for new housing
for those who are fleeing from Gaza. It is an irony. Once this area
was home to Palestinian families who fled to Gaza.
Among those who have decided to resettle near Nitzanim is Martin
Granot, 54, who is rinsing his aqualungs in the shade of his palm
trees. In an ice-box lie several large grouper fish he harpooned
that morning. ‘This is paradise. If there was a way to stay with the
Palestinians, I would,’ he said.
As well as leaving their home, he and his wife will close their textile
factory which employs about 60 Palestinians. They cannot continue to
manufacture clothes without the benefit of hiring Palestinians at pay
rates of between £1 and £2 per hour and the tax advantages available
to settlers.
He believes it is not only his family who will suffer. ‘The
Palestinians are crying more than I am,’ he says. ‘Because they will
have no work once we are gone.’
Abbas puts off Palestinian elections
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced yesterday that
parliamentary elections due next month would be delayed, a widely
expected move that the militant Hamas group said stemmed from fears
it would do well at the ballot box.
In a public decree, Abbas said he had decided to postpone the 17
July poll to allow time to resolve a dispute over proposed reforms
to voting laws. He gave no new date for the election, but said one
would be given in a future presidential announcement.
The delay could stoke tensions between Abbas’s Fatah faction and
Hamas, which had been poised to make a strong showing in its first
campaign. Hamas had reacted to earlier hints of a delay by accusing
Fatah of manoeuvring to cling to power.
Hamas, the Islamist vanguard of a Palestinian militant revolt,
agreed to a ‘period of calm’ until the end of this year after Abbas
and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared a ceasefire last
February. But the deal between Abbas and militant factions hinged in
part on his promise of more power-sharing through elections.
–Boundary_(ID_5ISxcooaGkRAHhKTXRrEoA)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MONITORING OF FRONT LINE
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
04 June  05
On June 1st the OSCE mission held a monitoring of the front line
between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan in the
area of Gharakhanbeili, the region of Fizuli. On the side of the
NKR Defence Army the monitoring mission was headed by the personal
representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej
Kasprzyk. The monitoring group included also the coordinator of the
office of the personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office,
Lieutenant Colonel Imre Palatinus (Hungary) and the field assistant
of the personal representative, Olexander Samarsky. The Azerbaijani
side, however, did not take the mission to the front positions. The
monitoring passed in accordance with the schedule, and no violations
of the cease-fire were reported. The OSCE mission was attended by
the representatives of the NKR Ministry of Defence and the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. On June 1st the meeting of Andrzej Kasprzyk and
the NKR minister of defence Seyran Ohanian was appointed.
AA.
04-06-2005
–Boundary_(ID_Eyvo//epDSiE4ryN8vZvrA)–

MEETING IN NKR GOVERNMENT
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
04 June 05
On May 30th the prime minister of NKR Anoushavan Danielian met with
the representatives of the branch of France of the pan-Armenian
foundation “Hayastan”, who are visiting the republic on a charity
mission. The head of the government emphasized the role of the Armenian
Diaspora in overcoming the consequences of the war, reconstruction
of the ruined settlements and solution of the social and economic
problems. He thanked the guests for their contribution to raising
money for the construction of the highway “North-South”, emphasizing
that along with the Armenians of France, the French people also
contributed to this campaign for Artsakh, for they have always had
a special attitude toward Armenia, the Armenians and Artsakh. As
there were also French people present at the meeting, the prime
minister of Armenia thanked the government of France and the French
people too. “The Armenians of Artsakh never forget that in such a
crucial period the Diaspora supports Artsakh economically and morally,
contributing to strengthening the independence of NKR,” said Anoushavan
Danielian. “Visiting Drmbon today, you, probably, became convinced
that life there regains its normal course. The village that had been
razed to the ground during the war has completely changed, and has
good prospects for progress. Nearly 1000 people are employed in the
factory, mainly the young people from the neighbouring villages. The
new school building of the village was opened on the day of celebration
of the Last Bell as the best present to the pupils and the staff
of the school. All this is the result of the intensive roadworks
on the highway road “North-South”, which you witnessed during your
trip.” The participants of the meeting discussed several questions on
the home and foreign policies of the country, particularly referring
to the resolution of the NKR conflict. It was mentioned that the
pipeline Baku-Geihan is a powerful economic leverage in the hands of
Azerbaijan, and it was asked what potential for economic development
Nagorno Karabakh possesses. In reference to this A. Danielian said,
“We have every possibility to build a free, independent, democratic
state which will be the pride of our nation. Many compare Karabakh
to Switzerland – a country which is not rich in natural resources
either. I am sure that a democratic country which is guided by
liberal concepts and defends the human rights has better prospect
for development than a tyranny, rich in natural resources.” The
guests wanted to know the opinion of the prime minister concerning
the referendum on the Constitution of Europe. A. Danielian said,
“I think, if the referendum on the Constitution of the European Union
were held in the countries of “older Europe”, France would not be
the only country to vote against it. The problem is, in my opinion,
that older Europe launched the process of enlargement which is a
heavy load for it too early, for the countries of older Europe are
the “trailer” of the European Union. Nevertheless, I am sure, Europe
will find a way out of this puzzle with more realistic approaches,”
emphasized the NKR prime minister.
AA. 04-06-2005

HEALTHY CHILDREN
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
04 June 05
In the Rehabilitation Centre of Stepanakert it has already become
a tradition to create “a festive mood”, as the director of the
centre Vardan Tadevossian put it, on the Children’s International
Day. Mr. Tadevossian spoke about the new sponsor of the centre,
the medical charity “Howard Karagyozian” with gratitude. The centre
often organizes different parties for the sick children, involving
also the children living in the neighbourhood, for their friendship
is one of the best ways of rehabilitation.
SUSANNA BALAYAN.
04-06-2005

RULING COALITION AND CE VENICE COMMISSION TO SIGN MEMORANDUM ON
SITUATION AROUND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JUNE 3. ARMINFO. Developments after the recent statement of
CE Venice Commission on the draft constitutional reforms in Armenia
may affect the process of constitutional reforms in the country. Vice
Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Head of the Armenian delegation
to PACE Tigran Torosyan made this statement in the course of his
meeting with Venice Commission experts.
The parliamentary press-service informs ARMINFO that the vice
speaker expressed regret in connection of the political speculation
the statement of the Venice Commission has become a subject of. It
may continue in the course of PACE session on June 20, the vice
speaker thinks. Tigran Torossyan agreed with several provisions of
the Commission’s statement, however, called the major formulations
incomparable with the real situation. He said that the notification of
the Commission regarding Yerevan Mayor’s status, government formation,
provision of independence to the judicial power were quite admissible
for the ruling coalition of Armenia.
In his turn, an expert of the CE Venice Commission expressed hope that
the notifications of Venice Commission will be taken into account when
adopting the draft constitutional reforms in the second reading. The
sides agreed to adopt a joint memorandum and to submit it to the
June 10-11 sitting Venice Commission. The memorandum will fix the
situation around the process of constitutional reforms in Armenia as
well as the prospects of further cooperation with Venice Commission.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IT IS NECESSARY TO FIGHT ACTIVELY AGAINST CORRUPTION TO DEVELOP ARMENIA’s ECONOMY: SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT
YEREVAN, JUNE 3. ARMINFO. A sitting of a working group of the
Euro-Parliamentarian Macroeconomic Study Center took place today at
Armenia’s National Assembly.
As ARMINFO was informed at the parliamentarian press-service, Head of
the WB Yerevan office Roger Robinson, Head of “Armenia 2002” program
Artashes Ghazakhetsyan, and the CB Council member Vache Gabrielyan
participated at the sitting. Prospects of development of trade,
transport communications, tourism, and information technologies
spheres were discussed there. Meeting participants emphasized the
importance of Armenia’s integration to Europe which will contribute
to the development of country’s economy.
Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament Artur Baghdassaryan stated that it
is necessary to consider the Southern Caucasian region as a united
economic zone. In his opinion, one should fight actively against
corruption, create a free rivalry market and develop small and
medium-size business – for Armenia’s economic development. -r-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN JUNE ARMENIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER TO PAY 8 VISITS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES
YEREVAN, JUNE 3. ARMINFO. In June Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Armenia Vardan Oskanian will pay 8 visits to foreign countries.
ARMINFO was informed in the Press and Information Department of
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, on June 8 in Vienna Vardan Oskanian is
to meet with the cochairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group. On June 8-10
Vardan Oskanian will pay a working visit to Washington. On June 11 he
will leave for Beijing, where he will meet with the prime minister
and foreign minister of China. On June 15 the foreign minister of
Armenia will visit London, where at the House of Lords of the British
Parliament Vardan Oskanian will have a speech on the Armenian genocide
in Ottoman Turkey. On June 16-17 he will be in Brussels, where during
the sitting of the North-Atlantic Council he will officially present
the Program of arrangements on Armenia’s participation in the Program
of NATO IRAP.
On June 18 in Paris Vardan Oskanian will meet with his Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov. On 22-23 within the framework of the
Moscow Summit of the leaders of the states of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization, the head of the foreign political office of
Armenia will take part in the regular sitting of the Council of the
foreign ministers of CIS countries.