Author: Frangulian Shushan

ALMOST 2/3 OF TURKS OPPOSE ERDOGAN’S ELECTION AS PRESIDENT OF COUNTRY

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.04.2007 16:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ While in Turkey approaches the presidential marathon,
the start of which is scheduled for April 16 and which will decide
who will become the new head of the country with a 7-year term, grows
on the political tension. On the eve of elections local NGOs on April
14 are planing to hold a rally in Ankara in support for democracy. In
its turn opposition threatens by turning to the Constitutional Court
if during the first stage of presidential elections a constitutional
majority is not formed in the parliament, where the voting will
be held.

During the first two stages of elections at least 367 MPs of
550-member parliament must be present, which makes the constitutional
majority. Otherwise the voting will be declared invalid. The ruling
Justice and Development party has 354 mandates, that’s why it cannot
independently form a constitutional representation in the legislative
body. The National Republican Party has 153, right-central Party of
Homeland – 19 mandates. Also there are 10 independent and 7 MPs from
other parties in the Turkish Majlis.

Besides there are 7 vacant seats in the parliament and Speaker
Bulent Arinc, who is from the ruling party, does not participate in
the voting.

Latest polls show that almost two-third of Turkish citizens are against
Erdogan’s election as the president of the country. 71.2 percent
said they are sure Erdogan must not nominate for the presidential
post. Only 23.6 percent of respondents supported the Prime Minister,
Cumhuriyet newspaper informs analyzing the results of a poll conducting
by Sonar among 1 659 people in 14 large provinces of Turkey, RIA
"Novosti" reports.

Turkey will elect his 11th president in April. Only twice Turkish
MPs have been able to elect the next president unanimously, when
the founder of modern Turkish State Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his
successor Ismet Inonu headed the country. Most often presidents have
been elected during the third stage. The last three presidents Turgut
Ozal, Suleyman Demirel and Ahmed Necdet Sezer, whose term will be
over in a few months, have been elected exactly this way.

April 5, 2007

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
CONTACT: Bianca Bagatourian
22 Concord Lane, Cambridge, MA 02138
617 871 -6764
[email protected]

Screening and Reception for Michael Goorjian in Boston, hosted by
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance and Belmont World Film’ On March 25th,
the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA) in its first collaboration
with Belmont World Film presented Michael Goorjian’s film `Illusion’
starring screen legend Kirk Douglas in his last role.

Preceding the screening, there was a gala reception for actor/film
maker Michael Goorjian which was attended by close to three hundred
people at the First Armenian Church in Belmont, MA. It included
gourmet Armenian food and music by the band, Kef Time, and was
covered by reporters from The Boston Globe, The Belmont Citizen/
Herald and Imagine Magazine.

Special guests at the reception included Massachusetts State
Representative Rachael Kaprielian, and actor and filmmaker, Eddie
Steeves, `Crab Man’ in the popular TV series, `My
Name Is Earl’.

`I appreciate the great turn-out and support from the Armenian
community,’ said Goorjian, who is on the ADAA advisory board and is
currently working on some on-going film and theater projects with ADAA
in between his busy schedule. "I think the value of this organization
which introduces and helps in networking Armenian professionals in the
entertainment field is invaluable," he stated.

`Illusion’ is about a film producer (Kirk Douglas) who, as he
becomes old and ill, questions his rejection of his illegitimate son.

One night, he is awakened by the ghost of his old friend, who shows
him visions of his son’s life. The father is captivated by these and
his son’s tragic existence. On his deathbed, he learns that
redemption is possible.

`Illusion’ was winner of Best Screenplay at the Hamptons Film Festival
and won both the Jury Award and the Audience Award at the
Inspirational Film Festival.

The Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance’s mission is to project the

Armenian voice on the world stage through the dramatic arts of
theatre and film. The organization accomplishes this mission by
supporting playwrights and screenwriters and provides production
opportunities, commissions, scholarships, research tools, networking
resources and two $10,000 writing awards.

For more information and photos, please visit

Photo Credits: Robert Pushkar and Bethel Charkoudian
Hapet Berberian, Michael Goorjian, Andrea Berberian
Michael Goorjian, Berj Ayvazian, Steve Kurkjian
Mass. State Rep. Rachel Kaprielian, Michael Goorjian
Bianca Bagatourian, President, ADAA
Studio Cinema Theater, Belmont

GUL HOPES SEVERAL CHAPTERS ARE TO BE OPENED TO NEGOTIATION WITH EU THIS YEAR

The New Anatolian, Turkey
April 5 2007

Turkish Foreign Minister said yesterday in Germany that negotiations
between Turkey and the EU started to be launched under a second chapter
heading, indicating that he hope several other chapters will be opened
within this year."

Gul met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in
Berlin, for the former pushing for the opening of new "chapters"
or policy areas in Turkey’s membership talks with the EU under the
German presidency.

Speaking at a joint news conference following his tete-a-tete meeting
with Steinmeier, Gul said, "Turkey always appreciated support of
Germany, one of Europe’s engine countries, when Turkey-EU relations
are in question."

Emphasizing that relations between Turkey and Germany were rooted and
multilateral, Gul pointed to the political, security, economic and
cultural dimensions of the relations. Gul said foreign trade volume
between the two parties reached 20 billion Euro.

Gul said Turkey and Germany have similar views on regional and
international matters as well as many other topics, and stated that
both countries favored resolution of the problems through peaceful
and diplomatic ways.

Responding to a question asking about the role Turkey assumed in
release of 15 British soldiers kept in Iran, Gul said, "as you
know Turkey is a neighbor of Iran. We attach importance to this
neighborhood relationship. Britain is also an ally country. We are
closely interested in the matter in this respect. Recent developments
are positive. This is what I can say at the time being."

Asked about Upper Karabakh problem, Gul said, "We have said Turkey
may cooperate for the solution of the problem."

On the other hand Steinmeier recalled that another chapter heading
was opened in Turkish-EU relations, "We have made a rationalistic
decision in Turkish-EU relations. Negotiations continue although
Ankara protocol was not implemented."

Steinmeier said not only enlargement process was discussed within
the scope of Turkey-EU relations, but at the same time international
matters were in question, and thanked to Turkey’s efforts for the
release of British soldiers in Iran.

"Germany and Turkey support solution of the crisis through diplomatic
ways," he added.

Expressing pleasure over making cooperation with Turkey on Lebanon
and the Middle East issues, Steinmeier said hopes increased that the
Middle East process would be enlivened following the decision made
by Arab League.

"There are approximately 2 million Turks living in Germany, and 65
thousand Turkish enterprises. That is why Turkey is the guest country
of the Hannover Industrial Fair, which is considered the biggest
industry fair in the world," said Steinmeier in the press conference.

Steinmeier said they would like to develop not only political and
economic relations but also cultural relations between Turkey and
Germany, stating that this is why Turkey will also be the guest
country of the Frankfurt Book Fair next year.

Upon a question on why Turkey was not invited to EU’s celebrations
for 50th anniversary of its foundation, German FM said this was not
a decision taken against one candidate country. He continued saying,
candidate countries were not invited because this was the celebration
of the 50 year long past of EU member countries.

The German minister stressed the importance of Central Asian countries,
saying these countries are close to regions of crisis, and stability
should be established in these countries so that the crises (around
them) would not affect them.

Prior to his contacts with Steinmeier, Turkish FM Gul had interviews
with journalists from Financial Times Deutschland and Suddeutsche
Zeitung newspapers.

Gul attended to a dinner in his honor following the joint press
conference.

RA PRESIDENT INSTRUCTS TO WORK OUT ALL-EMBRACING PROGRAM OF EVENTS SECURING STATE CULTURAL PROPAGANDA

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The 2008-2013 program on strategy
of culture development was discussed at the April 6 working meeting
of RA President Robert Kocharian and Minister of Culture and Youth
Issues Hasmik Poghosian. It was particularly spoken about issues
concerning improvement of programs on financing and management of
culture, policy and education of the cultural staff, regulation of
the legislative field.

According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA
President’s Press Office, R. Kocharian instructed to also work out an
all-embracing program of events securing the state cultural propaganda.

"NEW YORK TIMES" MAKES CORRECTION BY REPLACING WORD "MASSACRE" WITH "GENOCIDE"

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 06 2007

ISTANBUL, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The newspaper
"New York Times" (US) made a correction in an article published in
its March 29 issue.

In the article "Resolution on the Armenian Genocide Angers Turkey"
by Brian Nolte and Shebnem Arsu (Istanbul), the genocide committed
in 1915 is presented as "massacres" of Armenians.

According to the newspaper "Marmara" (Istanbul), on April 5 the
editorail staff of "The New York Times" made a correction and wrote
that the actions committed against Armenians in 1915 were not massacres
but a genocide.

The newspaper reminded its readers that in 2004 its editorial board
made a decision, according to which the events of 1915 are considered
as genocide and the editorial staff must use the word "genocide"
when addressing this issue.

FUGITIVE EX-MINISTER DENIED ELECTION REGISTRATION
By Karine Kalantarian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
April 6 2007

A Yerevan court on Friday upheld the refusal by election officials
to register Eduard Madatian, a fugitive former transport minister
charged with plotting to assassinate Armenia’s top leaders, as a
candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Madatian is believed to have fled the country in November 2004 to
avoid prosecution for allegedly masterminding a failed attempt on
the life of President Robert Kocharian and then Defense Minister
Serzh Sarkisian. His whereabouts have remained unknown since then,
with law-enforcement authorities saying only that he lives abroad.

A criminal investigation into the alleged assassination bid was
suspended in July 2005 due to their failure to track down and arrest
Madatian. Few details of the mysterious criminal case have been
made public.

Madatian, who ran the Armenian Ministry of Transport and Communications
from 1999-2002, reminded the government of his existence last month
when newspaper reports revealed his intention to run for parliament
from a single-mandate constituency in Yerevan’s southern Erebuni
district. The ex-minister, better known to local residents as Khuchuch
(Curly) Edo, wielded considerable economic and political influence
in the area before going into hiding.

The district election commission rejected the registration request
on the grounds that Madatian failed to submit a police statement
certifying that he has resided in Armenia for the past five years,
something which is required by law. The Erebuni court of first instance
upheld the decision, rejecting an appeal lodged on behalf of Madatian
by his brother Grigor and lawyer, Hovik Arsenian,.

Both men claimed that the ex-minister actually lives in Armenia and
is hiding from police because he fears for his life. "Eduard Madatian
did permanently reside in Armenia in 2005 and 2006," Arsenian told
the court.

Seeking to substantiate the claims, Grigor Madatian dialed an
undisclosed number on his mobile phone to call a man who identified
himself as his fugitive brother. The man told RFE/RL that he is
currently in Armenia and will turn himself in if he is registered as
a candidate.

Under Armenian law, parliamentary election candidates can be detained
and prosecuted only with the Central Election Commission’s permission.

A police representative, Taguhi Hovsepian, defended the Erebuni
police department’s refusal to certify Madatian’s eligibility for
the elections. "How can we certify his residency in Armenia?" she
told the court. "Maybe that person doesn’t physically exist anymore."

Hovsepian also said the police discovered in 2005 that Madatian
had obtained Russian citizenship in 1994 in violation of Armenia’s
constitution which did not allow dual nationality until recently.

CELEBRATION OF THE EASTER TO START IN THE EVENING

ArmRadio.am
07.04.2007 11:05

This evening the Armenian Apostolic Church will start celebrating the
Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Feast of Resurrection is
called also Easter (Zatik), which means estrangement from sins and
return to God.

On this day people color eggs, symbolizing the resurrection and start
of new life, and the red color symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ,
shed for our salvation.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Shoghakat TV Company,
working in conjunction with the Public TV of Armenia, announce the
live global telecast of the Pontifical Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday
in Holy Etchmiadzin. The celebrant will be His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

Armenian communities throughout the world will be able to watch
Easter Divine Liturgy broadcast live from the Mother Cathedral of
Holy Etchmiadzin on Sunday morning, April 8, on the Armenian Public
TV available through satellite providers.

CONSTRUCTION IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007 GROWS BY 12.4% ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-February 2007, construction
work of 14 bln 436.5 mln drams (about 41 mln USD) was done in Armenia,
including construction of production facilities of 4 bln 669.6 mln
drams. Building and assembly work made up 11 bln 509.3 mln drams
of the construction work, including building and assembly work of
production facilities of 2 bln 794.3 mln drams.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, the volume of
construction work in Armenia in January-February 2007 grew by 12.4%
on the same period of 2006, the volume of building and assembly work
grew by 15.1%.

Construction of residential buildings put into operation in
January-February 2007 was completely done with the population’s
resources.

4 comprehensive schools, including one school in Yerevan and three
ones in Kotayk marz, were repaired with credit resources of the World
Bank in January-February of this year.

AZAT HAYRENIK PARTY WILL SUPPORT COMMON CANDIDATE

KarabakhOpen
04-04-2007 10:20:47

Member of Parliament Gagik Petrosyan, Azat Hayrenik Party, commented
on the position of the party in the upcoming presidential election.

"In summer 2006 our political party stated that it will take part in
the presidential election in 2007. On March 3 the party leadership
held a meeting and decided not to name a candidate (since the
majority thinks the political forces have an opportunity to support
one candidate) and instructed the presidium to prepare a decision
on the upcoming election for the conference of the party, which will
take place later this month.

Besides, the presidium of the party decided before releasing our
decision to consult other political parties to present our approach
and ideas. We have already consulted the leaders of the Democrats,
the ARF Dashnaktsutyun, the Moral Revival Party. Consultations are
underway," Gagik Petrosyan said.

BLIND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTIONS ON THEIR OWN

A1+
[03:01 pm] 04 April, 2007

"Special moulds will be applied in the 2000 precincts of Armenia for
the blind. Dotted and cracked moulds will facilitate the voting process
for the blind if they want to vote on their own," Albert Abgaryan,
a blind voter, announced during today’s press conference.

"Protection of the interests of the Handicapped" alliance which
comprises of 8 non-governmental organisations, has initiated a project
of raising public awareness in 6 regions of the republic to help the
blind in this respect.

"There are over 140.000 invalids in Armenia and we urge the RA
political parties to provide surdo-translations for the blind to
make their campaigns and ads available", Suren Ohanyan, co-chairman
of the alliance and chairman of Paros NGO says.

The installation of special boxes for the blind is innovation in
Armenia, but Suren Ohanyan assumes that it will work.