Author: Kanayan Tamar

TEEN FILMMAKERS FROM ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN FILM FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
19.06.2009 00:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The world premiere of the second edition of Youth
Producing Change, an innovative program of youth-produced short
films from across the globe, will be presented on June 19-20, 2009,
by the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival (June 11-25),
in collaboration with the founding presenter Adobe Youth Voices. Ten
films will be shown this year, selected from over 300 international
submissions.

Representing Armenia is Sako (2005), the story of a 13-year-old
boy who works in a gravestone factory to support his family. Sako
speaks about his daily life, and his dreams of going to school. The
five-minute documentary, in Armenian with English subtitles, was
produced by teen filmmakers Aram Abrahamyan and David Martirosyan of
Manana Youth Center.

Armed with digital cameras and their own boundless creativity, the
first-time filmmakers featured in the series bravely expose some of the
most pressing human-rights challenges of our day, tackling such issues
as child labor, immigration, access to clean water, sexual violence,
police harassment, HIV/AIDS in Mozambique, and teen homelessness in
New York City. All of the films were produced by filmmakers who were
under the age of 19 at the time of production.

The Youth Producing Change program will be shown at the The Film
Society of Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater on June 19 at 7
p.m. and June 20 at 2 p.m.

The Manana Youth Center has announced that Sako will also be screened
in Boston (fall 2009), London (March 2010), and San Francisco
(Spring 2010).

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email. [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

June 17, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

REP. LAURA RICHARDSON TO COSPONSOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGISLATION

Washington, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America has
learned that Congresswoman Laura Richardson (CA-37) has cosponsored
the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 252). The bill currently
has over 125 cosponsors in the United States House of
Representatives.

"I am proud to co-sponsor H. Res. 252, the "Affirmation of the
United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution," Rep.
Richardson told the ANCA. "April 24 marked the 94th anniversary of
one of the darkest and saddest chapters in human history, the mass
deportations and massacre of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman
Empire during the years 1915-1923. The systematic killing of
innocent Armenian civilians by the Turks was an unprecedented act
of cruelty and barbarism and is, with the exception of the
Holocaust, perhaps the ultimate example of man’s inhumanity to man.
There is only one word that adequately describes this kind of evil
and that word is ‘genocide.’ And we dare not be afraid to speak its
name."

Richardson continued to note that "The International Association of
Genocide Scholars and nearly all credible agree that Armenians were
the victims of the first genocide of the 20th century. But for more
than 90 years Turkey has refused to acknowledge this crime against
humanity. And to their credit, Armenian-Americans have worked
tirelessly to ensure that the world never forgets what happened
during his dark moment in world history. Passage of the H.R. 252
will ensure that the Armenian Genocide will never be forgotten by
the Congress, and thus the people, of the United States. I will
continue to work with my colleagues to pass this important and long
overdue resolution and will not rest until it does."

Congresswoman Laura Richardson replaced former Congresswoman
Juanita Millender-McDonald, a strong supporter of issues of concern
to Armenian Americans until her passing on April 22, 2007.
Richardson prevailed in a Special Election that took place August
21, 2007 and won re-election in 2008.

The Armenian American community of the South Bay has had a long and
productive relationship with the Congresswoman, dating back to her
days as a Long Beach City Councilmember. In 2006, Richardson was
elected to represent California’s 55th State Assembly District
which includes the cities of Carson, Harbor City, Lakewood, Long
Beach and Wilmington.

"I am very proud that the Armenian American community’s longtime
friend and ally – Rep. Richardson – has again cosponsored the
Armenian Genocide resolution," said Armenian community activist
Armand Aghakhanian, who met with Richardson last week.
"Increased Congressional support for this vital human rights
measure not only honors the memory of the innocent men, women, and
children killed during the Genocide, but demonstrates American will
to end the cycle of genocide."

Richardson earned her Bachelor Degree in Political Science from the
University of California, Los Angeles in 1984. In 1987, she joined
Xerox Corporation where she gained significant business experience
in a Fortune 40 company. Richardson received her Masters Degree in
Business Administration in 1996 from the University of Southern
California. She considers her studies abroad in Hong Kong,
Beijing, and Shanghai as critical learning experiences.

QABAS: PAKRADOUNIAN CALLS ON MURR TO STAY FRIEND WITH ARMENIANS

iloubnan.info
June 17 2009
Lebanon

BEIRUT – MP Agop Pakradounian said on Wednesday he was surprised by
the MP Michel Murr’s statements in his press conference on Tuesday. He
said everyone was pleased by the significant number of voters, "so
why is he (Murr) only questioning the Armenian votes?" Pakradounian
told Kuwaiti newspaper al-Qabas there was no single incident in the
Armenian polling stations, calling on Murr to stick to the friendly
ties with the community.

WASHINGTON INTERESTED IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH SETTLEMENT – U.S. DIPLOMAT

Interfax
June 15 2009
Russia

Washington is resolved to assist the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement,
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon told journalists in
Baku on Thursday.

Gordon said that he intends to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh with Azeri
officials and inform Baku on the U.S. aspiration to resolve the
conflict.

At the current stage there is a historic chance to promote peace
and security, and the United States is ready to offer comprehensive
assistance in this area, he said.

Noting that he cannot say definitely when the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
will be resolved, Gordon said that there is certain progress.

Gordon also noted that there is a profound agreement on basic
settlement principles and expressed hope that such a settlement will
be secured soon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

THE AMBASSADOR OF ITALY TO LEBANON VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

On Monday 15 June 2009, the Ambassador of Italy to Lebanon met with H.H.
Aram I for more than an hour and a half. During this period they discussed
the situation in the Middle East and signs of positive developments; the
importance of Christian presence in the Middle East, and the forthcoming
visit of His Holiness to the G8 Preparatory Meeting in Rome.

Referring to the participation of Catholicos Aram I in the meeting in Rome,
the Ambassador said that the presence of His Holiness as a Religious Leader
from the Middle East will give visibility to Christian presence in the
region, and his personal contribution will impact the agenda.

As it was reported earlier, His Holiness was asked to address the topic "The
Role of Religion in addressing the current economic crisis and its
repercussions on people and the earth."

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos386.htm#3
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

RESULTS OF UNITED EXAMINATIONS OVER FIRST TEN DAYS SUMMARIZED

Noyan Tapan
June 15, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The results of united examinations
over the first ten days have been summarized, RA Minister of Education
and Science Armen Ashotian said at the June 13 press conference. The
average scores of 11.7, 12, 13 and 11.4 were recorded in the united
exams in biology, geography, history, and the Armenian language and
literature respectively.

According to the minister, the average score in the subject "Armenian
language and literature" has fell compared to last year. At the same
time, the preliminary summarization of English examination results
shows that this year school leavers again received high scores in this
subject: out of 8 thousand school leavers who took foreign language
exams, 100 received the highest score of 20 points, and over a thousand
of them received 18-19 points. A. Ashotian explained the high scores
by several factors: first, the English tests were relatively easy,
second, the school leavers were better prepared. Besides, over a dozen
cribs were found during the English examination on June 12. He did not
rule out that some examinees had managed to use cribs. The minister
announced that the respective state bodies are trying to reveal the
initial source of these cribs and those to blame.

It was stated that the united exams in physics, the history of
the Armenian people, the Russian language, and chemistry will be
conducted within the next days. A. Ashotian announced that by mid
July the ministry will organize additional examinations for those who
did not take exams for a good reason, persons studying under various
programs abroad, as well as for servicemen demobilized from the army.

Bryza may become US Ambassador in Azerbaijan?
13.06.2009 19:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ American MG Co-Chair Mathew Bryza, deputy to
Assistant Secretary of State, is recommended as U.S. ambassador to
Azerbaijan, American Foreign Policy journal reports.
Recommendation for Bryza’s new appointment was given by former US
Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried.
Fried and Bryza declined to comment, according to Foreign Policy.

"PRIME MINISTER’S INSIDIOUSNESS TOWARDS THE RAMKAVAR PARTY"

LRAGIR.AM
14:47:41 – 12/06/2009

The political board of the Ramkavar Liberal Party of Armenia issued
a stament, which runs that the press service of the party informed
several month ago that a commission affiliated to the party was
formed to study the works at the Nairit plant, which included also
lawyers, economists, former workers of the plant. The coordinator of
the commission was the president of the Armenian Democratic Liberal
party Harutun Arakelyan. Several months running (until the tragic
explosion and four victims), the commission has been notifying about
the bad situation in the plant and about the corruption process,
which took place there.

After the explosion, the party issued a statement with questions on
the facts it had. Until today, the government has not responded to
their questions, has not refuted them or critisized.

The only response was the insidiousness towards the Armenian
Liberal Democratic party headed by the Armenia Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan. The Prime Minister decided who is going to be
the next president of the party. The Armenian Prime Minister now,
is engaged in another act of insidiousness: formation of a "new"
liberal democratic party of Armenia.

In this connection, the Ramkavar Liberal Party of Armenia states that
even if the government sets up millions of parties named democratic
liberal, the Ramkavar Liberal Party will continue its struggle
against corruption.

DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-POLISH RELATIONS DISCUSSED

ARMENPRESS
June 12, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan received today member of the Polish Seym, secretary general
candidate in the Council of Europe Vlodimir Timoshevic.

Foreign Ministry Media Relations department told Armenpress that the
guest presented to the foreign minister his viewpoints over the further
activity of the Council of Europe, reforms in the establishment,
increase of efficiency of its activity.

During the conversation the interlocutors discussed opportunities of
the development of Armenian-Polish relations. With the request of
the guest Edward Nalbandyan presented the recent developments over
Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation and process of normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations.

ARMENIA, ESTONIA INTERESTED IN DEEPENING BILATERAL COOPERATION

armradio.am
11.06.2009 11:42

On June 11 the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, had a
meeting with the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, currently
in Armenia on an official visit.

Greeting the Estonian Foreign Minister and his delegation, Edward
Nalbandian expressed appreciation for the dynamically developing
bilateral relations and underlined that Armenia was interested in
deepening and reinforcing the mutually beneficial cooperation with
Estonia.

Urmas Paet also hailed the friendly relations established between the
two countries and noted that Estonia intended to take steps towards
development of multifaceted cooperation with Armenia.

The parties attached importance to the effective cooperation between
the Foreign Ministries of the two countries and agreed to hold the
next political consultation in Yerevan this autumn.

Touching upon the steps taken to promote the economic relations,
Ministers Nalbandian and Paet noted that the Armenian-Estonian economic
forum that kicked off in Yerevan today would create new opportunities
for the cooperation between Armenian and Estonian businessmen.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Estonia discussed the process
of cooperation between Armenia and the European Union and the steps
to be taken in that field. Reference was made to issues related to
the EU’s Eastern Partnership Program.

At the request of the Estonian Minister, Edward Nalbandian presented
the latest developments in the Karabakh conflict settlement and the
process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. Reference
was made to a number of regional and international issues.