Author: Karapetian Hovik

SCORE CV MAKES LEGRAND LE GREAT
By Caroline Kay

Burton Mail
Feb 6 2009
UK

IF THERE’S something, or someone, that is bound to make me giggle
like a schoolgirl, it’s a Frenchman.

They ooze charm, sophistication and, of course, the accent is to
die for.

So imagine my delight when I have the opportunity to catch up with
Michel Legrand as he embarks on his UK tour with Alison Moyet next
month.

The five-time Grammy award-winning composer’s credits include the
musical score for Yentl, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Umbrellas Of
Cherbourg and Summer Of ’42, winning an Academy Award for Original
Song with The Windmills of Your Mind.

The music maestro will be appearing with Moyet at venues across the
country for an 11-date tour, kicking off in Dublin on Sunday.

"I am delighted to be performing with Alison and jumped at the chance
to tour with her," he said.

"I am a big fan and really looking forward to swinging and singing
with her."

Moyet has already performed Legrand songs including Windmills of Your
Mind and What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life on the album Voice,
and sang I Will Wait For You as part of the Liverpool Pops in 2003.

The legend that is Legrand is no stranger to the UK – over the
years he has spent here he produced two stage musicals, The Count Of
Monte Cristo with Don Black and, more recently, collaborated with Les
Miserable duo Claude-Michel Schnberg and Alain Boublil on Marguerite,
a musical set during World War Two in occupied Paris. It premiered
in the West End last year and is set to tour in Japan and America
later this year.

Legrand began his career in 1954, becoming an overnight success
with his first album I Love Paris and for more than a decade
dedicated himself to many French film directors, writing score after
score. Eventually, though, this regime took its toll.

"After spending more than 10 years during the 50s and 60s working with
a new wave of French directors I became fed up, I wanted a change,"
he said.

"So, I went to each director I had worked with over the years and
asked them not to come to me again with any work. I was not going
to do any more film scores for them, I was going to America and that
was that. No way was I going to write any more music for them.

"Then I was approached by Jean-Luc Godard who I had worked with many
times before and he asked me to score one last film.

"What I didn’t expect, when the film was released, was my name in
full Cinemascope stating this was the last film I would score for
in France."

Legrand then spent the next 15 years in America until deciding,
after scoring hit movies, that history must repeat itself.

"Once I had tired of The States I again told the industry I was
leaving, this time to return to my home country. I felt I had paid
my dues and didn’t want to write any more movie scores.

"That was until I was approached to write the score for the Bond movie,
Never Say Never Again. This time I collaborated with Alan and Marilyn
to produce the title song – and have never said never again."

Born in 1932 of maternal Armenian Bourgeoisie descent, Legrand’s
father left the family home when his son was just three.

"Because of what happened in my formative years I don’t feel as if
I am from a music background," Legrand says.

"Although my father was a musician and singer, he didn’t appear back
in my life until I was around 18 or 19. He would come to me for advice
and I used to think ‘Hey, who is the son and who is the father in
this relationship?’

"I don’t feel as if he influenced me in any way, I was affected more
by the music of Mozart and Stravinsky. Influence is everywhere and
in all types of music.

"Over the years so many different artists have influenced me and
I have been fortunate to have played with some of the real greats
including Duke Ellington and Ray Charles. In fact, I have played with
some fantastic musicians, and I am especially grateful to those who
have had the decency to stay alive and let me do so!"

So what does Michel think of today’s music?

"I think the rhythms are great – alive and exciting, but the words
are mediocre and there doesn’t seem to be much melody attached to
them. It bores me.

"Now, Irving Berlin and Rogers and Hammerstein – they excite me. Their
music is real, it means something to me and has stood the test of
time and is still appreciated today."

It is evident from the briefest of chats with Michel that he’s witty,
ironic and a very savvy chappy. He’s produced some of the most
amazing music over the years and has left his mark on the industry
in many ways.

For those of you who think you don’t know his music, take a look at
the rolling credits of one of your favourite films and you may be
surprised to find his name in full Cinemascope.

Legrand and Moyet’s tour includes dates at Birmingham Symphony Hall
on Monday (0121 780 3333), Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on Tuesday
(0161 907 9000), De Montfort Hall in Leicester on Thursday (0116 233
3111) and Buxton Opera House on Tuesday, February 17 (0845 127 2190).

AGONG RECEIVES NEW ENVOYS

Bernama
newsgeneral.php?id=387794
Feb 5 2009
Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan
Zainal Abidin received the credentials of four ambassadors and two
high commissioners to Malaysia at Istana Negara today.

The ambassadors are Dr Ashot Kocharian (Armenia), Sigute Jakstonyte
(Lithuania), Jose Manuel Ovalle Bravo(Chile) and Zeljko Bosnjak
(Croatia).

The high commissioners are Rooselelt Laston Gondwe (Malawi) and
Nimisha Jayant Madhvani (Uganda).

Dr Kocharian, 51, was press secretary to the Armenian president
from 2003 to 2005 when he was appointed ambassador to India while
Jakstonyte, 52, was Ambassador at Large of the Global Policy Department
of Lithuani’s Foreign Ministry.

Bravo, 64, was Chile’s Consul-General in New York prior to this
appointment and had also served as ambassador to Poland while Bosnjak,
63, was Minister Plenipotentiary, Head of Analytics and Communication.

Gondwe, 54, had served as Secretary to the Legal Affairs Committee
and Secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission while Madhvani
was First Secretary-Deputy Ambassador, Commercial and Public Relations
di Washington.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY ASSIGNS TO UNDERTAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO REVEAL MURDER OF GEVORG MHERIAN

ARMENPRESS
Feb 5, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS: President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
called today a consultation connected with the murder of deputy chief
of the police Gevorg Mherian.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that referring to
the committed crime the president of the country noted that he
was in permanent touch from Moscow and is aware of the pace of
investigation. The president demanded that a more detailed report be
presented on the work conducted until now towards the revealing of
the crime, circumstances and hypotheses.

The president of the country noted that "the crime caused pain to
thousands of people". "The bullet of the criminal was directed not
only towards one person, official but towards a whole system – police,
whole law enforcement system. The recent activity of G. Mherian was
directed towards the fight for elimination of corruption mechanisms and
we must realize it. We must realize it and give relevant response. Our
activities must stem from this circumstance."

Chief of the police Alik Sargsyan, head of the National Security
Council Gorik Hakobian, chief prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepian and head of
the investigation group Hektor Sardarian reported the details of the
case and the main directions of the investigation. The president of
the country assigned to periodically report over the results of the
investigation and undertake all the necessary steps for revealing
the crime.

RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN: JEWISH LOBBY LIKELY TO STOP SUPPORTING TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.02.2009 15:49 GMT+04:00

The Jewish lobby is likely to stop supporting Turkey and Armenia can
derive benefits from the situation, an Armenian expert told a news
conference in Yerevan today.

"U.S. President Barack Obama has two months to develop his
administration’s stance on the Armenian issue. Besides, with the
Jewish support to Turkey waning, recognition of the Armenian Genocide
becomes more real," said Richard Giragosian, the new director of the
Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS).

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan walked off the stage
after an angry exchange with the Israeli President, Shimon Peres,
during a panel discussion on Gaza at the World Economic Forum last
week, and vowed never to return to the annual gathering.

"When it comes to killing, you know well how to kill," he told the
Israeli President.

THE DAVOS INCIDENT FROM THE WASHINGTON VANTAGE POINT
by Ali H. Aslan

Today’s Zaman
Feb 2 2009
Turkey

The morning after the Davos incident. I am in Atlanta in order to
make a presentation at an international conference on "Alliance Among
Civilizations: Turkey at the Crossroads of Cultures." The opening
session of the conference, staged jointly by Kennesaw University and
the Istanbul Centre under the aegis of the United Nations, will be
held shortly.

One of the select invitees taking part is Reda Mansour, the Israeli
Consul General in Atlanta. A display of photographs of Turkey,
appropriate to the spirit of dialogue opened by Zaman, decorates
the entrance hall of the Social Sciences Building. In one of the
fantastic shots is portrayed the moment on 13 November 2007 in Turkey
when President [Abdullah] Gul got Israeli President Shimon Perez
Enhanced Coverage LinkingShimon Perez -Search using: Biographies Plus
News News, Most Recent 60 Days and Palestinian [National] Authority
Leader Mahmud Abbas to shake hands. I joke to the Consul that "this
photograph is now past history!" But he speaks optimistically about
the future of the Turkey-Israel relationship. He even says that he
believes that the indirect negotiations between Syria and Israel,
in which Turkey served as the intermediary, will in time resume.

The Israeli diplomat, like all his expert counterparts, tends to
the extent possible to avoid inciting tensions among friends, and
even if he should be boiling over with rage inside, not to display it
very much. In other words, he does what Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip]
Erdogan and President Peres Enhanced Coverage LinkingPresident Peres
-Search using: Biographies Plus News News, Most Recent 60 Days were
unable to do at the panel in Davos and later tried to make up for
with bilateral telephone conversations. Meanwhile, I am trying to
compensate for my absence from Washington by taking frequent recourse
to my cell-phone. At the other end there are individuals who are
either actively involved in the Turkish-American-Israeli relationship
in various capacities, or else have intellectual authority on this
issue. Diplomats, retired ambassadors, think-tank experts, members of
the American Jewish community, etc. Since we are speaking among friends
according to the principle of "background" [last word in English],
they do not feel the need to act all that diplomatically. And in
general, they are sketching out a pessimistic atmosphere.

The people in the US government do not much approve the behaviour
of either leader in the panel discussion. Indeed, the official
spokesmen characterized what happened as "unfortunate." But in the
eyes of the Americans, the greater misfortune pertains to Erdogan
and Turkey. They are of the view that Erdogan’s words and actions are
perceived in the West as anti-Semitism, and in particular that they
will damage Turkish foreign policy over the long term. One American
diplomatic source says "I have not encountered a single person who
reacted positively." Erdogan’s words in the first raw translations
coming out of Davos struck those in the US State Department as much
harsher. They became a bit more relaxed with the corrected translations
that they read afterwards. That the rally held for Erdogan at the
airport on his return from Davos was "quite organized" also drew the
attention of the Americans. In other words, they have suspicions that
this outburst could have been planned ahead of time. They consider
that in the behaviour he has displayed since the beginning of the
Gaza fighting, and including this latest Davos incident, Erdogan’s
political concerns regarding the approaching municipal elections have
been in the forefront.

American officials, who stress that they have considered Turkey’s
efforts to date at peace in the Middle East, and particularly between
Israel and Syria, to be beneficial, observe that its chances of
conducting initiatives of this sort have now diminished greatly,
since Israel has lost its confidence in Ankara. They say that the
latest developments do not comport with the quality of being "the
only country that has the trust of all the parties in the Middle East,
and is able to talk with them," on which Turkey justly prides itself.

Members of the US government, who have struggled alongside Ankara
against the genocide lobbying of the Armenian diaspora on account
of the damage that it [recognizing the genocide] would do to
Turkish-American relations, are worried that yet another important
ally, the American Jewish community, could be lost entirely after
Davos. What I hear from Jewish sources corroborates this. When I
asked an American Jew active on Turkish issues within the Israeli
lobby if organizations such as AIPAC [American Israeli Public Affairs
Committee] would support [Turkey], he answered "they won’t go anywhere
near it." Naturally, these things could be emotional approaches at
this stage. I am certain that Israel and its friends in America,
when things come to that point, will make a cooler assessment of
the situation. They may not be able to risk offending Turkey. As
for the fact that Turkey has risked offending them, they are greatly
angered at it. Indeed, Robert Wexler, the Jewish-origin Chairman of the
Turkey Friendship Group within the American House of Representatives,
has reportedly written Prime Minister Erdogan an emotional letter of
several pages expressing, as a friend, his deep disappointment.

While the Davos incident has assisted hostile circles in Washington
like the Armenian lobby, it has also weakened the hand of those
who defend Turkey and the AKP [Justice and Development Party]
government, or of those who at least are not against it. A retired
American Ambassador reminds reproachfully that "a Prime Minister has
to know how to control his emotions." An American think-tank expert
whose views I consider reasonable says that "emotional leadership"
should be put aside and a different "style" employed. He notes that
the Turkish government’s credibility has weakened in Western capitals
like Washington and Brussels. The view that Western leaders will find
Erdogan "unpredictable" and will hesitate to sit down at the same
table with him is being voiced frequently. There are those who see
Ankara’s foreign-policy line in the recent period as being more similar
to that of the "non-aligned" than to that of a Western and NATO ally.

In short, some American intellectuals who complain of Israel’s
disdainful stance towards the international community and
international law may find Turkey’s outburst appropriate. But the
active foreign-policy players in Washington, who look at incidents
from the angle of Realpolitik, are of the view that Turkey has damaged
itself. They advise, while working to win victory on the eastern front,
not suffering losses on the western front. Because, as was discussed
during two days at the conference in Atlanta, Turkey’s greatest
strategic advantage is its potential to mediate and form alliances
between the Islamic and the Western civilizations. A difficult week
awaits AKP Parliamentary Deputies Suat Kiniklioglu and Cuneyt Yuksel,
who after taking part in the conference set out for Washington…

REPORT OF THE 2008 ACTIVITY OF ARMENIAN HEALTH MINISTRY PRESENTED

ARMENPRESS
Feb 3, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Health Minister Harutyun
Kushkian presented today to Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian
the report on 2008 activity of the Ministry. He noted that the
main programs have been implemented according to the chronology
and a number of issues which demand continuative solution have been
brought forward. According to the minister, continuative works are
necessary to be conducted towards the improvement of the legal field
of the sphere and settle issues existing in the sanitary hygienic,
primary protection of the health, pharmaceutics and other directions.

H. Kushkian noted that this year the ministry will conduct serious
works towards the modernization of ambulance service, the necessity
of which has been strictly noted. New ambulance cars are intended
to be purchased, building conditions – improved and new specialists
appointed.

According to the minister, there is also an issue of proportional
development of the health systems of the provinces.

Assistant to the head of State Revenue Committee Armen Alaverdian
presented two issues to the minister. First is that the real sums of
salaries of workers of the sphere is hidden and low salary is shown. In
this issue workers of the tax service expect the minister’s support.

A. Alaverdian also informed that for services provided through cash
money, cash registers will be applied from this year.

Armenian Prime Minister T. Sargsian noted that during the
implementation of health sphere programs progress is necessary to
be registered, so that there will also be investments by the private
sector.

JAVIER SOLANA: "THERE IS NO MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT. AFTER THE GEORGIA CRISIS, THIS SHOULD BE CLEAR TO ALL…"

Today.Az
litics/50433.html
Feb 2 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with EU senior representative on issues of general
external policy and security policy Javier Solana.

– Mr.Solana, how do you assess the political situation in Azerbaijan
today, especially the state of democracy and provision of freedom of
expression and pluralism in Azerbaijan?

– I think both Azerbaijan and the European Union want to develop closer
relations, and this on many fronts, from political and economic
to co-operation on regional security. As regards the situation
in Azerbaijan today, we support the reform agenda announced by
President Aliev in October, which focuses on democratisation and
civic participation, and we of course are ready to help with its
implementation. These and many other issues, like for instance the
media situation, are part of the European Neighbourhood Action Plan
which we have agreed with Azerbaijan and which we will continue to
implement together.

– You have called on the Azerbaijani government to review decision to
halt transmission of Liberty, Voice of America and BBC radio stations
on the local frequencies. Can the EU put pressure on the Azerbaijani
government in this issue and which solution is more favourable in
this case?

– We regretted the decision not to renew the broadcasting licences,
because it deprives listeners of a valuable alternative source of
news and information. We think there is still room to review this
decision and that a solution can be found. I think this would be in
everyone’s interest

– What can you say about the overall situation in the South Caucasus
region? To what extent is it stable, considering the five-day war in
Georgia, Russia’s position in this issue and its possible projection
on the situation around Nagorno Karabakh in case hostilities are
resumed between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

– I think the crisis in Georgia has been a wake-up call for the entire
South Caucasus region. It has shown that unresolved conflicts can
be very dangerous even after many years, and that military action is
not a solution. It has also shown how the countries in the region are
interdependent and vulnerable, and that there is need to fundamentally
change the dynamic in the region.

After the EU’s rapid response to the August crisis and our strong
engagement on the ground in Georgia, there should be no doubt about
the importance we attach to the South Caucasus region. The proposal
for an "Eastern Partnership" is further evidence of this.

We want to work closely with the countries in the region, as well
as with Russia, Turkey and the US. Maintaining good relations and
constructive dialogue with all countries in the region seems to us as
the best way towards stability, security and progress. Let me stress
here the important role of Turkey and how encouraged we are by the
recent steps to improve relations between Turkey and Armenia.

– Is the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict one of the
main tasks of the European Union? Which diplomatic assistance can
EU provide to Azerbaijan considering the fact that Russia, being
a peacekeeper on the one hand, supplies Armenia with armament of
a total of $800,000,000 free of charge thus violating the military
balance between the conflict parties?

– There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. After
the Georgia crisis, this should be clear to all. In this spirit, we
warmly welcomed that the Presidents of both Azerbaijan and Armenia
committed themselves in Moscow last year to a peaceful settlement of
the conflict. This new dynamic should be maintained with concrete
actions and determination. The EU fully supports the OSCE Minsk
Group efforts and remains ready to assist through confidence-building
measures and people-to-people contacts. My representative Peter Semneby
is working hard in this direction and he has my full support. We are
confident that a viable, negotiated settlement to this conflict will
contribute greatly to the region’s stability, security and progress.

GEORGIA TO EXPORT WINE TO ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.02.2009 22:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Bagrationi 1882, major wine company in Georgia,
produced 1.9 million liters of wine in 2008. Over 80 percent was sold
in Georgia and 20 percent in Ukraine and China.

According to company director Lika Kapanadze, the company is planning
to launch expert of wine to Armenia and Germany in 2009, Georgia
Business Week reports.

HSBC BANK ARMENIA ADMITTED AS MEMBER OF NASDAQ OMX ARMENIA

ARKA
Fer 2, 2009

YEREVAN, February 2. /ARKA/. Effective from January 30, 2009, HSBC
Bank Armenia closed joint stock company was admitted as a member of
NASDAQ OMX Armenia stock exchange. Membership status will provide
HSBC Bank Armenia with full access to all exchange markets, including
corporate securities, Government bonds, REPO, and foreign currency,
NASDAQ OMX Armenia reported.

By the end of December 2008, the bank’s liabilities amounted
to 106.3bln Drams. The bank’s net profit was 3.9bln Drams in
January-December 2008.

Credit investments by the bank were 71.8bln Drams at December 31 2009
as compared with 52.6bln Drams in the beginning of 2008.

Currently the bank has 9 branches in Yerevan. HSBC Bank Armenia
closed joint stock company was the first international bank to open
in Armenia in 1996.

Seventy percent of the bank’s shares are owned by the HSBC Group,
and the remaining part belongs to members of overseas Armenian
businesses. As of the end of year 2008, the total capital of HSBC
Bank Armenia amounted to 15.51bln Drams, and total assets exceeded
121.8bln Drams.

On January 27 2009 Armenian Stock Exchange open joint stock company
was officially renamed as NASDAQ OMX Armenia open joint stock company.

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world’s largest exchange company. It
delivers trading, exchange technology services across the world. With
ov er 3,900 companies, it is number one in worldwide listings among
major markets. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 60
exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories
in more than 50 countries.

In January 2008, Nordic exchange operator OMX Group acquired 100%
of shares of the Armenian Stock Exchange (Armex) and the Central
Depository of Armenia (CDA). After the combination of NASDAQ and OMX
in March 2008, Armex and CDA have become fully owned by the NASDAQ
OMX Group, Inc.

As of January 30 2009, 21 companies, including 13 banks were members
of NASDAQ OMX Armenia.

AZG Armenian Daily #015, 31/01/2009

Press Release

SPECIAL BOOK RELEASE FOR U.K. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2009

New Book Offers Critical New Insights into Germany and the Armenian
Genocide

Paul Leverkuehn, A German Officer during the Armenian Genocide: A
Biography of Max von Scheubner-Richter, translated by Alasdair Lean
with a preface by Jorge Vartparonian and a historical introduction by
Hilmar Kaiser, London: Gomidas Institute, 2009, cxxx + 153 pages, map,
photos, index, ISBN 978-1-903656-81-5, UK£17.00. Available from
[email protected]

One of the tangible links between the Armenian Genocide and the
Holocaust is in the person of Max Von Scheubner-Richther, the German
Consul in Erzurum in 1915 who later became a co-founder of the
National Socialist (Nazi) Party in Germany, only our years later. This
personal link to Adolph Hitler has led to much speculation about
Hitler’s intimate knowledge of the Armenian Genocide, and how such
knowledge might have influenced the organisation of the Final Solution
in Europe.

Scheubner-Richter was one of Hitler’s most trusted and revered
colleagues, one deemed irreplaceable by the leader following his death
in the Munich Putsch of 1923. Given their close relationship it is
unthinkable that the mass murder of an ethnic group that
Scheubner-Richter witnessed was never discussed with Hitler who had a
similar plan in mind for Jews. In "A German Officer During The
Armenian Genocide", it is impossible to ignore the observations that
Scheubner Richter makes about the Armenian Genocide, both verbally and
in written correspondence, that were later to become features of the
Holocaust.

A German Officer during the Armenian Genocide is a new English
language biography of Scheubner-Richter, translated from the German
original, and gives us unique insights into one of the most
tantalising links between the Armenian Genocide and the
Holocaust. This translation also includes a seminal introduction by
the German historian, Hilmar Kaiser, who discusses Scheubner-Richter’s
involvement in the genocide of Armenians in 1915. Kaiser’s
introduction draws on German foreign office documents and other
archival materials including Armenian testimonies, to bring fresh
light to otherwise speculative and sometimes sensationalised
discussions about Germany’s involvement in the Armenian Genocide.

According to both the original German biography, which was written by
a colleague of Scheubner-Richter in the Ottoman Empire, and Kaiser’s
introduction, Scheubner-Richter took a commendable position in trying
to avert the destruction of Armenians. His contacts varied from direct
relations with the Armenian prelate of Erzurum (Smpad Saadetian), and
the provincial governor (Tahsin Bey), to various intermediaries and
Armenian deportees. Scheubner-Richter also communicated his concerns
to the German ambassador Hans Von Wangenheim in Constantinople, and
thus created an archival record of what he observed around him. He was
not the only German consul in the Ottoman Empire who acted to save
Armenians, yet as in other cases, the German foreign office was
confronted with the hard reality that the fate of Ottoman Armenian was
an internal Ottoman matter, while the German priority had to be the
maintenance of the Turko-German alliance and winning the war.

Consequently, German intercession on behalf of Armenians was limited,
and this limitation allowed the Allied powers and some later
commentators to allege German complicity in the destruction of Ottoman
Armenians in 1915. A German Officer during the Armenian Genocide
brings important new research into light for a more informed
discussion and substantive analysis of the subject matter.

According to Ara Sarafian, the publication of A German Officer during
the Armenian Genocide is part of the Gomidas Institute’s ongoing
commitment to engage the Armenian Genocide issue in a critical
manner. This publication is the Gomidas Institute’s second publication
addressing German involvement in the Armenian Genocide.

For more information, contact Gomidas Institute, 42 Blythe Rd., London
W14 0HA, England, Tel: (020) 7603 7242, Email: [email protected]