Month: November 2006

YOUTH CALL FOR ACTION TO STOP KILLINGS OF ETHNIC ARMENIANS IN RUSSIA
By Astghik Bedevian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Nov 17 2006
About three dozen young men gathered near the Armenian Foreign
Ministry building on Friday to denounce the recent killings of ethnic
Armenians in Russia and call for Yerevan’s official response to what
they believe to be crimes committed on ethnic grounds.
They said their previous protest actions near the Russian Embassy in
Yerevan were followed by more murders of ethnic Armenians in Russia
with clearly ethnic motives that they said had been covered up by
Russian law officials as hooligan actions.
This time around the young activists addressed their appeal to Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian.
“The Year of Armenia in Russia is being accompanied with brutal
murders of young Armenians,” a letter addressed to Oskanian reads.
“We are full of grief and anger with the criminal inaction under the
pretext of the so-called complementary policy.”
The letter was originally signed by nine activists. About 200
passers-by also joined in the demand by putting their signatures to
the appeal.
One of the activists, Izabela Sarkisian, cited statistics according
to which some 3,000 Armenians have been murdered in Russia in the
past ten years. “All those murdered are qualified as hooliganism
and not as murders on racist grounds. We call for Armenia’s clear
stance on this matter,” she told RFE/RL. “We believe that under the
constitution the Republic of Armenia has the obligation to take care
of its every citizen and do everything for our compatriots to feel
more secure in foreign countries.”
Head of the Ministry’s Russia Division Marina Balayan accepted
the letter from the protestors and promised them to forward it to
Minister Oskanian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY SUSPENDS MILITARY TIES WITH FRANCE OVER ARMENIAN ‘GENOCIDE’ BILL
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Nov 16 2006
Turkey has suspended military relations with France over the French
Parliament’s passage of a bill penalizing those who question Armenian
genocide claims, Turkish Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug said
late Wednesday.
“Relations with France in the military field have been suspended,”
Basbug said. Asked whether there were any cancellations of military
visits, Basbug said, “There are no high-level visits between the
two countries.”
Basbug made the remarks during a reception held in Ankara to mark
the 23rd anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The move of the French Parliament raises tensions with a key member
of the European Union at a time when Turkey’s negotiations to become a
member of the 25-nation bloc look increasingly troubled, with neither
side willing to give way on a dispute over divided Cyprus.
Lale Sariibrahimoglu, an expert on military issues, told AP that the
cancellation of visits would not have a substantial effect on military
contracts. “In the past few years, France had not had a very high
chance of winning Turkish military contracts anyway, for example
in helicopter and satellite procurement projects,” she said. For
example, the Eurocopter Group’s Tiger helicopter was eliminated from
the running to supply attack helicopters to Turkey, she said.
A Turkish, army-owned conglomerate, Oyak, has several partnerships
with French companies, including Renault, and these investments were
not likely to be affected, Sariibrahimoglu said.
Turkey says that large numbers of Armenians died in mass expulsions
and fighting during war conditions of 1915, but says the number of
dead is exaggerated and that most were killed in interethnic battles
as the Ottoman Empire collapsed. The French bill, which introduces
prison terms up to one year and fines up to 45,000 euros to those who
question the Armenian genocide claims, would have to be approved by
the French Senate and president to become law.
France and Turkey are both NATO members, and Turkey has bought
French weaponry. The two countries also have participated in military
exercises together, and have sent troops to serve in the international
peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
Turkey has said that the French lawmakers’ vote has deeply harmed
relations. A Turkish consumers’ union has urged a boycott of French
goods, and Turkey’s broadcasting watchdog suggested a complete boycott
of French films and other media.
The European Union has criticized the French bill, saying it is not
in line with the principle of free expression. The U.S. has also
criticized the bill, saying it obstructs Turkish-Armenian dialogue.
Paris plays down Turkish halt of military ties
The French Defense Ministry on Thursday played down the Turkish
decision to suspend military ties with France and said the announced
move had no immediate impact.
Ministry spokesperson Jean-Francois Bureau said France believes
that existing cooperation with Turkey will continue. Specifically,
he mentioned operations in the Balkans and in Afghanistan.
“There is a relationship of work and cooperation in these operational
commitments with Turkey that are extremely important and which,
in our eyes, will continue,” he said.
Bureau noted that the suspension was announced by a military commander,
not Turkey’s civilian government.
“Until now, the announcement has not had any practical and concrete
effects,” he said, although he added that there could be some in
the future.
He also noted that military relations recovered in recent years from
a previous chill in 2001, when France passed a law recognizing the
Armenian genocide claims.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FOR MINORITY STATUS, ALEVIS BYPASS TURKEY, APPEAL TO EUROPEAN COURT
By Emre Demir-Ahmet Ozay, Strasbourg-Frankfurt
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 18 2006
Wishing to be granted minority status in Turkey, certain Alevi
associations allegedly sent a statement to a European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR) case against compulsory religious instruction in Turkey
stating “Alevism is completely different from Islam.”
Turkey, under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, considers only non-Muslim
groups as a minority and regards the Alevis as a part of the
mainstream.
Cem Foundation Coordinator for Europe Alisan Hizli stated Turkey,
which recognizes only non-Muslim communities as a minority, may have
to grant a minority status to the Alevis with a possible definition of
“religious minority” to come from the ECHR and said this was the very
goal of those who filed the case.
Pir Sultan Abdal Associations Federation President Kazim Genc, also
the lawyer of the case with the ECHR, rejected the allegations,
whereas ECHR sources avoided commenting on the ruling in writing.
Alevi circles emphasized the issue went beyond the Alevis and had
acquired a scope that involved everyone and maintained the importance
of the issue had not be understood.
The Aleviyol website mentioned concerns on the case and termed the
event as a “historical mistake.”
Lawyer Kazim Genc maintained that Alevism differed from Sunni Islam
in faith and worshipping practices during his defense on Oct. 3
in Strasbourg.
Claiming the Alevism had a worldview different from that of Islam,
though largely affected and fed by Islam, Genc also alleged that
Turkey’s Ministry of Religious Affairs considered Alevism as a kind of
“heresy.”
At the court, Genc asserted that the ruling Justice and Development
Party (AKP), which he claimed to have “Islamic roots,” had put more
pressure on Alevis.
Alisan Hizli: I have been warning for two years but nobody listened
Cem Foundation Coordinator for Europe Alisan Hizli stated he had
been talking about the issue for two years but nobody understood
its importance.
“The case with the ECHR has already started to be considered as a
victory by those pretending to be Alevis and defending the view that
Alevism differs from Islam,” Hizli said, adding the court would rule
in this way unless Turkey took a serious step.
“This ruling will push the Alevis to the European Union like the
Greek Cypriots and Armenians and cause big splits among Alevis.
Everybody who loves Turkey must oppose this ruling,” Hizli said.
According to the information Zaman obtained from high-level sources,
the ECHR will rule in principle on whether or not the plaintiff Eylem
Zengin’s educational right and freedom of religion and conscience was
violated. However, in this first case on the issue, the Strasbourg
Court is expected to express view on the definition of the Alevis in
legal terms.
In an acceptability verdict announced by the ECHR 4th Chamber on June
6, it was stated the Alevi faith and worshipping practices differ from
those of Sunni Islam and Alevism is rejected in Turkey’s compulsory
religion course books.
The questions asked by the judges to Munci Ozmen defending the
Turkish government in the hearing on Oct.3 resulted in opinions in
ECHR circles that the ruling would be against Ankara. However, the
court asked the parties’ opinions to solve the case on friendly terms.
If the ruling is against Turkey, it is expected to be asked to make
changes in its religion course curriculum or make the religion lesson
optional.
The Process in the ECHR Case
– In 2001, Hasan Zengin, the father of seventh grade student Eylem
Zengin filed a complaint with the Istanbul Governor’s Office, Istanbul
Administrative Court and with the Council of State claiming that his
daughter was being forced to take religion lessons in which only the
Sunni version of Islam was taught.
– Following that court’s ruling against him, Zengin appealed to the
ECHR in January 2004.
-The ECHR put the application to the agenda in November 2004 and
asked Turkey questions on the compulsory religion course.
-Turkey gave a 20-article defense in April 2005.
-The hearing of the case was held on Oct. 3 2006.
-The ruling is said to be in writing at the moment.
Replying to questions on the issue, Turkey’s Minister of Religious
Affairs Ali Bardakoglu said: “Discussing whether Alevis are Muslim or
not is an insult against Islam. All Alevis are Muslim. Nobody should
be deceived by the West and claim that Alevism is outside the fold
of Islam. The course may be corrected if there is a mistake in the
content. If children have no time for a two hour-religion course,
it means they have no time for anything.”
Concerning the attempts to abolish compulsory religious instruction,
Ministry of Religious Affairs Deputy Head Professor Sevket Aydin had
said, “Rejecting compulsory religion lessons means defending ignorance
in religious terms. I do not think any of our Alevi brothers will
support this.”
EU asks Turkey for more inclusive view of Lausanne Treaty
The 2006 Turkey Progress Report released last week by the European
Commission asked for a wider interpretation for the Treaty of Lausanne.
“Turkey’s approach to minority rights remains unchanged. According to
the Turkish authorities, under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, minorities
in Turkey consist exclusively of non-Muslim religious communities. The
minorities associated in practice by the authorities with the Treaty
of Lausanne are Jews, Armenians and Greeks. However, there are other
communities in Turkey which, in the light of the relevant international
and European standards, could qualify as minorities,” the report said.

FROM A BYGONE ERA
Indrani Dutta
Hindu, India
Nov 19 2006
Kolkata’s architectural splendour gets its due.
NEXT time you are in Kolkata, take a launch-ride down the Hooghly
just as dusk is falling on the city. On the west bank of the river,
a golden sunset will beckon you and, on the east, edifices of the Raj
era will vie for your attention. Today, many of the centuries-old
buildings are a mere shadow of their former imposing facades, but
some still stand tall, showcasing the heritage of a metropolis that
was once considered the second city of the British empire.
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in
association with Bengal Ambuja, has compiled a book on the 316-year-old
city’s built heritage.
Classification
The buildings have been classified according to their current use
– government, commercial, residential or religious. They have been
graded on three parameters – archaeological, historical or social merit
and architectural merit. Says G.M. Kapur Convenor, INTACH’s Kolkata
Chapter, “This has also formed the basis on which the buildings have
been covered in this book.” The time span is from before 1800 to
between 1850 and 1900.
According to the book, Bhonsri Shah’s Masjid, a structure set up
between 1800 and 1850, with elaborate and detailed brickwork is under
private ownership and in derelict condition. The building is variously
attributed to Zafar Ali Khan and Nawab Reza Khan. As the British
settled in and around Chowringhee and close to the Fort William area,
the native gentry moved north and some, especially those enjoying
British patronage, set up European-style houses. One such is that
of Raja Nabakrisha Deb who lived between 1733 and 1797 and amassed
wealth by assisting the British to topple Nawab Siraj-ud-daullah.
The influence of European style architecture can be seen in the house
of Jatindra Mohan Tagore. Called “Tagore Castle”, this house (built
between 1800 and 1850) looks like a castle, complete with turrets
right in the heart of the city. In the same locality is one of the
city’s most famous houses – that of Rabindra Nath Tagore. Built in
1784, it has a top grading for its archaeological, architectural and
social significance. It was a cradle of artistry and culture.
Maintenance is good since it houses a university and a museum run by
the State Government.
Past glory
Also getting an A grade is the opulent palace and private museum,
the Marble Palace. Raja Rejendra Lal Mullik built this north Calcutta
house in 1835. According to the book, Lord Minto named the house after
the varieties of marble used in the construction. The building has
fluted columns, cast iron filigree work besides a vast collection of
European arts and artefacts.
One of the most majestic buildings of the Raj era was Government
House now known as the Raj Bhavan. Govenor General Lord Wellesley
built it at a cost of Rs. 15,00,000 in 1799. However, Deb Lal and
her associates have ferreted out lesser known, but equally important,
structures. One such is St John’s church located in Dalhousie area.
Built in 1787, this is not only the oldest extant church of the
British settlement but is also where Job Charnock was buried.
Calcutta: Built Heritage Today; Published by INTACH Calcutta Regional
Chapter, Rs. 1500.
The oldest Christian place of worship in the city is the Armenian
Holy Church of Nazareth built in 1724. The church got top grades
from Lal. The Jewish settlement too has recorded its presence through
their synagogues.
At least three of the city’s schools – La Martiniere, St. Xaviers
and St. John’s Diocession School – find mention in the book as do
the Kalighat temple, said to date to the Gupta period (though not
in its present form), the emblematic Victoria Memorial and St Paul’s
Cathedral.
Like the English, the Greek too saw commercial opportunities in
Calcutta. According to the book, the first eminent Greek to arrive in
the city was Haji Alexios Argyree. The late 18th century Greek cemetery
in east Calcutta with exquisite marble memorials also finds a mention.
However it is not only old buildings which have been documented in
this book. An east Calcutta bungalow – where Mahatma Gandhi stayed
during his fast to stop the riots in the city after Independence –
is featured more for its social and historical significance. The Eden
Garden built by Lord Auckland in 1841 and having a real pagoda from
Burma finds mention too.
The style and presentation ensures that it is not a mere coffee-table
book but one that succeeds in teleporting you to a bygone era when
sahibs and memsahibs had their afternoon tea on the balcony of
Pelitti’s Restuarant or the babus of Kolkata rolled out in their
horse-drawn coaches for their nocturnal sojourns.

SPEECH BY PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AT THE EIGHTH SUMMIT OF THE HEADS OF TURKISH-SPEAKING STATES
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov 18 2006
Esteemed Heads of State,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to my dear
brother, the President of the Turkish Republic Ahmed Necdet Sezer
for organizing this Summit and great hospitality. I am very pleased
to be in the fraternal country again, and I think this meeting,
exchange of views, and the decisions to be adopted here, will open
new opportunities for our joint activities.
15 years have passed since our country gained independence. We gained
our independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Gaining
independence is a great achievement. I can say independence is our
greatest wealth. Because we have been deprived of independence for
years, for centuries.
But it is even more difficult to strengthen and preserve independence,
and the passed 15 years show the newly independent states have been
quite successful in this regard.
We overcame the major difficulties we faced in the first years of
independence, and the role fraternal Turkey’s played in this was
great. Turkey was the first to recognize Azerbaijan as an independent
state. After regaining sovereignty, Turkey was an enormous support
and help to Azerbaijan, that played a great role for us to carry out
independent activities.
At present, the new sovereign countries are in the era of
development. I would say, economic slowdowns and other difficulties are
left behind in all the countries. Our economy is developing rapidly,
the political processes are going on normally, and, of course, our
bilateral relations are strengthening too. Our bilateral relations
are at a high level, and we are taking efforts to enhance them. Of
course, there is a great need to consolidate multilateral ties,
as well. That is why, conducting of this Summit after a long break
was so important, there was a necessity to convene it Developments
in the region require new approaches as the world changes and new
challenges emerge; and we have to find solution to them by common
efforts which are of immense importance for establishment of peace,
safety and stability in the region.
Our common historical roots, culture and ethnic belonging are, of
course, a solid foundation, a great factor of mutual and effective
activity. Development of cultural ties leads to strengthening of
relations among peoples, and I would like to appreciate contribution
of the organization TURKSOY to this cause. As a result of this
organization’s activity, our peoples have become closer. Our political
relations are at a high level, and much has been done in the economic
field; our relations are now developing comprehensively.
In the economic field, there are concrete and real projects to unite
us, and successful realization of them opens new opportunities
for both our countries and the whole region. Inauguration of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline is a historical event and in the
coming decades, this pipeline will foster economic development and
strengthen security of the region.
Fraternal Kazakhstan’s joining the project has increased its dynamism,
and, in fact, has turned it into a regional project. I am convinced
that operation of the pipeline will better our peoples’ welfare,
cement our relationship, and therefore, will make it possible to
ensure peace and stability in region.
Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas main means to transport
the Azerbaijani gas to Turkey and further to Europe, is a contribution
to ensuring European energy security, and our countries’ joint activity
in this direction is of huge importance. The Caspian basin countries
have rich natural resources – oil and gas reserves, which are of great
importance for development of our countries and peoples. Because they
bring welfare to the counties of the region.
They lead to development of political processes, and have a positive
impact on democratic processes too. The poorer the country, the slower
democratic processes taking place in them.
We form our policy in two directions: the economic and political
reforms supplement and condition each other. Improving people’s
welfare, creating normal living conditions for them, development of
economy, private sector and entrepreneurship are, of course, what
have a great impact on democratization of our countries.
Our successful cooperation is already a reality. The projects once
seen as legends, today become a reality. It shows that we are capable
to do this work. Despite all the difficulties, all obstructions,
we have managed to do that.
Therefore, I have no doubt the difficulties we face in realization
of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas main, and the artificially created
obstruction will also be overcome.
Construction of this railway is necessary for our countries, our
peoples, for the regional cooperation. It will connect Turkey to
Azerbaijan through rail way. It will connect Turkey with Central
Asia, Kazakhstan and, thereby, Europe to Asia. This project will
lead only to strengthening stability and peace in region. Therefore,
the artificially created problems cannot make us stay away or break
our will; on the contrary, it will make us stronger and more active.
We have been living independently for the 15th years. Over these years,
we experienced many problems, difficulties and crises. Of course,
it was our mutual support that created opportunities to eliminate
those problems. Azerbaijan’s rapid economic development is already
a reality. According to the latest calculations by the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, Azerbaijan has become a world’s
leader in economic growth rate. In 2005, our economy grew by 26
percent, and in 2006, by 34 percent. Industrial production increased
by 40 percent. This enables the country to develop dynamically, and,
simultaneously, strengthen its economic potential.
What we want is that fraternal benefit from these potentialities,
and we benefit from their potentialities . Our countries have already
reached the stage of dynamic development. New jobs, businesses,
oil-gas pipelines are being created, transport infrastructures are
being modernized in line with international standards. That is what
makes me sure that our economic cooperation and our future activity
will have a powerful impetus to deepening the relations between
our countries.
However, there are still problems in our own region, which concern
us greatly. Unfortunately, no peace, stability and security have
been established in our region, including Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s
most painful problem is Armenia’s continuing aggression against
Azerbaijan. It is a big problem for us, and a factor which can violate
stability in region. We wish the problem to be solved peacefully,
on the base of the international legal norms and principles. Solution
to every conflict, every dispute should find within certain frames,
in accordance with existent international principles and norms. First
and foremost, they should be solved according to resolutions of the
United Nations as the world’s leading international organization. The
United Nations Security Council adopted four resolutions on the
problem, demanding immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian
troops from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. But Armenia ignored
them. We are grateful to member states of the Organization of Islamic
Conference for its support. It also adopted several resolutions on the
problem. In January of the last year, such authoritative organization
as the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict, in which it recognized Armenia as an aggressor. Nevertheless,
it in no way influenced Armenia. In this case, our hopes lessen
for international mechanisms of settling conflicts. In this case,
tension may run high in the region. Azerbaijan lost 20 percent of
its territories, and over 1 million people became refugees and IDPs
as a result of ethnic cleansing. All historical, cultural, religious
monuments were destroyed and ruined. They commit acts of vandalism
setting fire to our lands, cutting down our forests, and destroying our
religious monuments. The criminal structure called Nagorno-Karabakh
is absolutely out of international control. International community
is not aware of what is going on there. According to our information,
it is the home for criminal operations; drug and arms trafficking,
and training of terrorists.
As the country suffered from terrorism, Azerbaijan is well aware of
what terrorism is. That is why we demand that this issue be settled
only in compliance with international legal standards. It cannot
be settled on the base of any country’s illusions. There are many
things we could have wanted. Our historical land once named Irevan
khanate is now part of Armenia. However, we are approaching this
issue in accordance with existing realities. We know that if the
borders recognized in the world are touched, it will lead to very
hard consequences, very big disasters.
That is why, every country’s territorial integrity should be
recognized. Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is recognized by all
countries of the world except Armenia. I want to reiterate that we
are standing for peaceful resolution of this problem and try our best
to achieve this. We are grateful to the fraternal countries for their
support, attention and care. This support is very important to us and
we will try to take every opportunity to achieve a fair resolution of
the conflict. To achieve this, we must be strong. We have to strengthen
our economy, potential, and have stronger positions in the region. If
so, our positions at the negotiations will of course be stronger.
Dear friends, I am sure this summit will go down in history. Because,
I want to reiterate, the fact that Turkey initiated and hosted the
summit meeting after the long break, is very important to us. I am
confident that there will be no intervals, and we will be meeting
regularly to combine our efforts. We must always support each other.
The problem of one Turkish-speaking nation must be the problem of other
Turkish-speaking nations. We support and welcome Turkey’s efforts to
join the European Union. It makes us worn out to see the injustice
against Turkey, and it affects us very much. Because there must be
justice in the world, there must be frames and rules of conduct. It
is too hard for every person, every country, to remain patient seeing
injustice. Our cause is the right cause. We support partnership,
cooperation. I have no doubt the decisions to be made at this meeting
and in future summits will even strengthen our unity.
I express my gratitude to the Turkish State and personally to my
bother President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for organizing the summit. I am
sure that the decisions to be made will bring us even closer together,
and the foster development of the Turkish world.
Thank you.

EU LEADER CALLS ON EUROPE TO FACE ITS PAST SINS
By Selcuk Gultasli
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 18 2006
Ahead of the Nov. 22 elections in the Netherlands, Dutch parties
stepped up efforts to win Turkish votes.
In the Netherlands, where several Turkish candidates were removed
from their party lists for denying the Armenian genocide, political
parties are being forced to revise their stance on the issue.
The Labor Party admitted to having acted impulsively by using the word
“genocide” and is now trying to win Turks’ support, while Greens and
D-66, two parties which welcomed Turkish concerns from the beginning,
are raising their voices.
Turkish Green candidate Birgul Donmez held a joint press conference
with Green member Joost Lagendijk, the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary
Commission co-chair.
Donmez said the Greens did not pressure her over the Armenian issue,
adding: “I would quit if I were pressured.”
Lagendijk recalled that many European countries had dark periods in
their history, so it would not be wise for Europeans to give lessons
to Turkey over the Armenian issue.
Lagendijk pointed out that the Netherlands had not yet apologized
for the massacres it committed when it left Indonesia in 1947.
“It is difficult for nations to face the dark parts of their history.
They can only do so when they have achieved democratic stability,”
Lagendijk said in support of Donmez.
Lagendijk : Turks Should cast Their Vote
Lagendijk said he had never supported Armenian allegations recognized
by the European Parliament, and criticized Dutch Christian Democrats
and Labor Party for removing certain Turkish candidates, adding:
“Turks will have made a huge mistake if they do not vote to show
their resentment at these two parties.”
Lagendijk claimed the Armenian lobby exploited the genocide bill
approved by the Netherlands and added: “The point in approving the
bill was to encourage debate over the issue, but the parliament is
now trying to end debates. Many politicians disagree with the Armenian
lobby regarding the issue.”
Donmez and Lagendijk criticized the D-66 party favored by Turks.
Donmez asserted D-66’s stance on Turkish concerns, headscarves in
particular, was no different than the Christian Democrats’ stance.

LORIS TJEKNAVORIAN TO PERFORM BENEFIT CONCERTS IN TEHRAN
Payvand, Iran
Nov 18 2006
TEHRAN, Nov.18 (ISNA)-The veteran Iranian music composer and conductor,
Loris Tjeknavorian will perform concerts in Tehran along with three
Austrian instrument players. (Nov.29-Dec.5)
The concert, accompanied by two Austrian pianists and a violinist,
will be held in the amphitheatre hall of Mahak hospital in Tehran
for six successive nights. These performances are for the benefit of
children suffering from cancer
The concert is dedicated to classic pieces of music by Bach and
Mozart along with Kurdish and Iranian sonatas. Tjeknavorian is also
to perform pieces of music he has composed.
Loris Tjeknavorian (also spelt Cheknavarian, born 1937) is a
contemporary Iranian-Armenian composer and conductor. He was born
in Broujerd in the province of Lorestan, southwest of Iran and was
educated in Tehran.
In the course of his career, Cheknavarian has made about 100
recordings (with RCA, Philips, EMI , ASV, etc.) and written more than
75 compositions (symphonies, operas, a requiem, Chamber Music, concerto
for piano, violin, guitar, cello and bipa (Chinese lute), ballet music,
choral works and an oratorio along with over 45 Film mosaics.
Cheknavarian also has conducted international orchestras throughout
the world: in Austria, UK, USA, Canada, Hungary, Iran, Finland,
former USSR, Armenia, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Africa, Denmark etc.

IRAN ESTABLISHES A TRADE CENTER IN ARMENIA
Fars News Agency, Iran
Nov 18 2006
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran is scheduled to found a trade center
in its northern neighbor, the Republic of Armenia, an official from
the country’s Trade Development Organization said.
The deputy director of Iran’s Trade and Development Organization
for Logistics and Management Development Afghahi pointed to the
significance of the Armenian market and enthusiasm of Iranian
traders for conducting business activity in that country, and added,
“In addition to the inclination of Iranian and Armenian businessmen
to increase exchanges, the historical background shared by the
two nations, existence of the Armenian minority in Iran and the
importance of the two countries’ relations, specially with regard to
the establishment of stability in the region, have all encouraged our
organization to give top priority to the expansion of exports to the
Armenian market, specially in technical and engineering grounds.”
He said Iran-Armenia trade exchanges, currently standing at $200 mln,
show an increase of $10 mln compared to that of the last year, adding
that Iran-Armenia trade balance amounts to $140 m in favor of Iran
at present.
As regards the present conditions in the Armenian market, he said
that Armenia’s total imports amount to $1.8 bln meaning that Iran’s
exports to Armenia constitute 9% of the latter’s total imports.

ARMENIAN ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM BENEFIT CONCERTS IN TEHRAN
Mehr News Agency, Iran
Nov 18 2006
TEHRAN, Nov. 18 (MNA) — Prominent Iranian musician Loris Tjeknavorian
is to conduct an Armenian orchestra in benefit concerts at the Mahak
Charity Society in Tehran from November 29 to December 5.
Austrian pianist Gudwig Walsh and violinist Tomas Theodoroff will also
accompany the orchestra in the program, which has been organized by
the Mahak Charity Society, an institute supporting Iranian children
suffering from cancer.
The orchestra is scheduled to perform several pieces by Johann
Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as well as Kurdish and
Iranian suites and pieces composed by Tjeknavorain during the program.

RICHARD KIRAKOSSIAN: MAJOR OBSTACLE IN ARMENIA’S EURO-INTEGRATION IS EXCESSIVE DEPENDENCE ON RUSSIA
Regnum, Russia
Nov 18 2006
If the elections in Armenia are not conducted in correspondence with
international standards, it will be a reason to strengthen EU relations
with Georgia and Azerbaijan, leaving Armenia behind, US political
analyst Richard Kirakossian said at a news conference on November 18.
As a REGNUM correspondent quotes the analyst as saying, election fraud
can result in breaking the Millennium Challenge program and general
disappointment in Armenia. Such approach, according to Kirakossian,
is stipulated by stricter requirements presented by the international
community to Armenia than to other developing countries. In this
connection, they are more intolerable to fraud in Armenia than in
other countries. If the elections do not meet international norms,
it will be another opportunity lost for the country.
Answering a question whether Armenia, under condition it of further
democratization, can count for entering the EU independently from its
neighboring countries in the region, Kirakossian noted that in this
issue the major obstacle is excessive Armenia’s dependence on Russia.
“I do not insist that Armenia should turn towards the EU by 100%. But
Armenia should become all-sufficient instead of imitating Russia or
EU,” the American analyst concludes.