Author: nina hovnanian

The Moscow News, Russia
Nov 30 2012

Junior Eurovision starts on Saturday in Amsterdam

by Evgeniya Chaykovskaya at 30/11/2012 16:48

Junior Eurovision 2012 starts in Amsterdam on Saturday, where Lerika
(real name Valeria Yengalycheva) will represent Russia with her song
Sensation.

This year the contest, organized by the European Broadcasting Union,
will have12 participants from Sweden, Belgium, Belarus, Azerbaijan,
Israel, Albania, Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and the hosts, The
Netherlands.

The first Junior Eurovision was held in 2003 in Copenhagen and became
very popular in Europe. Russia first took part in 2005, and in 2006
the Tolmachev sisters won it for Russia.

The current contestant, Lerika, 13, was born in Olomouc, the Czech
Republic, RIA Novosti reported. In 2007, she took part in the
Slavyansky Bazar festival in Vitebsk, and in 2008 took first place in
Orpheus in Italy’s contest.

This is not Lerika’s first Junior Eurovision: she came in sixth in
2011 in Yerevan.

Junior Eurovision will be broadcast live on Rossiya 1 at 11:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Reuters
Nov 30 2012

Dancing devils, Armenian poem vie for UNESCO label

By Vicky Buffery

(Reuters) – An array of little-known and sometimes outlandish
traditions vie for international recognition when the United Nations
cultural agency UNESCO meets next week to select new additions to its
world heritage list.

Venezuelan Dancing Devils and the Armenian epic poem “Daredevils of
Sassoun” are among the more exotic contenders for a spot on the
intangible heritage list, created in 2003 to safeguard the world’s art
forms and cultural rituals.

Some 51 contenders are hoping for recognition this year from the
Paris-based U.N. organization for Education, Science and Culture, from
hat-weaving to folk-singing, embroidery and falconry.

The tiny southern African kingdom of Lesotho hopes to win a spot in
the U.N. ranks for “Letsema” – its pragmatic tradition of “getting
together to accomplish heavy tasks”. Such tasks, it says, can include
collecting stones or threshing wheat while others sing, read recite
poetry or ululate.

Mongolia, having learned selection was unlikely, withdrew one entry –
knuckle-bone shooting, an activity where people flick marbles at
polished sheep ankle bones while singing “Hail you, friend” to each
other.

Contenders will be assessed from December 3 to 7, with winners
announced at the end of each day.

“If a country has a particular way of laying a table for Christmas
dinner, dressing for a wedding, or celebrating an historical event,
then that’s an intangible act,” said Cecile Duvelle, Secretary of the
UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural
Heritage.

“Our aim is to help countries keep these traditions alive and ensure
they are passed on through generations to maintain a common sense of
identity,” she said.

Founded in 1945, UNESCO is best known for its World Heritage List,
created 40 years ago, which includes around 1,000 natural and cultural
sites considered of outstanding universal value.

More recently the agency has focused on safeguarding “intangible”
culture such as language and traditions. Past additions include the
art of the French gastronomic meal, Portuguese Fado singing and
Spanish Flamenco.

Nations can apply for a grant from the Convention’s $6.5 million
annual budget to help save a custom thought to be dying.

The majority, however, seek inclusion on the “representative list”,
which comes with no financial aid, but provides recognition and media
attention.

To qualify for inclusion, nations have to show the activity is part of
their cultural heritage and promotes social cohesion.

The Armenian epic poem known as “Daredevils of Sassoun” or “David of
Sassoun”, for example, dates back to the 7th century and is recited
for social gatherings or to children for fun.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Dancing Devils of Corpus Christi emerged in the
17th century: “devils” in bright red costumes and ferocious masks
parade through the streets and chase locals, while being whipped by a
“captain” or chief devil.

The climax comes when the devils finally surrender, depicting the
triumph of good over evil.

(Editing by Brian Love and Paul Casciato)

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 29 2012

`Russian-Turkish relations won’t be damaged’

29 November 2012 – 9:06am By Vestnik Kavkaza

Vitaly Naumkin, PhD (History), Professor, the RAS member, the head of
the Oriental Studies Institute of the RAS, gave an interview to
Vestnik Kavkaza on the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Iranian
nuclear program, and Russian-Turkish relations.

– How would you characterize the current Iranian problem?

– The situation over Iran is very tense. These days there are many
new attacks on Iran, many new accusations. The last is connected with
the developments in Gaza, when the West and Israel accused Iran of
supplying missile armament to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the
organizations which act in Gaza. Therefore, a new paradigm
appeared,especially among Israeli Hawks, that a strike should be
launched at Iran for calming the situation in Palestine. It is obvious
that the atmosphere becomes tense, on the one hand. On the other hand,
America urges to a dialogue between Americans and Iranians. I believe
these two positions create a balance and mean that the United States
do not want this military operation and try to build a bridge, which
is beneficial for the Iranian authorities. On the other hand, it is
clear that the Iranian authorities won’t reject the nuclear program
which they present as a peaceful one. They do not recognize any
accusations against Iran of establishing nuclear armament. They will
most probably continue the program. That is why the international
course toward the Iranian nuclear program which is provided today has
to be corrected. The complexity of the situation is that tension is
obvious, but at the same time there is a hope for settlement of the
crisis by diplomatic means. At least we know there are many people in
Israel who want to launch a strike, but they will hardly do it alone.

– What do you think about prospects of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement?

– I am not a big optimist on prospects of the Karabakh settlement.
The countries have been conducting talks for a long time, but we see
no result. Each side stands on its own. It is very difficult to find a
decision. All initiatives by the Minsk Group face rejection of this or
that side. The process is in hands of presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan who meet from time to time. There is information on some
initiatives and possible staged settlement. But I believe it is not
time for this yet.

– What is your view on Russian-Turkish relations in the context of
the Syrian problem and difference in views on it?

– I am sure that serious contradictions on the Syrian problem will
not damage Russian-Turkish relations, as they are based on very
powerful similarity of economic interests, on the fact that Turkey and
Russia are very important economic partners to each other. We have
strong humanitarian ties, as Turkey is a Turk country, and we have
many Turk ethnic groups. Almost 4 million Russian tourists visit
Turkey annually; many Turkish companies are working in Russia; and
until the Syrian crisis we had no serious political contradictions. I
think despite these contradictions, Russian-Turkish relations won’t be
hurt. Each side is interested in maintenance of the favorable
situation and its further development. .

Morocco World News
November 29, 2012 Thursday

These are the countries that voted for and against the Palestinian Bid

New York

New York, Nov. 29 — In a historic moment, the Palestinians on
Thursday obtained the upgrade of their country’s status to a
non-member state with a landslide vote.

Most European countries voted in favor of the Palestinian bid, namely,
Belgium, Luxemburg, Ireland, Cyprus, Austria, Malta, Spain, Portugal,
France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Island, Switzerland, Ireland, ,
Malta, Monaco, Serbia, Sweden, Greece, Lichtenstein and Italy. Among
European countries, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are among
countries that abstained. Australia, a strong supporter of Israel at
the United Nations, also abstained, while Canada voted against the
draft resolution.

Most American countries will voted in favor of the Palestinian bid,
while Panama voted against it. Colombia, Guatemala and Paraguay
abstained.

All Arab and Muslim countries voted in favor of the draft resolution,
at the exception of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which
abstained. The same applies to Africa where the Palestinian cause
enjoys widespread support. Cameroun, the democratic Republic of Congo,
Malawi, Rwanda abstained. No African country voted against the
resolution.

The result of the vote is as follows:

In favor (138):

Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda,
Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh,
Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil,
Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African
Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote
d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican
Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada,
Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia,
Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya,
Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta,
Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco,
Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger,
North Korea, Norway, Oman, Honduras, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea,
Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saint
Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao
Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra
Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri
Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria,
Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago,
Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates,
Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia,
Zimbabwe

Against (9):

Canada, Czech Republic, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru,
Palau, Panama, United States

Abstention (41):

Albania, Andorra, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Cameroon, Colombia, Croatia, the Democratic Republic of
Congo, Estonia, Fiji, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Malawi, Mongolia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Papua New
Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Moldova, Romania,
Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Macedonia,
Togo, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and Vanuatu.

Azeri image seriously harmed by unconstructive policy – expert

November 30, 2012 – 18:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A political analyst Alexander Markarov forecasted no
breakthrough in Karabakh settlement talks in 2013.
As he told a November 30 news conference, the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs’ visit to the region meant to suggest that their mission is
ongoing despite the Safarov case and Azeri actions.
`The `neither war nor peace’ situation will persist until a mutually
acceptable suggestion is provided,’ the expert said.
`Also, the visit gave another chance to raise the co-chairs’ awareness
as to the unacceptability of Artsakh’s annexation to Azerbaijan,’ the
expert said, further calling attention to recent Azeri policy which
significantly harmed the country’s image.

“Deaf and dumb shepherd” spoke when in Azerbaijan

19:43, 30 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: As Azerbaijani press has named him,
“deaf and dumb shepherd” spoke with his compatriots when was delivered
to Azerbaijan on Armenian-Azerbaijani border in Kayanavan area of
Tavush region on November 30. He presented with announcement before
the press. `During 19 days being on Armenian territory I haven’t been
injured’ he said. Armenpress cited Azerbaijani SalamNews agency.

Armenian specialists have clarified that Azerbaijani citizen wasn’t
deaf and dumb but had some communication problems.

Azerbaijani citizen Telman Javanshil, 51, had crossed
Armenian-Azerbaijani border on November 12 in Tavush region area.

Armenian church turned into cowshed in Azerbaijan

ø2E9C30-3AFC-11E2-A2CAF6327207157C
Friday, November 30, 17:48

The Armenian church of the XIX century located in Dash-bulakh village
of Azerbaijan has been turned into a cowshed, director of Armenian
architecture fund (RAA), Samvel Karapetyan, said at today’s
press-conference.

He said that the Azerbaijani party is trying to hide that the church
is Armenian and called it “Albanian”. He also added that such a policy
has been always conducted by the Azerbaijani authorities since the
Soviet times. For instance, in a book “Architecture of ancient and
middle age Azerbaijan” published in 1986, the Armenian khachkars
(cross stones) of Old Jugha were called “Albanian khachdashes”.

He also added that Armenian Foreign Ministry and Culture Ministry
could raise in international structures the problem of such an
attitude to the Armenian monuments. However, as he said, even the fact
of destruction of the Armenian cross stones of Old Jugha by
Azerbaijani servicemen was fully ignored by the Armenian authorities.

Turkish expert: Because of “brotherly relations” with Azerbaijan,
Turkey lost chances to become an arbiter in settlement of conflict
situations in South Caucasus

arminfo
Friday, November 30, 17:52

The governments of the South Caucasus states do not prepare their
societies to compromise and peaceful settlement of conflicts, Turkish
expert, Mustafa Aydyn, said at the forum “Dynamics of regional
security in the South Caucasus” in Yerevan, 30 November.

He said that the security problems of the South Caucasus for the last
20 years since the USSR collapse have not been resolved, and there is
even a danger of their turning into an armed conflict. Moreover, all
the attempts of outside intermediaries to settle these conflicts,
failed. As a result, these intermediaries lost trust at least one of
the parties to the conflict, he said. He also added that civil society
and different NGOs of the South Caucasus countries are not popular
among the population of these countries. According to public opinion
poll, only 5% of population of Armenia trust in von-governmental
organizations, 4% -of Azerbaijan and 7% – of Georgia.
“Non-availability of democracy is a serious obstacle on the way of
stabilization in the region”, – Aydyn said.

He also added that in a certain sense Turkey could promote stability
and security of the South Caucasus, but Ankara lost such an
opportunity , first of all, because of special relations with one of
the countries of the region – Azerbaijan. So, as the Turkish expert
said, because of the “brotherly relations” with Azerbaijan, Turkey
lost chances to become an arbiter in settlement of the conflict
situations in the South Caucasus. “The brotherhood and friendship with
Azerbaijan are necessary, but there are other more important things.
Turkey needs stable Caucasus. Turkey needs this region like a transit
territory for transporting of energy resources from Central Asia.
Moreover, secure South Caucasus is a buffer area between Turkey and
Russia, the relations with which were not always beyond reproach”, –
the expert said.

Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili

19:51, 30 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
has had a meeting with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili who
arrived in Armenia in order to participate in second summit of EPP
Eastern Partnership leaders.

As Armenpress was informed from the Armenian presidential press
office, Presidents of the two states have discussed issues related to
Armenian-Georgian bilateral cooperation as well as cooperation in
frames of EPP and also referred to the reforms and democratic
processes in Armenia and Georgia.

Armenia should pursue constructive policy on Georgia – political analyst

news.am
November 30, 2012 | 18:23

YEREVAN. – Armenia needs a clear national vision towards Javakhk, a
political expert on Georgia, Ghevond Lazarian told reporters on
Friday.

`Ivanishvili’s new policy is that he intends to turn Georgia into a
country of civil society which also includes permitting creation of
cultural autonomy. Thus, the opening of Armenian-Georgian University
has been discussed,’ the expert said.

However, according to him, all these promises were given before the
parliamentary elections, and the current actions of the Georgian
authorities do not correspond to the same logic.

`At the moment, there is no clarity on future foreign and domestic
steps of the Georgian leadership, but again it should be noted that
the current government gave very serious campaign promises concerning
Javakhk [mainly Armenian-populated region],’ Lazarian noted.

The Armenian side is gradually losing leverage over Georgia with
Javakhk due to the lack of Armenian government’s appropriate actions,
he added.

`Armenia should pursue constructive policy, including mediatory
efforts concerning the Russian-Georgian relations. The current
situation in Javakhk does not benefit to the military-political
interests of the Armenian state, `he said, adding there is a cultural
vacuum in Javakhk.