Author: Tambiyan Samvel

ARZAS VOSKANYAN: EUROVISION MISREPRESENTS CULTURES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
17.02.2010 14:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s Honored Art Worker, composer Arzas
Voskanyan believes that Eurovision Song Contest shouldn’t be taken
seriously, as it’s a way to misrepresent national culture.

"I think it’s high time to stop exaggerating the importance of the
contest for Armenia," he told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

While talking about Eva Rivas’ song to be presented at Eurovision
Song Contest, maestro Voskanyan emphasized that Turkey is in habit to
‘privatize’ the cultural heritage of other nations.

"It’s not surprising that after hearing oriental motives, Turkey
started to talk about stolen music. Actually, the fact that Turks
haven’t yet laid claims to medieval Armenian music, means that they
are not aware of its existence," he said.

CONSEQUENCES OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT MUST BE RESOLVED WITH ITS CAUSES: NALBANDIAN

Tert.am
12:21 ~U 17.02.10

It’s not important who and how one views the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue, but who decides how it should be resolved,
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said, commenting
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov’s statement the
other day.

A couple of days ago, Mammadyarov had said that "our position is
clear. We see the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh within Azerbaijan,
with the condition of Azerbaijani and Armenian communities living
together. We must solve the problem of the occupied lands and the
return of refugees to their homes."

"It is also clearly mentioned in some details of the Madrid document
[Principles] immediately publicized after the statement made by
the presidents of Russia, US and France in L’Aquila [Italy]. If
Azerbaijan is against this fundamental approach, then, in fact, it
hampers the normalization process. It also hampers the normalization
[process] by being against Karabakh’s participation in the talks,
as without Karabakh’s direct participation, it is impossible to push
the normalization [process] forward," said Nalbandian.

Referring to the issue of eliminating the consequences of the conflict,
Nalbandian stressed the necessity in solving the issues of Martakert,
Martuni and Shahumyan – regions currently occupied by Azerbaijan,
as well as the return of refugees to those regions.

"Of course the issue of eliminating the consequences of the conflict
must be resolved together with the causes of the conflict. All these
issues must be solved through negotiation, on the basis of compromise,
and in a peaceful manner," concluded Nalbandian.

"ISRAEL MULLING A SPRING OR SUMMER WAR BUT ITS DECISION NOT FINAL YET"

Details.aspx?id=124813&language=en
16/02/2010

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that Iran’s arch-foe
Israel was mulling starting a war "next spring or summer" but has
yet to make a final decision.

Without specifying whom would be targeted, Ahmadinejad said: "According
to information we have they (Israel) are seeking to start a war next
spring or summer, although their decision is not final yet."

"But the resistance and regional states will finish them if this
fake regime does anything again," the Iranian President said at a
press conference when asked about ongoing efforts to reconcile ties
between Arabs and Israel.

Ahmadinejad also warned on Tuesday that world powers would regret
any moves to slap new sanctions on Iran, while stressing Tehran was
still ready for a UN-brokered nuclear fuel exchange deal.

Ahmadinejad’s latest salvo at world powers came as US Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton toured the Gulf to earn backing for possible
sanctions against Iran for defiantly pursuing its nuclear program. "If
anybody seeks to create problems for Iran, our response will not be
like before," the Iranian president told a packed news conference in
the capital Tehran.

"Something in response will be done which will make them (the world
powers) regret" their move, he said.

Ahmadinejad said negotiations over a UN-drafted nuclear fuel exchange
were "not closed yet," and expressed readiness to buy the material
even from Iran’s arch-foe the United States.

Last year the International Atomic Energy Agency proposed sending
Iranian low-enriched uranium (LEU) abroad for further enrichment,
denying Tehran refining capacity powers fear could be used to help
build an atomic bomb.

The offer would have seen the uranium returned to Iran in a high grade
form for use in a Tehran medical research reactor, but the plan has
been rejected by the Islamic republic.

Ahmadinejad insisted on Tuesday that the exchange had to be
"simultaneous," a stance repeated by several other Iranian officials
and which has led to a deadlock over the deal. "The proposal for
the fuel exchange is not closed yet. We have announced that we will
exchange within a just framework," Ahmadinejad said.

"We are ready for an exchange even with the United States. The US can
come and give us their 20 percent fuel and we will pay them if they
want, or we can give them 3.5 percent fuel. But the swap should take
place simultaneously and we will put our fuel under the supervision of
the (UN atomic) agency in Iran," he added without clarifying whether
the exchange must take place inside the country as insisted by other
Iranian officials.

Ahmadinejad also indicated Tehran could suspend enriching uranium to
the 20 percent level if world powers supplied it the required fuel
for Tehran reactor. "We are not insisting on doing this (20 percent
enrichment) although we have the capability. If they supplied the
(uranium enriched to) 20 percent, the situation may change," he said
in answer to a question if Iran would stop the enrichment started
last week.

Iran announced on February 9 that it had begun work on enriching the
uranium to 20 percent level.

Ahmadinejad’s comments came after Russia, an ally of Iran, said Tehran
should improve its cooperation with the IAEA and that new sanctions
were not excluded if it fails to fulfill its obligations.

"On the subject of sanctions… Russia still believes that Iran should
more actively and broadly cooperate with the IAEA and other countries,"
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s spokeswoman said.

"If these obligations are not fulfilled no one can exclude the
application of sanctions," the spokeswoman Natalia Timakova told
reporters in Moscow.

IRAN WANTS TO PROVIDE POWER PLANTS TO ITS NEIGHBORS Meanwhile, a
senior Iranian official said on Tuesday that Iran wants to build up
its nuclear energy program and provide power plants and nuclear fuel
to its neighbors.

Mohammad Javad Larijani, secretary general of Iran’s High Council for
Human Rights, said Iran wanted to break through Western reluctance to
supply the Middle East with a much-needed energy source for when oil
supplies dwindle. "We are going to help other nations in the region,
we are going to help anyone who wants," Larijani told journalists.

"And this is an area where we want to invest, we want to be the one who
provides nuclear power plants and fuel for other countries," he added.

Larijani said that an Iranian nuclear capability would be "an asset
for the region" and allow it to break a western "monopoly" over nuclear
energy. If countries were not allowed to sell the required fuel to Iran
"we will make it ourselves," he added.

"We are ready to help Turkey, Saudis, the Emirates, Kuwait if they
need. I am sure the western countries are not going to give to these
states. Egypt is dying for this electricity," said Larijani. "We
can even collectively build fuel for our reactors – this is a need,
this is a must for our nations in the region."

"If we don’t move today, 20 years from now we will beg on our knees
in front of the western countries to sell to us," Larijani added.

The Iranian official said such a trade would be placed under the
supervision of the UN nuclear watchdog.

THE MET’S PRESENTS EVOCATIONS OF ARMENIA AT THE NEW YORK SOCIETY LIBRARY 3/16

Broadway World
s_Presents_EVOCATIONS_OF_ARMENIA_at_The_New_York_S ociety_Library_316_20100216
Feb 16 2010

Actor Nora Armani and cellist David Bakamjian lead a cultural journey
through the spirit of Armenia in the company of poets, composers, folk
songs, and sacred chants in English and Armenian. This presentation
premiered to a sold-out audience in the Met Museum’s Grace Rainey
Rogers Auditorium in 2007.

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. at
the Library.

The New York Society Library is located at 53 East 79th Street (just
east of Madison Avenue; 6 train to 77th Street).

Ticket information is available at
html. Library
nonmembers and members are welcome; nonmembers should register by
phone at 212-288-6900 x230. There is a $20/person fee. This event is
generously supported by the Estate of Marian O. Naumburg.

This combination of powerful spoken word and haunting solo cello is
highlighted by the story of the enchanted Dove Abbey by Hovhannes
Toumanyan (widely considered Armenia’s greatest poet); the music
of Komitas and Alan Hovhaness, the sacred chants of Sharagans, the
poignant legend of Akhtamar, among other pieces.

Actor Nora Armani has an international list of theatre and film
credits. Her award-winning original performances have toured
internationally in six languages to such venues as the Sydney Opera
House, the Hirshhorn Museum, the Cairo Opera House, the Riverside
Studios (London), La Cirée National Theatre in Marseilles and
the Sundukyan National Theatre of Armenia. Her films include The
Doors of Denis, Voisins Voisines, The New Eve, Last Station, Haifa,
and Labyrinth, for which she won Armenia’s Best Actress award. She
holds undergraduate and masters degrees from the American University
in Cairo and the University of London. More information on her is
available at

Cellist David Bakamjian performs regularly as a recitalist, chamber
player, recording artist and as a member of several New York area
ensembles. He has performed at New York ‘s premiere concert halls,
appeared several times on National Public Radio and WQXR (NY), and was
a winner or finalist in four international chamber music competitions.

He has appeared as soloist with the Allentown Symphony, Philharmonia
Virtuosi, the Beijing Symphony, the Bachanalia Festival Orchestra,
and the Lehigh University Symphony Orchestra. He performs with
the American Symphony Orchestra and is principal cellist of the
Berkshire Opera and the New York Grand Opera. Mr. Bakamjian is a
founding member of Brooklyn Baroque (flute, cello and harpsichord)
of critical acclaim by the American Record Guide. He also performs on
baroque cello with Concert Royal, the American Classical Orchestra,
Gotham Chamber Opera and the Long Island Baroque Ensemble.

The New York Society Library was founded in 1754, and is the city’s
oldest library. In the eighteenth century, an organization labeled
"Society" meant that it was open to all-available to everyone
throughout society. The Library is open to all for reading, reference,
and most events, with circulation and other services by subscription.

The beautiful landmarked building dates from 1917 and includes reading
rooms, spaces for study, stacks, and an exhibition gallery. The
Library has approximately 275,000 volumes and hosts a variety of
special events, reading groups, workshops, as well as the New York
City Book Awards.

More information on the Library:

GIFTS FROM IAN GILLAN DELIVERED TO ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2010-02-16 11:46:00

ArmInfo. World famous rock musicians Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) and
Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell) sent musical instruments
as a gift for N6 musical school in Gyumri.

Professional musical instruments from Fender Musical Instruments
Corporation are supplied to Yerevan: 4 acoustic guitars of Japanese
Takamine Company and Blackhawk drum kit of American Gretsch Drums
Company. The musicians also gifted Paiste Âymbals and Vic Firth
drumsticks, presented by John Henrys Ltd. Company. Noteworthy, Ian
Gillan’s and Tony Iommi’s gift was supplied to Armenia by Armenian
President’s aircraft, who visited London last week.

On October 1, 2009, Ian Gillan and Toni Iommi visited music school N
6 in Gyumri within the framework of Armenia Grateful 2 Rock project,
realized by Mediamax and Australian "Do Something" organization.

Director of the school Harutyun Asatryan stated in a talk with the rock
stars that the pupils would very much like to have good guitars and
a drum kit. The music school N 6 in Gyumri was destroyed during 1988
earthquake and is still hosted in temporary shelters. Ian Gillan’s
concerts with the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia will take
place on March 26 and 27. The entire proceeds from them will be
directed at rebuilding of musical school N 6 in Gyumri.

To note, Rock Aid Armenia/Armenia Grateful 2 Rock takes place under
the patronage of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

Mandatory insurance of motor vehicles to come into force in 2011

YEREVAN, February 12, /ARKA/. After the first parliamentary hearing of
a Central Bank-designed draft law on mandatory insurance of motor
vehicles today, Gagik Minasian, chairman of a parliament committee on
finance, budget and credit issues, said before sending the bill to
lawmakers, it had been discussed by the commission and experts.

`We have in Armenia some 400,000 motor vehicles, which not only
promote the country’s economic development, but also pose danger to
people’s life,’ he said. He said the proposed bill provides protection
against losses incurred as a result of traffic accidents and against
liability that could be incurred in an accident. According to Gagik
Minasian, with the passage of this law Armenia will make another step
towards the civilized world.

Vache Gabrielian, a deputy chairman of the Central Bank Council, said
mandatory car insurance operates successfully in all European
countries. He cited also the increasing number of vehicles and road
accidents, saying these two factors make auto insurance mandatory.
According to Vache Gabrielian, the bill is expected to come into force
in 2011.

He said in 2013 the so-called bonus-malus system will be introduced,
which is a system that adjusts the premium paid by a customer
according to his individual claim history. Bonus usually is a discount
in the premium which is given on the renewal of the policy if no claim
is made in the previous year. Malus is an increase in the premium if
there is a claim in the previous year. Bonus-malus systems are very
common in vehicle insurance.

Vache Gabrielian said the insurance payment amount in Armenia will be
between 31,000 to 38,000 Drams. ($1 – 381.26 Drams). -0-

news.am, Armenia
Feb 13 2010

Ankara protracts ratification process: RA President

16:52 / 02/13/2010RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s interview with Al
Jazeera given in the frames of his visit to UK, February 9-11, 2010.

Q.: Mr. President, what will follow the ratification of Armenia-Turkey
Protocols by both countries’ parliaments and what `happy end’ you want
the process to reach?

A.: The Protocols are in my office and on return I am going to send
them to the RA National Assembly for ratification. Both for us and
everyone Turks’ statements that Armenian side protracts the
ratification are questionable. Conversely, it is them who do so.

Q.: Do Turks protract the ratification?

A.: Yes, explicitly, as we have stated and last time as a head of
ruling party dominating in the parliament I voiced this statement
yesterday, I rule out the possibility that RA Parliament fails to
ratify the Protocols if Turks ratify them without preconditions.

Q.: Mr. President, what is the next step after the ratification by
both sides so that the process will be finalized and relations between
the countries will be settled?

A.: After the Protocols’ ratification and their entry into force the
border should open, an intergovernmental commission should be formed
with its sub-commissions and we will open the dialogue. That is
ratification is a beginning of the process, not the end.

Q.: Border opening for you is crucial from commercial and new vistas’
viewpoint. In your opinion, whether border opening is significant for
other states, like Russia and U.S.?

A.: I believe so. And here is why Russia, U.S. and EU assist the
process, as it’s not about border opening only, but of the
establishment of relations.

Q.: Do you plan to expand ties with Russia and U.S. being between those powers?

A: Armenia has good relations with Russian Federation, we are
strategic partners and presented jointly in many organizations and our
ties are deepening. Meanwhile, we are on friendly terms also with the
U.S., where we have a large community that serves as a bridge between
Yerevan and Washington. To us, favorable state of affairs is having
good relations between Russia and the U.S.

Q.: You’ve rightfully mentioned that Armenians are spread throughout
the world. Many migrated to maintain their families. Do you plan to
get them back to Armenia in any way?

A.: Yes, both Armenians migrated from the country after its
independence and those spread all over the globe after the Genocide in
Ottoman Turkey assist their families and our economy. Armenians of
Diaspora always aid and support us. According to our estimates, over
10 million Armenians reside throughout the world, of which 3 million `
in Armenia. And would be happy to have the rest 7 million back to
motherland. At that we realize that it is unlikely. Our goal is to
have at least those born in Armenia be back.

Q.: What would you say to the U.S. President who stated `U.S. deserves
a leader who can tell the truth about Armenian Genocide and justly
respond to all genocides. I am going to be that leader.’ These are
Barack Obama’s words. Does he do so? Is he that President?

A.: He did respond, not to the extent he pledged before assuming the
office. But he literally said that did not change his stance on the
matter.

Q.: That is you keep hoping for his assistance?

A.: Well, if saying the word `genocide’ is taken as assistance, you
can say so. I reckon that speaking of the truth is the admission of
justice.

Q.: Would you like him to say that word?

A.: Definitely.

ARS ISSUES OPEN LETTER TO AGBU AND ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY

s-open-letter-to-agbu-and-armenian-assembly/
Feb 12th, 2010

The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) on Friday issued an open letter to
the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the Armenian Assembly
calling for clarification over reports that the two organizations had
sought the exclusion of the ARS from a scheduled meeting about the
Armenia-Turkey protocols with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
and a select group of Armenian American organization. We provide the
statement below:

Two weeks ago, it was announced that the U.S. State Department had
invited a select group of Armenian American organizations to a meeting
to discuss the Turkish-Armenian protocols and related topics, leaving
out several other organizations. On many occasions, the Armenian
Relief Society, which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its
humanitarian work this year, has participated in discussions with
the U.S. administration on matters of central importance to Armenians.

Therefore, the ARS wrote an official letter to the State Department
requesting, as the largest women’s organization in the U.S. and the
Armenian Diaspora, to participate in the meeting.

In the past few days, we were surprised to learn from the press that
the AGBU leadership in the U.S. had expressed its opposition to the
participation of the ARS in this meeting. The news was followed by
a press release circulated by the Armenian Assembly-and bearing the
signature of the AGBU as well-regarding the meeting with the State
Department and Armenian American representation with convoluted
language.

Whereas the Turkish-Armenian protocols are not an issue of concern
to solely this or that Armenian organization or group, as they deal
with a central national matter,

Whereas the right to decide on the Armenian community’s representatives
to meet with the U.S. administration is up to Armenian Americans as
a whole, and no organization, group, or individual can reserve to
themselves the right to choose those representatives, thereby playing
a divisive role in the community,

Whereas discussing such issues behind closed doors complicates matters
and lends itself to unnecessary polemics,

Whereas the ARS has always been and will continue to be open with
the people and has nothing to hide from it,

We therefore ask the leadership of the AGBU and the Armenian Assembly
to publicly clarify their position regarding the ARS.

In our letter addressed to the U.S. State Department, we did not
ask to replace any organization and we did not make any allegations
about any organization. It is our sincere hope that the reports about
the position of the AGBU, the positions expressed on its behalf, and
the attributions made to the AGBU regarding the steps it has taken,
are untrue. We hope that it will become clear that this episode is
nothing more than an effort by non-Armenian circles to impose the
ratification of the protocols on the Armenians and Armenia, and to sow
divisions among Armenian Americans on the eve of the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide. We also hope that the necessary corrections
will ensue.

SOME THINGS ARE NOT FOR SALE

Haytoug.org
1/some-things-are-not-for-sale/
Feb 12 2010

The Armenia-Turkey Protocols present a critical juncture in our
nation’s history.

Through the stroke of a pen, the rights, dignity and interests of the
Armenian people threaten to be sacrificed on the altar of political
and economic expediency.

The countless years of relentless work put into having the world
open up its eyes to the reality of the Armenian Genocide risk being
undermined through the creation of a so-called ‘historic commission.’

â~@¢ The Armenian people’s legal and moral claims to Ararat, Ani,
Kars, Van and the rest of our historic homeland threaten to be
forfeited through the legitimization of a border created through
Genocide and aggression.

â~@¢ The sacrifice of thousands of our best men and women in the
liberation of Artsakh threatens to be compromised by an agreement
emphasizing artificial state boundaries above the right to
self-determination.

The recent qualified ruling handed down by the Armenian Constitutional
Court–while deciding that the Protocols are constitutional–held
serious judicial reservations. The Court stated that ratification of
the Protocols cannot contradict Article 11 of Armenia’s Declaration
of Independence [The Republic of Armenia stands in support of the
task of achieving international recognition of the 1915 Genocide in
Ottoman Turkey and Western Armenia] and that the Protocols cannot
speak on behalf of Artsakh.

The unprecedented international outpouring of anger and opposition to
the provisions of the Protocols resounded in a loud and unified "NO!"

to the officials in Yerevan. It reminded the ruling elite in Armenia
and throughout the world that our perseverance as a people has never
come out of submission and capitulation. Our triumph over the odds
has not been a result of backdoor deals and political maneuverings.

Rather, our survival has been due to the resilient determination to
struggle for our basic rights.

The dangerous implications of the Protocols for our national interests
point, more than ever, to the urgent need to change the undemocratic,
unjust, and inequitable conditions in our homeland. The lack of
accountability of those in power and the disillusionment of the
general population must be reversed if we want to see the viable and
prosperous Armenia we all envision in our hearts. Such a reversal
will require us to not turn away from Armenia, but rather to flock
more firmly towards it.

Just as we struggle against the odds to maintain our
identity and community in the Diaspora, we must come together
collectively–organized and determined–to overcome the obstacles
that stand before our nation’s future.

The onus is on us to unite and do the work required to see our
struggle through; to ensure the sanctity of our national and historical
interests and to declare that they are not for sale, at any cost.

The goals remain to secure the international recognition of Artsakh’s
statehood, the pursuit of reparations from the Government of Turkey
for the crime of Genocide, an end of the occupation of Western Armenia
and the establishment of social justice, human rights and democracy
in the Republic of Armenia.

The movement continues…

www.Stopthe Protocols.com

‘SERIOUS SETBACKS IN TURKEY’S REFORM EFFORTS’ TOWARD EU MEMBERSHIP: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Tert.am
14:26 11.02.10

European Parliament yesterday discussed draft resolutions on EU
membership candidates Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, and Turkey, according to the parliament’s official website.

MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) gave a positive overall
verdict on last year’s efforts by Croatia and the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia to qualify for EU membership. In resolutions
debated and approved on Wednesday, MEPs also underlined the limited
progress made by Turkey towards meeting the "Copenhagen" EU
eligibility criteria for EU membership.

Issues such as the rule of law, freedom of expression, good
neighbourly relations, treatment of ethnic minorities, women’s rights
and the fight against corruption and organized crime must still be
addressed by all three candidates.

Progress on concrete reforms remained limited in 2009, says the
resolution on Turkey drafted by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP, NL) and
adopted by show of hands.

MEPs regret the Turkish Constitutional Court’s decisions to shut down
the Democratic Society Party (DTP), and to annul the legislation
limiting the jurisdiction of military courts. They say these are
"serious setbacks in Turkey’s reform efforts" and therefore call for
the Constitution to be reformed.

The Turkish Government should contribute "in concrete terms" to the
comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, say MEPs. By immediately
starting the withdrawal of its forces from the northern part of the
island and addressing the issue of settlements of Turkish citizens,
Turkey would help "facilitate a suitable climate for negotiations."

As positive news from Ankara, MEPs cite the broad public debate on
issues within the so-called democratic opening, and a law removing
restrictions on broadcasting in Kurdish.

They also appreciate the diplomatic efforts made to normalize relations
with Armenia but ask that the relevant protocols be ratified. In
addition, they acknowledge Turkey’s role in regional security (Black
Sea and Middle East).