Author: Antonian Lara

STOP BARBARIAN DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN AZERBAIJAN
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2006
According to the information DE FACTO Information-Analytics Agency
received at the reliable sources, on the first days of October the
St. Sargis Church built in 1716 had been destroyed in the village of
Erkej, Shahumyan region, controlled by Azerbaijan.
DE FACTO Information-Analytics Agency again urges the world’s
humanitarian organizations, clergymen of all confessions to demand
that Azerbaijan stop barbarian destruction of the Armenian churches
on the territories controlled by the Republic. We call on the UNESCO
and the CIS and OSCE competent structures to hold monitoring on the
territories and put the rest of the monuments of the Armenian temple
architecture in Azerbaijan under control.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2006
Paros Foundation
Contact: Peter J. Abajian
36 Demirjian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
01137493-99-80-99
[email protected]
www.p aros.am
PAROS CHAMBER CHOIR CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE
YEREVAN, ARMENIA-On September 20, the Paros Chamber Choir held a
Concert “Celebrating 15 Years of Independence” at the Gomidas Chamber
Music Hall. More than 275 people filled the concert hall to listen to
this amazing group of performers.
“It was a great honor for us to dedicate tonight’s Concert to the
celebration of Armenia’s Independence,” said Armen Alaverdyan,
Director of the Paros Chamber Choir. “We were so pleased that both
our local population as well as our friends from around the world
joined us this evening and enjoyed our performance.”
The Concert, which was held the evening following the Third Diaspora
Conference and a day prior to Armenia’s Independence Day Celebration
drew a wide range of concert goers including first time visitors to
Armenia.
“It is a source of great pride for me personally to see our guests
enjoying themselves at our concerts,” said Maestro Vachagan
Navasardyan, who has worked with the choir over the last 13 years.
Since 1993, the Paros Chamber Choir has dazzled audiences throughout
Armenia, the Middle East and Europe with their repertoire of classic
chamber music and ethnic folk music by Armenian, Russian and Western
composers. The Paros Chamber Choir has blossomed into a beacon of
hope for people with disabilities in Armenia as most members of the
Choir are individuals with spinal cord injuries.
The Paros Chamber Choir takes its name from the Armenian word for
lighthouse. Indeed the choir is seen as a beacon of hope by fans
around the world. The Choir entertains worldwide audiences,
participates in international competitions and encourages people with
disabilities to live full and active lives.
The Paros Foundation, a California-based foundation organized the
successful Concert, which was sponsored by the Kulhanjian-Strauch
Family.
“Two of the goals of the Foundation are to promote and nurturing
Armenia’s culture and to help improve the quality of lives of people
with disabilities in Armenia,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director
of the Paros Foundation. “The Paros Chamber Choir is a bright star
within Armenia and we hope to help them deliver their message to the
world.”
###

L’ARMENIE SOUS LES FEUX DE LA RAMPE
La Tribune , France
5 octobre 2006
500 manifestations en France celèbrent la force et la perennite de la
culture armenienne. Expositions, concerts, films… sont programmes
jusqu’au 14 juillet 2007.
Armenie mon amie ” : c’est le joli label, choisi par l’operateur public
francais pour les echanges culturels internationaux, Culturesfrance,
pour les 500 manifestations de la saison armenienne prevues jusqu’au
14 juillet. Lancee par le concert de Charles Aznavour, samedi dernier,
sur la grand-place d’Erevan (retransmis sur Arte le 12 novembre a 19
heures), devant une foule immense et en presence de Jacques Chirac,
premier chef d’Etat francais a faire le voyage, cette saison prend une
ampleur exceptionnelle, pourvue d’un budget de 1,3 million d’euros de
fonds publics et de 350.000 euros de mecenat. Forte de 450.000 membres,
la communaute des Armeniens de France est l’une des plus importantes
au monde, et s’implique totalement, a Paris comme en regions, dans
la diffusion de sa culture multimillenaire, malmenee par l’histoire,
victime du genocide de 1915, que la France fut le premier pays a
reconnaître en 2001.
La richesse et la singularite du patrimoine de cette nation unique
a plus d’un titre, première au monde a avoir adopte le christianisme
en l’an 301, dotee d’un alphabet propre etabli un siècle plus tard,
expliquent le nombre et la variete des expositions prevues tout
au long de cette saison. Parmi les plus importantes : a Paris,
au Louvre, ” Armenia Sacra ” exposera les chefs-d’oeuvre de l’art
chretien et la Bibliothèque nationale montrera son très riche fonds
de manuscrits armeniens, tandis qu’a Marseille le musee de la Vieille
Charite s’interessera a l’evolution de cette ecriture sur differents
supports et celui d’Arles aux vestiges des differentes civilisations
qui jalonnent son histoire.
Tradition vocale. L’Armenie s’est aussi distinguee par une longue
tradition picturale dont l’exposition ” Peintures en Armenie ” au Petit
Palais, a Paris, rendra compte. Deux grands pionniers de la modernite
feront quant a eux l’objet d’expositions monographiques : Arshile Gorky
au Centre Pompidou et Martiros Sarian a Issy-les-Moulineaux. L’art
actuel ne sera pas de reste avec des expositions dans les musees d’Art
contemporain de Strasbourg, Lyon, Saint-Etienne et une installation
de Sarkis au Louvre.
La musique forme le deuxième pôle de cette saison avec les tournees en
France d’orchestres classiques (Orchestre philharmonique d’Erevan), de
formations chorales caracteristiques de la tradition vocale armenienne
(Choeur Hover) et de groupes de la creation actuelle comme l’Armenian
Navy Band, auteur des musiques des films du cineaste Robert Guediguian.
Le programme cinema est egalement bien fourni avec des retrospectives
consacrees aux grandes figures du septième art en Armenie et dans
la diaspora : Serguei Paradjanov aux cinemathèques de Toulouse et
de Lyon et a Bobigny, Robert Mamoulian a la Cinemathèque de Paris et
Atom Egoyan au Centre Pompidou. Mais il faudra compter aussi avec des
spectacles de danse, de theâtre, des colloques, des manifestations
sur la litterature, dont le Printemps des poètes en mars prochain.
–Boundary_(ID_GPW9dizcC3r0cilxunBZOw)- –

LINDEN: “THE ARMENIA ISSUE CANNOT BE A PRECONDITION”
Turkish Press
Star
Oct 3 2006
Rene Van der Linden, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE), said yesterday that Armenian issue could
not be a precondition for Turkey’s European Union membership.
Criticizing French President Jacques Chirac’s recent remarks that
Turkey should recognize so-called Armenian genocide in order to access
the EU, Linden said that his statements were political.
Stressing that the remarks had been made as Turkey was implementing
a number of reforms and had kept its promises to the bloc, the
president said that new conditions could not be put before Ankara
as it implemented the others. The EU and the Council of Europe are
separate institutions.

ARMENIE: “ON VERRA CE QUE FERONT LES DEPUTES UMP” (AYRAULT,PS)
Agence France Presse
3 octobre 2006 mardi
Le president du groupe PS a l’Assemblee nationale, Jean-Marc Ayrault,
a mis mardi au defi les deputes de l’UMP de voter la proposition de
loi PS reprimant la negation du genocide armenien qui sera discutee
le 12 octobre.
“On verra bien ce que feront les deputes de l’UMP, surtout après les
declarations de Jacques Chirac en Armenie”, a declare M. Ayrault lors
de son point de presse hebdomadaire.
“Nous poursuivrons le debat que nous avons commence, je m’y etais
engage au nom du groupe socialiste” a-t-il ajoute.
La proposition de loi, qui fait de la negation du genocide un delit
punissable d’un an d’emprisonnement et de 45.000 euros d’amende, avait
deja ete discutee le 18 mai dernier. Son examen avait ete interrompu
faute de temps et le vote n’avait pu avoir lieu. Les deputes UMP et
le gouvernement avaient multiplie les incidents de procedure pour
retarder les debats. La Turquie avait menace la France de retorsions
commerciales.
Le texte a ete reinscrit par le groupe socialiste le 12 octobre dans
sa “niche” (seance d’initiative parlementaire) au cours de laquelle
sera egalement examine un texte sur le statut des intermittents
du spectacle.
Ce texte divise les partis au-dela du clivage droite/gauche et est
contestee par des historiens.
Lors d’une visite samedi et dimanche en Armenie, Jacques Chirac a
declare que la reconnaissance par la Turquie du genocide armenien
devait etre un prealable a son adhesion a l’Union Europeenne.
–Boundary_(ID_+/HJR7sBg+CFKhJ6ytg/KQ )–

ARMENIANS ARE HOSTAGES IN RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN RELATIONS
A1+
[06:58 pm] 03 October, 2006
Today Vahan Hovhannesyan, NA deputy speaker referred to the
Russian-Georgian relations and the difficulties Armenia might face
in case the Russian-Georgian antagonism deepens. He said, “I think
this is not the first case when Russia ignores the Armenian interests.
They expect a comprehensive approach by us. But I cannot understand
their position as in my opinion Russia, our military partner, willingly
or unwillingly, joins Armenia’s blockade”.
Vahan Hovhannesyan maintains that release of the Russian officers
and their exile to Russia will significantly facilitate the Russian
stance towards Georgia. “As for the Georgians they might try to take
their revenge on Russia in other way, I cannot predict”, says Vahan
Hovhannesyan.
Armenian-Russian intergovernmental session will be convened in the
nearest future where alongside with a number of issues, the Armenian
future will be discussed regarding the deterioration of Russian –
Georgian relations.
Asked about the Armenian-Georgian relations, taking into consideration
the fact there are a lot of Armenians are in custody in Georgia for
their attempt to enter Georgia illegally, Mr. Hovhannesyan answered,
“Our citizens have violated the Georgian law and we can do nothing on
this score”. Tomorrow Dashnaktsutyun faction will arouse this question
in the National Assembly as “We don’t want to leave our citizens in
Georgia as hostages because of the discord among other countries”.

CHIRAC AU NOM DE LA MEMOIRE
Dominique Garraud
Charente Libre
2 octobre 2006
L’enjeu principal n’est pas de contraindre la Turquie a faire
repentance, mais bien de l’amener a scruter sans complaisance les
pages noires de son Histoire
Pour la première visite officielle d’un President francais dans la
jeune republique d’Armenie, un geste fort de Jacques Chirac etait
attendu. Il est venu lors d’une conference de presse, lorsque
la question lui fut posee de savoir si pour entrer dans l’Union
europeenne, la Turquie devait d’abord reconnaître le genocide
armenien. Honnetement, je le crois, a repondu le chef de l’Etat,
soulignant qu’a l’instar de l’Allemagne qui a reconnu la Shoah, une
nation se grandit de reconnaître les erreurs qu’elle a pu commettre.
Outre que la comparaison avec la Shoah risque d’etre fort mal prise
a Ankara où les autorites nient toujours la realite du genocide de
1915 et son bilan de 1,5 million de morts, Jacques Chirac ne pouvait
guère aller plus loin que la delivrance d’un conseil. La Commission
europeenne et la semaine dernière le Parlement europeen ont en effet
formellement exclu que la reconnaissance par Ankara du genocide
armenien constitue un prealable a l’adhesion de la Turquie. Sans
incidence directe sur le dossier turc vis-a-vis de Bruxelles, le coup
d’eclat de Jacques Chirac a Erevan a une double portee, de politique
interieure a court terme, a long terme sur le plan des valeurs
partagees de l’Europe politique. Le soutien sans reserve apporte
au respect de la memoire armenienne gomme une image chiraquienne
turcophile entretenue par son approbation d’une adhesion a terme
de la Turquie. Il lui permet aussi de justifier son opposition a un
amendement socialiste prochainement examine a l’Assemblee preconisant
l’ajout de peines penales pour negationnisme dans la loi francaise
de 2001 qui reconnaît formellement l’existence du genocide armenien.
Dans la lignee de sa reconnaissance de la responsabilite de l’Etat
francais de Vichy dans la deportation des juifs lors de son discours
de 1995 au Vel d’Hiv, Jacques Chirac montre un souci salutaire d’un
devoir de memoire et d’histoire qui ecarte de toute exploitation
politicienne des tragedies comme le genocide armenien.
Plus qu’une mise en garde a la Turquie, la declaration d’Erevan est
un encouragement a destination des autorites d’Ankara, pour qu’elles
rompent avec des decennies de negation en poursuivant resolument
le chemin qui les a recemment conduites a envisager la mise sur
pied d’une commission mixte turco-armenienne d’historiens sur les
massacres de 1915. L’enjeu principal n’est pas de contraindre la
Turquie a faire repentance, mais bien de l’amener a scruter sans
complaisance les pages noires de son Histoire condamnables a l’aune
des valeurs europeennes qu’elle pretend vouloir partager. Ces valeurs
doivent conduire la Turquie a admettre qu’etre Europeen signifie aussi
reconnaître pleinement son voisin armenien et les douleurs d’un passe
qui ne peut etre passe sous silence.
–Boundary_(ID_qdUwU3Ip6eHxxHINwcbJZg)–

DAVITAYA: RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE SENT ARMENIAN SPIES TO GEORGIA
Azeri Press Agency
Sept 30 2006
“Armenians’ autonomy in Georgia is out of question. We perfectly
realize their aim,” Pata Davitaya, Georgian parliamentarian and UN
International Academy of Information member told journalists, APA
reports. He commented on the current tense relations between Georgia
and Russia.
“The conflict between Georgia and Russia is not good for any country
in the region. We hope to solve the problem peacefully. This is the
problem of the governments but not nations,” he said.
The parliamentarian also said Russian intelligence service sent
Armenian spies to Georgia.

DARCHINYAN VERSUS DONAIRE READY TO EXPLODE
Paul Upham Contributing Editor
SecondsOut
Sept 30 2006
The power of Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan – HoganPhotos.com
By Paul Upham: While most boxing fans are looking forward to the
third fight between Diego Corrales and Joel Casamayor next weekend
in Las Vegas on Showtime Championship Boxing, the main support bout
at flyweight is promising to be just as explosive. IBF/IBO flyweight
world champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan and challenger Glenn
“The Filipino Bomber” Donaire have both promised to be aggressive
and come out throwing bombs.
“I am very excited for this opportunity,” said Donaire. “This time,
I can really show myself. In my last couple of fights, I wasn’t
throwing as hard a punches as I was before. I’m very excited and
very prepared for this fight. I just can’t wait. All my opponents
have been moving around lately. I’m a pressure fighter. I don’t run,
I don’t slug. I like to throw. I like to throw hard punches. Lately,
I haven’t been doing that. But it’s coming October 7. I am really
hitting hard right now. I just can’t wait.”
The 26 year-old has been sparring his younger brother Nonito Donaire,
who competes at junior bantamweight to prepare for his first world
title fight.
“I am more prepared now,” he said. “Mentally and physically prepared.
Before, I was working too much. I was working 7 days a week. Right
now, I have days off and I have been training so hard, sparring with
my brother who is a lot bigger than I am. My brother said that I am
hitting him hard. I am just very excited about this. I want to be
one of the champions.”
One of the most aggressive punching world champions today, Darchinyan’s
power has been evident this year in his last two knockout wins over
Diosdado Gabi on ShoBox on March 3 and against Luis Maldonado on
Showtime Championship Boxing on June 3. The Armenian born Australian
citizen whose record stands at 26-0 (21), has been training in Los
Angeles for the last four weeks and loves to spar with much bigger
boxers to fine tune his power.
“Sparring is good,” he said. “I am sparring with guys 25lbs heavier
than me. I am punching well. I feel my power right now. Donaire says he
has a good punch. His brother is telling him that his punch is coming
harder. When he fights me, he will see a hard puncher. He does not
know what a hard punch means. He will see on October 7. That’s why I
lime to spar guys who are heavier than me. When I am hurting boxers
who are 25lbs heavier than me and they are scared of me, I can feel
my power. When I am sparring guys in training in my own division,
I am not comfortable hitting them hard.”
After Darchinyan’s promoter Gary Shaw was unable to entice WBA
champion Lorenzo Parra or WBO champion Omer Narvaez into a world title
unification bout for this fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center,
Darchinyan specifically asked to be matched with someone who punches
hard to make for an exciting contest.
“I saw one of his fights on tape from a couple of years ago,” said
Darchinyan. “Glenn likes to come forward and punch. He is a wild
puncher. I will tell him what is better for him, to run. Over twelve
rounds, if he is a good runner maybe he can survive. But if he stands
and punches with me, he will go down very soon.”
“Darchinyan does not have a style,” claimed Donaire, during a
midweek media conference call. “He just punches. To me, he is a lucky
puncher. He depends on his left hand. With me, I have not proved my
self lately. In my last fight, I didn’t really throw bombs like I used
to. It’s coming October 7 and he will see. He can be a strong fighter,
but style makes the fight. He will see. I can punch both hands. I
heard he has to lose a lot of weight. I will just give him four or
five rounds. For four or five rounds he is going to be strong. After
that, he is going to be mine.”
30 year-old Darchinyan, who has stopped eight opponents in a row,
including the last five in world title fights, was quick to respond
directly to Donaire’s analysis of him.
“Glenn, if you are talking about my left,” he asked, “you want me to
knock you out with my right? You choose. You choose which hand you
will like.”
“I know we are going to have a good fight,” replied Donaire.
The Californian based Donaire 16-2-1 (9) who originally hails from
General Santos City in the Philippines, agrees that Darchinyan is
the best of the flyweight division right now, until he fights him
of course.
“Yes, he is,” he said. “You don’t want to take any chances fighting
Vic. The difference between me and Vic’s past opponents, they were
intimidated by him. Not me. I do spar with bigger guys too. I evened
knocked out a 150lbs guy with a body shot. I thank Vic for me being
his opponent.”
“You know why Glenn?” asked Darchinyan. “I wanted to fight you because
you challenged me. You told me you can beat me. After I stop you,
everyone can see that it is all just talk.”

ARMENIA: HAIKO SAYS NO OFFICIAL PROPOSAL FROM ARMTV TO PARTICIPATE IN EUROVISION 2007
oikotimes.org, Greece
Sept 29 2006
Fotis Konstantopoulos reporting from Athens (Greece)
source: panorama.am – photo: oikotimes resources
Singer Haiko addressed to the president of the republic to know why
he has awarded him the title of honored artists, Haiko told a news
conference today. “Because there are many singers who come and go but
you stay for a long time,” the president has answered. Haiko said he is
not involved in politics and will not participate in any pre-election
campaigns. The singer said he is doing well and the tickets of his
upcoming concert are sold well. Haiko said there will be no dances as
it is not within his style. He said there will be dozens of cameras
“to approach to the international level.”
About Eurovision The singer said he has received no concrete
suggestions to participate in Eurovision contest. He even said he
is a little scared from rumors that he may participate. The singer
is in search of his soul mate. He said he devotes his songs to those
who feel attached.