Month: October 2008

MCCAIN’S ARMENIA PROBLEM
by Daniel Nichanian

Atlantic Online
October 8, 2008

"In the superheated world of ethnic grievance politics, rarely do
presidential elections feature such a clear contrast between two
candidates. In California, New Jersey, Michigan and Nevada, that
contrast could hurt McCain."

Eight years ago, George W. Bush was battling an
unexpectedly competitive John McCain for the GOP’s presidential
nomination. Scheduled to vote just days after South Carolina, Michigan
suddenly looked decisive–and its substantial Armenian-American
population became an attractive voting block.

Three days before the vote, Governor Bush sent a letter to two
Armenian-American businessmen addressing the Armenian community’s
biggest demand–recognition that the 1915 extermination of Armenians in
the Ottoman Empire was an act of genocide. The Turkish government to
this day denies that any genocide occurred, and no president since
Ronald Reagan has used that term while in office. Bush pledged
to correct that. "The Armenians were subjected to a genocidal
campaign," he wrote. "If elected President, I would ensure that
our nation properly recognizes the tragic suffering of the Armenian
people." Bush lost in Michigan, won the presidency … and then bailed
on his pledge. Last fall, the House of Representatives looked set
to adopt a resolution affirming the Armenian genocide. But as Turkey
threatened to disrupt its commercial ties with the United States and
to invade Iraq, President Bush warned that America could not afford
to alienate Turkey and pushed Congress to drop the measure.

Today, Edgar Hagopian, one of the letter’s two recipients, acknowledges
his disappointment. "I have written to President Bush many times
but have not gotten a response," he said, reeling at the remarkable
turnaround that transformed Bush into the biggest obstacle to an
official recognition.

Bush’s record is sure to haunt McCain’s 2008 presidential run, but
it’s not as if the Arizona senator needed any help in alienating
Armenian-Americans. McCain’s own stance against genocide recognition
and his relative indifference toward bilateral relations with Armenia
have been a matter of record since well before George W. Bush emerged
on the national stage. Barack Obama, conversely, looked committed to
the affirmation of the events of 1915 as a genocide long before he
decided on a presidential run. In fact, in the superheated world of
ethnic grievance politics, rarely do presidential elections feature
such a clear contrast between two candidates. In the case of states
with a substantial Armenian-American presence (including California,
New Jersey, Michigan and Nevada) that contrast could hurt McCain.

Historically, neither party has owned the support of
Armenian-Americans. Rather than stake their fortune with one party,
national advocacy groups–starting with the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA) and the Armenian Assembly of America–have pursued
a bipartisan course.

Thanks in part to this strategy, the Armenian-American community
has grown into a highly effective interest group. Cory Welt of
Georgetown’s Eurasian Strategy Project mentions the Armenian lobby’s
strength as an explanation for what he calls the "exceptional" size
of Armenian foreign aid. The Congressional Caucus on Armenian issues
has a bipartisan leadership (it is co-chaired by a Democrat from New
Jersey, Rep. Frank Pallone, and a Republican from Michigan, Rep. Joe
Knollenberg) and a large contingent of 150 members, including 13 of
Michigan’s 15 U.S. Representatives, 38 of California’s 53 and 11 of
New Jersey’s 13.

ARMENIANS TO GET ENTRANCE VISA EASILY

Panorama.am
19:04 08/10/2008

"The state budget of 2009 should be geographically transparent, it
means that the money disposed to every region and village should be
visible in it," said the Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan
in Government session. The Prime Minister has mentioned that the
geographical development has formed a part of President’s electoral
project.

Another point to be discussed during the Government session has been
a project to make changes in the law on TV/radio – according to the
current change special programs should be broadcast by Public TV and
Radio for the national minorities. Currently the law on TV/radio
says that programs for national minorities should be broadcast an
hour once a week by TV and an hour daily by radio. This limits the
right of national minorities to have access to information in their
native language.

Gegham Gharibjanyan, the Deputy Foreign Minister presented the
procedure for Armenians living abroad and foreign citizens having
certain categories to get entrance visa of Armenia from diplomatic
services and councils of Armenia abroad. The Deputy Foreign Minister
said that according to that procedure the process of getting entrance
visa becomes simplified.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA: 20 YEARS ON AND 22,000 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ADVOCATED FOR

World Vision
Reuters AlertNet
09 Oct 2008 20:25:54 GMT
UK

Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this
article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are
the author’s alone.

Photo: Karen, 7, of south Armenia, won a prize for this drawing in
the World Vision Armenia 20th Anniversary drawing competition World
Vision MEERO, By Ani Chitemyan

The Armenian prime minister and other government officials viewed
a World Vision documentary advocating for child rights during the
international organisation’s recent 20th anniversary celebrations.

Some 36 Armenian children were the voice of the country’s children
via the documentary ‘Listen to Me’, viewed at the celebration in the
capital, Yerevan recently.

The documentary and seven Public Service Announcements are based
on the interviews of Armenian children from the remote areas of the
country and Yerevan.

The children talked about various topics such as faith, immigration,
healthcare, child rights, family, water, bad roads, harsh winters. The
Prime Minister was visibly moved during the documentary’s airing.

The documentary and PSAs will be broadcast by national and local TV
channels, as well as through satellite to Europe and USA. The aim is
to increase public awareness of the children’s concerns and to show
the contrast between the capital and the regions.

World Vision International President Dean Hirsch, the Prime Minister
of Armenia, the First Lady, government ministers, church leaders,
representatives of the Armenian diaspora, international donor
organisations, ambassadors, international and local NGOs, community
members, journalists, and children attended the event.

The event was a great opportunity to highlight the past achievements
and thank the partners for the past and the future cooperation. ‘World
Vision Armenia already has a strong foundation for advocacy at
regional and national levels – this event provided further support
and confidence of our partners that will enable even more effective
advocacy into the future,’ said Mark Kelly, World Vision Armenia
National Director.

World Vision Armenia displayed a multi-media presentation about the
areas of work during the past 20 years. Children also participated
in essay writing and drawing competitions in the lead up to the
celebration.

Today, World Vision Armenia works in 130 communities in six ‘marzes’
of the country and in Yerevan, supporting 22,000 children and their
families.

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues,
the Ministry of Education and Science, and the National Committee for
Child Protection, World Vision Armenia supports inclusive education
and advocates for the rights of vulnerable children.

World Vision provides access to primary healthcare for 90,000 people
in hard-to-reach communities of Armenia. Health facilities are being
renovated and equipped.

World Vision Armenia partners with the Armenian Apostolic, Evangelical,
and Catholic Churches to support Christian education through summer
camps and Bible study classes for children with disabilities, orphans
and other vulnerable children.

World Vision Armenia co-ordinates the five-year grant of $7.2 million
provided by the Global Fund to care for people living with HIV and
AIDS, and to prevent the spread of the virus in Armenia.

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and
not of Reuters. ]

"AUTUMN SURPRISE" PROJECT- ADC SERVICE PRICES SHARPLY REDUCTION

Panorama.am
12:08 08/10/2008

Continuing "Autumn Surprise" project Armenian Datacom Company (ADC)
offers guaranteed bandwidth Internet connection at sharply reduced
prices.

The company provides its Internet Enterprise (CIR) services at new and
very favourable prices. Reductions for this service group is up to 70%.

The new prices are immediately applicable to all current ADC customers
with signed contracts for similar services.

ADC’s announcement of its "Autumn Surprise" project involves
interesting offers and features designed to benefit its users. Examples
are reduced service prices, new and attractive offers, short-term
special offers and other interesting events.

Currently ADC has launched its special offer for companies from
October 3 to October 15, 2008. ADC offers free of charge fiber-optic
connection for any new subscriber to Broadband Internet Services.

Armenian-Norwegian "Armenian Datacom Company" CJSC (ADC) created a 21st
century ultramodern fiber-optic network spanning all around Yerevan
covering both central areas and the suburbs. ADC network provides
to customers advanced corporate network solutions and high-speed
fiber-optic broadband Internet services.

SEMINAR FOR JOURNALISTS COVERING LEGAL, JUDICIAL ISSUES

IJNET
Sherdog.com

10 /8/2008

Journalists interested in human rights and media freedom, and who
speak Russian and/or Armenian, can apply to take part in a workshop on
"Raising the Role of the Media in Covering Justice and Law Enforcement
System" being held October 27 to 29 in Yerevan, Armenia.

The 12 chosen participants will choose the most vulnerable issues
existing in Armenia, develop structures of potential stories and
write thematic articles.

The workshop will be prepared and delivered by Dainius Radzevicius,
the chairman of the Lithuanian Journalists Union and Audrys Antanaitis,
a famous journalist of Lithuanian National TV "5 channel" programs.

During the workshop the Lithuanian experts will present Lithuanian
experience in establishing free media and democratic institutions in
the transitional period.

The NGO "Journalists’ Team for Sustainable Future" is holding the
event, with the support of the British Embassy Yerevan.

Interested journalists should send a CV and a story on legal or
judicial issues written during the current year to [email protected].

RESULTS OF MORTGAGE LENDING STATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DISCUSSED IN STEPANAKERT

De Facto
2008-10-08 14:42:00

STEPANAKERT, 08.10.08. DE FACTO. The results of the mortgage lending
state assistance program for the period of nine months were discussed
in Stepanakert on October 7, in the course of a consultation held by
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian.

According to the Central Department of Information under the NKR
President, in the course of the consultation Director General of the
Artsakh Investment Fund Karen Yesayan made a report.

The President called successful organizational and analytical parts
of the program, pointing out the need to further enlarge the scope
of explanatory and propagandistic ones.

According to Bako Sahakian, the procedures to get the mortgage
credits and the scope of program should be lightened and enlarged,
respectively. The President underscored that the participation of
the state in the mortgage lending program, especially in paying off
the interest rates, would increase.

The Head of the State noted that new impetus should be given to housing
construction with main accent put on decreasing the time frame process
and increasing the quality of the construction activities.

NKR PM Ara Harutyunian and other officials participated in the
consultation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTER SURE TURKEY WILL SUSTAIN ONLY SLIGHT DAMAGE FROM CRISIS

Today’s Zaman
10 October 2008, Friday
Turkey

Minister of State for Foreign Trade KurÅ~_ad Tuzmen said on Wednesday
that Turkey would go through the global economic crisis with minimal
damage since its stock exchange does not use as many financing
instruments as other, larger bourses and its companies are not as
big as those in more developed countries.

Pointing to the fact that the Turkish economy is relatively smaller
than the US and many economies of Europe, he repeated a Turkish
proverb, "Small loses small and large loses large."

In Atlanta as part of the government’s strategy to improve commercial
relations with the US, Tuzmen found a chance to answer the questions
of Today’s Zaman on the hot issue of the day: the current financial
crisis. He commented that Turkey has to act proactively and look for
ways to transform the global financial crisis into an opportunity
rather than scaling down its economy to minimize the adverse effects
of the situation.

"I have said this several times: The US economy is the Atlantic
Ocean. It is deep and when big storms erupt, it causes huge
waves. Turkey, on the other hand, very much resembles a lake. However
fierce the storm is, it is very unlikely that a huge wave will form
on a lake. I believe the modest size of our economy is an advantage
for us, but only if we can benefit appropriately from it," he opined.

In order to turn this mess into an opportunity to establish a strong
foot in the US, the minister said Turkish companies have to immediately
start thinking about acquiring US companies that are going through
a difficult period. He called on Turkish firms to focus on buying
retail chains.

The minister later attended a meeting organized by a Turkish civil
society organization operating in Atlanta. Tuzmen here stressed that
Turkey must pursue trade focusing on "high price, high quality and
high technology," to survive hardening global competition.

He also spoke about Turkish commercial relations with the US to
stress that Turkish exports to the US had dropped recently as the
Turkish lira had gained in value and competition from the Far East
had increased. "Nevertheless, Turkey and the US pursue similar aims
throughout the world like peace, democracy, freedom, welfare and
the fight against terrorism. These values, which overlap in the
political spectrum, must have wider economic effects and lead to
further improvements in our relations," he noted.

Also on his trip the minister addressed Kennesaw State University
(KSU) in Atlanta to make the keynote speech at a ceremony to kick
off the university’s "Year of Turkey." Chairman of the International
Education Council of KSU Daniel Papp also spoke, and he asked the
students to be more enthusiastic about Turkey, a country with which the
US has close relations. He also added that Turkey was one of the most
important countries of the world in terms of its history and culture.

Other key guests at the ceremony were Turkish Honorary Consul General
in Atlanta Mona Diamond, Republican Congressman from Georgia’s 11th
District Phil Gingrey, President of the Turkish Confederation of
Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) Rızanur Meral, and İstanbul
Center Executive Director Tarık Celik.

Gingrey said it was an honor for him that Turkey was being introduced
at KSU and in his electoral district and added that Turkey has a
strategic position and a rich history and culture. Gingrey also noted
that Turkey has always been a strong and close ally of the US. The
"Year of Turkey" will continue until May 2009, and the university
will organize conferences, panel discussions, workshops and lectures
to create opportunities for a better understanding of Turkey. Many
civil society organizations and the Zaman daily will support the
running of the activities.

Tuzmen’s next stop was the headquarters of the Coca-Cola Company
in Atlanta. In reference to Muhtar Kent, the Turkish-born CEO of
Coca-Cola, Tuzmen said that "it is highly pleasing to see a Turk in
a high position of this multinational company."

The minister later attended a dinner hosted in his honor by the
Turkish-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TACCI). In response
to a question at the dinner, Tuzmen made a few remarks on relations
with Armenia, with which Turkey has been reluctant to initiate
diplomatic ties despite a recent thaw after the visit of Turkish
President Abdullah Gul for a soccer match between the national
teams. He underlined that unless the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh is
resolved, Turkey will not develop commercial relations with Armenia.

–Boundary_(ID_INX1XZ7svC0Fsvyhpw8zjA)–

CHURCH OF HOLY SEPULCHER IN DANGER
by Brenda Easterling

Christian Web News
09-10-2008 08:11
KY

In danger of collapse is the historic Deir al-Sultan monastery located
on the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. This
church is one of the most sacred sites in Christendom. It is the site
both of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and also the place where
Jesus was buried, the sepulcher.

A great fear that the monastery’s two chapels and tiny rooms where
its monks live could crumble causing great injury to the countless
visitors as well as the monks who live there as well as the ancient
Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Recently an engineer examined the structures and reported that the
complex was a "danger to human life." Back in 2004 the Interior
Ministry said it would pay for renovations. Due to a dispute between
the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the clergy lives at the site and also
the Coptic Church who claim ownership. These two parties cannot reach
an agreement that would allow renovations to proceed. The fact has been
made clear through The Interior Ministry to various church officials
down through the years that it would pay for the work if the various
ownership problems would be resolved among the denominations.

Archbishop Matthias, the head of the Ethiopian Church in Jerusalem
sent a letter recently to Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit and also to
the minister in charge of Jerusalem affairs, Rafi Eitan. He warned
them of the condition of the complex as well as his unwillingness
to come to an agreement with the Copts. The archbishop said, "This
condition is completely unacceptable to us, since we do not recognize
any right of the Coptic Church in the area in question. Moreover,
it is inconceivable that the implementation of emergency repairs
at the holy site would be conditioned on the consent of the Coptic
Church. Indeed, there is disagreement between us and the Coptic Church
regarding the rights at the site in question, but that is precisely
the reason we are turning to the Israeli authorities, as a neutral
factor, to carry out the necessary repairs."

An engineer’s report the church commissioned was submitted by
Yigal Bergman of the construction supervision firm Milav, has
written including others things stating that the complex was in a
"dangerous state of construction. The structures are full of serious
engineering damage that creates safety hazards and endangers the
lives of the monks and the visitors. This is an emergency, also due
to the immediate danger to the site that would damage other parts of
the nearby churches." Also he shared the dangerous problems in the
electrical and sewerage infrastructure of the ancient buildings.

The Deir al-Sultan monastery contains 26 small rooms that are used for
Ethiopian monks, also four services and storage rooms, a large open
courtyard and two chapels that are located one above the other. You
enter this area from the courtyard and exit into the entrance plaza
of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher below.

It is Far from the first dispute between the denominations that share
space in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in regards to its maintenance
and also the use of its various areas. The three large denominations
that have control of the church are the Greek Orthodox, the Armenian
Orthodox and the Roman Catholics. The smaller denominations rights in
the church are the Ethiopian Orthodox and the Copts and included in
this is the Syria Orthodox. One of the disputes that are known between
the communities surrounds the question of which denomination has the
right to remove a ladder that was placed on a ledge outside an upper
floor window in the 19th century. The ladder stands there to this day
above the main entrance to the church because no agreement can be made.

GINGER BAKER HONOURED BY ZILDJIAN
Andy Barrett

miPRO
Oct 9 2008, 11:53am
UK

Cymbal maker honours iconic 60s drummer

To celebrate its 385th anniversary, the cymbal manufacturer, Zildjian,
has announced details of The Zildjian Drummers Achievement Awards
(sponsored by Rhythm magazine and Yamaha Music UK) which will take
place for the first time in the UK at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire
on Sunday December 7th this year. The first drummer to be honoured
at the ceremony will be Ginger Baker (pictured in his days with
supergroup Cream).

The event will be a performance led night with Baker joined onstage
by Cream sidekick Jack Bruce and African musician Tony Allen. Also in
attendance will be some of the world’s top drummers including Simon
Phillips, Steve White and Keith Carlock. More special guests are to
be announced in the coming weeks and tickets will be made available
to the public.

Renowned cymbal maker Zildjian (which translates as ‘son of a cymbal
maker’ from Armenian) is one of the oldest and longest running family
businesses in the world. In 1998, the family created the American
Drummers Achievement Award to acknowledge the remarkable contribution
that drumming has made to contemporary music.

RotosoundThe awards honour those individuals who have made
extraordinary contributions to the art of drum set playing and to
music itself.

South London born Baker enters the Zildjian hall of fame having
shot to fame in the 60s after forming one of the most successful
and influential British blues-rock groups ever – Cream. Baker along
with band mates Bruce and Eric Clapton went on to receive five gold
albums and Cream was one of the first ever bands to attain a platinum
disc. Baker’s flamboyant performances and pioneering use of two bass
drums in place of the conventional single kick drum instantly set new
standards for rock drummers throughout the world. In 1969 Ginger left
Cream with bandmate Eric Clapton to form Blind Faith with Rick Grech
and Steve Winwood, and he later went on to release his own material
including ‘Ginger Baker’s Air Force’. Cream re- formed in 2005 and
packed Arenas around the world to huge critical acclaim.

Tickets for the event can be purchased from shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk

SYMPHONIC PLAYERS BRING PLEASANT SOUNDS

The Auburn Plainsman
October 9, 2008
USA

The Auburn University Symphonic Band held its first concert of the
fall on Thursday.

The concert, featuring the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensembles and Chamber
Winds, was held at the Opelika Performing Arts Center.

The night began with the entire symphonic band performing "Olympic
Fanfare and Theme" by James Curnow. It followed with Jaromir
Weinberger’s "Polka and Fugue."

After the first two pieces, the band tried a different approach
as they split up into smaller sections for the next four pieces,
featuring guest conductors for all four.

The groups were labeled the Tiger Wind Ensemble and Eagle Wind
Ensemble.

Conductor and Director of Bands Rick Good said the groups were split
right down the middle, adding no one student was better than another.

He said he feels the splitting of the groups helped the overall
performance.

"The small groups put more pressure on the player, and when they do
that, the big groups do better," Good said.

The performances are what Good said he thought made the night a
success, and he would like that to carry on into the spring.

"We have the two wind ensembles getting ready for the spring, because
in the spring we will have a symphonic wind group and we will have a
concert band," Good said. "So that’s what we’re getting the students
prepared for."

Good said the band usually only practices two days a week, but this
fall they were practicing four.

He said he wants to use that kind of work ethic to be able to show
people they have a good symphonic wind and percussion program.

"Some of the schools use it against us that they know our marching band
is good," Good said. "But they think we won’t have a good concert band,
which we really do, and we’re trying to get out there more."

Three graduate assistants were guest conductors for the evening.

Staci Wyland presented Guy Woolfenden’s "Suite Francaise," Allison
Parker presented Malcolm Arnold’s "English Dances Set Two" and Dustin
White presented Clifton William’s "Symphonic Suite."

Associate Director of Bands Corey Spurlin was also a guest conductor.

He presented Vincent Persichetti’s "Serenade No. 1, Op. 1" and was
pleased with how the students performed.

"I felt it went pretty well for the first concert of the year," Spurlin
said. "It’s a class, and we’re constantly involved in learning and
getting better throughout the semester."

Spurlin said he liked the breaking up of the groups because it gave
them a spotlight and teaches them to play more of a solo style of
performance.

"When you break things down into smaller groups, it puts a little bit
more pressure on the players," Spurlin said. "When they get back with
the bigger band, it improves their skill."

One aspect of the concert Spurlin said he enjoyed was the audience
was given a little variety. He said he liked that there were different
groups to listen to so they didn’t have the big group the whole time.

After the guest conductors finished their pieces, Good came back to
close out the night with Richard Wagner’s "Trauersinfonie" and Alfred
Reed’s "Armenian Dances (Part I)."

Emily Maddox, a senior in percussion, said the experience was a new
one, being that they usually don’t do concerts this early.

"This semester is the first time we’ve been having more rehearsals
during the week," Maddox said. "We’ve been splitting up into smaller
groups, which helps us be able to have a concert sooner."

Maddox said splitting up the groups allowed them to explore a lot
and be different.

She agreed with Spurlin that it put more pressure on individual
performers.

"There’s definitely more responsibility when there is one person
to a part as oppose to maybe six other people playing with you,"
Maddox said.

"It ups the level of musicianship."