Month: April 2007

A1+

SHOTS AT DEPUTY’S CAR
[02:45 pm] 09 April, 2007

On Saturday midnight, at about 12:30, unknown people fired shots at
Hakob Hakobyan’s car parked in Manushyan Street, Zvartnots Village.

Fortunately, there was no one inside; NA Deputy Hakob Hakobyan, the
owner of the car, had left minutes ahead.

Mr. Hakobyan informed A1+ that the suspected car was a dark blue
BMW. In reply to our question whether Mr. Hakobyan connects the
assault with the upcoming elections, the latter said, `I can only say
that the car belongs to my brother but that day I was the driver. I
can’t say anything more. I have no moral right to suspect anyone. But
I already have certain doubts who the initiators might be.’

Mr. Hakobyan informed us that they have started their own
investigation.

The most striking is the fact the remedial forces didn’t interrogate
Mr. Hakobyan on the matter. `My doubts double as no policeman came to
our place to inquire on the matter, to chain the place or keep an eye
on my family. Everything is quite clear.’

Panorama.am

13:23 09/04/2007

THEY APPROVED TIME OF BEING ON AIR

Sitting of the Central Electoral Committee was held on April 8, during
which the Committee approved according to the draw, the duration and
turn of paid and free hours of being on air, provided by television
and radio to the parties and unity within the framework of the
election campaign.

At the same time election campaign will be implemented by Public
Television from 5.15 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Meantime during the whole
process of the election campaign the 24 parties and 1 unity may use 2
free minutes of air per And from April 10 to 23 the paid hour of being
on air will be 3 minutes, from April 25 to May 6 – 4 minutes, on May 7
and 8 – 7 minutes and on May 9 and 10 – 8 minutes. It should be noted
that the parties nominated on proportional basis, may use 60 free and
120 paid minutes of being on air.

On the air of Public radio the election campaign is divided into two
blocks – day and evening. At that the parties will carry out their
campaign from 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. and from 9.40 p.m. to 11.50
p.m. To remind, for the purpose of implementing an election campaign
on the air of Public radio each party will be provided 120 free
minutes and 180 paid minutes.

According to the casting of lots, `Unity’ will be the first on air of
Public Television on April 10, and National Democratic Union – the
last one.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Charles Aznavour to start his world tour on April 20

ArmRadio.am
09.04.2007 16:19

Charles Aznavour will start his farewell world concert tour from the
State Kremlin Palace on April 20, the organizers of the concert told
`Interfax,’ referring to the world known singer’s official statement
to French media. `I think it’s better to protract the tour rather than
take a break, especially because it is very hard to part with the
audience,’ representative of the PR service Viktoria Lemyakina quotes
Aznavour as saying.

She said that in response to the question about his future plans, the
singer stated: `Plans are drawn at the age of 20, when the whole life
is ahead. At the age of 82 I rather arrange my affairs and think what
else I can achieve in the current year.’

April 5, 2007

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
CONTACT: Bianca Bagatourian
22 Concord Lane, Cambridge, MA 02138
617 871 -6764
[email protected]

Screening and Reception for Michael Goorjian in Boston, hosted by
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance and Belmont World Film’ On March 25th,
the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA) in its first collaboration
with Belmont World Film presented Michael Goorjian’s film `Illusion’
starring screen legend Kirk Douglas in his last role.

Preceding the screening, there was a gala reception for actor/film
maker Michael Goorjian which was attended by close to three hundred
people at the First Armenian Church in Belmont, MA. It included
gourmet Armenian food and music by the band, Kef Time, and was
covered by reporters from The Boston Globe, The Belmont Citizen/
Herald and Imagine Magazine.

Special guests at the reception included Massachusetts State
Representative Rachael Kaprielian, and actor and filmmaker, Eddie
Steeves, `Crab Man’ in the popular TV series, `My
Name Is Earl’.

`I appreciate the great turn-out and support from the Armenian
community,’ said Goorjian, who is on the ADAA advisory board and is
currently working on some on-going film and theater projects with ADAA
in between his busy schedule. "I think the value of this organization
which introduces and helps in networking Armenian professionals in the
entertainment field is invaluable," he stated.

`Illusion’ is about a film producer (Kirk Douglas) who, as he
becomes old and ill, questions his rejection of his illegitimate son.

One night, he is awakened by the ghost of his old friend, who shows
him visions of his son’s life. The father is captivated by these and
his son’s tragic existence. On his deathbed, he learns that
redemption is possible.

`Illusion’ was winner of Best Screenplay at the Hamptons Film Festival
and won both the Jury Award and the Audience Award at the
Inspirational Film Festival.

The Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance’s mission is to project the

Armenian voice on the world stage through the dramatic arts of
theatre and film. The organization accomplishes this mission by
supporting playwrights and screenwriters and provides production
opportunities, commissions, scholarships, research tools, networking
resources and two $10,000 writing awards.

For more information and photos, please visit

Photo Credits: Robert Pushkar and Bethel Charkoudian
Hapet Berberian, Michael Goorjian, Andrea Berberian
Michael Goorjian, Berj Ayvazian, Steve Kurkjian
Mass. State Rep. Rachel Kaprielian, Michael Goorjian
Bianca Bagatourian, President, ADAA
Studio Cinema Theater, Belmont

The election campaign started yesterday

ArmRadio.am
09.04.2007 10:50

The election campaign of the May 12 parliamentary elections started on
April 8. All 24 parties and 1 alliance have equal right to use free
and paid air time on Public TV and Public Radio. I compliance with RA
Electoral Code, the Central Electoral Commission publicized the
procedure and schedule of provision of free and paid air time on April
8.

The political parties can use also the paid air time of private TV
Companies. The elections propaganda can be carried out through public
arrangements, distribution of print or video materials.

The first individual exhibition

Yerkir.am
April 06, 2007

Navasard Melikian’s first individual exhibition was opened at
Narekatsi Art Union on April 3. 24 works of the young painter were
presented at the exhibition.

`I started painting in the third grade. I graduated from Panos
Terlemezian Art College. My works of the last two years are presented
at the exhibition,’ Melikian says.

The paintings are the result of the young painter’s search for
self-realization. The first individual exhibition is the line after
which the painter looks back to analyze the past and visualize the
future.

`The paintings are done in oil, or mixed techniques. I do not follow
any specific style,’ Melikian says.

The bright colors on his paintings seem to be a door that opens the
way to the freedom and uniqueness of fine art. The intangible images
reveal the young painter’s spiritual connection with his close people
and the outer world.

Navasard Melikian has participated in group exhibitions and has won
prizes in student exhibition contests. Time will show what will happen
in the future, and the future always belongs to the young.

By Gohar STEPANIAN

PRESS RELEASE
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church
3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Contact: Raffy Kendirjian
Tel: +1 (818) 558-7474
Fax: +1 (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Primate Offers Opening Prayer in the California State Assembly

Sacramento, CA – On Monday April 9th, 2007 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, offered the opening prayer for
the California State Assembly. The Primate was in Sacramento as part of a
delegation that traveled to the state capitol to support the passage of
Assembly Joint Resolution 15 (AJR 15), which declares April 24th, 2007 an
Official Day of Remembrance in California. Accompanying the Primate were the
Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, Fr. Asoghig Jamgotchian, Dn. Rod Jorjorian,
Ara Aghishian, Tony Truisi, Edwin Minassian, Vahe Ashjian, and Daniel
Aydinian as well as members of the Sacramento Armenian-American community.
Also part of the delegation was the Consul General of the Republic of
Armenia to Los Angeles, Mr. Armen Liloyan.

In his prayer the Primate called upon the Lord to "bless the State Assembly
of California, the Governor, the members of the Assembly for their dedicated
service and sense of responsibility. Grant them all wisdom and perseverance
to continue the observances of April 24 as a ‘Day of Remembrance of the
Armenian Genocide’."

During the assembly session the co-authors of AJR 15, Assemblymembers Paul
Krekorian and Greg Aghazarian, presented the legislation. They emphasized
that, while resolutions have been adopted in the past to designate April 24
th as a Day of Remembrance, this resolution goes further by expressing that
the Congress and President should appropriately recognize the Genocide,
demanding the Republic of Turkey acknowledge the Genocide and condemning
them for their current abuses of human rights. Specific reference was made
to the assassination of Hrant Dink. After being put to a vote the resolution
was accepted on the assembly floor. The resolution was principally
co-authored by Senators Jack Scott and Joe Simitian, Assembly Speaker Fabian
Nunez, and Assemblymembers Charles Calderon, Kevin De Leon, Mark Leno, Fiona
Ma, and Anthony Portantino.

Following the vote a special commemoration ceremony was held in the Assembly
chamber. At the conclusion of the session a reception was held, which was
hosted by the Armenian Caucus of the State Legislature, during which many
members of the delegation, as well as members from the Armenian American
community were able to meet with legislators and legislative staff.
The Primate’s Prayer

*On the occasion of the Commemoration the Armenian Genocide at the Assembly
of the State of California April 9, 2007*

Almighty God,

Gathered today at the Assembly of the State of California we remember the
victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and give thanks with a heart full
of gratitude to all those who observe April 24 as a day of remembrance.

Amongst the many prominent leaders, Honorable Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Governor of the State of California has been a strong advocate of historical
truths. In his proclamation dated 15th of April 2005, Governor
Schwarzenegger declared April 24 a "Day of Remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide" perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire.

Our Faith in God obliges us all to be true towards historical facts. As sons
and daughters of the Genocide survivors, we uphold firm our respect not only
for the lives of the victims who perished in 1915, but above all for the
victims of all Genocides since the first Genocide of the 20th century.

Today, we pledge our allegiance for the well-being of the United States of
America, where democracy and freedom continues to be the most cherished
values of this great nation.

Almighty God, bless the State Assembly of California, the Governor, the
members of the Assembly for their dedicated service and sense of
responsibility. Grant them all wisdom and perseverance to continue the
observance of April 24 as a "Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide".

Today, citizens of the United States of Armenian decent praise God for the
gifts of this wonderful nation. Today, on this day of commemoration, we also
remember the departed souls of the brave men and woman of the United States
Army who have fallen in defense of this nation.

Today, American Armenians throughout this country look highly upon you and
are filled with pride and gratitude for your vision and honorable stance in
recognition of the truth.

Today, as the official representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
North America, Western Diocese which includes California, we give thanks to
God for your leadership as you work towards building a stronger America
which stands firm to protect those who are deprived of justice.

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
April 9, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA CRITICIZES TURKEY FOR BLOCKING
U.N. EXHIBIT ON THE RWANDA GENOCIDE

— Turkey’s Campaign to Deny the Armenian Genocide Prevents
Opening of Educational Exhibit on the Rwanda Genocide

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
today sharply condemned the Turkish government for blocking the
opening of a United Nations exhibit on the Rwanda Genocide due to
an indirect mention of the Armenian Genocide in one of the
exhibit’s display panels.

"Sadly, this is only the most recent example of how Turkey’s
campaign to deny the Armenian Genocide perpetuates the cycle of
genocide – making the world a more dangerous place and future
genocides more likely," said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian.

The Associate Press reported earlier today that the United Nations,
bowing to Turkish protests, has delayed the opening of the exhibit,
organized by the Aegis Trust, in the international organization’s
highly trafficked visitor’s lobby. The Turkish mission had
specifically registered its objections to a reference in the
exhibit concerning the origin of the word "genocide," which
mentioned that Raphael Lemkin, the international lawyer and human
rights activist who coined this term, was influenced by the crimes
committed against the Armenians and other mass killings.

Commenting on the exhibit’s postponement, James Smith, the chief
executive of the British-based Aegis Trust, said, "If we can’t get
this right, it undermines all the values of the U.N. It undermines
everything the U.N. is meant to stand for in terms of preventing
(genocide). . . You can’t learn the lessons from history if you’re
going to sweep all of that history under the carpet. And what about
accountability? What about ending impunity if you’re going to hide
part of the truth? It makes a mockery of all of this."

The full text of the Associate Press article is provided below.

#####

UN exhibition postponed after Turkey objects to reference to
Armenians

The Associated Press
Monday, April 9, 2007

UNITED NATIONS: A U.N. exhibition on the 1994 Rwanda genocide,
scheduled to be opened Monday by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has
been postponed because of Turkish objections to a reference to the
murder of a million Armenians in Turkey during World War I.

James Smith, chief executive of the British-based Aegis Trust,
which works to prevent genocide and helped organize the photo
exhibition, said the U.N. Department of Public Information approved
the contents and it was put up on Thursday.

A Turkish diplomat complained about the reference to the Armenian
murders, he said, and Armenia’s U.N. Ambassador Armen Martirosyan
went to see the new Undersecretary for Public Information Kiyotaka
Akasaka and they agreed to remove the words "in Turkey."

Martirosyan said Akasaka invited him to the exhibition’s opening,
but late Sunday "I was informed that the opening would be
postponed, or delayed, or even canceled." He blamed Turkish
"censorship" and the country’s refusal "to come to terms with their
own history."

On Monday, the exhibition in the visitor’s lobby had been turned
around so it could not be seen by the public. Smith said he was
still hoping for a diplomatic solution to the dispute.

"We are very disappointed about it because for us, this was meant
to be about the Rwandan genocide, and the lessons from the Rwandan
genocide," and to engage the secretary-general on the pledge by
world leaders to protect civilians from genocide, war crimes and
ethnic cleansing, which Smith said was not happening in Sudan’s
conflict-wracked Darfur region.

U.N. associate spokesman Farhan Haq confirmed Turkey complained
about the exhibition, but he said "the basic concern" was that the
review process for U.N. exhibitions, which takes into account "all
positions," was not followed. He said there were other concerns
which he refused to disclose.

"The exhibition has been postponed until the regular review process
is completed," Haq said.

Smith told The Associated Press the exhibition refers to the
Armenian murders to help explain the word "genocide," which was
coined by Raphael Lemkin, a lawyer of Polish-Jewish descent. Lemkin
was inspired by what happened to the Armenians and other mass
killings, and campaigned in the League of Nations – the precursor
of the United Nations – against what he called "barbarity" and
"vandalism."

Historians estimate up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by
Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely
viewed by genocide scholars as the first genocide of the 20th
century. Turkey, however, denies the deaths constituted genocide,
saying that the toll has been inflated and that those killed were
victims of civil war and unrest.

Smith said a small panel on Lemkin in the exhibit "says that during
World War I a million Armenians were murdered in Turkey." It goes
on to explain that Lemkin first used the word genocide in 1943, and
then focuses on the Rwanda genocide, lessons from it, and the
responsibility of the international community to prevent future
genocides, he said.

Haq said "the U.N. hasn’t expressed any position on incidents that
took place long before the United Nations was established" after
World War II.

"In any case, the focus during the anniversary of the Rwanda
genocide should remain on Rwanda itself," he said.

Rwanda’s genocide began hours after a plane carrying President
Juvenal Habyarimana was mysteriously shot down as it approached the
capital, Kigali, on April 6, 1994. The 100-day slaughter, in which
more than 500,000 minority Tutsis were killed by Hutu extremists,
ended after rebels ousted the extremist Hutu government that
orchestrated the killings.

Smith said the panel on the origin of genocide could have been done
without referring to the Armenians.

But once the Armenian reference "was there and approved, we felt as
a matter of principle you can’t just go around striking things out.
It is a form of denial, and as an organization that deals with
genocide issues, we couldn’t do that on any genocide, and we can’t
do this," he said.

"If we can’t get this right, it undermines all the values of the
U.N. It undermines everything the U.N. is meant to stand for in
terms of preventing (genocide)," Smith said. "You can’t learn the
lessons from history if you’re going to sweep all of that history
under the carpet. And what about accountability? What about ending
impunity if you’re going to hide part of the truth? It makes a
mockery of all of this."

Haq said Ban planned to meet with Rwanda’s U.N. ambassador late
Monday, and he read a message from the secretary-general who
recalled the "personal impact" of his visit to Rwanda last year to
pay his respects to victims and survivors of the genocide.

"On this 13th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, two messages
should be paramount," Ban said. "First, never forget. Second never
stop working to prevent another genocide."

Associated Press Writer Lily Hindy contributed to this report

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 – 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:

April 9, 2007

Raffi Hovannisian and Heritage To Kick Off Campaign

Yerevan–After celebrating Holy Easter at the Mother See of St. Etchmiadzin
on April 8 and visiting the resting places of Aram Manukian and Armenia’s
historical and contemporary leaders at the Yerevan Pantheon and Yerablur
Military Cemetery today, Raffi Hovannisian and the Heritage Party will
launch their parliamentary election quest tomorrow, April 10.

The campaign, which embarks on its republic-wide trek toward victory under
the standard of "Faith and Fatherland," will kick off with a national
assembly at the Armenia Marriott Hotel on April 10 at 3pm. The 51 candidates
on the Heritage list will be joined by their fellow citizens, renowned
intellectuals, sports champions, and Arto Tuncboyaciyan and the Armenian
Navy Band.

The event is open to the public.

Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. Its
central office is located at 31 Moscovian Street, Yerevan 0002, Armenia,
with telephone contact at (374-10) 536.913, fax at (374-10) 532.697, email
at [email protected] or [email protected], and website at

EurasiaNet, Civil Society
Sunday, April 8, 2007

Youth Group Pushes for Change
By Onnik Krikorian:

Youth in newspaper hats stand on street corners and read aloud from
Armenian dailies. Masked young people march by parliament yelling "Don’t
Eat Too Much!" at deputies. It’s election season in Armenia, and with
the parliamentary vote just over a month away, one unconventional youth
group is waging weekly war on widespread political apathy.

Formed in 2003, Sksel a (It’s Started) has an uncertain number of
members, but its youth-oriented events in downtown Yerevan have been
gaining growing notice. Its target is the 639,950 Armenian voters below
the age of 30. Its mission is to show young people that public affairs
have an affect on their lives — the cry to deputies, for instance, was
a thinly veiled allusion to allegedly high-levels of government
corruption.

The group claims that its purpose is not overtly political, and, at
first glance, for many passers-by, the February march through town that
also aimed to "wake up society from its winter slumber" appeared to be
just a celebration of the traditional Lenten holiday of Barekendan. But
hidden among the color and noise which define every Sksel a event, a
political message is becoming more evident as the May 12 vote
approaches.

Posters calling for the release of recently detained former Karabakh
commander, Zhirayr Sefilian, have been on display at recent events, for
example. The group’s most recent demonstration was staged to protest the
eviction of tenants from their homes in downtown Yerevan to make way for
new construction, a topic with political overtones.

Some observers are already trying to make comparisons between Sksel a
and Georgia’s Kmara (Enough) or Ukraine’s Pora! (It’s Time!), youth
groups that played key roles in those countries’ respective 2003 and
2004 revolutions.

One of Sksel a’s organizers and founders, 24-year-old Arsen Kharatian,
understands the motivation for the comparison, but says he is unhappy
with it. "I don’t know if we are or not [similar]," Kharatian said. "We
mean different things to different people and we will follow our own
direction."

Twenty-seven-year-old Mikayel Kazarian, one of the group’s most active
participants, has his own expectations of what he hopes will be
achieved. "We’re part of the process that will bring change," he told
EurasiaNet. "The authorities should feel that they’re being watched by
the people. When society is passive, the authorities can do everything
and anything they want, and we need to apply pressure to change that."

The authorities, however, have not rushed to second that intention.

Citing previously scheduled outdoor events, Yerevan’s city hall has
refused permission for the group to hold an April 14 open-air rock
concert, funded, like the February march, by the British Embassy.

Like other observers, Sksel a organizer Kharatian is concerned that such
decisions are directly related to the election and attempts by the
authorities to prevent alternative groups from holding meetings or
staging rallies.

If so, Kharatian argues, the decision is misplaced. "I wouldn’t say that
we’re directly concerned with the election as we’ve existed informally
as a group since 2003, " he commented, "but there’s no doubt that the
country is about to face a major challenge which is why we’ve become so
active now."

The group has applied for an alternative date, but has yet to receive a
response, he added. A fresh refusal would demonstrate whether or not
blocking Sksel a events is "official policy," he continued.

Critics however, contend that many youth are attracted to Sksel a by the
possibility of attending free concerts or meeting other young people
with similar interests.

While supportive of the group, Eleonora Manandian, one of the leaders of
Armenia’s more active student movement during the mid-1990s, comments
that interest in politics among Armenian youth runs borderline to nil.

"Young people don’t care, especially when it comes to politics. They
don’t think that it is possible for politics to be honest and don’t
believe they can change anything even if they wanted to," Manandian
said. "And if there are those who are interested in politics, it is only
for their own personal careers or financial gain."

Sksel a’s Kharatian observes that "[y]outh in Armenia only become active
if it directly relates to them on a personal level, and that’s sad for
us, and it needs to change."

Already, some political parties are trying to put that trend to work.
Prosperous Armenia Party Youth Coordinator Isabella Shirinian admits
that two buses bearing the party’s logo which provide free
transportation for students to and from Yerevan’s Polytechnical
Institute are designed to target the youth vote. [For details, see the
Eurasia Insight archive].

To ride the buses, students hand over their identification cards before
they are returned some days later. The buses also make unscheduled stops
en route at party events and meetings. The implication from party
representatives is that students should vote for Prosperous Armenia at
the polls, noted one student.

"Elections don’t happen every day, and it shouldn’t be surprising that
students take any opportunity given to them to save several hundred
drams on travel," said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"This happens every election and is the main reason why most young
people don’t take them seriously."

Opposition parties also indulge in handouts. One recent story on an
election site run by the media assistance organization Internews
reported that the Orinats Yerkir Party offered recording assistance to
an aspiring young musician in exchange for attendance at party events.

Yet some civil society activists are more optimistic about the
possibilities for youth to become involved in Armenia’s political life.
The mixture of lighthearted fun and seriousness at Sksel a events,
opined Jeffrey Tufenkian, president of the local Armenian Forests NGO
and a veteran American environmental and human rights activist, provides
a critical opportunity for "positive activism."

Said Tufenkian: "It is actions and initiatives like this which gives me
hope for Armenia."

Editor’s Note: Onnik Krikorian is a freelance journalist and
photographer from the United Kingdom based in the Republic of Armenia.

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