Author: Alex Jidarian

VALUE ADDED TAX FOR IMPORT OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT TO ARMENIA
LEADS MANY COMPANIES TO A DEADLOCK
YEREVAN, MAY 25. ARMINFO. Value added tax for import of computer
equipment to Armenia leads many companies to a deadlock. Director of
the Union of IT Enterprises Karen Vardanyan informs ARMINFO.
He says that the customs administration of Armenia should create
relevant legislation for development of IT-business. VAT for import
of computer equipment is inappropriate on the customs border as it is
imposed only if the good is sold, Vardanyan said. He says that the
government is working on creation of mechanisms to postpone VAT
payment for one year. He says that the Union is negotiating with the
International Monetary Fund. In accordance with the latter’s
recommendation, VAT imposition was transferred to the customs border.
– M-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenien setzt auf Reformen in der Türkei
Der Tagesspiegel
7 Mai 2005
Berlin – Armenien würde nach den Worten seiner Botschafterin in Berlin,
Karine Kazinian, die Aufnahme der Türkei in die EU begrüßen, ~Dwenn
das Land europäischen Kriterien entsprechen würde”. Kazinian sagte dem
Tagesspiegel: ~DNach einer Aufnahme der Türkei in das Staatenbündnis
wären wir unmittelbarer Nachbar der EU. Und so einen Nachbarn, der
international anerkannte Menschenrechte achten würde und den Normen
der EU entsprechende Minderheitenpolitik betreiben würde, hätten wir
schon gern.” Dafür aber müsse die Türkei sich auch mit den ~Ddunklen
Kapiteln der eigenen Geschichte” auseinander setzen.
Nach Rückkehr von Kanzler Gerhard Schröder (SPD) aus der Türkei
begrüßte sie dessen Forderung nach einem Mentalitätswechsel in
Ankara. Schröder hatte auch die Massaker 1915/16 im Osmanischen Reich
an den Armeniern zum Thema gemacht, dabei aber das Wort Völkermord
vermieden. Der Kanzler unterstützt den Vorschlag des türkischen
Ministerpräsidenten Recep Tayyip Erdogan, nach dem die Ereignisse
von einer international besetzten Historikerkommission aufgearbeitet
werden sollen.
Kazinian sagte: ~D Die heutige Türkei ist zwar nicht verantwortlich
für den Genozid an den Armeniern”. Dennoch sei das Land als
Rechtsnachfolger des Osmanischen Reiches verpflichtet, zu den
Geschehnissen von 1915/16 Stellung zu nehmen und sie zu verurteilen.
Zu den Plänen, eine Historikerkommission einzusetzen, äußerte sie
sich zurückhaltend. Aus Sicht der Diplomatin wäre es sinnlos, zu
diskutieren, ob 1915/16 schreckliche Dinge geschehen sind. ~DDie
Archive lassen keinen Zweifel daran, dass es sich um Völkermord
gehandelt hat.” Eine solche Kommission könnte aber gut sein, um den
Dialog zwischen Armenien und der Türkei in Gang zu bringen, auch
über ~Dschmerzhafte Fragen”. Die Botschafterin warb für die Aufnahme
diplomatischer Beziehungen zwischen Eriwan und Ankara, die Schließung
der Grenzen sowohl zur Türkei wie nach Aserbaidschan nannte sie eine
~DBlockade”. ~DNur mit offenen Grenzen kann man den Dialog führen.”
Matthias Meisner
–Boundary_(ID_XWPfj6gHy3kAD0XI0/UWXw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1plus
| 15:35:26 | 05-05-2005 | Politics |
DEBATES ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
«Everyone is interested in having much authority and little responsibility»,
Rafik Petrosyan, who presents the coalition’s constitutional draft in the
parliament stated adding that they have done their best to establish the
mechanism of pressure resistance.
NA Deputy Arshak Sadoyan stated that only 5-6% of the proposals made by the
Venice Commission were adopted.
ULP members were active as well. Independent deputy Manuk Gasparyan in his
turn touched upon the demand by the Venice Commission according to which the
Mayor of Yerevan should be not appointed but elected.
–Boundary_(ID_lM1UiZ6VJQCTNg0i4/YLYA)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkey, EU have mutual commitments – German chancellor
Anatolia news agency
4 May 05
Ankara, 4 May: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday
[4 May] conveyed to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder the uneasiness
Turkey felt over the proposal of German Christian Democrats for
recognition of allegations of so-called Armenian genocide in German
parliament.
Erdogan and Schroeder held a joint press conference after their
tete-a-tete meeting in Turkish capital of Ankara. [Passage omitted]
Erdogan-Schroeder meeting also focused on Turkey’s accession process
to the European Union (EU).
“Again pertaining to Cyprus issue, we had the opportunity to assess
the developments after 24 April. We have exchanged views on various
regional and international issues including the Middle East peace
process. I conveyed Mr Schroeder Turkey’s satisfaction over the
support it has expended for the decision for start of Turkey’s entry
talks.” [Passage omitted]
Schroeder said that European Union (EU) assistance to Northern Cyprus
should not be blocked off, stating that attitude of [self-declared]
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) throughout the referendum
process as regards to [UN Secretary-General Kofi] Annan plan was
well known.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chancellor Schroeder
held a joint press conference after their tete-a-tete meeting in
Turkish capital of Ankara.
Schroeder said Turkish Cypriots was the party which was punished
although they voted “yes” for the Annan plan and noted that this
is unfair.
Pointing out that an EU aid worth of 259m euros should be expended
to TRNC, Schroeder recalled that a European Council decision was
needed for this. Schroeder said views of Germany on this issue would
be conveyed to everybody and emphasized that Europeans should invest
in tourism business in TRNC. [Passage omitted]
German Chancellor said there were commitments which the two parties
should fulfil in Turkey’s EU process, adding that the EU should start
the talks in time and urged Turkey to continue the reforms.
Schroeder said Turkey’s EU process has strategic and historical
importance, and noted that referendums in European countries on the
constitution were not related to this issue.
Underlining that implementation of the reforms in daily life was very
important, Schroeder also said, “reform process should turn into a
social reality.”
Schroeder also urged Ankara Agreement Adjustment Protocol be signed
before 3 October. [Passage omitted]
Noting that Turkey was an important country economically and
politically, Schroeder said there were traditional relations between
the two countries. He said necessary efforts were exerted to further
improve these relations.
Asked about Germany’s sale of tanks to Turkey, Schroeder said this
issue was under discussion between the defence ministries of the two
countries. [Passage omitted]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US EMBASSY IN ARMENIA AND SAVE THE CHILDREN REPAIRS BOARDING
KINDERGARTEN IN VAGHARSHAPAT
YEREVAN, MAY 3. ARMINFO. US Embassy in Armenia and Save the Children
have sponsored the repairs of the kindergarten for orphans and poor
childrens in Vagharshapat, Armavir region.
The repair was carried out under the Community Self-Support Fund
program financed by the Embassy and the municipal and communal
authorities of Vagharshapat.
$25,140 has been spent on the project with $17,760 under the above
project.
180 children (15 orphans) live the kindergarten built as early as 1962.
Attending the opening ceremony was Coordinator of US Assistance for
Europe and Eurasia Tom Adams, high ranking officials from Washington
including representatives of State Department and Millennium Challenge
program.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Daily Post (Liverpool)
April 27, 2005, Wednesday
TURKISH FURY AT TERMINATOR STAR
HUNDREDS of Turkish businesses and organisations have demanded ban on
Arnold Schwarzenegger movies in protest at the California governor’s
use of the term genocide to describe the massacre of Armenians by
Turks during the First World War.
Schwarzenegger, below , best known for his role in The Terminator,
declared April 24 a ‘Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ultimate-Guitar.Com
April 26 2005
System Of A Down Announces Guerilla Club Tour

Date: 2005-04-26 Artist: System Of A Down Category: Upcoming Tours

With the release of ³Mezmerize,² Disc One of the 2-disc set
“Mezmerize/Hypnotize” confirmed for May 17, System Of A Down kick off
a whirlwind 10-city guerilla club tour tonight (April 25th) in San
Francisco at the Fillmore.

Denver on April 27 at the Odgen Theatre, Dallas on April 29 at The
Granada and the Music Hall in Austin on April 30 have also been
announced; San Francisco and Austin, the only two shows that have
gone on sale, were sold out as fast as transactions could take place.
Additional cities and venues and all other pertinent details will be
announced immediately prior to the actual dates via the band’s
website. The tour will be “An Evening With System Of A Down,” and
will be the band’s first North American tour since 2002. The shows
will be scaled-back, basic and raw, with the focus put squarely on
the music and energy.
“We wanted to play shows in the kind of small venues that we used to
before we were signed, before our first album came out,” said
guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian. “We want to create an environment
that is just one big party, not the band on stage separated from our
fans in the audience. We’re very excited about making this happen.”
System Of A Down is expected to debut some of the new songs from
“Mezmerize/Hypnotize,” including the first single, “B.Y.O.B.” already
a Top 10 single at rock radio, and “Cigaro,” the track that leaked
over the internet. They will also play favorites from their three
previous Platinum-certified albums, “Toxicity,” “Steal This Album!”
and “System of a Down.”
The Guerrilla Club Tour follows last night’s System’s “Soul’s 2005”
sold-out benefit concert held at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los
Angeles that commemorated the Armenian Genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NorthJersey.com, NJ
April 25 2005
Lyric Opera Theater fostered future stars
By ZINNIA FARUQUE
HERALD NEWS

PATERSON – It is the tragic story of a 15-year-old Japanese geisha
who falls in love with a philandering American naval captain. The
girl commits hara-kari, or suicide, when her love is not requited.
Well-known to opera lovers, the story is Puccini’s Madame Butterfly.
In the 1960s, Paterson’s educated elite could see this and other
operatic classics at the starting price of $1.50 in the 600-seat
auditorium of School 26.

The now-defunct Paterson Lyric Opera Theater was a breeding ground
for future opera stars. In 1958, Armen Boyajian, a vocal coach and
Paterson native, founded the theater as a stepping stone for talented
young singers. “I began to meet a lot of these singers that I felt
needed an outlet,” said Boyajian, now 73. “There weren’t many opera
companies at the time. There was the Metropolitan Opera House and the
New York City Opera, but they wouldn’t take you unless you had some
experience.”
Boyajian met many of the singers who joined the opera theater while
he was performing as a piano accompanist. He accompanied such divas
as Beverly Sills, a prolific American soprano. Boyajian, a graduate
of Eastside High School and the son of Armenian immigrants, wanted to
set the stage in his hometown of Paterson. The theater company would
make the scenery in the basement of his parents’ home. Productions
would include an amateur chorus of housewives, plumbers and tailors,
who worked during the day and sang at night.
The opera theater had the distinction of performing productions that
had never before been performed in New Jersey, such as Puccini’s Suor
Angelica, the story of a nun who was banished by her noble family for
the birth of her illegitimate son. “It never did make any money,”
Boyajian said. “It was just for the purpose of getting experience.”
During its 15-year existence, the opera theater launched major
careers for many singers now performing at the Met, La Scala in Milan
and other prominent international opera houses. Most of the singers
were in their 20s and 30s when they joined the Paterson Lyric Opera
Theater. Paul Plishka started at the opera theater when he was 18. At
25, he joined the Metropolitan Opera as one of the youngest singers
to ever debut at the opera company. Samuel Ramey, a well-known bass,
also got his start in Paterson; he is still a major international
opera star. “Both of these guys are in their 60s, and they’re still
going,” said Boyajian.
It took 15 years before the fat lady sang for the Paterson Lyric
Opera Company. Boyajian, who is still a vocal coach in Sussex County,
New Jersey, began to tour with singers. He disbanded the opera
company for greater opportunities. “This was a chance to tour the
world free of charge and make a living,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News
ARMAVIA ACTION FOR GPW VETERANS
25.04.2005 03:26
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ April 25-May 15, 2005 on the occasion of the 60-th
anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War (GPW) Armavia airline
holds an action for privileged conveyance of veterans. Within the frames of
the action the company will provide the veterans with free air tickets to
all directions throughout the CIS. The tickets can be obtained in Armavia
offices April 25-May 15. The first flights are scheduled for May 1-15, the
ticket will be valid within a month since the first flight. The economic
class tickets will be provided for free but for some fixed taxes. It should
be noted that the fuel tax is not collected. Thanks to the action that is
being for the first time organized in Armenia the GPW veterans will have the
chance to meet their brothers-in-arms and visit memorable places. From this
year similar actions will become a tradition, AviaPort.Ru reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONFEDERATION OF WORKERS FROM TURKEY IN EUROPE CONDEMNS ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY
YEREVAN, APRIL 22. ARMINFO. The Confederation of Workers from Turkey
in Europe condemns the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915.
In its press statement CWTE says that not only the Turkish authorities
were responsible for the genocide of Armenians and the massacre of
Greeks and Assyrians in Ottoman Turkey but also Germany who actively
supported Ottoman Empire at the time. As a result 1.5 Armenians were
killed, thousands of Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks were deported
from their homes losing their cultural and historical legacy over the
territories they had lived for centuries. The Armenian Genocide was a
genocide not only against the Armenians as a nation but against the
ancient civilization they created in the territory of Anatolia.
The policy of Ottoman Empire is carried on by present-day Turkey this
time against the Kurds.
CWTE condemns Turkey’s Fascist policy and its denying the Armenian
Genocide. CWTE shares the pain of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek
peoples and says that whole civilized humanity must apologize to the
Armenian nation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress