Month: May 2008

CULTURAL TV CHANNEL WILL SERVE ITS PURPOSE, CULTURAL FIGURES ARE CONVINCED

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 14, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. "I think a TV channel without
advertisements and far from policy will be aimed at promotion of
high-class art," Artavazd Bayatian, the Director of the Ardzagank radio
station, said at the May 14 press conference meaning the cultural TV
channel to be opened in Armenia soon.

According to him, the cultural TV channel will give artists, critics
a possibility of expression, besides, classical music will be often
performed by that channel, which, unfortunately, is not done by
the other TV channels at all. "Classical art is very important for
aesthetical education.

Certainly, there will be also variety music on that channel, but not
the art created for sale," A. Bayatian said. In his words, television
should form opinion and taste, the cultural TV channel is expected
to be just this way.

Eduard Topchian, the Art Director and the Conductor of the Armenian
State Philharmonic Orchestra, is also sure that the new TV channel will
serve its purpose. "I hope it will be the only channel our "stars" and
"starlets" will not seize. Let all TV channels be theirs and that one
ours. Certainly, there should also be variety music, but not the music
we have on the market today," E. Topchian emphasized. In his words,
unfortunately, our people wishes to listen to such music. The bright
evidence of it is that if variety singers rent the Aram Khachatrian
concert hall, the concerts are held in crowded halls, while, if
world-famous musicians, opera singers perform, those concerts are
held in half-empty halls.

HOVHANNES GARNETSI’S PRAYER-BOOK PUBLISHED

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 14, 2008

ETCHMIADZIN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Publishing Department of
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin published the prayer-book of
archimandrite-chronicler Hovhannes Garnetsi, a hermit of the 12-13th
centuries famous as a miracle-worker. 35 prayers are collected in it.

The book’s research article has been written by Gevorg Ter-Vardanian,
the comparison of manuscripts has been done by Lilit Petrosian,
and the translation into the modern Armenian language has been done
by Arshak Madoyan. The series’ editor-in-chief is Archbishop Yeznik
Petrosian, the Director of the Publishing Department of the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The book has been published with the donations of Mr and Mrs Armen
and Nune Sargsians.

According to the report of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,
the publication of such prayer-books gives believers a possibility
not only to join in the rich spiritual heritage of their ancestors,
but also to use them in their everyday life.

WILLIAM SAROYAN CONTEST SUMMED UP

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 14, 2008

LOS ANGELES, MAY 14, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Union of
Armenian Dramatic Art has published the names of the William Saroyan
dramatic art contest’s three prize-winners. They are Lily Tomasian’s
creation "Nadia," Christen Lazarian’s "Meat and Tenderness," and
Matthew Yaldezian’s "The Live and the Dead." The bids of performances
have been accepted from the United States, United Kingdom, and
Armenia. Non-abridged plays in English and on Armenian subject were
to be presented for participation.

NKR PRESIDENT AND DELEGATION OF RF VLADIMIR REGION DISCUSS PROSPECTS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF INVESTMENT PROGRAMS IN ARTSAKH

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 14, 2008

STEPANAKERT, MAY 14, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. NKR President
Bako Sahakian received the delegation of the RF Vladimir region in
Stepanakert, led by academician Viktor Katushev, the head of the
Kolchugino regional administration. A number of issues regarding
prospects of implementation of different investment programs in
Artsakh, as well as establishment of contacts between the Vladimir
region and Artsakh in the economic, cultural, educational spheres
were discussed during the meeting.

The NKR President expressed satisfaction in connection with the
cooperation agreements signed between the towns of Stepanakert
and Kolchugino, as well as between State Universities of Artsakh
and Vladimir, considering it a promising basis for development of
bilateral relations.

Academician Vladimir Kechin, the Pro-Rector of Vladimir State
University, the head of the Regional Inter-University Innovation
Center, Hrachya Avagian, the Chairman of the Adamand concern, and Kamo
Gasparian, the head of the Armenian community of the Vladimir region,
were among the members of the Vladimir region’s delegation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GIFT CONTEST-FESTIVAL STARTS IN STEPANAKERT

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 14, 2008

STEPANAKERT, MAY 14, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Gift fourth
annual all-Armenian song contest-festival started on May 13 in
Stepanakert with the participation of young singers. Armenian singers
from Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Poland take part
in the contest.

Ashot Ghulian, the NKR National Assembly Speaker, received the contest
participants led by Artur Grigorian, the Director of Yerevan State
Theater of Song. Zoya Shakarian, the Honorary Ambassador of Culture
of NKR, was also present at the reception.

On May 13 the singers performed songs in Armenian, on May 14 foreign
songs will be performed, and original performance of songs will be
presented on May 15.

The prize distribution ceremony and the gala-concert will take place
on May 16.

The sponsors of the Gift contest-festival are American Armenian
benefactors Vahe and Veronika Karapetians. The general partner of
the festival is the Antares publishing-house.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN ACCUSES TER-PETROSIAN OF LIES

Interfax News Agency
May 13 2008
Russia

Armenian ex-president Robert Kocharian has said that statements made
by former presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian that the clashes
between the law enforcement and the opposition on March 1 were staged
by the Armenian authorities were an "absolute lie."

"The statement by Armenian ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian that
the March 1 events in Yerevan were carefully planned by the current
authorities is an absolute lie. Only an indecent man can say that
the authorities were planning the use of force in advance," Kocharian
said in an interview with a national news agency.

On March 1 Ter-Petrosian’s supporters, who defied the results of the
presidential election on February 19, clashed with law enforcement
forces in Yerevan. As a result of the violence 10 people died and
over 250 were injured.

"You have to understand who could be interested in this. Such clashes
with human casualties first of all have a negative effect on the
authorities. This is a blow to the authorities. Obviously, the opinion
that the authorities have not done enough to avoid civilian deaths
will always prevail. Such is the reality. It is real in situations
like this one even in European countries. In such cases the use of
force is something that authorities have to do in order to prevent even
harder consequences. Especially for me, I was an outgoing president,"
Kocharian said.

He also dismissed Ter-Petrosian’s allegations that on March 1 foreign
diplomats assisted at the talks on finding ways to avoid serious
clashes between law enforcement authorities and the opposition.

Ter-Petrosian’s supporters continue to challenge the presidential
election results. They are going to lodge a complaint with the European
Court of Human Rights.

GEORGIA NOTIFIES CIS OF WITHDRAWAL FROM AIR DEFENSE AGREEMENT

RIA Novosti
18:12 | 14/ 05/ 2008

TBILISI, May 14 (RIA Novosti) – Georgia’s Foreign Ministry has
announced its withdrawal from a 1995 CIS unified air defense agreement
signed by a number of former Soviet republics, including Russia.

Tbilisi officially notified the Foreign Ministry of Belarus, as the
depository of the document, of its decision on Wednesday. Georgia will
cease to comply with the agreement 12 months after Belarus receives
the notification.

The CIS is an alliance of former Soviet republics and the unified
air defense system includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

The Georgian ministry officially notified Russia on May 5 that it
would withdraw from a bilateral air defense agreement of April 19,
1995. A Georgian deputy defense minister said earlier his country
saw no practical benefit from the treaty with Moscow.

The move came amid rising military tensions between Russia and
Georgia over the breakaway Georgian republics of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia. Russia has said that Georgia is planning a military
operation in the republics, while the international community has
expressed concern over Russia’s buildup of peacekeeping troops in
the disputed areas.

Georgia had previously withdrawn from the CIS Defense Ministers
Council, although it formally remained in the CIS unified air defense
system.

According to Russian military experts, Georgia’s withdrawal will not
disrupt the operation of the unified air defense system, as Georgia
is not a key chain in the missile defense security system.

Political analysts however noted a political element to Tbilisi’s
withdrawal from the agreement as Georgia continues its efforts to
move closer to NATO and away from the CIS.

ARMENIA TO INCREASE DEFENSE EXPENDITURES – MINISTER

Interfax News Agency
May 13 2008
Russia

Armenia’s military budget will be increased, Armenian Defense Minister
Seiran Oganian said.

"We are concerned about Azerbaijan’s growing military expenditures.

We must do everything possible to maintain the balance as to
qualitative indices. We know that Azerbaijan’s military expenditures
grow each year.

Armenia also increased defense expenditures compared to the previous
year. The increase is aimed at both training and other purposes,"
Oganian told journalists.

Armenian defense expenditures in 2007 amounted to 95.8 billion dram
(approximately $312 million).

RUSSIA INTERESTED IN PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IN KARABAKH – GRYZLOV

Interfax News Agency
May 13 2008
Russia

State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov said Russia wants the Kabarakh issue
to be resolved in a peaceful manner as soon as possible.

At a meeting with his Azeri counterpart Oktai Asadov in Baku on
Tuesday, Gryzlov said Russia is using the influence of the other
mediators in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabkh conflict.

"As co-chairman of the OSCO Minsk Group, we have serious influence
on the other members of the group, the U.S. and France, and therefore
there is a possibility of negotiation," said Gryzlov.

Speaking about Russia’s position on the Karabakh issue, Gryzlov said
it consists in ensuring agreements that the conflicting parties will
reach. "Peace brought from the outside will not do anything good,"
said Gryzlov.

Gryzlov also pointed out the importance of the upcoming meeting
between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Asadov, in turn, gave high marks to Russia’s position on Karabakh
and said he is hoping that Russia will take "even more effects to
resolve this conflict."

OVER 50 ARRESTED OVER YEREVAN RIOTS

Interfax News Agency
May 13 2008
Russia

Fifty-four people remain in police custody over the mass riots that
occurred in Yerevan on March 1, Sona Truzyan, a press officer for
the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office, told Interfax.

The March 1 riots followed the February 19 presidential elections in
Armenia. They were organized by supporters of former president Levon
Ter-Petrosian, who disagreed with the outcome of the elections. Ten
people were killed and over 250 were wounded in the riots.

Ter-Petrosian’s supporters have still not recognized the outcome of
the elections and are planning to file a lawsuit with the European
Court of Human Rights.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress