Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Yeni Safak , Turkey
Jan 15 2010

Turkey Must Get Used to Referenda

by Ziya Yusuf Comert

Responding to opposition criticism that Turkey "was turning into a
single-party dictatorship" Prime Minister Erdogan said: "Many things
that were never talked about have become discussable under the AKP
[Justice and Development Party]. Let us see who was meddling with the
columnists 10 years ago." Prime Minister Erdogan said that if
necessary the Constitution could be changed in order for "Democratic
Overture" projects concerning the Kurds, the Alevis and the Romanies
to be brought to life.

Returning from his trip to Russia, Prime Minister Erdogan chatted with
journalists aboard the plane and summed up both domestic and foreign
policy developments. Stating that work to abolish visa requirements
between both countries may be concluded by the time Medvedev comes to
Turkey, Erdogan said that should the problems between Armenia and
Azerbaijan be solved this would make it easier to normalize
Turkish-Armenian relations. Prime Minister Erdogan hinted that
referenda might be held from time to time after the law is changed to
shorten the preparation period for referenda. Commenting on opposition
criticism of "civilian fascism" Erdogan said: "They are saying that
the AKP’s vote has dropped to 26 per cent. So, why are you crying?
There is only a year-and-a-half to go before the next general
election. The people will elect you and you will be in power."

The opposition should be dancing with joy

[Comert] The opposition says that Turkey is heading towards
"single-party fascism." The polls presented by the opposition show the
AKP vote has slumped to 26 per cent or so. What do you make of these
allegations?

[Erdogan] If this is really the case and the AKP vote has fallen to 26
per cent then Baykal and his friends should be dancing with joy, yet
they are talking about a civilian dictatorship. If our vote falls to
26 or below then the CHP [Republican People’s Party] and MHP
[Nationalist Action Party] combined vote will be in the 40s. If that
is the case then why are you crying? There is a month-and-a-half to go
before the next general election. You will increase your vote further.
The people will elect you. You will come to power if the nation puts
you there. But you will get nowhere by making slander.

We went from censorship to democracy

If the standard of democracy has increased it is all thanks to the
AKP. Many things that could not be talked about before have become
discussable under the AKP. Let us look back seven, eight, 10 years.
Let us see who was meddling with the columnists back then. We cannot
simply ignore the period of emergency rule. Look how far we have come.

Did the overture exist before?

We know how our citizens in the southeast gained many of their acquis.
The Romanies were never on anybody’s agenda. When we turned our
attention on them the MHP started to make preparations. Hello! Did the
Romanies not exist until yesterday? I never saw any overture because
of the "Kurdish problem" made before. I spoke in Diyarbakir in 2005.
The national unity and fraternity project includes minorities, Alevis
and Romanies.

Our colleagues have all but finalized the legal arrangements
shortening the period before a referendum. We should be able to make
these kinds of arrangements faster than 120 days. It is hard to hold a
referendum here. In the past very few referenda were held. The first
one was when Ozal was in power. Turkey should get used to referenda.

We shall seek consensus for constitution

[Comert] Is a constitutional amendment in the pipeline?

[Erdogan] Political parties are obliged to make changes to the law and
the Constitution. It goes without saying that Turkey needs to change
the Constitution. The conditions are not right for making such
detailed changes. We began work on this back in 2007. It got held up
by the 14 March process. We pressed ahead with our work. It would be
wrong for me to say that such and such a step will be taken. There are
preparations underway. Society demands it, and if a consensus is
reached in Parliament then we shall move forward. We are not boasting
that there will be 100 per cent consensus. We will work hard for a
consensus. If somebody takes a step for consensus then so shall we.
Earlier on we said let us form a consensus commission for
constitutional changes. The CHP did not join it.

Narrow scope changes

Any change to the Constitution will be narrow in scope. It will not be
broad. It will not be a package that ties up Parliament for days. Even
the simplest of changes can put wheel-clamps on work. We can do
constitutional changes that have a small number of articles. Changes
to the political parties and elections laws require a consensus.

New gas price deal

[Comert] There was a formula keeping our purchase price for Blue
Stream gas high. Has any progress been made?

[Erdogan] We pressured the Russians as much as we could. They are
saying that they can "reevaluate the situation by 10 November." A new
deal can be made regarding natural gas. Right now it is all up in the
air.

Turkey made visa proposal

[Comert] Scrapping visa requirements between Russia and Turkey was
this visit’s surprise. How did that happen?

[Erdogan] Mr Medvedev and Mr Putin welcomed the abolition of visas.
They said, "Let us start working on that." It was already on our
agenda. Our businessmen have expectations. Medvedev will be visiting
Turkey in May or June. We also suggested that the Turkish-Russian
Business Council meet in Istanbul. "Let us top that off with the visa
thing," we said. It was us who proposed scrapping visas. They regarded
it positively.

Armenia must withdraw

[Comert] Putin maintained that the Karbakh problem must be treated
separately from the normalizing of Turkish-Armenian relations. What do
you make of his approach?

[Erdogan] No matter how much we try to keep them separate, behind the
scenes they are connected. The doors closed when the problems between
Azerbaijan and Armenia began. You know the business about what the law
brings in the law can also send away, right? That is how it is here.
There has to be peace in order for such a step to be taken. The
problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia should go away. The occupation
of Karabakh should end. The Turkey-Armenia issue will be worked out
easily. If Armenia really has good intentions then it can start by
withdrawing from that region.

BDP members must be more prudent

[Comert] What do you make of the policy line to be followed by the BDP
[Peace and Democracy Party] that replaced the DTP [Democratic Society
Party]?

[Erdogan] It is our wish that they engage in politics under this roof
with diligence and prudence within a democratic parliamentary system
without making the same mistakes. There are serious democratic rights
under this roof. That rostrum grants so many opportunities. They said
so much from there. Different words said in different locations had
undesirable consequences. I have said it before, we are opposed to
dissolving legal identities. If an individual commits a crime they
should pay the price. As for Baydemir… First he spat venom then the
next day he retracted. Not elegant but unseemly. I will not tell
mayors that they are not politicians. Politicians must know very well
what they are saying. The AKP does have projects in that region. There
are investments that have not been made in 80 years. It is unseemly to
ignore all that.

International formula for nuclear power station

[Comert] A formula for "an international deal" with respect to a
nuclear power station was on the agenda. How is this process going to
end?

[Erdogan] The Council of State annulled the tender. We started a new
process. It is continuing. Work is being done. How is a deal made
between governments? The technical details are being worked on. Once
they are in place then we shall all meet up. Afterwards, all the prime
ministers will send the project to Parliament. It will be treated as
an international agreement. The Council of State will not be involved.
There are previous examples of this. It could take six months. Siemens
is Russia’s preferred partner. We are talking about two units of about
2,400-2,500 megawatts. The process will take up to seven years.
Preparations are in place for Sinop. We shall pursue the same method
here. We shall fix this using an intergovernmental agreement.

I was right when I said "it missed us"

[Comert] What do you make of the economic crisis as it stands right
now? You had said that the crisis had "missed" Turkey.

[Erdogan] Our finance sector was not affected by the crisis. In terms
of unemployment figures, we were also the least hard hit. Unemployment
was at 10.7 per cent when we came to office. The economic indicators
began to rise in 2010. We shall see this when the figures for the last
quarter are released. Our growth estimates for 2010 are modest. We are
saying 3.5 per cent, but I believe it will be higher.

I told Putin take the initiative

For us the step to be taken is obvious. There are corridors in front
of us. We took certain risks. We began with cargo flights between
Istanbul and Yerevan. We have opened the air corridor but the land
corridor is a different matter. There are currently many Armenians in
Turkey who are not citizens. Russia should take the initiative. I
spoke bluntly with Putin and Medvedev. Of the Minsk Three, the country
with the most influence over Armenia is Russia, then the United States
and then France.

We switched to strategic cooperation with Russia

[Comert] Can we assume that Turkish-Russian relations have entered a
new era with this visit?

