Author: Badalian Vardan

Monsters and Critics.com
Oct 7 2011

Armenia and Sweden keep alive their hopes of Euro finals
Oct 7, 2011, 18:24 GMT

Berlin – Armenia and Sweden kept alive their hopes of qualifying for
the finals of next year’s Euro finals with victories in their
qualifying matches on Friday.

In Group B Armenia moved into second place ahead of Ireland, but
behind Russia on 17 points with a 4-1 victory against a ten-man
Macedonia. Both Russia and Ireland have an opportunity to keep the
Armenians behind them with victories later Friday.

In Helsinki Sweden secured a 2-1 victory against Finland to move to 21
points – three behind the Netherlands, who have already qualified for
the finals in Ukraine and Poland.

Sebastian Larsson gave the Swedes the ideal start in the 8th minute
and Martin Olsson added a second shortly after the restart. Joona
Toivio gave the home crowd some hope midway through the second half,
but the Swedes held out for an important victory that secured their
play-off place.

In Group D Bosnia & Herzegovina beat Luxembourg 5-0.

The three points takes the Bosnians to 19 points, two ahead of France
who are facing Albania in a later match.

In Group F, where Greece and Croatia have already made sure of
finishing in the top two positions, Latvia beat Malta 2-0 to move to
11 points.

Under interim coach Willibald Ruttensteiner Austria secured a 4-1
victory against Azerbaijan in Group A. Both teams had no chance of
going through to the finals ahead of the game.

Andreas Ivantschitz gave the visitors the lead in the first half
before Marc Janko added two goals early in the second half. Vugar
Nadirov pulled one back for Azerbaijan – who ended the game with 10
players – but Zlatko Junuzovic secured a convincing victory for
Austria with an injury time strike.

Fox News
Oct 7 2011

Armenia beats Macedonia 4-1 in Euro 2012 qualifier

Published October 07, 2011
| FoxSports

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Armenia beat 10-man Macedonia 4-1 in a Euro
2012 qualifier on Friday to stay in contention for a major event for
the first time in its history.

First half goals from Marcos Pizzelli and Henrik Mkhitaryan put
Armenia 2-0 up in the Group B game before Macedonia was reduced to 10
men when captain Velice Sumulikoski was sent off for a second yellow
card in the 53rd minute.

Gevorg Ghazaryan added Armenia’s third in the 69th. Vance Sikov headed
in Macedonia’s consolation goal in the 86th before Artur Sarkisov
completed the scoring in injury time.

Armenia has 17 points from games. In later matches, Ireland, on 14
points, takes on winless Andorra, while group leader Russia, on 17
points, is at Slovakia, which has 14.

New America Media
Oct 9 2011

NAM Radio: The Theatre of Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide began in the late 19th century and continued on
through the first two decades of the the 20th. It was the first
genocide of the 20th century and hundreds of thousands — some say 1.5
million — Armenian lives later, the Armenian Genocide had made its
mark on history.

What remains is the story of their lives, told by those who came
after. Torange Yeghiazarian is the founding director of Golden Thread
Middle Eastern Theatre in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her theatre’s
production of Night Over Erzinga is a sparkling and moving adaptation
of one family’s story. She spoke with New America Now Host Shirin
Sadeghi.

New America Now is the radio program of New America Media. The program
is hosted by Shirin Sadeghi and is broadcast on 91.7 FM KALW San
Francisco on Fridays at noon and Sundays at 3 pm.

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Oct 7 2011

Turkey defies Sarkozy’s remarks about Armenia

ANKARA (A.A) -Turkey on Friday rejected French President Nicolas
Sarkozy’s remarks over the incidents of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire as
“inconsistent and imprudent.”

Sarkozy, visiting Armenia on Thursday and Friday, the French leader
had urged Turkey to review its history and recognize the Armenian
allegations regarding the incidents of 1915 by the end of his own term
of office. The French president also said that he would be in favour
of taking further steps to support Armenian claims if Turkey fails to
do that.

“Attempts to exploit controversies between Turkey and Armenia by third
parties for their domestic political agenda and even to see in
themselves the right to connect this to their electoral calendar point
to a misperception of their own political power. The French people
will judge whether such approaches, based on electoral calculations,
are compatible with the French democratic culture and state
tradition,” Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

“Such an inconsistent and imprudent handling of this serious matter
that has human and moral dimensions is unfortunate. Political
declarations based on one-sided information and reflecting accusatory
judgments regarding historical events are very far from the fair
approach that this issue requires and demonstrate a failure to even
comprehend Turkey’s approach on the matter. This painful part of our
long history with the Armenians can be freely debated in Turkey,
unlike in some countries that are party to this issue or others that
are not, including France.

