Author: Emma Nadirian

KurdishMedia, UK
July 29, 2004
IPA concerned about dangers threatening publishers in lead up to
consideration of Turkey’s membership in the EU.
BIA (Geneva) – The International Publishers Association (IPA) is
deeply concerned about the dangers that threaten Turkish publishers
when pursuing their profession.
“We call upon the Turkish authorities to implement the many reforms
that were passed. Implementation is key and must not surrender to
bureaucratic conservatism or any other hurdle,” says Ana-Maria
Cabanellas, President of the IPA.
On 15 July 2004, eight international NGOs met with Enlargement
Commissioner Günter Verheugen in Brussels to discuss the progress
made by Turkey in the field of Human Rights.
The Commission will issue a recommendation this September on whether
EU member states should start membership negotiations with Turkey in
December 2004 or not.
It is indeed in December that Heads of States and Governments will
decide on this. They have already indicated that they would follow
the recommendation issued by the Commission.
The IPA recalled that last year 43 books were banned and 37 writers
and 17 publishers were put on trial. To date in 2004, at least 15
books have been banned in Turkey.
While welcoming the legislative and constitutional changes in Turkey,
the IPA expressed its three main concerns:
1. The legal impediments to the practice of the right to freedom of
expression in Turkey;
2. The current tendency of Turkish Security Courts to harass writers,
journalists and publishers by putting them on trial more and more
often, fining them or just postponing their trials indefinitely;
3. The lack of implementation of legal reforms regarding freedom of
expression.
Lars Grahn, Chairman of IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee, says,
“The six following taboos are obvious hurdles to freedom of
expression and to publishing in Turkey: Position of the Military,
Kurdish Question, Armenian Genocide, Kemalism, Women’s Liberation and
Islamic Law.
“Treating writers, journalists and publishers as potential terrorists
or criminals and judging them in the same courts as drug traffickers
and/or real terrorists is unacceptable.” (YE)
* The IPA press statement was released on July 19, 2004
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

POLITICAL SITUATION IN ARMENIA UNPREDICTABLE: VAHAN KHACHATRYAN
YEREVAN, JULY 24. ARMINFO. The political situation in Armenia is
chaotic and unpredictable, therefore it has no prospects, the ex-mayor
of Yerevan, member of the “Armat’ public and political organization
Vahan Khachatryan told a press conference. The “Armat” organization
was founded by representatives of the former ruling party, Armenian
National Movement (ANM).
According to Khachatryan, the country’s authorities have no long-term
development program (the ones available are only a cover for the
international community), and their actions are aimed personal
enrichment. Corruption in all spheres, arbitrary rule in economy and
election system may not even me mentioned, as last year’s presidential
and parliamentary elections, dispersion of peaceful demonstration and
other acts of disgrace are still fresh in the people’s memory. In the
current situation everything depends on the opposition, the “Justice”
bloc and the “National Unity” party, on their commitment to the
principles proclaimed by them. In this context, September must give
answers to the questions as to whether the opposition return to
Parliament, resume rallies and so on. Khachatryan pointed out that
boycotting the Parliament means boycotting trips abroad (except for
OSCE sessions), and returning to Parliament means putting up with
election rigging,, political arrests, etc.. Political life in Armenia
is unfortunately full of criminal, and the authorities do not bear any
responsibility to society because they are illegal, so everything
depends on the opposition, Khachatryan said. He pointed out that all
the talks about a third force have been invented by the authorities to
“shatter” the opposition’s unity.
Khachatryan strongly disagrees with the opinion that the foundations
for corruption, election rigging and other unlawful acts were laid
under the ANM. “We were fully open, acted publicly. The incumbent
authorities tried to slander and condemn us, but nothing was
proved. Our real blunder was allowing the former party officials to
come to power,” Khachatryan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

1,250,000 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES ISSUED IN 679 ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES IN FIRST
HALF OF 2004
YEREVAN, JULY 23. ARMINFO. A total of 1,250,000 ownership certificates
were issued in 679 Armenian communities in the first half of
2004. 956,000 of them were issued free of charge due to budgetary
funds, Head of the RA Registry of Immovable Property, RA Government,
Manuk Vardanyan told a press conference.
He reported that in the first half of 2004 the Registry also
transferred public land-plots to Armenia’s communities. Specifically,
in 847 communities the ownership of public lands was transferred to
communities. “The RA Government has been informed of 309 communities
where the ownership of about 280,000 hectares of land was transferred
to communities,” Vardanyan said. Speaking of the goals of this work,
he pointed out that the sums accumulated from land lease will thus be
directed to communities’ budgets. Also, communities will act as full
members of the real estate market enjoying ownership right.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia hands over facilities, land to Russian military base
Arminfo
17 Jul 04

YEREVAN
Col-Gen Mikael Arutyunyan, chief of the general staff of the Armenian
armed forces, and Igor Gromyko, adviser to the Russian ambassador to
Armenia, today signed a document on the activities of the Russian
military base in Armenia. The agreement on the deployment of the
Russian military base in Armenia for a period of 25 years was signed
in 1992.
In line with the document, Armenia is handing over to Russia
facilities and plots of land required by the 102nd Russian military
base and Russia will own them for a limited period of time. Armenia
will get back the plots of land that the Russian military base no
longer needs.
It is still difficult to say how long the Russian base will stay in
Armenia, for 25 year, or for a shorter or longer period, Arutyunyan
said. The two countries will decide this, he said. Armenia needs the
Russian military base today and the base should be strong and
efficient. It is difficult to remember the West ever protesting
against the Russian military bases in Armenia, he said.
He added that five Armenian officers will take part in NATO’s
forthcoming exercises in Azerbaijan and will occupy various positions
in the manoeuvres. Armenia’s involvement in the exercises must be of
full value – Armenia’s flag must be raised and national anthem played,
Arutyunyan said.
In turn, Gromyko said that there is no need to guess how long the
Russian base will stay in Armenia. It will stay in Armenia as long as
it suits Armenia and Russia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
July 15, 2004
___________________
Week of July 9 to July 15, 2004
* * *
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
Sunday (7/18) is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, one of
the five principal feasts on the Armenian Church liturgical calendar,
which celebrates the revelation of Christ’s divine nature. To learn
more about the feast and Armenian traditions for the day, and to find
resources to help educate your children, click to the Eastern Diocese’s
website:
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/14/04)
* * *
PRIMATE VISITS ST. VARTAN CAMP
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, was at St.
Vartan Camp yesterday (7/14). He visited with the campers at the camp’s
new location, the Ararat Center in the Catskill Mountains. For photos
from his visit and other camp activities, as well as dispatches from the
campers, click to our website’s special camp blog:
(Source: St. Vartan Camp, 7/15/04)
* * *
COME TO THE ARARAT CENTER CONSECRATION, OPEN HOUSE
More than 500 people have signed up to attend the free open house and
consecration of the Diocese’s new Ararat Center on Saturday, July 24.
If you still would like to attend, please RSVP by the end of business
tomorrow (7/16) by e-mailing [email protected] or calling (212)
686-0710 ext. 43.
The Ararat Center is in Greenville, NY, 30 miles south of Albany. The
open house runs from noon to 5 p.m. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Eastern Diocese, will perform the consecration at 2 p.m. Free
food and live music will round out the day.
Please bring your lawn chairs and blankets to sit on.
RSVP by tomorrow (7/16) by e-mailing [email protected] or
calling (212) 686-0710 ext. 43.
(Source: Ararat Center, 7/15/04)
* * *
ARMENIAN TEACHERS SPEND WEEK AT DIOCESAN CENTER IN NYC
Armenian School educators and superintendents from around the Diocese
have been in New York City this week for the Diocese’s “Teacher’s
College”. The week-long session began Sunday (7/11), and showcases
methods to teach Armenian language, history, religion, and literature.
For more details, click to our website:
;selmonth=7&sel
year04
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/15/04)
* * *
GO TO ARMENIA THIS FALL
Going to Armenia will change your life. There are two great pilgrimages
this year:
* Women’s Guild Pilgrimage to Armenia — September 16 to 27 / $2,400.
See Holy Etchmiadzin, Yerevan, ancient holy sites, and current cultural
activities. For more information call Ann Devejian (203) 838-5758.
* Pilgrimage to Armenia — September 18 to October 3 / $2,350. A
Diocesan-sponsored trip to all the highlights in Armenia. For more
information call Sidon Travel at (818) 553-0777.
Remember: even if you can’t go, you can help pay to send a young person
from your parish. It will connect them with their heritage, and make
them assets to your parish community.
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/14/04)
* * *
DO SOMETHING FUN WITH YOUR FAMILY
Looking for something fun to do this summer with your family? Check the
Diocesan website’s Calendar of Events. From cooking classes to cruises
to picnics, you’ll find Diocesan sponsored events and happenings at our
local parishes. Just click to:
If your parish has an event you want listed for free, just e-mail
[email protected].
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/15/04)
* * *
FIND INSPIRATION
You can find inspiration online, with the prayers of St. Gregory of
Nareg. A new prayer is available each day on the Diocesan website.
Just click to:
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MGM studio talks drag on
By Peter Thal Larsen in New York
Financial Times
Jun 28, 2004
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is tomorrow expected to tell investors it is still
exploring multiple options for its future as talks about a possible
sale of Hollywood’s last independent studio drag through the summer.
MGM is set to give shareholders the update at its annual meeting
tomorrow amid continuing talks with Sony, the Japanese electronics
giant, which has made a preliminary $5bn offer for the company.
Last month, MGM delayed the date of its annual meeting by six weeks so
its board could consider what it described as “strategic
alternatives”. At the time, people close to the negotiations said MGM
was hopeful it could agree a deal before the end of June. But those
people now believe a deal – if one can be reached – is unlikely to be
announced for several weeks.
Sony, which is bidding as part of a consortium that includes
Providence Equity Partners and Texas Pacific Group, the private equity
firms, is still considered the most likely buyer for MGM.
However, the delay could give rivals such as Time Warner more time to
decide whether to submit an offer.
Time Warner is familiar with MGM’s operations as it has studied making
an offer for the studio in the past, and executives of Time Warner and
MGM have held talks in recent weeks, people close to the discussions
say.
Dick Parsons, Time Warner’s chairman and chief executive, is keen to
preserve some of the company’s financial firepower as he prepares an
offer for Adelphia, the bankrupt cable group currently up for sale.
Time Warner is thought to be restricted from issuing shares to
investors until the US Securities and Exchange Commission has
completed its investigation into accounting practices at the company’s
America Online.
But some investors believe Time Warner could circumvent those
restrictions by issuing stock directly to Kirk Kerkorian, the
billionaire investor who is MGM’s controlling shareholder.
Sony’s consortium is designed to limit the Japanese group’s financial
commitment to a deal. Under the terms, Sony and its partners would
commit about $1.5bn in equity, and finance the rest of the
consideration with debt secured on the cash flow from MGM’s film
library.
But this structure has raised questions about how the private equity
firms will be able to cash in their investment. NBC Universal, the
entertainment arm of General Electric, had been seen as another
potential bidder. But it is thought to be concentrating on integrating
its merger with Vivendi Universal’s US entertainment assets.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress