Month: December 2008

Panorama.am
15:23 27/12/2008

POLL: CRISIS IMPACT EVIDENT ON ECONOMY OF ARMENIA

The poll results showed that 90% of Armenian population is aware of
world economic crisis and only 10% has never heard about it, reports
Armenian Marketing Association which is a member of `Eurasian Monitor’
international research consortium.

According to the results of the poll 47% of the population thinks that
the crisis will have an impact on the economy of Armenia, 22% thinks
that it has already had its impact, 18% says that it will have a
partial impact and only 9% thinks that it will have no impact.

To the request whether the crisis will have certain impact on the
requestor’s family, 43% says that it can have certain impact. 13% of
them said that they have already suffered, 22% answered ` partially
and 19% answered ` no.

Source: Panorama.am

THE ARMENIAN OMBUDSMAN ASKS HIS GEORGIAN COUNTERPART TO MONITOR THE
CHAKHALYAN AND SHIRINYAN TRIALS

Taking into consideration the written statement of "Yerkir" Union of
NGOs for Repatriation and Settlement, the Human Rights defender of the
Republic of Armenia Armen Harutyunyan has issued a letter (in
Russian), where he asked his Georgian counterpart to monitor the
trials of the Javakhk Armenian political activists Vahagn Chakhalyan,
Gourgen Shirinyan and his relatives.

The official Russian text of the letter can be found at
<;
http ://ombuds.am/main/en/0/16/1849

Below, please find the English full translation made by the "Yerkir"
Union.

To Mr. Sozar Subari Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Georgia

Dear Mr. Subari,

I have received a written statement from R. Tatoyan, Head of "Yerkir"
Union of Non-governmental rganizations for Repatriation and
Settlement.

In the statement Mr. Tatoyan expresses deep concern about the lawsuit
against Vahagn Chakhalyan – the leader of the "United Javakhk"
Democratic Alliance" political movement, Gourgen Shirinyan – a
political activist, and the members of their families.

Mr. Tatoyan states that the investigations, as well as the judicial
proceedings are held with major violations of human rights.

Taking into account our agreements, I kindly ask you to organize
monitoring activities and to find out whether the human rights
provided for by the international treaties acceded to or ratified by
the Republic of Georgia are observed.

May I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year and Merry
Christmas!

With kind regards,

A. Harutyunyan

UNION YERKIR

Read more here: <;

Appel de l’Ombudsman d’Arménie à l’Ombudsman de Géorgie pour contrôler
les procès de Vahag Chakhalyan et Gurguen Shirinyan.

Suite à l’intervention de l’Union YERKIR, l’Ombudsman d’Arménie
(Médiateur de la République pour les Droits de l’Homme) a publié une
lettre ou il demande à son homologue géorgien de contrôler le procès
des militants des droits civiques arméniens du Djavakhk, Vahag
Chakhalyan et Gurguen Shirinyan et leurs parents.

Vous trouverez la lettre officielle (en russe) sur le site de
l’Ombudsman de la République d’Arménie :
<;
http: //ombuds.am/main/en/0/16/1849

Voici la version traduite en français :

M. Armen Harutyunyan
Médiateur de la République d’Arménie
pour les Droits de l’Homme

M. Sozar Subari
Médiateur de la République de Géorgie
pour les Droits de l’Homme

Cher Monsieur Subari,

J’ai reçu une déclaration écrite de M. Tatoyan, directeur de
l’ONG "l’Union
YERKIR pour le rapatriement et la réinsertion".

Dans cette déclaration, M. Tatoyan exprime ses craintes concernant le
déroulement du procès contre le leader du mouvement "Alliance
Démocratique Djavakhk Uni" Vahagn Chakhalyan et du procès de Gurguen
Shirinyan et leurs familles.

M. Tatoyan déclare que l’enquête aussi bien que les poursuites
judiciaires ont été faites en violations flagrantes des droits de
l’homme.

En prenant en compte nos accords, je vous prie d’avoir l’obligeance
d’organiser le contrôle sur ces activités et de découvrir si les
traités internationaux sur les droits de l’homme ratifiés par la
République de Géorgie sont observés.

Par la même occasion, je vous souhaite une bonne année et un joyeux
Noël

Meilleures salutations.
Armen Harutyunyan
UNION YERKIR

Plus d’information ici : <;

Contactmusic.com, UK
Dec 27 2008

CHARLES AZNAVOUR – AZNAVOUR AWARDED ARMENIAN CITIZENSHIP

Veteran French singer CHARLES AZNAVOUR has been granted Armenian
citizenship by presidential decree.

