Author: Emil Lazarian

AN ARMENIAN OFFICER WOUNDED AS A RESULT OF CEASE-FIRE VIOLATION BY
AZERBAIJAN

Yerevan, April 28. ArmInfo. A regular violation of the cease-fire
regime by Azerbaijan resulted in wounding of an Armenian officer.
Armenian Defense Ministry press-service reports Azerbaijan as firing a
section of Ijevan-Noyemberyan road approximately at 3:30 PM
yesterday. Senior Lieutenant Gegham Mikaelyan was wounded in the cabin
of “Kamaz.” He was taken to Noyemberyan town hospital at about 4:00
PM. Doctors say his life is no longer in danger.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Time Out
April 26, 2006
Music – Live preview – Mahmoud Ahmed – Hammersmith Palais; Thursday
by John Lewis
Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie may have been the subject of
thousands of Rasta anthems, but his own favourite music was a brass
band that he heard on a state visit to Jerusalem in 1923. So taken
was the Lion of Judah that he hired a group of Armenian saxophone
players as his official musicians, unwittingly introducing Ethiopia
to jazz instrumentation. As a result, Addis Ababa became host to a
burgeoning jazz and R&B scene; a scene that exploded in the early
’60s when Haile Selassie welcomed 6,000 US ‘peace corps’ into the
country.
Mahmoud Ahmed is the most famous product of this ‘golden age’ of
Ethiopian jazz that thrived until Selassie was deposed in 1974.
Ahmed’s legendary early ’70s LPs like ‘Ere Mela Mela’ still sound
remarkable today – hypnotic funk beats, wah-wah guitars, Stax-style
horn riffs and snake-charmer saxophones, all rumbling under Ahmed’s
passionate, wailing Arabic-inflected vocals.
Despite making music for nearly 50 years, his spellbinding show at
last year’s WOMAD festival was his first ever in the UK. This London
debut sees him share the bill with El Tanbura, a highly rhythmic Sufi
outfit of Egyptian fishermen. The concert celebrates music of the
Nile, but Mahmoud Ahmed’s lopsided funk really does sound like
something from a parallel universe – think a Bollywood singer jamming
with Fela Kuti on Motown and you’re nearly there. Amazingly, all the
best things about his ’70s albums are still intact. The bass and
drums are still hypnotically funky; the rasping horn section still
sound like they’re playing in a nearby toilet; and even at the age of
65, Ahmed’s voice is still sensational.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Newsday (New York)
April 28, 2006 Friday
NASSAU AND SUFFOLK EDITION
Lost in his native Cuba
BY JOHN ANDERSON. SPECIAL TO NEWSDAY
(1 1/2 STARS) THE LOST CITY (R). Andy Garcia’s lopsided idyll about
the Havana of his boyhood and the Cuba of his dreams. With Bill
Murray, Dustin Hoffman, Inés Sastre, Tomas Milian. Written by G.
Cabrera Infante. Directed by Garcia. 2:23 (violence). At the Sunshine
Cinemas and AMC Empire, Manhattan.
When ethnic pride comes in the door, filmmaking savvy seems to jump
out the window. Two examples: Atom Egoyan’s Armenian genocide soaper,
“Ararat,” and Roman Polanski’s Warsaw ghetto melodrama, “The
Pianist,” movies wherein gifted directors were reduced to lumber
salesmen by the weight of history and the memory of their mothers.
Add to this lackluster list “The Lost City,” which was clearly a
labor of love for Andy Garcia, and for the rest of us will simply be
laborious (ta-dum). Born in Cuba, Garcia became part of the
post-Castro exodus at age 5, and “The Lost City” seems like a film
he’s been nursing in his bosom since he first sighted Miami. His
intentions are admirable, Fidel Castro being indefensible. But his
primary purpose is pushing an agenda, so the movie becomes
indefensible.
Why Garcia and screenwriter G. Cabrera Infante decided to make “The
Lost City” into a melange of “The Godfather” and “Casablanca” is
anyone’s guess. (Why would Garcia remind us he was in “Godfather:
Part III”?) Garcia plays Fico Fellove, owner of the club El Tropico
and the eldest of three brothers – each of whom will follow a
different path in the Cuban revolution. Luis (Nestor Carbonell) joins
a bourgeoise insurrection that wants to topple President Fulgencio
Batista (Juan Fernández) without handing the country over to the
untrustworthy Castro. Ricardo (Enrique Murciano) will go completely
native, adopting the khakis and beard of a true believer and turn on
his own family. (His resemblance to a movie Judas – the old Judas –
has got to be intentional).
Fico is apolitical, devoted to the music that both his club and the
movie showcase. But he’s forced, naturally, into taking a stand.
“The Lost City” might have been a tidy, well-wrought story with 45
minutes cut, but it is bloated beyond redemption. Despite
invigorating performances by Bill Murray and Dustin Hoffman – the
latter as Meyer Lansky, the former as a kind of comedic Greek chorus
in shorts – the film is so transparent in its sentiments that it
can’t be taken seriously.
Once Castro comes to power, the cruelty goes nationwide. So does the
stupidity: A Castro functionary (Elizabeth Peña) orders Fico to ban
saxophones from his club, because the sax was invented by a Belgian
and Belgium had a shameful record in Africa.
Nowhere near the attention is paid to the crimes of the U.S.-backed
Batista, which is what got Castro his foothold to begin with. But
“The Lost City” isn’t history. Nor is it very good filmmaking.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PARLIAMENTARY HEARINGS

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
27 April 2006
On April 21 parliamentary hearings entitled “The Karabakh Problem:
Prospects of Settlement” were held for the first time in NKR.
Independent from what responses from the international community the
proposals on the Karabakh problem voiced in the parliament and the
conclusion based on the statements of the parliamentary factions and
groups will receive, the debates were an opportunity to bring together
the political forces and NGOs to express their standpoint freely.
Although the approaches of the NKR NGOs were definitely different,
they had a common opinion on principal points. The concern about the
fate of the Karabakh people was outlined in the statements of
speakers. The approaches of the representatives of political forces
were similar with regard to the recognition of the right for
self-determination of the people of Karabakh and the engagement of
Karabakh in the negotiations. NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan
said currently proposals are offered during the negotiations, which
suggest efforts for eradication of the consequences of the war rather
than the settlement of the conflict based on the rights of the people
of Karabakh.
According to the foreign minister, the aspirations and interests of
great powers are clearly outlined in the region. He is convinced that
the mediators are trying to push Azerbaijan to make concessions to
settle the issue in the framework of territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, and the Armenian party to accept greater compromises. This
is a circumstance, which shifts the settlement of the problem to the
military plane. Emphasizing the importance of working out a clear
concept by the Armenian party to reach the international recognition
of NKR, Armen Rustamyan, Chair of the Committee of External Relations
of the Armenian National Assembly, said, “We should enable the
international community to discern the non-constructive standpoint of
Azerbaijan,” emphasizing the importance of moving the international
community to a level of positive neutrality. Armen Sargissian, the
head of the parliamentary group ARF-Movement 88 of the NKR National
Assembly, emphasized the importance of recognizing NKR as a full-right
party in the settlement process. “Nagorno Karabakh is a subject of the
talks, not an object. The engagement of Karabakh is necessary, and
Armenia should act as a guarantor of the rights of NKR and promote its
international recognition,” said Armen Sargissian, emphasizing the
building of a democratic state with all its institutions as part of
the strategic plan.
Member of Parliament Arthur Tovmassian, Hayrenik Party of NKR, says
the calls of Azerbaijan for a military and political change are caused
by the lack of confidence between the parties. He thinks that the
potential of Armenians all over the world should be used for the
settlement of the Karabakh problem, both parties should be invited to
organize various meetings for the settlement of the issue, using all
the possibilities of democratic diplomacy. “It is not something new
that Azerbaijan has greater economic resources, but economically
powerful does not necessarily mean strong and effective. I think
Azerbaijan will lose more territories in case it wages a new war,”
said Arthur Tovmassian.
Emphasizing the importance of working out a common concept as a
result of the parliamentary debates, Vahram Atanessian, the head of
the NKR National Assembly Faction of Democracy, said the involved
parties should be concerned about the militaristic calls, statements
about territorial integrity and proclaiming of a murderer Man of the
Year; in this context the international community should give an
adequate assessment. Vahram Atanessian believes that it is possible to
undertake elimination of the consequences of the war only after the
international recognition of NKR. Hrant Melkumyan, the leader of the
Communist Party, said the return of liberated territories, Azerbaijani
refugees and deployment of peacemaking forces in the region are
unacceptable. The deputy leader of the Movement 88 Party Gegham
Baghdasaryan said the format of the talks between Armenia and
Azerbaijan has distorted the essence and status of the conflict over
Nagorno Karabakh. “It is not a secret that in the course of years
Nagorno Karabakh was forced out of the talks. Moreover, it has become
an object while it used to be a subject,” he said. The chair of the
NKR NA Social Committee Arpat Avanessian asked the chair of the RA NA
Committee of External Relations Armen Rustamian, “Are you aware of the
deeper nuances of the presently ongoing negotiations and to comment on
Mr. Oskanian’s statements about compromises.” Armen Rustamian assured
that the information he gets during the consultations with the
president and foreign minister of Armenia is enough to form a full
picture of the talks. For the statements of the Armenian foreign
minister (particularly, after the talks in Rambouillet), it was
mentioned that Azerbaijan’s standpoint on two principle questions
(namely, the status of NKR and guarantees of security) is not
flexible, and Armen Rustamian believes Azerbaijan will hardly
recognize the right for self-determination of the people of
Karabakh. In answer to the Armenian Member of Parliament Hmayak
Hovanissian whether NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian possesses
enough information about the process of settlement, Georgy Petrossian
assured that sufficient information on the talks is acquired through
various channels. At the same time, he emphasized that unlike the
political forces of Armenia, the political parties of NKR do not
interfere with the internal political affairs of Armenia and have
always displayed an adequate and interested approach with regard to
the settlement of the Karabakh issue. In conclusion, the chair of the
NKR NA Committee of External Relations Vahram Atanessian published a
document based on the joint statements of the groups and factions of
the NKR National Assembly, which says, “The groups and factions of the
NKR National Assembly define the Karabakh-Azerbaijani armed
confrontation of 1991-1994 as Azerbaijani aggression against
proclaimed NKR, the actions of Nagorno Karabakh as an application of
the indivisible right of people for self-defence under Article 51 of
the UN Conventions, and the current reality in the conflict area as
the consequences of the Azerbaijani aggression. The recognition of
democratic NKR will become an important factor of regional stability
and security.”
NVARD OHANJANIAN.
27-04-2006
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

An account has been opened to help Abraham Karapetyan
ArmRadio.am
28.04.2006 16:45
A few days ago `Radiolur’ informed about three-year-old Abraham
Karapetyan, who suffers retina cancer. To save the child’s life, one
of his eyes was ablated two years ago. To keep the second eye, the
child needs to be operated on in large hospitals abroad, particularly
France and England. Through `Radiolur’ Abraham’s mother applied all
charity organizations and individuals to help the child. Following
this publication we have received a number of responses already.
We would like to inform that those willing to help three-year-old
Abraham, can transfer their donations to the following account in
Unibanck ` 24.10.41.01.50.17.

PRICES OF APARTMENTS GROW
Lragir.am
28 April 06
The average price of apartments in Yerevan grew by 24.5 percent in
2005. The news agency ARKA received this information from the National
Statistics Service. According to the National Statistics Service, 65.1
percent of 14 098 of apartments purchased or sold in Yerevan are in
blocks of apartments. The highest prices were reported in the City
Center and Arabkir communities, 157.3-435.9 thousand drams and
112.3-314.6 thousand drams per square meter respectively. The lowest
price was reported in the community of Nubarashen – 53.9-112.3
thousand drams per one square meter. In the regions the growth was
25.9 percent.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“SARDARAPAT MEMORIAL COMPLEX” STATE INSITUTION REORGANIZED INTO STATE
NONCEMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. In accordance with the RA Law on State
Noncommercial Organizations, the Armenian government made a decision
to reorganize “The Sardarapat Memorial Complex, State Museum of
Ethnography and Liberation Movement of Armenia” state institution
under the jurisdiction of the RA Ministry of Defence into a state
noncommercial organization (SNO) of the same name. NT was informed
about it from the RA Government Information and PR Department. It was
decided to transfer the state property worth 92,248 drams (about 205
USD) of the indicated state institution (except state lands,
buildings, constructions, as well as property of historical and
cultural value and property exceeding 10 minimal salaries) to the
newly established SNO with the right of ownership. The state lands,
buildings, constructions, property of historical and cultural value
and property exceeding 10 minimal salaries of a total of 279,894 drams
owned by the state institution will be transferred to the NSO with the
right of free and perpetual use. It was noted that the above mentioned
decision will enable to organize the management and activities of the
memorial complex most efficiently.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
April 28, 2006
Defense of Doctoral Theses in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Four New Vardapets in the Armenian Church
On April 21, three members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin and one
member of the Brotherhood of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
defended their doctoral theses before the doctoral examination committee in
the Mother See.
Rev. Fr. Abgar Hovakimian, Vicar of the Diocese of Syunik, defended his
doctoral thesis entitled `St. Dionysius the Areopagite in Armenian
Bibliography’.
Rev. Fr. Mkrtich Proshian, Dean of the Vaskenian Seminary of Lake Sevan,
defended his doctoral thesis entitled `An Analysis of Feminist Sotierology’.
Rev. Fr. Hovakim Manukian, Office Director of the Department of Inter-Church
Relations, defended his doctoral thesis entitled `Ecumenism in the Twentieth
Century and the Armenian Church’.
Rev. Fr. Sahak Mashalian from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
defended his doctoral thesis entitled `Faith and Miracle’.
The examination committee was comprised of His Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrosian
(Chairman); His Grace Bishop Mikayel Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of
Shirak; and His Grace Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother
See.
Following each candidate’s presentation and question and answer period, the
committee determined that all four presentations were acceptable and deemed
the priests worthy to be granted the rank of `Vardapet’ (Archimandrite).
On Saturday, April 23, in the Church of St. Mesrop Mashtots in Oshakan, His
Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrosian, bestowed the rank of Vardapet on the three
members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.  The priests recommitted
themselves to the service of the Armenian people and Holy Church by taking
an oath near the tomb of the `Great Teacher’ St. Mesrop, whereupon they
received their doctoral staffs.
Rev. Fr. Mashalian will be granted his doctoral staff in the month of June.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Frank Pallone: Bush’s remarks failed to properly characterize Armenian
Genocide
ArmRadio.am
28.04.2006 11:35
Representative Frank Pallone, Jr, co-chairman of the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, made the following statement after
President Bush’s proclamation on the 91st anniversary of the start of
the Armenian Genocide: “The President should have used today’s 91st
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide to promote a United States
foreign policy that reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity
to human rights, ethnic cleansing and genocide. Instead, President
Bush failed, once again, to honor his pledge to properly characterize
the Armenian Genocide as “genocide” in his annual April 24th
remarks. Despite a plea by over 200 Members of Congress last week, he
continues to avoid any clear reference to the Armenian Genocide.”
“It’s time the U.S. government recognizes these actions as genocide so
that we can renew our commitment to prevent such atrocities from
occurring again. By properly affirming the Armenian Genocide, we can
also help to ensure its legacy and rightfully honor its victims and
survivors,” Frank Pallone concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian officer wounded in ceasefire violation
Arminfo
28 Apr 06
Yerevan, 28 April: An officer of the Armenian armed forces has been
wounded in a ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side.
The Armenian Defence Ministry press service has reported that at about
1530 yesterday [1030 gmt 27 April], the Azerbaijani side fired on a
section of Idzhevan-Noyemberyan road. As a result, Sr Sgt Gegam
Mikhayelyan, who was travelling in a Kamaz lorry, was wounded. The
officer was admitted to Noyemberyan city hospital at about 1600 [1100
gmt]. Doctors describe his condition as satisfactory.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress