Author: Kanayan Tamar

BLACK SABBATH GUITARIST PENS ARMENIA’S EUROVISION SONG ENTRY

My MO Info
March 6 2013

Posted : Wednesday, 06 March 2013 01:25PM

LONDON (Reuters) – Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has written
the music for Armenia’s entry to the annual Eurovision Song Contest,
bringing a heavy metal pioneer to an event described by the media as a
“kitschfest” and “bad taste party”.

The musician, a founding member of the influential British band,
said the song called “Lonely Planet” was a “demo idea” which was
eventually voted Armenia’s Eurovision contender.

It is due to be performed by the Dorians in the semi-finals on May
16 in Malmo, Sweden, Iommi said.

Iommi has connections in Armenia as he was one of several rock stars
who helped raise funds after a huge earthquake in 1988 killed 25,000
people and let tens of thousands homeless in the then Soviet Armenia.

He was given an order of honor by Armenia during a visit in 2009 and
became involved in another project, to re-build a music school there.

Despite critical derision, Eurovision is watched by a television
audience of tens of millions each year, and has helped launch the
career of one of the biggest acts of all time, Abba, which won in
1974 with “Waterloo”.

Last year’s Eurovision Song Contest was held in Azerbaijan and won
by Swedish act Loreen. The victory means Sweden hosts the competition
this year.

Iommi has joined fellow founding members Ozzy Osbourne (vocals) and
Geezer Butler (bass) to record Black Sabbath’s first new album in 33
years, 13″, which is due out in June.

Drummer Brad Wilk joined them after original band member Bill Ward
pulled out of the reunion recording over a contract dispute.

The band’s plans for a tour in 2012 were scaled back drastically after
Iommi was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment for lymphoma.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, Editing by Belinda Goldsmith)

BLACK SABBATH – TONY IOMMI WRITES ARMENIA’S EUROVISION SONG CONTEST ANTHEM

Contactmusic.com
March 5 2013

Black Sabbath star Tony Iommi has penned Armenia’s 2013 Eurovision
Song Contest entry.

The guitar great’s Lonely Planet was shortlisted last week
(ends01Mar13) and the song was picked as the official Armenian anthem
on Saturday (02Mar13).

Iommi has taken to his official blog to share the news, writing,
“Well here’s something different, one of my demo ideas has been chosen
as the Armenian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest!

“It went on a short list and Saturday night was voted as the winner. I
did the music and the performing band Dorians wrote the lyrics…

They’re a good band, the singer has a really good voice and the lyrics
they’ve written are in English. It now goes to the semi-final on May
16th in Malmo, Sweden.”

The rocker has had strong ties to Armenia ever since he took part
in Rock Aid, a concert to benefit victims of a 1988 earthquake. He
received Armenia’s Order of Honour in 2009.

All eyes will be on Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest in May (13)
after the nation’s leaders withdrew from the competition last year
(12) in protest against host country Azerbaijan. The two countries
have been on the verge of war for years.

SYRIAN-ARMENIAN PHYSICIAN BECOMES ARMENIAN HEALTH MINISTRY BOARD MEMBER

The Messenger, Georgia
March 6 2013

Syrian-Armenian physicians are being included in Armenia~Rs health
sector.

There are numerous doctors, pharmacologists, and nurses among the
Armenians from Syria who have moved to Armenia as a result of the
ongoing developments in Syria. And, just like each month, Armenian
Health Minister Derenik Dumanyan received the Syrian-Armenian
physicians.

The minster listened to his guests and became acquainted with their
problems. Some matters requiring an urgent solution were resolved on
the spot.

The activities are continuing toward finding jobs for the
Syrian-Armenian medical workers. Seventy such workers, who are seeking
jobs in Armenia, were registered in the Health Ministry, and 35 of
them have already found employment.

In addition, the Syrian Armenians are included in the management
sector of Armenia~Rs healthcare system.

With Derenik Dumanyan~Rs proposal, Syrian-Armenian physician, Dr.

George Parseghian, who is a member of the Council for the Coordination
of the Key Issues of Syrian Armenians, is included in the Armenian
Health Ministry Board.

Another Syrian-Armenian medical specialist, on the other hand, has
started working at the central unit of the Health Ministry Staff.

(News.Am)

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN SAYS HIS ACTIONS NOT TO FALL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS

NEWS.AM
March 06, 2013 | 19:16

YEREVAN.- Presidents must be elected. They must no be appointed,
Raffi Hovannisian said during his rally in Noyemberyan town of Tavush
Region, Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent reported.

After the de facto leadership announces resignation, new leadership
will be elected, he emphasized.

“Our work is to make people return to Armenia,” he said, promising
that his actions will not fall short of expectations.

“I am telling Mr. Putin, Obama, Hollande, Barroso: we respect you and
value good relations with Russia, the U.S. and France. But Armenian
people are the owners of the Armenian land. And let no one, whether
he is a citizen of Armenia or a foreigner, play with the will of
the Armenian people,” said Hovannisian, who is condemning the world
leaders for their congratulations to Serzh Sargsyan.

PRESIDENT OF THE BUNDESTAG CONSIDERS VISIT TO ARMENIA TO BE THE BASES FOR THE DEEPENING OF BILATERAL RELATIONS

16:16, 6 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS: Delegation led by the President of
Bundestag of Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) Norbert Lammert
had a meeting with the members of the Armenian NA Armenia-Germany
Friendship Group, the Standing committees on Foreign Relations and
European Integration.

As reports Armenpress was informed from public relations and media
department of NA, welcoming the visit of the Bundestag delegation to
Armenia, the Head of the NA Armenia-Germany Friendship Group Artak
Davtyan thanked the Federal Republic of Germany and the German people
for the comprehensive support and assistance shown to Armenia. In his
words, the formed relations are evaluated in the National Assembly,
and it’s not accidental that Armenia-Germany Friendship Group is one of
the biggest and most active ones, including all the political forces
represented in the parliament. Artak Davtyan expressed conviction
that the visit of the President of the Bundestag would give a new
impetus for further enlivening and deepening of inter-parliamentary
relations and bilateral relations.

Highlighting the inter-parliamentary relations, the Chair of the
Standing Committee on European Integration Naira Zohrabyan has noted
that we should more effectively use the possibilities given in the
parliamentary diplomacy. In her word, the fact that some MPs, factions
of the Bundestag sometimes make statements, bring forward draft
resolutions, where the Nagonro Karabakh and regional conflicts are
distorted, perhaps, is also the consequence of non-decent awareness,
and the lack of it can be filled in through mutually active contacts
and bilateral activities. As a member of the PACE Armenian delegation
and Deputy Chair of the Euronest Political Committee Naira Zohrabyan
has highlighted that, as well as the expansion of cooperation of the
delegations of the two countries in other international parliamentary
structures.

Touching upon the efforts of the Republic of Armenia towards
European integration the Deputy Chairman of the NA Standing
Committee on Foreign Relations Alexander Arzumanyan has highlighted
the cooperation with Federal Republic of Germany, Bundestag and
the political forces represented there. In his word, the bilateral
ties, the inter-parliamentary cooperation, the experience of the FRG
democracy, can greatly promote the improvement of the legislation,
the deepening of European integration and processes of democratization.

Thanking for the warm reception the President of the FRG Bundestag
Norbert Lammert noted that the visit to Armenia should become a basis
for deepening the bilateral relations. He expressed readiness for the
reinforcement of inter-parliamentary cooperation, further revelations
of democratization potential and their development. Introducing the
hard and dramatic path of Germany’s passed democratization, by his
characterization, Norbert Lammert has said that they are very sensitive
towards similar issues and are ready to support all the countries,
which have its wish and need.

Touching upon the mass assaults of the pro-Azerbaijani forces in the
FRG Bundestag, Norbert Lammert has underlined that the inner-political
problems of Azerbaijan are deeply discussed in the German Parliament,
which often get criticism.

The participants of the meeting also touched upon the regional
processes, the elections held in Armenia, the new possibilities of
cooperation and other issues.

BLACK SABBATH GUITARIST PENS ARMENIA’S EUROVISION SONG ENTRY

Tony Iommi said the song ‘Lonely Planet’ was a ‘demo idea’ which went
on to become Armenia’s Eurovision contender

guardian.co.uk
Wednesday 6 March 2013 18.28 GMT

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath has Armenian connections as he helped
raise funds after an earthquake there in 1988. Photograph: Dave
Etheridge-Barnes/Getty Images Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has
written the music for Armenia’s entry to the annual Eurovision Song
Contest, bringing a heavy metal pioneer to an event described by the
media as a “kitschfest” and “bad taste party”.

The musician, a founding member of the influential British band,
said the song called “Lonely Planet” was a “demo idea” which was
eventually voted Armenia’s Eurovision contender.

It is due to be performed by the Dorians in the semi-finals on 16
May in Malmo, Sweden, Iommi said.

Iommi has connections in Armenia as he was one of several rock stars
who helped raise funds after a huge earthquake in 1988 killed 25,000
people and let tens of thousands homeless in the then Soviet Armenia.

He was given an order of honour by Armenia during a visit in 2009 and
became involved in another project, to re-build a music school there.

Despite critical derision, Eurovision is watched by a television
audience of tens of millions each year, and has helped launch the
career of one of the biggest acts of all time, Abba, which won in
1974 with “Waterloo”.

Last year’s Eurovision Song Contest was held in Azerbaijan and won
by Swedish act Loreen. The victory means Sweden hosts the competition
this year.

Iommi has joined fellow founding members Ozzy Osbourne (vocals) and
Geezer Butler (bass) to record Black Sabbath’s first new album in 33
years, 13″, which is due out in June.

Drummer Brad Wilk joined them after original band member Bill Ward
pulled out of the reunion recording over a contract dispute.

The band’s plans for a tour in 2012 were scaled back drastically after
Iommi was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment for lymphoma.

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN: OBAMA, HOLLANDE, PUTIN STILL HAVE TIME TO RECONSIDER THEIR DECISIONS

18:07 05/03/2013 ” POLITICS

There is still time for Putin, Obama and Hollande, who congratulated
Serzh Sargsyan, to reconsider their wrong decisions, Heritage party
leader Raffi Hovannisian told today’s rally at Liberty Square,
adding that he will not acknowledge the OSCE Minsk Group as well as
the principles proposed by it as long as they have not reconsidered
their decision.

Speaking about the possibility of cooperation with Armenian political
forces, Hovannisian said that he is ready to meet with representatives
of Armenian National Congress if they want it.

Commenting on the rejection of his invitation to come to Liberty
Square by the Armenian President, Prime Minister and Yerevan Mayor,
Hovannisian said, “They do not want to clean themselves up even in
the period of Great Lent, and they did not dare either to invite me
to talks.”

Source: Panorama.am

CAUCASUS CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR EXPO 2013 TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON MARCH 29-31

YEREVAN, March 5. / ARKA /. A specialized industrial exhibition
“Caucasus Construction and Repair EXPO 2013” will be held in Yerevan
on March 29-31, 2013, LOGOS EXPO Center told ARKA.

The exhibition, organized by the Union of Industrialists and
Entrepreneurs of Armenia and LOGOS EXPO Center, will be held at
Yerevan EXPO exhibition center.

Around 100 local and foreign companies, including investment and
construction companies, are expected to take part in it. -0-

THEY COMPLAINED TO THE ACTING US DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION

March 4 2013

“It is unfair to congratulate Serzh Sargsyan who has declared himself
president for the second time” Today a group of Armenian citizens
expressed their disagreement and discontent with US President Barak
Obama’s congratulating Serzh Sargsyan in a letter addressed to the
US Ambassador to Armenia. “It is unfair to congratulate someone who
has been elected through a rigged election and who has declared
himself president for the second time, and the United States, as
well as other countries, which have congratulated Serzh Sargsyan,
impedes the democratization of the Armenian people,” activist Tsovinar
Nazaryan said during the protest outside the embassy, after handing
their letter over to James Land, the acting US deputy chief of mission.

Publicist Zaruhi Hovhannisyan added: “Another rigged election has
taken place before everybody’s eyes, and this is the second time the
same person has declared himself president. The congratulations of
all the democratic countries’ high-ranking officials, presidents to
Serzh Sargsyan are disappointing to us, because the electoral fraud
that took place during the presidential election has been talked
about many times.” In activist Artur Grigoryan’s words, superpowers
influence the developments inside the Armenian state, but they are
guided not by Armenia’s, but their own national interests. “The
people at the helm of our country are enmeshed in corruption to such
an extent that they couldn’t change even if they wanted to. Society
is facing a dilemma what to do, how to behave in this situation…,
everything begins with elections; there is no institution of elections,
it is pointless to talk about democracy.” The activists also showed
a red card to the embassy in protest. Details in the video Media can
quote materials of Aravot.am with hyperlink to the certain material
quoted. The hyperlink should be placed on the first passage of the
text. Categories: POLITICS Tags: BARAK OBAMA, GROUP OF ARMENIAN
CITIZENS, SERZH SARGSYAN, TSOVINAR NAZARYAN, ZARUHI HOVHANNISYAN
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NKR FOREIGN MINISTER GAVE AN INTERVIEW TO ECHO OF MOSCOW RADIO STATION

05-03-2013 16:42:01 | | Politics

In an interview to Echo of Moscow Radio Station aired on March 4,
2013 minister of foreign affairs of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Karen
Mirzoyan answered to a range of questions of Evgeny Buntman including
the ones concerning the current stage and prospects of the settlement
of the conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan as well as
NKR’s position on foreign policy issues.

“Unfortunately, we do not register the progress in the negotiation
process, which we would like to see… And first of all we think
it happens because Nagorno Karabakh is not a full party of the
negotiation process” – said the minister. He emphasized that the full
involvement of the NKR as a party of negotiations at all stages will
allow reaching real breakthrough and achieving our ultimate goal –
conflict settlement between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

Karen Mirzoyan noted that there is a common understanding that the
key element should be the expression of the free will of the people of
Nagorno Karabakh. “This will must be considered”, – said the minister.

Answering to the question about the chances of NKR’s recognition,
Karen Mirzoyan noted: “I’m confident that sooner or later Karabakh
will become a recognized member of the international community.” He
also stressed that the NKR’s recognition will create more favorable
conditions for the settlement of the conflict with Azerbaijan.

Concerning the concept of the conflict settlement the foreign
minister stressed that it was unacceptable that separate elements of
the conflict settlement are being wrested from the common context
and considered in totally other context, different from the common
direction of the negotiation process.

“Our position has always been the following: the negotiation process,
all the issues which are on the negotiation table are inseparable from
each other and they must be discussed and resolved simultaneously”
– stressed Karen Mirzoyan.

The full text of the interview of minister of the
foreign affairs of NKR Karen Mirzoyan can be found here:

NKR MFA

News from Armenia and Diaspora – Noyan Tapan