“Turkey will continue its constructive approach on how to improve its
relations with Armenia, overcome the controversy over the events of
1915 and reach a just memory.

“What is expected from France is to make a positive contribution to
this process and to adopt a responsible approach and discourse that
would show care to avoid both damaging the multi-dimensional
relationship between Turkey and France and offending the Turkish
community in France,” the ministry said.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey Oct 4 2011

Why could a Christian not change his name

by ORHAN KEMAL CENGÄ°Z

If you want to change your first name or last name in Turkey, you have
to apply to court.

Favlus Ay, an Assyrian who is a citizen of the Republic of Turkey,
applied to court to change his full name to Paulus Bartuma. The case
was forwarded to the constitutional court. The constitutional court
made a decision of which every Turkish citizen should be ashamed in
its ruling that this change of name ran contrary to the legislation in
effect.

Our constitutional court concluded that citizens of the Republic of
Turkey are not allowed to take the names attributable to foreign races
or nations. This decision, made last July, is so ridiculous that it is
impossible to make a legal analysis. We can evaluate this decision
only to obtain a better understanding of the way the minds of the
members of the constitutional court work. I will try to make this
evaluation below.

However, before delving into the details to make an assessment, I
would like to write a few words about the content and substance of the
decision. Consider this: A Turk living in Germany applies to court to
take a Turkish name; the motion is rejected. If the court underlines
that German citizens may only take names attributable to the German
race and nation, and if it rules that names like Ahmet or Mehmet
cannot be taken, you could be sure that a huge campaign against this
would be launched in Turkey. The Turkish media would have accused the
judges serving in that court of fascism or exhibiting a Nazi
mentality.

However, our constitutional court does not hesitate in making such a
decision and bans Turkish citizens from taking names foreign to his or
her own ethnic identity. The constitutional court handed down this
decision by a majority vote. Eight judges challenged the stance by the
other nine who ruled that Turkish citizens are not allowed to take
foreign names. If you take a look at the professional backgrounds of
the court judges who support and oppose the decision and who appointed
them to the constitutional court, you find yourself looking at an
interesting picture.

All of the nine judges who adhered to the anti-freedom interpretation
are law school graduates and therefore trained lawyers, whereas only
two out of the eight judges who relied on a pro-freedom interpretation
and declared that the law on taking foreign names is unconstitutional
graduated from law schools. The remaining six studied at schools of
political science and economics. Borrowing from Althusser, I would
hold that the notion of `the status-quo stance of a
lawyer’ fits perfectly in this picture. As a law school
graduate, I am familiar with the legal training that creates this
status-quo stance. Likewise, I cannot help but question the legal
system through which judges and prosecutors have gone and I see that
the majority of these lawyer-judges had previously served in different
courts before being appointment to this one.

You would have an interesting table if you reviewed who appointed
these constitutional court judges. Five out of the nine judges who
ruled that the name Favlus could not be changed to Paulus were
appointed by Ahmet Necdet Sezer and the remaining four by President
Abdullah Gül. The eight judges who said people can take any
name they want broken down by appointing president or institution is
as follows: one by Turgut Ã-zal, one by Süleyman Demirel,
two by Ahmet Necdet Sezer, two by Abdullah Gül and one by the
Turkish Parliament.

I think that the picture I presented above tells much about the state
of democracy and the judiciary and whether the mindset of the
government has really changed. In consideration of this picture, I
would like to finish my column by asking some questions to the
president and government who elected him: Four out of the six judges
the president appointed made a decision that violates one of the most
basic human rights. What criteria does the president consider when
appointing judges to the constitutional court? Does the president
consider the attitudes, views and decisions of the judges he appoints
based on democracy, human rights and the rule of law? Does he pay
attention to whether the appointed judges are mentally open to
universal legal norms? If not, then what criteria does the president
use in the appointment process? Maybe I should ask a question of the
government as well: Do you not think that if legal training creates
such an archaic legal understanding, it should be substantially
changed and restructured?

To better understand how much Turkey has really changed, I think we
should take a look at how much its mentality has changed. To this end,
the decisions of the higher judiciary serve as a litmus tests. As you
saw above, the judges appointed by both the nationalist President
Necdet Sezer and the current president make similarly irrational
decisions. Is it possible to argue that a Turkey in which people are
unable to exercise the simple right to change their names as they like
is becoming democratic?

Musique.Evous.fr
3 Oct 2011

André Manoukian en concert : Les dates de sa tournée

Après Inkala (2008) et So In Love (2010), André Manoukian publiera le
31 octobre 2011 un troisième album intitulé Melanchology. “Exprimer sa
tristesse en musique, en pouvant jouer avec et l’écouter par la suite,
cela nous guérit de notre propre mélancolie, déclare le pianiste.
C’est en fouillant vraiment la musique arménienne, que j’ai découvert
la profondeur de ce sentiment.”

Doit-on s’attendre à un disque dans la lignée de Inkala, qui offrait
un son résolument jazz, inspiré de folk-songs arméniennes ? Une
réponse sera sans doute apportée lors des prochains concerts d’André.
L’ex-juré de Nouvelle Star se produira en effet le 5 décembre 2011 à
l’Alhambra, à Paris.

Prenez votre place en cliquant sur le lien suivant :

Réservez ici votre billet pour la tournée d’André Manoukian !

André Manoukian se passionne pour le piano dès l’ge de sept ans.
Devenu adolescent, il étudie la musique à la Berklee School of Music
de Boston et apprend la composition, les arrangements et l’harmonie. À
son retour en France, il travaille pour quelques chanteuses et fonde
un groupe de jazz, Horn Stuff.

En 1983, il découvre la chanteuse Liane Foly, qui deviendra sa
compagne et pour laquelle il crée les premiers succès Au fur et à
mesure et Doucement. Il compose également pour d’autres artistes tels
Michel Petrucciani, Charles Aznavour, Gilbert Bécaud, Diane Dufresne,
Nicole Croisille, Natacha Atlas, Camille Bazbaz et Malia.

Après avoir sorti le livre La Mécanique des fluides et composé l’album
Cheyenne Song de Gaëtanne Abrial, André Manoukian sort le 30 juin 2008
Inkala, son premier album.

Achetez ici l’album Melanchology d’André Manoukian

Pour être informé des dernières news concernant André Manoukian,
inscrivez-vous gratuitement à la newsletter Musique.evous ici.

09/10/2011
Le Toboggan, Decines
15h

13/10/2011
Centre D’art Et De Culture, Meudon
20h45

05/12/2011
Alhambra, Paris
20h

17/03/2012
Arenes De l’Agora, Evry
20h

26/05/2012
La Passerelle, Fleury Les Aubrais
20h30

,1168735.html

Armenian President: Sarkozy doesn’t make statements to gain someone’s liking

October 9, 2011 – 17:30 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On October 8 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
visited Etchmiadzin to attend festive events dedicated to the City
Day.

The President laid flowers to the monument to Karabakh war heroes and
then took part in a solemn meeting where he was named an honorary
resident of the city. `It’s a great honor for me,’ he said, adding
that Etchmiadzin residents made a significant contribution to the
development of independent Republic of Armenia.

Commenting on the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his
statements in Yerevan, President Sargsyan said that Mr. Sarkozy
doesn’t make statements to gain someone’s liking.

`His statements once again proved that Armenia’s wish to normalize
relations with Turkey has nothing to do with the process of
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide,’ the RA President
said.

Russian experts says Armenia important country for West

October 9, 2011 – 17:08 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – An expert at the Institute of Political and Social
Studies of the Black Sea and Caspian Region, Andrey Areshev believes
that French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to the South Caucasus
has balanced the priorities of the west in the region.

`Till recently, cooperation with Baku was accented, for most part
being conditioned by the EU’s energy projects with Azerbaijan and
Georgia. Now, it become obvious that Armenia is also important for the
West as a political dimension against the background of Turkey’s
increasing role in the region,’ Areshev said, adding that the West is
likely to continue with applying various political combinations
pursuing tactical and strategic objectives to secure reliable
communicative corridors through the Central Asia.

`However, the events in Syria and Libya, where the West stakes on
radical Islamic forces, can be fatal for the Christian population,
specifically the Armenian community. So, a question arouses: does Mr.
Sarkozy, who is appealing to the feelings of the Armenian Diaspora
think about the fate of dozens of thousands of Armenian (and other
Christians) in Middle East? Or was the fate of these people, who have
already fallen victims to the adventure policy of the United States
and France, discussed during the French President’s visit to Armenia?’
the expert said, Analitika.at.ua reported.

Charles Aznavour “Shocking” Interview – Part 2

hetq
14:00, October 8, 2011

NA – In any case.

CA – They don’t want to accept the fact that they took a decision to
wipe a people off the face of the earth. Thus, we cannot forget what
happened. But we must advance towards hope.

The Turks along the border aren’t opposed to Armenians. The mayor of
Diyarbekir has openly stated that such recognition must happen. But
there are also those who state the opposite. The Turkish nation is
moving and moved at the funeral of Hrant Dink.

NA – And what is your opinion on Karabakh?

CA – It’s part of an overall program. At a minimum, it must be made
clear whether Karabakh belonged to Azerbaijan prior to Stalin
presenting it to Baku. Is Karabakh a part of Armenia? No, it’s a
sovereign country.

NA – Do you seek agreement with the authorities in Armenia before
making such pronouncements?

CA – Whenever I discuss my positions with them, they always say that I
am correct. But they do nothing. The same in France. It’s not possible
to talk with the authorities whoever they are.

I do not believe that France will do anything for us. Turkey is very
important for France and we can’t overlook this. France always
presents itself as powerful but come decision time it’s another
matter. France will never do anything for the Armenians. We have been
in a waiting mode for the past 90 years.

And today you are waiting for miracles even though the odds are
stacked against such a thing. I do not dream. My life is proof. I have
worked. I might not possess the mental prowess to effectively
articulate what I believe but I say it nevertheless because it’s what
I am thinking.

NA – Have you always been interested in politics?

CA – I am interested in politicians, both male and female. I want to
wait and see what they will do. Promises, promises. Yesterday, I
hosted my friend Besancenot. (Olivier Besancenot – French far left
political figure and trade unionist). I respect the man for his
sincerity.

NA – So, in reality, you wish to help Armenians?

CA – We must help them and the Turks. This issue between us must be
resolved is we are people with the will to do so.

NA – But the Armenians? Aren’t you plundering them just a bit? Do you
hold yourself accountable?

I have spent my life plundering society. Wouldn’t I do the same with
Armenians? One day my sister said to me – Do you believe that the
Turks can kill you one day?

The Armenians can do the same for the same reasons. I am a risk taker.
This is how I see reality. Will I suffer as a result? Perhaps. But let
the others show me a resolution and not just protestations.

I discussed the plight of Islamized Armenians with the RA President. I
told him something must be done because these people are neglected.
They must be helped.

We are not opposed to Islam. There are six wonderful mosques in
Armenia that were `saved’ despite orders by Stalin to destroy them.
Iran is doing what it can to renovate them.

We are a nation and a nation is comprised of all different sorts; the
very good and the very bad, and all religions. It is normal that we
have Christians, Jews and Muslims. Armenia must move in this
direction, just like Europe.

NA – You have known all three presidents of Armenia. Can you tell us
your impressions?

CA – No, that’s not my job. They are all men of goodwill. But
sometimes circumstances get in the way. In any case, none of the three
presidents has ever said `no’ to me. Perhaps they should have on
certain occasions.

What does it mean to be Armenian today? I would like to know. What
does a diaspora Armenia mean? To eat and drink well? To own a store
and rattle on about the genocide? Is that what being an Armenian is
all about? It is just not enough.

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Azerbaijan
Oct 7 2011

Azeri official says Sarkozy visit important for Karabakh settlement

An Azerbaijani high-ranking official has said the French president’s
visit to the South Caucasus on 6-7 October is important for the
Nagornyy Karabakh settlement.

“We think that [Nicolas Sarkozy’s] visit to the South Caucasus is very
significant. It is significant first of all because France is a
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, it is a country which is directly
involved in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagornyy Karabakh, and France has contributed, both within the Minsk
Group and individually, to efforts which Russia has been making for a
long time to settle this issue [conflict],” Ali Hasanov, head of the
public and political department under the Azerbaijani Presidential
Administration, said in remarks aired by commercial Azad Azarbaycan TV
on 7 October.