The 84-year-old singer – born Shahnur Aznavourian – was born in Paris,
France to Armenian parents.

He serves as Armenia’s permanent delegate to the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Aznavour also set up a foundation and organised a series of charity
concerts to help earthquake victims in the country, ravaged by the
1988 disaster which left 25,000 people dead.

The presidency of the ex-Soviet republic said on Friday (26Dec08):
"Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has signed a decree granting
Armenian citizenship to the prominent singer and public figure, a hero
of the Armenian people, Charles Aznavour."

nsf/article/aznavour%20awarded%20armenian%20citize nship_1090309

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
Dec 27 2008

Alex Pisman: "Azerbaijan must not lose in information war with Armenia"

27 December 2008 [13:46] – Today.Az

The book of Azerbaijani professor Rovshan Mustafayev "March of
Death", dis?Ñ?losing the new facts about the crimes of Armenians
against Jews was discussed in Israel, said Israeli historian,
socialogical scientist and journalist, professor Alex Pisman, who
wrote a reference to this book.

Asked whether the facts, introduced in this book, can be used
effectively in the information war against Armenians, who attempt to
blacken Azerbaijan’s image, he said he was surprised with many facts.

"I was glad to take part in the ceremony of awarding the diploma of
the International Fund Eurasia-Press to this book in Baku. This is
another chance to voice the truth about tolerance of Azerbaijani
people.

"I would say even more, and I want the readers of your wonderful
website to read it. I want them to realize that today a word of truth,
based on facts, is more important than thousands of patriotic words",
said Pisman.

He stressed the need to continue working with literature, documental
sources, the need to get information from people who were, for
example, deported from Armenia in the late 1980.

"When people go, their memory goes with them. We must pay attention to
each person, who remembers and can speak honestly, as it is important
to inform the whole world. Those, who oppose Azerbaijan in this
information war, do like this. Azerbaijan must not lose in this war,
as if you lose at this field you will lose at other fields too and we,
the diaspora from Azerbaijan, try to retain all good things, that we
know, that we remember and will continue to remember", concluded
Pisman.

/Day.Az/

URL:

Ottawa Citizen, Canada
Dec 27 2008

Fasten your seatbelt for this musical ride

Richard Todd, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Saturday, December 27, 2008

1. Beethoven: Complete Symphonies, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Charles Mackerras, conductor (Hyperion): This is the most intimate and exciting account available of the Beethoven symphonies. The tempos are based upon the composer’s metronome markings, so fasten your seatbelt.

2. Gomidas Songs, Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano (Nonsuch): Armenian-born superstar Isabel Bayrakdarian ravishes the ear with music by Gomidas, a priest and ethnomusicologist active in the years before the First World War.

3. Oppens Plays Carter, Ursula Oppens, piano (Cedille): This CD includes all of the piano music of Elliot Carter, who is 100 this month and has yet to put his pen down. Most of it was written in the last 10 years. Oppens is a most sympathetic interpreter.

4. Brahms: Symphony no. 1, Orchestre Révolutionaire et Romantique, John Eliot Gardiner, conductor (Soli Deo Gratia): This period instrument recording will appeal to just about every Brahms lover. The textures are a bit leaner than what we’re used to, allowing for a clarity that Gardiner exploits to the fullest.

5. Beethoven: Symphonies 7 & 8, Tafelmusik (Analekta): Aside from a slightly bangy first movement in the Eighth, these interpretations are magisterial. The famous Allegretto from the Seventh is so beautiful that it would be worth the price of the disc all by itself.

6. Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, etc., Les Violns du Roy (ATMA): Les Violons du Roy chamber orchestra is best known for its performances and recordings of Baroque music. Recently, however, it has been exploring more modern repertoire, like this collection of Bartók, played with great nuance and transparency.

7. Fantasies and Variations, Cynthia Millman Floyd, fortepiano (Floyd): This is a good a demonstration of how well the fortepiano, the period instrument of the late 18th century, suites the music of that era. Compared to the modern piano, the light timbre and clarity of the instrument provide different interpretive opportunities.

8. Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem, Philippe Herreweghe, conductor (Harmonia Mundi): Along with the very different Verdi Requiem, this work stands at the summit of 19th-century choral music. Among the soloists is Canadian baritone Gerald Finley, whose Herr, lehre doch mich is probably the finest rendition of that grave aria available.

9. Bach and the Liturgical Year, Shannon Mercer, soprano (Analekta): Soprano Shannon Mercer has what it takes to perform Bach arias. Organist Luc Beauséjour is her principal accompanist and he also plays several chorales, fugues and the like most convincingly.

10. Shostakovich: String Quartets, vol. 3 — Manderling SQ (Audite): Does the world need this set from the Manderlings? Possibly not but, on the basis of the three quartets on this disc (5, 7 and 9), these musicians are indeed to be taken seriously.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 27 2008

Matthew Bryza: If there is ever to be a peaceful agreement to the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, societal leaders must be willing to help
lead their fellow citizens toward compromise ` EXCLUSIVE

[ 27 Dec 2008 13:07 ]
`I have no way to assess whether Secretary of State-designate Clinton
will decide to retain me in my current position’

Baku. Viktoriya Dementyeva ` APA. American co-chair of OSCE Minsk
Group Matthew Bryza’s interview to APA concerning the results of the
work done for the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict in 2008

-How do you assess 2008 in terms of the negotiations on the solution
to Nagorno Karabakh conflict? Could the Minsk Group make an
improvement on the solution?

-In my opinion, the main achievement in 2008 for the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process has been the emergence of a constructive relationship
between Presidents Sarksian and Aliyev. While I would not yet say
that the two leaders trust each other sufficiently to reach the
compromises required to finalize the Basic Principles, I am pleased
by the willingness each President is showing to work through the
remaining difficult issues with his counterpart. In short, the
psychological atmosphere may now be right to catalyze tough
decisions.

My main disappointment has probably been the unwillingness of many
public figures in both countries, whether political leaders or
journalists, to liberate themselves from conventional ways of
thinking. If there is ever to be a peaceful agreement to the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, societal leaders must be willing to help lead their
fellow citizens toward compromise. Unfortunately, rather than showing
this sort of leadership, many societal leaders seem more concerned
with trying to "score points" by criticizing statements by those
involved in the peace process that break new ground.

-Has the date and place of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents’
meeting been fixed? Can the presidents meet in the Annual meeting of
the World Economic Forum in Davos at the end of January?

-As Presidents Sarksian and Aliyev noted in the November 2 Moscow
Declaration, the sides should continue and intensify their efforts to
finalize the Basic Principles in close cooperation with the Minsk
Group Co-Chairs. The parties have made considerable progress. To
finalize their work, they will need to prepare their societies for
difficult compromises that will bring peace, stability, and
prosperity. The Minsk Group Co-Chairs will facilitate this work in
early 2009 by traveling again to the region and preparing the ground
for another meeting between the Presidents. It is up to the
Presidents to decide whether they wish to meet on the margins of the
World Economic Forum in Davos.

-Will you continue your activity in this matter as a co-chair?

-I have no way to assess whether Secretary of State-designate Clinton
will decide to retain me in my current position. What I can say with
absolute certainty is that doing everything possible to help the
parties reach a peaceful agreement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
will remain of great personal importance to me. I feel connected to
the people of the South Caucasus, and wish to help all them who seek
to live in peace, prosperity, and democratic freedom.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 27 2008

Khazar Ibrahim: "The statement of Kazakhstan’s temporary
plenipotentiary in Armenia contradicts to intergovernmental contract
between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan"

27 December 2008 [11:38] – Today.Az

The statement of Kazakhstan’s temporary plenipotentiary in Armenia
contradicts to intergovernmental contract between Azerbaijan and
Kazakhstan, said spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Khazar
Ibrahim, commenting on the statement of Kazakh diplomat in Armenia
Nurbolat Alimbayev. It should be noted that Alimbayev said Kazakhstan
does not set the principle of territorial integrity over the principle
of the right of nations for self-determination and both principles are
equal for them".

"Such statements causes surprise, as the agreement "On strategic
partnership between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, signed in 2005, fixes
the priority of the territorial integrity and nonviolation of borders
in several paragraphs.

I can only repeat one of these paragraphs which says that the "sides
spare no efforts for support to the resolution of regional conflicts
on the basis of commonly accepted norms of international law and
observance of the provision of sovereignty, territorial integrity,
nonviolation of state borders", said Ibrahim.

/Day.Az/

URL:

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 27 2008

Azerbaijan serious factor in definition of Ankara’s Caucasian strategy
27.12.08 11:32

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 26 / Trend News, B.Hasanov / The global forces
define Turkey’s political priorities with respect to the Caucasus
region, however Azerbaijan plays one of the major roles in forming
local policy. `Without taking into account Azerbaijan’s policy, Turkey
cannot make serious changes in its Caucasian policy,’ Sedat Laciner,
director of International Strategic Research Centre in Turkey, said to
Trend News.

Turkey pays considerable attention to discussions with Azerbaijan on
political issues of region, Ali Babacan, the Turkish Foreign Minister,
said delivering a speech in the Parliament on Dec. 24.

Turkey is the first country, which recognized the independence of
Azerbaijan in 1991. Since then the cultural and diplomatic relations
between two states were developed in the line of ascent. Together with
the historical cultural roots, both countries, which always come out
from the united position in the international community, unite also
economic collaboration at the high level. This collaboration is
manifested also in the regional policy.

European expert Swante Cornel considers that the position of
Azerbaijan plays important role in determination of the regional
policy of Turkey. Expert says that the position of Azerbaijan plays
the decisive role for Turkey, especially in a Karabakh issue and the
Turkey- Armenia ties. `Some forces in Turkey desire the opening of
Turkish- Armenian boundary; however, the basic reason for the
non-opening of boundaries to the present day is the position of
Azerbaijan in this issue’, Cornel said to Trend News bya telephone
from Stockholm.

Turkish expert Laciner explains the influence of Azerbaijan on the
regional policy of Turkey by economic and geo-strategic factor. `Te
fact that Azerbaijan is the source of energy resources and door into
the Turkic countries of the Central Asia, made itself that necessary
calculation by Turkey for the position of Azerbaijan in the regional
policy’, Laciner said to Trend News by a telephone from Ankara.

Expert also considers the basic factor, which connects these countries
with each other, their cultured – spiritual and historical roots.

Independent Azerbaijan expert Vafa Guluzade said that Turkey in its
policy in the region acts within the framework the interests of global
forces, and its political priorities in the region are determined from
the side of these global forces. Political scientist considers that
Turkey has the independent regional policy at the local level, but
Azerbaijan plays no role even in the determination of this local
policy. `Azerbaijan in no way influences the local policy of Turkey on
the region. How can the small country Azerbaijan influence the
regional policy of Ankara? ‘, Guluzade, the former advisor of the
President on foreign policy issue, said to Trend News.

At present Turkey tries to play important role in the Caucasian
region. Making efforts in settlement of ethnic conflicts in the
Caucasus, Turkey also strengthens the diplomatic attempts to derive
the passing through the Caucasus Nabucco gas pipeline at world market
through its territory. For the realization of all these issues Turkey
collaborates with Azerbaijan, it’s the most important ally in the
region.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

New York Times, NY
Dec 27 2008

Aznavour Granted Armenian Citizenship

Compiled by Dave Itzkoff
Published: December 26, 2008

Charles Aznavour, above, the singer-songwriter and actor, was granted
citizenship in Armenia by the decree of that country’s president on
Friday, Agence-France Presse reported. Though known as the Frank
Sinatra of France, Mr. Aznavour, 84, was born Shahnour Aznavourian in
Paris to Armenian parents and has been an advocate of charity efforts
to benefit Armenia. He organized a series of benefit concerts after
the 1988 earthquakes there and is the country’s permanent delegate to
Unesco. He is also the first French performer to have a platinum
record in Europe, and his songs have been covered by English-speaking
singers from Elvis Costello to Liza Minnelli. The president of
Armenia, Serge Sargsyan, said in a statement that he had granted
citizenship to Mr. Aznavour, whom he called a `prominent singer and
public figure’ and `a hero of the Armenian people.’

Washington Post, DC
Dec 27 2008

France’s ‘Sinatra’ Honored

Singer Charles Aznavour, the "Frank Sinatra of France," has been
granted Armenian citizenship, Agence France-Presse reports. Born
Shahnur Aznavourian in Paris to Armenian immigrants, Aznavour raised
money for victims of a 1988 earthquake in Armenia and starred in Atom
Egoyan’s 2002 film "Ararat," an epic meditation on the 1915 Armenian
genocide in Turkey.

In a decree granting citizenship to Aznavour, 84, Armenian President
Serzh Sarkisian called the tenor "a hero of the Armenian people."