Author: Kalantarian Kevo

DELEGATES OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS YOUTH PARLIAMENT IN THE NA

06.02.2013

On February 6 in the National Assembly the delegates of the South
Caucasus Youth Parliament (SCYP) were hosted, who were taking part
at the SCYP sitting being held in Armenia on February 5-8. In the
two previous years the young parliamentarians have convened their
sittings in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi.

The SCYP sitting is organized within the framework of the programme
“Democracy Starts From You” being financed by the German Konrad
Adenauer foundation. The Armenian partner of the programme is the
Yerevan school of the Political Courses of the Council of Europe. At
the end five representatives from every country will be chosen for
getting familiarized with the European organizations on the spot.

In the parliament the legislators’ activity, the history and structure
of the RA National Assembly were introduced to about 40 pupils of
the senior schools of Armenia and Georgia. Then the Vice President
of the National Assembly Hermine Naghdalyan had a meeting with
schoolchildren. Welcoming them the NA Vice President highlighted
the fact that due to this initiative Armenia will not only be a
neighbouring country, a geographical territory for the Georgian youth,
but also their friends’ motherland. Highly appreciating the human
warm relations Hermine Naghdalyan noted that they were considered
to be also “the threads,” which tie peoples and states. She stressed
the role that had been reserved for the young people in building the
future of the two friendly countries, Armenia and Georgia that had
chosen the path of democracy for about 20 years.

Hermine Naghdalyan has noticed that the most important events are
going to take place in the political field of both Armenia and Georgia
in 2013: in the RA on February 18, and in the neighbouring country
at the end of the year presidential elections will be held. The NA
Vice President was interested in the attitude of the SCYP delegates
towards the upcoming events and the mood in their families. The theme
inspired the schoolchildren, and during the talk it became clear
that not only the pupils of the senior schools were interested in
politics and disputes, but also their families. Hermine Naghdalyan
also told them about the reflection of the political events of our
country to her family, presenting in parallel the history, through
which the society of independent Armenia had passed from the first
presidential elections until the current phase.

The schoolchildren thanked the NA Vice President for the warm
reception, also asked questions about the works of the parliament,
the relations of Armenia with neighbouring countries, the process of
the Armenian Genocide recognition, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and
a number of other problems.

After the meeting with Hermine Naghdalyan the SCYP delegates attended
the NA sitting.

IRANIAN AYATOLLAH RAISES TERRITORIAL CLAIMS AGAINST AZERBAIJAN

[ 06 February 2013 15:02 ]

Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammed Bokiri Kherrozi : “If I am elected as
president, I will return the lands of Tajikistan, Armenia and
Azerbaijan, which were separated from Iran”

Baku. Shamil Alibeyli – APA. “If I am elected as a president, I will
return the lands of Tajikistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan, which were
separated from Iran,” said Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammed Bokiri Kherrozi,
who is going to run for presidency in June this year, APA reports
quoting Iranian websites.

He said the return of the territories separated from Iran will be
the major program of his pre-election campaign.

“I will get back these lands without any bloodshed. If I am elected
as president, I will eliminate all sanctions imposed on Iran,” he said.

Sayyid Mohammed Bokiri Kherrozi added that he is not so popular,
he attributed it to a special tactics.

Sayyid Mohammed Bokiri Kherrozi is secretary general of Hezbollah
organization of Iran.

Armenian cellist makes Canadian debut with Vancouver recital

Narek Hakhnazaryan proves he is a great ambassador, presenting a with
program of composers close to his heart

The Vancouver Sun
February 6,
2013

By David Gordon Duke, Special to The Sun

Yo-Yo Ma’s superstar status as the world’s favourite cellist has the
unfortunate side-effect of making it easy for other cellists to get a
bit overshadowed – even wonderful ones like Jean-Guihen Queyras or
Steven Isserlis.
And, cello being cello, it’s that much harder for up-and-coming
soloists to receive the attention they deserve. Which makes the
Canadian recital debut of Narek Hakhnazaryan all the more interesting.

Hakhnazaryan plays for the Vancouver Recital Society in a program of
Romantic and contemporary work on Feb. 10. Last month I caught up with
him in Boston to chat about his life, his career and the music he will
bring to Vancouver.

Hakhnazaryan was born in Yerevan, Armenia in 1988, the son of two of
that city’s celebrated musicians. At the age of 11 he moved to Moscow
with his mother to pursue advanced education. He went from being a
local phenomenon with well-known parents to just one of many fine
young musicians.

`It was tough,’ he said. `Although Yerevan is the capital, it is not
so big and crazy as Moscow. In the beginning it was hard, but we both
got used to it. The playing was very different. First of all there
were so many more people, and many more things going on; of course
there was much more competition.’

Beyond the high level of teaching and other advantages to life in
Moscow, there was another important connection for the young cellist:
the opportunity to meet and then learn from the great cellist Mstislav
Rostropovich, who was finally re-acquainting himself with his homeland
after years in exile.

`I saw his master class when I was 12 or 13 at the Moscow
Conservatory, and this was an amazing, big public event. He was
telling so many funny stories about all the composers he knew. I have
a photo of him with me as a very small boy; I didn’t play for him, but
we had a good chat. My studies with him came later; many times his
assistants would call me and say, `He will be in Moscow in a few days
and would like to see you.’ ‘

Hakhnazaryan was even able to work with Rostropovich on compositions
written for the great cellist by some of the 20th century’s most
renowned composers.

`I was extremely lucky. I. Sadly, we never did any of the Britten
cello suites, which I love now. I played number three in Boston a few
years ago. If you show what Britten actually writes, very precisely,
it is very impressive for audiences.’

Another of the great figures of the contemporary Russian musical world
figures large in Hakhnazaryan’s career: conductor Valery
Gergiev. `I’ve played with him many times, and he seemed to be very
happy with the results.’

But Hakhnazaryan admits that working with the mercurial maestro isn’t
for the faint of heart. `His life is so crazy now, he never has time
to rehearse, so for many soloists this is a tough problem, I’m lucky
to be one of the musicians who doesn’t need to rehearse so much, and
this saves me when I’m playing with Gergiev. He is a true genius –
invariably some magic happens in the performance and everything
becomes perfect, phenomenal. He’s an amazing personality.’

Like Gergiev, Hakhnazaryan is an ambassador for new work by
contemporary composers from his part of the world. Along with music by
Tchaikovsky, Franck, and Chopin, Hakhnazaryan will present the music
of Mikhail Bronner in his Vancouver recital.

Born in 1952, Bronner is celebrated at home, but I can’t recall any
previous Vancouver performances of his work. According to
Hakhnazaryan, `He’s one of the most talented composers right now in
Moscow of his generation. He worked with my parents many times, they
became friends, and that’s how I got to hear his recordings and fell
in love with his music.’

Hakhnazaryan doesn’t thinks Bronner’s work The Jew: Life and Death
requires a lot of talk or preparation.

`There is not so much to say about the piece: it uses some very
interesting techniques, like hitting the strings with my left hand,
and I have to whistle and sing a little bit, but it’s all done in a
very esthetic way, not just a show of different techniques with no
point behind them. This is a very deep and touching piece. As soon as
you hear it, you will understand completely.’

Originally we were scheduled to hear a solo work by Ligeti, but there
is a new development which Hakhnazaryan hopes will please North
American audiences.

`I have a small change in the program, a work by Adam Khudoyan, an
Armenian composer, a very deep, very emotional, very Armenian
piece. Hopefully I can do the Ligeti in Vancouver next time!’

With his Canadian debut out of the way, Hakhnazaryan is off
gallivanting around the world with a performance of the Schumann
concerto in London, a West Coast tour in the fall with conductor Neeme
Järvi, and a Carnegie Hall recital next November.

When I warned Hakhnazaryan what to expect from a West Coast February,
he wasn’t in the least disconcerted.

`Over the last two years I have changed climates many times, so the
rain will not bother me – unlike Chicago last week. I couldn’t go
outside. With that wind, it was worse than Moscow!’

Who: Narek Hakhnazaryan, cello; Noreen Polera, piano
When: Feb. 10, 3 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Playhouse
Information: vanrecital.com

Image Caption: Narek Hakhnazaryan studied with celebrated cellist
Mstislav Rostropovich, and got to work with him on sonatas by
Shostakovich and Prokofiev.

DOING BUSINESS: WINE MARKET ALWAYS NEEDS NEW PRODUCTS

10:42, 7 February, 2013

The small-to-medium business is of a certain importance for the
steadfast economic growth of a country, as it gives innovational
impulses to the economy. “Armenpress” News Agency highly appreciates
the significant role the small-to-medium business plays; each week
“Armenpress” will introduce business stories regarding various branches
of economy.

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, ARMENPRESS. It has been a long time since Avag
Harutyunyan is engaged in wine-making, but he always smiles while
remembering his first steps in this realm. The Harutyunyan’s family
has been engaged in wine-making since 1850, when his great grandmother
named Maran established a pomegranate garden and built a small site
for making wine. The Chairman of Union of Armenian Winemakers Avag
Harutyunyan stated: “The garden was destroyed in 1930s. In future,
when I was about to decide my occupation, my parents compelled me to
choose wine-making. I was not aware of the fact that wine-making was
also the occupation of my ancestors.”

Notwithstanding a fatal accident made him reconsider his attitude
towards his future profession. Among other things Avag Harutyunyan
noted: “Once I occasionally appeared in an event, which turned out to
be fatal in my life. A reporter confused me with an official engaged
in wine-making, and dedicated a whole article to me as if I was a
“prominent wine-make”. At that time I cheated the reporter, but
afterwards I really wanted to be involved in wine-making. And only
after I have learnt about my ancestors’ occupations.”

UNPRECEDENTED MAGICIAN CONTEST-FESTIVAL TO BE LAUNCHED IN ARMENIA

11:10, 7 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, ARMENPRESS: An unprecedented magician
contest-festival is scheduled to kick off in the Republic of Armenia
with the participation of world-famous jugglers from ten countries.

Vardan Amiryan, President of Union of Armenian Magicians, professional
illusionist told Armenpress,the draft of the project is already ready;
currently the works aimed at getting sponsors are underway.In the
words of the interlocutor a fabulous festival is going to be held. The
quests will find themselves in a kind of fairy tale.

Union of Armenian Magicians started its activities started 2012,
April 1. Regardless this short period of time the Union has succeeded
in many projects.The Union is engaged in charitable projects, namely
by the suggestion of Vardan Amiryan they have come forth with various
charitable actions in Armenia’s orphanages and for disabled children.

In the words of Amiryan children enjoyed it.President of Union of
Armenian Magicians seeks to represent Armenia in various international
stages.

The union has ten members and ten candidates. They frequently held
meetings with famous and talented people in the sphere of art,
who teach the children actor’s skill and stage movements. Union of
Armenian Magicians is cultural, creative organization. It unites
Armenian professional, amateur and beginner magicians.

BEING UNABLE TO BEAR THE HUMILIATING TREATMENT SOLDIER SHOOT HIMSELF WITH A GUN

Factinfo
13:08 07/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Only fortunately Hovsep Avdalyan, the resident of Vedi and the soldier
of N military unit, remained alive after the suicide attempt with
shooting on his chest with a gun.

Davit Hovhannisyan is charged with the incident. The investigation
revealed that he being a contractual soldier, official, passed the
limits of his authority. In particular, insulted and beat H. Avdalyan,
being his inferior. The former being unable to bear the rude insults,
shot himself with AK-74 on the left chest with the intent to commit
suicide, causing himself a severe damage.

David Hovhannisyan is charged with Article 360 (Insulting a
serviceman), and Article 375 Section 2 (Abuse of power, transgression
of authority or administrative dereliction) of RA Criminal Code. There
is another question left why Article 110 (Causing somebody to commit
suicide) is not mentioned.

Factinfo

MANIFESTATION CONTRE LES ATTAQUES SYSTEMATIQUES CONTRE LES FEMMES ARMENIENNES

Un Collectif feministe d’Istanbul a decide d’attirer l’attention sur
les attaques contre les femmes armenienne de Samatya en manifestant.

Une banderole declarait ” Les femmes armeniennes ne sont pas seuls
” avec les noms des femmes qui ont ete attaques : ” Je Maritsayým “,
” Je suis Eva “.

Dans le communique de presse il est indique ” Ces attaques vont
continuer a se produire tant que la Turquie ne change pas son discours
“.

” La multiplication recente des attaques racistes contre les Armeniens
au niveau de l’Etat et dans la societe est un fait ” conclu le
communique de presse.

Le collectif s’est rendu devant la maison où habitait Maritsa Kucuk.

Sur la porte d’entree de l’appartement de Maritsa Kucuk a ete pose
une pancarte indiquant ” Ne touchez pas a mon voisin “.

jeudi 7 fevrier 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

IS TURKEY SEEKING TO REVIVE PAN-TURKISM?

06 February 2013, Wednesday

LALE KEMAL
[email protected]

Recent Turkish official statements about taking part in the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO), an Asian grouping set up early in
2000 to counter, among other things, US influence in the region,
have triggered a debate over whether Turkey is abandoning its core
policy of being part of Europe.

Even though Turkey has been a NATO member since 1952, its accession
talks with the European Union have stalled for a long period of time
and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently renewed
his dissatisfaction with this. Like many Turks, Erdogan believes that
the EU is engaged in a stalling tactic so as not to make Turkey,
a predominantly Muslim country, a full member of the bloc. Having
said that, it is also a fact that Turkey has already slowed down its
democratic reforms, falling short of meeting EU standards.

“Turkey’s efforts to become an EU member have continued for 59 years,”
Erdogan said with frustration during his visit to the Czech Republic
on Feb. 4 while stating, however, that the SCO and the EU are separate
entities. This is an attempt by Erdogan to assuage European concerns
that Turkey has been looking to the East for good.

“There is no reason for anyone to be bothered [about Turkey’s intention
to be part of the SCO]. EU member countries conduct trade with members
of the SCO successfully. Turkey will naturally be in all kinds of
quests [seeking trading partners, too],” he added.

A Foreign Ministry statement seeking to appease Western concerns
stated on Feb. 5 that the SCO was not an alternative to the EU. The
Foreign Ministry also clarified that Turkey seeks to gain observer
status to the SCO rather than membership. Incidentally, the US applied
for observer status in the SCO, but was rejected in 2006.

In fact, Turkey’s quest to be part of various regional groupings
parallels its increasing self-confidence as its economy has been
growing while democratic reforms, although slowed down in recent years,
have been put into force.

Since the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) came to power
in 2002, the gross domestic product (GDP) has reached $1.3 trillion
in 2011 from $250 billion in 2003, making Turkey now the 15th biggest
economy in the world. It is a member of the G-20; hence, Turkey has
been seeking to be among the big powers, having a say in all policy
issues from Africa to Asia and from its close neighbors the Balkans
to the Middle East. Some call this policy neo-Ottomanism in the sense
that Turkey seeks to reassert its influence in former Ottoman lands.

Still, regardless of speculation that Turkey pursues a policy of
neo-Ottomanism, Turkey is right in its quest to have its words listened
to at various international platforms, taking into consideration
its growing economy — although it has a lot to do in this area,
too. If Turkey completes its half-finished democratic reforms,
in particular ending the military’s power in politics, as well as
bringing its human rights to a first-class level while solving its
terrorism problem via political means, Ankara will most possibly take
its place among the world’s democratic powers.

It is normal for a country like Turkey that has been growing
economically while improving its democratic standards to also diversify
its energy supply routes — a policy that Turkey has been pursuing for
a long period of time. Turkey is currently highly dependent on Russia
and Iran to meet its growing energy needs. In this sense, the SCO,
which comprises China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan — an Asian and a Central Asian grouping and one the
world’s most energy-rich regions, is in Turkey’s sphere of interest.

In addition, as world interest, in particular US interest, shifts from
the Atlantic to the Asia Pacific region, it is entirely natural that
a growing power like Turkey is seeking closer ties with this region.

Another factor that should be underlined, with Turkey seeking observer
status at the SCO, appears to be Ankara’s existing goal of getting
closer to the Turkic-speaking regions in Central Asia not only because
of its interests in these gas- and oil-rich countries but also because
of its ethnic kinship with them.

It is also no coincidence that Turkey, together with Azerbaijan,
Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, recently set up a gendarmerie organization to
strengthen ties among the paramilitary forces of these countries. This
does not necessarily mean that this grouping will work effectively
in achieving the purpose of strengthening law and order in these
countries, where violations of human rights — except for Turkey, where
human rights violations are not grave — are in an appalling state. But
it will bring Turkey even closer to this Turkic-speaking region.

Time will tell whether Turkey is also seeking to revitalize
pan-Turkism, a political movement that started more than 100 years
ago with the aim of uniting the various Turkic peoples into a modern
polity, in its endeavor to become part of the various groupings in
the Asian region.

NEW CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN MEXICO AND AZERBAIJAN

20:41, 6 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS: In the Mexican state of Guerrero
new conflict is brewing with government of Azerbaijan similar to the
conflict concerning the monument of Heydar Aliyev in Mexico City.

Armenpress reports referring to Mexican news agency Animal Politico.

According to documents the “Animal Politico” holds, the Guerrero
Governor Angel Aguirre agreed to install famous Azerbaijani poet
Nizami Gyanjev’s monument in Acapulco. It says that it is stated in
the letter signed by the Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ilgar Muhtarov on
May 17, in 2012.

Monument to Heydar Aliyev which was installed in one of the central
parks of Mexico City in August 2012 was removed by the decision of
the city authorities in late January. Azerbaijan has spent about $ 5
million on the reconstruction of two parks in Mexico City, after which
it was allowed to install a monument there. Several protests were held
in the capital of Mexico during which the participants claimed they did
not want to see the statue of a dictator, who had ruled thousands of
miles away from their country, next to the monuments of their heroes.

Azerbaijan thinks Nizami Gyanjev is an Azeri poet, while Iran states
he is a classic Iranian poet.

“Nizami Gyanjev was born in a city, which once used to be part of
Iran. Such falsifications speak about the poorness of Azerbaijani
culture,”Javad Adabi, Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization,
noted in interview with IRNA.

Azerbaijan has unveiled a monument to Nizami Ganjavi in Rome recently.

Earlier, referring to the fact of Azerbaijan giving a monument
to Nizami Ganjavi to Rome, Iranian Deputy Minister of Culture and
Islamic Guidance Bahman Dari said to Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA,
“The existing facts prove that Nizami Ganjavi is an Iranian poet, and
there is no need to prove it. It is just unbecoming to misappropriate
cultural values of another country. Azerbaijan has no cultural values
and therefore it has to misappropriate cultural values of others. This
move of Azerbaijan can be called nothing else than a cultural theft”.

ARMENIA, IRAN AGREE TO TERMS FOR NEW RUN-OF-RIVER HYDROPOWER PROJECTS

YEREVAN, Armenia
02/06/2013

An agreement signed this week at the Armenian National Assembly will
allow for the construction of two new hydropower projects along the
Aras River on the Armenia/Iran border, HydroWorld.com has learned.

The two governments signed a agreements in 2007 and 2008 allowing for
the construction of the 130-MW Meghri and 130-MW Karachilare (also
spelled “Gharachilar” or “Ghare Chiler”) hydroelectric plants. The
Meghri — under construction as of a November 2012 — will be located
on the Armenian side, with the Karachilare to be located on the
Iranian side.

As per draft laws adopted this week by the Armenian National Assembly,
Iran will fund the construction of the US$400 million project in
exchange for the electricity produced by the Meghri powerhouse until
Armenia’s debt is repaid.

Sources said the repayment period will likely take 15 years, at which
point Armenia will assume control of the hydropower plant.

Construction of the plants is being undertaken by the Farab Sepasad
Company. Each powerhouse will include two 65 MW hydro turbines.

Completion is expected within the next five years.

HydroWorld.com reported in January 2012 that Iran had issued bonds
worth about $240 million for the development of hydroelectric projects.

For more stories about new hydroelectric development, visit here.