LEVON ARONIAN DEFEATED BY VESELIN TOPALOV IN INTERNATIONAL CHESS
TOURNAMENT IN SOFIA
SOFIA, MAY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. An international chess super tournament
with the participation of six grand masters started in Sofia on May 8.
In the first round Levon Aronian lost to Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria),
Teymur Rajabov (Azerbaijan) – to Vasily Ivanchuk (Ukraine), while Ivan
Cheparinov (Bulgaria) beat Bu Xiangzhi (China).
L. Aronian plays against I. Cheparinov in the second round.
UN Observer
May 10 2008
Clearing the Killing Fields: Landmines & UXO in Nagorno Karabakh
Since the 1994 cease-fire, however, the HALO Trust estimates that
incidents with landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO) have caused
more than 900 deaths and injuries.
[¦]
Although the HALO Trust initially started work in Karabakh in 1995, it
wasn’t until five years later that it started to clear the disputed
territory of UXO. Delayed by the need to map out locations, the
charity finally started the work of clearing mines in late 2001 after
international donor organizations such as USAID provided financial
support.
out4.php?id=4759&blz=1
Keep right: Exclusive interview with DVP
Atom Egoyan’s new film Adoration
TheStar.com – entertainment
May 09, 2008
Peter Howell
tom Egoyan’s new film Adoration is still under wraps, awaiting its world
premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, which begins Wednesday.
But the Toronto filmmaker let slip that a certain well-known Hogtown highway
plays a significant role in it. "In this one, it’s resolutely Toronto," he
told me recently. "Not only that, one of the major characters is the Don
Valley Parkway. You’ll see."
My curiosity is revving hot. How could a highway, especially the
traffic-clogged DVP, be considered a "character"?
Is Egoyan just blowing smoke? Is he spinning his wheels?
Then I got to thinking. The DVP has many moods, just like any serious actor.
It can transport us to places we’ve never been, and also take us right back
home. It can slam us into our seats, or drive us into despair. It can
callously dump us in the ditch and leave us stranded.
There are times when the DVP is a thrill ride. Other times, it’s a nightmare
journey.
And how about the look?
It has a face like concrete, but its many wrinkles make it seem softer. And
it can be slippery.
So maybe there’s something to this. In Steve Martin’s L.A. Story, the
electronic traffic signs on the freeway act as a sort of Greek chorus,
commenting on the action and instructing Martin’s character, a lovelorn TV
weatherman.
Could our own DVP be as lively? I went for a spin on the Parkway and bagged
this exclusive interview with Toronto’s newest movie star.
Q. DVP, every Torontonian is wondering how you’ll fare on the international
stage when Adoration premieres at Cannes. Are you nervous?
A. FASTEN SEAT BELTS. THEY SAVE LIVES.
Q. So you’re saying that Adoration is a thriller? Is somebody in jeopardy?
Are your potholes out of control?
A. DVP MOVING SLOWLY TO LAWRENCE.
Q. Yes, Egoyan does like to take his time setting a story up. But what
happens at Lawrence Ave.? Or is it somebody named Lawrence? Or are you
referring to the author D. H. Lawrence? Knowing Egoyan, it’s probably
something really freaky.
A. CONGESTED FROM LAWRENCE TO YORK MILLS.
Q. So you’re saying there are multiple characters in the film, and that the
mid-section gets a little crowded? And what happens at York Mills? Throw me a
bone here, DVP.
A. ROAD WORK AHEAD. LANES NARROWING.
Q. Are you referring to the more intimate filmmaking style Egoyan says he
returned to for Adoration? Was this difficult for him? And how about you?
Is the road to hell really paved with good intentions?
A. SHARE THE ROAD. SIGNAL LANE CHANGES.
Q. I get it. So you’re saying that Egoyan is being more inclusive this time,
but that maybe he’s heading in a bold new direction?
A. HWY 401 EAST EXPRESS AND COLLECTORS MOVING WELL.
Q. That’s generous of you to mention a competing highway and to offer such
fulsome praise. Has the experience making Adoration made you want to do more
movie work?
A. WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IS DIRECT … TRAFFIC.
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
Minister Nalbandian met with the President of the French Senate
armradio.am
10.05.2008 12:08
On May 9 the President of the French Senate Christian Poncelet received
the Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian. The President of the
French Senate warmly congratulated Edward Nalbandian on assuming
office, highly appreciating his activity in the direction of deepening
the Armenian-French relations as Armenian Ambassador to France.
Edward Nalbandian informed that it was a great honor for him to
represent Armenia in France – a country that has been standing next to
Armenia ever since the first day of its independence and with which an
effective cooperation has been launched both on he bilateral level and
within European and international levels.
During the meeting Edward Nalbandian presented to Mr. Poncelet the
priority directions of the activity of the coalition Government formed
as a result of the presidential elections in Armenia, as well as the
positions of the Armenian leadership on a number of regional and
international issues of bilateral interest.
"Qele-Qele" leading in many charts
10.05.2008 15:02
Marianna Gyurjyan
"Radiolur"
Counted days are left before the Eurovision 2008 Song Contest. On May
20 Sirusho will perform at the first semifinal. Before that the singer
is traveling and presenting her song in different countries of the
world.
The song Sirusho will present at the Contest does not leave the leading
positions in many pre-charts and predictions. Thus, `Qele-Qele’ is
leading with 23% of the votes in the poll conducted at
Georgia is the second with 17% of the votes,
Turkey is the third with 12%.
Armenia is the sole leader in another web poll conducted at
30% of the participants voted for Sirusho’s
`Qele-Qele.’ Ukraine comes second with 30.1%, Sweden is the third with
28.6%.
Bookmakers are making a different prediction. Betting odds vary with
different bookmaking offices, but overall they predict victory for
Russia. According to forecasts, Serbia will come second, Armenia will
be the third. However, the experience of the past years has shown that
surprises are not excluded at the Eurovision.
On these days the Armenian delegation is traveling within the framework
of the promo-tour to present `the sunlight taken from the Armenian
land’ to the audience in different countries.’
Armenia also welcomes participants of the Eurovision 2008 from other
countries. On May 5 Diana Gurtskaya – the Georgian entrant at the
Eurovision – visited Armenia. She told reporters that participation is
already a victory for her, adding that she and Sirusho will do their
best to present their countries with dignity.
After long silence the head of the Armenian delegation Dana
Mnatsakanyan finally revealed some details of the show that has been
staged by Russian choreographer Sergey Mandrik. `This year the song is
again about love, and there is a staging, which, I think, is very
interesting.’
Armenia Foundation has launched only one project in Martuni
10-05-2008 13:22:19 – KarabakhOpen
This year the bulk of activities of the Rebirth of Artsakh Program of
Armenia Foundation must be implemented in the region of Martuni. For
this purpose about 15 million dollars was raised in November in the
telethon of Los Angeles.
According to the director of the Artsakh programs of Armenia Foundation
Michel Tancrez, the foundation has launched only one project in
Martuni, the project of water supply of the village of Spitakashen, the
value of which is 270 thousand dollars. The contractor, the Karavan
Company, committed to completion by December.
We learned from Mr. Tancrez that now the costs of renovation of the
schools in Chartar, Karmir Shuka, Gishi and Martuni, as well as the
nursery schools in the villages of Sos and Machkalashen are being
estimated. In Sos there is also a water supply problem, said the
director of programs.
MG Co-chair: We are not in the phase of work on the proposals on the
Karabakh issue
10-05-2008 13:22:53 – KarabakhOpen
The meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in
Strasbourg was important for the acquaintance of the ministers, also it
was the first meeting after three months of halt in the talks for the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict because of the presidential
elections in Armenia, stated the French co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group Bernard Fassier in an interview with the Azerbaijani agency APA.
As a result of the meeting the ministers committed to continuing the
talks. It may happen in the upcoming weeks and months, which may
facilitate a meeting of the presidents, Fassier said, adding that the
meeting of presidents is possible if the presidents think it is
important. Fassier said the visit of the co-chairs to the region
depends on when the presidents will be able to meet. Now the main issue
is when the presidents will consider the meeting necessary, Bernard
Fassier noted.
The co-chair also said presently there are no new proposals on the
agenda. According to him, after the meeting in Madrid there are written
proposals on the table, and it is necessary to bring more clarity about
some details, to see how the sides will respond to the proposals, and
what should be added or changed. He said it is necessary to work on the
proposals but they are not in that phase now. According to him,
presently the most important issue is the acquaintance of ministers and
presidents. He said afterwards they will work on the proposals
determining the direction of work and clarifying the points which need
clarification.
Movses Hakobyan: `Our army is capable of maintaining the ceasefire in
the conflict zone’
10-05-2008 13:32:10 – KarabakhOpen
An interview with NKR Defense Minister General-Lieutenant Movses
Hakobyan
Q – Mr. Hakobyan, I’d first like to congratulate you on the anniversary
of the liberation of Shushi and my first question relates to it. What
was the significance of Shushi’s liberation for Karabakh?
A – Thanks for the congratulations. As for the significance of the
liberation of Shushi in terms of Karabakh we can look at the issue from
several angles. As a commander in the military services of the republic
I would single out only two factors. First, the victory won in Shushi
restored Armenians with the belief that they could rely on their own
strengths and lead them to take solace in one overriding truth. That is
if you wish to command the respect and esteem of others first see to it
that you can defend yourself and that you master the skills to
neutralize the threat posed by the enemy, when the need arises.
Secondly, the operation involving the liberation of Shushi showed that
victory is inevitable if you have a leadership force and an army with
all its prerequisite structures in place. Yes, these were the two
important lessons that Armenians learned on May 9, 1992 and served as
the core of their future dazzling victories.
Q – The Azeri military budget grows yearly. Won’t this upset the
balance of power? What steps are being taken to maintain the balance?
A – Lately, I’ve answered this question on several occasions and I must
confess that the yearly increase in the Azeri military budget is of
concern and only goes to show the aggressive intentions of Baku. Let me
add however that in the final analysis every military budget gets its
final evaluation on the battlefield. In passing I should also note that
during the war itself the Azeri military budget outstripped our battle
expenses many fold but as it turned out Baku couldn’t translate this
superiority into victory. I don’t believe that it is possible to obtain
an advantage or upset the relation of forces merely through additional
military expenditures. Success is achieved not so much through the
growth of the military budget but rather as a result of the more
efficient and targeted utilization of the resources at hand. And I can
assure you that we’re accomplishing this otherwise Azerbaijan wouldn’t
have tolerated the ceasefire for fourteen straight years.
Q – Lately American-Armenian analyst Richard Giragosian stated in an
article that the military preparedness of the Azeri army was less than
its military expenditures would indicate. Do you agree with this
evaluation?
A – If I wasn’t an army commander but still possessed all the
information regarding the Azeri armed forces that I do know, perhaps
I’d agree with Mr. Giragosian. But my responsible position within the
government obligates me to overestimate the resources of our potential
opponent. It is incorrect to underestimate the enemy and we cannot
afford to make such a mistake.
Q – According to several studies the south Caucasus region is the most
militarized in all of Europe. Do you agree with this viewpoint? In
general, is the arms race a danger or a guarantor of security today?
A – Given that there are still a number of unresolved conflicts in our
region the arms build-up is perhaps inevitable. We are thus forced to
view the process as both a threat to and a guarantor of security. This
is the situation confronting us today and we must take it into account
in all our decision-making.
Q – The NKR army is considered to be the most fighting-ready force in
the Transcaucasus. Is this still the case today?
A – I am not the person to talk about this…There are higher bodies
that periodically evaluate what we have accomplished. But it remains an
indisputable fact that for many consecutive years our army has
succeeded in maintaining the ceasefire in the conflict zone and
ensuring the peaceful livelihood of our people without the intervention
of a third force. All this speaks to the high level of our army’s
military preparedness. Those high marks given to our army from time to
time, rather than lull us into a false sense of satisfaction, serve to
make us work even harder. As to the comparison regarding various armies
in the region, as always, I’d rather hear about that from others than
myself.
Q – The Karabakh war is included in the curriculum being taught in
military academies in Russia. What was it about the Karabakh War that
has made it required subject matter in Russian military instruction?
A – Generally, the study of the lessons derived from various wars is
vital in establishing a top-level school of military science. It is not
by accident that 2007 was declared to be the `Year to reassess our
army’s track record and to appreciate our best traditions’, during
which the main emphasis was placed on those military operations that
took place in the Artsakh liberation war that can garner the interest
of any given specialist in the field of the military arts, with their
uniqueness and operational characteristics. Of particular interest are
the operations conducted by small detachments, their quick redeployment
from one battle front to another, the characteristics inherent in
creating army structures parallel to carrying out military operations,
etc. Naturally, these are narrow specialist issues whose study and
dissemination require more time. I am convinced that many others will
study the lessons culled from our war as well in the future.
Q – What’s your evaluation of the negotiation process?
A – I am convinced that the negotiations taking place under the
auspices of the OSCE constitute the only avenue leading to the peaceful
settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
Q – In your estimation what’s the probability that Azerbaijan will
resume military operations or do you think those bellicose declarations
were merely pre-election campaign rhetoric?
A – Regardless of whether those statements reflect a willingness on the
part of Azerbaijan to resume military operations or not, our forces are
always in the necessary state of military preparedness and will
effectively confront any military challenge whenever the need arises.
As to the probability that warfare might resume I must tell you that,
given my official position, I am obliged to confront such an
eventuality at any moment, even right now as we speak…
FESTIVE EVENT ORGANIZED IN VICTORY PARK ON OCCASION OF 63rd ANNIVERSARY
OF VICTORY IN GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR ANd 16th ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERATION OF
SHOUSHI
YEREVAN, MAY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. A festive event was organized in Victory
Park of Yerevan on May 9 on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the
victory in the Great Patriotic war and the 16th anniversary of the
liberation of Shoushi. The event was attended by the prime minister
Tigran Sargsian, the speaker of the RA National Assembly Tigran
Torosian, NA deputies, government members, veterans of World War II and
azatamartiks (freedom fighters) who took part in the liberation of
Shoushi.
The event participants laid wreaths at Monument to the Unknown Soldier.
Then there was a military parade followed by a festive concert.
During a talk with NT correspondent, veteran of the Great Patriotic
war, Professor Suren Zohrabian said that the biographies of more than
600 thousand Armenians who fought against fascism are covered with
glory. 300 thousand of them died on the battlefield in the name of
peace. In our recent history, the Artsakh heroic war, especially the
liberation of Shoushi, are unprecedented, which, according to S.
Zohrabian, can be considered as the continuation of the victory gained
in the Great Patriotic war.
Responding to questions of the reporters, T. Torosian said: "Regardless
of the fact, in which war our compatriots had participated – in World
War II or the liberation of Shoushi, we all must appreciate their
heroic deeds, realizing that they risked their lives in the name of
peace".
ONE OF FOUR CANDIDATES FOR POST OF NORK-MARASH COMMUNITY HEAD WITHDRAWS
HIS CANDIDATURE
YEREVAN, MAY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Non-party man Melik Hovhannisian – one of
the four candidates for the post of head of Yerevan’s Nork-Marash
community to be elected on May 18 – has withdrawn his candidature
within the envisaged period, NT correspondent was informed by the
chairwoman of the district electoral commission No 10 Silva Markosian.
Thus the acting head of the community, member of the Republican Party
of Armenia (RPA) Varazdat Mkrtchian and non-party men Garnik
Martirosian and Ashot Margarian will run for this post.
Elections will be held on the same day in another three communities of
Yerevan. One candidate will run in elections in each of these
communities: in Avan – the acting head of the community, RPA member
Taron Margarian, in Davitashen – the deputy head of the community, RPA
member Arthur Gevorgian, and in Malatia-Sebastia – the head of the
district municipality’s unit of trade and services, non-party man Davit
Ohanian.