EU ENVOY FOR SOUTH CAUCASUS TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA MARCH 2
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.02.2007 16:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ EU Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby is
arriving in Armenia March 2, a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter came to know
from his office.
The agenda doesn’t include a visit to Nagorno Karabakh. When in
Azerbaijan in February Mr Semneby said he intends to pay a call to
Karabakh, however "the terms are not exacted yet."
POLAND READY TO ACCOMPANY ARMENIA INTO EUROPEAN STRUCTURES
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.02.2007 14:35 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Poland is ready to assist Armenia in the framework
of the European Neighborhood Policy," Polish Foreign Minister Anna
Fotyga said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. "We have mastered the
way to the European Union and we are ready to share our experience with
Armenia. A memorandum on cooperation was signed in Yerevan. Contacts
should be established at various levels, including public, economic
and cultural ties. The Action Plan within the European Neighborhood
Policy is an important basis for multilateral relations. You also face
a complex process, which took us 12 years. We would like our eastern
partners to pass this way faster. I do understand that adaptation
to the universal market is a hard task but it’s essential for the
further development of your state," the Polish FM said.
KARABAKH SETTLEMENT ISN’T AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.02.2007 14:47 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I am not informed of any serious discrepancies
between the OSCE MG Co-chairs as regards the Karabakh settlement. I
even envy their patience and mutual understanding in search for a
principal basis for the conflict resolution," OSCE MG Russian Co-chair
in 1994-1996, Amb. Vladimir Kazimirov told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter
when commenting on the latest statement by head of foreign relations
department at the presidential administration Novruz Mammadov, who
accused the OSCE Minsk Group in "a wrong approach to the conflict
settlement."
He said it’s quite natural that the co-chair states differ in
approaches. "The closest collaboration on Karabakh doesn’t lead
to commonality of positions, for example on Kosovo or mounting
of anti-aircraft defense in Eastern Europe. The more the parties
divert from the core (some seek activation of the GUAM in the UN
General Assembly) the less should we surprise at various approaches
of the co-chair states. Russia was against inclusion of the issue,
The U.S. supported the idea, France abstained. Nevertheless, the
Co-chairs contrived to issue a joint position. Thus, those who
anchored hopes with possible controversies should sober up," the
Russian diplomat said.
Vladimir Kazimirov expressed surprise at demands for proposals. Those
who urge new proposals had better count how many were submitted during
recent 16 years and who used to reject them. It’s not an endless
conveyor but combinations of existing component. The parties should
learn to make concessions and assume responsibility for it instead
of proclaiming "never, never," he underscored.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
ENERGY IS A POLITICAL TOOL, POLISH FM SAYS
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.02.2007 14:51 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Energy has become a political tool which is used by
many states," Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga said in an interview
with PanARMENIAN.Net.
"It doesn’t refer to Russia only. The current policy of "mature"
EU member states is to be somehow independent from Russia’s gas. It
doesn’t mean that we refuse from the Russian pipeline. A transit state
has a number of advantages. As to diversification of energy resources,
Poland proceeded to application of technologies of production and
export of coal. We also intend to develop nuclear energy. The energy
issues are very serious and Poland is ready to hold talks with all
partners for ensuring security priorities," she said.
TURKISH GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DECLINES OPPOSITION PARTY’S PROPOSAL TO START INVESTIGATION AGAINST PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Feb 28 2007
ANKARA, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On February
27, Turkish Grand National Assembly with correlation of 321 votes
opposed and 118 in favor declined the proposal of Republican-People’s
opposition party to start investigation against country’s Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Minister of Internal Affairs
Abdulkadir Aksu. This was reported by the Cihan news agency.
The Republican-People’s Party accuses Erdogan and Aksu of not doing
their duties properly, in particular, in connection with murders of
editor-in-chief of Istanbul’s Agos newspaper, Hrant Dink and Catholic
clergyman Andrea Santoro, attack upon the State Council.
The proposal had been introduced to the parliament’s management on
February 15.
PROPERTY OF ARMENIAN AIRWAYS TO BE PUT UP TO AUCTION ON MARCH 7
Noyan Tapan
Feb 28 2007
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Property of the total amount of 38
mln 751 thousand drams (about 110 thousand USD) of the bankrupt airline
Armenian Airways will be put up to auction on March 7. Chairman of
the bankruptcy commission on Armenian Airways Hrant Ghambarian told
this to NT correspondent.
According to him, IL-86 plane that belongs to the airline and is
currently in Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport will also be put up for
sale. The plane has been put up to action several times. It reserve
price now makes 122 mln 880 thousand drams but it is lowered by 20%
after each auction. By the way, about 2 million dollars is needed
to bring the plane into operational state, whereas at present such
planes are withdrawn from use.
To recap, two Tu-154 planes of the airline have been sold as scrap
metal.
The airline Express Line has purchased three YAK-40 planes of Armenian
Aiways.
Out of the airline’s bills payable, H. Ghambarian pointed out payments
of a total of 3.5 mln USD owed to disabled pilots and a salary debt
of 400 thousand USD. So far Armenian Airways received about 640 mln
drams as bills receivable and from sale of property, 130 mln drams
of which was paid to disabled pilots and about 90 mln drams was
transferred to the state budget.
ARMENIAN PAINTER TENI VARDANIAN WINS GOLD MEDAL OF INTERNATIONAL BIENNALE IN CAIRO
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Feb 28 2007
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenian painter
Teni Vardanian won the gold medal at the 10th international biennale
in Cairo with the participation of 135 artists from 53 countries,
which took place from December 12, 2006 to February 1, 2007. The RA
Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Issues Karine Khondikian stated
this at the Februry 28 press conference.
In her words, the jury was impressed by T. Vardanian’s painting
"Chair" displayed at the biennale: "It is a great honor to be awarded
the first prize when so many works are shown at the international
biennale." The jury was composed of representatives of Italy, Morocco,
Spain, Ireland and Egypt.
Teni Vardanian said that it was a surprise to her to take first place
among numerous participants. According to the painter, the Armenian
embassy and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture organized an exhibition
of her graphic works in Cairo on February 13-17 with the assistance
of the museum of Ahmad Shahuv.
She noted that Epyptians are familiar with Armenian culture, while
the local Armenian community contributes to presentation of Armenian
art abroad.
T. Vardanian is a member of the Union of Painters of Armenia, author
of more than 20 individual and collective exhibitions, whose works
were displayed in Beirut, Nicosia, Paris, London, Saint Petersburg,
Aleppo, etc.
To recap, the Cairo biennale was intiated by the Fine Art Department
of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in 1984. Armenia has participated
in biennales since 1996.
CONCERTS OF ARMENIAN STATE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PASS IN CROWDED HALLS IN FRANCE
Noyan Tapan
Feb 28 2007
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The concerts of Armenian
State Philharmonic Orchestra held on February 5-16 in seven French
cities passed in crowded halls. As Edvard Topchian, Orchestra’s Art
Director and conductor, reported at the February 28 press conference,
in spite of the Orchestra’s busy concert schedule, the musicians
performed excellently presenting themselves to the foreign spectator
as high-class professionals.
During its concert tour the Orchestra performed works of Aram
Khachaturian, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Rakhmaninov. In E. Topchian’s
words, the French spectator showed especially warm feelings towards
A. Khachaturian Symphony N 2 and his "Dance of the Swords." The head of
the Orchestra said that the local press widely covered the performances
of the Philharmonic Orchestra and La Gazette wrote that the concerts
of the Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra were the culminating
point of the events held within the framework of Year of Armenia in
France. It was also mentioned that Ambassador or Armenia to France,
Edvard Nalbandian provided great assistance to the organization of
the concerts.
ANCA TEAMS UP WITH GENOCIDE INTERVENTION NETWORK TO HELP "END THE CYCLE OF GENOCIDE"
armradio.am
28.02.2007 10:52
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has teamed up with
the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net) for an intensive two-day
advocacy campaign on Capitol Hill on March 22nd and 23rd to encourage
decisive Congressional action to help end the cycle of genocide.
The program, titled "End the Cycle of Genocide: Grassroots Capitol
Campaign," will begin with a special breakfast briefing on the morning
of March 22nd followed by two full days of Congressional visits to
encourage US action to stop the Genocide in Darfur, the adoption of
the Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.106), and the strengthening
of US resolve to act against all instances of genocide.
Activists will be able to share their experiences, exchange ideas,
communicate with Members of Congress, and add new connections to the
growing national anti-genocide coalition at a special Capitol Hill
reception on the evening of Thursday, March 22nd.
"The Grassroots Capitol Campaign is a great opportunity for genocide
prevention activists to demand decisive US action in ending forever
the cycle of genocide," said Genocide Intervention Network Executive
Director Mark Hanis. "Together we will take our powerful anti-genocide
message to the halls of Congress and make a real difference."
"We are looking forward to cooperating with our friends at the
Genocide Intervention Network in helping to empower activists – from
all backgrounds – to build the anti-genocide constituency into a
powerful force that demands and delivers moral clarity and decisive
action by our government against all genocides – past and present,"
said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
"CATS" BAND LED BY VAHAGN HAYRAPETIAN RECORDS ITS FIRST DISC
Noyan Tapan
Feb 28 2007
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. First disc "The Norevan" of
the avant-garde and folk band "Cats" has been released. The band’s
founder, famous jazz performer and pianist Vahagn Hayrapetian said
on February 28 that "the disc’s songs are our life, our yesterday,
today and tomorrow".
According to him, seven members of the band create all songs they
perform.
"We all have passed different ways and each has creative peculiarities,
which makes our cooperation interesting. Each song written by a member
of "Cats" has its own history," he said. For example, song "Good
Return" is dedicated to Mister Avant-Garde Folk – Arto Tunjboyajian,
while "The Norevan" – to today’s Yerevan.
V, Hayrapetian said that for a long time he was creating in swing and
pop style but in late 2004 he suddenly changed his musical image and
formed a new band – "Cats". "We decided to call the band "Cats" because
musicians use this word – "cats" when addressing each other." he noted.
The septet has perfomed at various annual jazz festivals in Armenia
and abroad. In 2006 "Cats" participated in the Caucasian musical
forum in Tbilisi.
"The Norevan" is the first album of the band. It was released by
Ararat pro Digital studio in 1,000 copies and will be sold not only
in Armenia but also in Europe, the US and Japan. The studio director
Tigran Arshakian stated that they will struggle against those who
infringe copyright in Armenia.