Author: Boshkezenian Garik

ONE MORE PARLIAMENTARIAN OF ARMENIAN ORIGIN BECOMES MEMBER OF US CONGRESS

Azeri Press Agency
April 10 2008
Azerbaijan

Los-Angeles. Husniyya Hasanova-APA. Karen Lorraine Jacqueline Speier
has won the Special Election for the vacated United States House of
Representatives seat of late Congressman Tom Lantos and will be sworn
into office April 10, 2008, APA US bureau reports.

Speier was elected in 1998 as California State Senator. Lantos endorsed
Speier as his successor.

Speier is of Armenian and German descent. She has been the initiator
of several legislative acts on so-called "Armenian genocide" in
California Senate. She made a draft law on the legal recognition of
so-called "Armenian genocide" in 2005. She put draft law on appeals
of Armenians, who lost their properties in 1915 to the vote and the
Senate voted for the document. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed
the law in 2006 and the document came into force.

Speier is the second MP of Armenian origin elected to US Congress.

Another Congressman of Armenian origin from California is Anna
G. Eshoo.

BAKO SAHAKYAN: KARABAKH EXPECTS MUCH FROM ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.04.2008 20:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Nagorno Karabakh expects much from Armenia, said
NKR President Bako Sahakyan who attended the inauguration of Armenia’s
President-elect Serzh Sargsyan today.

Mr Sahakyan expressed confidence that under Sargsyan’s rule Armenia
will become a stronger country. "The stronger Armenia is, the stronger
Karabakh is," he said.

As to the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the NKR
President said he will negotiate the issue with his Armenian
counterpart in the near future and the public will be informed of
the outcomes of the talks.

Mr Sahakayn wished the Armenian President every success and complete
realization of his programs, IA Regnum reports.

WATER PIPE ACCIDENT

A1+
10 April, 2008

3 days ago Gyumri’s Peace Square was alarmed. Local residents warned
Shirak Water-Pipe System they had been deprived of water supply since
April 7. The service is now in to find out the cause. There is no
sign of an outer accident. Water pipes run through the cellars which
causes great difficulties in operations.

Executive secretary of the Water Pipe System declares the residents
delay the operations by refusing to open the cellars. The employees are
unable to find out the cause in such conditions. No accident has been
detected yet. Lyudvig Elbakian, Water-Supply service manager notifies
operations will continue. The situation might be an effect of a block.

By the way, dwellings in Gyumri’s Peace Square were built long ago and
the water supply system is decayed like that of all other streets. So
digging might cause even further difficulties.

WITH HOPE OF PROSPEROUS COUNTRY

Panorama.am
15:06 09/04/2008

The Supreme Patriarch of all Armenians Garegin II greeted the
guests at the oath giving ceremony of the president of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan. After blessing the guests, the patriarch said:
"Today our peoepl build the new life of the country with the hope
to see the prosperous and developed country, with developed science,
bright belief."

According to the patriarch, Serzh Sargsyan and all Armenians brought
the freedom and independence to the country with the liberation of
Artsakh. "Our country passed a long way to reach improvement, power,
and reforms."

ARMENIAN AIDE DETAILS NEW PRESIDENT’S INAUGURATION CEREMONY

Mediamax
April 8 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 8 April: Representatives of 58 countries and 12 international
organizations will participate in the [9 April] inauguration ceremony
of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Spokesman of the Acting
President [Robert Kocharyan] Viktor Soghomonyan told Mediamax today.

Viktor Soghomonyan informed that, in particular, the following
officials will arrive in Yerevan: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
Matthew Bryza, Prime Minister of Georgia Vladimir [Lado] Gurgenidze,
Chairman of State Duma of RF [Russian Federation] Boris Gryzlov,
Head of Mejlis [parliament] of Turkmenistan Akja Nurberdiyewa,
Chairman of Czech Senate Premysl Sobotka, Energy Minister of Iran
Parviz Fattah, Secretary General of CSTO Nikolay Bordyuzha, Deputy
Chairman of Kazakhstan Senate Mukhambet Kopeyev, NATO Assistant
Secretary General Jean-Francois Bureau, Special Representative of the
European Union in the South Caucasus Peter Semneby, Special Envoy of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Heikki Talvitie.

According to the President’s Spokesman, the list of the guests from 58
countries and 12 international organizations is composed as of 16:00
[1100 gmt] of April 8.

The inauguration ceremony of the newly-elected Armenian President
will start at 14:00 [0900 gmt] on April 9 at the special session of
the National Assembly, which will proceed in the National Academic
Theatre of Opera and Ballet. The ceremony will last 45 minutes,
and will be followed by a solemn reception.

ARMENIAN CHOIRS TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS OF CHORAL MUSIC SOON

Noyan Tapan
April 7, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The Singing Armenia 3rd republican
contest of youth and children’s choirs will be beld in Armenia on the
initiative of the RA Ministry of Culture, the Musical Association of
Armenia, and Little Singers of Armenia association, for the purpose
of promoting, developing, and spreading youth and children’s choir
music and in general choral art in Armenia.

As David Ghazarian, the Chairman of the Musical Association of Armenia,
said at the April 7 press conference, 113 children’s and youth
choirs of Armenia’s, Artsakh’s, and Javakhk’s comprehensive, music,
and art schools will take part in this contest organized for already
the 3rd time. The first, regional stage of the Singing Armenia youth
and children’s two-stage contest will be held on April 11-25 and the
republican stage on May 3-4.

According to David Ghazarian, choral art is at a very low level
in comprehensive schools. "I wish besides singing teachers,
choir-master-teachers also worked in schools, and were paid like
teachers," the Musical Association Chairman emphasized.

Jean-Claude Wilkens, the Secretary General of the International
Federation for Choral Music, and Sonya Grayner, the Secretary General
of the European Federation, who are in Yerevan in these days and were
present at the press conference, said that scientific-medical studies
made it clear that singing children have a higher immune system,
"they do well also in other school subjects, are more sociable,
and have positive energy."

The foreign guests said that in countries having the most
developed economy choral art is not developed. To convince cultural
responsibles in something is rather difficult in such countries:
"in such countries rich benefactors just create their personal
cultural funds and support art development." They affirmed that in
countries having a less developed economy there is much interest in
choral art. According to studies, the greatest number of choirs in
the world exists in Scandinavian countries, including Sweden, Finland,
as well as Baltic states.

David Ghazarian said that Armenian choirs are likely to join
authoritative international music structures soon, and negotiations
over it are underway at present.

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS EXPECT COMPROMISE ON KARABAKH

Interfax News Agency
April 3 2008
Russia

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen released a statement on Thursday
following meetings with the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia on
the sidelines of the NATO summit in Bucharest.

"The two leaders and the Co-Chairs exchanged views on ways to reduce
differences between the sides and forge consensus on the Basic
Principles for the Peaceful Settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh (NK)

Conflict," said the statement posted on the OSCE’s website.

"The Co-Chairs reiterated their support for the territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan and reaffirmed their longstanding view that a peaceful
resolution of the conflict will require a negotiated political
compromise on the final status of NK, pending the future approval of
its population," the statement said.

"The two leaders and the Co-Chairs agreed to continue the negotiations
on the existing basis, further clarify the current proposal on the
table, and pursue additional steps to advance the peace process,
" the document said.

"For this purpose the mediators underscored the utility of meetings
at the highest levels between the sides, " it said.

ADMINISTRATION BOARD OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF MAR DEL PLATA CITY ENDORSED

Noyan Tapan
April 4, 2008

MAR DEL PLATA, APRIL 4, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. An Armenian
community with a small population lives in the coastal city Mar Del
Plata in Argentine. The Armenian community has its club and school. As
the Armenian electronic websites report, the administration has
introduced its annual program at the annual meeting of the Armenian
Union and it has been approved by the participants of the meeting. The
administration has been re-elected with the same board.

PRESS RELEASE
Office of Assemblymember Paul Krekorian
Adrin Nazarian
Chief of Staff
620 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 403
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 240-6330
(818) 240-4632 fax
[email protected]

April 4, 2008

Assemblymember Krekorian Hosts Four Women’s Self-Defense Workshops

Glendale — Calling them both "proactive and educational opportunities
for women," Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) announced that he
will host four self-defense and safety-briefing workshops in his
district that are designed to help constituents protect themselves and
learn about legislation dealing with women’s issues.

"Personal safety and resulting self-confidence are fundamental rights
for all women," Assemblymember Krekorian said. "No woman, whether at
home, in their car, or out on everyday errands should have to fear for
their safety. These workshops will help them protect themselves and
help other women gain the self-confidence they deserve."

The workshops are set for:

In Glendale on Thursday, April 10, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, at the Glendale
Police Dept. Community Room, 131 N. Isabel Ave

In Los Feliz on Thursday, May 8, 6:00 – 7:00 pm, at the Los Feliz Public
library, 1874 Hillhurst Ave

In North Hollywood on Thursday, May 22, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, at the East
Valley YMCA, 5142 Tujunga Ave

In Burbank on Thursday, May 29, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, at the Burbank YMCA, 321
E. Magnolia Blvd

Workshop instructors will be provided by SHIELD Women’s Self Defense.
"In addition to this excellent professional training, I will detail some
of the pertinent bills on women’s issues and public safety that are now
being considered in Sacramento," Assemblymember Krekorian said.

"I very much hope that as many women as possible will take advantage of
these timely and important workshops," Assemblymember Krekorian said.
For further information, please call Assemblymember Krekorian’s District
Service Office at 818/240-6330.

Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) represents the cities of
Burbank, Glendale and the Los Angeles communities of Atwater Village,
Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen,
Valley Village and Van Nuys.

# # #

ARTICLE ON SUPPORT TO AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY TO BE ANNEXED TO FINAL STATEMENT OF NATO BUCHAREST SUMMIT

Azeri Press Agency
April 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Bucharest. Fakhri Karimli-APA. "NATO member countries supported
Macedonia’s NATO membership in the last moment", APA correspondent
reported from the summit that Romanian President Traian Basescu had
stated these opinions at the meeting of NATO Council.

He stated that Macedonia had been invited to the NATO and there
was no need to hold additional summit for this. The President added
that Ukraine and Georgia were at the level of intensified dialogue
and stated that they had not implemented MAP criterions. Moreover,
if Serbia appeals, it will conduct negotiations with this country
on membership.

"NATO leaders passed a proper decision discussing strategic
importance of Black Sea region. NATO Council also discusses energy
security. Taking into account the Kosovo precedent, NATO decided that
article on support of territorial integrity of Moldova, Georgia,
Armenia and Azerbaijan would be annexed to the final document of
the Summit.