Author: Emil Lazarian

SERGE SARGSYAN: THERE IS NOTHING STRANGE THAT ARMENIA IS ACCOMPLISHING AN IPAP WITH NATO
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
The safe future of Armenia is possible only in the atmosphere
of international and regional security, RA Defense Minister Serge
Sargsyan said before leaving for Minsk.
The Minister said he does not see anything strange in the fact
that being a SCTO member, Armenia is accomplishing an Individual
Partnership Action Plan with NATO. I think it is the proper time to
refuse from the mentality that the military-technical cooperation
between countries should be definitely directed against a certain
state or alliance. In the contemporary world such approach has lost
its properness, Serge Sargsyan considers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE MEETING OF PRESIDENTS WILL ALLOW TO BRING POSITIONS CLOSER, THE MEDIATORS CONSIDER
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov declared
in Yerevan today that the mediators’ meetings with RA President and
Foreign Minister were “productive,” Mediamax agency reports.
Before leaving for Baku, Yurin Merzlyakov informed that “the Armenian
side has confirmed its agreement to the meeting of the Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan to be held November 28 in Minsk in the
framework of the CIS summit.
According to the Russian Co-Chair, “we should receive confirmation
from the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, although earlier the
Azeri Foreign Minister came forth with a corresponding statement on
the question.”
Yuri Merzlyakov said the American Co-Chair Matthew Bryza’s absence
was associated with the fact that “the mediators have agreed to share
the responsibilities, and Matthew Bryza should meet with NKR President
Arkady Ghukasyan in the US.”
“In general, we are closing the year on a very optimistic point,
and if we manage to maintain such disposition of the parties, we’ll
step into 2007 with rather good perspectives. Despite the fact that
the elections somehow restrict the negotiation process, we think that
the work carried out this year will allow overcoming the pre-election
period easily” the Russian Co-Chair declared.
French Co-Chair Bernard Fassier declared that “resolving this conflict
is the same as building a peace wall.” He noted that “at this point
this wall is not that stable to allow the parties sign a final treaty.”
“We hope that the meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan will allow to bring the positions of the parties on some
complex issues closer,” the French diplomat noted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PEACE CORPS ARMENIA HOLDS 8TH ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT FAIR
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
The 8h Annual Peace Corps Armenia Development Fair was held on November
22, 2006 at the AUA Business Center. Peace Corps Volunteers and their
Armenian counterparts were invited to meet representatives of 80
Armenian and international development organizations. The goal of the
event was to promote cooperation and collaboration between Peace Corps
Volunteers and development organizations, particularly in the areas
of English language education, business and community development,
health education and environmental education. Anthony Godfrey, United
States Charge d’Affaires ad interim to the Republic of Armenia,
addressed the participants at the opening of the Development Fair.
Peace Corps Armenia was established in 1992 at the invitation of
the Government of Armenia. Currently, 77 Volunteers work in schools,
universities, NGOs, and health facilities throughout Armenia. During
the last fourteen years, 529 Peace Corps Volunteers have served
in Armenia.
The U S Peace Corps was founded in 1961 by United States President John
F. Kennedy and has three goals: to provide trained assistance to people
of other countries as requested, to promote a better understanding
of Americans by the people of the countries in which they serve,
and to promote a better understanding of other cultures by Americans.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LECTURES, FILMS ON EARLY ARMENIAN HISTORY
Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
Nov 22 2006
The Boston Chapter of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and
Cultural Society, the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA),
the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
and the Harvard Armenian Society will present a lecture and film
series on early Armenian history by Professor Artak Movsisyan.
Movsisyan is an associate professor of history at Yerevan State
University and a scholar at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the
National Academy of Sciences (Republic of Armenia). He has published
numerous monographs and articles on a wide range of topics in ancient
Armenian history, culture and spirituality.
The schedule of the lecture and film series is as follows:
Lecture: “The Pre-Christian Written Culture of Armenia,” Wednesday,
Nov. 29, 7:45 p.m. at Harvard University, Sever Hall, Room 113.
Lecture: “The Origins of the Armenian Nation: From Earliest References
to Now,” Thursday, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. at NAASR, 395 Concord Ave.,
Belmont.
Film Screening: “Tigran the Great – A Patriotic Sovereign,” Saturday,
Dec. 2, 1:30 p.m. at ACEC, 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown.
Lecture: “Pre-Christian Armenian Belief System and Transition
to Christianity,” Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at ALMA, 65 Main St.,
Watertown.
Admission to all events is free, and lectures will be delivered in
English. To find out more about the series please contact NAASR at
[email protected], or 617-489-1610.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRIZEWINNER BRINGS JAZZ MOVES TO TRIBECA: TIGRAN HAMASYAN
New York Times, NY
Nov 22 2006
Two months ago, when Tigran Hamasyan won first place at the Thelonious
Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, he confirmed several things
about the current state of jazz. First off, it’s in great shape, in
terms of global influence and youthful vigor: Mr. Hamasyan, who is
not yet 20, enjoys a comfortably casual relationship with the folk
music of his native Armenia. Second, it’s in not-so-great shape, in
terms of infrastructure: there’s little chance that Mr. Hamasyan’s
distinction could lead to a major-label contract, as it has for
winners of the Monk competition in the (ever receding) past.
Finally and most important, the music itself maintains a healthy remove
from these and other speculative concerns. Mr. Hamasyan unfurls no
banners with his playing, though it can often convey the jubilant
power of an anthem. His main interests are exploratory, especially
when it comes to rhythm. He situates his piano not at the forefront
of an ensemble but deep within it, so that the momentum he generates
is centrifugal.
Mr. Hamasyan, a student at the University of Southern California,
applied his powers of concentration to two distinct settings on Monday
night. He began the evening as the featured artist at a concert
affiliated with the Monk Institute at the TriBeCa Performing Arts
Center, with Francois Moutin on bass and Ari Hoenig on drums. A few
hours later, he turned up at Smalls, as a sideman in a quintet led
by Mr. Hoenig.
Naturally the concert, with its mix of traditional and original
material, provided the broadest view of Mr. Hamasyan’s potential. He
approached nearly every tune as an arc, beginning in contemplation
and building to a crashing fury. This was an intuitive style for Mr.
Moutin and Mr. Hoenig, who dove headlong into action, responding
instantly to Mr. Hamasyan’s turns of phrase.
On “These Houses,” adapted from an Armenian folk song, and “World
Passion,” the title track of Mr. Hamasyan’s new debut album (issued
by Nocturne, a Paris-based label), the trio worked expressively with
fluttering polyrhythm. Their sound evoked the recent acoustic efforts
of Chick Corea, whose percussive pianism Mr. Hamasyan intermittently
deployed in his improvisations, along with emphatic chordal stabs
and two-handed octave filigree.
The concert was bookended by standards – “Just Friends” and “What
Is This Thing Called Love?” – that Mr. Hamasyan had revised with
shuddering syncopations. The arrangements were essentially cubist,
disconcertingly fragmentary but still representative of their
sources. Less clever but equally engaging was a version of Monk’s “In
Walked Bud,” set in a waltzlike 5/4 meter that elicited Mr. Hamasyan’s
most agile solo turn.
Perhaps by coincidence, Mr. Hoenig later applied the same floating
pulse to a ballad, “Tenderly,” during his first set at Smalls. There
too, Mr. Hamasyan was fluid and self- assured. He convincingly
sight-read a couple of Mr. Hoenig’s tunes and generally settled into
the pace of the ensemble, which was less insistent than his own.
Then Mr. Hoenig ended the set by calling up Mr. Moutin (to replace his
regular bassist, Matt Penman), and lending Mr. Hamasyan the reins. And
together they played “The Rain Is Coming,” another Armenian song,
with a bright and surging exuberance.
s/music/22tigr.html
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN DRAM TURNS 13
By Shake Avoyan
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Nov 22 2006
The 13th anniversary of the introduction of the Armenian national
currency will be marked in Armenia tomorrow, November 22.
The troika of specialists who led the process in 1993, including
current Central Bank Chairman Tigran Sarkisian, former Central Bank
chairman Isahak Isahakian and ex-finance minister Levon Barkhudarian,
gathered at the Friday club in Yerevan on Tuesday to congratulate
everyone on the anniversary and reflect on the history of the dram.
“The introduction of the Armenian dram 13 years ago was one of the most
important attributes of statehood after Armenia gained independence,”
Sarkisian said.
The speakers admitted that it was a difficult process, as Armenia was
totally unprepared to have its own currency at that stage. According
to Sarkisian, the introduction of the dram was a little belated,
which, according to him, resulted in hyperinflation.
Levon Barkhudarian shared this opinion and said: “I can say frankly
that it was not the best time for introducing national currency because
we had no currency reserves, there was no assistance from international
financial organizations, but as time showed that step was correct.”
Meanwhile, Hrant Bagratian, the prime minister back then, finds that
as long as there was hope to remain in the ruble zone, they should
have taken their time. He said that ‘we needed Russia at that time
more than we do now’.
“Of course, the troika committed essential errors,” Bagratian told
RFE/RL, adding that it was the wrong initial exchange rate of 14.5
drams per U.S. dollar that caused hyperinflation.
The dram introduction was entrusted to the parliament in 1993 and
the government at that time effectively did not participate in the
process, Bagratian added.
Within ten days after introduction the dram exchange rate was already
350 per dollar.
On the whole, Bagratian said that the troika did a good job in the end,
but said that the terrible inflation could be avoided.
He reminded that eventually the government stabilized the situation
taking over the powers from the troika.
Bagratian joined in the congratulations on the anniversary.
“I hope that the dram will not suffer the fate of large economic
complexes in Armenia and will remain governed by the state,” the
ex-premier concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARA ABRAHAMYAN WON’T MAKE HOVANES BAGHRAMYAN
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
The head of the Society of Political Scientists Hmayak Hovanisyan gave
a sincere but tough evaluation of the leader of the World Congress
of Armenians, the Union of the Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan
November 21. He asked at the Pastark Club why the Armenians were not
attacked in Russia when Hovanes Baghramyan represented the Armenians in
Russia, whereas now when Ara Abrahamyan is representing the Armenians,
accidents occur regularly.
“Today the nation is represented by Ara Abrahamyan, an oligarch.
Meanwhile, the skinheads, the Russian nationalists protest against
the oligarchs who have given rise to such a social polarization in
Russia, which is strange to the traditions in Russia where equality
within community has always been upheld,” Hmayak Hovanisyan says. He
advised Ara Abrahamyan “to go to Russia instead of making stupid
speaches in Armenia and explain to the mayor of the city of Kondopoga,
for instance, that the cross is a Christian value.”
Hmayak Hovanisyan referred to an article in the Russian media, the
Komsomolskaya Pravda published in 12 million copies where the mayor
of Kondopoga where ethnic clashes took place several weeks ago asks
the reporter why “they punish for the expression “kill crusaders” but
the persons who shout “kill the Russians” get away with it.” Hmayak
Hovanisyan says most Russians may be thinking that the Armenians
are Muslim.
“Instead of making speeches here with all the TV channels covering his
stupid speeches, he had better explain to the mayor of Kondopoga and
thousands of other people in Russia, as well as the editorial board
and the editor-in-chief of the Komsomolskaya Pravda that the cross
is a Christian symbol, which is holy for both the Armenians and the
Russians,” Hmayak Hovanisyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONFERENCE TITLED “EXPLORING ICT TODAY FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW” TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
Within the framework of the Armenia School Connectivity Program,
Project Harmony and the US Embassy announce an educational conference
entitled “Exploring ICT Today for a Brighter Tomorrow.” School
principals, Internet Computer Center administrators, and teachers
will share their innovative and successful experiences with their ASCP
colleagues. The Conference presentations will center on the following
themes: Internet Computer Centers as Sources for New Opportunities,
School Partnerships and Collaborative Projects, Internet Computer
Center-Community Links, Resource Creation and Information Management,
Implementation of ICT in Education, ICT and School Management.
The Conference will take place on November 21-22, 2006 at the Yerevan
Armenia Marriott Hotel.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO LEAVE FOR MOSCOW
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 21 2006
November 23-25 Armenian Parliamentary delegation will leave for
Moscow on an official visit. Speaker of RA National Assembly Tigran
Torosyan said in a press conference today that during the meeting with
Russian parliamentarians urgent bilateral and regional issues will
be discussed. In his words, the visit of the Armenian delegation is
primarily targeted at clarifying the position of Russian colleagues
on those issues.
Urgent issues of the South Caucasus were discussed also in the
framework of the sitting of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly held
November 15-16 in Saint Petersburg.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMERICAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY SHOULD PURSUE GENOCIDE RESOLUTION ADOPTION IN CONGRESS
Yerkir, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political
Affairs Office Director Kiro Manoyan commented Thursday on possible
developments following the midterm elections to the US Congress.
Manoyan was asked whether it was realistic to expect that the US
Congress could adopt a Genocide bill taking into account that the
possible candidate for the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee
has a pro-Turkish stance.
“It is an assumption, like the assumption that Nancy Pelosi is to
become the speaker of the Congress,” Manoyan answered. “Democrats
would initiate nothing on their own, they have no reason to adopt
a Genocide bill. The outcome depends on the extend of the influence
of the American Armenian community. However, I believe the Democrats
would make one step forward.”
Manoyan added that it is the Armenian community that should pursue
the case. Besides, Manoyan said, there have been similar resolutions
endorsed by both Democrats and Republicans but no vote has been
scheduled by the Congress speaker. The Armenian community should work
toward including such resolutions on the agenda of the full Congress.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress