Author: Andres-Papazian

OPEN LETTER TO MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

Aysor
July 27 2010
Armenia

The Institute of Civil Society, Helsinki Committee of Armenia, Against
Legal Willfulness Fund issued an open letter addressed to Armenian
Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan over the situation in
special school N 11. The authors of the letter expressed concern about
the moral-psychological atmosphere at school mentioning that people
using violence against pupils or showing criminal negligence continue
working at school. They demand carrying out official investigation
into the case, conducting a study on school personnel professional
abilities, and making respective changes in the personnel.

From: A. Papazian

DESIGNER MICHAEL ARAM AND THE SECRETS TO KEEPING SUMMER PARTY GUESTS HAPPY

Los Angeles Times
July 27 2010

For more than 20 years, Michael Aram has brought the natural world to
the table in the form of sand-cast and hand-forged metal accessories.

His workshop in India, which employs 170 craftsmen, also has created
the Skeleton chair, a solid aluminum seat that resembles a human spine,
and the Enchanted Forest line of tree-inspired tables and lamps. But
Aram, pictured above, is best known for serving and cocktail pieces
that incorporate the forms of coral, leaves, flowers, fruit and
vegetables.

None is more striking — or downright amusing — than his recently
launched Golden Corn collection. The inspiration, Aram says, was
“this very tacky plastic corn set I bought on EBay. It was very cheap;
I probably spent more on the shipping. And then I thought, how can
I make this beautiful?”

The answer: an enameled serving platter ($99), and a matching set set
of four dishes ($99), plus gold-plated salt and pepper shakers ($79),
and a set of eight cob picks ($79), below, sold at Bloomingdale’s
and the Michael Aram website.

On a swing through Southern California, Aram answered questions about
design and summer entertaining, including the obvious one:

Why a gold-plated corn cob?

You have to shake people up a little bit. I like to make even the
smallest things look iconic, or in this case, i-corn-ic. I design
products that speak of a moment, like let’s barbecue and have a picnic
— moments that create a sense of nostalgia. And because so many of
my designs are given as gifts, I loved the idea of someone going to
a friend’s house for the weekend and bringing the corn set.

Remind me to invite you to my next barbecue. What could I do to earn
your respect as a host?

Whether it’s the table decorations, the food or the music, a good
host thinks of things specifically for guests. When people feel that
they’ve been considered, it’s a lovely thing, so even though it’s
a little formal, I like place cards. And I love individual salt and
pepper shakers and a small vase of flowers for each person.

What makes a table memorable?

Creativity. Thinking outside the box and mixing elements and things
that have meaning for you. I love to see beautiful new things and
family heirlooms. I never mind things that are scratched or chopped
or dented, things that speak of use and history.

What’s a buzz kill?

I hate to say it, but paper napkins. I can’t handle that. I’m sorry.

That’s awful, but no, no, no. Even at home, my partner makes fun of
me for always putting out linen napkins.

What about flowers?

If I am doing a floral arrangement, I like things that are a little
savage. Sometimes I will take some of my bronze pieces — like branches
or fruit — and mix them with the real thing. I love the idea of the
sculpture and the natural object together in a vase. Or I’d go out
and find a branch or dried up blooms and mix them with tulips from
the corner market.

Any other advice for hosts?

Sweating is not good. There should be an ease to everything. You
should have an open heart, an open door and a smile on your face. If
you are uptight, no matter how much time you have to prepare, it’ll
never work. The best dinner can be a toaster on the table and two
pieces of bread as long as you are having fun.

How do you entertain?

I have a very cool home in New Delhi, and when I am there a good dinner
party is outdoors with candlelight everywhere. I have a raised part of
the garden where I put out rugs and low Moroccan tables so people can
spread out. In India, there is not a tradition of sitting at a dining
table. Being Armenian, I grew up with the same sense of hospitality
that I find in India. There’s a natural graciousness there, and it’s
not unusual for friends to just stop by. They keep it casual. You
don’t have to call up.

Tell me more about your home in India.

It’s a two-bedroom designed by the English architect Sir Edwin Luytens
and one of the first apartment complexes in the city. It was built in
1945 for English gentlemen at the end of the British Colonial period,
and it has huge entertaining spaces, backyards, Art Deco-styled screens
and terrazzo floors. My New York apartment is totally minimal, and
the Indian apartment has become a repository of objects, antiques,
textiles, carpets and tribal arts. It’s very big, so it doesn’t feel
like a Victorian funeral parlor.

What else do you collect?

Religious objects, antique cutlery, little botanical cast brass
catch-all dishes from Virginia Metalcrafters that I buy on EBay. I
have a major pebble collection — any thing from the beach can be
a fetish object — and I have been known to stop on the side of the
road in California and pick up palm fronds and grape leaves.

What are you working on now?

Figs, pears, pomegranates and olives inspired by the Napa Valley
cuisine and lifestyle, which I think is the first time that California
has been such an influence in my work. I have a loyal Armenian
following, and pieces like pomegranates and figs [pictured at right]
really resonate with that audience. I am also designing a collection
called Tendril that is Art Nouveau with a more gutsy and minimalist
interpretation. I have also created a luggage collection for Hartmann,
and I am looking at doing a furniture collection mixing iron and
bronze and upholstered pieces with cast-metal feet and arms.

Is there anything you wouldn’t touch, like, say, bronze baby shoes?

No, I would do baby shoes. Sometimes someone will come into the office
and say what if you design a snow globe? I say, “Snow globe? Never.”

There are all kinds of things I say I will never do. And then I
do them.

— David A. Keeps

From: A. Papazian

B. SAHAKYAN ATTENDS P. MIRZOYAN’S PERSONAL EXHIBITION LAUNCH

Aysor
July 28 2010
Armenia

Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan attended the solemn ceremony of
Merited Artist of Republic of Armenia, painter Paravon Mirzoyan’s
personal exhibition launch today in Stepanakert, Artsakh President’s
press office reported.

From: A. Papazian

Q & A WITH KARO MURAT

15rounds.com

July 27 2010

On the 18 September Frank Warren Promotions will present one of
the biggest bill’s in recent British Boxing history, known as “The
Magnificent Seven”. One half of the main event is Karo Murat 22-0(13)
who know’s he wont have to much support when he enters the ring at
The LG Arena to face’s fellow unbeaten Nathan Cleverly. Murat 26, will
be looking to make history for his country of birth Iraq by becoming
there first World Champion. He fights out of Germany these days having
turned pro in September 2006, starting out at Super Middleweight
where he won the European title before deciding to move up to Light
Heavyweight. He’ll be looking to continue the run of German transplants
at 175 after Dariusz Michalczewski and more recently Zsolt Erdei who
reigned supreme as champions for the WBO. The fight with Cleverly
will be for the Vacant Interim Light Heavyweight crown. The winner
could be made up to full champion depending on what happens with a
court case that currently surrounds current champion Jurgen Braehmer.

Hello Karo, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly you beat Tommy Karpency over 12 rounds
on 1 May what can you tell us about that win and what do you looking
back think of that performance?

Karo Murat – Karpency is a good, a strong fighter. You could see that
he can box. He moved well. And he did well to get back on his feet
after the knock down in the second round. It was a good fight.

Anson Wainwright – Your next fight is supposed to be against Nathan
Cleverly. What do you think of the fight? What do you know about
Cleverly?

Karo Murat – I have already seen a couple of his fights. I try to
internalize his movements and style. He is tall and he is strong,
and he has good movements.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team. Who is your
trainer, manager & promoter? Also what gym do you use regularly to
train at?

Karo Murat – I am trained by Ulli Wegner in Berlin´s famous
Max-Schmeling Gym. My manager is Wilfred Sauerland and my promoter
is Sauerland Event.

Anson Wainwright – Your originally from Iraq, you must have a
fascinating story to tell. Can you tell us abit about how you found
growing up there? Where you living there through all the Gulf War? How
did you get involved in Boxing from there?

Karo Murat – Our family original has Armenian roots. And to be honest
I do not remember too much about that time because I was too young. I
kept asking my father about it but he does not like to speak about it
too much. I came to Germany when I was ten years old and at first I
did not understand much but I learned the language and quickly found
friends. I grew up in Germany so can I tell you a lot about it. I
started boxing with 13.

Anson Wainwright – Did you have an amateur career? If so what titles
did you win and what was your final record?

Karo Murat – I boxed in the Bundesliga. There were world-class
opponents such as Vitali Tajbert or Eduard Gutknecht as well as a lot
of strong fighters from abroad. I made around 120 fights, winning 95
of them.

Anson Wainwright – It was only late last year that you stepped up
from Super Middleweight having held the European title there. How
did you come to step up to Light Heavyweight?

Karo Murat – I kept growing and getting stronger. I always had to
make a lot of weight for super-middleweight, so this is much more
natural for me. Now I don´t have to focus on losing weight, I can
eat whatever I wish to eat. That is a great feeling. All my focus is
on my opponents now, not on the food. Light-Heavyweight is a great
weight class for me with a lot of great fighters. I am determined to
stamp my authority on the division. My goal is to beat the best.

Anson Wainwright – Who do you consider the best fighter you have
fought to date and why?

Karo Murat – Gabriel Campillo was very strong. He later became
a world champion. But my other opponents also were pretty good,
too. Like Karpency, even though he did not have the best ranking,
he was tough to beat. His style reminded me of Andre Dirrell – it
was a good win for me!

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do when you are not fighting?

Karo Murat – I like to spend time with my family and my friends. I
love BBQs or just chilling out, having fun!

Anson Wainwright – Who was your hero growing up?

Karo Murat – Prince Naseem Hamed.

Anson Wainwright – Finally what goals do you have in Boxing?

Karo Murat – I want to become the best, beat the best and be world
champion soon!

Thanks for your time Karo.

From: A. Papazian

ADVISER OF GERMAN EMBASSY: INTERNATIONAL LAWS RELATED TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SOLUTION ARE IN FAVOR OF AZERBAIJAN

Trend News Agency
July 27 2010
Azerbaijan

International laws related to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict are in favor of Azerbaijan, the political adviser of the
German embassy in Azerbaijan, Florian Peter, said at an event held
under the title “Peace or victory: a look at the conflict”, organized
with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany and
the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations of Germany on July 27.

“Deep-rooted stereotypes that exist in Azerbaijani and Armenian
societies hinder the search of an effective solution to the Karabakh
problem. Compromise is inevitable in resolving this conflict,”
said Peter.

Chief adviser at the OSCE Baku Office Marco Kubni said in his speech
that firstly there must be a political will for the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict.

OSCE holds numerous discussions related to the activities of the Minsk
Group. Even if the best mediators are selected for the settlement,
but the parties do not have a political will for compromise, it would
be impossible to achieve a result,” said Kubni.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the
occupied territories.

From: A. Papazian

GAS OPERATOR REMAINS ARMENIA’S TOP TAXPAYER
Ruben Meloyan

Armenialiberty.org
July 27 2010

ArmRosGazprom (ARG), the Russian-dominated national gas distribution
company, remains Armenia’s number one corporate taxpayer, having paid
over 10 billion drams ($27 million) in various taxes and duties in
the first half of this year.

ARG increased its tax contributions by roughly 13 percent year on
year and tops the latest taxpayer rankings released by the State
Revenue Committee (SRC) on Tuesday, despite a further significant
fall in natural gas consumption in the country.

“That is mainly conditioned by the recent increase in the gas tariffs,
as a result of which our value-added tax contributions have increased,”
Shushan Sardarian, the company spokeswoman, explained, speaking to
RFE/RL’s Armenian service.

Earlier this year, state regulators allowed ARG to increase its gas
price for households by 37.5 percent because of the increased cost
of Russian gas imports. The gas price for corporate consumers was
raised by 17 percent. The unpopular price hikes took effect on April 1.

Gas consumption in Armenia already tumbled by 20 percent last year.

ARG, 80 percent of which is owned by Russia’s Gazprom monopoly,
blamed the drop on the economic recession and another surge in the
price of imported Russian gas that went into effect in April 2009.

Yet despite incurring serious losses, the company ended up at the top
of the 2009 taxpayer list. It was previously topped by K-Telecom,
another Russian-owned company that runs Armenia’s largest mobile
phone network.

K-Telecom is only fourth in the SRC’s 2010 rankings, with almost 7.3
billion drams paid in the first half. It was surpassed by the rival
telecom operator ArmenTel and the Aleks-Grig company, which controls
large-scale imports of basic foodstuffs into Armenia.

The country’s top ten taxpayers also comprise companies importing
fuel and cigarettes, the country’s largest metallurgical enterprise,
the national power utility and a tobacco factory. The SRC data shows
that the total amount of taxes paid by them was up by 22 percent from
the first half of 2009.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the Armenian government’s
overall tax revenues rose at a slightly higher rate in January-May
2010. Increased proceeds from value-added tax, the largest source of
those revenues, accounted for most of the gain.

By contrast, proceeds from corporate profit tax contributed only
16 percent of the revenue total and remained virtually unchanged in
absolute terms during the five-month period.

Many large Armenian companies, especially those owned by wealthy
government-linked businessmen, have long posted suspiciously modest
earnings. Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian has repeatedly pledged to
make them “the number one target” of his government’s crackdown on
tax evasion.

The Flash company, Armenia’s largest fuel importer occupying fifth
place in the SRC list, paid only 7.4 million drams ($20,000) in profit
and payroll taxes in the first half. City Petrol Group, its main
rival that boasts the largest national network of petrol stations,
paid less than half that sum.

Flash’s deputy director, Mushegh Elchian, claimed that both companies
are barely making any profits at the moment. “Since competition has
tightened, we now work without profits,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian
service. “Everyone wants to sell as much goods as possible, and in
order to do that, you have to make prices affordable.”

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN LEADERSHIP HAVE TO THINK WELL ABOUT WHAT THEY DO TO THEIR PEOPLE

news.az
July 27 2010
Azerbaijan

Anar Mammadkhanov MP Anar Mammadkhanov has commented about recently
intensified bellicose statements of the Armenian leadership about
resumption of the Karabakh war.

“I would recommend Serzh Sargsyan to finish the technical college he
studied in and, perhaps, this will help him perceive the realities of
the Karabakh conflict more clearly. This also refers to his surrounding
who do not seem too much concerned about the implications of their
statements regarding the ‘new military victory’ in the Karabakh
conflict”, the deputy said.

“I want to say with confidence that we will soon be in Khankendi and
there can be no doubts about it. Azerbaijani army will liberate all
occupied lands regardless of who supports Armenians from outside.

Armenians is doing so that to resume hostilities. They do not take
into account one thing-Azerbaijan does not intend to bear the further
protraction of the Karabakh conflict settlement. We all understand
that this conflict which has been lasting for over 20 years must be
settled and I recommend the Armenian leadership to think well of what
they do to their people”, Mammadkhanov said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN ARCHBISHOP HONORED, LAID TO REST AT HOLY CROSS IN MONTEBELLO
Tracy Garcia

Whittier Daily News

July 27 2010
MA

MONTEBELLO – Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian was many things to many people,
particularly those he grew close to during the last 25 years he spent
guiding the congregation at the local Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic
Cathedral.

But first and foremost, officials said, he was a humble and faithful
servant of God. That’s why nearly 400 people gathered Monday at Holy
Cross to pay their final respects to Lapajian, who died July 17 at
the Ararat home in Mission Hills after a long illness. He was 83.

Lapajian, co-founder and first prelate of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America, was the only one to receive
special permission to be buried at Holy Cross, on a grassy patch next
to the cathedral.

The rare burial ceremony took place Monday immediately following a
two-hour funeral Mass that was officiated by the current head of the
Western Prelacy, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.

“You all have your own personal memories of him,” Mardirossian told
the somber, standing-room-only crowd. “He was a devoted pastor and
spiritual leader. In good times and in bad, he was always there.

“He was a family member – a father figure, a grandfather – mentor
and friend,” Mardirossian said. “And he was also a talented teacher
who touched the lives of many of his students.”

The service was elaborate, with church leaders dressed in white,
gold, blue, red and purple capes and robes and donning black hoods.

Lapajian’s open casket was at the front of the church during Mass and
was moved at particular times during the ceremony so his body faced
north, south, east and west.

Lapajian’s forehead and hands were anointed with oil by Mardirossian
and covered with cotton, serving as a site where mourners could kiss
him to pay their last respects.

Lapajian began his religious service in the late 1940s, when he
attended the Seminary of the Armenian Catholicossate in Lebanon,
then served as a deacon in the Armenian section of the Holy Sepulchre
Cathedral in Jerusalem in 1953.

He taught in Armenian schools in Lebanon and Jordan until 1958,
when he was ordained a celibate priest.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in theology from Haigazian
University, Lapajian taught Armenian at UCLA in the 1960s and was
also involved with the educational and administrative development of
the Armenian Mesrobian School in Pico Rivera.

He was appointed pastor of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Cross Church
of Los Angeles in 1961, a post he kept until he was elected prelate
of the Western Prelacy in 1973.

In 1974, he was consecrated a bishop in Lebanon and received the
title of archbishop in 1981. In 1985, he played a crucial part in
the development of the Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello, where he
served as dean from 1985-1994.

He officially retired in 1994 from his administrative duties but
continued with voluntary ministry at Holy Cross, officials said.

His deep roots at Holy Cross are the reason he received special
permission to be buried there – his own personal request, officials
said.

“I was not surprised by that request. I knew how much he loved the
Holy Cross community, and it was evident in everything he did,” said
Shiraz Savoian, 37, who was among those who attended Monday’s services.

Lapajian married Savoian’s parents, christened Savoian, married
Savoian and his wife and also christened his son.

“He passed through three generations of my family – and that’s not an
uncommon story in this community,” Savoian said. “When he passed on,
it was a big loss for us.

Lapajian, co-founder and first prelate of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America, was the only one to receive
special permission to be buried at Holy Cross, on a grassy patch next
to the cathedral.

The rare burial ceremony took place Monday immediately following a
two-hour funeral Mass that was officiated by the current head of the
Western Prelacy, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.

“You all have your own personal memories of him,” Mardirossian told
the somber, standing-room-only crowd. “He was a devoted pastor and
spiritual leader. In good times and in bad, he was always there.

“He was a family member – a father figure, a grandfather – mentor
and friend,” Mardirossian said. “And he was also a talented teacher
who touched the lives of many of his students.”

The service was elaborate, with church leaders dressed in white,
gold, blue, red and purple capes and robes and donning black hoods.

Lapajian’s open casket was at the front of the church during Mass and
was moved at particular times during the ceremony so his body faced
north, south, east and west.

Lapajian’s forehead and hands were anointed with oil by Mardirossian
and covered with cotton, serving as a site where mourners could kiss
him to pay their last respects.

Lapajian began his religious service in the late 1940s, when he
attended the Seminary of the Armenian Catholicossate in Lebanon,
then served as a deacon in the Armenian section of the Holy Sepulchre
Cathedral in Jerusalem in 1953.

He taught in Armenian schools in Lebanon and Jordan until 1958,
when he was ordained a celibate priest.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in theology from Haigazian
University, Lapajian taught Armenian at UCLA in the 1960s and was
also involved with the educational and administrative development of
the Armenian Mesrobian School in Pico Rivera.

He was appointed pastor of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Cross Church
of Los Angeles in 1961, a post he kept until he was elected prelate
of the Western Prelacy in 1973.

In 1974, he was consecrated a bishop in Lebanon and received the
title of archbishop in 1981. In 1985, he played a crucial part in
the development of the Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello, where he
served as dean from 1985-1994.

He officially retired in 1994 from his administrative duties but
continued with voluntary ministry at Holy Cross, officials said.

His deep roots at Holy Cross are the reason he received special
permission to be buried there – his own personal request, officials
said.

“I was not surprised by that request. I knew how much he loved the
Holy Cross community, and it was evident in everything he did,” said
Shiraz Savoian, 37, who was among those who attended Monday’s services.

Lapajian married Savoian’s parents, christened Savoian, married
Savoian and his wife and also christened his son.

“He passed through three generations of my family – and that’s not an
uncommon story in this community,” Savoian said. “When he passed on,
it was a big loss for us.

From: A. Papazian

SEMNEBY: REFERENDUM ON NKR ISSUE AFTER A LONG PROCESS ONLY

Aysor
July 27 2010
Armenia

A referendum on Nagorno Karabakh status can be held after a long
process only, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby told Interfax. “An agreement on principles of conflict
resolution should be reached at present to create guarantees for the
sides,” Semneby added.

According to the diplomat, these principles have been already twice
introduced by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs at a high level. “I think
it is a good basis to resolve the conflict, and the European Union
calls the sides – Armenia and Azerbaijan for taking them as a basis,”
Semneby noted.

In response to the question about linking the Armenian-Turkish
normalization with the Nagorno Karabakh settlement the EU official
said that there is no connection between them formally.

“However, it is noteworthy that any development in one of the processes
will affect the atmosphere of confidence,” the diplomat said.

From: A. Papazian

HARRY BEGIAN: SCHOOL CONCERT LED HIM TO DIRECT BANDS
CECIL ANGEL

Detroit Free Press

July 27 2010

Harry Begian had a long history of directing bands and orchestras:
at Wayne State and Michigan State universities, the University of
Illinois and at Detroit’s Cass Technical High School.

He could trace his love for conducting to a single experience. While
in junior high school, he attended a Detroit Symphony Orchestra
children’s concert at Orchestra Hall.

“My eyes and ears nearly popped out,” Begian said to the Free Press
in 1987. “I was so taken by that one concert that I knew right then
what I wanted to be doing with my life.”

Mr. Begian died Monday of pneumonia at Turning Brook, an
assisted-living community in Alpena. He was 89.

“He was such a vital, passionate man about music,” said his daughter,
Carol Begian McGuire.

Born in Pontiac to Neshan Begian, an Armenian refugee who was an
autoworker, and Osge Assarian Begian, a homemaker, Mr. Begian graduated
in 1939 from Fordson High School in Dearborn, where he grew up.

He met his wife, Emily Gibbs Begian, while both were students at WSU
and the couple married in 1943. It was the same year that Mr. Begian
graduated from WSU with a bachelor’s degree in music education and
he was drafted into the Army, serving until 1946.

He received a master’s degree in music education from WSU and in
1964 received a doctorate in music education from the University
of Michigan.

Mr. Begian was a former president of the American Band Masters
Association, and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

He formerly taught at Interlochen and Blue Lake Fine Arts Music Camp
and was a guest conductor for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

He was an honorary member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra
Association.

Other survivors are another daughter, MaryAnn Begian Hubbard; a son,
Daniel Begian; a brother, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the Bannan Funeral Home,
222 S. Second Ave., Alpena.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Burial will be later in Spruce, south of Alpena

From: A. Papazian