Author: Hakobian Adrine

EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO 29th ANNIVERSARY OF IRI REVOLUTION’S VICTORY OPENS IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Feb 4, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The exhibition, which opened on
February 1 at the Armenian Museum of People’s Art, is dedicated to
the 29th anniversary of the victory of the revolution in the Islamic
Republic of Iran (IRI).

Works by Persian painters and photographers, miniatures with natural
paints are presented at the exhibition. Nearly 100 titles of fiction,
children’s, and educational products are also among the exhibits.

Seid Ali Saghaian, the newly appointed Ambassador Exraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of IRI to Armenia, Karine Khodikian, the RA Deputy
Minister of Culture, other high-ranking officials, intellectuals were
present at the exhibition’s opening.

According to Reza Atufi, the Cultural Adviser of the IRI Embassy,
after the revolution Iran entered a new development stage and in
all spheres, especially in the world scientific-cultural sphere,
today the country is in high positions.

And Seid Ali Saghaian said that the Iranian art, in particular, cinema
and theater, are progressing. "I am happy that today the Iranian art
is presented to Armenian art-loving society. I am also happy that I
have been appoined Ambassador to a country, which is Iran’s friend,
where I seem to be in my homeland," the IRI Ambassador said.

As K. Khodikian evaluated, the Armenian-Iranian cultural relations
become more active and efficient year by year. "The Armenian people
always follows the achievements of the friend country with a brotherly
feelings. This exhibition is bright evidence of it," the Deputy
Minister said.

Alexander Arzumanyan: International community recognized me a political
prisoner

2008-02-01 18:57:00

ArmInfo. Alexander Arzumanyan, the former foreign minister of Armenia
and currently the head of Armenian ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s
campaign headquarters, rejected pointblank the supposition about " the
authorities’ good will in the matter of his quick release". To recall,
the matter concerns Arzumanyan’s arrest on the suspicion of involvement
in money laundering.

Stressing that 4 months in prison are not a small term, Arzumanyan said
that he was released not thanks to the Armenian authorities’ good will,
but because the international community recognized him a political
prisoner. At the same time, Arzumanyan stated that his criminal case is
not stopped, and he himself is released on his own recognizance.
However, Arzumanyan thinks that "the case fabricated against him
failed".

As it was stated earlier, according to the investigation data,
ex-foreign minister of Armenia Alexander Arzumanyan and ex-deputy
defense minister Vahan Shirkhanyan, according to a preliminary
agreement with businessman Levon Markos received $178 200 in April 2007
in the names of 9 different people. Levon Markos was searched at that
time. The money transfer was made with the support of Converse Bank and
the Russian Bank for trade financing. Moreover, the money transfer
process was accompanied by serious violations.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Zalmay Khalilzad: Iran should be thankful to U.S.
02.02.2008 13:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran is stronger today because of
the U.S.-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, U.S.
representative to UN Zalmay Khalilzad said.

The 2003 invasion of Iraq removed a key rival of
Shiite Iran with the ouster of Saddam Hussein’s
Sunni-dominated government. Iran has friendly ties
with the Shiites now in power in Iraq.

"It’s helped Iran’s relative position in the region,
because Iraq was a rival of Iran … and the balance
there has disintegrated or weakened," Amb. Khalilzad
said Friday while answering questions from students at
Columbia University’s School of International and
Public Affairs. "And so one of the objectives of Iran,
in my view, is to discourage a reemergence of Iraq as
a balancer. And Afghanistan, too, the change was
helpful to Iran," he said, the AP reports.

AZG Armenian Daily #020, 02/02/2008

Armenian Genocide

TURKEY TO ADDRESS THE HAGUE INTERNATIONAL COURT TO
PROVE THE INCONSISTENCE OF THE "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
ALLEGATIONS"

As April 24 is drawing nearer, the political,
governmental and intellectual circles of the Turkish
society are becoming more active about the Armenian
Genocide, and their anxiety is urging them towards
short-sighted actions. The most "remarkable" of those
actions were made by prof. Yusuf Halacoglu, president
of the Turkish Historic Society.

First of all, on the Turkish Public Television he
promised to put his head into the noose in case the
fact of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 is proved. Then
he stated that the Armenians died because of diseases
and epidemics during the deportation.

When promising to hang himself Halacoglu clearly
remembered about the abolition of death penalty in
Turkey. And when speaking about epidemics he was
trying to consolidate the positions of the Turkish
negationism, which is incompatible with the historical
truth.

Another remarkable thing was the Turkish Parliament’s
proposal to the National Assembly and the Senate of
France. On January 31 "Zaman" and "Miliet" reported
that the Turkish parliament promoted an initiative to
argue the French law on denying the Armenian Genocide
at the International Court of Hague.

According to the information received, a parliamentary
delegation was sent from Ankara to Paris with a
proposal to address to the Hague International Court
in order to find out whether the law on recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, adopted in France in 2001,
meets the requirements of the UN Convention on
Genocide or not.

Member of the Turkish delegation Sukuroglu declared
that Turkey shall address to the International court
alone in case France refuses to cooperate. Then he
stated that the French Parliament violated the UN
Convention on Genocide by recognizing the fact
Armenian Genocide, and therefore the authorities of
Ankara are determined to prove the illegality of the
French law on the Genocide and the inconsistence of
the Armenians’ claims.

By H. Chaqrian, translated by A.M.

OVERALL BALANCE CAPITAL OF ARMENIAN CREDIT ORGANIZATIONS GROWS BY 47.6% IN 2007

Noyan Tapan
Feb 1, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, NOYAN TAPAN. 21 credit organizations operated
in Armenia as of December 31, 2007. According to data of the Central
Bank of Armenia (CBA), actual authorized capital of these credit
organizations made 10 bln 935 mln 620 thousand drams (over 31 mln 968
thousand USD) as of the indicated date, growing by 30.4% in a year
and by 10.7% in the 4th quarter of 2007. The overall balance capital
of credit organizations made 12 bln 485 mln 834 thousand drams as
of December 31, 2007, growing by 47.6% in a year and by 13.8% in the
4th quarter of 2007.

Overall liabilities of Armenian credit organizations amounted to 30 bln
889 mln 496 thousand drams as of December 31, 2007, growing by 154.6%
in a year and by 11.6% in the 4th quarter of 2007. The same indices
with respect to overall assets made 43 bln 375 mln 330 thousand drams,
110.7% and 12.2%.

Standard credits and debts made up 98.2% of the credit organizations’
overall credits and bills receivable of a total of 42 bln 405 mln
210 thousand drams as of December 31, 2007.

The total amount of credits, deposits, sums provided on leasing and
factoring by credit organizations to residents made 39 bln 589 mln
547 thousand drams as of December 31, 2007, increasing by 129.6%
in a year and by 12.9% in the 4th quarter of 2007. 4 bln 562 mln
656 thousand drams, which was allocated to industry, grew by 106.8%
in a year and by 5.4% in the 4th quarter of 2007; sums of 3 bln 838
mln 987 thousand drams allocated to agriculture grew by 63.1% in a
year and by 22.7% in the 4th quarter of 2007; the same indices with
respect to construction made 1 bln 883 mln 456 thousand drams, 629.5%
and 4.6% respectively; the indices with respect to transport and
communication made 1 bln 580 mln 953 thousand drams, 93.6% and 15.1%.

Sums allocated by the Armenian credit organizations to the trade
sector made 7 bln 481 mln 221 thousand drams, growing by 83.8% in a
year, declining by 8.5% in the 4th quarter of 2007. 1 bln 237 mln 561
thousand drams was allocated to the financial sector of the economy,
this sum grew by 14.2% in a year and by 81.4% in the 4th quarter of
2007. Consumer credits amounted to 7 bln 62 mln 322 thousand drams,
increasing by 132.7% in a year and by 20.2% in the 4th quarter of
2007. The same indices with respect to mortgage crediting made 4 bln
563 mln 706 thousand drams, 187.4% and 13.6% respectively; the same
indices with respect to other sectors made 7 bln 378 mln 685 thousand
drams, 303.1% and 29.8%.

Gross incomes of the credit organizations made 8 bln 929 mln 394
thousand drams as of December 31, 2007 – against 3 bln 400 mln 885
thousand drams as of the same date in 2006. As of the indicated dates,
their gross expenditures made 6 bln 694 mln 158 thousand drams and 3
bln 128 mln 229 thousand drams, net and undistributed profits – 1 bln
816 mln 497 thousand drams and 102 mln 972 thousand drams respectively.

REP. SCHIFF AND COUNCILMAN GARCETTI JOIN ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY LEADERS AT ANCA PRESS CONFERENCE

armradio.am
01.02.2008 10:09

Some fifty reporters and community leaders gathered at the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA Western Region headquarters
yesterday for a press conference announcing the ANCA endorsement of
Sen. Barack Obama in the Democratic Presidential primary.

Speakers at the press conference included Obama supporters, Rep. Adam
Schiff (D-CA, 29th district), Los Angeles City Council President Eric
Garcetti, ANCA National Board member Raffi Hamparian and Armenians
for Obama Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian. Each outlined Sen. Obama’s
proven record and commitment to bringing about meaningful change in
U.S. governance and commitment to Armenian American concerns.

"Today, we endorse an individual, a senator, a leader–a purveyor
of hope–who can change the tone, tenor, and policies in Washington,
DC. We, as an organization, believe that Barack Obama is the individual
to get this job done," explained ANCA National Board Member Raffi
Hamparian. Hovsepian concurred noting that, "Barack Obama, on the key
issues of importance to our community, has adopted very favorable
positions. Whether it is recognition of the Armenian Genocide, aid
to Armenia, or self-determination and independence for Karabagh,
on all of these issues, Barack Obama is with us."

Hamparian and Hovsepian went on to cite Sen. Obama’s strong statement
on U.S.-Armenia relations, issued on January 19th, where he outlined
his strong support for the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution
currently before Congress and his commitment to promoting Armenia’s
security "by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades."

House Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor, Rep. Adam Schiff
(D-CA), noting that successive U.S. presidents have reneged on
campaign pledges to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide,
stated "I think we have in Senator Obama a person of impeccable
principle. I am confident that the commitments he makes are the
commitments he keeps." In his January 19th statement, Sen. Obama had
stated, "As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I
will recognize the Armenian Genocide."

Councilman Garcetti echoed these sentiments, noting that, "His [Sen.

Obama’s] principles are not just ones that he trots out when it’s
convenient. It’s very easy for someone to say pro-Armenian things in
front of an Armenian group, but he [Obama] went to Azerbaijan, where,
in Azerbaijan, he said that it was time to end the blockades; and there
he also said it was time for Turks to recognize the Genocide. It speaks
volumes about the sort of leader he will be, the sort of diplomat he
will be, and the sort of president he will be."

IRANIAN ARMENIANS CIRCULATED BOOKLETS, DVD ABOUT DEMOLITION OF ARMENIAN CEMETERY IN DJULFA

Yerkir
01.02.2008 15:35

Yerevan (Yerkir) – The Armenian community of Iran has circulated
booklets and DVD about demolition of the medieval Armenian cemetery
in Old Djulfa (Nachijevan) at the hands of Azerbaijan, said Derenik
Melikian, editor-in-chief of Tehran-based Aliq newspaper. The materials
were submitted to all diplomatic representations accredited to Iran,
he said, IA Regnum reports.

The ancient Armenian cemetery and historical monuments at the
Nachijevan-Iran border have been systematically destructed during
past 15 years. In December 2005, the Azeri troops razed the cemetery
to the ground.

The process was shot by priests of the Atropaten diocese in Iran. In
January 2006, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning
Azerbaijan’s barbarism.

Now, the territory of the Armenian cemetery was transformed into a
shooting ground of the Azeri Defense Ministry.

VERY UNFAVORABLE PLAY LIST

A1+
31 January, 2008

Europe’s senior football officials gathered in the Croatian city of
Zagreb on Thursday for the Ordinary UEFA Congress. After casting of
lots, they decided and confirmed the World Cup’s 5-th group selective
play list for 2010.

We should remind that Armenia will play in the 5-th group and will
compete with the national teams of Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia
and Hertsogovina and Estonia.

Here is the play list of the Armenian national team:

06.09.2008 Armenia – Turkey

10.09.2008 Spain – Armenia

11.10.2008 Belgium – Armenia

15.10.2008 Bosnia – Armenia

28.03.2009 Armenia – Estonia

01.04.2009 Estonia – Armenia

05.09.2009 Armenia – Bosnia

09.09.2009 Armenia – Belgium

10.10.2009 Armenia – Spain

14.10.2009 Turkey – Armenia

‘FRESHMAN SEMINAR’ USES THE HOLOCAUST TO TEACH LIFE LESSONS
By Melody Hanatani

Santa Monica Daily Press
Samohi-exhibit-talks-about-choices/Page1.html/prin t/4649
Jan 29 2008
CA

The choices made today can shape tomorrow.

It’s a lesson that students in a freshman seminar at Santa Monica
High School have learned over the past four months and one that will
be relayed to the public tonight through an exhibit that features a
series of poems, essays and art work that ties in the Holocaust with
the power of choice.

Titled "Saving Memories: History as a Witness to the Future," the
exhibit showcases the work of more than 100 freshmen that spent
several months studying a survivor from the 1939 Club, one of the
largest organizations of Holocaust survivors that is based in Los
Angeles. Each student in the mandatory freshman seminar was charged
with the task of examining a survivor’s testimony and transcribing
the power of that experience into the form of a written or art piece.

Part of the assignment included connecting the survivor’s experience
to themselves, said Tisha Reichle, who teaches one of the sections.

"The class is about choices and the factors that influence the
choices we make, " the Samohi teacher said on Monday. "It looks at
what influences the choices we make and looks at how we can make
a more positive contribution to our community, whether it’s our
geographical neighborhood, school community, racial community or
religious community."

The seminar is sponsored in conjunction with Facing History and
Ourselves, an international organization that aims to educate students
about issues of racism and prejudice in society. The non-profit
organization provides the framework and resources for the freshman
seminar, a program they run in various high schools and grade levels
across the country.

The exhibit, which is an aspect of the year-long course, is part of the
Ninth Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest, which is sponsored by
Chapman University. The students responsible for the top three pieces,
which will be announced at the high school tonight, will be sent to
Chapman University next week where they will compete with hundreds
of students from Southern California. The student that earns the top
prize will win $500.

"The students were asked to reflect on the memories that spoke to
them and what the importance is of having memories," said Mary Hendra,
the program associate with Facing History and Ourselves.

The exhibit tomorrow night will feature Alfred Benjamin, a Santa
Monica resident and Holocaust survivor.

Benjamin, who has lived in Santa Monica for 36 years, was born
in Hamburg, Germany in 1936 and was the only member of his family
to survive the Holocaust. The career photographer and artist has
traveled the country on speaking engagements, teaching the history
of the Holocaust through his own personal experience.

"I want to give (my memories) to the next generation so that the
memory will be kept alive," Benjamin said on Monday.

Facing History and Ourselves’ involvement with Samohi’s freshman
seminar began about three years ago to provide a place where students
could explore the issue of identity, said Hendra, who taught the
course in 2005.

Aside from the Holocaust, the students have studied other genocides
that have taken place throughout history, including the Armenian and
Rwandan genocides.

"We look at the Holocaust and the (factors) that influence the
choices people make – the choice to be a bystander and do nothing,
to be upstanders and to rescue people," Reichle said. "To in some
way do something or to be a witness."

The exhibit and reception will be held at the Mortensen Library on
the Santa Monica High School Campus, 601 Pico Blvd., from 5:30 p.m. to
7:30 p.m.

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED ON THE CASE OF BEATING OF TALIN’S RESIDENT DURING LEVON TER-PETROSYAN ‘S MEETING WITH VOTERS

arminfo
2008-01-28 20:16:00

ArmInfo. Criminal proceedings were instituted on the case of beating
of Talin’s resident Sarkis Karapetyan during presidential candidate
Levon Ter-Petrosyan ‘s meeting with voters.

As it is stated in the information on the site of Prosecutor
General’s office, an statement from Sarkis Karapetyan was received
at the investigation department of the police, Talin, Aragatsotn,
on January 27.

The statement said that he was beaten during the meeting of
presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan with the voters.

It was found out on the basis of materials prepared upon the
statement that on January 27, 11:30 am, during Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s
pre-electoral meeting at the square of Talin, Zh.Sapeyan, M.Sapeyan,
T.Baghdasaryan and others beat S.Karapetyan. The investigation
department of Talin police instituted a criminal case according to
Article 118 of the Armenian Criminal Code.

Investigation is underway.