SEVAG MEKHITARIAN – CHAMPION OF SAO PAULO-HOSTED BLITZ TOURNAMENT
Panorama
May 17 2011
Armenia
Sao Paulo-hosted blitz tournament of the strongest chess players
finished with the victory of Armenian GM Krikor-Sevag Mekhitarian,
“armchess.am” informs. The tournament was held with knock-out system.
At first, Sevag won FM Luiz Abdalla (2:1), then – GM Felipe El Debs
(2:0), and, in the final, Mekhitarian had a victory over GM Gilberto
Milos (2:1).
From: Baghdasarian
ARMENIAN ECOLOGISTS STAND FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 17, 2011 – 17:16 AMT
Head of Ecological Academy NGO Greta Gabrielyan said Armenia needs
to develop alternative types of energy, specifically solar energy,
instead of constructing a new nuclear unit of the Armenian nuclear
power plant (NPP).
“There are favorable conditions for the development of solar energy
in Armenia,” Gabrielyan told journalists on May 17 during public
hearings on construction of the new nuclear unit of the Armenian NPP.
The funds needed for NPP’s closure, as well as prevention of
environment pollution should be considered in cost calculation
of various types of energy. If they are taken into consideration,
nuclear energy is much more expensive, according to Gabrielyan.
She noted that the annual flow of solar energy makes 1700 kilowatts/h
per square meter in Armenia, while the average European index makes
1000 kilowatt/h per square meter.
Besides, Gabrielyan noted that a trend of nuclear energy rejection
and transfer to alternative energy is observed in the world, while
Armenia should also follow this example.
The public hearings were held by the Armenian Ministry of Energy
and Natural Resources and Metsamorenergoatom CJSC jointly with the
Ministry of Nature Protection and Armavir Mayor’s Office.
From: Baghdasarian
MANJIKAIN: ODE TO AZNAVOUR
By: Lalai Manjikian
Tue, May 17 2011
Start spreading the news: Aznavour is taking over Manhattan! An
early gala celebrating Armenia’s 20th anniversary will take place
in New York City on May 20 and will pay tribute to globally renowned
songwriter and singer Charles Aznavour.
Leaving my teenage years behind (something Aznavour laments so
masterfully in “Hier Encore”), his songs continue to resonate with
me-as life progresses, as situations and perspectives change and
evolve-and his songs take on new hues.
The entertainer will be honoured for his achievements within the
world of music and for his service to Armenia. This sparkling event,
taking place at the lavish Cipriani Wall Street, is organized by the
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and features an honorary committee
including the likes of Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Celine Dion,
Placido Domingo, Atom Egoyan, and Sir Elton John, to name just a few.
Charles Aznavour, a scattered bead himself, is an Armenian ambassador
par excellence throughout Armenia and the diaspora. In fact, he
conveniently holds the actual position of Ambassador of Armenia to
Switzerland. French is the language he mainly creates and sings in,
yet his appeal is universal in more ways than one.
Referred to as a songwriter, composer, philanthropist, and diplomat,
I consider Aznavour as a point of reference in a sea of cultures that
collide within lands built on immigration, such as Canada. On several
occasions, dropping Aznavour’s name has salvaged awkward moments
and puzzled expressions following questions like, “What language is
that you’re speaking?” or “Where are you from, originally?” When the
answer is stated simply as “Armenian,” there is often either a moment
of silence or an unconvincing “Oh.” However, the instant I utter the
words, “Armenian, just like Aznavour,” a sigh of relief takes over.
Aznavour remains quite popular in a city like Montreal, known for
its bi-cultural and bilingual (French-English) dynamics. The mere
mention of his name triggers an immediate response besides the obvious
ethnic association; the reaction is mostly positive, warm, and often
accompanied by a French-Canadian, or any middle-aged man or woman,
breaking into a spontaneous and passionate rendition of “La Bohème.”
Aznavour has a special place in the heart of Quebecers, likely because
Quebec has a tendency to latch on to any cultural expression that is
in French, given their quest for national independence and for the
preservation of the language within the absorbing cultural influences
of English Canada and America just to the south.
However, Aznavour himself has a special attachment to this province.
After all, his conquest of North America first began in Quebec during
the late 1940’s, when he performed in cabarets in Montreal and Quebec
City before becoming famous internationally. Charles Aznavour was born
in France, but has established and maintained several professional
and personal ties to this largely francophone metropolis across the
pond, where he remains widely appreciated and revered to this day. In
his memoirs, he refers to his friends and musical entourage in the
province as “nos cousins Quebecois” (our Quebecer cousins).
One of the most memorable moments I had as a teenager was seeing
Aznavour perform on stage in Montreal. This man, diminutive in stature,
invaded the stage with his presence and voice. I recall taking a step
back into time, perhaps to my parents’ youth, although his poetic
lyrics have an everlasting contemporariness to them.
I realized then that one doesn’t have to rely on artifice to create
a remarkable show. With Aznavour under a spotlight, his voice and
charisma against a black back drop was all I needed to be transported
to somewhere in Montmartre circa 1966. At the time, I knew very little
of that place and era, and the true impact of his art, but I did know
that it was all very appealing to me.
Leaving my teenage years behind (something Aznavour laments so
masterfully in “Hier Encore”), his songs continue to resonate with
me-as life progresses, as situations and perspectives change and
evolve-and his songs take on new hues.
Whether or not you agree that he is one of the most famous diasporans
around, it would be misguided to diminish Aznavour’s contributions
to Armenia, as well as his pure talent, genius, and especially his
place on the world musical stage. Many have critiqued him, frowned
upon some of his decisions and statements, and they are free to do so,
just as the artist himself is free to make his claims.
He is timeless and will be for generations to come. I went to three
more Aznavour concerts over the years. The last one was supposedly part
of his farewell tour. He then came back for one last performance…
It’s also known as Armenian persistence. I am almost certain he will
be back to his old love, Quebec.
In the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to have more scattered beads in
the making to namedrop…
From: Baghdasarian
WHY DID TURKISH JOURNALIST DECIDE THAT RA PRESIDENT RECALLED SIGNATURE UNDER PROTOCOLS?
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 17, 2011 – 20:06 AMT
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has not stated that Armenia recalled
the Protocols on the Armenian-Turkish normalization, Spokesman for
the Armenian leader Armen Arzumanyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.
According to 168 Hours paper, Turkish journalist Ayse Gunaysui,
a reporter of Armenian weekly in Boston, stated that “the Armenian
President recalled the protocols, since Turkey set the Karabakh
problem as a precondition.”
Turkey has not ratified the Protocols signed on October 10, 2009,
in Zurich. Turkey set the Karabakh problem and Armenia’s rejection of
the policy aimed at the Armenian Genocide international recognition
as a precondition. The Protocols contain nothing about preconditions.
From: Baghdasarian
BAKU FORGETS THAT KARABAKH IS NOT RELATED TO AZERBAIJAN UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 17, 2011 – 20:38 AMT
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the Karabakh conflict
should be solved based on the international law. Azerbaijan’s
“territorial integrity” should be restored, Aliyev told journalists
after his meeting with President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus.
He is echoed by Novruz Mammadov, the head of the international
relations department at the Azerbaijani President’s Administration,
who stated that “Azerbaijan is well aware of the principle of
territorial integrity.”
According to him, the territorial integrity envisages “Nagorno
Karabakh’s autonomy as part of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.”
However, Baku misunderstands or to be more precise misinterprets the
international law. It must have forgotten that after the collapse of
the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan announced itself as a legal successor of
the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, but not of the Azerbaijan Soviet
Socialist Republic.
Specifically, Article 2 of the Constitutional Act of the Republic of
Azerbaijan on independent statehood of the Republic of Azerbaijan
reads: “The Republic of Azerbaijan is a legal successor of the
Azerbaijan Republic dating back to the period of May 28,1918-April
28, 1920.”
Nagorno Karabakh, with 94% of Armenian population, by the decision of
the Caucasus Bureau was included in the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist
Republic in a capacity of autonomy in 1921.
The historical reality indicates that Karabakh is not anyhow related
to Azerbaijan, while the international law is completely observed
and rehabilitated here and now.
From: Baghdasarian
THE MINSK GROUP SHOULD BE THE ONLY FORMAT FOR KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
armradio.am
17.05.2011 16:19
On May 17 the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, Hovik
Abrahamyna, received the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic
of Hungary Laszlo Kover.
Welcoming the guest, Hovik Abrahamyan thanked him for accepting his
invitation and visiting Armenia and noted that his visit would open
new perspectives for the development of the Armenian-Hungarian
inter-parliamentary relations and promote the enhancement and
development of bilateral relations.
Expressing his gratitude for invitation and warm reception Laszlo
Kover noted that it was the first ever visit of the Speaker of the
Hungarian Parliament to Armenia and expressed conviction that his
visit would promote not only the deepening of cooperation between
the parliaments, but also the development of inter-state relations.
The parties discussed issues of bilateral interest, emphasized the
deepening of cooperation in international structures, the role of
parliamentary diplomacy in the development of bilateral relations
and also touched upon regional problems.
In this context NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan stressed that the conflicts
should be solved through peaceful negotiations, and the war was not
an option in the 21st century. Expressing his consent with Hovik
Abrahamyan, Laszlo Kover voiced hope that all regional problems would
be solved through peace talks, excluding the military option.
The sides agreed that the only format of the settlement of the NK
conflict should be the OSCE Minsk Group.
From: Baghdasarian
REGIONAL COUNTRIES HAVE NO LEGAL GROUNDS TO RESIST CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN NPP’S NEW UNIT
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 17, 2011 – 16:34 AMT
Armenian Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Areg Galstyan
said that Armenia informs the region’s countries on the project for
construction of a new nuclear unit of the Armenian nuclear power plant
in compliance with the international law, without any legal violations.
Three (Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia) out of four regional countries
expressed willingness to discuss the matter, Galstyan told public
hearings on the nuclear unit construction held on May 17 in Armavir
region.
According to him, concerns of the regional countries are clear, taking
into consideration the NPP’s proximity to their borders. “The regional
countries have no any legal grounds to resist the construction,”
said Galstyan.
He added that Geneva is scheduled to host discussions on construction
of the new nuclear unit of the Armenian NPP with international
ecological organizations in June.
From: Baghdasarian
SERGE SARKISSIAN ADMET UN BLOCAGE DANS LES NEGOCIATIONS DE PAIX
Marion
armenews.com
mercredi 18 mai 2011
Le president Serge Sarkissian a declare dans une interview, publiee
lundi 17 mai, que l’Armenie et l’Azerbaïdjan ont des interpretations
differentes sur les deux principes cles d’un accord-cadre de règlement
du conflit du Haut-Karabagh propose par les mediateurs internationaux.
Il a fait reference a l’integrite territoriale internationalement
reconnue des Etats et le droit des peuples a l’autodetermination,
deux principes fondamentaux appuyes par les Etats-Unis, la Russie et
la France.
” Ils [l’Azerbaïdjan] considèrent le droit a l’autodetermination
comme une simple auto-determination dans le cadre de l’integrite
territoriale de l’Azerbaïdjan “, a declare S. Sarkissian au quotidien
russe Moskovskie Novosti.
” Une telle auto-determination n’existe pas, il s’agit d’une
autodetermination inegale et primitive. Par consequent, tant que
l’Azerbaïdjan ne comprend pas le sens de ce principe, il sera très
difficile de progresser vers la resolution du conflit. ”
S. Sarkissian a egalement insiste sur le fait que l’integrite
territoriale des Etats ” ne signifie pas l’inviolabilite des frontières
“. ” Sinon, les nouveaux Etats n’auraient pas ete institues dans
le monde. Et au cours des 20-30 dernières annees, des dizaines de
nouveaux Etats sont apparus sur la carte. ”
Les principes de base, qui ont d’abord ete officiellement proposes
aux parties en conflit fin 2007, appellent a un règlement par etapes
qui commencerait par la liberation des territoires armeniens occupes
qui entourent le Haut-Karabagh. En retour, le territoire conteste,
majoritairement peuple d’Armeniens, pourrait determiner son futur
statut via un referendum.
” Le Haut-Karabagh a defendu son independance dans une guerre sanglante
et amère, dans des conditions extremement difficiles, et il est naïf
de penser que la population du Haut-Karabagh pourrait renoncer a ce
qu’elle a accompli “, a declare S. Sarkisian.
Ces interpretations diametralement opposees des mediateurs sur un
règlement pacifique depuis des annees interrogent sur la capacite des
parties a trouver une solution mutuellement acceptable au differend.
From: Baghdasarian
Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email. [email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
May 17, 2011
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian (ANCA)
[email protected] / (202) 775-1918
POLITICO’S NATIONAL POLITICS EDITOR CHARLES MAHTESIAN TO KEYNOTE
ANCA’S ARMENIAN CAUSE 2.0 CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON, DC – Nationally respected journalist and political
expert Charles Mahtesian will serve as a keynote speaker at
Armenian Cause 2.0, an innovative weekend-long training and
educational seminar aimed at taking Armenian American advocacy to
the next level, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA.)
“We are pleased to share that Charlie Mahtesian will be featured as
our keynote speaker for Armenian Cause 2.0, our national
conference,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “There
is simply nobody better in Washington – or anywhere else – at
understanding the big picture and explaining all the complex issues
and interests at stake in the 2012 election season. His
presentation promises to be a highlight of a truly remarkable
program.”
Mahtesian’s talk will be part of an array of insider presentations,
interactive and hands-on training sessions, and visits to Capitol
Hill, planned for Armenian Cause 2.0: Social Networks, Grassroots
Power and Smart Advocacy, organized by the ANCA and ANCA Endowment
Fund, Inc. The Washington, DC conference will be held June 24-27th
at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel. Mahtesian will discuss the political
landscape of the 2012 elections and the challenges and
opportunities of the coming electoral cycle. His remarks will be
delivered on Sunday, June 26th, during the main conference
luncheon.
The weekend’s educational schedule will be complemented by social
and networking programming (all included in the registration fee)
that features:
— A welcoming reception with a skyline view of the White House and
the monuments on the Washington Mall.
— A private guided tour and “Tea on the Terrace” garden reception
in the home of President Woodrow Wilson, the signer of the Arbitral
Award, and the location of the famous Armenian painting,
L’Esperance.
— A catered evening dinner reception at the Embassy of the
Republic of Armenia.
— A group visit and photo on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial,
overlooking the reflecting pool, the Washington Monument, and the
U.S. Capitol.
— An evening cruise past the monuments along the Potomac River,
with drinks and food.
To register for the conference and take advantage of the special
ANCA hotel rate of $149/night plus tax, visit
by May 27, 2011.
Mahtesian – Politics Reporting at its Finest.
Mahtesian is the national politics editor of POLITICO, the leading
political news publication covering Congress and the
Administration. Previously he served as editor of National
Journal’s Almanac of American Politics, the biennial book often
referred to as “the bible of American politics.”
A consumate politics reporter, Mahtesian spent eight years as a
national correspondent for Governing magazine, where he covered
state legislatures, governors and urban politics and previously
with Congressional Quarterly, where he was also a contributing
writer to the books “Politics in America” and “Congressional
Districts in the 1990s.”
Mahtesian’s election night insights have been featured on National
Public Radio, with his political analysis spotlighted on numerous
radio and television programs, including NPR’s “All Things
Considered,” MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” and on FOX
News, C-SPAN, CNN and the BBC.
#####
Photo Caption: Politico National Politics Editor Charles Mahtesian
From: Baghdasarian
TURKISH UNIVERSITY TO OFFER ARMENIAN LANGUAGE COURSE
N ew York Times
May 16 2011
By THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE
Published: May 16, 2011
Using a $23,500 grant from the German Marshall Fund~Rs Black Sea Trust,
Kadir Has University in Istanbul plans to begin offering Armenian
language lessons this month.
Serdar Dinler, director of the university~Rs Center for Lifelong
Learning, said by telephone that the course would be taught by a
doctoral candidate from Armenia as part of a cultural exchange between
countries whose ties have been fraught for a century.
~STurkey is becoming an energy-transit corridor and a center for
diplomacy in the region,~T Mr. Dinler said. ~SAlso the Turkish
government has a new ~Qzero problems~R policy with its neighbors, so we
believe that the new generation in Turkey needs to have more dialogue
with neighboring countries, including Armenia, Russia, Iran, Greece,
etc. Knowing the language can only help.~T
Kadir Has is a private university established along the Golden Horn in
1997 and named after its founder, a Turkish automotive magnate.
SUSANNE FOWLER
From: Baghdasarian