Author: Hovhannisian John

NECESSARY STEPS IN KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT WILL BE TAKEN IN EARLY 2010

news.az
Dec 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Asim Mollazade News.Az interview with Asim Mollazade, deputy of
parliament and member of the committee on international relations
and interparliamentary ties.

How do you assess the process of the Karabakh conflict settlement after
the Athens meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia?

The advancement is observed here. It is possible to say basing on
the statements of the foreign ministry of Azerbaijan and always
optimistic statements of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs that the
sides discussed most issues related to the framework agreement. The
signing of such an agreement will undoubtedly pave way to creation
of a global peaceful agreement. We know that several occupied lands
of Azerbaijan may be released after the framework agreement. On the
whole, the process seems to be proceeding normally and the meeting
in Athens promoted creation of the due program of meetings of both
the co-chairs and at the highest level. We believe necessary steps
will be taken in early 2010.

Which achievements do you imply?

This is primarily the coordination of principles of a framework
agreement that will allow liberating the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

We will draw the due schedule of holding these events and each further
step. We hope that after the Azerbaijani lands are liberated the world
community will carry out serious work with Azerbaijan and Armenia to
reach a comprehensive peace agreement.

Armenian FM Edward Nalbandyan again presented Nagorno Karabakh,
not Armenia, as the main conflicting party. Doesn’t it prove that
the previously reached agreements will be blocked by Yerevan again?

I think Armenia is used to playing such games. They do it as soon as
some complicated moments emerge in their internal policy. In fact,
we are dealing with Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan, its
territorial claims and occupation of a greater part of Azerbaijani
lands. Today, Armenian citizens serve in the occupied Azerbaijani
lands and Armenian armed forces are dislocated there. Therefore, any
statement by Nalbandyan and the use of this map of a puppet regime
in Karabakh is groundless.

We have already had a sad experience when the negotiations were nearing
completion under former Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan but
coup occurred and the negotiations were thrown far behind. Today the
sociopolitical tensions in Armenia are growing. Can it affect the
negotiation process again?

Certainly, there are concerns that some powers may hamper the
negotiations process like it has already occurred. I recall the
shooting of the parliament in Armenia and many other cases of this
kind. Nevertheless, the optimism today is mostly related to Russia’s
intensification. At least, Russia is demonstrating will to settle
the conflict. Therefore, we hope the force majeure circumstances that
have earlier hampered the advancement will not repeat this time.

What is the cause of this positive intensification of Russia?

It is connected with its economic interests and global interests in
preserving energy monopoly in Europe.

UAE FOREIGN AFFAIRS’ MINISTER ANWAR GARGASH TO VISITS ARMENIA UAE

Aysor
Dec 4 2009
Armenia

Foreign Affairs’ Minister Anwar Mohammed Gargash will visit Armenia
on December 5-7, informs the press and information department of the
Foreign Ministry of Armenia.

Within the framework of the visit the Minister is expected to meet the
Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Territorial Administration
Armen Gevorgyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

The delegation headed by Anwar Gargash will visit Tsitsernakaberd to
lay a wreath at the memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and the United Arab Emirates will
sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in fighting human
trafficking. The signing ceremony will be followed by a joint press
conference.

GEORGIOS DIKEOULAKOS: ATHINAIKOS WON THANKS TO THEIR EXPERIENCE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
04.12.2009 11:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Sony Athinaikos edged a tight encounter at Hatis
Yerevan, 87-79, in Group F qualifier of EuroCup 2009/10 on December 3.

Thanking Armenia for a warm welcome, Sony Athinaikos coach Georgios
Dikeoulakos said he was surprised at the enthusiasm the fans encouraged
Hatis during the game.

Dikeoulakos said his team won thanks to their experience but emphasized
that Hatis showed a good game as compared to that of November 12,
when they suffered a 105:54 drubbing.

THE EURONEWS INTRODUCED THE REAL SITUATION IN THE NKR

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2009-12-04 18:00
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

On November 28, the Euronews channel transmitted Michael Richman’s
film Nagorno Karabakh – Wind of Changes, introducing the history of the
NKR, the core of the Karabakh conflict, the process of its settlement,
and an interview with NKR President Bako Sahakian.

The film can be watched at the following addresses:

ds-of-change-in-nagorno-karabakh/

ube.com/watch?v=50ny96QzgdE

PRESS RELEASE
December 3, 2009

Armenian Assembly – Colorado
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

COLORADO ARMENIAN COMMUNITY CONTINUES ADVOCACY TO SECURE
U.S. REAFFIRMATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Washington, DC – Last month, the Eastern Colorado News (ECN) touted the
advocacy efforts of the Colorado Armenian American community in its
continued efforts to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide reported
the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

As part of the Assembly’s nationwide effort to secure passage of H. Res.
252, the Armenian-American community has proactively reached out to its
elected representatives in Congress to urge support for this important
human rights legislation.

In Colorado, the ECN also highlighted the "quiet" lobbying against the
Armenian Genocide resolution by five military contractors as reported by
the Associated Press (AP). The AP article revealed that BAE Systems,
Inc., Goodrich Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon Co., United
Technologies Corp., and energy producer Chevron Corp. "spent $14 million
to lobby Congress in the first quarter of this year," including against
the genocide resolution.

The ECN article picks up where the AP story left off, and pointed out
the contributions these companies make to Members of Congress, stating
that Raytheon was one of the "highest contributors" to a Congressman in
Colorado who supported the resolution last Congress, and has yet to
cosponsor H.Res. 252 this Congress.

Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), who has spearheaded H.Res. 252, along
with his colleagues Congressmen George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) told the AP that businesses that lobby
against the resolution are not being "good corporate citizens."

"In the face of continued denial of the Armenian Genocide, we commend
the efforts of the community from around the country and especially
appreciate the dedicated work of our State Chairs and network of
activists," stated Grassroots Director Taniel Koushakjian.
"Armenia-Turkey relations may have entered a new phase, but that does
not mean U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide should be held
hostage to this process. We strongly urge all Members of Congress to
support this bipartisan bill and would welcome the support of the entire
Colorado delegation," added Koushakjian.

H.Res. 252 is currently pending before the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs and mirrors the Senate version of the bill, of which Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) cosponsored last month.

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.

GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER REJECTS TURKISH PREMIER’S PROPOSAL

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.12.2009 17:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Greek Premier George Papandreou met with Russian
and Turkish Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of OSCE Foreign
Ministerial Council.

During the meeting, Mr. Papandreou rejected Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
proposal to resolve the Cypriot issue by formation of two federal
states on the island.

Greek Foreign Ministry proposed to include a clause on European
security in the resulting statement of the OSCE Foreign Ministerial
Council, Athens-based Azad Or newspaper reported.

OSCE MINISTERIAL COUNCIL TO ADOPT STATEMENT ON KARABAKH

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.12.2009 11:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, Ambassadors Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia,
Bernard Fassier of France and Robert Bradtke of the United States on
the sidelines of the 17th OSCE ministerial council in Athens. Personal
representative of the OSCE CiO, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk was also
present at the meeting.

After talks with the mediators, Minister Nalbandian met with
Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov to discuss the joint
statement to be adopted by the OSCE Ministerial Council.

He also met with the OSCE PA special representative on Nagorno
Karabakh Goran Lennmarker to consider the latest developments in
Karabakh process, RA MFA press office reported.

ABOUT 63 BEGINNER ENTREPRENEURS HAVE RECEIVED LOANS DURING THE RUNNING YEAR WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF UN’S "SUPPORT TO SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES SPHERE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM"

ARMENPRESS
Nov 30, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: About 63 beginner entrepreneurs have
received loans during the running year within the framework of UN’s
"Support to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Sphere Development
Program".

Coordinator of the program Tadevos Shahbazyan told Armenpress that
totally 78 million AMD have been provided for crediting. This year
within the framework of the program entrepreneurs have an opportunity
to receive up to 2 million AMD loan. In the previous year they had
an opportunity to receive up to 1 million AMD. The program is being
carried out in the provinces of the republic.

Before providing the loan, applications are being gathered, and
the authors present their programs. During the next round classes
are being conducted after which the project is being presented to
a commission which consists of representatives of UN, other donor
organizations and consultants.

After passing the test and interview rounds, the best projects are
being selected. T. Shahbazyan said that the presented programs are of
different nature – processing of fish, lobsters, cheese, production
of canned fruit, service sphere activity.

The consulting works continue after the end of classes as well.

Meetings are being organized during which the results are being
discussed. T. Shahbazyan noted that cases of not paying back the
loans have not been registered.

news.am, Armenia
Nov 28 2009

Artur Baghdasaryan received Bogdan Klich
16:49 / 11/28/2009

Nov. 28, 2009 RA National Security Council Secretary Artur
Baghdasaryan received Polish delegation headed by National Defense
Minister Bogdan Klich.

The officials discussed Armenian-Polish bilateral cooperation and made
a point of the necessity of military collaboration enhancement,
National Security Council Press Service informed NEWS.am.

Reforms conforming to European standards are implemented in different
fields in Armenia, Baghdasaryan outlined signifying the experience
exchange with Poland in Europe integration process, as well as Eastern
Partnership project. The sides also discussed regional security
issues, including Armenia-Turkey reconciliation and Karabakh peace
process.

NORMA RETURNS: ‘IT’S LIKE BELLINI’S IN THE ROOM’
by Marsha Lederman

The Globe & Mail
Nov 27 2009
Canada

Richard Bonynge, who conducted a landmark Norma for the Vancouver Opera
in 1963, returns for a new Norma to launch the VO’s 50th-anniversary
season

.Richard Bonynge has been here before – at the Queen Elizabeth
Theatre, on the podium, conducting the orchestra for a Vancouver
Opera production of Bellini’s Norma . The first time was in 1963,
when Bonynge conducted a production that became legendary – and a
turning point in the company’s young history. Tonight, he’s back at
the just-renovated Queen Elizabeth Theatre for a new Norma that will
launch the company’s 50th-anniversary season and provide the first
test of the venue’s natural acoustics.

That 1963 production was the start of something huge for Bonynge. It
was his first Norma. Since then, the 79-year-old has conducted more
than 100 performances of the difficult opera, for which he has become
renowned.

"It’s like Bellini’s in the room," says James Wright, the VO’s general
director, who went after Bonynge for this event not only because of his
skill, but because he feels Bonynge personifies the Vancouver Opera’s
history, as does Norma . Wright wanted to begin this all-important
season (it is, after all, Olympic season as well) with an opera that
would pay tribute to the VO’s past. And Norma was the obvious choice.

"Norma is our homage to Irving [Guttman, founding artistic director
of the Vancouver Opera] … to the early years and that pivotal,
pivotal production," says Wright. "And having Bonynge return to
conduct this …

just made a lot of sense. And I finally decided to take a deep breath
and produce Norma myself."

It was Guttman’s vision – and tenacity – that led to that milestone
production in 1963. He wanted to bring in Joan Sutherland –
Bonynge’s wife – for the title role, but faced a fight with his board
members, who balked at Sutherland’s fee of $3,000 for each of five
performances. Guttman held his ground, and got Sutherland and Bonynge –
as well as the great Marilyn Horne for the role of Adalgisa.

The result, he remembers, was thrilling. Sutherland and Horne
sounded magnificent together, night after night. "There’s not enough
superlatives for that kind of thing," Guttman says. "My God, it
was magic."

In Norma , the Roman consul Pollione abandons Norma, the mother of
his two sons, in favour of Adalgisa, an acolyte. The role of Norma
is considered one of the most demanding in the soprano repertoire; a
"super-human role," Bonynge calls it. Consider the placement of the
popular aria Casta Diva , so early on – leaving little time to warm up.

Sutherland’s first attempt at the role was in that 1963 production –
chosen by her and her husband because Vancouver was considered a little
out of the way, and off the opera radar. "She felt that it would be a
great place to try Norma out," says Bonynge. "And of course it ended
up as much more than a tryout." Sutherland, dubbed "La Stupenda,"
went on to perform the role on many other stages to great acclaim,
and is featured on several recordings. Now 83, she has long since
retired and was too ill to make the trip with her husband to Vancouver
from their home in the Swiss Alps.

Bonynge’s history with the VO didn’t end with Norma , of course. In
1974, he became artistic director of the company and, in 1977, founded
the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. "I’m thrilled that they’re still in
existence because it was the orchestra which we started … and to
find them in such a fantastic shape is a great thrill," Bonynge says.

He is also impressed, he says, with the cast for this production.

Armenian soprano Hasmik Papian is one of the world’s most in-demand
Normas at the moment. Kate Aldrich makes her VO debut in the role of
Adalgisa. And Victoria native Richard Margison sings Pollione.

Tonight marks the first non-amplified music event at the Queen
Elizabeth Theatre since its $48.5-million, four-phase renovation,
so the acousticians (and others) will be listening carefully –
and nervously.

Though expectations – acoustically, musically and nostalgically –
are high, Bonynge himself will have a steady hand. He’s happy with
the cast and orchestra, and is certainly familiar with the material.

"I’m too old to be nervous," says the Maestro. "I’ve been at it for
a long, long time."

Norma runs at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre from tonight to Dec.

5 (vancouveropera.ca ).