A1 Plus | 17:45:22 | 22-03-2004 | Politics |
ALLEGED BOMB NOT FOUND
Police station of Armenian capital’s Centre district received a call Monday
morning saying there in a bomb in Mashtots Avenue’s building No 48, the site
of Eurofootball and other offices.
It became clear after an hour of searching conducted by the police that the
call was false.
—
March 22, 2004
CONTACT : Loucia Isaac Seropian
Phone: 961-1-353010 Ext.: 365
Email: [email protected]
Haigazian University-Public Relations Office
PO Box: 11-1748Beirut, Lebanon
International Public Speaking Competition 2004- Lebanon
“A Borderless World” interpreted by nine young Lebanese University Students
The English- Speaking Union Lebanon branch (ESU (held its annual
International Public Speaking competition Saturday, March 20, at Haigazian
University-Auditorium, Hamra, Beirut-Lebanon. partaking in the event were
nine student contestants representing local universities in Lebanon and
aged between 18-20 in full-education.
The event was organized by the ESU Chairwoman Mrs. Mrs. Youmna Asseily and
attended by the Haigazian University president the Rev. Dr. Paul
Haidostian, the Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Arda Ekmekji and a
distinguished jury which included, H.E. British Ambassador, Mr. James Watt,
Dr. Nasser Saidi, former Deputy Central Bank Governor, Dr. Waleed Khoury
principal of Broumana high school, Mr. Tarek Muhmood HSBC representative
and Dr. Shereen Khairallah the Chairwoman of the English Department at
Haigazian University.
A few minutes before the competition, Mrs. Asseily lined up the contestants
out side the auditorium premises, in a non-competitive atmosphere
introducing them to the previous years’ participants attending the 2004
competition in support of the ESU’s mission in a “family atmosphere.”
” A Borderless World” was this year’s Public -Speaking competition theme.
With much self-reliance, all contestants successfully managed to tackle
their topic using different perspectives. Coincidentally, all participants
were females. With no microphones installed or made available for any of
the contestants, a rule regulated by the ESU, the majority managed to
explore the theme and inspire the jury and the audience.
The sequence of thoughts, flow of information, clear voice projection,
attitude and presence exercised by the contestants showed their eagerness
to win the competition making their families and University even more proud.
Using English as a second Language, the “English skills” and the “English
standards used by the 9 participants left “positive impressions” on H.E.
Mr. James Watt. The British Ambassador was delighted to see the Lebanese
youth “incorporated in extra-curricular- academic activities promoted by
the English Speaking Union,” adding: ” I am very appreciative of being
appointed part of the jury for this specific event.”
Theoretically, according to the speeches addressed by the contestants, a
borderless world meant, “breaking mental barrier and walls.” However, one
young participant thought, ” The whole concept of this borderless world is
a ‘pure myth’ and argued accordingly. Another contestant debated and
discussed the importance of, ” building bridges through education, love and
a mutual respect.”
Very true to the theme, all participants pondered on the concept of
globalization. Explicitly, all contestants favored a “borderless world”,
which, for them, is in pure conjunction with the experience of
globalization. Their concern was to urge the audience to experiment and
decipher the venues of globalization in terms of economy and political
agendas.
Inevitably the participants shared mutual concerns regarding “Learning
corporate languages, involving the youth in major decisions and plans,
hiring qualified and skilled professionals in all domain mainly translators
and interpreters especially of supreme importance for the west.”
Virtually some implicitly deliberated, borderless or not, the foundation of
the world should be based on “cherishing human values, respecting the
other, accessing knowledge, technology, safe-guarding identities and
cultures in tune with the rapid developments undertaking the world at large.”
According to Youmna Aseily, the ESU Chairwoman, this activity, which
involves the youth of Lebanon “is aimed to give young people experience in
the fundamental skills of public speaking, to give
International Public Speaking Competition 2004- Lebanon
Students, from a variety of countries and backgrounds, a chance to meet,
exchange views and form friendships and to provide a focus for the learning
of effective English and communication skills among young people in
countries where English is not the first Language.”
Moreover, ” The first annual ESU public -Speaking event was held in 1981
where only three countries participated. Today, and with much content,
Asseily assures the number of countries around the world participating in
this events has exceeded 50 all in all.” Concluding she said, “In 2002 a
young Lebanese student came second in the competition attended by
participants from over 35 countries, two others from different countries
tied the knot.” she concluded.
The names of the two winners, Nayla Habr from Notre Dame University (NDU)
and Lauren Eid from Balamand University was announced by H.E. the British
Ambassador Mr. Watt. The two-winners will be traveling to participate in
the headquarters International Public Speaking Competition at Dartmouth
House in London, May 2004. The rest of the participants were given a
special gift souvenir by the ESU-Lebanon.
The International Public Speaking Competition is an annual event program
run by the English-Speaking Union and Sponsored by HSBC Holdings plc in
some 42 active countries in the World.
###
Loucia Isaac Seropian
Photo caption: Right Asseily, Khairallah, Habre, Eid, British Ambssador,
HSBC representative, Khalf, Khoury
END
Photo caption: Right Asseily, Khairallah, Habre, Eid, British Ambssador,
HSBC representative, Khalf, Khoury
OSCE chief meets Azeri opposition leaders
Turan news agency, Baku
17 Mar 04
BAKU
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Solomon Passi, who is currently visiting Baku,
met leaders of the leading opposition parties today.
Musavat leader Isa Qambar told Turan news agency that they mainly
discussed the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, human rights and
democracy in Azerbaijan, the situation after the presidential
elections which had been held last year.
Isa Qambar said that apart from Musavat, representatives of the
Democratic Party, the AMIP Azarbaycan Milli Istiqlal Party , the PFAP
People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party (reformers) and the Social
Democratic Party had attended the meeting.
A1 Plus | 14:26:36 | 17-03-2004 | Official |
KOCHARYAN MET SCHLEICHER
President Robert Kocharyan has today received the delegation of European
Parliament’ Commission for European Union-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation,
headed by Ursula Schleicher.
President reconfirmed resoluteness of Armenia to deepen and intensify the
relations with European Union. Kocharyan commended the procedure European
Union has launched over application of the idea on “Extended Europe: New
Neighbors”.
Ursula Schleicher said that the Southern Caucasus is in the interests of
European Union, and they are concerned in establishment of stability and
peace in the region.
Referring to the economic priorities of the state, Robert Kocharyan noted
that Government aims to provide equal economic development all over the
republic.
—
PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
March 16, 2004
ANEC ORGANIZES ARMENIAN JEOPARDY
Who is Toros Roslin?
Who is called “The Poet of all Armenians”?
What was the original name of Etchmiadzin?
Armenian students from the Mid-Atlantic region will contend with similar
questions during the Armenian Jeopardy tournament scheduled to take place at
the Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church Hall in Ridgefield, NJ on Saturday,
March 27, 2004 at 3:00 PM.
Organized by the Jeopardy Committee of the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC), plans are underway for the highly anticipated innovative
cultural event that will engage students from Armenian schools in regional
competitions.
In the function of its original namesake, this ethnic, electronic version
will feature cultural topics running the gamut of Armenian literature,
history, geography, religion, politics, current events and fine and
performing arts.
Participating students from the following Mid-Atlantic schools and parishes
are hard at work preparing for the tournament: Siamanto Academy, NY; Holy
Martyrs Armenian Day School, NY; Nareg School, NJ; St. Gregory Armenian
Sunday School, PA; Armenian Sisters Academy, PA; and Hamasdegh School,
Washington DC.
The objective of activities such as this one, is to reinforce the cultural
edification of the new generation, to strengthen pride in their shared rich
background and to bolster well rounded citizenship in a young generation
that would be securely anchored in their national heritage.
Dr. Ara Caprielian has been invited to serve as the Armenian Alex Trebek, to
pose the questions to the participants. The Jeopardy Committee is comprised
of: Dr. Meline Karakashian, Mr. Hovsep Melkonian, Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, Mrs.
Sossy Jeknavorian, Mrs. Sossy Shekookian, Ms Ann Marie Bokatzian and Ms
Gilda B. Kupelian. Dr. Herand Markarian and Mr. Haroutune Misserlian have
contributed questions to the program and Mrs. Silva Kouyoumdjian has been
helpful in logistical matters.
The public is invited to attend and encourage the students.
For further information, kindly contact the ANEC office at 212.689.7810 or
[email protected].
ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 10, 2004 Wednesday
Armenia’s economic growth makes 139% in 2003
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
The Armenian economic growth made 13.9 percent in 2003, Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan said at a meeting with students of
universities at Yerevan State University on Wednesday. The industrial
production growth reached 18 percent, capital development — 40
percent and export — 34 percent, the president emphasised.
According to him foreign debts mostly for credits on easy terms
amounted to 40-44 percent of Armenia’s GDP that testifies to the
solvency of the country.
“The economic policy of the government should be aimed at the
improvement of the life quality in the republic,” Kocharyan remarked.
Educational reforms, particularly the transition to the two-stage
educational system are carried out so that the Armenian education
would be recognised in Europe, he pointed out.
ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 10, 2004 Wednesday
Air bridge links Kaliningrad to Yerevan
By Vladimir Nuyakshev
KALININGRAD, March 10
Air flights have been resumed between Russia’s westernmost province
of Kaliningrad and the Armenian capital of Yerevan after they were
interrupted more than a year ago.
A Tu-134 aircraft will fly from Yerevan to Kaliningrad and back once
a week, the air traffic service of Kaliningrad’s Khrabrovo airport
reported on Wednesday.
Kaliningrad and Yerevan have restored the air connection in response
to requests by more than 7,000 Armenians residing in the Kaliningrad
region.
Associated Press
March 10 2004
One person killed, hundreds flooded as snow melts in Armenia
Melting snows and strong winds in Armenia flooded hundreds of homes
and caused one death, officials said Wednesday.
One man was killed in the city of Idzhevan because of a tree felled
by the strong winds that buffeted the Caucasus nation, the Emergency
Situations Ministry said. Hundreds of homes were flooded across the
country, and the harsh weather also affected the capital Yerevan.
Winds blew roofs off houses, downing power lines and starting forest
fires. Exact damage figures weren’t known.
The weather calmed by later Wednesday.