Month: November 2009

JOURNALIST ON TRIAL SURE OF VICTORY

news.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

Editor-in-Chief of the Haykakan Zhamanak ( Armenian Times) newspaper
Nikol Pashinyan, who is running for Parliament in election district
#10, has sent a message from the remand center Yerevan Kentron. In
his message he stated his decision to run for Parliament "for law
ands justice, for the people’s law to form their power…"

In his message Pashinyan writes that he made this step "in memory of
the innocent victims of March 1, 2008, for the political prisoners,
for all the citizens whose rights are violated and dignity is destroyed
by the lawlessness reigning in the country…"

Pashinyan expresses his gratitude to the Republic Party, its Political
Council and the Council member Suren Surenyants, "for considering it
possible to defend their principles and values by nominating me."

Pashinyan expressed hope that "the opposition forces that do not form
part of the Armenian National Congress will take a clear position in
the forthcoming elections as well" by supporting him as he believes
in victory not only in the January 10 elections, but also "in our
struggle for the Constitution, law and democracy."

ERDOGAN HAS SOMETHING TO DISCUSS WITH U.S LEADERSHIP: POLITICAL EXPERT

Today
157.html
Nov 3 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with renowned Azerbaijani political expert Rasim
Agayev.

Day.Az: What do you expect from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s upcoming visit to the United States?

Rasim Agayev: I am confident that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
has something to discuss with the United States leadership. In fact,
Turkey did what the United States and Europe demanded by giving
rise to improvement of Turkish-Armenian relations, which will have
far-reaching processes for the entire South Caucasus region and for
a large geopolitical area, called Greater Middle East in the U.S..

Therefore, it is expected that all issues related to this process
will be addressed during Turkish prime minister’s visit to the
United States.

Q: Given Erdogan recent visit to Iran, can you say that issues related
to Iran will prevail during the U.S. visit?

A: Of course. Turkey has undertaken task of mediator in talks between
Iran and the West. I am convinced that if Turkey’s peacekeeping
mission is not provided with forward movement, I do not exclude the
possibility that at some point Israel might resort to force or Iran
may stiffen its stance. Such developments should be prevented.

Q: Due to what Turkey, that undertook mediator task, plans to achieve
forward movement and prevent undesirable developments in relations
between Iran and the West?

A: I think, on one hand Turkey is a country which transit energy
resources from Central Asia and the Caspian region to Europe. Besides,
recently it was reported that Turkey buys Iranian energy resources.

Therefore, energy factor could become a model for dealing with Iran’s
withdrawal from isolation that saves face for both Iran and the U.S.

and Europe.

Q: Given importance of the Iranian problem, will resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict be discussed during
Erdogan’s visit to the U.S.?

A: I am convinced that a solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be discussed during Turkish prime
minister’s visit to the United States. Because, without explaining
Turkey’s position on this issue is impossible to develop country’s
position on future Turkish-Armenian relations. Of course, Iranian
issue will be main topic of discussions during the visit. I also
believe that the visit will help to improve Turkish-Israeli relations.

TURKEY’S ACCESSION TO BRING CONSIDERABLE BENEFITS TO EUROPE

news.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and the former German chancellor
Gerhard Schröder took the floor at the conference organized by
SinpaÅ~_ Real Estate Investment Trust in the course of their visit
to Turkey, Turkish Hurriyet daily reports.

"Clinton praised Turkey for ‘successful endorsement of secularism
while letting people express religious beliefs without imposing them
on others,’ while Gerhard Schröder, the former German chancellor,
urged the European Union to keep its promise toward Turkey on full
membership."

Clinton welcomed Armenia-Turkey rapprochement, though criticized
the country for closing the Halki International Seminary. "You have
to think: While your population is growing, why is your Christian
Orthodox community shrinking?" he asked. "Do you think it is better
for the Christian Orthodox community to fall under the influence of
the Russian Church?" the former President said.

"Clinton also recalled that he was an ardent supporter of Turkey’s
accession to the EU," the daily reads. He underlined that his
"efforts on Turkey’s EU membership were also ‘for the good of the
American people’. Clinton reminded of the fact that Baku-Tbilisi-
Ceyhan oil pipeline was constructed his "tenure." ""I am happy to
see Turkey’s energy interconnections continue to expand," he stated.

In his turn, Gerhard Schröder expressed regret on the fact that
"EU does not appreciate Turkey’s role in solving regional conflicts."

Commenting on Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, Schröder said Turkey
played a crucial role "in helping find solutions to conflicts in
its region."

"Schröder said Turkey’s role in energy security will also be vital,
especially with the Nabucco and South Stream projects. As an adviser
to Russian gas monopoly Gazprom, he was careful to mention that these
two projects are not competing with each other.

Nabucco aims to bring Caspian gas to Europe via Turkey to reduce
European dependence to Russia, while South Stream, a project
spearheaded by Russia, aims to provide an alternative route to the
Ukrainian route, which has proven to be problematic in the past,"
Hurriyet reads.

U.S. SENATOR SENDS LETTER TO HILLARY CLINTON

news.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

October 20, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D- NV) sent a letter to
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, presenting the position of
Armenian community of the state concerning Armenia-Turkey Protocols
signed Oct.10 in Zurich, Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) reports.

NEWS.am quotes the letter referring to Asbarez daily.

"Dear Secretary Clinton:

I am writing about the recent agreement to establish normal diplomatic
relations between Turkey and Armenia. I know you have personally
been involved in the negotiation of this agreement and appreciate
your attention on the issues I am raising today.

I am sure you are aware that this agreement has raised concerns in
the Armenian community inside the United States. I have received
many letters from Nevadans who do not support the creation of an
international commission to examine the historical record on the
genocide and who believe that the agreements are unfair to Armenia. (I
have included a sample letter below). Given the serious nature of
the community’s concerns, I felt it was important to raise them
directly with you. The commission is particularly sensitive to the
Armenian-American community since the Armenian genocide has never
been recognized by Turkey.

I would also respectfully suggest that you meet directly with
Armenian-American groups so they have an opportunity to share their
views with you. Thank you again for your consideration of this request
and your interest in this important national security issue.

Sincerely,

HARRY REID United States Senator."

ARMENIAN COMMUNISTS RECOGNIZE NAGORNO-KARABAKH AS AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORY

Today
/57154.html
Nov 3 2009
Azerbaijan

Leadership of Azerbaijan Communist Party (ACP) met with the Armenian
communists as part of the 34th congress of the Communist Party Union
(USSR CP) in Moscow, ACP Chairman Rauf Gurbanov said.

He said they had held discussions over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"There are no discords between us and Armenian communists over
Nagorno-Karabakh. They admit that these lands belong to Azerbaijan.

They are always saying that," Gurbanov said.

Gurbanov said communist parties of other countries also recognize
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

"They didn’t admit the independent communist party in Nagorno Karabakh
to membership of the Communist Party Union."

The Azerbaijani communists met with the communists of other countries
within the congress and joined the elections of leadership of the
Communist Party Union.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO KUWAIT TO INFLUENCE ARAB WORLD

news.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Kuwait may signals the
improvement and development of relations with the Arab world,
the orientalist Araks Pashayan told NEWS.am. She pointed out that
developing relations with the Arab world must become one of the
priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy.

The expert believes that the Armenian leader’s visit to Kuwait is
an unprecedented event, as "Robert Kocharyan is the only Armenian
President that visited the Persian Gulf region, but President Serzh
Sargsyan is the first Armenian leader that visits Kuwait." Pashayan
also pointed out that Kuwait has huge oil resources and great influence
in the League of Arab States and Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC).

Pashayan pointed out that the OIC’s attitude to Armenia is far from
being a favorable one because of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. The
Armenian leader’s visit is a good opportunity to influence its
position. Kuwait has great influence on other Arab states, and the
Armenian President’s visit may signal the improvement of Armenia’s
relations with other Arab states. Pashayan said Kuwait and Armenia
can develop scientific and cultural ties. "The Arab world has
known Armenians well for a long time, and Arabs respect our people,
Pashayan said.

There is an 8,000-member Armenian community in Kuwait, which has its
own church.

SOAD REUNION AT HALLOWEEN PERFORMANCE

Ultimate-Guitar.Com
te-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/soad_reunion _at_halloween_performance.html
Nov 3 2009

Three members of System Of A Down — Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals),
Shavo Odadjian (bass) and John Dolmayan (drums) — plus Scars On
Broadway’s Franky Perez performed three songs (including SOAD’s
"Suite-Pee" and Scars On Broadway’s "They Say") at Shavo’s Halloween
party at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California on Saturday
(October 31). Check out photos by ErikVoake.com at this location.

Fan-filmed video footage of the "Suite-Pee" performance can be
viewed here.

In October 2008, Malakian announced via Scars On Broadway’s web site
that the band’s headlining tour — which included an appearance
on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" — was being cancelled, with no plans of
rescheduling. Malakian cited his lack of enthusiasm and "his heart
not being into touring" as the chief reasons behind the decision to
call off the trek. "The music of SCARS will live on, but now is a time
when aspects of my life need to be tended to," he said in a statement.

Scars On Broadway sold just under 24,000 copies of its self-titled
debut album in the United States during its first week of release
to debut at position No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart. This number
represented roughly 36 percent of the 66,000 opening tally registered
by "Elect the Dead", the debut solo effort from System Of A Down lead
singer Serj Tankian, which came out in the fall of 2007 through the
Warner Music Group.

"Scars On Broadway" has shifted just 78,000 copies in the United
States since its July 29, 2008 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Thanks for the report to Blabbermouth.net.

TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP TO EU HAS NO ALTERNATIVE: GUL

news.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

Membership of Turkey to EU has no alternative, Turkish President
Abdullah Gul stated in the course if his visit to Slovakia. Gul got
golden medal from the Comenius University – the most authoritative
in Bratislava. In his speech to teaching staff and students Gul made
a point of Turkish foreign policy and Turkey-EU relations, Turkish
Gercekgundem website reports.

Turkey initiated the creation of Caucasian Security Platform for
the establishment of peace and stability in Caucasus, Gul outlined,
adding that the work towards Armenia-Turkey normalization is underway.

Turkish President also noted Turkey has deep historic ties with
Afghanistan and Pakistan and offered to launch a trilateral congress
to restore confidence between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Referring to Turkey’s membership to EU, Gul said Turkey turned to the
West and talks on its EU membership will resolutely continue. Europe
should not forget Turkey’s support to EU, Gul underlined adding the EU
joining process will be rather difficult for great countries. However,
Turkey will progress negotiations in this framework.

Turkish President also had closed-door meetings with Slovakian Prime
Minister and Speaker of the Parliament.

CHANGES MADE TO CHAMBER CONCERT

Lexington Minuteman
Nov 3 2009
MA

Lexington – Due to unforeseen circumstances the two Boston Symphony
principals that were scheduled to perform at an upcoming concert in
Lexington will not perform, but as they say, the show must go on.

A revised program of Lexington composer Hayg Boyadjian’s work will
take place Monday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at First Parish Church,
7 Harrington Road, on the Battle Green.

The concert is free, but donations are welcomed. A reception will
follow the concert.

The new revised program will present three works: Nocturne No. 1 for
violoncello solo; Odessas 1-13 (birthday pieces for the composer’s
granddaughter Odessa) for piano; and De Profundis (a U.S. premiere),
a three-song cycle on German text for soprano and piano.

Performing will be John McDonald, pianist and director of Graduate
Music Studies at Tufts University; soprano Jodi Hitzhusen, pianist
Karen Sauer from the faculty at Wellesley College, and violoncellist
Jing Li.

Boyadjian is a composer whose works are performed internationally. A
number of his chamber and orchestral works are recorded on CDs.

His "Armenian Suite," based on Armenian folk melodies, is due to
appear soon on the Opus One CD label, a label which already includes
several of his orchestral compositions.

2.000 PEOPLE BECAME RA CITIZENS

news.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

In January-September 2009, 158.882 Armenian citizenship passports were
issued. 2.487 citizens were registered based on place of residence
and 2.260 people gained RA citizenship, whereas 227 foreigners were
given resident status, RA Police informed NEWS.am.

Eighty citizens emigrated from Armenia for permanent residence, of
which 45 adults and 35 children. The indicator compared to the same
period last year decreased fourfold.

Under RA Presidential decrees 3.514 people were admitted to RA
citizenship (in Jan.-Sep., 2008 — 688 people) and 255 gave up their
citizenship.