Month: October 2008

PRESIDENT OF IRAN MEETS WITH DEPUTIES OF COUNTRY’S RELIGIOUS MINORITIES

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 8, 2008

TEHRAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. On October 2,
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
received deputies of religious minorities in the Islamic parliament,
including Robert Beglarian, a deputy of Armenians of Ispahan and South
Iran. Gevorg Vardan, a deputy of Armenians of Tehran and North Iran,
was absent due to taking part in an event proceeding in Rasht.

According to the report of the Iranahayer site, during the meeting,
the President emphasized that religious minorities are integral parts
of the large family of the Iranian people, and splitting words of
enemies cannot have an impact on interrelations in this large family.

Deputies-representatives of religious minorities, in their turn,
presented the difficulties and problems of their communities.

FAMOUS LINGUIST AND ETHNOGAPHER VERJINE SVAZLIAN AWARDED "GREAT MIND OF THE 21st CENTURY" TITLE

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The famous linguist of the American
Biographical Institute, ethnographer, expert in Western Armenian verbal
culture, Doctor of Philology, Professor Verjine Svazlian (the Institute
of Archeology and Enthography of the RA National Academy of Sciences
(NAS) has been awarded a title "Great Mind of the 21st Century" and a
gold medal for her works presenting the Armenian culture to the world,
NT was informed by the RA NAS press service.

V. Svazlian is the author of more than 200 works. Over 55 years, on
her own initiative she wrote, recorded, filmed, studied and published
evidence (in various dialects) of the Armenian Genocide survivors who
were forcibly deported from over 100 places in historical Armenia, as
well as their songs of historical nature (in Armenian and Turkish),
thus saving them and presenting the collective historical memory of
the Armenian people in various languages to the world.

KONSTANTIN ORBELIAN: I DO NOT MISS ANY INVITATION OR CHANCE TO COME TO ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Oc t 8, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. Maestro Konstantin Orbelian does
not like jubilees and considers that one jubilee concert organized
in Yerevan on the occasion of his 80th birth anniversary is quite
enough. In the past years the maestro lives and creates in the Unites
States, nevertheless he does not miss any invitation or chance to
come to Armenia: "I love Yerevan very much, as I have left the best
years of my past here." Maestro Orbelian said this to journalists
on October 4, during the meeting organized within the framework of
Armenian Jazz 70. As his friends characterize him, the too joyous
artist with a wonderful sense of humor indeed loves his homeland very
much, loves music and especially "loves women."

The 80-year-old musician, who is from Zangezur, Tatev by birth,
origins from the famous dynasty of Orbelis. He is one of the founders
of the 70-year-old Armenian jazz. The Armenian State Variety Orchestra
conducted by K. Orbelian from the 60-s (at that time many people knew
it by just that name) was considered to be the "USSR national team"
in the sphere of music. In the future many of the singers of his
orchestra became famous both in the territory of CIS and abroad.

Speaking about the past way of the Armenian jazz, K. Orbelian said that
the Jazz Band founded by composer Artemi Ayvazian in 1938 not only has
been kept today, but also has passed a glorious way and today has its
traditions and direction. "I am grateful to Artem Ayvazian because
in 1943 when I was 14 years old he called me to Armenia entrusting
me the chair of pianist of the State Variety Orchestra. I do not
imagine how my future life would arrange but for that invitation,"
the maestro said.

Speaking about modern jazz and variety music and performers in
that genres, the maestro said that he has a very good opinion of
today’s youth. Meanwhile he admits that among them there are also
many people who have appeared in that sphere accidentally: "however,
the time does its work, it is able to sort out the original from
the false and those who appeared on the stage accidentally leave
it involuntarily. The maestro also spoke about the modern Armenian
rabis saying that modern music by pseudo-oriental, Arab and Turkish
motives is far from "original Armenian rabis." And the standard of
"Armenian rabis," according to the maestro, was Aram Asatrian.

K. Orbelian also said that singers of the 70-80-s of the Armenian
State Variety Orchestra conducted by him formerly, including Erna
Yuzbashian arriving from the United States, Gayane Hovhannisian,
Syuzan Margarian, Radik Gabrielian, Larisa Dolina from Russia, and
others will take part in the jubilee concert organized within the
framework of Armenian Jazz 70.

Maestro’s new works, as well as some songs of the 60-s will be
performed at the concert. In the past years the renowned composer
has released eight new disks with new works in the United States.

Maestro’s jubilee will be also marked in the capital city of Russia
on December 12, with the participation of Russian stars. One of the
famous figures of French music, Michel Legrand will also arrive in
Moscow in December in this connection.

ARF BUREAU MEMBERS SAYS HISTORIANS’ COMMISSION A BLOW TO THOSE WHO RECOGNIZED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Yerkir
09.10.2008 13:46

Yerevan (Yerkir) – ARF Bureau Member Vigen Hovsepian, speaking on the
Armenian-Turkish developments over the weekend, said that Armenia could
develop most if having good-neighborly relations with its neighbors.

"However, good-neighborly relations are nothing if not based on mutual
respect," he added. "It is a very superficial logic to accept Turkey
as a country that has good intentions as that country continues to
violate the dignity of the Armenian nation and its history by denying
the fact of the Armenian genocide. Imagine, for instance, Israel
establishing normal relations with a country that denies the fact of
Holocaust let alone the country that had perpetrated the Holocaust."

As for the commission of the Armenian and Turkish historians, which
supposedly should discuss issues related to the Armenian genocide,
Hovsepian said: "For years, versions for such commissions have been
proposed in order to slow down the international recognition of the
Armenian genocide and the efforts aimed at such recognition. It is
waste of time and we should not get in trap. If such a commission is to
discuss the consequences of the genocide and the way or reparation,
it is good. But if it is to discuss the fact of the genocide and
make speculations on it, it is more than ridiculous and it is a blow
to those who have recognized the Armenian genocide or have acted in
support of the recognition," Hovsepian said.

HILDA TCHOBOIAN, PETER SEMNEBY DISCUSS ARMENIAN-RELATED ISSUES

Yerkir
09.10.2008 17:03

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Peter Semneby, the EU special envoy to the South
Caucasus, and Hilda Tchoboian, the Chairperson of the European Armenian
Federation, held a meeting on 24 September in the framework of the
regular consultations that take place between the Euro-Armenian NGO
and EU institutions.

The main focus of their talks was the recent geopolitical unrest in the
South Caucasus, the renewed interest in improvement of Turkey-Armenia
relations, and the challenges faced by Georgia’s ethnic Armenian
population.

Both Tchoboian and Semneby reiterated their common interest in
eventually seeing the normalization of regional cooperation in South
Caucasus, particularly in the wake of the Georgian crisis. The
President of the European Armenian Federation, however, informed
Mr. Semneby of her organization’s scepticism about Turkey’s proposed
"Caucasian Platform for Stability and Cooperation," noting that, until
now, Turkey has primarily been a destabilizing factor in the region,
as evidenced by its blockade of Armenia and its pro-Azerbaijani bias
in the Karabagh conflict.

"In the context of the emergence of a new balance of power in Caucasus,
Turkey is seeking assert for itself a role as an intermediary between
Europe, Russia and the Caucasian States" stated Hilda Tchoboian.

"But it’s hopes are clearly not suppo rted by the facts on the ground
– which include recent statements by its Minister of Foreign Affairs
stressing Turkey’s intention to make Armenia pay dearly for the
opening of the border, in particular, by stopping the international
process of Armenian Genocide recognition," she added.

With regard to Georgia, the Federation’s President shared with Semneby
the urgent concerns voiced by the country’s Armenian minority.

"After their defeat in South Ossetia, we need to be mindful that
nationalistic elements of Georgian society and the Georgian power
structures could target the ethnic Armenians community as scapegoats"
explained Hilda Tchoboian. "Georgia has compelling interest in
moving toward a policy of respect for the rights of minorities –
especially those of the ethnic Armenians of Javakhk – as per its
commitments to the Council of Europe. Trying to build a centralized,
unitary state in the 21st century is simply unrealistic for a diverse,
multiethnic country such as Georgia" concluded the president of the
European Armenian Federation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN FOOTBALL TEAM LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS

ARMENPRESS
Oct 9, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian national football team left
today for Belgium, where the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match
with Belgian team will take place. The meeting will take place in
the Brussels "Rua Boduen" stadium.

On October 15 the Armenian team will compete with Bosnians in the
stadium "Belino Polye" in the town of Zenitsa.

32 COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN A NUMBER OF ARMENIAN PROVINCES

ARMENPRESS
Oct 9, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Social Investments Fund is
carrying out 32 programs in a number of Armenian provinces. Head of a
department of the Fund Aram Grigorian told Armenpress that schools,
culture houses, kinder gardens, community centers and also water
pipelines are being reconstructed in provinces of Gegharkunik, Ararat,
Armavir, Lori, Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Shirak and in Yerevan.

Particularly one school, four community centers and Gavar art school
are being reconstructed in the province of Gegharkunik, a secondary
school, two community centers, one sport school – in Lori, three
schools, one community center and the building of "Meghvik" youth
center – in Shirak.

By certain programs the works are planned to be finished this year,
the other part will continue in 2009. According to A. Grigorian, the
governor’s office presents the list of primary programs in the most
vulnerable communities which are approved in the session of council
of elders of the communities.

A. Grigorian noted that other programs of restoration are being
planned this year and will be implemented in the nearest future.

SESSION OF COUNCIL OF CIS FOREIGN MINISTERS KICKS OFF IN BISHKEK

ARMENPRESS
Oct 9, 2008

BISHKEK, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS: President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek
Bakiyev met today with the Foreign Ministers of the CIS countries.

Press service of the president informed that head of the CIS Executive
Committee Sergey Lebedev also took part in the meeting.

Bakiyev underscored the importance of dialogue between CIS states
on the level of Presidents and Foreign Ministers and noted that the
upcoming CIS summit is of primary importance for the member countries
of the organization which has "great and yet not realized potential".

Kyrgyz president also emphasized the importance of further enhancement
of cooperation between the CIS states. He noted the importance of
discussion and adoption of the concept of further development of CIS
countries by 2020.

"In the condition of increase of prices in the world market CIS
countries must create conditions to be confidently integrated in the
world economy," the president added.

Today the session of council of CIS Foreign Ministers kicked off
in Bishkek.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO LEAVE FOR BISHKEK

ARMENPRESS
Oct 9, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
is leaving today for Bishkek to participate in the sessions of the
council of the heads of the CIS countries and inter-state Eurasian
Economic Association council.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that the delegation
headed by the president includes Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian,
Armenia’s permanent representative in CIS bodies Oleg Yesayan, who
is also Armenian ambassador to Belarus and other officials.

The session of the council of the heads of the CIS countries will open
with a narrow membership of the heads of states and will be followed
with the extended session.

The leaders of the CIS countries will discuss the economic development
strategy of the CIS until 2020, cooperation in the energy sphere,
further development of CIS, partnership of member countries in
different spheres.

In the capital of Kyrgyzstan Serzh Sargsian will also participate in
the session of the Eurasian Economic Association. In this organization
Armenia has a status of an observer.

ISSUES ON DEEPENING OF ARMENIAN-CHINESE COOPERATION DISCUSSED

ARMENPRESS
Oct 9, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Speaker of Armenian parliament Hovik
Abrahamian received October 9 the Ambassador of People’s Republic of
China Khun Tsziu.

Public relations department of Armenian Parliament told Armenpress that
the ambassador conveyed to the Armenian NA speaker the congratulations
of the head of permanent committee of Chinese People’s House of
Representatives U. Bango and invitation to visit China.

Assuring that Armenian-Chinese parliamentary relations and cooperation
are the part of friendly relations between the two countries U. Bango
expressed readiness to enhance the cooperation and have a positive
contribution to the development of all spheres of inter-state
cooperation. The ambassador noted that U. Bango’s official visit
to Armenia was planned, but it has been postponed as a result of
disastrous earthquake in China.

Speaker of Armenian Parliament thanked for the invitation and
re-confirmed the invitation of Chinese speaker’s official visit. During
the meeting the sides underscored the importance of inter-parliamentary
cooperation. H. Abrahamian also noted that the Chinese experience
is very teaching and important for Armenia, therefore it has been
suggested that a joint business forums be conducted during which
prospects of development of economic relations will be discussed.

The sides also referred to other issues during the meeting.