Author: Emil Lazarian

DISPUTES SWIRL ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By Hal Boedeker

Orlando Sentinel — Newsday
tyle/sfl-genocideapr17,0,7523268.story?coll=sfla-f eatures-headlines
April 17, 2006

Some PBS stations won’t air The Armenian Genocide when it premieres
tonight. In South Florida, both WPBT-Ch. 2 and WXEL-Ch. 42 are
scheduled to show it at 10 p.m.

The documentary explores what former President Teddy Roosevelt called
the greatest crime of World War I.

The program describes how the Ottoman Turks, under nationalist
leaders, massacred and deported Armenians. Estimates put the death
toll as high as 1.5 million. Yet the modern Turkish state denies that
genocide happened, and that country’s schools teach that reports of
the atrocity are groundless.

Not surprisingly, The Armenian Genocide has generated controversy.

Los Angeles station KCET refused to show the program and instead will
offer a French documentary on the subject.

The Armenian Genocide will be available in more than 92 percent of
the country, PBS says.

PBS added a half-hour discussion, Armenian Genocide: Exploring the
Issues, with several speakers who dispute the genocide.

Armenian-Americans have protested that program. It will be seen in
65 percent of the country, PBS says.

WPBT has not scheduled the discussion. But WXEL will offer it at 5
a.m. Tuesday.

The documentary recounts the Armenians’ plight through photographs,
witnesses’ accounts and experts’ explanations. Julianna Margulies
narrates the documentary. Reading historical narration are Ed Harris,
Natalie Portman, Laura Linney and Orlando Bloom.

Secret panel

A new incarnation of the vintage tube hit I’ve Got a Secret (weeknights
at 11:30 p.m., GSN) features a cool panel that includes stand-ups
Suzanne Westenhoefer and Jermaine Taylor, and baseball’s openly gay
Billy Bean. Comic Bil Dwyer hosts their attempts to guess what, who,
why and how about mysterious guests.

GLAAD awards

Eric McCormack joins such “out” celebs as Melissa Etheridge for the
17th annual GLAAD Media Awards (9 p.m. Wednesday, VH1), taped recently
in Hollywood. Winners for their gay/lesbian/bisexual/ transgender
portrayals include Will & Grace, The L Word and My Name Is Earl. (Earl
made amends in the pilot with a gay guy he once persecuted.) Expect
appearances from desperate housewives, plus Charlize Theron, Jessica
Alba and at least three Arquettes.

Copyright © 2006, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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IRANIAN MP PRESENTED CONDOLENCES TO ARMENIAN PEOPLE IN VIEW OF GENOCIDE ANNIVERSARY

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.04.2006 23:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iranian parliamentarian Seid Mojtaba Moadabpur
reminded the MPs about the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
and presented his condolences to the Armenian counterparts and
the whole Armenian nation. April 18 Iranian parliamentarians will
attend the event initiated by the Hay Dat Tehran Office. It should
also be noted that Iranian deputy Emad Afrugi will give a report,
Aliq newspaper writes.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARTO TUNJBOYAJIAN AND SERJ TANKIAN GOING TO RELEASE SERAT 2 JOINT CD

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.04.2006 23:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Arto Tunjboyajian and Serj Tankian are likely to
release a joint CD titled Serat 2. As Armenian Navy Band manager
John Grigorian told PanARMENIAN.Net, the matter concerns the joint
project of two musicians but not of System of a Down and Armenian
Navy Band. To note, Armenian Navy Band received the Planet Award at
the annual BBC World Music Award.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BAKU POLICE DISPERSED MEETING IN SUPPORT OF RAMIL SAFAROV

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.04.2006 00:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Azeri students held an action in support of
Ramil Safarov sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of the
Armenian officer.

Several hundreds of demonstrators mostly the students of the Baku
University were dispersed by the police.

The marching students shouted out slogans like “Release Ramil
Safarov”, “We must defend our officer”, “Losing Safarov we lose
Karabakh”. As result 50 students were put in a bus and brought to
a police station. Chairman of the Karabakh Liberation Organization
Akig Naghi was also detained, reported IA Regnum.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE MG TO DO UTMOST FOR RESUMPTION OF KARABAKH TALKS IN TRADITIONAL FORMAT

/PanARMENIAN.Net
18.04.2006 01:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ OSCE Minsk Group French Co-chair Bernard Fassier
said he is satisfied with the visits to Azerbaijan and Armenia,
Russian mediator Yuri Merzlyakov stated. In his words, the Co-chair
will do their utmost for the resumption of the Nagorno Karabakh
talks in the traditional format. Yuri Merzlyakov also informed that
a meeting with U.S.

Co-chair Steven Mann is scheduled for April 19. After the meeting
Mr. Mann will depart for Yerevan.

The Russian mediator also informed of his intention to meet with
Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Vartan Oskanian and Elmar
Mammadyarov on April 21. As for the arrival of the PACE mission for
conduction of a monitoring of cultural monuments in Azerbaijan and
Armenia, Merzlyakov said he hasn’t received any message yet, reported
APA news agency.

CONCERT DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN MOSCOW

AZG Armenian Daily
18/04/2006

On the initiative of the Russian-Armenian Friendship NGO, at 7.00 pm
on April 24, “Arax” Belgian ensemble will play a concert in Hermitage
Park of Moscow dedicated to the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

According to Yerkramas newspaper of Russian-Armenians, the repertoire
of Arax includes traditional Armenian music with modern interpretation
accompanied with classic guitar, flute, cello, pipe and duduk.

The aim of the concert is to draw the attention of Russia’s political
and social circles to the issue of the Armenian Genocide as well as to
contribute to the unification of the Armenian community, especially
young people. A number of famous Russian mass media representatives
are the sponsors of the concert.

Armenian and Russian renowned statesmen will take part in the concert.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE FOUNDERS

AZG Armenian Daily
18/04/2006

The Armenian General Benevolent Union, the greatest benevolence
organization in the history of the Armenian people, was established in
Cairo 100 years ago. Ten outstanding Armenians, successful in their
lives, led by Poghos Nubar Pasha signed a resolution that ratified
the establishment of the union.

Certainly, many sittings, meetings and conferences followed this
first sitting directed to the regulation and the program of the
organization. A number of the Armenian intelligentsia leaders, namely
Arpiar Arpiarian, Arshak Chopanian and others united to elaborate
the program of the union. The intelligentsia members realized that
the Armenian people, being under the dictatorship of the Ottoman
and the Russian Empires, needed to have a non political organization
that would unite the Armenians and settle the issues of education,
culture, as well as preserve the national dignity of our people. But
their dream was realized by ten founders that had experience of state
administration and benevolence.

There had been several other Armenian benevolent unions functioning
before the establishment of AGBU, and naturally they feared that
a stronger union would hinder their activities. But the founders
of AGBU assured them that the newly established union was aimed to
contribute to everybody’s activities and unite the charity-oriented
forces for the sake of the Armenian people.

It was envisaged that the union would not only render aid to the
Armenian farmers during the disasters, to create sources for earning
for their lives, to gather the Armenian orphans and educate them,
to give shelter to the young Armenian girls that were deprived of
parental warmth and give them opportunities to marry in the future
and have their own families.

Besides, according to the union’s regulation, the union members
should have always been faithful to the will of the donors and
philanthropists, even if the union would suffer loses. That’s why
many AGBU members rebelled against the notorious decision to close
the Melgonian Educational Institute in Cyprus, as this was the first
case when the golden rule of the union was violated.

Moreover, the founders of the AGBU taught us that the foundation
is based on money, thus one should give financial assistance for
contribution of the union’s activities.

Even now, when 100 years have passed, AGBU still remains the most
powerful and largest organization that meets the needs of the Armenian
people and their motherland, thanks to its devoted chairmen, donors,
philanthropists and members.

Glory to the founders of AGBU!

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI POLICE FOIL DEMO PROTESTING AT HUNGARIAN VERDICT

Turan news agency
17 Apr 06

Baku, 17 April: A group of young people today attempted to stage an
unauthorized demonstration in support of [Azerbaijani army officer]
Ramil Safarov convicted in Hungary [of killing an Armenian officer].

Police foiled the attempt.

Several hundred students attempted to march along Huseyn Cavid Avenue
towards the Martyrs’ Avenue. However, numerous police officers stopped
the protesters and dispersed them. The students made several attempts
to break through police lines, which led to clashes with the police.

The bitterest clashes took place near Space TV company. Several
protesters sustained serious injuries.

Traffic on Huseyn Cavid Avenue was suspended because of the clashes
which caused traffic jams. Police detained about 20 protesters.

On 13 April, a Hungarian court sentenced Azerbaijani officer Ramil
Safarov to life in prison for killing an Armenian officer on 19
February 2004.

THE FRENCH UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA WISHES ITS GRADUATES TO BE OF USE FOR ARMENIA

Yerevan, April 17. ArmInfo. ‘We want our graduates to be of use for
Armenia,’ said in an interview to ArmInfo correspondent Paul Rousset,
rector of the French University of Armenia Foundation (Fondation
Universite Francaise en Armenie).

The University was founded in 2000 by the initiative of the French
Embassy in Armenia and the present Speaker of the National Assembly
of Armenia Arthur Bagdasarian. In 2003 the university assumed status
of an international foundation. It has an Administrative Council,
consisting of 4 representatives from each side – Armenia and France.

The President of the University (office held by Arthur Bagdasarian
at present) is elected by the Administrative Council. The candidate
for rectors office must be a professor of any French university
and is suggested by the French side. Third-year students of the
French University become also students of the ‘Jean Moulin Lion 3’
university, France and get a double graduation diploma – a French
and an Armenian one.

Mr. Rousset said that the baccalaureate of the University has three
faculties – juristic, management and trade and marketing. The
university has 700 students at present. 20 students from abroad
study at the university, half of them are from Iran. Last year the
French University had its first graduates and some of the graduates
continued their education in the magistrate. Education at eth French
university also implies perfect apprehension of foreign languages –
English, French, Russian and also German.

Paul Rousset informed that a number of French educational programs
serve as grounds for the educational process, as the University’s
regulation envisages passing the French educational experience to
the Armenian side. In particular, such programs are being applied at
the law department. In response to the question whether the Armenian
graduates of the University may get jobs abroad, particularly in
France, Mr. Rousset emphasized that they prepare good specialists for
Armenia. At the same time, he added that their best students undergo
practical courses in France. For example, 40 students were sent to
France, last year.

Mr. Rousset emphasized that till now not a single student of the
University had to leave it because of financial problems. “The tuition
fees amounts to AMD 400-500 thousand per a year,” he said. He added
that the university provides a system of flexible tuition fees,
that helps to decrease the volume of the tuition fees thanks to the
good progress of the students. The University collaborates with the
Armenian Association for Social Aid and the Yerevan Brandy Factory
to render financial assistance to the financially insecure students,
including disabled students and the students from the regions.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MONEY IN THE FACE OF YEREVAN

Lragir.am
17 April 06

In the first quarter of 2006 over 14 billion 986 million drams was
spent on social programs in Yerevan instead of the foreseen 14 billion
920 million drams, which is 100.44 per cent of the estimated sum,
informs ARKA News Agency. Mayor Yervand Zakharyan gave these facts on
April 17. Besides, the mayor said the collections of community budgets
totaled 294.7 million drams in the first quarter of 2006 instead of
the estimated 323.8 million. At the same time, the mayor said against
the same period of the previous year the community budget receipts
were more by 680.5 million drams.

Hence it is good luck that heavy snow came this winter and not last
year. Because if with a 680 million increase the snow remained in
the street until spring, it is impossible to imagine the state of
the city with less money.