Month: April 2007

NKR CONFLICT SIDES HAVE NEVER BEEN SO CLOSE TO ISSUE SOLUTION, RA FOREIGN MINISTER STATES

Noyan Tapan
Apr 18 2007

VIENNA, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The Karabakh conflict sides have never
been so close to the issue solution. Foreign Minister of Armenia
Vartan Oskanian made such a statement on April 17, in Vienna, at the
OSCE Permanent Council sitting.

"I have been a minister for 9 years. Before it I was the main envoy
on the Karabakh issue for 5 years. I saw all the proposals of the
mediators. I can assure you that we have never been so close," the
RA Foreign Minister said.

In V. Oskanian’s words, the proposal being discussed at present is very
balanced: "It gives something to everybody and refuses the maximalism
demands of the sides. It is a balanced approach, and we have a hope
that we shall continue having progress based on that document."

According to Radio Liberty, V. Oskanian will leave Vienna for Belgrade
where he will meet with his Azerbaijani colleague.

Touching upon the RA parliamentary elections, the Foreign Minister said
that this is a most serious examination for democracy of Armenia:
"I am deeply sure that we together, the government, opposition,
society and OSCE, really, can hold normal elections what will be a
great contribution in the affair of securing the future democratic
process in Armenia," the RA Foreign Minister said.

CHRONICLE-DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO BE SHOT ON INITIATIVE OF "TKZAR" FOUNDER AND RA CULTURE MINISTRY

Noyan Tapan
Apr 18 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN. A chronicle-documentary film telling
about Armenian national musical instruments will be shot on the
initiative of founder of the "Tkzar" state orchestra Karlen Mirzoyan
and RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Issues. Armine Mirzoyan, the
artistic head of the orchestra informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent
about it. She mentioned that about 2 mln drams (about 5.4 thousand
U.S. dollars) allocated from the state budget for shooting the film
are not enough, sponsors’ assistance is also necessary.

To recap, the "Tkzar" orchestra uses exclusively national musical
instruments: pipe, bagpipe, etc. which were made based on medieval
miniatures kept at the Matendaran (Armenian repository of ancient
manuscripts). In A. Mirzoyan’s words, the orchestra founded in 1982
have numerous problems today: particularly, it is not possible to
organize concerts as well as respond invitations for going on tours got
from foreign countries because of absence of financial resources. In
the orchestra head’s words, if it continues in this way, "Tkzar"
will be dissolved and the restored instruments will again become
museum exhibits.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS CONGRATULES POPE BENEDICT XVI, BISHOP OF ROME

Noyan Tapan
Apr 18 2007

ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN. His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos
of All Armenians sent a message of congratulation to His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI, Bishop of Rome, on the occasion of the 80th birthday
anniversary. Noyan Tapan was informed about it by the Information
Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

"We are sure that, led by You, the Roman Catholic Church will fix
new successes in the present chronology of its centuries-old mission,
and warm and brotherly relations between the Armenian Apostolic and
Roman Catholic Churches will continue developing. It is our prayer
that cooperation and friendship between our churches more strengthen
in this new era, with making spirit of Christian love and brotherhood
powerful in our believing hearts," is said in the congratulation
message of His Holiness Patriarch.

His Holiness wished 80th-year old Benedict XVI sound health and
effective enthronement.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CATHOLICOS RECEIVES MECC GENERAL SECRETARY SALEH

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 18 2007

ANTELIAS, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Within the framework
of the interchurch meetings taking place at the Antelias Cathedral
during those days, Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia
received on April 16 Guirgis Saleh, the General Secretary of the
Middle East Council of Churches.

Noyan Tapan was informed about it by the Press Services of the Great
House of Cilicia Catholicosate.

The pivotal theme of the meeting discussion was the 9th Assembly of
the Middle East Council of Churches to be convened soon which will
take place in November of this year, in Cyprus.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"AT THE FOOT OF ARARAT MOUNTAIN: WONDERS OF ANTIQUE ARMENIA" EXHIBITION OPENS IN FRANCE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 18 2007

ARLES, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Ambassador of Armenia
to France Eduard Nalbandian, Bouches-du-Rhone Governor Jean-Noel
Guerini, Provence Alpes Cote de Azur Regional Council Chairman
Michael Vozel and Arles Mayor Herve Schiavetti opened on April 13
the exhibition entitled "At the Foot of Ararat Mountain: Wonders
of Antique Armenia" at the Antique Arles and Provence Museum. Noyan
Tapan was informed about it by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department.

The exhibition consists of four parts where about 150 exhibits brought
from Armenia present the Armenian people’s cultural roots (from the 7th
century B.C. to the 10th century), Urartu (10th-6th B.C.), post-Urartu
(6-4th B.C.) and pre-Christian periods. The exhibits are brought from
the History Museum of Armenia, Erebuni and Sardarapat Museums as well
as from the Culture House of Goris and Aharonian collection (Paris).

The exhibition is organized within the framework of the Year of
Armenia in France and will last till July 29, 2007.

During the exhibition days Anna Mayilian’s and Armenian song masters’
concert will take place in Arles on May 24, duduk (Armenian national
pipe) player Arayik Bartikian’s concert will take place on July
26. Robert Gedikian’s "Travelling towards Armenia" film will also be
shown on July 26.

Groups of making jewelry and pottery goods will also be organized
for children at the Antique Arles and Provence Museum during May
and June. French schoolchildren will attempt to copy here models of
Armenian decoration art. The museum will also organize hearing on
the theme "Noah’s Ark Landed There, on Ararat" on June 3.

PRIMATE OF U.S. EASTERN DIOCESE STRUGGLES AGAINST HOLDING ONE-SIDED CONFERENCE UNDER MASK OF TURKISH-ARMENIAN DIALOGUE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 18 2007

NEW YORK, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Archbishop Khazhak
Parsamian, the primate of the U.S. Eastern Diocese addressed to
the administration of the Southern Methodist University of Dallas,
co-sponsor of the hastily organized international conference entitled
"Relating to Turkish-Armenian Dialogue." According to the information
submitted to Noyan Tapan by the U.S. Eastern Armenian Diocese,
worried with the circumstance that among the 12 speakers invited to
the conference there is no Armenian scientist or American Armenian
figure, exlucing the Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, Archbishop Parsamian
persuaded University President Doctor R. Gerald Turner to stop the
university sponsorship and assistance to the conference.

Besides, ecumenic colleagues, like, for example, Doctor Bob Edgar
from the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA,
joined Archbishop Parsamian calling on the university to stop its
sponsoring a conference which will be a monologue, effectively pushing
out Armenians from the supposed dialogue.

In response, University Vice President Jim Caswell informed that the
office of the University spiritual pastor stopped its assistance
to that event and demanded from the University "Turkish Student"
group sponsoring the conference and from other Turkish interested
groups and funds to remove the University name and symbol from their
advertisement materials and web sites.

Later the American scientists, learning about one-sided discussions,
refused to participate in that conference.

But the "Turkish Student" group of the University, the pro-Turkish
fund and the "interreligious" group having a Turk head still plan to
carry out the conference, in spite of the scientific world’s universal
condemnation relating to the framework and organization of the event.

RA PRESIDENT SIGNS DECREE ON SPRING CALL-UP

Noyan Tapan
Apr 18 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian signed
a decree on holding 2007 spring call-up and demobilization. Noyan
Tapan was informed about it from RA President’s Press Office.

According to the decree, RA male citizens will be called up for
compulsory military and alternative service in 2007 April-June, who
turn 18 before the day of call-up, as well as who lost the right of
deferment from compulsory military call-up received before.

Servicemen who have done compulsory military service in the established
term will be demobilized in 2007 April-June.

SOCIETY IS ALREADY BORED WITH ELECTIONS, ALVARD PETROSIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 18 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN. "I have continuously for years
perceived the pre-electoral stage as a small civil war. This speaks
about the issue that the political culture is not developed, and
people make a choice of not ideas but persons." Alvard Petrosian,
a member of the ARF faction of the RA NA made such a statement at
the April 18 press conference. Whereas, parties having ideas, like,
in her words, the ARF, which is worth to have more places at the NA,
are necessary at the Parliament.

The ARF deputy mentioned that even ANM Board Chairman Ararat Zurabian
said in one of his interviews that "if you do not elect the ANM,
elect Dashnaktsutiun having ideas." And A. Petrosian thinks that
it is better to debate at the NA with ANM representatives than with
those who enter the parliament to only develop their business. She
expressed a wish to see at the NA both ANM member Aram Manukian and
Marxist Davit Hakobian, and Arshak Sadoyan and Shavarsh Kocharian.

Touching upon the propaganda mission, the deputy mentioned that though
the stage of getting heated of the pre-electoral passions was to
already start, strange peace still reigns. In A. Petrosian’s words,
one of its reasons is the issue that the society has already been
bored with elections.

Responding the question if an ARF representative will be appointed on
the RA Defence Minister’s post, A. Petrosian said: "I consider natural
that our party pretends on getting the Defence Minister’s portfolio
as Artur Aghabekian passed all the stages of the military service
and is a person standing in the sources of creation of the army."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN RUBEN GEVORGIANTS’ OPINION, IT’S ME INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WILL NOT HAVE GRAND PRIX PRIZE-WINNER THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Apr 18 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN. It’s Me (Yes Em) annual international
youth festival will be held for the fourth time on April 25-30 in
Yerevan on the initiative of Union of Cinematographers of Armenia.

As film maker Ruben Gevorgiants, festival’s Director and Chairman
of jury, said at the April 18 press conference, 220 films have
been received from 17 countries for participation in the festival
and the jury selected 105 out of them. According to R. Gevorgiants’
observations, the quality of films presented last year was higher than
the quality of films presented this year. "In the respect of quantity
there are more films, but no essential development was noticed in
the respect of quality." R. Gevorgian also stated that in general,
"fiction films are very weak among films presented to the festival"
and documentary films are comparatively good. The Director of the
festival also expressed an opinion that in all probability, there will
be no Grand Prix this year, as he does not see a work pretending on
that prize among the presented films.

R. Gevorgiants also said that the majority of people who presented
films to the festival are young creators. Most of them will take part
in the festival for the first time. "This festival is organized just
for them, for them to be able to present their works and pave the way
for themselves," R. Gevorgiants said. The Director of the festival
also said that producers, who won prizes in this festival in previous
years, succeeded in another festivals, too.

"This means that the jury is unbiassed and our criteria correspond
to the international ones," R. Gevorgiants said.

The Chairman of the jury also said that in all probability, henceforth
the festival will be organized once in two years, as no interesting
films containing something new are created within one year.

The festival’s steering committee has instituted 8 prizes: the best
fiction film, the best documentary film, the best student work, the
best cameramen’s work, the best producer’s work, the best musical
clip, the best animation film, the best video-art. All participants
will receive a diploma, a prize and a monetary award.

R. Gevorgiants also said that Ara Vahuni new prize has been instituted
in the documentary film nomination in memory of the famous film
director.

In the words of the festival’s responsible person, more than 7 mln
drams (nearly 20 thousand USD) has been spent on the whole festival,
1.5 mln drams out of which was allocated by RA Ministry of Culture
and Youth Affairs.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALEXANDER MANASYAN: THE KARABAKH ISSUE HAS BEEN POLITICIZED

ArmRadio.am
18.04.2007 17:07

The Nagorno Karabakh issue has been politicized, and the legal package
of the issue has been drawn out of the negotiation package, president
of the Political Research Academy Alexander Manasyan said during the
discussion on "The Karabakh issues after the elections." According
to him, the categories which present the conflict to the world are
not adequate. "During the official talks the question of the main
victim of the conflict – the Azerbaijani Armenians – should also be
presented," he underlined. The political scientist is confident that
in 1992, when Azerbaijan was joining the UN, Armenia had to declare
that in compliance with the agreements in force at that moment it
did not have the right to be declared an independent state within
the borders of Soviet Azerbaijan.

Member of the All-Armenian National Movement Hovhannes Igityan
considers that for significantly changing the process of the Karabakh
conflict settlement it is necessary for Karabakh to become a party
in the negotiations. We should "break" the opinion that this is a
conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In reality there is the Nagorno Karabakh Republic with its people which
has self-determined and continues this process," he noted. Among the
prerequisites of settlement Hovhannes Igityan points out the conduct
of free and fair elections. "Armenia must become a true democratic
country. Democratic Armenia has more chances than oil Azerbaijan,"
he said.

Hovhannes Igityan agrees with the RA President’s opinion that the
Karabakh issue should not be disputed in the electoral processes,
although, according to him, all political forces touch upon it.