STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN: WE HAVE NOT DISCUSSED THE ISSUE YET
A1+
[05:06 pm] 27 February, 2009
Will the Leader of the People’s Party of Armenia (HZhK) Stepan
Demirchyan run for the Yerevan Mayor?
According to the Armenian press, Stepan Demirchyan is the most suitable
oppositional candidate and if the opposition makes a final decision
Demirchyan will run in the election.
"We haven’t discussed the issue of my nomination yet," the HZhK Leader
said in brief.
"AUCTION OF SOULS" OR "MEMORIAL OF TRUTH"
AZG DAILY
27-02-2009
Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute
"Ravished Armenia", one of the first documentary memoirs of an
eyewitness of Armenian Genocide was published in 1918, in New York. In
this book Arshaluys (Aurora) Mardiganian, a girl from Chmshkatsag,
Armenian populated town in the Ottoman Empire, gave a detailed account
of the terrible experiences she endured during the deportations. At
the age of fourteen Arshaluys was beaten and tortured in harems of
Turkish officials and Kurdish tribesmen.
The book "Ravished Armenia" was completed when American Committee
for Armenian and Syrian Relief offered to create a film based on
the scenario of the book and all the profit, which later on reached
$30 million, would be given to 60.000 Armenian orphans in the Near
East for relief purposes. In 1918, at Metro Goldwin Mayer studio,
director Oscar Apfel made "Auction of Souls" silent film, which
actually became not only the first movie on the Armenian genocide,
but also the first genocide movie ever made. More than 10.000 Armenian
residents of Southern California, including 200 deported children,
participated in the scenes.
The premiere of the "Auction of Souls" was held on February 16, 1919,
in Plaza Hotel, New York under the auspices of Oliver Harriman and
George Vanderbilt, members of American Committee for Armenian and
Syrian Relief.
The film was shown in large cities of 23 U.S. states, in several
countries of Latin America, including Mexico and Cuba. It was a
success everywhere and was estimated as "epoch-making film".
The "Auction of Souls" was taken to Great Britain in December, 1919,
and censured. After long lasting negotiations the film was shown in
Royal Albert Hall, by the permission of Scotland Yard and played for
three weeks. At the beginning of 1920s Mardiganian’s "Ravished Armenia"
was censured and taken off the British and American libraries.
For over eighty years film historians have been searching the world for
the nine reels of Ravished Armenia but failed to find any trace. The
remaining reels of the rare nitrate based film were lost. Some say the
reels presumably sunk with a ship on their way to the port of Batoum,
Georgia, or stolen by thieves. The full-length version of the film,
which lasting 85 minutes, unfortunately, hasn’t been saved. With the
efforts of Eduard Gozanlian, an Armenian from Argentina, a 20 minute
segment of the reel was found in 1994. One copy of that segment is kept
in the funds of Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. The film included
English, French and Armenian subtitles for every scene. The list of
the original subtitles for Ravished Armenia is preserved in The Selig
Collection at the Margaret Herrick Library of the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences. They are also reproduced in Anthony Slide’s
book "Ravished Armenia and the Story of Aurora Mardiganian". This
book was published by Scarecrow Press in 1997. It tells the story of
the making of the film and reveals the young girl’s survival story.
On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the "Ravished Armenia",
the AGMI has issued a memorial postcard and has created an on-line
exhibition at
SHIRAK TOROSIAN: GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES DISREGARD PROBLEMS GEORGIAN ARMENIANS ARE CONCERNED WITH
Noyan Tapan
F eb 25, 2009
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, NOYAN TAPAN. An action of protest was
held on February 25 near the building of Embassy of Georgia in
Armenia on the initiative of the Javakhk compatriotic union and
other organizations. The action participants carried placards with
inscriptions "Javakhk is my homeland," "Freedom to Javakhk activists,"
and others. Union Chairman, RA NA deputy Shirak Torosian said that in
spite of the permanent complaints of Armenians of Javakhk and Armenians
of Georgia in general, the Georgian authorities continue disregarding
and neglecting the problems the Armenian minority is concerned with.
According to him, in addition to traditional problems including
problems of language, Armenian Apostolic Church’s illegal status,
new troubles have also emerged lately. According to the deputy, the
Georgian authorities with a number of steps further aggravated the
tension and discontent atmosphere among the Armenians of Javakhk. Thus,
the Georgian police groundlessly bring to police dozens of Javakhk
Armenian public activists, who are released only after being
threatened and intimidated. As a result, according to S. Torosian,
the atmosphere of fear and distrust increases day by day among the
Armenians of Javakhk, which results in increase of migration rates
of Armenians from the region.
The action participants demanded ensuring fulfillment of the
powers reserved by the law On Local Self-government, liquidating
the artificial obstacles at the state frontier Bavra check-point,
stopping the police persecutions in Samtskhe-Javakhk-Tsalka, etc. They
called the Armenian authorities for including these issues in the
Armenian-Georgian interstate relations’ agenda and getting down to
their solution.
8 TELECOMS COMPANIES OF ARMENIA GRANTED FIXED TELEPHONY CODES
ArmInfo
2009-02-25 19:26:00
ArmInfo. 8 telecoms companies of Armenia have been granted fixed
telephony codes
The companies are: Icon Communications (6030, 6031, 6032, 6033,
6034), Cornet-AM (6021, 6022, 6023, 6024, 6025, 6026), Arminco (6027),
Dzoraghbyur-Hamalir (6028), Bionet (6029), Hi-tech gateway Inc. (6035),
Softlink (6020) and Web (6036).
The code will be followed by 4 more symbols – thus each code can have
10,000 numbers. The codes will be valid till 2017. The code can be
cancelled if its holder has used less than 60% of its numbers during
the first year.
"We ar glad that now we can work on a new marker," says Vice President
of Web company Kolya Hovhannissyan. He explains that the network
service license allows providing fixed telephony services.
So, they paid no money for the codes. All they have to buy now is
switchboard.
The only operator of fixed telephony in Armenia is ArmenTel, subsidiary
of VimpelCom (Russia). In the third quarter of 2008 the profit of
ArmenTel’s fixed telephony network totalled $37.2mln against $38.3mln
in the second quarter.
ARMENIANS "GREET" ALIYEV IN ATHENS
Azad Or
m?ar=266&p=21
Feb 24, 2009
Athens (Azad Or) – Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and his delegation
were met with angry Armenian protesters when they arrived at the
Greek Chamber of Commerce for a meeting of Azeri and Greek business
leaders, in the presence of Greek President Carolos Papoulias and
Prime Minister Karamanlis.
The Armenian community of Greece heeded the call from the ARF
Dashnaktsoutiun Youth Organization and, gathered at the venue an hour
before the scheduled meeting by the Azeri president.
With Armenian tri-colours and the Karabakh flags waving, a large
banner that read "Aliyev, Stop the Aggression. Nagorno-Karabakh
is Already Independent," the crowd chanted "Karabakh is Armenian"
catching the Aliyev off guard as he exited his vehicle.
The Armenian community of Greece – especially the youth – had gathered
to raise their voices against the visit of the Azeri president
to Greece.
Aliyev’s Azeri security team was very aggressive toward the protesters
and pushed the Azad Or editor and Armenian photographers back and
stopped them, as representatives of the press, from entering the
building.
The Greek police also held back protesters, who refused to move from
their positions.
Soon thereafter, President Papoulias arrived and was greeted by
cheers from the protesters, who stayed put until the conclu sion
of the conference and Aliyev’s quick exit from the venue, where the
protesters continued their protest slogans.
During the meeting, Aliyev reiterated his anti-Armenian rhetoric,
saying that "Armenia has invaded and is occupying Azeri lands."
You can view the demonstration and the way the Armenians of Greece
greeted the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev by clicking here
SAME PEOPLE APPLIED FORCE ON MARCH 1
A1+
[08:37 pm] 24 February, 2009
"It is clear for all of us that the majority of NA deputies are
deepening the created crisis with their actions. It is clear that
this administration, particularly Serzh Sargsyan, faces the issue of
legitimacy," said today at the NA podium Deputy Zaruhi Postanjyan
stating that Mr. Sargsyan hasn’t done anything to legitimize his
power in the course of one year.
"An illegitimate president can not function independently, but even
if Serzh Sargsyan was elected legitimately, he is responsible for
solving our most urgent issues. Doesn’t Serzh Sargsyan realize that
the authorities are responsible for the events of March 1?" said
Mrs. Postanjyan.
According to her, the only thing that Serzh Sargsyan had to do in
this situation was to declare amnesty. Postanjyan also touched upon
NA Chairman Hovik Abrahamyan.
"Hovik Abrahamyan was elected without any alternative, just like the
Azeri presidential elections. He could have restored the immunity of
our deputies or at least not interfere in the work of the "Heritage"
party."
Anahit Bakhshyan’s statement was on the February 19 presidential
elections and the aftermath.
"On the last day of the campaign Serzh Sargsyan apologized for all
the sufferings that the careless government officials had caused
the people, but that includes the tragedy of October 27 when Serzh
Sargsyan was Defense Minister and the state was in turmoil. The same
people applied force on March 1 last year against the people who
dared to speak out against the falsified elections, stealing votes
and the false apology."
In defense of the authorities, Deputy Sukias Avetisyan said:
"The legitimate authorities are doing their best to extenuate the
social tension with their anti-crisis plans and I would like to draw
the government’s attention to the unemployment in the Shirak Marz."
The statements of other pro-government deputies were dedicated to
agricultural issues.
MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE ACCOUNT ARMENIA, GERMAN GITEC CONSULT GMBH SIGN $998,000 CONTRACT
ARKA
Feb 20, 2009
YEREVAN, February 20. /ARKA/. The Millennium Challenge Account –
Armenia SNCO announced the award of a consulting contract to the joint
venture consortium of GITEC Consult GmbH (Germany) in association
with HGSN Ltd (Armenia). MCA-Armenia reports.
The consortium will provide consulting services for the design
solutions for rehabilitation of Ararat Valley Drainage System under
the MCA-Armenia Irrigated Agriculture Project Infrastructure Activity.
The contract was signed at the MCA-Armenia office on February 20, 2009
by Mr. Ara Hovsepyan, MCA-Armenia CEO and Mr. Wolfgang Jendrischewski,
Director of Water Resources and Sanitary Engineering Department of
GITEC Consult.
The contract includes analysis of the ecological situation, hydrology,
surface and subsurface horizontal drainage systems and wells in the
Ararat Valley, social and health assessment, as well as designer’s
field supervision.
The contract value is $998,243, and will last 31 months, including
17 months for design activities and 14 months for field supervision.
Established by the RA Government, MCA-Armenia is a state non-profit
organization. The fund is responsible for transparent implementation
of the agreement signed between the U.S. Millennium Challenge and
Armenian Government.
MUSEUM MESS
by John Kelly
The Washington Post
February 22, 2009 Sunday
Last week, Answer Man took a peek inside the old National Bank Building
at 14th and G streets NW. A museum about the Armenian genocide is
planned for the handsome structure.
McClatchy Newspapers reported this month that legal wrangles have
complicated the situation. A wealthy Armenian American donor,
Gerard Cafesjian, is suing to get his donation back. Meanwhile,
museum organizers are suing Cafesjian, accusing him of interfering
with their plans. The case is being heard by U.S. District Judge
Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.
"We think the museum is going to be built regardless of how the
litigation comes out," said Arnold Rosenfeld, an attorney for Armenian
Assembly of America.
Part of Answer Man Revved Up to Discover Old Marlboro Raceway
Personalities
ARMENIA’S POPULATION MADE 3 MILLION 238.4 THOUSAND IN 2008, EXCEEDING 2007 INDEX BY 8.3 THOUSAND
Noyan Tapan
Feb 20, 2009
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s population made 3 million
238.4 thousand in 2008, growing by 8.3 thousand as compared with
early 2008, the Head of the RA National Statistical Service Stepan
Mnatsakanian said at the February 20 press conference.
According to him, a 2.8% growth in birth rate was recorded in 2008,
while the birth rate coefficient made 12.8 ppm per 1,000 residents –
against 12.4 ppm in 2007. The mortality coefficinet grew by 0.2 ppm
to 8.5 ppm. 15 cases of maternal mortality were recorded in 2008 –
against 6 cases in 2007.
It was announced that there were 444 cases of infant deaths during
the first year of life in 2008 (2.5% growth on 2007), and the infant
mortality coefficient made 10.8 ppm – against 10.9 ppm in 2007.
S. Mnatsakanian said that in 2008 the number of marriages grew by
1.8% and made 18,465, while the number of divorces grew by 3.4%
and made 3,031.
DYNAMICS OF CRISIS AND MECHANICS OF ORIGINALITY
James Hakobyan
Lragir.am
12:04:48 – 20/02/2009
The Armenian government has allocated over 300 thousand dollars to
The Armenians and the Sea organization for a scientific voyage around
the world entitled "The Roads of the Diaspora". At first sight, 300
thousand dollars is not a big sum for a voyage. On the other hand,
300 thousand dollars is luxury for Armenia facing the global economic
crisis and its impact, and borrowing money from other countries to
stop its economy from declining.
However, it should not be ruled out that the voyage around the world
is part of the struggle against the impact of the global economic
crisis. In this case, 300 thousand dollars is part of the anti-crisis
expenditure, such as the loan of 10 thousand dollars to the copper and
molybdenum factory of Zangezour. But can a voyage around the world
be an anti-crisis effort? In terms of morality it can. A scientific
and historical voyage would attract the attention of the Armenians,
and every day they would switch on TV to watch live broadcast from
the part of the ocean where the Armenian sailors would be at the
moment rather than to learn news about the state of the country.
At that moment, even if the crisis enters the house and touches the
shoulder of the host watching TV with a finger and says "hello, I’m
here, what do you think about itD, the host will kick out the brazen
crisis from his house for disturbing him from learning about the ocean
routine, and the TV host may encourage him, saying "protect your
right for information". Hence, the voyage of 300 thousand dollars
is not luxury that the government undertakes in this difficult
situation. It is a conscious and grounded step. On the one hand,
may have a scientific and historical importance and reinforce the
ties between the homeland and the Diaspora, and on the other hand,
it may essentially weaken the crisis expectations and reflections of
the population of Armenia, easing tension in the country. Moreover,
a person would even gladly lose his job to have more time to watch
live broadcasts of the voyage during the day. No doubt, there will
be some during the day.
In addition, not only the Armenian but also foreign authoritative TV
companies will respond to this Armenian voyage as a rather original
anti-crisis action, prompting the governments of the United States and
European countries that similar non-standard steps should be taken
to tackle the crisis. Otherwise, there is nothing original about
the 800 billion dollar anti-crisis program of the U.S. government of
which not a cent will drop into the water, that is spent on a voyage
around the world. Imagine what voyages we would organize even with
half of that money! There would be live music, barbeque, parties,
and we would invite the crisis too.