Author: Karakhanian Suren

Goldberg’s ‘Armenian Genocide’ will be shown at Egyptian Theater

ArmRadio
24.03.2006 11:23

With local PBS affiliate KCET-TV refusing to air his documentary “The
Armenian Genocide,” filmmaker Anthony Goldberg has decided to rent out
Hollywood’s Egyptian Theatre to show the film in continuous free
screenings on April 17 – the same day it will be playing on most of
the top PBS stations in the country.

The filmmaker, who is paying for much of the $10,000 tab out of his
own pocket, noted that “the largest market of Armenians outside
Armenia is in Los Angeles.”

Goldberg’s one-hour documentary focuses on the Ottoman Empire’s role
in the massacre of at least a million Armenians during and right after
World War I.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 23 2006

European, Azeri officials mull Garabagh conflict, elections

Baku, March 22, AssA-Irada

The Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict was in focus
during the talks between Azeri officials and the European
representatives in Baku on Wednesday.
The deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Eduard Lintner,
and a European Union expert Werner Munch met with the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov, Justice Fikrat Mammadov and
Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov.
Lintner said the European representatives and Minister Mammadyarov
shared the views on the issue. `We arrived at a conclusion that first
of all, refugees must return home and the Council of Europe
principles enforced.’
The discussions also centered on the preparations for the May 13
repeat polls in 10 constituencies where the results of the 2005
parliament poll were cancelled, as well as energy-related matters.
`We comprehensively discussed a number of issues, including the
energy situation, which is intensely watched in Europe.’
On the same day, the European visitors were to meet with parliament
speaker Ogtay Asadov and the chairman of the country’s senior
electoral body, the Central Election Commission, Mazahir Panahov, to
discuss repeat polls and the human rights situation in Azerbaijan.
The PACE committee deputy chairman Lintner is also expected to visit
penitentiaries to study the conditions provided for inmates.*

PRESS OFFICER FOR THE EUROPEAN BUREAU STATE DEPARTMENT HAVE NO
INFORMATION OF DATE OF AMBASSADOR EVAN’S RECALL

WASHINGTON, MARCH 23. ARMINFO. US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans
will head the diplomatic mission to Armenia until President Bush makes
a decision to replace him, Press Officer for the European Bureau State
Department Terry Davidson told ARMINFO.

He said the policy of appointment and recall of the heads of American
diplomatic missions cannot be changed depending on separate
cases. Last week, a number of US Department of State representatives
in Yerevan stated that Ambassador Evans serves and represents the US
President at the Embassy in Armenia until he is dismissed and
replaced, T. Davidson says. However, he had no information on the
exact date of Ambassador Evan’s recall.

In its turn, The Los Angeles Times published an article on Wednesday
touching upon the possible recall of John Evans. The newspaper
mentioned that in February 2005 during his meeting with the Armenian
community at the California University Berkeley, Ambassador Evans
recognized the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. –

LEADER SAYS AZERI PROSPECTS BRIGHT, ARMENIA’S “FOGGY”

ANS TV, Baku
21 Mar 06

[Presenter] The question of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty is not at issue and the opposite side must understand it.

This was announced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev when he
addressed Novruz festivities in Ganclik [Youth] Square in front of
Qosa Qala Qapisi [gates in the old part of Baku].

[Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijani president, captioned, shown speaking]
The question of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
is not and will never be at issue. We want the opposite side to
understand this as soon as possible and to promptly join international
developments. Globalization is under way all over the world and
countries not just of the region but also of the world are opening
their borders and cooperating with each other. The future prospects
of Armenia, which has isolated itself from this cooperation, are foggy.

Azerbaijan will continue its course. Our cause is just. We will
resolve this conflict on the basis of Azerbaijan’s national interests
and international norms and principles. At the same time, Azerbaijan
will continue to strengthen its economic potential, the potential of
the army and resolve social problems.

Azerbaijan must become one of the world’s most developed countries
in a few years time.

PROSPECTS OF XXI SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

Lragir/am
20 March 06

In 2000 the Armenian Music Information Center established the
international music festival “Prospects of XXI”. The president of the
festival Stepan Rostomyan said this is the only festival of classical
music in Armenia, and is one of the important events in the CIS.

The London Symphony Orchestra, Yuri Bashmet, the Chronos Quartet,
the Tokyo String Quartet, Stephen Isserlis, Alexey Lyubimov and
other musicians and orchestras have arrived in Armenia for the
festival. Their visit is a great cultural event for any country. The
participants of the festival say Prospects of XXI has brought the
top classical quality to Armenia.

The seventh Prospects of XXI International Music Festival will
start with the concert of the outstanding German cello player David
Geringas. The musician is in Armenia with his wife Tatiana Geringas,
pianist. David Geringas has worked with the best orchestras of the
world, with such conductors as S.

Ratterley, G. Albrecht, Rostropovich, and others. The first concert
of the Geringas family will be on March 21, at the Chamber Music Hall.

WHEN TIME COMES GEORGIA WILL DO ITS BEST FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

Yerkir
20.03.2006 17:26

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Georgia sympathizes with the Armenian people who
survived the tragedy in 1915 that resulted in such great number of
victims, Georgian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to
Armenia Revaz Gachechiladze told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

In his words, the recognition of the events as genocide is the
prerogative of the Georgian parliament and government. “We sympathize
with the sister nation but taking decisions of the kind we should
take into account the international situation.

When the time comes Georgia will do everything within the limits
of the possible for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the
international community including Georgia,” Gachechiladze noted.

Turkish minister to visit USA due to concerns over Iraq – daily

Yeni Safak website, Istanbul
17 Mar 06

Text of report by Duygu Guvenc: “Concerns about Iraq prompt Gul,
who was reluctant to visit the USA, to change his mind” published by
Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak website on 17 March

In addition to some other factors, a series of ups and downs observed
in Turkish-American relations have played a crucial role in the visit
to be paid by five members of the cabinet to the United States towards
the end of this month. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who had earlier
decided not to go to the United States, changed his mind because of
the recent developments in Iraq.

The five ministers will fly to the United States to attend the 25th
joint annual conference to be organized by the American-Turkish Council
(ATC), Turkish-American Business Council, and the American Friends of
Turkey between 26 and 29 March. In addition to Gul, State Minister
Kursat Tuzmen, Energy Minister Hilmi Guler, Agriculture Minister
Mehdi Eker, and Tourism Minister Atilla Koc will attend conference
sponsored by the ATC.

The decision about Gul’s visit to the United States was made following
lengthy assessments made by the Foreign Ministry. Gul also weighed up
the pros and cons of not going to the United States and his advisers
eventually asked the US side to arrange a meeting with US Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice, which is expected to take place on 27 March.

The possibility of cancelling Gul’s visit to the United States was
earlier discussed in diplomatic circles. Foreign Ministry officials
analysed the rising influence of the neo-cons over the US State
Department and their argument that Turkey must pledge unconditional
support. Those evaluations made by the high-ranking officials of the
Ministry led to the conclusion that the United States was taking a
harder line towards Iran and that it would pursue a policy aimed at
escalating the crisis.

Taking account of Turkey’s reluctance to give unqualified support
for the US policy vis-a-vis Iran, reactions provoked by a visit paid
by a Hamas leader, and angry reactions expressed by some members of
the Jewish Diaspora in the United States, Foreign Ministry officials
assessed the merits of a decision to advise Gul not to go to the United
States. The postponement of Rice’s visit to Turkey, which was scheduled
to take place in January, was also taken into consideration. They,
however, later concluded that holding talks with the US side would
be necessary in a period marked by mounting concerns that a civil
war could start in Iraq and lead to its dismemberment.

Planned meetings

Turkey’s concerns about Iraq and especially Kirkuk also influenced
the decision that Gul should visit Washington.

Gul is also expected to tell the US side that they were still trying
to convince Iran to cooperate, emphasizing that Turkey was urging
Tehran to ensure transparency of its nuclear programme while taking
a cooperative approach. US sources, however, said that no proposal
concerning Iran would be made during the meeting between Rice and Gul.

Gul will also have meetings with the members of the Jewish lobby
in Washington. Meanwhile, Ankara will host Barry Jacobs, Turkey
Director of the American Jewish Committee on 20 March. In addition,
a delegation from the US Congress led by Senator John Warner will
visit Ankara next week. The stand to be taken by the Jewish Diaspora,
which was bothered by the Hamas leader’s visit to Turkey, regarding
a draft resolution about the Armenian allegations of genocide, which
will be tabled in the US Congress once again, will be regarded by
Ankara as an important factor.

In addition to his meeting with Rice, Gul will also have a meeting with
US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley in order to emphasize his
concerns about Iraq. Turkey fears that a civil war may be impending
in Iraq and Gul will also reiterate Turkey’s expectations about the
PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party]. Rice is expected to raise the Hamas
leader’s visit to Turkey and Gul will tell her that the objective
of their meetings with the Hamas leader was not different then the
purpose of the United States’ calls.

IN SEVENTH HEAVEN
By Joyce Rudolph, The Leader

Burbank Leader, CA
March 15 2006

Seven dance companies come together at the Alex Theatre to celebrate
their art.

Jamie Nichols has jumped to the next level in dance performance.

The Glendale native was artistic director of her own contemporary dance
company, Fast Feet, for 23 years, but after retiring the company,
she switched to the role of executive producer and will bring seven
companies together for the “Celebrate Dance 2006” March 25 at the
Alex Theatre.

Nichols has raised the funds to produce the show and has chosen
award-winning companies for the performance, which will become an
annual event, she said.

“It has always been my dream to produce other people’s work,” she said.

It’s much more than just creating a show or making money, Nichols
said, it’s seeing other people’s work come to fruition. She wants to
give dance companies the chance to perform premieres of their work
in a world-class venue that will entertain a diverse audience at an
affordable price so that all ages can attend.

“They all have created Los Angeles premieres for this event and two
of the companies are from San Francisco. That means, I’m not only
supporting companies from the Los Angeles area, but companies from
outside Los Angeles,” said Nichols, who now lives in Pasadena.

The Alex performance will feature such genres as ballet, jazz,
modern and contemporary dance exhibited by companies with varied
ethnic backgrounds, she said.

Spicing up the event with a Latin flavor is Backhausdance, a company
that won three Lester Horton Dance Awards in 2004. The Horton Awards
are the premier awards recognizing excellence in professional concert
dance in Southern California, Nichols said.

JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble, directed by Pat Taylor, celebrates
the African-American roots of the jazz tradition with visceral jazz
dance and the Djanbazian Dance Company, led by artistic director Anna
Djanbazian of Glendale, brings an Armenian touch to the event, while
blending ballet and modern skills with traditional dance, she said.

The Djanbazian Dance Company is based out of the Djanbazian Dance
Academy in La Crescenta, which draws students from Glendale, Burbank
and the foothills, Djanbazian said.

It won four Horton Awards in 2004, Nichols said.

“I adore Anna’s work,” she said. “Her work has a beauty and lightness
that’s stunning.”

For the Alex performance, Djanbazian has choreographed the dance
“Ser,” which means love. It is based a work of contemporary Armenian
poet Grish Davadian, Djanbazian said.

“This dance is about the love of an innocent boy and girl,” she said.

“Without knowing each other, they are wishing to find love. They
go to a sacred place in the village, in the garden of a monastery,
and pray for love. They see each other and hold each other’s hand
and that sparks love in their hearts.”

Arsineh Ananian, 19, of Glendale who has been with the company for
14 years, will dance the female lead, she said.

“She’s a very strong dancer, very emotional and energetic,” Djanbazian
said.

Arsen Serobian of Hollywood is dancing the male lead. He is not
with the company but he and Djanbazian have worked together in other
performances twice before, she said.

“He is a wonderful guy and a very emotional dancer,” she said.

“The most important thing is, we understand each other very well. A
performer must have a direct connection with you. It’s easy to work
with him.”

Nichols is also enthusiastic about seeing Serobian perform.

Formerly with the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia, Serobian also studied
acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood,
Nichols said.

He does both professionally, and the acting helps his dancing ability,
she added.

Serobian received the Horton Award for Outstanding Achievement
Performance Male in 2004 with the Djanbazian Dance Company, she said.

“I think the beauty of Arsen’s performance is not just his technical
ability, but his tremendous ability to embody the characters that he
dances,” Nichols said.

story/40514p-60510c.html

AN UNHYGIENIC SITUATION IN AKHALKALAK

A1+
01:32 pm 16 March, 2006

The Sanitary Department of Akhalkalak was dismissed according to the
order of the Health Ministry of Georgia.

15 people became unemployed as a result of this and the hygienic
situation of the region came out of control, as the above-mentioned
Department is the only service dealing with hygienic problems.

Though the Ministry gave a sanitary laboratory to the Social Health
Centre today it doesn’t work because of the staff reduction.

According to the news of the “A- Info” Agency the posibilities of
withstanding the epidemies are doomed to null.

JOHN EVANS CONTINUES TO EXERCISE HONOR AND PRIVELEGE OF U.S. AMBASSADOR

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.03.2006 01:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ John Evans is our Ambassador and he continues to
exercise that honor and privilege Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman of
the U.S. Department of State said when commenting on the report
of his recall due of his speech on Armenian Genocide. As it was
reported earlier, ANCA’s letter addressed to Secretary Rice earlier
this week said in part, “the prospect that a U.S. envoy’s posting –
and possibly his career – has been cut short due to his honest and
accurate description of a genocide is profoundly offensive to American
values and U.S. standing abroad – particularly in light of President
Bush’s call for moral clarity in the conduct of our international
affairs.” Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Armenian
Issues Caucus, also expressed his extreme disappointment to Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice over reports that the U.S.

Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, is being forced from
office based upon truthful and forthright statements last year about
the Armenian Genocide. To remind, speaking last year to an Armenian
American gathering at the University of California at Berkeley,
Amb. Evans said, “I will today call it the Armenian Genocide… I
informed myself in depth about it. I think we, the U.S. government,
owe you, our fellow citizens, a more frank and honest way of discussing
this problem. Today, as someone who has studied it… there’s no doubt
in my mind [as to] what happened . . . I think it is unbecoming of us,
as Americans, to play word games here. I believe in calling things by
their name.” Referring to the Armenian Genocide as “the first genocide
of the 20th century,” he said: “I pledge to you, we are going to do a
better job at addressing this issue.” Amb. Evans also disclosed that
he had consulted with a legal advisor at the State Department who
had confirmed that the events of 1915 were “genocide by definition.”