Author: Dabaghian Diana

Edmonton Journal (Alberta)
March 2, 2007 Friday
Final Edition

Bare buttocks made him famous: Nude wrestling in Borat leads to job
offers

Katherine Monk, CanWest News Service

When movie stars hit the big screen in the sky, news outlets
generally pull a memorable eight-by-ten production still from a
signature role.

Actor Ken Davitian doesn’t mind the obituary tradition. It’s the
choice of picture that has him reflecting on his place in the larger
film universe.

"When they look for an eight-by-ten that represents my body of work
upon my passing, it’s going to be a picture of my naked butt," says
Davitian.

The California-born actor isn’t being facetious. As the man beside
faux newsman Borat Sagdiyev — a.k.a. Sacha Baron Cohen — Davitian
is now better known as faux Kazakhstani producer Azamat Bagatov, the
other on-camera personality in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America
for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, to be released on DVD
Tuesday.

Davitian says there are plenty of off-colour hijinks on the DVD, and
those seeking even more time in the presence of Davitian and his
message of hope — and hair — can check out his personal appearance
schedule, which has him giving motivational lectures to college kids
across North America. Included is a stop at NAIT on March 15 and 16.

Some actors may have an ego problem with a bare derriere defining
their career, but Davitian says he remains grateful to Baron Cohen
for the opportunity to explore the backroads of America, and make his
backside famous in the process.

"I feel like I’ve arrived," says Davitian. "My life before Borat was
about going crazy in a terrible way. Now my life is going crazy in a
good way."

A working actor for the better part of his 53 years, Davitian has a
long list of credits to his name, but most of them add up to little
more than a few seconds of screen time and a credit as the "fat man"
or "fat bartender."

"I was going out for auditions all the time, hoping I’d get the job.
That was my life — that and my sandwich shop, the Dip, where I work
all day long. I’d get to auditions smelling like roast beef."

Davitian says the Borat audition was relatively mysterious.

"Usually it will say who the producers of the film are, but Larry
Charles was nowhere on the sheet. I was told it was a really
low-budget movie by two guys — and my audition was on the last day
of callbacks. All I knew is they were looking for an Eastern European
look, and I went in character — as a dumpy guy who spoke in broken
English," says Davitian. "The only reason I even went to the audition
was because I liked the script breakdown."

Once Davitian got the news he had the part, more information emerged
— such as the names Sacha Baron Cohen and Larry Charles. He was
excited at the prospect of working with a Seinfeld producer and the
Brit comic behind Da Ali G Show, but he still had no idea Borat would
be the year’s biggest comic and cultural sensation.

"Once we started shooting, it didn’t take long before I realized what
it could be."

Now famous for his bare-buttocks scene, the only challenge Davitian
faces at auditions is clarifying his status as a born and bred
American. While he credits his extended Armenian family for certain
inspirations of character, Azamat is all his creation.

"I can’t tell you how lucky I feel … . Not only am I getting offers
and getting work, … but my butt is legend."

Indeed, the story of Davitian’s derriere — and the now-infamous
naked wrestling sequence — is the stuff Hollywood dreams are made
of. It’s also the source of a fleshy bond between the two performers.

"I think Sacha and I will be friends for life. We don’t have to call
each other or see each other. It’s more like having a brother. And
let’s face it, when you wrestle naked with another man, you can’t
help but form a special bond."

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 565601
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

28-02-2007

Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian’s Visit to Ireland

Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanian, is in Dublin, for the
first-ever high-level visit of an Armenian official to Ireland.

Minister Oskanian met with Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern and the two
held a lengthy meeting focusing on many bilateral and multilateral issues.
The Ministers acknowledged that the two countries – small, with few natural
resources, and with large diasporas – have much in common and can cooperate
in a variety of areas. They specifically discussed Armenia-Ireland
cooperation within the European Union’s Neighborhood Policy, citing the EUs
huge potential role as a facilitator of bilateral goal-oriented
collaboration. They discussed the geopolitics of the Caucasus region,
including energy issues.

Minister Ahern spoke about Northern Ireland, and explained the progress that
has recently been made in resolving that situation. The Armenian Foreign
Minister discussed Armenia’s relations with its neighbors. Minister Oskanian
also briefed Minister Ahern on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution
process. They agreed on the need to

Following the meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Minister Oskanian went to
Ireland’s Parliament, and met with the members of the Joint Committee on
European Affairs. He presented Armenia’s political and economic development
and responded to questions. Members of the Committee expressed interest in
exploring the possibilities of closer cooperation.

Earlier in the day, Minister Oskanian spoke at the Institute of European
Affairs, on "Armenia – Foreign Relations in a Difficult Region, at a
Difficult Time."

He also visited the Chester Beatty Library, which houses nearly 150 medieval
Armenian manuscripts.

Minister Oskanian met with the leadership of the Dublin Central Library in
anticipation of a photo exhibition to be opened in the Library in April on
the occasion of Armenia’s 15th anniversary of independence.

OPPOSITION WITHOUT COMMON INTEREST

Panorama.am
18:50 01/03/2007

"Any political union must have ideological cornerstone. In 2003, that
cornerstone were the desired structural changes for Justice Alliance,"
Shavarsh Kocharyan, National Democratic Party chairman, told reporters
today. In his words, Justice Alliance collapsed because "… when the
phase of democratic reforms started with constitutional changes, they
got afraid of the achievements that were available at that moment."

Kocharyan believes democratic reforms could be the ideological base
that could consolidate left and right wings, as well as forces that
have pro-Russian and pro-Western attitudes.

Speaking about the authorities, Kocharyan said, "The authorities are
united because they have common interest."

TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS WILL SEND A "PINK BOOK" TO US CONGRESSMEN

ArmRadio.am
02.03.2007 15:52

Turkish Parliamentarians will lobby the US House of Representatives
and Senates members against the Armenian Genocide resolution which
was introduced in January, by sending a "Pink Book". The Pink Book
includes detailed information and documents concerning the genocide
allegation. After sending the books to US Senators, MP Aziz Akgul
and Egemen BagıÅ~_ will contact the leaders of Muslim and Jewish
communities in the United States to start a campaign preventing the
adoption of the resolution, the Turkish daily News reports.

Akgul and BagıÅ~_ announced yesterday in Parliament that for the
purpose of presenting the right information they had prepared a
booklet. Akgul said that the booklet included information, documents
and proof provided by the Turkish History Association. Akgul also
added, "We are stating with documents that the claimed genocide
never happened."

–Boundary_(ID_5MfNDGrVTspcojr2HE HyrQ)–

ARMENIAN PAINTER TENI VARDANIAN WINS GOLD MEDAL OF INTERNATIONAL BIENNALE IN CAIRO

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Feb 28 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenian painter
Teni Vardanian won the gold medal at the 10th international biennale
in Cairo with the participation of 135 artists from 53 countries,
which took place from December 12, 2006 to February 1, 2007. The RA
Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Issues Karine Khondikian stated
this at the Februry 28 press conference.

In her words, the jury was impressed by T. Vardanian’s painting
"Chair" displayed at the biennale: "It is a great honor to be awarded
the first prize when so many works are shown at the international
biennale." The jury was composed of representatives of Italy, Morocco,
Spain, Ireland and Egypt.

Teni Vardanian said that it was a surprise to her to take first place
among numerous participants. According to the painter, the Armenian
embassy and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture organized an exhibition
of her graphic works in Cairo on February 13-17 with the assistance
of the museum of Ahmad Shahuv.

She noted that Epyptians are familiar with Armenian culture, while
the local Armenian community contributes to presentation of Armenian
art abroad.

T. Vardanian is a member of the Union of Painters of Armenia, author
of more than 20 individual and collective exhibitions, whose works
were displayed in Beirut, Nicosia, Paris, London, Saint Petersburg,
Aleppo, etc.

To recap, the Cairo biennale was intiated by the Fine Art Department
of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in 1984. Armenia has participated
in biennales since 1996.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS TO PARTICIPATE IN INDIA IN RE-ANOINTMENT CEREMONY OF TANGRA ARMENIAN CHURCH

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Feb 28 2007

DELHI, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The re-anointment
ceremony of the Armenian church of the district of Tangra, the city
of Calcutta, will take place on February 28, presided by Catholicos
of All Armenians.

On the previous day, February 26, His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos
of All Armenians visited the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in
New Delhi.

Mr.Hayk Sukias, the primate of the Calcutta Church Council also
accompanied His Holiness.

As it is mentioned in the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the
Press Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Republic of
Armenia established official diplomatic relations with India in 1992,
and the RA Embassy in Delhi was opened in 1999. This is the first
Patriarchal visit to India during the last 40 years. The Patriarchal
visit of Late Vazgen I Catholicos of All Armenians to India took
place in 1963.

DAVIT SUKIASIAN: ARMECONOMBANK CAN COMPETE WITH COMMERCIAL BANKS OFFERING LOWEST INTEREST RATES OF MORTGAGE CREDITING

Noyan Tapan
Feb 28 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. By late 2007, Armeconombank
envisages to increase the amount of its mortage credits to 12 million
dollars, while mortgage crediting period – to 12 years instead of the
current 8 years. Executive director of the bank Davit Sukiasian told
this to reporters on Fevruary 27.

In his words, Armeconombank will continue providing mortgage credits
at 12-14% interest rate, "trying to reduce it to 12%, but no lower
in the future."

D. Sukiasian said that Armeconombank has no concerns that it cannot
compete with commercial banks offering the lowest interest rate –
10%. "Unlike these banks, we do not charge our customers additional
commissions," D. Sukiasian noted.

CONVICTING TO LIFE SENTENCE THE MOST HORRIBLE MOMENT, EX-CONVICT SAYS

Panorama.am
16:59 27/02/2007

Late last year the Appeal Court of Armenia released three young men,
Razmik Sargsyan, Musa Serobyan and Araik Zalyan, from arrest. The three
were accused in a murder of two military servants in Mataghisi military
unit and were in Nubarashen prison since 2004. The first instance
court of Siunik sentenced them to 15 years of imprisonment and Review
Court to life sentence. Panorama.am took an exclusive interview from
Araik Zalyan, who was convicted to life sentence. The reason we took
the interview is that the ex-convicts were again invited to military
prosecutor’s office and were instructed not to leave the Republic.

– After three years of cruel trials, are you psychologically ready
to go through he same way?

– I am ready, moreover, I am bellicose because I have nothing to fear.

– Do you hope that the investigation will run on the right track?

– No, until the case is in the military prosecutor’s office. The
illegality continues.

– According to you, what is the reason that the main perpetrators
are not discovered?

– They know very well the names of the murderers. They simply do not
want to "name" them and imprison. I cannot say if this is the only
reason or not but, as far as I know, he is their man.

– When did you learn that you were indicted in murder?

– We were told that our parents came and were asked to go down. Instead
of our parents, we were met by the investigators of military
prosecutor’s office with fists.

– Why with fists? Were you treated badly?

– Already in Mataghisi, we were treated as if we were enemies. They
put handcuffs on us, put on our T-shirts on our heads and made us sit
into the car. We were later moved to Martakert. Later we were taken
to Martakert police, after that to Stepanakert police.

– Were you treated badly at that time, too?

– We were treated cruelly. We were hungry and thirsty.

They we were instructed that either we have to make a testimony on
someone else, whose names they were mentioning (shopkeeper Edo..) or
you have to make a testimony against yourselves. We were treated the
same way until we were moved to Yerevan. Then we were given sanction
and the attitude changed.

– How were you treated during the trial?

– They could not abuse us physically because we had an advocate but
they made psychological pressures.

– What can you say about the decision of the Appeal court? Were you
waiting for such a decision?

– An innocent person is always waiting that the door will open and he
will be released. We did not know if that could be the Appeal Court
or some political figures but we were waiting.

– Which was the most horrible moment in the course of these three
years?

– At the beginning we did not understand what was going on. Every
moment we thought they would come and tell us go. But when we were
convicted to life sentence at Siunik district court, the moment was
horrible. We realized what country we live in.

– Did you know the murdered boys?

– I knew one of them – Roman Yeghiazaryan. We were in "quarantine"
together. With the other boy, we were taught marching. Then we moved
to different units.

– In your opinion, why the opinions of the relatives of murdered boys
differ. The uncle of Roman Yeghiazaryan believes that you are guilty
whereas the parents of Hovsep Mkrtumyan believe that you are innocent.

– In fact, both are sure that we are not guilty.

Simply, Roman Yeghiazaryan’s uncle is a person who can sell the blood
of his brother’s son. At the beginning, they named Ivan Grigoryan
and later blamed us.

– What would you add at the end of the conversation?

– I would like people to pay attention to how many are in prison,
who are innocent.

AZERBAIJAN DOES NOT SEE THE NECESSITY OF CHANGING THE FORMAT OF TALKS

ArmRadio.am
26.02.2007 14:56

So far Azerbaijan does not see the necessity of changing the format of
negotiations of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Head
of the Foreign Relations Department of the Office to the Azeri
President Novruz Mamedov declared that "the Co-Chairs still have the
opportunity to demonstrate more resolute position," Trend reports.

"They can do that, and the time has come. In case of other conflicts
opinion is expressed, while in this concrete case the responsibility
is laid on the parties," said Mamedov.

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Feb 23 2007

ARMENIA SHOULD NOT IGNORE AVIAN FLU RISK

YEREVAN, February 23. /ARKA/. Armenia should not ignore the risk
connected with the avian flu, Armenia’s Minister of Agriculture David
Lokian told journalists.
"The risk is high as bird flu cases were recorded in our neighboring
countries – Turkey and Iran. Some time ago signs of bird flue were
found in Azerbaijan and Georgia, and it is unreasonable to rule out
the disease risk," Lokian said.
"The most important thing is to be ready to promptly localize the
virus once it is found and to prevent its spread that bears serious
risks for the economy and people," Minister said.
He reported the prohibited import of poultry to Armenia from the
countries where bird flu was found.
The interagency coordinating body continues operating and holds its
meeting once per week, with participation of the U.S. and EU experts,
Lokian said. N.V. -0–