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Azeri presenter accuses OSCE’s “Christian” mediators of pro-Armenian bias

ANS TV, Baku,
14 Nov 04

An Azerbaijani TV presenter has accused of bias the OSCE’s mediatory
group, set up to resolve the conflict over the disputed territory of
Nagornyy Karabakh. Presenting ANS TV’s “Otan Hafta” weekly review
programme, Mirsahin Agayev said that the OSCE Minsk Group is taking
Armenia’s side in the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, as it is
composed of Christian states. The following is an excerpt from the
report by Azerbaijani TV station ANS on 14 November; subheadings
inserted editorially:

[Presenter Mirsahin] Yasir Arafat has died. There is a big vacuum in
the Middle East following his death. Arafat seems to be a man who can
influence developments even in his absence. [Passage omitted: details
of Arafat’s death].

Azerbaijan has also appealed to the UN, which stood in silent tribute
to Arafat. However, it would be naive to suppose that it will stand
again on this issue. Somebody has to die for this purpose. But there
is no death so far. There is still a cease-fire.

Minsk Group as spring-board for diplomats

[Presenter, over video of Karabakh, UN General Assembly session and
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen’s meeting] Azerbaijan has moved an
initiative to table its main problem, the situation around the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, at the 59th session of the UN General
Assembly and this initiative has caused naturally Armenia’s and,
unnaturally, the OSCE Minsk Group’s concern. The Minsk Group should
have seen the impetus of the direct or indirect involvement of almost
all the world’s countries in the resolution of the problem and should,
maybe really should, have grasped the chance to speed up a solution to
the issue to which it has been a hostage for more than 10 years. But
it failed to see and grasp this. Let us investigate the factors that
provoke these strange conditions and the co-chairmen’s concern. First
of all, the Minsk Group tackles the Nagornyy Karabakh issue as a
hobby. In fact, this group provides a useful opportunity for several
countries to have their representatives undergo diplomatic
courses. The representatives of the countries, which are the co-chairs
of the Minsk Group, learn diplomacy on us, under the pretext of
tackling the Karabakh problem, and gain an opportunity to make tourist
trips not only to two cities in the Caucasus, but also to dozens of
other big cities in the world. For example, after several years of
visits and meetings it becomes known that Kazimirov [former Minsk
Group co-chairman from Russia] is sent to some country as an
ambassador. So are other co-chairmen. Therefore, it almost seems that
it is not beneficial at all for the organizers of the Minsk Group, who
have set up an unnatural infrastructure for 10 years and lived well on
it, to resolve the Karabakh issue. In order not to be accused of
subjectivity let us refer to quotes and recall the following:

[Late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev, 1993-2003, captioned, shown
speaking in Russian with Azeri voice-over] It has been 14-15 years
since the Nagornyy Karabakh problem surfaced, while it has been 10
years since the establishment of the OSCE Minsk Group. The USA, France
and Russia became co-chairs in the group in 1997. A long time has
passed since then, but there is no result yet.

[Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, captioned, shown speaking] The
activity of the Minsk Group has been unsuccessful and has given no
result for these 10 years. I don’t want to look into the reasons; we
all know them. But this is a fact.

OSCE “closer” to Armenia

[Presenter, over video of scenes, presumably in Karabakh] We hear
these statements nearly every day, conclude submissively every time
that there is no alternative to the Minsk Group, which was assigned
the task of solving the conflict, wait for the old 31 December and in
our new year congratulations hope that all our refugees will celebrate
the next new year on their own land. And our wish comes true, because
for 10 years refugee children have been celebrating their holidays on
the land where they were born: in Baku, Barda and Bilasuvar. The
Minsk Group co-chairmen tirelessly keep saying that the Azerbaijani
and Armenian presidents should solve the issue themselves. Thus,
Azerbaijan and Armenia expects the Minsk Group to solve the problem,
while the Minsk Group co-chairmen expect the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents to do so. And the circle closes. It opens and closes.

We have said that the initiative to discuss the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict at the level of the UN General Assembly irritates the Minsk
Group co-chairmen, as well as Armenia. But, on the other hand, we have
always felt that the co-chairmen are closer to Armenia than to
Azerbaijan. It has always been felt both in their uncertain stances on
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and in their consistent and
insistent efforts to tout Nagornyy Karabakh as a party to the
negotiations.