[Erdogan] We first called our relations with Russia "a union of forces
between governments." We then switched to intergovernmental
cooperation. We are now at the level of strategic cooperation. We
expect to sign a "strategic cooperation agreement" when Medvedev comes
here. Just like with Syria and Iraq. Russia has made similar deals
with France and Germany. It will do this also with Turkey. The energy
business will change the fate of many things. We need to bring this to
life quickly.

[translated from Turkish]
From: Baghdasarian

Tehran Times – Iran
Jan 15 2010

Sarkisian, Medvedev to meet in Moscow next week

YEREVAN (Asbarez News) — Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian is set to
travel to Russia on January 18 for talks with Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev, the Armenian president’s spokesman Samvel Farmanyan said
Thursday at a press briefing.

According to Farmanyan, the two leaders will discuss strategic
relations and cooperation between the two countries as well as the
possibility of a tri-lateral meeting between Sarkisian, Medvedev and
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev.

`It’s natural that the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan can meet
both separately and in other formats unless the Karabakh conflict is
solved. There is nothing extraordinary here. On the contrary, it would
be strange if such meetings did not take place,’ Farmanyan said.

`As a Minsk Group Co-Chair country, Russia makes serious efforts to
solve the Karabakh issue and Armenia highly appreciates these
endeavors,’ Farmanyan said. `Thanks to the efforts of the President of
the Russian Federation, there have been two meetings in the trilateral
Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan format.’

The news of Sarkisian’s scheduled visit came as Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrapped up a high-level visit to Moscow Wednesday
where he met with counterpart Vladimir Putin for talks on energy
cooperation and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Sarkisian’s Defense Minister was also in Moscow Wednesday on a working
visit aimed at reviewing Armenia’s close military ties with Russia and
their future.

According to the Armenian presidential press office, both the Karabakh
negotiating process and the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement were on the
meeting’s agenda along with bilateral issues.

?code=212250
From: Baghdasarian

Consultations between Foreign Ministries of Armenia, Bulgaria expected
in Sofia

armradio.am
16.01.2010 14:07

Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and
Bulgaria will take place in Sofia on January 18.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinyan will leave for Sofia
to participate in the consultations, Press and Information Department
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
From: Baghdasarian

January 15, 2010
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

IN MEMORIAM
ARCHPRIEST FR. ANOUSHAVAN ARTINIAN

It is with deep sorrow that we learned of the passing of Archpriest
Fr. Anoushavan Artinian which occurred on Wednesday, January 13th,
2010, following a long illness.
Archpriest Fr. Artinian, who was retired at the time of
his death, served the Armenian Church for nearly 50 years,
specifically in Greece and the Eastern and Western United States. He
served for many years at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, playing a
large role in the establishment of the church.
Extreme Unction will take place during funeral mass on
Tuesday, January 19th, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Church in
Glendale, followed by the burial service.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, clergy,
and the Religious and Executive Councils express their condolences to
Yeretsgin Salpi Artinian, children Steve, Khajag, Houri, and their
families.
May his memory remain ever blessed.

EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY ON THE NAME DAY OF
ST. GARABED CHURCH

According to the Armenian Church calendar, Thursday, January 14 was
the Feast of St. John the Forerunner. This feast is also the name day
of St. Garabed Church in Hollywood.
Thus, on Sunday, January 17th, 2010, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and
deliver the sermon at St. Garabed Church. The blessing of madagh will
take place at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy.
The parish Pastor and Board of Trustees have organized a
reception on this occasion, which will take place immediately after
the church service at `Karapetian’ Hall. Sunday School students and
Rose and Alex Pilibos School students will participate in the cultural
program.

PRAYERS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE

As news reports emerge from Haiti following the devastating earthquake
which shook the island nation on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010, we have
learned that Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge
Miot, and over one hundred priests are among the victims.
On Thursday, January 14th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, sent a letter of condolence to H.E. Cardinal
Roger Mahony, expressing his sympathies on behalf of Prelacy clergy
and faithful on this tragic loss of life.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, prayers will be offered
for the victims of the earthquake during Divine Liturgy on Sunday,
January 17th.
We call upon our faithful to participate in these prayers
and also in the relief efforts by extending a helping hand through the
many humanitarian organizations involved in this effort.
From: Baghdasarian

RA MES: RESCUERS READY TO LEAVE FOR HAITI

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.01.2010 16:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Rescue group of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency
Situations are ready to leave for Haiti and provide the necessary
assistance.

According to the press office of RA Ministry of Emergency Situations,
a detachment of 50 rescuers was quickly formed, the Lieutenant-Colonel
Avetik Manukyan was appointed as detachment commander, and the deputy
director of the Armenian Rescue Service of RA Ministry of Emergency
Situations , Colonel Sergei Azaryan will be the detachment head.

An earthquake with 7.0 magnitude at the Richter scale occurred at the
coast of Haiti on January 12. Tremors were recorded at a 10 km depth,
15 km far from the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. According to
seismologists, earthquakes of such power are unprecedented in Haiti. A
few minutes after the first earthquake repeated earthquakes occurred,
reaching 6 points. The exact number of dead is unknown yet. According
to various estimations, the victims of disaster could be tens to
hundreds of thousands people.
From: Baghdasarian

EDITORIAL: BANKING & FINANCE IN THE CIS

Who’s Who Legal
Jan 15 2010

We identify 57 of the leading banking and finance lawyers in nine
jurisdictions in the following chapter, with Russia, Belarus and
Ukraine the best-represented nations.

In Russia, which provides 16 names for our list, a number of
international firms stood out. Herbert Smith LLP, which has "a great
reputation in financial work in the CIS", has four listings. Edward
Baring is well thought of and Artjom Buligin, Robin Wittering and
Alexei Roudiak are also listed. The firm’s clients include Citigroup,
Lehman Brothers Holding and ING Bank.

Allen & Overy LLP also has four listings in Russia. Anthony Humphrey,
head of the Russia practice group, is "very experienced in all
financial matters". Elena Tchoubykina, Dmitry Shiryaev and Edwin Tham,
who heads the Moscow corporate practice, complete the firm’s contingent
in this chapter.

Baker & McKenzie LLP has three listings – Serhiy Chorny and James
Hitch in Ukraine and Daniel Matthews in Azerbaijan. Chorny leads the
Kiev banking and finance and capital markets practice while Hitch is
the co-managing partner of the firm’s CIS operations. Daniel Matthews
is the managing partner of the Baku office and has advised clients
such as ING Bank, Unibank and Commerzbank.

Clifford Chance CIS Limited fields two lawyers in this chapter. Logan
Wright is head of the Moscow banking and finance practice and our
sources call him "outstanding for cross border work." Consultant
William Knowles is "a trusted advisor" who "knows the ins and outs
of the Russian legal system."

Andrei Danilov and Matthew Roazen from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
LLP are included. Danilov "has a great reputation in transactions
and financings in Russia" and Roazen is "highly esteemed," has acted
for major Russian banks and was previously general counsel for the
Russian Alfa Bank.

A number of individual Russia-based lawyers also recognised in
this chapter. Michael Bott at Linklaters CIS is "very good" and one
interviewee said, "I have worked with him many times over the years
and he is a great practitioner." Robert Lang-Anderson at Freshfields
Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is "reliable and a banking specialist," Hogan &
Hartson LLP’s Sergey Komolov is "distinguished" and Scott Senecal at
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is "a respected player who has
profound experience of the Russian market."

Two Belarusian firms stood out in our research. Vlasova Mikhel &
Partners achieves two inclusions and is "very well recognised." Alexey
Anischenko and Tatiana Emelianova are both highly nominated and the
practice group has clients such as Deutsche Structured Finance and
JSC Sombelbank. Maksim Salahub, Kiryl Apanasevich and Toomas Prangli
are listed from Sorainen. Salahub and Prangli co-manage the Minsk
office and the firm is considered "an important player in the Belarus
legal market". Alexander Botian at Borovtsov & Salei is "experienced
in advising international financial institutions." Igor Verkhovodko
from the Businessconsult firm and Eugene Lazarenkov of Law Firm TRUST
achieve further listings in this chapter.

Ukrainian firm Sayenko Kharenko has three inclusions and is the
most prominent firm from this country in our research. Vladimir
Sayenko, Michael Kharenko and Denis Serdyuk are all "well-regarded"
and the firm’s clients include the likes of BNP Paribas, HSBC and
UBS. Gide Loyrette Nouel’s Kiev office has a particular focus on
banking and finance law, and earns two listings in the following
pages. Karl Hepp de Sevelinges manages the office and Yaroslav
Gregirchak is also included. Asters’ head of banking and finance,
Armen Khachaturyan, who advises clients such as Morgan Stanley,
Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and UBS Investment Bank is recognised
and Nickolay Atanasov of Grischenko & Partners is "first rate." CMS
Cameron McKenna has one listing in this chapter – Oleksiy Levenets is
head of the banking and finance team in Kiev. Alexander Zavadetsky
at Arzinger "has extensive experience with international financial
institutions." Iryna Marushko is head of Lavrynovich & Partners’
banking and finance practice and Spencer & Kauffman’s managing partner,
Valentin Zagariya, is also appears.

Magisters’ Olga Khoroshylova in Ukraine is head of the Kiev capital
markets, banking and finance practice and is "highly respected"
by peers. Anna Rusetskaya is head of the corporate and M&A practice
in Minsk and our sources called her "one of the leading financial
lawyers in Belarus."

Moldovan financial boutique Turcan & Turcan achieves two listings.

Alexander Turcan is a "well known" and "absolutely first class
practitioner" while Octavian Cazac is thought to be "a top-drawer
banking lawyer." Victor Burac is "a familiar figure" and listed from
Individual Law Office Victor Burac. Roger Gladei at Gladei & Partners
"has very good experience" and Levintsa & Associates’ Victor Levintsa
and George Teodorescu of Vernon David Law Firm are also recognised.

In Azerbaijan, Elchin Mammadov, co-director of MGB Law Offices is
"prominent" while Roman Alloyarov at Omni Law Firm is "hard-working
and very skilled."

Three Armenian lawyers gain listings. Karen Bablyan and David Sargsyan
at Ameria Legal Practice are "top of the class" and Edward Mouradian
from International Legal Consulting is also highly nominated.

Rashid Gaissin in Kazakhstan is the head of the banking and finance
department of Grata Law Firm as well as its managing partner. Yuriy
Maltsev is listed from White & Case Kazakhstan LLP and Abai Shaikenov
of Salans is also included.

Sofiya Shakhraziyeva in Uzbekistan is highly nominated in our research
and called "an outstanding lawyer."

In Tajikistan, Shavkat Akhmedov at Akhmedov Azizov & Abdulhamidov,
Attorneys is "talented and responsive."

Kalikova & Associates gains the only listing in Kyrgyzstan. Ulan
Tilenbaev is "a reliable legal advisor for financial matters."

nalysis/article/19717/editorial-banking-finance-ci s/
From: Baghdasarian

ALL ARMENIAN CATHOLICOS TO VISIT MOSCOW

news.az
Jan 13 2010
Azerbaijan

Garegin II Catholicos Garegin II will visit Moscow.

On January 21-22 All Armenians Catholicos Garegin II will visit Moscow
where he will meet with Patriarch of Moscow and All Russians Cyrill,
archbishop Volokolamski Ilarion, chief of the external church relations
of the Moscow Patriarchate, told a news conference.

He said in 2010 the Russian church will develop relations with
Khaldikon churches. The main aim of Garegin’s visit to Moscow is to
participate in the annual ceremony of presenting the award of the
International Fund of Unity of the Orthodox People on January 21.

In turn, deputy chief of the department hieromonk Phillip informed that
the visit of Holy Patriarch Cyrill to Yerevan is due in March. In the
Armenian capital he will meet not only with the head of the Armenian
Apostle Church but also with senior officials of the state.

"This will be the first visit of Patriarch Cyrill to the Armenian
church with which it maintains traditionally good relations", noted
father Philip.

Catholicos of All Armenians is currently visiting the United States.
From: Baghdasarian

A PREDICTABLE FAIT ACCOMPLI IN YEREVAN

Team Keghart Editorial
12 January 2010

As expected, the Constitutional Court of Armenia has upheld the
constitutionality of the Protocols. Now the documents will be forwarded
to the parliament of Armenia for ratification, and then President
Serzh Sargsyan will have a final say.

Several Protocols-related matters are particularly worrisome. Although
the Protocols are not ordinarily dealt as treaties, in this instance
they are being accorded all the fanfare and prestige of a treaty,
thus making it even more difficult to either bypass their provisions
or abrogate them by a subsequent administration. Usually Protocols
are dealt as "letters of agreement", which are much less restrictive
in parameters.

As to whether the Protocols represent Armenian national interests
(Armenia, Diaspora or Western Armenia) remains a moot point at best
and is wide open for discussion.

Article 11 of the Declaration of Independence, dated August 23,
1990, states, "The Republic of Armenia stands in support of the
task of achieving international recognition of the 1915 Genocide in
Ottoman Turkey and Western Armenia." The measured wording does not
explicitly mention our legitimate land claims from Turkey. Hence,
those who have forwarded the thesis that the Protocols violate the
intent of the Declaration of Independence are at least partially wrong.

As to constitutionality, there are only two main articles in the
constitution that are relevant to the case, while the second is
remotely related:

"Chapter 1: The Foundations of Constitutional Order Article 9 The
foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia shall be conducted in
accordance with the principles and norms of the international law,
with the aim of establishing good neighborly and mutually beneficial
relations with all states.

According to the above article it can be posited that the intent of
the Protocols is to establish "neighborly and mutually beneficial
relations".

"Article 100 The Constitutional Court shall, in conformity with
the procedure defined by law: 2) prior to the ratification of
international treaties determine the compliance of the commitments
stipulated therein with the Constitution."

This is remotely relevant, and unfortunately–as said earlier–the
Protocols have been elevated to the status of treaties.

The only solace for those who object to the constitutionality is
dependent on how the preamble of the constitution is interpreted
(bolded by Keghart).

"The Armenian People, recognizing as a basis the fundamental principles
of the Armenian statehood and national aspirations engraved in the
Declaration of Independence of Armenia, having fulfilled the sacred
message of its freedom loving ancestors for the restoration of the
sovereign state, committed to the strengthening and prosperity of the
fatherland, to ensure the freedom, general well being and civic harmony
of future generations, declaring their faithfulness to universal
values, hereby adopts the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia."

Here too, the constitution does not make land claims. There is only
a vague reference to "national aspirations" and "restoration of the
sovereign state"

Thus, it should not come as a surprise that the Court upheld the
constitutionality of the Protocols.

The answer to land claims and what descendents of Genocide
survivors define "national aspirations" lie elsewhere. Only through
re-organization of the Diaspora, and making use of all its potentials,
can the Diaspora hope to achieve what it aspires, in tandem with what
Armenia as a state can do.

Fortunately, such positive developments are blossoming in various
Armenian communities and organizations around the globe. The upcoming
12 months could determine whether Diaspora-driven initiatives regarding
our legitimate land claims are on the right track. To quote a wise
Armenian saying, "If you have fingernails, scratch your own head"
Yeghounk ounis, kloukhet kere.

Yes, we do have fingernails–no thanks to Serzh Sargsyan and Co.
From: Baghdasarian

Russia’s Jazz Pioneer Georgy Garanian Lived Good Life Without Any Wars

13.01.2010 Source:
3-01-2010/111643-garanian-0

A famous musician and a People’s Artist of Russia passed away at age 75.
According to his widow, Nelly Zakirova, Garanian suffered a heart attack on
January 11, 2010, at 11 am.

It happened in Krasnodar, Russia, where the musician was scheduled to
conduct the Krasnodar Municipal Big Band during two planned concerts on
January 15 and 16 with a famous French soloist Michel Legrand.

People of all generations used to come to Georgy Garanian ‘s concerts,
including older generations and those who only began to discover the
wonderful genre of jazz. They learned about Georgy Garanian from their
parents who still have vinyl records of Melodia band and bring them to
concerts to get an autograph of the living legend.

Yuri Saulsky, one of the patriarchs of Russian jazz and the president of the
Moscow Jazz Agency shared his thoughts: "Creative career of one of the most
famous Soviet jazz musicians Georgy Garanian was shaping up before my eyes.
He is a brilliant representative of mainstream who largely affected this
concept in Russian jazz music. Garanian is a saxophonist , composer,
arranger, and a director who was greatly skilled in all these professions.
He is without a doubt one of the most important personas of the contemporary
Russian jazz."

He paid a great deal of attention to educating others about jazz. He was the
author and host of a radio program Jazz Club of Georgy Garanian and the host
of TV program Jam-5.

He was a laureate of many international jazz festivals in Prague, Bombay,
Havana, Warsaw, Finland and Israel. He was a member of the Russian Alliance
of Composers since 1975 and a member of the Russian Alliance of Moviemakers
since 1996 and a member of the Movie Academy Nika, as well as a Companion of
Honor (1999).

He was the first Russian jazz musician to be named a Distinguished Artist
(1981) and a People’s Artist of Russia (1992). Regular sell outs in the
Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory made him the first jazz musician to
receive the State Prize of Russia.

Yet, all his titles and fans did not make him change. Garanian remained a
very modest person.

He used to say that good jazz musicians in Russia lived a good life. He said
that jazz in Russia was popular and concert halls were always packed with
fans. He mentioned that many of his American friends who were great
musicians had to work day jobs to be able to play jazz at night. He
considered himself lucky being able to make money doing something he loved.

Garanian was calm and wise. He was not only a musician and a teacher, but
also a real peacemaker. He was raised in a Russian-Armenian family and
absorbed both cultures, therefore he always called for peace between
conflicting nations.

"I think that conflicts between nations are a sign of contemporary times. It
was not like this before . I had two Azerbaijanis working in my band . Look
at my family . My wife, Nelly Zakirova, is a Muslim, I am a Christian, and
we never have "religious wars." We are both spiritual people and respect
each other. I can also add that my step daughter took my last name and wrote
"Armenian" in the nationality field. By the way, I have three daughters. The
eldest Natalia is a psychologist, Karina lives in the USA, she is a computer
designer, and Veronica is a journalist, she works in France. She graduated
from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and works in TV. My wife Nelly is a
journalist and I can see her reports on TV," Garanian said.

Garanian thought his textbook on orchestration written in the 1970s to be
his greatest educational achievement. The book is still used by students of
Russian music schools and Institutes.

C 1999-2009. <PRAVDA.Ru>.
From: Baghdasarian

DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECISION UNCERTAIN
Anna Nazaryan

"Radiollur"
12.01.2010 14:37

The Constitutional Court of Armenia today took into examination the
protocols on "Establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic
of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey" and "Development of bilateral
relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey."

The sitting was attended by all nine members of the Constitutional
Court, representatives of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun, the Republican
and Heritage factions of the National Assembly, as well as some
non-parliamentary forces. President Sargsyan’s official representative
was Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

President of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan said they have
received a number of letters, which will be taken into consideration.

Later the Court started a closed-door discussion.

Judge Volodya Hovhannissyan will report on the constitutionality of
the commitments enlisted in the protocols. Taking into consideration
the peculiarities of international agreements, the court decided to
organize the discussion in the written procedure.

"I find it hard to answer whether the decision will be taken today or
tomorrow, but the Constitutional Court will inform about the decision,"
Gagik Harutyunyan said.

Representative of the Supreme Body of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Armen
Rustamyan considers, however, that there have been a lot of closed-door
discussion on the Armenian-Turkish protocols, and the consultations
had better be public. Armen Rustamyan does hope that all the remarks
will be taken into consideration and a correct decision will be made.

ARF Dashnaktsutyun and Heritage are holding an act of protest in
front of the Constitutional Court.
From: Baghdasarian