Author: Karagyozian Lena

A1+

WILL SEFILYAN BE SET FREE AFTER THE ELECTIONS?
[10:26 pm] 16 March, 2007

`I don’t think that Zhirayr Sefilyan was as dangerous as to be
isolated from the society and kept in the National Security Service’,
Albert Bazeyan, leader of the `National Revival’ Party says.

Mr. Bazeyan finds the fact that the RA authorities don’t grant Zhirayr
Sefilyan RA citizenship immortal as the Artsakh victory was secured
thanks to Sefilyan’s share.

As for Sefilyan’s announcement that he `will crash the heads of the
people who will dare to give Karabakh,’ Mr. Bazeyan said that Sefilyan
didn’t mean anyone in particular so the RA authorities needn’t get
offended.

Albert Bazeyan is more than convinced that Zhirayr Sefilyan’s arrest
has political grounding. `Of course, it is determined with the
upcoming parliamentary elections. Zhirayr Sefilyan made assessments on
the acting authorities and called on the oppositional forces to
unite,’ says Mr. Bazeyan.

The leader of the `National Revival’ thinks that Sefilyan will be set
free after the parliamentary elections.

NORMAL ELECTIONS TO STRENGTHEN RA POSITION ON INTERNATIONAL SCENE,
ARMEN ASHOTIAN IS SURE

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The Karabakh problem must not become
an object of trade, and the people will never vote for those leaders
who will turn this problem in small change. Armen Ashotian, a member
of the Republican Party of Armenia faction of the RA National Assembly
stated about it at the March 16 press conference dedicated to the
Karabakh problem. He excluded the possibility of the issue that the RA
present authorities are ready to give up national interests and accept
proposals on the Karabakh conflict settlement not favourable for the
Armenian side for reproduction.

As for the phrase about the issue that "Nagorno Karabakh is an
occupied territory in the structure of Azerbaijan," which was involved
in the 2006 year Report on Human Rights of the U.S. Department of
State, Armen Ashotian mentioned that the U.S. was and remains a very
important country for Armenia and not emotional but diplomatic
approach is necessary here. He also reminded that the U.S. every year
gives financing for Nagorno Karabakh from its state budget, receives
NKR President Arkadi Ghukasian.

As for the next parliamentary elections, A.Ashotian mentioned that the
elections are an "ideal possibility" to create another security belt
round Nagorno Karabakh. "A country which is able to hold democratic
elections, strengthens by this its positions on the international
scene, and we have all possibilities to hold normal elections," the
deputy assured.

Today’s Zaman. Turkey
March 16 2007

Sarafian praises Erdoðan as `a man of peace’

British-Armenian historian Ara Sarafian acknowledged that there have
been positive developments in Turkish-Armenian relations in past
years and praised Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan for
"opening the door for a solution to the problem."

Turkey and Armenia have no formal ties and the border gate between
the two countries has been closed for more than a decade. Ankara says
relations will not be normalized unless Armenia stops supporting
diaspora efforts to win international recognition for the alleged
genocide and withdraws its troops from Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian
enclave in Azerbaijan that has been under Armenian occupation since
the last decade.

Erdoðan proposed last year establishment of a joint committee of
academics to study events of the World War I years, but Armenia
declined the offer.

According to Sarafian, "some powers in Turkey" prevent Erdoðan from
doing more. "He is a man of peace, but he is restricted in changes he
can initiate," he said in an interview with private Cihan News Agency
in London, complaining that there are ultranationalist circles in
Turkey, while Erdoðan is a liberal man respecting common sense.

"Erdoðan is leading efforts to renovate a Christian church, although
he has an Islamic past. This is very interesting and pleasing," he
said, referring to the government’s plans to reopen the Akhtamar
Church in eastern Anatolia later this month following an extensive
renovation. Several members of the Armenian diaspora have been
invited to attend the opening.

"I believe Erdoðan is part of the solution. Frankly, I think Erdoðan
has done everything that the Armenian diaspora could have expected of
him. The diaspora should now take more positive steps," he said.

Sarafian also said 90 percent of Armenian artifacts were destroyed
and called for government work to restore and protect the remaining
10 percent.

HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 19 OVER GENOCIDE DENIAL BILL IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.03.2007 16:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The bill on responsibility for denying genocide in EU
countries does not directly aim at denying the Armenian Genocide. Three
years ago the bill was blocked and now on Germany’s initiative, which
currently holds EU presidency, again it is included in the agenda,
Chairman of the Armenian Federation of Europe (AEFJD) Hilda Tchoboyan
stated to a press conference in Yerevan. She said, in this case the
problem is not with Germany, which is for the adoption of the law,
but the general mood in the European Union. "Hearings will launch in
the European Parliament May 19, and if the bill is approved, it will
mean that it is compulsory for all EU member-states, after bringing the
new law to conformity with legislation of every country," she stressed.

Alongside, the AEFJD Chairman noted that "Hay Dat" Committees must
carry out a work aimed at recognizing the Armenian Genocide by
parliaments of different countries. "If it happens, as a result the
Armenian Genocide will be recognized by the international community,"
Tchoboyan told.

RA PRESIDENT RECEIVED ARARAT MARZPET

ArmRadio.am
13.03.2007 15:55

The achievements and problems of Ararat marz were discussed during
President Robert Kocharyan’s working meeting Marzpet Alik Sargsyan. The
Marzpet informed that the marz has accomplished its obligations
before the state budget with 104%, the collection of own revenues
reached 105%.

Reference was made to the new branch of industry developing in
Ararat marz – mining and fish-breeding. The Marzpet said due to
state subsidies fertilizers and corn seeds will be distributed in
the settlements that suffered because of draught at prices lower than
the market ones.

As a primary problem the parties stressed the necessity of enlarging
the sale opportunities of greengrocery products.

ARMENIANS URGE EU TO ECHO SWISS ‘GENOCIDE’ RULING

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 13 2007

Buoyed by a Swiss court’s decision condemning Doðu Perincek, chairman
of the Turkish Workers’ Party, for denying the Armenian "genocide,"
the Armenian lobby has called on the European Union to follow suit
and also criminalize genocide denial.

In a written statement yesterday the European Armenian Federation
called the Swiss verdict "an unprecedented legal victory." This is
the first time a court has given a verdict on the Armenian "genocide"
and is also the first time the alleged genocide has been recognized
by a court of criminal law.

EU president Germany wants to criminalize the denial of recognized
genocides, war crimes and crimes against humanity under a pan-EU law,
with prison sentences for offenders of between one and three years.

Though the Armenian lobby strongly supports the bid, several member
states like Britain, Italy and Denmark oppose such legislation on
the basis of freedom of expression.

"At the time when the EU is considering EU legislation aiming at
penalizing genocide denial, the Swiss case shows the path to follow,
i.e., the one in which denials of all clear instances of genocides
are fined — including those, such as the Armenian genocide, that
have never been previously sanctioned by international jurisdiction,"
read the statement.

A controversial figure in Turkey, Perincek immediately made it clear
he would appeal the Swiss court’s decision. He also signaled that
he could take the verdict to the European Court of Human Rights in
Strasbourg if the verdict is upheld by the Swiss Supreme Court.

Perincek was fined 3,000 Swiss francs and has to pay another 1,000
in damages to the Switzerland-Armenia Association.

The Swiss press has criticized the verdict, arguing it has created
the potential for future problems.

–Boundary_(ID_a2G4ea506RtBAfeVru0Q/A)- –

JEAN FOURNET: ISSUE OF OPENING ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER OUTSIDE NATO’S COMPETENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.03.2007 17:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The issue of opening the Armenian-Turkish border
is outside NATO’s competence, it is up to them to decide, Deputy
Secretary-General of NATO Jean Fournet told in the interview to
PanARMENIAN.Net. "Of course we are for opening the borders, but
we think that we should not interfere into the relations of two
countries. The Alliance only welcomes steps aimed at cooperation and
dialog in the region, as well as providing security for the states
of the Southern Caucasus," Fournet stressed.

Prime Minister of Turkey, having occupied part of Cyprus talks profusely
about territorial integrity

Arminfo
2007-03-10 14:05:00

"Turkish Azeri brotherhood is eternal and indissoluble!" – Turkish
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again made the peculiar statement at
the Baku 1st Forum of Azeri and Turkish Diaspora World Organizations.

Then the Premier made another "fresh" statement – "Turkey and
Azerbaijan are states of one nation." Having talked enough about
fraternal ties of Turkish and Azeri nations and the role of Turks in
the world civilization, Erdogan passed over to accusations towards
Armenia. As it came out, the "lasting occupation of Azeri lands,
banishment of a million of people from their homeland, the presence of
refugees and migrants – is a bleeding wound of Turks."

"Last year, Armenians held the so called ‘referendum’. Has the world
recognize it? It hasn’t. Why? Because it was a figment, a wrong and
false step that couldn’t be accepted," Erdogan went on without being
confused about the inconsistencies of his arguments like – "it can’t
be because it can never be".

Alike statements hit Armenia’s efforts for recognition of Armenian
Genocide. "No one will recognize it. Turkey and Turks will never
acknowledge this!" declared Erdogan.

The Turkish Prime Minister was troubled by "the violation of
fundamental principles of the international law – the principles of
the countries’ territorial integrity and inadmissibility of forced
change of the borders". To remind, this statement belongs to the Prime
Minister of a country which has occupied a part of Cyprus. Apparently,
he considers that the principles of the international law aim to
protect only the interests of his own country and Azerbaijan. Erdogan
went further. He stated that Turkey opened its historical archives,
applied to Armenia and third countries to open the archives too. First
and foremost, it is not the affair of politicians, Erdogan said. Let
historians, political scientists, archaeologists, and lawyers examine
this issue. If there is any unfairness, Turkey will do all the things
needed, the Turkish Prime Minister stated. Is it also for historians
to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide?

The Vancouver Sun (British Columbia)
March 9, 2007 Friday
Final Edition

Actor finds fame as the butt of a joke: After Borat, actor Ken
Davitian wonders if his best work is behind him

by Katherine Monk, CanWest News Service

When movie stars hit the big screen in the sky, news outlets
generally pull a memorable eight-by-10 production still from a
signature role, and offer a 30-second eulogy in voiceover.

Actor Ken Davitian doesn’t mind the obituary tradition. It’s the
choice of picture that has him reflecting on his place, and claim to
fame, in the larger film universe.

"When they look for an eight-by-10 that represents my body of work
upon my passing, it’s going to be a picture of my naked butt," says
Davitian.

The California-born actor isn’t being facetious. As the man beside
faux newsman Borat Sagdiyev — a.k.a Sacha Baron Cohen — Davitian is
now better known as faux Kazakhstani producer Azamat Bagatov, the
other on-camera personality in Borat!: Cultural Learnings of America
for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, which finally hits
DVD this week.

Some actors may have an ego problem with a bare derriere defining
their career, but Davitian says he remains grateful to Baron Cohen
for the opportunity to explore the backroads of America, and make his
backside famous in the process.

"I feel like I’ve arrived," says Davitian. "My life before Borat was
about going crazy in a terrible way. Now my life is going crazy in a
good way."

A working actor for the better part of his 53 years, Davitian has a
long list of credits to his name, but most of them add up to little
more than a few seconds of screen time and a credit as the "fat man,"
or "fat bartender" or plain old "pawnshop owner."

"I was going out for auditions all the time, hoping I’d get the job.
That was my life — that and my sandwich shop, The Dip, where I work
all day long. I’d get to auditions smelling like roast beef."

While Davitian doesn’t know if it was the roast beef smell that
landed him the part of Azamat, he says the Borat audition was
relatively mysterious.

"Usually it will say who the producers of the film are, but Larry
Charles was nowhere on the sheet. I was told it was a really
low-budget movie by two guys — and my audition was on the last day
of callbacks. All I knew is they were looking for an Eastern European
look, and I went in character — as a dumpy guy who spoke in broken
English," says Davitian. "The only reason I even went to the audition
was because I liked the [script] breakdown."

Once Davitian got the news he had the part, more information emerged
— such as the names Sacha Baron Cohen and Larry Charles. He was
excited at the prospect of working with a Seinfeld producer and the
Brit comic behind Da Ali G Show, but he still had no idea Borat would
be the year’s biggest comic and cultural sensation.

"It was my son who thought it could be a big deal," says Davitian.
"Once we started shooting, it didn’t take long before I realized what
it could be. We’d be in character the whole time, because in
character, we could get away with just about anything."

For the most part, Davitian was simply told the day’s objectives and
general scenarios, and the rest was left to film fate. Because they
never broke character outside the privacy of their own hotel rooms,
and were shooting with a skeletal crew of five people, most observers
assumed they were a visiting news team with a crazy host.

Now famous for his haunting, bare veritas in the part of Azamat, the
only challenge Davitian faces at auditions is clarifying his status
as a born and bred American. What you see onscreen is all
performance, and while Davitian credits his extended Armenian family
for certain inspirations of character, Azamat is all his creation.

"I can’t tell you how lucky I feel, considering I was told that I
wouldn’t even be in the film. Not only am I getting offers, and
getting work . . . but my butt is legend."

Indeed, the story of Davitian’s derriere — and the now-infamous
naked wrestling sequence — is the stuff Hollywood dreams are made
of. It’s also the source of a fleshy bond between the two performers.

"I think Sacha and I will be friends for life. We don’t have to call
each other or see each other. It’s more like having a brother. And
let’s face it, when you wrestle naked with another man, you can’t
help but form a special bond."

Davitian says there’s plenty more off-colour hijinks on the DVD, and
those seeking even more time in the presence of Davitian and his
message of hope — and hair — can check out his personal appearance
schedule, which has him giving motivational lectures to college kids
across North America.

International Herald Tribune, France
March 8 2007

YouTube asking Turkey to restore access to site

It says offending video has been removed
By Thomas Crampton Published: March 8, 2007

PARIS: A ban on YouTube in Turkey has followed a week of what the
media dubbed a "virtual war" of videos between Greeks and Turks on
YouTube and came as governments around the world – including France –
grappled with the freewheeling content now readily posted on the
Internet.

A Turkish court on Wednesday ordered blockage of all access to
YouTube, the popular video-sharing Web site, over a video deemed
insulting to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.

The ban also coincides with a Turkish struggle to prove its human
rights credentials to the European Union.

Separately, activists in France warned that a recent law against
posting video of violent acts would stifle free expression. The
French law, which was intended to criminalize "happy slapping" – acts
of violence committed for posting on the Internet – could also
criminalize the recording of police brutality, activists said.

"I don’t think the French government intended to attack
user-generated content, but that is the effect," said Julien Pain, a
spokesman for the press freedom organization Reporters Without
Borders. "If someone films a policeman wrestling someone to the
ground, that can be considered a criminal act."

In Turkey, the largest Internet provider, Turk Telecom, immediately
complied with the court-ordered ban and cut off access to YouTube.

"We are not in the position of saying that what YouTube did was an
insult, that it was right or wrong," Paul Doany, the chairman of Turk
Telecom, told the state-run Anatolia press agency. "A court decision
was proposed to us, and we are doing what that court decision says."

Visitors to the site in Turkey on Wednesday were greeted with the
message, first in Turkish and then in English: "Access to
site has been suspended in accordance with decision
No. 2007/384 dated 06.03.2007 of Istanbul First Criminal Peace
Court."

YouTube expressed dismay over the move, adding that the offending
video had been removed and that the company was working with the
government to resolve the situation.

"We are disappointed that YouTube has been blocked in Turkey," the
company said in a statement. "While technology can bring great
opportunity and access to information globally, it can also present
new and unique cultural challenges."

A later court ruling said that the service could be restored after
YouTube removed the offending material, Anatolia reported, but it was
not clear when that would be.

The video that prompted the ban in Turkey allegedly said that Ataturk
and the Turkish people were homosexuals, according to news reports.
Insulting Ataturk is a criminal offense in Turkey. In a front-page
newspaper story, Hurriyet said that thousands had written to YouTube
complaining about the video.

For Turkey, the ban will present a further hurdle as concern grows in
Brussels that Ankara is flouting the free-speech norms necessary for
membership in the European Union.

In recent weeks, Turkey has pledged to revise a law that makes
insulting Turkishness a crime. The law – Article 301 of the Turkish
penal code – has resulted in prosecutions against leading Turkish
intellectuals, including the author Orhan Pamuk, a Nobel laureate,
and Hrant Dink, an Armenian-Turkish journalist who was murdered in
January.

But the government has refused to drop Article 301 altogether, while
the law against insulting Ataturk, which has given rise to the
YouTube case, is considered even more sacrosanct.

The European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, has been
particularly concerned about Article 301, which attracted global
criticism last year when Pamuk was put on trial for telling a Swiss
newspaper that more than a million Armenians were massacred by
Ottoman Turks during World War I.

Krisztina Nagy, spokeswoman for the EU expansion commissioner, Olli
Rehn, who is overseeing Turkey’s EU accession process, declined to
comment, saying that the commission was still trying to confirm the
facts surrounding the YouTube case.

But other EU officials said privately that the abrupt decision to
block access to YouTube would give ammunition to those who argue that
the avowed secularism of the Turkish government does not sufficiently
safeguard free speech.

In France, meanwhile, the new law has provisions to protect
professional journalists or those who record violence in order to
turn it over to the authorities, while others remain liable for fines
of as much as 75,000, or nearly $100,000, and five years in prison,
said Pain, the Reporters Without Borders spokesman.

"This law removes protection for citizen-journalists or bloggers who
would want to record the violence if riots start again in the Paris
suburbs," Pain said.

Dan Bilefsky contributed reporting from Brussels and Sebnem Arsu from
Istanbul.