Author: Emil Lazarian

ArmenPress
April 22 2004
CANADA RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
OTTAWA, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS: With an overwhelmingly favorable
vote of 153 to 68 in Parliament Wednesday Canada joined the growing
number of nations that have formally recognized the Armenian
Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The motion reads that “That this House acknowledges the Armenian
genocide of 1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity.’
Government members were discouraged from voting for the motion,
which is sure to anger a Turkish government that has never recognized
the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians starting in 1915. Following a
charged debate at their weekly closed-door caucus meeting, Liberal
backbenchers voted massively in favor while the party’s cabinet
contingent rejected the Bloc Quebecois motion.
The Turkish government has warned that recognizing the genocide
could have economic consequences.
“Armenians in America and throughout the world welcome this
historic step by Canada,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of
the ANCA. “The Canadian Parliament, in rejecting intense Turkish
government pressure, took an important step in further isolating
Turkey for its shameful, international campaign of genocide denial,”
he said.
The governing Liberal leadership paved the way for this vote by
allowing a “free vote,” meaning that individual members are allowed
to vote their conscience, without any pressure or negative
repercussions from their respective party leaderships.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Calgary Herald (Alberta, Canada)
April 22, 2004 Thursday Final Edition
Savouring life important for wine distributor
by Kim Carson
Alla Wagner is an impressive woman with fair skin, thick black hair
and unwavering, pale blue eyes.
She is one of 150 or so Armenians in Calgary and her baptized name,
Ashkhen, is that of a third-century Armenian queen.
The movie, The Passion of the Christ, was the first thing we talked
about.
“Have you seen it?” she asked. I said yes, and that I found it very
moving.
“To me, this movie is about cruelty — a cruelty that doesn’t exist
between everyday people, but is driven solely by politics. Forgive
me, I have strong opinions about this. This cruelty has always
existed and it continues today. This is why we must remember history
— not so that anyone can feel self-righteous — but so these acts of
cruelty aren’t committed again.”
This Saturday, April 24, is the commemoration day for the 1915
Armenian genocide by Turkish troops in which more than two million
Armenians were massacred or displaced.
To date, neither Turkey, the U.S., nor even Canada has acknowledged
the genocide. The general idea is that if Turkey apologizes, it will
have to compensate.
“But I don’t want to say this is an ‘Armenian’ problem,” Alla is
quick to explain. “It’s the problem throughout the whole world.”
This is not the first time Alla has expressed herself politically.
For a young girl growing up in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan
during the era of Soviet rule, taking part in political movements was
a regular event. The closing down of Armenian language schools in
favour of Russian schools was something she fought hard against.
“Politics aside, I was quite an artsy-fart when I was a kid,” she
laughs.
Alla studied art, sang in bands, and learned every kind of dance
available to her — Armenian traditional dance, Georgian and other
folk dances, belly dancing and ballroom dance.
“Armenian children are expected to entertain their family and guests.
At some point, every child is expected to do something — sing, play
a musical instrument, recite poetry.
“In that part of the world, if you’re a child with talent, there is
no way you will not be noticed. Whether or not your family has money,
you will be singled out and your talent will be cultivated.
“On the other hand, I wanted to be a ballerina — to study in the
state classical dance academy and dance at the Bolshoi. However, I
was measured and tested and it was decided that I didn’t have what it
takes. That was the end of it. I cried my eyes out for days.”
Alla completed her degree in library sciences and bibliography. She
went on to do her masters in St. Petersburg in 1983, just as Mikhail
Gorbachev was coming into power and the Soviet Union began its slow
collapse. Though she began as a teaching assistant at the Institute
of Culture, she never finished her studies.
“Academics were losing their positions in society. There was no money
for them and, frankly, they had nothing to sell. They were people of
respect and status who had suddenly become absolute nobodies with
nothing. Many killed themselves.
“As a young woman, I felt this situation held nothing for me. And I
refused to follow my parents’ advice, which was to marry and settle
down.”
So 20 years ago, Alla came to Calgary by herself after getting the
idea from some Armenian-Canadians she met at a wedding.
– – –
Alla’s intelligence and tenacity grace her as much today as ever. She
now lives with her two teenage children in the southwest
neighbourhood of Somerset. Her parents and brother, having followed
from Armenia, also live in Calgary.
Over the years, she has cultivated a new passion — wine.
Alla is a wine distributor in Calgary, dealing in organic, old-world
wines from Eastern Europe, particularly the republic of Georgia. She
travels throughout Europe and has 17 hectares of Georgian land on
which — if the political situation settles — she hopes to start her
own vineyard.
“This area, the east coast of the Black Sea, is beautiful. It’s a
place I traveled through every summer of my childhood. It’s famous
for its Saperavi grapes and it’s similar in appearance and climate to
the Okanagan Valley, only the winters are much warmer and
frost-free.”
Alla has visited many of the vintners in this region. She’s
fascinated by their work, which involves ancient techniques (the wine
history of Georgia is more than 5,000 years old). Yet each vintner
has his own secret ways that are unique.
“It’s funny, these vintners don’t even drink much wine. It’s the
work, more than the final product, that’s an art to them. You could
call it devotional. This is what I love most and what I want to learn
from them.”
Yet as a woman used to overcoming obstacles, Alla’s greatest
challenge now is not related to politics or wine; it’s the daily
management of a condition she developed 12 years ago — travelling
rheumatoid arthritis — in which parts of her body alternately become
swollen and intensely painful.
“Like all else, the most important thing is that it doesn’t interfere
with my life. Because I have no intention of stopping. Over the
years, I’ve developed systems for dealing with it, but sometimes I
overdo it and then my family ends up paying,” she admits sheepishly.
“Truly, I look forward to the day when I can relax a bit and do
something more soulful.”
Politics, cruelty, passion, and day-to-day challenges aside, perhaps
one day Alla — Ashkhen — will be able to live peacefully in her
homeland, travel to the Black Sea area, and take up the art of making
wine.
If you know of an interesting candidate for Calgary in Character,
e-mail Kim Carson at [email protected]
GRAPHIC: Colour Photo: Kim Carson, for Neighbours; Alla Wagner
relaxes in the verdant tranquility of the Devonian Gardens.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
April 22, 2004 Thursday 3:12 AM Eastern Time
German FM to arrive in Yerevan for official visit
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
Deputy Federal Chancellor, Foreign Minister of Germany Joschka
Fischer is arriving in Yerevan on Thursday for a one-day official
visit within the framework of his tour of the region.
During the visit, the German minister will discuss with the Armenian
leadership issues of bilateral political cooperation and regional
security.
In particular, Joschka Fischer intends to discuss ways of settling
the Nagorny Karabkh problem and problems of mutual relations between
Armenia and the Council of Europe.
Within the framework of the visit, Joschka Fischer will visit the
memorial to victims of the genocide of Armenians of 1915 and lay a
wreath to the eternal flame. This will be the first visit to the
memorial by Germany’s official representative.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PUTIN PRAISES KAZAKH FORUM FOR UNITING EURASIAN MEDIA
Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency
22 Apr 04
Almaty, 22 April: Russian President Vladimir Putin has greeted those
attending the third Eurasian Media Forum, which opened in Almaty
today.
“Your authoritative association makes a remarkable contribution to
developing dialogue between the representatives of the media on the
(Eurasian) continent,” Putin noted in his message, the text of which
was read out before those present at the forum by Russian Ambassador
to Kazakhstan Vladimir Babichev.
“Such topical issues as humanitarian cooperation, forming a common
information space and the role of the media in modern global and
regional processes are in the centre of the forum’s attention,” the
head of the Russian state noted.
He also underlined the importance of discussing such issues at the
scheduled media forum as “bringing together the journalistic
profession to counter international terrorism, extremism and drug
trafficking”.
“Today, this joint work has very topical significance. I wish you
success,” Putin noted in his message.
OSCE Secretary-General Jan Kubis, Secretary-General of the Eurasian
Economic Community Grigoriy Rapota and the former Armenian prime
minister, Armen Sarkisyan, who attended the first Eurasian Media
Forum, also greeted from the rostrum those attending the Eurasian
Media Forum.
A video address by Prince Hasan Bin-Talal of Jordan was also shown to
the participants in the forum.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
April 22, 2004 Thursday 3:12 AM Eastern Time
US to back any Azerbaijan-Armenia agreement on Karabakh – diplomat
By Sevindzh Abdullayeva and Viktor Shulman
BAKU
U.S. co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk for Nagorno-Karabakh, Steven Mann,
said the major purpose of the U.S. government is to cooperate with
both warring sides in order to find a fair solution to the problem.
In his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev on Thursday,
Mann said the U.S. supports any agreement that will be reached by the
sides.
Mann told journalists that his talks in Baku and Yerevan focused on
organising a meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents.
The Minsk Group is maintaining a dialogue with both sides at all
levels because these efforts will help overcome the deadlock, the
diplomat stressed.
He did not rule out that the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group may
visit the region shortly. The exact date of their visit will be
coordinated by the sides, Mann said.
The U.S. diplomat said he has very fruitful meetings with the
leadership of Azerbaijan and Armenia, but he declined to disclose the
details of his talks.
According to certain reports, the presidents of Azerbaijan and
Armenia may meet in Warsaw on April 28 as part of the European
Economic Forum.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
April 22, 2004, Thursday
Germany’s Fischer urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to settle Karabakh fight
YEREVAN
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Thursday stepped up
international pressure on Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve the
long-running conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.
Only with a genuine settlement could the Caucasus region as a whole
become stable, Fischer told Armenian President Robert Kocharyan in
Yerevan during a tour of the former Soviet Caucasus republics.
Germany and the European Union would assist the process, he said,
adding that “The main role, however, lies with the conflicting
sides”.
A shaky ceasefire has held in the ethnic Armenian enclave within
Azerbaijan since 1994, after upward of 25,000 people died in fighting
and a million were displaced.
The German minister also visited a memorial to the estimated 1.5
million Armenians who died during repressions by Turkish forces in
1915. Armenia has for years sought to have their deaths
internationally recognized as genocide.
Fischer visited Azerbaijan on Wednesday and was due to travel to
neighbouring Georgia later Thursday. dpa na cu
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER: April 22, 2004
89th ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
The various commemorations of the 89th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide by the Ottoman Turkish government will take place during the coming
few days and into next week. Archbishop Oshagan urges all of our faithful to
attend the commemorations to honor the memory of our martyrs. This year
April 24 falls on a Saturday, just as it did in 1915.
This afternoon Archbishop Oshagan will attend an intimate gathering in
the New York City offices of Governor Pataki to receive the Proclamation
issued by New York State.
Tomorrow evening, Friday, April 23, he will deliver the invocation at
ceremonies in New York City Hall, sponsored by the Armenian National
Committee of New York and the City of New York. Peter Balakian of Colgate
University and Robert Melson of Purdue University will be the keynote
speakers. The event is made possible by the sponsorship of New York City
Council members Melinda Katz and Speaker A. Gifford Miller. Buses will
depart from areas in Queens at 4:30 p.m., including Baruir’s Grocery in
Sunnyside, Holy Martyrs Church in Bayside, St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston,
the Iranian Armenian Center in Little Neck, and the Armenian Center in
Woodside.
On Saturday, April 24, His Eminence will preside at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral in New York City. V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the
Prelacy, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the Sermon. A requiem
service for the martyrs will take place at the Martyrs Altar. The Divine
Liturgy will begin at 11 a.m.
On Sunday, April 25, Srpazan Hayr will deliver the invocation at the
Times Square gathering sponsored by the Knights of Vartan, beginning at 2
p.m. There is free bus transportation to and from Times Square from all of
the metropolitan area churches and centers. Contract your local church or
center for details about transportation.
On April 28, Archbishop Oshagan will deliver the invocation at
commemorative events on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, sponsored by the
Armenian National Committee of America.
NEW YORK TIMES CHANGES POLICY
ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
The New York Times has recently revised its guidelines for editors
regarding the Armenian genocide. The new policy says, After careful study of
scholarly definitions of genocide we have decided to accept the term in
references to the Turks mass destruction of Armenians in and around 1915.
The expression Armenian genocide may be used freely and should not be
qualified with phrasing like what Armenians call, etc. By most historical
accounts, the Ottoman empire killed more than one million Armenians in a
campaign of death and mass deportation aimed at eliminating the Armenian
population throughout what is now Turkey. While we may of course report
Turkish denials on those occasions when they are relevant, we should not
couple them with the historians’ findings, as if they had equal weight.
(Source: International Association of Genocide Scholars)
CANADA RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
The House of Commons adopted a motion recognizing the Armenian Genocide
by a majority of 153 votes. The passing of this resolution was the
culmination of a 25-year process which encompassed similar resolutions being
passed by city councils, provinces, and the Canadian Senate. Canada now
joins a long list of nations including France, Switzerland and Russia which
have recognized the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
(Source: Assembly of Armenians of Europe)
MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON
The Prelacy Ladies’ Guild’s annual Mothers’ Day Luncheon and Fashion
Show has become both traditional and anticipated in the tri-state area. The
luncheon, which is expected to attract a capacity attendance, will take
place Monday, May 3, at the Versailles Room of The St. Regis, Two East 55th
Street, New York City.
As in previous years the luncheon will feature a fashion show. The
Spring 2004 Collection will be presented by Neiman Marcus of Paramus, New
Jersey.
Above all else, the luncheon is an opportunity for mothers and
daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, aunts and nieces to share an
afternoon, enjoying the company of new and old friends, amidst joyous,
congenial and elegant surroundings. The reception begins at 11:30 a.m., with
luncheon at 12:30 p.m.
MENK HAYEREN CHENK KEEDER
TO BE PRESENTED MAY 22
The Hamasdegh Armenian School will present, Menk Hayeren Chenk Keeder
(We do not know Armenian), by A. Saroukhan on Saturday, May 22, 7:00 p.m. at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. The
event is organized by New Jersey’s Nareg Saturday School. The production is
directed by Onnig Moutafian. The Hamasdegh School and Nareg School are
affiliated with the Armenian National Education Committee. For information,
201-461-1254.
ADULT EDUCATION SEMINAR
PLANNED FOR MID-ATLANTIC AREA
The Armenian Religious Education Council is planning an adult education
program for the Mid-Altantic region, June 25-27, at St. Mary of Providence
Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. The main portion of the seminar will
explore Critical Issues of Life and Faith: An Armenian Orthodox Perspective
led by Vigen Guroian, Professor of Theology and Ethics at Loyola College in
Baltimore, Maryland.
The seminar will feature lectures, Bible studies, panel discussions,
small group discussions, and worship services. Topics discussed will include
issues of modern life including gay marriage, reproductive technology,
abortion, suicide, and cremation.
Watch for complete details next week on the Prelacy’s web page.
OOPS! JEOPARDY TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP IS MAY 23
One more time! The championship jeopardy tournament will take place on
Sunday, May 23 (not May 22 as reported last week), at St. Gregory Church in
Philadelphia. Sorry for the confusion. In the old days we would blame such
errors on the printers devil. I suppose these days we can blame it on that
old devil in cyberspace.
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
WILL CONVENE IN PHILADELPHIA IN MAY
The National Representative Assembly will convene May 19-21, hosted by
St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. The NRA meets each May to review the past
year’s accomplishments and draft new directives for the coming year. The
host church’s web site provides complete details:
GREEN SUNDAY
This Sunday, April 25, the third Sunday of Easter is Green Sunday
(Ganach Giragee) also called World Church Sunday (Ashkharhamadoor). The name
Green Sunday most probably has its origins in an ancient folk holiday. Our
forefathers, seeing mother earth bloom after long winter months, glorified
the Creator with an act of thanksgiving, and celebrated by bedecking
themselves with greenery. Green is the color of life, freshness, and
promise. When nature is painted green by the brush of the Almighty after a
barren winter, it creates a deep awareness of hope, life and love.
It is also called World Church Sunday in the sense of the church
belonging to the whole world beginning with Christ and the Apostles who met
regularly to pray and partake of the Holy Sacrament of Communion.
The thought of the week is from poet Vahan Tekeyan, a genocide survivor:
We who survived, we who lived on after our companions, assuredly have been
spared to honor them, that neither their thoughts, nor their spirit, nor the
people who gave them life nor the land that nourished them might perish and
be lost forever. We who survived, live on to magnify their spirit, to give
life to their sacred dreams. We who survived, bear not joy in our hearts,
but scars of toil and sacrifice. And so we shall, we must continue to labor
for the sake of those who perished, for the realization of their dreams.
Visit our website at
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: [email protected]
 
ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP CONGRATULATES MP ASSADOURIAN ON PASSAGE OF GENOCIDE
RESOLUTION — DESCRIBES MOVE AS VICTORY FOR JUSTICE
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America Wednesday night
congratulated Canadian Parliamentarian Sarkis Assadourian, the
Armenian-Canadian community and all Canadians on the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the House of Commons.
The historic vote passed by a margin of 153 to 68 Wednesday evening. The
passage was a crowning achievement for Assadourian who has fought for
Canada’s recognition since the early days of his election to the House in
1993.
“What the Canadian House of Commons did was a victory for upholding the
truth and honoring the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in
the first Genocide of the 20th century. We urge President Bush to re-affirm
the Armenian Genocide following this historic North American development,”
Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian stated.
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), for their part, said: “We applaud the Canadian
Parliament for its decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide as a crime
against humanity. This action should serve as an impetus for our Executive
Branch to take a principled stand and reaffirm the U.S. record on the
Armenian Genocide.”
Brought to the floor of the chamber as Motion M-380, the Canadian
Parliamentarians gave their resounding approval to “acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide of 1915 and condemn this act as a crime against humanity.”
Hours after the historic vote, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham
distanced his government from the House of Commons decision.
“We agree with the members of the House that the events of 1915 to 1923 were
tragic. Canada has condemned the atrocities committed against hundreds of
thousands of Armenians, including massive deportations and massacres … The
Canadian government also believes that the issue is essentially for the
Armenian and Turkish governments and experts to resolve,” Graham said.
In a footnote, Graham’s office said: “Debates and votes on private member’s
business in the House of Commons are an integral part of the Canadian
democratic process, but private member’s motions are not binding on the
Government of Canada.”
But despite the reaction from the Canadian government, the vote remained a
major victory for the supporters of recognition, which was almost ten years
in the making.
“We have all been waiting for this moment for ten years. It was a very
emotional moment for the more than 200 Canadian-Armenians who were in the
visitor’s galleries of the House. As one MP stood up after another in
support of the resolution, and the Speaker announced its passage, the crowd
roared in applause and shouts of Bravo! Many people could not hold back
their tears as they embraced each other,” Assadourian’s Legislative
Assistant Daniel Kennedy said.
In a telephone communication shortly after the House of Common’s vote
Wednesday night, Anthony Barsamian, Chairman of the Board of Directors
personally thanked Mr. Assadourian.
This was immediately followed by a letter of congratulations which read:
“On behalf of Hirair Hovnanian and Carolyn Mugar, Chairman and President of
the Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America, we congratulate you, the
Armenian-Canadian Community and all Canadians on this historic passage and
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the House of Commons.”
“We specifically thank Ms. Dalphond-Guiral of Laval Center for offering the
resolution and you for your persistent effort and commitment in condemning
this act as a crime against humanity and toward full acknowledgement and
re-affirmation of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.”
“Armenian-Americans join today in thanking all Canadian citizens for your
courage in standing up for truth and justice in order that the world shall
never forget this crime committed against the Armenian people.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-043
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Sony-led group in talks to buy MGM for $5bn
By Peter Thal Larsen in New York
FT
April 22 2004 0:20

A group led by Sony, the Japanese electronics giant, is in talks to
buy Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in a deal that would value the famed Hollywood
studio at around $5bn.
Sony and two private equity firms, Providence Equity Partners and
Texas Pacific Group, have been examining MGM’s books with a view to
making an offer, people close to the situation said. However a deal –
if one is finalised – is believed to be several weeks away.
The talks represent the latest instalment in the long-running drama of
MGM’s future. It boasts a film library stocked with classics such as
Annie Hall and The Pink Panther but has increasingly become an anomaly
in an industry dominated by integrated media conglomerates.
Kirk Kerkorian, the billionaire investor who controls 75 per cent of
MGM, has in recent years explored a variety of options including a
sale to another studio or a merger with a media rival.
A few years ago he held talks with Sony about a possible deal which
fell apart on a disagreement about price. Last year, an MGM-led
consortium – which included Providence – was one of the losing bidders
in the auction of Vivendi’s US media assets, including Universal
Studios. The deal now under discussion would see Sony and its partners
make an offer for MGM valuing the company’s equity and debt around
$5bn.
Although MGM is debt-free, its management has drawn up a plan to pay
investors a special dividend of about $8 per share.
Any deal with Sony would not be finalised until after the dividend –
which is expected to cost the company around $1.9bn – had been
distributed. MGM shares closed up $2.10 at $19.75. MGM, Sony,
Providence and Texas Pacific all declined to comment.
A deal would allow Sony to merge its film library with MGM’s,
generating big cost savings and giving it more clout in negotiations
with cable operators and DVD retailers.
Bringing in private equity investors would enable Sony, which has
generally been cautious about acquisitions, to spread the cost of the
purchase.
News of the talks may spur other media groups such as Time Warner to
consider a possible offer for MGM, people familiar with the matter
said.
But industry observers warned that MGM executives were notorious for
talking about possible deals without completing them.
“They open up their books every year and say: come buy us,” one
Hollywood insider said. “It’s a rite of spring.” Indeed, Mr Kerkorian
has owned the studio on three separate occasions in the past 35 years.
Although MGM retains its famous logo of a roaring lion, it has faded
since its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, when Louis B. Mayer made it
Hollywood’s largest studio, producing hits such as Gone with the Wind
and the Wizard of Oz.
In recent years chief executive Alex Yemenidjian has concentrated on
developing cash flow from MGM’s library while limiting its investment
in new movies, aside from proven blockbusters such as the James Bond
films.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1 Plus | 20:11:02 | 21-04-2004 | Politics |
RALLY STARTS
MP Shavarsh Kocharyan, who is presiding at the opposition-staged rally,
after welcoming the event participants in his opening speech, said people
had gathered here seeking decent lives in their own homeland.
Armenia could be like Latvia, if Kocharyan wasn’t Armenian president, he
said.
People Party leader Stepan Demirchyan, Robert Kocharyan’s bitter opponent
and key rival in presidential elections, commenting on ruling coalition’s
repeated calls for dialogue, said both sides of dialogue must observe the
law, however, Kocharyan proved on April 13 that he put himself above the
law.
The crowd is repeatedly chanting “Kocharyan, go away”.
Our crew on the scene says there are tens thousands of people in the square,
there is no room to swing a cat.
Armenian Sciences National Academy member Raphael Ghazaryan, whose wife and
son were among those disturbed by the police during the April 13
demonstration, said Robert Kocharyan with his vicious qualification of the
violence as “a brilliant operation” was far more ominous than the violence
itself.
Republic party leader Aram Sargssyan said the police terror raged across the
country. The only way to get rid of it is to oust current authorities from
power, he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress