Month: April 2007

WOMEN IN THE EYES OF ADVERTISING

ArmRadio.am
07.04.2007 14:17

An exhibition and film screening that will examine positive and
negative images of women in the media will take place on April 11th
at The Club.

The exhibition will critique and examine current print advertising
appearing in Armenian publications for their use of women’s
images. These often physically revealing or sexual images are often
overlooked as simply being appealing; the exhibition seeks to question
these images, to identify the ways in which they present women as
objects or worse, and to suggest more positive, complex and full
portrayals of women. The failure to show women in positive ways
is relevant to all Armenians while there is a current law on the
books that protects the dignity of human beings as they appear in
advertising. The exhibition will be accompanied by a brief talk by
Gayane Vermishyan about the exhibit’s aims, as well as a lecture by
Araks Markosyan which will help to underline the psychological impact
of advertising images on society.

The film by critically acclaimed director Nika Shek will be shown
after the lecture. This film examines the plight of female football
players in Armenia and provides many examples of positive images of
women. As the women featured in the film directly question and confront
stereotypes of women, they provide inspiration for the general public
to constantly question the images they are bombarded with every day
in the Armenian media. A discussion will follow the screening.

This event is organized by the Women’s resource center.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALBERT HOVSEPYAN ELECTED VICE-SPEAKER OF THE ABKHAZIAN PARLIAMENT

ArmRadio.am
07.04.2007 14:22

At the first sitting of the newly elected Parliament of the fourth
convocation of Abkhazia Armenian Albert Hovsepyan was elected
Vice-Speaker, "Yerkramas" newspaper of Russian Armenians informs,
reminding that there are three Armenian MPs in the Abkhazian
Parliament. Nugzar Ashuba was elected Chairman of the Parliament.

It’s worth mentioning that Albert Hovsepyan was represented also in
the Parliament of third convocation.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA CONGRATULATED ARMENIAN WOMEN ON MOTHERHOOD AND BEAUTY DAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2007 13:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian congratulated
women of Armenian on Motherhood and Beauty Day, the presidential Press
Office reports. In particular, the message of congratulation says,
"Dear women, I congratulate you on the Day of Motherhood and Beauty
from the bottom of my heart. The fact that a separate holiday is
dedicated to motherhood, underlines our society’s special attention
to the image of mother. Your role in keeping family traditions and
warmth of hearth is invaluable. You carry the main burden: you give
birth, grow, teach and bring up the future generation. In connection
with this beautiful spring holiday I wish you love and happiness,
and proud for children to all mothers."

NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM HINDERS REALIZATION OF U.S. IDEAS IN CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.04.2007 19:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Paramount importance of the South Caucasus in
military-strategic plan made its economic importance secondary,
however such a development of events contradicts interests of the
countries in the region," Russian political scientist Alexander Krilov
says. In his article titled "South Caucasus: bridgehead instead of
capitalistic paradise" he underlines all the countries in the region
are vitally interested in making the South Caucasus a key player in
transit of energy resources from the Central Asia.

"But because of the unsettled Nagorno Karabakh problem from the very
beginning Armenia occurred out of the process of building energy
corridors. As a result only Azerbaijan and Georgia can claim to the
role of transit states. The Bush Administration thinks, it would be the
best variant if Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia simultaneously access
NATO. Official Tbilisi holds to such a perspective with enthusiasm
and Baku with some stipulations (Azerbaijan demands first of all
to withdraw Armenian troops from the Nagorno Karabakh and other
"occupied" territories and bring it back under the jurisdiction of
Azeri government)", the Russian political scientist writes.

He says, the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the
unsettled Nagorno Karabakh conflict hinders realization of U.S. ideas
in Caucasus. "Still the United States and his allies have not found
mutually acceptable compromise between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In
such conditions Washington refused from the plan to include the whole
South Caucasus in NATO.

Instead it is made clear that Washington is for Georgia’s accession
to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization," says Krilov in his article
published in "New Policy" web-site.

FRENCH AND GERMAN COLLEAGUES CONGRATULATED S. SARGSYAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2007 13:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin
has sent a message of congratulations to Serzh Sargsyan on his
appointment as the Prime Minister of Armenia, the RA Government Press
Office reports. Dominique de Villepin’s message in particular says,
" I congratulate you on your appointment as the Prime Minister of
Armenia. I am sure you will strengthen the work of your predecessor and
continue to direct Armenia through the way of economic and political
reforms with the same determination."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also has sent a message of
congratulations. The message says, "Dear Mr. Prime Minister, I
congratulate you on your appointment in this higher post from the
bottom of my heart and wish you all the best and success. I am sure
Armenia will continue reforms in democracy, formation of jural state
and strengthening market economy. The German government will assist
Armenia in this way as much as possible."

THE NEW YORK TIMES: EVENTS OF 1915 WERE NOT A "MASSACRE", IT WAS GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2007 14:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ By the decision of The New York Times’ editorial
council in 2004, events of 1915 fall under the definition of "genocide"
and when publishing articles over this subject the editorial staff will
always use the word "genocide". A headline on April 5 about a planned
vote in Congress over the Armenian Genocide Resolution, the widespread
killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish government early in the
20th century incorrectly described the killings, in which 1.5 million
Armenians died. The editorial of the Newspaper has made clear it was
genocide, not a "massacre." The same definition concerns a March 29
article titled "Armenian Genocide Resolution has infuriated Turkey",
where the Armenian Genocide of 1915 was described as "massacre".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EUROPEAN COMMISSION READY TO ASSIST ARMENIA IN KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2007 14:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of the European Commission Jose Manuel
Barroso has sent a message of congratulations to Serzh Sargsyan on
his appointment as the RA Prime Minister, the Press Office of the
Armenian Government reports. In his message J. Barroso stressed the
EU Commission hopes on further development of harmonic and strong
relations with Armenia via full realization of EU-Armenia Partnership
and Co-operation Agreement and European Neighborhood Action Plan. He
said, an important agenda of political and economic reforms is in
front of the Armenian government, including continuation of democratic
processes and dialog among different political parties and the civil
society. Jose Manuel Barroso underlined, the continuation of efforts in
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict peaceful solution is a serious challenge
in foreign policy context of Armenia. He expressed readiness by the
European Commission to assist Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group in
this issue.

"The European Commission is ready to support your efforts in building a
prosperous state, respect of human rights, rule of law and realization
of successful economic policy. I hope your government will be able
to deepen democracy, particularly holding the coming elections in
accordance with OSCE and other international electoral standards,"
says the message.

KOSOVO PARLIAMENT ADOPTED MARTI AHTISAARI’S PLAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2007 15:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Parliament of Kosovo adopted the plan of UN
Special Representative Marti Ahtisaari. The document concerns the
status of region in the framework of conflict settlement between
Serbia and Kosovo Albanians, who press for establishing their own
state. The Parliament of Kosovo expressed support to the settlement
plan. The adopted resolution says the Ahtisaari plan is " a legal and
balanced solution that corresponds to the free will of Kosovo people".

Parliamentarians stated about their "unconditional support for
international civil and military presence in Kosovo" and committed to
"cooperate and assist that presence in every possible way", ITAR-TASS
reports.

At the same time Serbian President Boris Tadić stressed Serbia
will not agree with Kosovo and Metochia’s independence and will
struggle for its sovereignty and territorial integrity by all legal
ways. "Neither country in the world will agree with such a plan that
allows a part of its territory to cut off without his consent, since
it’s a question of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state,"
the Serbian leader stated.

The Ahtisaari plan on Kosovo settlement supposes granting the
autonomous region wide attributes of independent, practically excluding
any possibility for Belgrade to influence on domestic life of Kosovo.

Alongside the document supposes a certain control over Kosovo by
international, and first of all European organizations.

NIKOLAI RYZHKOV AND NIKOLAI BORDYUZHA CONGRATULATED SERZH SARGSYAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2007 15:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Nikolai Ryzhkov, Member of RF State Duma Council and
Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Cooperation Commission Co-Chair,
as well CSTO Sec. Gen. Nikolai Bordyuzha congratulated Sezh Sargsyan
on his appointment as RA Prime Minister. The Press Office of the
Armenian Government reported Serzh Sargsyan’s huge contribution to
the development of Armenian-Russian relations is stressed in their
message. The two also express assurance mutual understanding between
Armenia and Russia will further benefit to the interests of Armenia
and Russia.

FRADKOV: COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND RUSSIA BECOMES MORE BALANCED AND HARMONIC

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.04.2007 15:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov sent
congratulations to Serzh Sargsyan on his appointment as the Prime
Minister of Armenia, the Press Office of RA Government reported.

"Armenian-Russian multilateral relations, which reached the level
of allied cooperation, were developing dynamically during the
previous period. Our political ties are strengthening on mutually
acceptable base, consistently grows trade-economic cooperation,
develop humanitarian contacts. The bilateral cooperation becomes
more balanced and harmonic. We know You as a consistent follower of
further deepening Armenian-Russian relations, and You made a huge
contribution to the development of military-political and economic
relations between our two countries. We hope Your effective activity
aimed at development Armenian-Russian ties, will continue on the post
of Prime Minister," says Mikhail Fradkov in his message.