Month: May 2008

STEPAN SAFARIAN: "HERITAGE" HAS NO MORE EXPECTATION IN TERMS OF
IMPLEMENTATION OF PACE RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS UNTIL JUNE 20

YER EVAN, MAY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Quite a long time has passed since the
adoption of resolution No 1609 by the PACE, but, except for some
discussions and failed attempts, there have been no developments in
Armenia in terms of implementation of the resolution requirements,
secretary of NA "Heritage" faction Stepan Safarian stated at the May 27
press conference. According to him, the leader of "Heritage" party
Raffi Hovannisian took a step on implementation of one of the PACE
requirements, namely, the requirement on starting a dialog of political
forces. However, his letter to the president Serge Sargsian and the
head of the Popular Movement Levon Ter-Petrosian with the appeal to
engage in dialog has given no result.

Speaking about creation of three new standing committees at the
National Assembly (this is presented as a step aimed at increasing the
rights of the opposition), S. Safarian said that the fact that the
function of territorial development is given to one committee, while
that of territorial administration to another shows that no serious
approach is taken to these committees in the NA. The existence of new
committees, in his words, will just provide some people with the
opportunity to have a new woman secretary, an office car, etc.

As for the PACE requirement on immediate release of the political
figures and activists who were arrested for political reasons, S.
Safarian noted that the authorities understand "release of those
arrested" as "giving a suspended sentence to them". He said that
"Heritage" has no more expectation that Armenia will fulfil the
requirements of resolution No 1609 until June 20.

Safarian also expressed mistrust towards the idea of establishing
"Public Council" which was put forward by advisor to the RA president
Garnik Isagulian. In his words, "Heritage" cannot understand what such
a public council is. "Besides, we have no faith in G. Isagulian," he
added.

SITTING OF "HAYASTAN" ALL-ARMENIAN FUND’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES STARTS IN
YEREVAN

4

YEREVAN, MAY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA president Serge Sargsian attaches
great importance to activities of the Board of Trustees of the
"Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund and as the chairman of the board, he will
do everything possible to ensure the efficiency of this body in
Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora relations. The RA president stated this at the
17th sitting of the board of trustees. "I think we have serious work to
do in terms of assessing the path we have already passed and planning
the future activities of the Fund," he said.

The board chairman announced the decision to appoint the following
persons: the NKR president Bako Sahakian, the RA prime minister Tigran
Sargsian, the NKR prime minister Arayik Harutyunian, the RA foreign
minister Edward Nalbandian, the RA minister of finance Tigran Davtian
and the head of the RA State Tax Service Vahram Barseghian – as members
of the board. S. Sargsian thanked the former president of the RA Robert
Kocahrian for heading the board of trustees over the past 10 years. It
was stated that last year the list of donor members of the Fund
increased: Martin Weiman (Germany), VivaCell, ABCA Credit Agricole
Bank, Ardshininvestbank, Karabakh Telecom and businessman Mikael
Baghdasarov became donor members.

The executive director of the Fund Vahe Aghabekian made a report on the
work done in 2007. During a talk with reporters, he noted that in 2007
financial revenues of the Fund made about 22 million dollars, 11
million dollars of which was provided for the programs both in process
and to be launched in Nagorno Karabakh, and the same amount was given
for the implementation of programs in Armenia.

The NKR president Bako Sahakian expressed satisfaction at the Fund’s
activities in the past years. He underlined that the NKR authorities
consider the program on development of villages in the Nagorno Karabakh
as "the major component of our country’s security". In his words, it is
a priority in Armenia as well.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Hello Magazine, Canada
May 27 2008

Canadian directing talent triumphs at Cannes

26 May 2008
Although Angelina Jolie and her burgeoning baby bump stole the show at
this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Canadian behind-the-scenes movie
talent got their fair share of attention, too. Both writer-director
Atom Egoyan and experimental filmmaker Denis Villeneuve won big on the
final weekend of the glam French Riviera festivities.

Toronto-raised Atom, who was born in Cairo to Armenian parents,
scooped the prestigious Ecumenical Jury prize for his gritty
low-budget movie Adoration – about a high-school student who reinvents
his life on the Internet.

"I’m so overwhelmed by this prize," said the delighted director. "It
puts the film into context!" It wasn’t the 47-year-old’s first taste
of Cannes glory, though. He was awarded the same honour in 1997 for
drama flick The Sweet Hereafter.

Meanwhile Quebec-born Denis won the grand prize for best short film
for his 11-minute absurdist picture, Next Floor.

88/atom/egoyan/wins/1/

EVERYBODY RESPONSIBLE FOR STRAINED ATMOSPHERE IN COUNTRY, HRANT
MARGARIAN SAYS

Y EREVAN, MAY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Everybody is responsible for the strained
atmosphere in the country in recent period, ARF Bureau member Hrant
Margarian said at the May 27 press conference. "We did our best to
prevent the confrontation. Unfortunatelly, it happened, but we are not
trying to make it a subject of political speculation because it was a
misfortune for our statehood and nation," H. Margarian added. In his
opinion, one way to get out of the current situation is Armenian
intellectuals’ impartial assessment of recent events. "We need to
create a moral climate in which every person will feel responsible for
his attitide and behavior," he noted. Describing today’s atmpsphere, he
said that a group of aggressive press ready to sqabble has formed.

H. Margarian expressed an opinion that what has happened in Armenia
recently is an Armenian National Movement (ANM) rather than a popular
movement. "Every force, organizaton, even person permitted itself to
speak on behalf of the people. However, if a person uses the word
"people", it does not mean that his direction is popular," he pointed
out.

He considered dialog as an important step for forming a culture of
political struggle. "Some already noticeable practical steps should
become more real, with more favorable conditions for a dialog to be
created," H. Margarian said.

Responding to a question, the ARF Bureau member said that they served
as a support for neither Robert Kocharian nor Serge Sargsian. "The ARF
has its direction and it cooperates with the authorities based on its
convictions and requirements," H. Margarian stated, adding that the ARF
may become a support for the people and statehood.

ARF CANNOT OBJECT TO GRANTING ARMENIAN CITIZENSHIP TO ANY ARMENIAN,
HRANT MARGARIAN SAYS

Y EREVAN, MAY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. "The ARF cannot object to the granting of
Armenian citizenship to an Armenian: any Armenian has the right to
receive Armenian citizenship," ARF Bureau member Hrant Margarian stated
at the May 27 press conference, referring to Lebanese citizen,
azatamartik (freedom fighter) Zhirayr Sefilian’s application for
Armenian citizenship. According to him, the ARF was also against the
police decision to deport Z. Sefilian from Armenia. He announced that
the ARF informed the Armenian president about its opinion. "We disagree
but one should understand the situation. I think it is not a final
decision and I hope that like any other Armenian, Zhirayr will be
granted Armenian citizenship," H. Margarian noted.

To recap, the RA police made a decision to start the process of
deporting Z. Sefilian. On May 23 it filed a claim to the Administrative
Court with the request to take a decision on deportation. Coordinator
of the civil initiative "In Defence of Liberated Territories",
azatamartik Z. Sefilian was sentenced to imprisonment for keeping
illegal weapons. His prison term expires on June 7.

PR Newswire (press release), NY
May 27 2008

AJA Raises Funds With Los Angeles Jewelry Runway Show

A Charitable Organization Comprised of Leading Jewelry Designers Comes
Together For a Good Cause

LOS ANGELES, May 27 /PRNewswire/ — Armenian Jewelers Association
(AJA), a charitable organization comprised of leading
Armenian-American Jewelry Designers, have announced today that they
have raised over $100,000 dedicated to their various charitable causes
with their 2nd annual jewelry runway show held on May 11, 2008 at the
Biltmore hotel in Los Angeles.

(Photo: 36)

Attended by the Who’s Who of the elite jewelry community, on the
special mother’s day version of the yearly show, all mothers received
a rose and enjoyed a unique Brazilian themed gathering. The attendees
of this black tie banquet affair were treated to a runway show
featuring jewelry from 10 Armenian Designers including Giantto
Designer Jewelry, Haytayan Jewelers, Inc., Kirkara, Luxiriator/Franco,
Inc., Media Imports Micheal M. Jewelry, Oro Diamante, Simon
G. Jewelry, and Von Dutch Watches.

The AJA was created in order to develop a stronger network of jewelers
in the U.S. and to help further develop and promote education
initiatives and programs for those youths interested in excelling in
the jewelry industry. The purpose of AJA is to draw on the heritage
and the diverse entrepreneurial and business strengths and experience
of its members in order to increase communication and cooperation
between U.S. jewelers, to enhance the professional image, promote the
interests and assist in the development and expansion of educational
initiatives of the future generations of the jewelry industry.

Part of the proceeds from the event will go to an educational relief
fund set up to help encourage youth and to provide them with the
valued support they need to get through school and to get a start in a
more than successful profession.

For more information on the AJA, please visit their web site at

/retail/20080527/LATU03627052008-1.html

Seconds Out
May 27 2008

`Raging Bull’ Darchinyan Adds Punch To `Prizefighter’ Computer Game

By Paul Upham in Sydney: When Hall of Fame promoter Don King came to
selecting boxers to be featured in his new boxing video game `Don King
Presents Prizefighter’, he didn’t take long to realise that the
exciting, macho and hard hitting flyweight Vic `Raging Bull’
Darchinyan had to be included.

32 year-old Darchinyan was present at a launch for the boxing game on
Tuesday at the Total Body Conditioning gymnasium in Moore Park,
Australia.

`I just played the game for a little a bit for the first time,’ said
Darchinyan. `It looks nice and is very exciting. I was playing as
myself against Joel Casamayor and I knocked him out!’

The `Prizefighter’ game will be released on Xbox 360 in the USA and
Germany on June 10, in the UK on June 13 and in Australia on July
3. It will be also released later in 2008 on Wii and Nintendo DS game
versions.

Developed by Venom Games and published by 2K Sports, the media release
for the boxing game claims that it, `will deliver the deepest, most
authentic and entertaining boxing experience available’.

Along with Darchinyan and Casamayor, other current boxers featured
include Andre Berto, Arthur Abraham, Kelly Pavlik, Chad Dawson, Samuel
Peter, Juan Manuel Marquez, Chris John, Shannon Briggs, Daniel Ponce
De Leon and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Some of the greats from the past competing are Joe Louis, Larry
Holmes, Ken Norton, Archie Moore, Rocky Marciano, Floyd Patterson, Max
Baer, James Braddock, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.

Darchinyan appreciates the recognition of being featured in a
worldwide computer game with so many other boxing stars.

`It is special for me to be included and I really enjoy seeing myself
in the game,’ he said. `I am going to enjoy many hours playing it.’

Recently back home in Sydney after spending five weeks in his native
country of Armenia, the current IBO super flyweight world champion is
looking forward to his next fight with IBF super flyweight world
champion Dimitri Kirilov.

`I had three weeks training over there with my former Armenian coach
and I am feeling very strong,’ he said.

Kirilov and Darchinyan will clash on August 2 in Las Vegas to be
televised in the USA on Showtime Championship Boxing.

Despite his own extensive amateur experience, Darchinyan 29-1-1 (23)
says he never saw 29 year-old Russian Kirilov 29-3-1 (9) fight before
turning professional.

`I never came across him as an amateur,’ he said. `He is a good world
champion. I am not saying he is nothing. That is why I have to train
good. I have to use all of my tactics against him, not just big
punches. I have to show him some new boxing things. That’s why in
Armenia I have been working on my footwork. I have improved and I am
still improving. I am not forgetting what happened to me in the
past. I am learning from my loss. I am always looking for new things
in boxing.’

Promoted by Gary Shaw, Darchinyan’s only career defeat to Nonito
Donaire at flyweight in July 2007 is one that he badly wants to
avenge. Negotiations are underway for Donaire to defend his IBF
flyweight world title on the same card as Kirilov-Darchinyan, with the
two winners meeting before the end of the year.

`Donaire will give me a rematch. It will happen,’ said Darchinyan. `It
will be great. It is not a dream. I know it will happen. I have been
thinking about that fight since I lost. I want that fight and I will
knock him out. Once I beat Donaire, then I will be looking for a fight
with WBC/WBC super flyweight world champion Cristian Mijares. Super
flyweight has become one of the best divisions in boxing and I want to
become the undisputed world champion.’

Paul Upham
Content Editor

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 27 2008

NKR PRESIDENT CALLED FORTHCOMING TALKS OF PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND
AZERBAIJAN PROGRESS

YEREVAN, 27.05.08. DE FACTO. According to the NKR President Bako
Sahakian, a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents to be held
in St. Petersburg on June 7 is a progress. He told it journalists on
May 27 in Yerevan. According to the NKR President, the conduct of
Karabakh talks is a progress itself.

Touching on the situation on the Nagorno-Karabakh and Azeri Armed
Forces’ contact line Bako Sahakian noted the NKR leadership
did its best to reduce the number of incidents on the contact line.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 27 2008

HEADS OF RA MFA AND MOD TO PARTICIPATE IN SITTING OF EURO-ATLANTIC COUNCIL

YEREVAN, 27.05.08. DE FACTO. On May 28 the RA FM Edvard Nalbandian and
Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian will participate in the sitting of the
Euro-Atlantic Council in 26+1 format to be held in Brussels.

According to the RA MFA Press Office, in the course of the sitting the
participants will discuss the issue referring to the course of
implementation of Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO
by Armenia.

From: "Katia M. Peltekian" <[email protected]>
Subject: FM to pay official visit to Moscow

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 27 2008

RA FM TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO MOSCOW

YEREVAN, 27.05.08. DE FACTO. On May 28 the RA FM Edvard Nalbandian
will pay a three-day official visit to Moscow.

According to the RA MFA Press Office, in Moscow Armenian FM will meet
with Sergey Lavrov, Russiaâ??s FM, Alexey Ostrovsky, the
Chair of the RF Duma Commission for CIS Countriesâ?? Affairs,
and Nikolay Bordyuzha, the CSTO Secretary General.

The RA FM Edvard Nalbandian is also panned to meet with the
representatives of Armenian organizations in Russia.

Within the frames of the visit Edvard Nalbandian will address the
professorial staff and students of Moscow State Institute of
International Relations (MGIMO).

On June 1 the RA FM will return to Yerevan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress