Author: Felekian Ara

SHIMON PERES: IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSESS EVENTS OF EARLY 20TH CENTURY BASING ON HISTORICAL RESEARCH

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.11.2007 16:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During a joint press conference with the Turkish
President, Israeli leader Shimon Peres touched upon the Armenian
issue and the Armenian Genocide resolution.

"Israel has always supported and will support Turkey’s proposal to
form a joint commission of historians. It would be logical to assess
events of the early 20th century basing on a historical research,"
he said, Yerkir online reports.

LITHUANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS TSITSERNAKABERD

armradio.am
13.11.2007 13:58

The delegation headed by Minister of National Defense of Lithuania
Juozas Olekas visited Tsitsernakaberd. Mr. Olekas laid a wreath of
flowers at the memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims and visited
the Genocide Museum Institute.

"I’m deeply impressed: what the Armenian people went through is one of
the greatest tragedies in world history. The stories we heard in the
museum remind us of the 1940s of our people’s history, when Lithuania
was under Soviet occupation, when our predecessors were being exiled
and killed," Lithuanian Defense Minister told journalists.

In his words, the historic memories must be preserved for the future
generations to be able to live in peace and to create without taking
into consideration which nation they belong to. "We cannot forget,
but we must learn to live with this historic pain and look into
future. I’m greatly impressed with all this, since my ancestors were
also exiled from Lithuania. I was born in Siberia, and only after 10
years in exile my family returned to Motherland. I’m very glad that
today independent Armenia and independent Lithuania can be members
of the international community and can create and look into future,"
Mr. Olekas noted.

SOPRANO HASMIK PAPIAN BRINGS HER LONG-AWAITED NORMA TO MET
By Matthew Westphal

PlaybillArts, NY
Nov 12 2007

Hasmik Papian, the Armenian soprano who is the most talked-about
Norma in the world today, sings the part at the Metropolitan Opera
for the first time this evening, in the first of four performances
in this fall’s revival of the Bellini opera at the house.

Norma, considered one of the most difficult roles in the entire
soprano repertoire, has become central to Papian’s career: she has
sung the Druid priestess at houses from the Vienna State Opera and
Netherlands Opera to the Washington National Opera and the companies
of Detroit, Denver, Baltimore, Warsaw, Turin, Marseilles and Montreal
(among others).

This 2006 comment from The Denver Post’s Kyle MacMillan is typical of
the critical reception Papian’s portrayal receives: "Most important,
she adroitly handles the role’s nonstop vocal demands – the two-octave
leaps, devilishly intricate ornamentations and fast-shifting dynamics –
with near-perfect articulation and stunning phrasing, every note in
place." And Philip Kennicott wrote in The Washington Post in 2003:
"Her singing is gorgeous. The coloratura display was accurate and on
pitch, and well woven into the larger, lyrical fabric of the role."

Papian sings Norma – with co-stars Dolora Zajick, Franco Farina and
Vitalij Kowaljow – this evening and November 16, 19 and 23 at the
Metropolitan Opera House. Maria Guleghina – who just finished a run
as Lady Macbeth in Verdi’s version of Shakespeare’s "Scottish play"
– takes over the role for four more performances November 25 through
December 7. Information and tickets are available at

s/article/7350.html

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenia interested in developing relations with Greece

09.11.2007 19:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ November 9, newly appointed Greek
Ambassador to Armenia Ioannis Korinthios handed copies
of credentials to Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian.

Assessing highly the level of the Armenian-Greek
relations, Minister Oskanian said Armenia is
interested in strengthening and developing political
and economic ties.

The parties also discussed implementation of joint
projects, the RA MFA press office reported.

IS DASHNAKTSUTYUN TURNING TO RUSSIA?

Lragir.am
09-11-2007 15:01:36

"We think the Collective Security Pact is the most effective
organization in the CIS, where Armenia has an opportunity to protect
its national interests," stated Yuri Navoyan, head of the Armenian
National Committee of Moscow on November 9. He and several Russia-based
NGOs have initiated an international conference in Yerevan devoted
to the CSP organization.

Experts of international organizations, including the United Nations,
Russian civil society activists, political scientists are taking part
in the conference. The conference proposes creating a CPS information
center in Armenia. Yuri Navoyan thinks such centers are necessary for
other CIS countries to raise public awareness of the CSP organization.

In answer to the question of Lragir.am how the CSP organization can
be the most effective organization in terms of the national interests
of Armenia if Kazakhstan, another member of the Pact, often votes
for Azerbaijan which is not a member of the Pact rather than its
partner Armenia in international organizations, Yuri Navoyan says:
"You are right, indeed. It is a matter of further improvement of
the organization, and we also raise these issues, and I think it is
the most effective in the CIS space for Armenia because through this
organization Armenia sustains political and military cooperation with
Russia, along with interstate relations. This organization sustains
military and technical cooperation, let us not open the brackets,
you understand what I mean. And in this sense, yes, for the time
being it is the most effective organization for us."

According to him, in order to eliminate the drawbacks "it is perhaps
advisable to set up contacts between societies, non-governmental
relations, to be aware of their problems."

"Otherwise, yes, it is nonsense when coordinated international activity
is set down in the pact but in different parliamentary assemblies,
in different organizations, Kazakhstan, for instance, and other states
sometimes vote against Armenia or other members," Yuri Navoyan says.

Therefore, he thinks it is important to set up CSP information centers
in the CIS countries to raise awareness of this organization among
publics.

However, the question occurs whether Kazakhstan will vote for Armenia
after awareness rises.

"No, I did not mean that. First of all, you see I wouldn’t like to
discuss the Kazakh-Armenian relations, but is the society in Kazakhstan
aware of our problems and are we aware of the problems of Kazakhstan
or Central Asia? Simply we can convey through societies that the
security of Armenia is in direct correlation with the security of
the southern borders of Central Asia," Yuri Navoyan says.

He says the initiative of setting up an information center supposes
cooperation with the executive board of the CSP organization. We
have appealed to the executive secretary Nicolay Bordyuja, and he
met our request.

ARMENIA HAD BETTER NOT EXPECT PROPOSALS FROM OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS, BAKU THINKS

arminfo
2007-11-09 09:07:00

ArmInfo-Turan. Armenia had better take constructive steps, than expect
"the next step" aimed at the Karabakh conflict settlement from the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairmen. This is how Hazar Ibragim, representative of
the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, commented on today’s statement of
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian that Yerevan is waiting for
new proposals from OSCE MG co-chairmen. "We expect the next step from
OSCE MG co-chairmen after their visit to the region," said Oskanian.

PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN RECEIVED IRAN’S DEFENSE MINISTER

armradio.am
08.11.2007 12:54

President Robert Kocharyan today received the Minister of Defense
and Armed Forces Logistics, Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar
and the delegation accompanying him.

Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar conveyed to the Armenian President
the warm greetings of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The parties appreciated the high level of Armenian-Iranian relations,
emphasizing the agreements reached between the Presidents of the
two countries, which are targeted at the further development of
collaboration.

The interlocutors spoke about the opportunities of cooperation in
the field of defense.

DECENT FEELINGS IN THE MOST CORRUPT SOUL
James Hakobyan

Lragir.am
08-11-2007 17:25:01

It was the year 2001 when Armenia adopted a national anti-corruption
strategy which was financed by the World Bank. The money was not
little, 300 thousand dollars. At that time the World Bank surprised
many people, and it continues to surprise. People were amazed to
hear that the World Bank gives the Armenian government 300 thousand
dollars. They could not imagine how one can trust money to our
government, especially 300 thousand dollars, especially when the
exchange rate was so high. However, the decision of the World Bank was
probably conditioned by the fact that the anti-corruption strategy
was worked out in the symbolic year of the 1700th anniversary of
conversion to Christianity in Armenia. Perhaps the expectation was
that this symbolic date would arouse decent feelings in even the
most corrupt soul, and unlike Judas who was tempted by 30 silvers,
it would not be tempted by 300 thousand.

Six years have passed, since the adoption of the anti-corruption
strategy of Armenia, not of Judas. Now Armenia has started working
out a new anti-corruption strategy. 300 thousand dollars finished,
many might think.

Maybe. It is gratifying, however, that it finished in 6 years,
not earlier.

It means they have nevertheless fought corruption, and in
detail. This is the reason why the ministers are now riding in
foreign luxuries rather than old Soviet cars. Now they are free and
do not fear accusations of corruption. How can they accuse a person
of corruption if there is no corruption in the country? Many may
doubt that these particular ministers cannot live such a luxurious
life on their salary. However, everyone has the Constitutional right
to doubt. However, it does not mean yet that the ministers and other
officials do not have the right to live a luxurious life.

In this case, people may ask why Armenia is starting to work out the
second anti-corruption strategy. An option of answer was mentioned
above: 300 thousand finished. However, there is perhaps a more forceful
option. There is no corruption today, tomorrow it may reappear. The
foe never goes to sleep, and our government knows that corruption
is the third foe of Armenia after Azerbaijan and Turkey. Therefore,
we must always be ready to resist.

Therefore, whenever an international organization holds a seminar or a
conference, the Armenian high-ranking officials land there immediately.

People watching from aside wonder how they can bring corrupt officials
together and seek for ways of fighting corruption together with them.

Certainly, they cannot. It is probable that nobody gets them together,
simply they necessarily take part in any anti-corruption event,
perhaps to keep their finger on the pulse of struggle against
corruption to understand the nuances of this struggle and the
directions of the offensive to be able to fight effectively. Why do
they come personally, and do not send their informers? Not because
informers cost much. Simply they need to come to show that they do
not fear anti-corruption.

IT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL MANAGERS

KarabakhOpen
31-10-2007 19:22:37

Interview of NKR Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan with the Demo.

Mr. Prime Minister, in one of the meetings you said our economy
should take the track for development. In what direction and how this
development can be achieved?

Our economic priorities are agriculture, processing industries
and energy.

We will be focusing on other spheres as well. We count on investments
of local and foreign investors.

How much are the budget receipts expected to grow in 2008 and how
would you describe the budget which is now being drafted?

We are now working out the budget of 2008. Its receipts and outlays
will differ from this year’s indices, will be bound for growth. The
budget is foreseen to be a social budget directed at development.

You have already stated that the pensions of the citizens of NKR
will grow by 60 percent, one-time aid will be provided to newlyweds,
benefits to certain categories will rise as well. Will it be financed
by the state budget?

All the social benefits will be financed by the state budget. It will
help sustain the continuity and development of these programs. The
expected rate of economic growth will enable more social benefits. The
rise in social benefits will also be financed by the state budget.

Appointments to government posts are not over. What are the principles
underlying you HR policy – professionalism or affiliation?

We prefer professionalism and organizational abilities of the
nominees. Time will show whether the new appointees will be able to
solve the urgent problems in public administration.

What problems have you encountered at the post of prime minister?

There have been no problems. We continue to study the situation,
detect more urgent problems and solve them in accordance with the
needs of our people.

Anahit Danielyan

Ed. We asked the mayor of Stepanakert Vazgen Mikaelyan to hold an
interview but he refused because he could spare no time.

BY 2008 DRAFT STATE BUDGET, ALLOCATIONS FOR RECREATION, CULTURE AND RELIGION TO MAKE 14.6 BILLION DRAMS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 31, 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, NOYAN TAPAN. By the 2008 draft state budget,
expenditures on recreation, culture and religion (without expenditures
on the central staff of state governance bodies) will make 14.6
bln drams against 16.1 bln drams in 2007. The reduction in these
expenditures is mainly conditioned by the completion of a number of
programs, as well as by a reduction of expenditures on capital major
repairs and construction and some one-off expenditures in 2007. At the
same time, an increase of about 1.1 bln drams (about 3.33 mln USD)
is envisaged in expenditures in the indicated sectors, mainly due
to an increase in salaries of cultural workers, as well as to new
initiatives and additional expenditures.

The RA minister of culture Hasmik Poghosian stated at the October 31
joint sitting of the RA NA standing committees that in forming the
budget of the sphere of culture, the government was guided by several
principles, paying special attention to a number of target programs,
including those on marz (regional) culture development, national art
and esthetic education.

Attention will also be paid to repairs and technical re-equipment of
libraries with the aim of creating powerful information centers. The
state budget envisages about 500 mln drams for repairs and design
of libraries.

Under this program, the repair and re-equipment work will be completed
at 3 libraries in Yerevan: the children’s library after Khnko Aper,
the Public Library and the Musicological Library, and at 10 libraries
in Armenian marzes.