UN resolutions “old”

Russian co-chairman Yuriy Merzlyakov’s stance on the UN’s still
unenforced resolutions demanding the withdrawal of Armenia’s armed
formations from the occupied lands [of Azerbaijan] may be described as
the group’s way of approaching the problem. Let us recall that
notorious statement issued in Baku.

[Merzlyakov, Russian co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group, captioned, shown
speaking in Russian with Azeri voice-over] The UN Security Council
adopting resolutions doesn’t mean their enforcement. Recall how many
resolutions the UN passed on the Middle East and Cyprus. Have all of
them been enforced?

[Presenter, over video of Armenian President Kocharyan and Karabakh
separatist leader Gukasyan speaking] A similar statement was made by
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and the head of the separatist
Nagornyy Karabakh regime, Arkadiy Gukasyan. They also said that the UN
resolutions, which were issued 10 years ago, are old now. Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan’s visit to Moscow this week was worth
mentioning for two interesting points. We could also say for
separatist meetings. For example, Oskanyan addresses a meeting of the
foreign ministers of the member countries of the CIS Collective
Security Treaty and criticizes Baku’s UN initiative and the CIS states
that support it. And this is after he asked for the deadline
postponing a meeting with the Azerbaijani foreign minister to be
extended. And these accusations are made not in the CIS, which
Azerbaijan is a member to, but in front of members of the CIS
Collective Security Treaty, which Azerbaijan is not a party to. In
fact, Armenia addresses its military allies. The Armenian minister’s
meeting with the Minsk Group co-chairman in Moscow, Yuriy Merzlyakov,
could probably be taken as normal. But the minister usually meets the
French co-chairman sitting in Paris there, too. We found out from the
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry that the Minsk Group co-chairmen are not
expected to meet our officials in the same format soon. So, it means
that Oskanyan’s Moscow meetings are separatist.

Minsk Group co-chairmen “bestowed” on Armenia

The Minsk Group co-chairmen have been bestowed on Armenia by God, to
be exact by Holy Jesus. Also because all the co-chairs are Christian
states. The prospect of discussing the Nagornyy Karabakh issue at the
UN General Assembly presents a chance for other Muslim countries to be
involved in the issue. Of course, it is talk, too. It is not action
either. Every day lost in these talks postpones the restoration of
Azerbaijan’s authority over Nagornyy Karabakh. And the most horrible
thing has already happened. It is very hard to admit that a
considerable part of society has already got used to Azerbaijan
without Karabakh. Even people’s diplomats negotiate with
representatives not from Armenia, but from separatist Nagornyy
Karabakh and dare to publicly announce that they are doing so in order
to erase the enemy stereotypes from memory. We, Azerbaijanis, who like
to talk about being a man turn out to have egg on our faces. Armenian
Ruben Abramyan [a participant in an international conference on
cooperation in energy and transportation in Baku] is already in the
capital of a state [part of which] he has occupied and is talking
about some energy. Maybe, it is better. Azerbaijan should have thought
over its energy problem long ago. These people don’t have a gun
capable of shooting a man. It is dark.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:

PRESS RELEASE
13 November 2004

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit Receives Armenia’s Ambassador
Rouben Karapetyan

Armenia’s Ambassador to Egypt Rouben Karapetyan handed a copy of
his credentials to Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit on
12 November.

During a discussion that followed the protocol ceremony, Ambassador
briefly introduced his mandate that is primarily aimed at fostering
multi-faceted cooperation between Armenia and Egypt. Foreign Minister
informed on his awareness on the role played by Armenians in the
establishment of Egyptian state.

Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit wished Armenia’s Ambassador success in his
new mission and conveyed his country’s readiness to develop cooperate
with Armenia in all areas.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Mutu joins Romania squad travelling to Armenia
Sun 14 November, 2004 17:54

Reuters, UK
Nov 14 2004

BUCHAREST, Nov 14 (Reuters) – Romania striker Adrian Mutu, banned
for seven months after testing positive for cocaine, joined up with
their squad on Sunday as they left for Yerevan to face Armenia in a
World Cup qualifier next week.

Mutu, who returned home earlier in the day from Italy, did not
comment on his future nor his decision to train with the national
team following his sacking by Chelsea last month.

This week FIFA allowed him to train with Dinamo Bucharest or any
other club but said he could not play friendlies or official games
during his suspension which expires on May 18, 2005.

Mutu’s team mates welcomed their captain with striker Florin Bratu
saying: “His presence among us is a good news. He’ll back us and
we’ll make him forget for a while his problem”.

Mutu scored decisive goals in Romania’s 2-1 wins in World Cup
qualifying Group One over Finland and Macedonia in August and September
respectively last year.

Romania, who top the group with nine points after four matches,
will play Armenia on Wednesday.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Los Angeles Times, CA
Nov 14 2004

After Years of Relative Peace, Christians Live in Fear

Church bombings, threats and attacks have driven tens of thousands
to leave Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Many fear a pogrom.

By Patrick J. McDonnell, Times Staff Writer

BAGHDAD — A wave of attacks on churches and Christians viewed as
infidels or collaborators is generating alarm among a Christian
community that has long lived in relative peace alongside Iraq’s
Muslim majority.

Growing antagonism from Islamic extremists and insurgents has driven
tens of thousands of Iraqi Christians from the country in the last 18
months, and many more are planning to emigrate.

“We are crying tears of blood in grief for what is happening in
Iraq,” said Khayri Estayfan Abona, a 44-year-old mechanical engineer
and father of three who was among a number of Christians lined up at
a passport office here. “We are weak and helpless, so we are made
into scapegoats.”

In the northern city of Mosul, home to a large Christian population,
leaflets from self-described mujahedin warned women to cover their
faces and dress conservatively during the Muslim holy month of
Ramadan. Christian students at Mosul University boycotted classes
last month after threats from extremists. Rumors have spread of
expropriation of Christian property. Graffiti have warned Christians
to leave or face death.

“Muslims and Christians have been living together on this land for
more than a millennium, as brothers living in one homeland,” declared
several Christian groups in a public appeal issued last month seeking
support from Muslims. “The blood of Christians mixed with the blood
of Muslims in defending this land.”

Privately, some Christians fear repression and a sanctioned pogrom if
conservative Islamists come to power next year, when Iraq is
scheduled to hold its first democratic elections. Islamic groups long
repressed under Saddam Hussein’s secular regime have moved to the
forefront of Iraqi political life since U.S.-led forces ousted the
dictator. Christians have endeavored to maintain a low profile amid
the turmoil.

Christians are said to have resided in what is now Iraq since the
early days of their religion. Today, Iraq’s diverse Christian
population stands at about 800,000, according to community estimates,
or about 3% of the nation’s population of 25 million.

Although Christians have long been marginalized in Iraq, and suffered
like most Iraqis under totalitarian rule, even Hussein’s Baathist
regime did not systematically persecute them. Christian villages in
the north were emptied as part of Hussein’s “Arabization” campaign,
but that drive was primarily aimed at displacing Muslim Kurds and
creating a new Arab majority in areas close to the lucrative oil
fields.

Many Iraqi Christians did well in business and assorted trades,
particularly the hotel and restaurant sectors. Hussein’s deputy prime
minister, Tariq Aziz, currently in U.S. custody, was perhaps the
best-known Christian in Iraq. Christians here generally are
considered pro- democracy and liberal.

Driving away this generally well-educated and moderate population can
only harm a nation with a dire need for economic advancement and
tolerance, Christian leaders say.

“What worries us is the tyranny of the majority,” said Wathiq Hindo,
a U.S.-educated businessman and prominent Christian whose uncle was
an archbishop of the Syriac Catholic Church.

“Saddam was a dictator, but he was not a religious fanatic. Religious
fanaticism is a threat to us,” said Hindo, who graduated from a
Jesuit high school and college in Baghdad.

Although fanaticism may motivate some of the attacks, others probably
are related to the widespread perception that Iraqi Christians
welcomed the downfall of Hussein and the arrival of the U.S.
military. Insurgents have targeted anyone working with U.S. troops,
be they Muslim or Christian, Arab or Kurd.

Late last month, Christian representatives here estimated that about
7% of their fellow Christians — or more than 50,000 people — had left
Iraq since Hussein was toppled. A large number headed initially to
Syria, where many have relatives. But the ultimate hope of a great
number of Christians is to immigrate eventually to the United States,
Canada, Australia or other destinations for the Iraqi Christian
diaspora.

One of the largest Iraqi Christian communities in the United States
is in San Diego County. Iraqi immigrants there say they are
increasingly dismayed as they hear of difficulties for Christians in
their homeland. Efforts to get approval from the federal government
to allow fleeing Christians into the U.S. have been unavailing,
community leaders said.

“It’s very bad,” said Jibran Hannaney, a civil engineer. “As much as
I thought the grace of God was coming to our people when Saddam
Hussein was pushed from power, basically it’s been the wrath of the
devil instead. This liberation-turned- occupation has not helped our
people.”

Hannaney said almost all Iraqi Christian families in San Diego County
have relatives and friends who have fled Iraq for Jordan, Syria,
Australia or another country after learning that they could not enter
the United States.

The recent migration is an acceleration of an established trend of
Iraqi Christians seeking opportunities elsewhere. The withering cycle
of warfare and sanctions has prompted as much as half of the nation’s
Christian population to emigrate since the 1980s, community leaders
say.

The great majority of Iraqi Christians are Chaldeans, an Eastern Rite
Catholic group. Other groups — Assyrians, Syriacs and Armenians —
also have lived here for generations. One sect, the Mandaeans, are
followers of John the Baptist. Some Christians still speak and hold
services in a modern-day form of Aramaic, the language Jesus is said
to have spoken.

A smattering of Protestants and Roman Catholics also have lived in
Iraq since the period of British rule after World War I. In addition,
the fall of Hussein has drawn Protestant missionaries.

Coordinated bombings of at least seven Baghdad churches in the last
four weeks followed attacks on churches in Baghdad and Mosul in
August that left 11 dead and 50 wounded. Some churches have suspended
Sunday services.

Numerous Christian-run liquor stores have been firebombed and forced
to close. Because alcohol is taboo to Muslims, Christians
traditionally have been the only Iraqis licensed to sell it.

“We’ve always been able to do our job and live with our Muslim
neighbors in peace, but now all that is changed,” said Imad Polis
Jajo, whose liquor store in Baghdad was firebombed last summer.

A few days after the bombing, a letter arrived at Jajo’s door. If he
attempted to restart the business, it warned, his 15-year-old son,
Rafeef, would be kidnapped. Jajo is now unemployed and must seek help
from relatives, he said during a recent interview at a near-deserted
Christian social club in central Baghdad. Its gloomy emptiness
attested to the fear that has gripped the Christian community here.

“Even during the time of Saddam we were free to come to our club,”
said Sameer Khouri, the administrative secretary of the facility.
“Now, people are afraid to leave their homes.”

In Mosul, some Christian women have acceded to anonymous demands to
modify their dress in accordance with Islamic code as a means of
self-protection.

“I put on the hijab [head scarf] … to prevent being harmed by these
crazy people,” said Dalia Ishaq, 18, a student at the Fine Arts
Institute for Girls in Mosul. She blamed the excesses on extremists.

“All my friends are Muslim girls,” Ishaq said, “and this threat would
never change my relationship with them.”

Throughout Iraq, Christians interviewed echoed those sentiments,
emphasizing their ties to Muslim neighbors.

“I have so many Muslim friends, and they have never treated me
harshly — they are just like my sisters,” said Rana Saeed Jerjees,
25, a teacher in Mosul. “I think there are certain people who want a
civil war to break out in Mosul and all over Iraq. This is all part
of a major plan, and we must never surrender to such schemes.”

Mainstream Muslim clerics and the Iraqi interim government have
repeatedly condemned sectarian attacks on Christians. The nation’s
interim constitution explicitly recognizes religious freedom and the
rights of minorities.

However, many Christians wonder whether the government — battered by
an insurgency and needing U.S.-led multinational troops to maintain
some semblance of order — can prevent such violence.

One plan under consideration is for Christians to field a slate of
candidates for January’s elections to ensure that they are
represented in the 275-member National Assembly.

Another idea that has met with a cool reception among Christians is
the creation of a kind of Christian safe haven in the plains of
Nineveh province, outside Mosul. Proponents hope to attract
Christians who have left the country, but others fear a kind of rural
ghettoization.

“We don’t want to be refugees in our own homeland,” said Yunadam
Khanna, a Christian representative in Iraq’s interim parliament.
“There is a general crisis in Iraq, and what is happening to the
Christians is part of that crisis.”

*Times staff writer Suhail Ahmed and special correspondent Said Rifai
in Baghdad, special correspondent Roaa Ahmed in Mosul and staff
writer Tony Perry in San Diego contributed to this report.

–Boundary_(ID_IruMllrBnvOEoltu+pUuBg)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Nov 14 2004

DEBATES OVER NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL BE
BASED ON JUSTICE
[November 13, 2004, 23:37:16]

Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in
Washington D.C., Chair of the Milli Majlis /Parliament/ Standing
Commission on International and Interparliamentary Relations Samad
Seyidov urged the UN General Assembly to justice while debating over
Nagorno-Karabakh Problem.

He dwelt on democratic reforms implemented in Azerbaijan, economic
development in the country and the current situation of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. He noted
Azerbaijan had chosen the way of integration into Euroatlantic space
that would bring benefit to both parties.

He also said that Azerbaijan is the shortest way connecting the two
continents and an alternative energy source for Europe who helps the
country to overcome the complex transition period.

Mr. Seyidov pointed out the positive impact of the membership of the
Council of Europe upon democratization process in Azerbaijan noting
that economic growth in the country and improvement of standard of
living are also a result of democratization and transparency of the
society. He recalled that foreign experts including the US’ cite the
activity of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan as an example to follow
by other fuel-producing countries.

Describing the unsolved conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over
Nagorno-Karabakh as the largest obstacle to development of the
region, Mr. Samad Seyidov noted the importance of supremacy of
democratic values in relation to this issue. “We want the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem to be discussed at any level. The initiative
to include the issue in the UN General Assembly’s agenda has been
dictated just by this desire. Not pro-Azerbaijani or pro-Armenian
stance but justice is what the debates shall be based on”, he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Dutch police raid suspected militant camp

UPI
November 13, 2004 Saturday 7:38 PM EST

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Nov. 13 — Dutch police said Saturday they
made 29 arrests in a southern Netherlands raid at a suspected training
camp for Kurdish militants, CNN reported.

The police raided a campground believed to be used by militant group
Kurdish Workers Party. They said the camp may be linked to recent
arson attacks on churches and mosques.

The Dutch Justice Department’s international crime team said they
believe those arrested were preparing to relocate to Armenia to fight
for the party.

The Justice Department said five of those arrested were women.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Partido de Trabajadores del Kurdistán se entrenaba en Holanda para atentados

Agence France Presse — Spanish
November 12, 2004 Friday 4:42 PM GMT

LA HAYA Nov 12 — El campamento de Holanda, contra el que la policía
holandesa llevó a cabo una operación el viernes, servía para “preparar
la lucha armada del Partido de los Trabajadores del Kurdistán (PKK,
rebautizado Kongra-Gel) en Turquía, cometiendo actos terroristas”,
según una nota de la fiscalía.

Según reveló la investigación, una veintena de personas recibió en
el campamento de Liempde (cerca de Eindhoven, sureste de Holanda)
“un entrenamiento para prepararse a la lucha armada del PKK en Turquía,
perpetrando acciones terroristas”, indicó el comunicado de la fiscalía
del Estado.

“Tenemos datos que indican que los participantes (…) serían enviados
a Armenia al terminar su formación para intervenir en acciones del
PKK”, añadió.

En total, la policía detuvo en todo el país a 38 personas -29 de
ellas en el camping de Liempde-, registró varias casas y se incautó
de lentes de visión nocturna, así como de documentos y armas.

El PKK figura en la lista de organizaciones terroristas de la Unión
Europea (UE) y las personas detenidas serán acusadas de terrorismo,
añadió la misma fuente.

–Boundary_(ID_U59bX6R0GaUXp7E8m6iHNw)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Two honored for ‘service above self’

Portland Press Herald (Maine)
November 11, 2004 Thursday, Final Edition

Cape Elizabeth residents Henry Adams and Gus Barber were honored as
Paul Harris Fellows by the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club.
The men, neither a Rotarian, were recognized for exemplifying the
Rotary ideal of “service above self.”

The awards were presented by Rotarian Tony Wagner, his wife Sally
Campbell and town manager Mike McGovern. Each award represents a
$1,000 donation to the Rotary Foundation.

Adams has served Cape Elizabeth as election warden, member and chairman
of the town council and member of the school board. He has also served
on the Pine Tree Boy Scout Council, as a trustee of Riverside Cemetery
and has worked for the preservation of Fort Williams Park. He and his
wife Barbara have volunteered more than 1,000 hours at Mercy Hospital.

Gus Barber began a food service business in Portland in 1955. The son
of immigrants from Armenia, Barber employed many immigrants from the
refugee resettlement program when he began his company. Currently,
44 percent of the company’s workforce are immigrants, with 54
nationalities represented. He has been honored with the Governor’s
Award for Business Excellence and as the Spurwink Institute’s
Humanitarian of the Year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Former Burbank truck driver arrested

San Francisco Chronicle, CA
Nov 13 2004

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former Burbank truck driver was arrested in
Armenia and returned to Southern California four years after a vicious
freeway road-rage killing in Universal City.

Shahen Keshishian, 32, one of the FBI’s most-wanted, was arrested this
week by Armenian authorities at his apartment in Yerevan, authorities
said Thursday. FBI agents and Glendale police in Armenia on unrelated
business located Keshishian.

Armenian authorities made the arrest, for overstaying his visa,
and Keshishian was immediately handed over to U.S. authorities.

“I am just so elated,” police homicide Detective Martin Pinner said
after returning Wednesday with Keshishian. “This arrest, I do believe,
came as a result of policemen talking to policemen, and massive
cooperation with other agencies in two different countries.”

The FBI said the arrest was a warning to criminals who have fled
the country.

“This arrest should send the message to individuals who flee to Armenia
and other countries that it’s not a safe haven,” FBI spokeswoman
Laura Eimiller said.

Keshishian was charged with murder for allegedly running down freelance
film editor Michael Craven, 44, of suburban Canoga Park with a black
Chevrolet Suburban on April 29, 2000. The killing came after a road
rage confrontation along the Hollywood Freeway.

Craven had been driving on the freeway after dinner with a friend
when the Suburban pulled up and eggs were thrown. One of the drivers
had apparently cut in front of the other.

Authorities say Craven pulled to the side of the freeway just south
of Barham Boulevard to confront the suspect, and the Suburban driver
stopped behind him. A passenger in the Suburban then threw a beer
bottle at Craven’s Jeep.

Craven was then run over.

An Amaras Art Alliance program

Hovanness Badalian Music Fund
P.O.Box 733,
Watertown, MA 02471
Phone: 617-331-0426
Email: [email protected]

For immediate release
November 11, 2004
Contact person:
Tatoul Badalian, Program Director

The first annual banquet of the Hovanness Badalian Music Fund (HBMF)
will be held on December 4, 2004 at the Hellenic Cultural Center,
Watertown, MA. H. E. Arman Kirakossian, Armeniaâ~@~Ys ambassador to US,
will be in attendance and composer Konstantin Petrosian of Providence,
RI will be the MC. Among the highlights of the evening: first US
appearance of young and talented folk singer Artur Anushavanian;
soprano Nune Karapetian performing with pianist Nune Hakopian and
recognizing Bostonâ~@~Ys own Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble with an
Appreciation Award.

HBMF was established in early 2004 to celebrate the life of the
singer who made songs such as Hayastani Karmir Ginin, Yes Im Anoosh
Hayastani and Mayres Mahes Chimana famous. The goal of the Fund is
to provide merit-based scholarships, worldwide, to children enrolled
in Armenian music education programs. The Fund will also provide
assistance to individuals and organizations that create material and
training programs for children.

Beloved singer Hovanness Badalian played a significant role in
educating Armenian children and young adults. Through his songs he
spread the spirit of the Armenian culture around the world, helping
bond the Diaspora and Armenia. Upon his passing in 2001 composer
Vardan Ajemian said, â~@~We lost a great artist. He was the father
of Armenian folk songs. We lost a very honest man. I am shocked.â~@~]

In October of this year Armenia celebrated Badalianâ~@~Ys 80th birthday
at the National Opera in Yerevan with the participation of prominent
artists including his daughter, opera singer Nuneh Badalian. Fifty
of his students led by pedagogue Arsen Grigorian came on stage
singing together and watching the great Maestro sing â~@~Yes Im
Anoush Hayastaniâ~@~] on the screen, representing not only the past,
but inspiring hope for the future. â~@~Badalianâ~@~Ys dedication and
unrelenting work will always be an enduring reminder to his devotion
to his art and ultimately to his people,â~@~] said Aram Gharabegian,
Artistic director and conductor of the National Chamber Orchestra of
Armenia, and a key organizer of the event.

HBMF is organized under the charter of Amaras Art Alliance, a not for
profit organization. For the past ten years Amaras has been an active
member of the Boston, MA cultural scene, presenting jazz concerts,
solo performances, art exhibits and organizing student trips to
Armenia. Amaras has co-organized major events such as the multi-venue
celebration of composer Aram Khachaturianâ~@~Ys Centennial in 2003.

The December 4th banquet promises to be a memorable event for all those
who love Hovanness. For information and to make a contribution to the
Fund please call 617 331-0426, send an email to [email protected]_
(mailto:[email protected]) or write to HBMF, P O Box 733,
Watertown, MA 02471. HBMF programs will be available on the Fundâ~@~Ys
website to be launched in early 2005.

–Boundary_(ID_0f+Wsd1XCyaVDN6WKMjxhA)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress