PETER SEMNEBY TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN MARCH 23
PanARMENIAN.Net
20.03.2007 15:41 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Union’s Special Representative for
Southern Caucasus Peter Semneby will arrive in Yerevan March 23, RA
MFA Acting Press Officer Vladimir Karapetyan told the PanARMENIAN.Net
journalist. Semneby himself said during his visit he is going to meet
with Armenian authorities. The Special Representative plans to visit
Azerbaijan and then Nagorno Karabakh in April.
POLEMIC WITH A TOUCH OF ROCK’N’ROLL
by Kim Sengupta
Independent Media Weekly
March 19, 2007
First Edition
Documentary is now a winning genre – among a section of the viewing
public. ‘Screamers’ is a powerful attempt to reach a new audience.
A heavy metal band in full flow. Flashing strobe lights and smoke from
dry ice. Bouncers trying to hold back head-banging fans from the stage.
The scenes are much like any other from rock concerts. But what is
different here is that the lyrics being belted out by System of
a Down and chanted by their fans is about the Armenian massacre,
Rwanda and Darfur and part of highly polemical film about genocide.
Screamers is the latest in a recent line of feature-length
documentaries on hard, gritty subjects to be released in the cinema.
Others have included Stephen Spielberg’s Munich, Spike Lee’s When the
Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts about Katrina and, of course,
Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11.
Most people who have been to see these films are, one can assume,
already interested in the subject matters. Screamers, however, is the
first to use a popular band in an effort to reach a younger generation
which may not be aware of historic and present-day injustices.
The crowds who turn up for the concerts are given pamphlets by Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch and the band bellow out their
thoughts during the performance.
And it appears to be working. Fans questioned as they leave the
gigs show a surprising level of knowledge about what is going on
in places such as Darfur and the issues are also discussed in their
various websites.
Screamers has been co-produced by the BBC and will be shown in the
Storyville series on 28 March. It has also done the rounds of various
film festivals and received the Audience Award at the American Film
Institute festival last November. The director and producer, Carla
Garapedian and Peter McAlevey, are both former journalists and say
they took a reporter’s approach to gathering backing for the project.
Garapedian, who holds American and British dual nationalities,
had worked as a BBC news-reader before going on to make acclaimed
documentaries such as Zarmina: Lifting the Veil, about the plight of
women in Afghanistan, Children of the Secret State, charting acute
deprivation in North Korea and My Friend the Mercenary, examining the
attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea to which Mark Thatcher was linked.
McAlevey, an American, was formerly a reporter with Newsweek. He had
been involved in the production of films including Flatliners and Radio
Flyer. The idea for Screamers came about when a project McAlevey and
Garapedian were working on – a comedy about her time at the Beeb –
fell through.
Garapedian, of Armenian origin, who has been campaigning to gain
international recognition that the killing of 1.5 million Armenians in
Turkey was genocide, had heard about System of a Down, whose members
are also Armenian and involved in the same cause. Like Garapedian,
they also wanted to make a stand against the inhumanity which is
taking place now in various parts of the world with the West turning
a blind eye. They are also hugely successful in their niche market,
with sales of 16 million CDs so far.
"It was proving impossible to approach them," recalled McAlevey. "You
get this very often, of course, with acts which are doing well. The
people around them want to stick with the winning formulae, they
do not want to get involved with something new, experimental, which
might fail.
"Then I found out the address of Rick Rubin, the guy who looks after
them, and my journalist’s training kicked in. We wrote a very short,
three-paragraph proposal and I just threw it over the wall of his
home. We got a call back the next day from his PA. We thought this
would be something that works. Don’t forget, Spike Lee said that he
got more satisfaction from his Katrina film than all his feature films
because the sheer scale of the feedback that he got was so much more
than from all the others."
It was, however, several months before Garapedian and McAlevey met
Serj Tankian, the singer. The most political of the band members –
he is moving to New Zealand because he does not want his taxes in the
US being spent on invading countries – was immediately enthusiastic.
"I had been with a group of human rights activists outside one of
their concerts in the past handing out leaflets and I was amazed
by the interest shown by them, not just about Armenia but what was
happening in places like Darfur and Iraq, so System were the ideal
people to work with.
"This is a golden age for documentaries, perhaps the second one we
have had since the 1950s, when there were people who had been shooting
the Second Word War bringing their craft and experience in producing
hard-edged stuff. Now there is a demand from the public for hard,
strong, in-depth documentaries because they are concerned about what
is going on around the world.
"I didn’t want to make a so-called ‘balanced’ documentary. I don’t
believe you can actually have two sides to genocide – either you
accept it or you deny it, and the danger lies in the denial."
Tankian says it was only natural that the band should take part in
the film. "I have always had a problem with injustice, whether it’s
personal, national or international. It’s just always bothered me to
the point where I have to do or say something."
It was perhaps not surprising that the film was commissioned by
Storyville, which has built up a reputation for adventurous and
innovative programming.
Nick Fraser, the series editor, said, "What I liked about it was that
it was attempting to reach a younger audience in an imaginative way.
I didn’t know much about the band, but there’s someone working for me
who did. It’s an angry film, but it has been made extremely well. I
think that people like us should encourage this kind of film-making,
because the topics they are addressing are immensely important."
‘Screamers’ is on BBC4 on 28 March
TEMPERATURE TO RISE BY 7-9 DEGREES UNTIL MARCH 24 IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, MARCH 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Precipitations are forecast in some
regions of Armenia, especially in the second half of the day on March
20-21, no precipitations are forecast on March 22-23 and
precipitations are again forecast on March 24. As Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed by Gagik Surenian, chief specialist of
Haypethydromet Department’s Meteorological Forecasts Unit, temperature
will rise by 7-9 degrees until March 24.
On March 20-24, in country’s mountainous regions night temperature
will be 0 +5, in the daytime temperature will be +5 +10 and in Ararat
valley +5 +7, +15 +18, respectively.
Sabah, Turkey
March 17 2007
‘I would not object to negotiation’
The favorite presidential candidate in France, Bayrou said: "If I am
elected, I would not object to the continuance of negotiations just
like Merkel. I will continue French national policy. I am against
Armenian bill."
‘I was against Turkey, but…’
We spoke with Christian Democrat Bayrou who became popular in the
elections suddenly.
Referring to the Armenian genocide denial bill waiting at the senate,
he said: "I do not think the first law (recognizing genocide) is
affirmative. French president can say "I believe in genocide"
representing the country. However, it is wrong to enact this as a
law. Thousands of Armenians experienced a tragedy at the beginning of
the last century. But this should not be a matter of law; it should
be a matter for historians."
OPPOSITION YOUTH COUNCIL INTENDS TO CONTROL OBSERVERS’ ACTIVITY DURING NA ELECTIONS
Noyan Tapan
Mar 15 2007
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The Opposition Youth Council consisting
of youth wings of several opposition parties attaches great importance
to activity of local observation organizations during the May 12
elections. Narek Galstian, Head of youth wing of Social-Democrat
Hnchakian Party, member of Opposition Youth Council, stated this in
his March 15 interview to journalists.
In the words of Sergei Ghazarian, representative of youth wing of
People’s Party of Armenia, the Council will follow observers’ activity,
will study the reports made by them and will send the respective
written conclusion to the international organizations, which have
provided funds for implementing the mission of that observers.
As Karen Vardanian, representative of Union of National Democrats
Party, affirmed, objective activity of 3-4 observers at each district
and adequate activity of empowered persons will contribute to holding
of free and fair elections. In his words, "the above mentioned persons
just should be strong enough to avoid material temptation."
ARMENIAN YEZIDIS WANT TV CHANNEL IN THEIR LANGUAGE
Arminfo
14 Mar 07
Yerevan, 14 March: Representatives of Armenia’s Yezidi community are
currently working towards opening a special TV channel in Armenia to
broadcast in the Yezidi language, Aziz Tamoyan, head of the National
Union of Armenian Yezidis, has told Arminfo.
Tamoyan said the Yezidi community, numbering 40,620 people, is grateful
to the Armenian president’s aide on ethnic issues, Sergo Yeritsyan,
for his support in solving problems the community faces. In some of
the schools in Kotayk, Armavir and Aragatsotn regions, the Yezidi
language is taught in junior forms. A textbook of the Yezidi language
for the first to third grades has been published. A newspaper called
Yezidikhana with a circulation of 500 copies is published in Armenia
five times a year. A programme on Armenian National Radio in the
Yezidi language is broadcast daily from 0800 to 0830 [0400-0430 gmt],
Tamoyan said.
He also said that apart from a special TV channel, the community
insists on the publication of textbooks in the Yezidi language
for the fourth to tenth forms. Another task is to get the genocide
of the Yezidi people in Ottoman Turkey in 1915-18 internationally
recognized. Over 500,000 Yezidis were killed at the time.
"We have no territorial claims, but we demand decent compensation
for the damage inflicted on our people," Tamoyan said.
110th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF YEGHISHE CHARENTS TO BE MARKED ON MARCH 13
Noyan Tapan
Mar 12 2007
YEREVAN, MARCH 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Yeghishe Charents’ 110th birth
anniversary will be marked on March 13. Like every year, on that
day representatives of Armenian intelligentsia, students and
schoolchildren will visit the memorial complex of the great poet,
where Charents readings will be held. As Noyan Tapan correspondent
was informed by Lilit Hakobian, Director of Charents House-Museum,
a solemn event will be organized at the Museum on the occasion of
poet’s 110th birth anniversary. In her words, the Museum and the Union
of Writers of Armenia have announced this year as Year of Charents,
therefore various kinds of events will be held not only in Yerevan,
but also in the Armenian regions and in Artsakh during the whole year.
PROFIT OF ARMENIAN INSURANCE COMPANIES MADE OVER 421 MILLION DRAMS IN 2006
Noyan Tapan
Mar 12 2007
YEREVAN, MARCH 12, NOYAN TAPAN. As of December 31, 2006, 23 insurance
companies operated in Armenia against 13 ones as of the same day of
2005. According to data of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), in late
2005, the overall assets of insurance companies made 9 bln 878 mln
761 thousand drams, while in late 2006, these assets made 8 bln 148
mln 578 thousand drams (about 19 mln 586 thousand USD). The overall
funds of these companies on the indicated dates made 1 bln 516 mln
103 thousand drams and 1 bln 215 mln 998 thousand drams respectively,
fixed assets – 1 bln 67 mln 972 thousand drams and 615 mln 985 thousand
drams, own capital – 4 bln 426 mln 227 thousand drams and 5 bln 526.5
mln drams, authorized capital – 4 bln 108 mln 32 thousand drams and
5 bln 198 mln 226 thousand drams respectively. The short-term bills
payable of Armenian insurance companies amounted to 1 bln 730 mln 609
thousand drams in late 2005 and to 1 bln 395 mln 895 thousand drams
in late 2006. Their short-term bills receivable made 1 bln 520 mln
310 thousand drams and 1 bln 823 mln 609 thousand drams respectively;
insurance reserves – 3 bln 691 mln 837 thousand drams and 1 bln 200 mln
654 thousand drams. The total amount of insurance premiums of insurance
companies made 4 bln 351 mln 410 thousand drams in 2005 against 5 bln
123 mln 716 thousand drams in 2006, insurance premiums transferred
to re-insurers – 2 bln 387 mln 490 thousand drams and 3 bln 78 mln
443 thousand drams, insurance premiums for life insurance – 24 mln 84
thousand drams and 29 mln 837 thousand drams, insurance premiums for
non-life insurance – 4 bln 327 mln 327 thousand drams and 5 bln 93
mln 879 thousand drams. The total amount of insurance compensations
of Armenian insurance companies made 521 mln 675 thousand drams in
2005 against 27 bln 263 mln 540 thousand drams in 2006, the share of
re-insurers in insurance compensations – 322 mln 293 thousand drams
and 26 bln 968 mln 206 thousand drams, insurance sums transferred for
re-insurance – 1 trillion 683 bln 228 mln 912 thousand drams and 2
trillion 208 bln 262 mln 577 thousand drams. As of December 31, 2005,
Armenian insurance companies had 23,508 thousand operating agreements
against 28,727 thousand ones as of December 31, 2006, the insurance
sums stipulated by these operating agreements amounted to 1 trillion
734 bln 47 mln 253 thousand drams and 2 trillion 366 bln 239 mln 95
thousand drams. In 2005, the profit of insurance companies made 298
mln 984 thousand drams, while in 2006 – 421 mln 126 thousand drams.
DEFENCE LAWYERS OF ARMAN BABAJANIAN INTEND TO APPEAL TO RA CONSTITUTIONAL COURT AND EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Noyan Tapan
Mar 12 2007
YEREVAN, MARCH 12, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 11 the defence lawyers of
Arman Babajanian, former editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Zhamanak
Yerevan", received back their cassation appeal. According to them,
the appeal was returned with gross violations of law: the appeal was
submitted on January 22, and the decision to accept or reject it must
be made within 10 days, i.e. by February 1.
In response to inquiry of lawyer Z. Postanjian, there was a verbal
answer on March 6 that the RA Cassation Court has not yet made any
decision. After applying in writing to the Cassation court on March
7, a backdate decision – of February 26 – on returing the appeal was
received. The lawyers also drew attention to the fact that the decision
about rejection of the appeal is given with standard motivation. The
defence lawyers intend to appeal to the RA Constitutional Court and
the European Court of Human Rights. Violations of some articles of the
RA Constitution will form the basis of the application: particularly,
by the Constitution, the prosecutor’s office has to power to conduct a
preliminary investigation, and the Criminal Procedure Code’s article
giving such power contradicts the Constitution. The lawyers also
intend to dispute the constitutionality of abstract formulation
regarding the appeal’s return, as well as the constitutionality of
power of the interdepartmental commission that releases from criminal
responsibility for draft evasion.
"MODEL OF IT DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA" SHOW-PRESENTATION TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON MARCH 12
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 2007
YEREVAN, March 9. /ARKA/. "The Model of IT Development in Armenia"
show-presentation will be held in Yerevan on March 12.
The Enterprises Incubator Fund reported that the model helps
evaluating the main factors in promotion of the IT sphere in Armenia
and elaborating mid-term scenarios of the sphere development.
The qualitative assessment is done through elaboration of econometric
models and their analytic tools. The main components of the model
are the analysis of the basic trends on the world IT market and their
influence on Armenia, development of a scenario for Internet-services
(ISP) sphere in 2011, as well as scenarios for Armenia’s IT sector
growth by 2011.
The program assesses the influence of the basic complex factors,
particularly infrastructure, accessibility of venture capital,
quality of mathematic and scientific education.
The program envisages elaboration of three models of IT development
based on successful experience of other countries and priority tasks
of every model.
The event is held by the Enterprises Incubator Fund and the "Economy
and Values" Research Center.