Author: Tadevosian Garnik

PARLIAMENTARY HEARINGS ON DOCUMENT CIRCULATION ISSUES

National Assembly of RA
May 12 2009
Armenia

On May 11 on the initiative of the Standing Committee on Economic
Affairs of the National Assembly parliamentary hearings on the
theme of "Document Circulation and the Ways of their Regulation"
were held. Representatives of executive and legislative Bodies,
several organizations, businessmen and journalists participated in it.

Mr. Vardan Ayvazyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Economic
Affairs of the National Assembly said that the committee begins its
parliamentary hearings, related to the financial economic crisis and
economic issues of the country. Issues, related to the influence of
financial economic crisis, programs of necessary events in Armenia
would be discussed during the hearings. The proposals, related to
the measures taken for elimination of consequences of the financial
economic crisis, the committee would take into consideration during
the legislative amendments.

Mr. Suren Karayan, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of
Armenia, said that the Republic of Armenia realizes a number of anti
crisis events, a working group is created, which studying the business
program of managing subjects, promotes them.

Package of drafts, proposing amendments to a number of laws were
presented to the National Assembly.

Mr. Armen Alaverdyan, Deputy Head of State Revenue Committee, adjunct
to the Government of the Republic of Armenia, said that there are few
countries, realizing tax privileges, for being protected from the
financial crisis. With the presented package the National Assembly
tries to regulate the issue.

Mr. Alaverdyan also answered a number of questions, related to a
number of issues of tax bodies.

Other speeches were sounded, related to the debated issue.

Mr. Vardan Ayvazyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Economic
Affairs of the National Assembly, in his completing speech, thanked
the participants and asked the remarks and proposals, related to
the issue to present to the committee in written form. Once again
Mr. Ayvazyan reminded that the parliamentary hearings, related to
the economic issues would be continuous.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
May 10 2009

Greenwood’s ‘Star Trek’ and Egoyan’s ‘Adoration’ premiere together

By Duane Dudek of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: May. 9, 2009

Canadian-Armenian director Atom Egoyan has the coolest name in show
business. His list of esoteric films include "Exotica," "Ararat" and
the still-stunning Oscar nominee "The Sweet Hereafter."

All three of those films also starred fellow Canadian Bruce Greenwood,
who also happens to play Capt. Christopher Pike in the new "Star Trek"
film. Coincidentally, "Star Trek" opens in some larger markets
opposite Egoyan’s new film, "Adoration."

"I told him we would crush him," Greenwood said during a recent phone
conversation.

Greenwood said he and Egoyan found themselves doing publicity for
their films on the same day in Los Angeles and managed to hook up.

"We literally managed to meet on a street corner in Santa Monica and
talk for a half an hour," Greenwood said. "I drove over to the street
he was standing on, and we stood in front of a bar."

Greenwood is less familiar for his roles in offbeat independent films
such as "I’m Not There" and "Capote" than he is for roles in
blockbusters such as "I Robot" and "National Treasure 2."

He said he is most recognized as the husband who framed wife Ashley
Judd for murder in "Double Jeopardy."

But regardless of the size of the film, he said, the work is the same.

Big film or small film, Greenwood said, "I deal with playing human
beings who are experiencing human emotions. So independent of the
environment, at the end of the day, it’s just how you’re feeling and
what you’re characters are reacting to.

"Whether you’re on the bridge of a spaceship or in a pickup truck in
the middle of nowhere, you’re still a human being trying to figure out
what the hell is going on."

Films don’t come much larger than "Star Trek," directed by "Lost"
creator J.J. Abrams, which shows how the original characters met and
features a new cast of young actors. Greenwood said he hesitated
calling it an action movie, "although there are tremendous action
sequences in it, and it feels huge."

"The sound design and art direction is spectacular," he said. "But
even though the environment is huge at its core, there are these
characters whose problems and trials are particularly human."

Greenwood’s character looms large in "Trek" mythology and in the film
gives command of the USS Enterprise to Capt. Kirk, played by Chris
Pine. He said the cast members did "tons of homework" on the show and
watched all the original episodes.

To make sure the film made no gaffes in mythology, continuity or
"protocol issues," the cast and crew had a "Trek" wrangler on set "who
arguably knew everything. And if he didn’t, it would take him 20
minutes to find out."

Greenwood said he believes that "Trek" played a role in the
progressive cultural evolution of its time because it portrayed "this
multi-ethnic, multicultural cast with women in authority. Today, we
take that sort of thing for granted."

And he said the new film is rooted in the traditions of the original
show.

"For people who have this long relationship with ‘Star Trek,’ there
are all kinds of things that will resonate for them. All sorts of
inside jokes and tips of the hat," Greenwood said. "But at the same
time, this movie exists on its own merits. And people who don’t know
anything about ‘Star Trek’ will be able to sit down and be captured by
the characters and shot into this incredibly fast-moving and involving
situation."

m/entertainment/movies/44645662.html

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
May 7, 2009 Thursday

ISRAELI GOVERNMENT REJECTS DRAFT RESOLUTION ON RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE

Baku 7 May

Israeli government rejected a draft resolution on recognition of the
so called Armenian genocide, according to the Turkish press.

A statement issued by the country`s Cabinet of Ministers says it is
our duty to commemorate the memory of those who died during World War
I. But it is impossible to discuss historical events under the name of
Armenian genocide at parliamentary level.

It goes on to say only historians should deal with historical events.

The draft resolution was submitted to the country`s parliament
(Knesset) by Mp Haim Oron on April 24.

DAY 6: NORWAY, CYPRUS AND ARMENIA

esctoday.com
/read/13945
May 8 2009

Three more countries now as we reach the songs in the second semi-final
of the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. After the reports videos
will be added when they become available on our partner websites.

Song 11: Norway

The set echoes a fairytale wonderland. Alexander is wearing the same
clothes he wore in the national final and hopes to repeat his winning
performance he did in Norway.

Song 12: Cyprus

Cyprus seem to be well organised and very much focused on their
performance. Standing on a white lightbox in parts and in a breeze
(wind machine) Christina gives a good vocal performance.

Song 13: Armenia

Last up today it’s Inga & Anush. Good vocal performance and well
suited costumes for their presentation. One to watch out for perhaps?

TREK SMASHES ATOM
By Duane Dudek

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
637.html
May 8 2009

The Canadian Armenian director Atom Egoyan has the coolest name in
show business. His list of esoteric films include "Exotica," "Ararat"
and the still stunning Oscar nominee "The Sweet Hereafter."

All three of those films also starred fellow Canadian Bruce Greenwood,
who happens to also play Capt. Christopher Pike in the new "Star Trek"
film. Coincidentally "Star Trek" opens in some larger markets opposite
Egoyan’s new film "Adoration."

"I told him we would crush him," said Greenwood during a recent
phone conversation.

(See my review of ‘Star Trek’ here, and my story on the history of
the show.)

Greenwood said he and Egoyan found themselves doing publicity for
their films on the same day in Los Angeles and managed to hook up.

"We literally managed to meet on a street corner in Santa Monica and
talk for a half an hour. I drove over to the street he was standing
on and we stood in front of a bar and talked for a half an hour,"
Greenwood said.

Greenwood is certainly less familiar for his roles in offbeat
indepdent films like "’I’m Not There," "Being Julia" and "Capote,"
than he is for roles in blockbusters like "I, Robot" and "National
Treasure 2." He said he is most recognized as the husband who framed
wife Ashley Judd for murder in "Double Jeopardy."

But regardless of the size of the film the work, he said, is the same.

"I don’t make a large distinction between working on a large movie
and a small movie. Though if you do a big movie and it’s successful,
it enables those people who are trying to get small movies off the
ground to use you more easily. Because if your name has a certain
value its easier to get financing."

Big film or small film "I deal with playing human beings who are
experiencing human emotions. So independent of the environment at the
end of the day its just how you’re feeling and what you’re characters
are reacting to. Whether you’re on the bridge of a spaceship or in
a pickup truck in the middle of nowhere, you’re still a human being
trying to figure out what the hell is going on."

Films don’t come much larger than "Star Trek," directed by "Lost"
creator J.J. Abrams, which shows how the original characters met and
features a new cast of young actors. Greenwood said he hesitated
to call it an action movie "although there are tremendous action
sequences in it, and it feels huge."

"The sound design and art direction is spectacular. But even though
the environment is huge at its core, there are these characters whose
problems and trials are particularly human," he said.

Greenwood’s character looms large in "Trek’ mythology, and in the
film gives command of the USS Enterprise to Capt. Kirk, played by
Chris Pine. He said the cast members did "tons of homework" on the
show and watched all the original episodes.

In order to make sure the film made no gaffes in mythology, continuity
or "protocol issues." they had a "Trek" wrangler on set "who arguably
knew everything. And if he didn’t it would take him 20 minutes to
find out."

Greenwood said he believes that "Trek" played a role in the progressive
cultural evolution of its time because it portrayed "this multi-ethnic,
multicultural cast with women in authority. Today we take that sort
of thing for granted."

And he said the new film is rooted in the traditions of the original
show.

"For people who have this long relationship with ‘Star Trek’ there are
all kinds of things that will resonate for them. All sorts of inside
jokes and tips of the hat. But at the same time this movie exists on
its own merits. And people who don’t know anything about ‘Star Trek’
will be able to sit down and be captured by the characters and shot
into this incredibly fast moving and involving situation."

CRIMINAL CASE ON BEATING OF EDITOR OF ARMENIA TODAY E-EDITION TRANSFERRED TO NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

ArmInfo
2009-05-07 13:59:00

ArmInfo. Criminal case on the fact of beating of Argishti Kiviryan,
the editor of Armenia Today e-edition, has been transferred to the
National Security Council of Armenia (NSC), NSC Press Secretary
Artsvin Baghramyan told ArmInfo.

The NSC Investigation Department is in charge of the case.

As it was reported earlier, three unknown attacked Kiviryan in the
entrance of his house in Nalbandyan Street approximately at 5:00
a.m. local time on April 30. The criminals beaten Kiviryan up with bats
and then made several shots from a pistol. Fortunately Kiviryan could
turn the barrel aside and the bullets did not wound him. Kiviryan’s
family heard three shots from the entrance. At present Argishti
Kiviryan is at hospital with numerous bodily injuries and head traumas.

Armenian Police initiated a criminal case under Article 117 of Armenian
Criminal Code (intentional infliction of light bodily injuries).

PRESS RELEASE

ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION
2495 E. Mountain St, Pasadena, CA 91104
Tel: (626) 794 7942
Fax: (626) 794 2622
Contact: Aleen Khanjian
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

AGBU TO EXHIBIT EMIL KAZAZ’S WORK IN THE FALL

"Every great work of art has two faces, one toward its own time and
one toward the future, toward eternity."–Daniel Barenboim.

As humans, we are faced with the daily realization of mortality. For
this reason, we appreciate the rare occurrences of immortality. Art is
one of them.

While many of us thirst for cultural outlets to stretch our minds and
increase our collective awareness, the Armenian General Benevolent
Union (AGBU) quenches that thirst by exposing us to the brilliance of
Artists who live among us. Through the years, AGBU in Southern
California has held memorable art exhibits. Most recently, in 2007,
AGBU allowed us to witness its perpetual effort to promote Armenian
culture and preserve our unique heritage throughout the world, through
a highly successful exhibition entitled "Nine Contemporary Artists
from Armenia." It was an incredible display of color, emotion, and
passion, inspired by nine unique `new generation’ artists from
Armenia.

This year, AGBU will bring you the internationally known, Los
Angeles-based, Armenian artist, Emil Kazaz. Once again, AGBU strives
not only to familiarize our minds, but to leave a lasting impression
on our souls by exhibiting the immortal handiwork of art-genius, Emil
Kazaz. As those who are familiar with Kazaz know, his unique
expression embodies a culmination of politics, mysticism, and
eroticism in a way that most sculptors and painters cannot do.

Emil Kazaz has achieved international critical recognition, including
the prestigious Lorenzo Medici medal from the Florence Biennale in
2003, as well as the Grande Lorenzo il Magnifico (Medici) Prize in
Sculpture from Florence Biennale 2007. He has had many successful and
highly acclaimed exhibitions in Europe, Asia, Russia, North and South
America, and just recently in New York City. Next fall, AGBU will
celebrate Emil Kazaz’s unique talent with a major exhibition and an
evening of tribute honoring the artist at the AGBU Alex Manoogian
Center in Pasadena, taking place from November 5-8, 2009.

This unique Emil Kazaz Exhibition is being organized with the close
cooperation of the Airian Dome of Fine Art Inc., home of the largest
Emil Kazaz collection, through its founder and president, Monet
Airian, who represents the artist worldwide. The exhibited artwork
will be available to the public at special prices to encourage sales
to raise funds for the AGBU to benefit its social, cultural and youth
oriented programs in Southern California. The portion of the sales
amount designated and provided as a donation to the AGBU will be
deductible for income, gift, and estate purposes.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians on five continents. In Southern California, home of
over 750,000 American citizens of Armenian origin, AGBU is
headquartered in the City of Pasadena, and serves its membership and
the community, through four all-volunteer chapters, a community
center, two schools with over one thousand students, cultural, social
service and youth-oriented activities and the Generation Next
mentorship program.

NALBANDIAN, SEMNEBY HOLD WORKING MEETING IN PRAGUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.05.2009 12:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met in
Prague with EU Envoy for South Caucasus Peter Semneby.

The officials focused on the impending meeting of the Armenian and
Azerbaijani Presidents, normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations
and resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, RA MFA press office
reported.

FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA AND US NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER MEET

ArmInfo
2009-05-06 11:22:00

Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan and US National Security
Adviser James Jones have met in Washington.

As Armenia’s Foreign Ministry press service reports, the parties
discussed the issues related to the different spheres of the
Armenian-American cooperation and security assurance in the
region. General Jones highly appreciated participation of Armenia
in the peacekeeping activity and, in this context, contribution in
the international security. The parties The parties discussed the
process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and the
opportunities of settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

General Jones expressed readiness to assist the Armenian authorities
in normalization of the relations with Turkey. The parties also touched
on the ways of tightening of the Armenian- American cooperation.

VALERI GERGIEV AWARDED WITH ST. MESROP MASHTOTS ORDER

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.05.2009 21:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today RA President Serzh Sargsyan met legendary
ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, her husband, famous composer Rodion
Shedrin, conductor Valeri Gergiev and pianist Denis Matsuev.

"Within the last year many famous Russian artists presented their
art in Armenia. At my last meeting with RF President Medvedev, high
assessment was given to cultural collaboration between our countries,
testifying to the existence of firm spiritual ties," Serzh Sargsyan
emphasized.

"I was very glad to be visiting Armenia and had special feelings about
this visit," said Gergiev, adding that Armenia can be rightfully
proud with talented musicians of Armenian heritage performing all
over the world.

Mariinski Symphonic Orchestra conductor and Artistic Director Valeri
Gergiev was awarded with St. Mesrop Mashtots order for significant
contributions to Armenian-Russian cultural ties development.