Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

TURKISH COURT DROPS STATE SLANDER CHARGES AGAINST 4 JOURNALISTS
Chris Buell
JURIST
April 11 2006
[JURIST] A Turkish court on Tuesday dropped criminal charges against
four journalists over reports critical of a court opinion [JURIST
report] last fall, but the court upheld charges against a fifth
journalist. The court dismissed charges against the four because it
held that prosecutors failed to file charges within the two months
following publication of the stories. The court upheld charges against
Radikal columnist Murat Belge. Belge could face up to 10 years in
prison if convicted of the charge under Turkish Penal Code Article 301
[Amnesty International backgrounder], which criminalizes insulting
“state judicial institutions.”
The five journalists were accused [JURIST report] of publishing stories
critical of a court ruling that would have banned a conference on
Turkey’s involvement in the alleged genocide of its minority Armenian
population under the Ottoman Empire. Similar charges against novelist
Orhan Pamuk were dropped [JURIST report] earlier this year. Turkey
[JURIST news archive] has been under pressure from the EU to improve
its freedom of expression laws as part of its bid for EU membership.
/2006/04/turkish-court-drops-state-slander.php
From: Baghdasarian

LEVON POGHOSYAN REFUSED FROM HIS DEPUTY’S MANDATE
ArmRadio.am
10.04.2006 15:44
NA Deputy Levon Poghosyan has refused from his mandate, deciding to
return to entrepreneurial activity.
Today Levon Poghosyan submitted a corresponding application to NA
Chairman.
From: Baghdasarian

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION HEAD ARRIVING IN YEREVAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
10.04.2006 20:52 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Chief Executive Officer of the US Millennium
Challenge Corporation John Danilovich is arriving in Yerevan
today. In the words of Minister of Finance and Economy of Armenia
Vardan Khachatryan, the aim of the visit is to discuss details of the
Millennium Challenge Account in Armenia, acquaint with preparation
works on establishment of the Millennium Challenge Corporation office
in Armenia, planned to be run in June 2006. Within the framework
of the visit projects already implemented in Armenia within the
Millennium Challenge Account and planned programs will be considered,
reports Novosti-Armenia.
To remark, the Compact on providing $235.5 million for 5 years
within the Millennium Challenge Account was signed in Washington by
V. Khachatryan and J. Danilovich on March 27.
From: Baghdasarian

Waterloo Record, Canada
April 8 2006
Passion for song
Isabel Bayrakdarian uses her voice as an expression of faith in God
LIANNE ELLIOTT

PHOTO BY LINDSAY LOZON
Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian is performing Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
with the Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir next Friday at the
Centre in the Square in Kitchener.

KITCHENER (Apr 8, 2006)
Wherever Isabel Bayrakdarian is, she’ll slip into the nearest church
and beg to sing a few songs with the choir.
She’ll put on whatever second-hand vestment the choirmaster can
scrounge up and line up alongside the other singers.
The Canadian soprano has done this while travelling through Europe,
North America and the Middle East.
Most of the time, the singers in the choirs will recognize her. They
realize the young woman begging to sing alongside them is actually
one of the fastest rising stars in the world of classical music.
But sometimes, Bayrakdarian can remain anonymous as she joins a
choir’s ranks.
“They can’t believe someone has come out of the blue to sing,” says
Bayrakdarian, who is performing with the Kitchener Waterloo
Philharmonic Choir on Friday.
“Sometimes they’ll say, ‘You should try taking singing lessons, you
have a good voice.’ ”
Bayrakdarian has performed with world-renown companies like the
Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
She has had triumphant concerts at New York’s Carnegie Hall, she’s
won three Juno Awards and she sang on the Grammy-winning Lord of the
Rings: The Two Towers soundtrack.
But still, she’s passionate about singing with small church choirs.
She joins them when she’s at home and when she’s on tour.
“What I love about that is that I’m expressing my faith and the
existence of God through the voice that he has given me,” she says,
on the telephone from her Toronto home.
“You’re using the voice to praise the one who created it.”
This is why Bayrakdarian is thrilled to be part of the philharmonic
choir’s traditional Good Friday concert.
This year, the choir will perform J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion at
the Centre in the Square.
The piece tells the Good Friday story, its lyrics using the words of
the Gospel of St. Matthew to tell of Jesus’ betrayal, suffering and
death.
“It’s what Christ went through,” Bayrakdarian says. “It’s moving as
well as humbling.
“To be given the opportunity to sing it and be a part of it — I
almost don’t feel we should be paid to do this.”
The concert promises to be spectacular, drawing 160 singers from the
Philharmonic choirs, a few dozen musicians from the
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and seven world-class soloists, including
Bayrakdarian.
It’s a piece of music that conductor Howard Dyck is passionate about.
“There is no doubt that the audience will be taken by the
magnificence and beauty of the music,” he says. “If they are
Christians, they’ll be taken and deeply touched by the story that is
so central to Christian faith.
“Even if they’re not Christians, there’s a deep humanity to Bach that
will touch them too.”
He has brought together a list of prominent singers to sing the key
parts of the passion.
Tenor John Aler, a great American singer, will play the crucial role
of the evangelist, the narrator of the passion. Gary Relyea, one of
Canada’s best bass-baritones, will sing the part of Jesus.
A Canadian up-and-comer, baritone Peter McGillivray is singing the
words of Peter, Pilot and Judas.
The philharmonic choir will sing the group parts — the disciples,
the mob, the high priests. Choir members will also sing verses that
allow Bach to interpret the work, asking what it means for the
listener.
Also on board are mezzo-soprano Susan Platts, a Kitchener woman who
studied under opera star Jessye Norman, and Joseph Schnurr, a young
Kitchener tenor who studies in Berlin.
And of course, there’s Bayrakdarian.
She has been singing ever since she was a little girl growing up in
Lebanon. At just 3 years old, she started singing with her mother,
sisters and brothers in the choir at their Armenian Apostolic Church,
the faith they belong to as Armenians.
But Bayrakdarian never imagined she could turn singing into a career.
After she and her family immigrated to Canada, she did a degree in
biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto.
“I was always good in math and sciences,” she says. “I thought that
was the path I was meant to do.”
Still, she took singing lessons on the side and entered local
competitions. In 2000, she won the Operalia competition, one of the
most prestigious international competitions for young singers. Her
singing career was born.
She now performs around the world and has made several recordings.
Last weekend, she and her husband, pianist Serouj Kradjian, won a
Juno for their recording of Viardot-Garcia: Lieder Chansons Canzoni
Mazurkan.
But Bayrakdarian has never performed St. Matthew Passion before. This
week, she and Dyck spent a day rehearsing her part at the piano in
her Toronto home.
Bayrakdarian will come to Kitchener on Wednesday to start rehearsing
with the full choir and orchestra.
“It went smoothly with Howard,” she says of the first rehearsal. “I’m
sure it will be just magical with an orchestra.”
[email protected]
CONCERT
What : J.S. Bach: St. Matthew Passion
When: Good Friday (April 14)
Who: Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir
with guests:
Isabel Bayrakdarian
Susan Platts
John Aler
Peter McGillivray
Joseph Schnurr
Gary Relyea
Where: Centre in the Square
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $33-$39
Phone: 519-578-1570
1-800-265-8977
From: Baghdasarian

CONTRACT OF CHIEF TRAINER OF ARMENIAN NATIONAL TEAM HENK VISMAN NOT PROLONGED
YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The Chairman of the Armenian Football
Federation did not prolong the contract of Henk Visman, chief trainer
of the Armenian national team, in consequence of not achieving any
agreement during the talks with the Armenian Football Federation.
Noyan Tapan was informed about it from the Armenian Football Federation.
From: Baghdasarian

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
07-04-2006
Minister Oskanian Visits Moscow
Minister Oskanian was in Moscow on a three-day working visit, April 5 – 7.
On the evening of May 5, he met with Igor Ivanov, Secretary of the Security
Council of the Russian Federation. During the meeting, the two discussed the
present status of Armenian-Russian relations and exchanged views on a number
of issues of mutual interest related to regional and international security
and stability.
On April 6, the Minister met with Yuri Merzlyakov, Russian co-chair of the
OSCE Minsk Group, at the Armenian Embassy in Russia.
Later in the day, Minister Oskanian met with Russian businessmen of Armenian
origin. He welcomed their interest and confidence in Armenia’s economy. He
expressed appreciation for the projects that Armenians from all over the
world implement in Armenia, but stressed the need for coordination of this
process. Specifically, he spoke about rural development in Armenia, which he
said will be one of the key items to be discussed at the third
Armenia-Diaspora Forum held on September 18-19.
The businessmen expressed their willingness to participate in these
discussions and undertake some concrete projects. They continued to discuss
prospects for Armenia’s development and Armenia-Diaspora interaction in
various economic fields.
In the afternoon, Minister Oskanian delivered a speech on “Cooperation and
Security in the South Caucasus” at the Carnegie Moscow Center, one of Russia’s
leading research centers for political and social studies. The audience
included representatives of governmental and political circles, as well as
think-tanks and institutions of higher education, diplomatic missions and
Russian and foreign mass media.
In the evening, the Minister met with young Armenians studying at Moscow
State University for International Relations.
Today, the Minister met with the Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
From: Baghdasarian

PRESS RELEASE March 30, 2006
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected] ;Web:
High Level Armenian Government Delegation Visits the United States for MCC
Signing Ceremony
A high-level delegation of the Armenian Government visited Washington, D.C.
on March 27 – 28, 2006 for the inauguration of the compact between the
Republic of Armenia and the United States through the Millennium Challenge
Corporation. The delegation, headed by Finance and Economy Minister Vardan
Khachatrian, included Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Chief Economic
Adviser to the President Vahram Nercissiantz, and Ambassador Tatoul
Markarian.
The signing ceremony of the MCC-Armenia compact was held in the State
Department, in the presence of U.S. and Armenian government officials, and
leading members of the Armenian American community. Secretary of State Dr.
Condoleezza Rice, who hosted the ceremony, MCC CEO Ambassador John
Danilovich, and Minister Vartan Oskanian delivered remarks during the
ceremony. The compact, signed by Minister Khachatrian and Ambassador
Danilovich, will provide $235 million toward the economic development of the
rural regions of Armenia, including rehabilitation of the rural road network
and irrigation system.
Following the signing ceremony, Minister Oskanian had a meeting with
Secretary Rice to discuss issues of bilateral interest. He also held a
number of meetings with U.S. State Department officials on the margins of
the visit, including Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia
Ambassador Daniel Fried, Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza, as well
as Ambassador Steven Mann, U.S. Special Negotiator for the Nagorno Karabakh
Conflict. During these meetings, he was accompanied by Ambassador Tatoul
Markarian.
Minister Oskanian spoke on the record at the National Press Club, commenting
on the developments in Armenia and the region, including the Nagorno
Karabakh peace process and energy security issues. On the evening of March
27, Minister Oskanian addressed the participants of the Pan-Armenian
Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., co-hosted by the Armenian Assembly
of America, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, and the Eastern and
Western Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church. On March 28, Minister
Oskanian and Ambassador Markarian visited the newly-opened premises of the
Armenian National Committee of America in Washington.
On March 28, Finance and Economy Minister Khachatrian and MCC CEO Ambassador
John Danilovich held a public outreach meeting at the U.S. Congress to
present the MCC Armenia compact. Representative Frank Pallone addressed the
public outreach meeting, extolling the MCC Compact as the latest
manifestation of strong U.S.-Armenian partnership. Representatives of NGO’s,
development organizations, and U.S. government officials attended the event.
On March 28, the Embassy of Armenia hosted a reception on the occasion of
the MCC-Armenia compact and honoring the members of the Armenian delegation
visiting Washington, D.C. The reception was attended by White House and
State Department officials, representatives of the Armenian-American
organizations, and community members.
From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJAN IS GRATEFUL TO TURKEY
A1+
[08:54 pm] 04 April, 2006
The Azeri position is unchangeable in the Nagorno – Kharabakh
settlement; the President of Azerbaijan Ilhalm Aliev assured the
President of Turkey Ahmed Sezar who arrived in Baku on official call.
“The matter can be solved in the realm of international norms. The
wholeness of the country must be regained, the Azeris who abandoned
Azerbaijan because of the Armenian policy must return to their
country. These principles show the reality, justice and international
norms,” said Aliev.
The Nagorno – Karabakh conflict was one of the key issues of the
Azeri and Turkish presidents’ discussion. “Turkey always supported
Azerbaijan on this score and still supports, and this assistance is
of vital importance. The Turkish position is justified and Azerbaijan
is grateful for it,” said the President of Azerbaijan.
From: Baghdasarian

DOORS ARE OPEN TO GO AND TO COME
Lragir.am
04 April 06
Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan, the leader of the Orinats Yerkir Party
does not think that certain members will come out of the party on
the eve of the election in 2007. On April 4 Arthur Baghdasaryan
told news reporters that the Orinats Yerkir is a party of idea and
principle. Moreover, recently more people have applied for membership
to this political party, including members of parliament. The leader
of the Orinats Yerkir Party states the doors are open to those who
will deviate from the principles of the Orinats Yerkir Party or will
prefer to affiliate to another political party.
From: Baghdasarian

MP ASHOTYAN: KOSOVO MODEL CANNOT BECOME PRECEDENT FOR NK CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 3 2006
Despite numerous statements that 2006 is auspicious for the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement, the problem will not be resolved
current year, Armenian MP Armen Ashotyan is quoted as saying at a
press conference April 1.
According to Armen Ashotyan, proposals on deployment of peacekeeping
corps in the conflict zone and staging a referendum in Nagorno
Karabakh in 15 years are illusions. “We do not know what the situation
will be in 15 years, what demographic situation will be in Nagorno
Karabakh. So, we should not hope that the question will be settled
in favor of Armenians,” the Armenian MP believes, REGNUM reports.
He noted that to settle the Nagorno Karabakh conflict several
models were proposed, in part, Nagorno Karabakh joining Azerbaijan,
its independence or joining Armenia, however, all the models are
inadmissible either for the Armenian, or the Azeri party. “The only
optimal option of the problem solution is preserving the status quo.
In this period it is necessary to increase investments in the
country, as well as increase human resources in Nagorno Karabakh,”
Armen Ashotyan believes.
The RA MP noted Kosovo model could not become a precedent for the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. “The statement of the Russian
party that Kosovo model can be precedent for settlement of ethnic
conflicts in the post-Soviet territory is disputable for the Armenian
leadership,” Armen Ashotyan believes. If Russia is an interested party
in settlement of the Ossetian, Transdnestr and Abkhaz conflicts, in
case of Karabakh conflict the Armenian people is an interested party,
he stressed.
From: Baghdasarian