Author: Tambiyan Samvel

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).

FRENCH SEEK COOPERATION IN NABUCCO IN ANKARA

Today’s Zaman
Feb 11 2010
Turkey

Officials from the French natural gas company Gaz de France (GDF) are
expected to visit Ankara this weekend to discuss possible partnerships
in a number of energy projects, including participation in the Nabucco
pipeline project and the establishment of electricity generation
facilities in Turkey.

The French company was previously vetoed by Ankara from participating
in the international consortium building the Nabucco pipeline that
will connect Caspian natural gas resources to the European market.

Relations between Turkey and France worsened following the French
parliament’s acceptance of allegations of genocide against Anatolian
Armenians during the Ottoman era. President Nicolas Sarkozy’s strong
opposition to Turkey joining the European Union has added fuel to the
fire. This weekend’s visit is interpreted by observers as a step to
improve relations by the French side.

GDF is particularly interested in natural gas distribution tenders
for Ä°stanbul and Ankara along with liquefied natural gas (LNG)
distribution in other provinces.

The government will request French support for Turkey’s efforts to
enter an EU energy community, studies for which started last year,
in return for cooperation in energy projects in Turkey, Today’s Zaman
learned from officials at the Ministry of Energy. The government will
also seek French support in an anticipated energy chapter with the EU.

Austria’s OMV, Bulgaria’s Bulgargaz, Turkey’s BotaÅ~_, Germany’s RWE,
Hungary’s MOL and Romania’s Transgaz are partners in the EU-backed
project, which would reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian gas.

Gas transmission to EU countries via the Nabucco pipeline still remains
uncertain since questions such as who will lead the talks and how the
price will be determined still wait for answers. OMV said last month
that the project would not happen if an open season bidding process
for capacity this year shows that demand is too low. In addition to
this, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has recently criticized the
project for being "full of uncertainties."

TURKEY TO SEND ITS DIPLOMAT TO US

news.az
Feb 10 2010
Azerbaijan

Turkey will send its diplomat to Washington to discuss the recent
situation in the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Turkish first Deputy FM Firudin Sinirlioghlu is leaving for a visit to
the United States. According to CNN-Turk, the Turkish diplomat will
have important meetings in the State Department where he will inform
the US side about Ankara’s concerns with the recent resolution of
the Armenian Constitutional Court regarding the protocols as well as
the upcoming discussion of the recognition of the so-called "Armenian
genocide" in the US Congress.

The meetings will start on February 13 and last for several days.

After the visit to Washington the Turkish diplomat will visit Paris
and Moscow and before it he held meetings in Switzerland that was
mediating between Turkey and Armenia.

COURT ASKED TO INVESTIGATE ERGENEKON LINK IN DINK MURDER

Today’s Zaman
Feb 10 2010
Turkey

A court hearing the murder trial of journalist Hrant Dink on Monday
requested information from the Istanbul Police Department on whether
there were any links such as telephone conversations between the
suspected murderers of Dink and any of the suspects in the trial
of Ergenekon, a clandestine gang charged with plotting to overthrow
the government.

The Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court is hearing the trial. Monday
was the 12th session in the 20-suspect trial. Five of the suspects are
jailed, while others had earlier been released pending trial. The panel
of judges on Monday ruled to keep the five suspects under arrest. The
suspects include Erhan Tuncel, a former police informant who is
believed to have supplied the hit man with a gun; Ogun Samast, the
ultranationalist teenager who gunned Dink down outside his office
in 2001; and Yasin Hayal, believed to have acted with Tuncel in
masterminding the Dink murder.

In addition to requesting information about possible phone and
wired communication between the Dink murder suspects and those in the
Ergenekon trial, the panel of judges decided to request photocopies of
all documents currently held by the 13th High Criminal Court regarding
an alleged plan of psychological warfare that included attacks against
non-Muslim minorities which is now being held as evidence against
some army officers who are suspects in the second Ergenekon trial,
one of the two ongoing trials into Ergenekon.

Erhan Tuncel and Yasin Hayal — two of the prime suspects in the
murder trial of Agos Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink — were brought to
court by police for the 12th session in the trial on Monday.

During Monday’s hearing, the panel of judges also requested information
from the Ankara Telecommunication Communications Administration
about wired communications between Orhan OzbaÅ~_ and Turan Meral,
two of the witnesses who have testified in the trial. The court also
decided to have the co-plaintiff lawyers in the case, who had earlier
sought the arrest of these two individuals along with another person
named Kaan Gercek, file their own criminal complaints.

It also decided to again request information from the Ä°stanbul Police
Department on an Internet café on Å~^afak Street, where Dink was shot
on Jan. 19, 2007, including business licenses and other documents
of the store. This is the second time the court has asked for these
documents. The court also decided to write to the Å~^iÅ~_li mayor’s
office for information on the Internet café and also to the UÅ~_ak
High Criminal Court to get Cahit Kılıc, a police officer who was
running the Internet café on the day of the murder but was later
assigned to a post with the UÅ~_ak Police Department, to appear in
court and testify as a witness.

The panel of judges also decided to subpoena Erhan Sevil and Mehmet
Ali Temelocak as witnesses for the next hearing. It in addition ruled
to bring Mesut Kadri, another witness, to the next hearing by police
force if necessary. It furthermore made the decision to correspond with
the Umraniye Prison Directorate and the Umraniye Prosecutor’s Office so
that Erhan Ozen, who is in Umraniye Prison charged with another crime
and who has requested to testify in the trial, can be brought to court.

The panel also ruled to have the suspects, the prosecutors and all
the co-plaintiffs and their lawyers meet at the chambers of Resul
Cakır on April 12 to review three secret reports sent to the court
by the National Police Department.

The panel of judges said a witness whose identity will be kept secret
will be testifying in the next hearing, which is scheduled for May 10.

The panel of judges also overturned a request from suspect Tuncel
and from the co-plaintiff lawyers to hear police officers Ramazan
Akyurek, Selim Kutkan, Ahmet Ä°lhan Guler, Ali Fuat Yılmazer, ReÅ~_at
Altay, Huseyin Yavuzdemir and Sabri Uzun as witnesses, saying the
testimonies of these officers would not contribute to the existing
testimony from various officers. The court in addition ruled to have
an Armenian-speaking translator appointed for the secret witness who
will testify at the next hearing.

What the witness had said The court also noted that this witness, who
was supposed to be ready for Monday’s hearing, was not in attendance
and ruled to write a notice to the Ä°stanbul Prosecutor’s Office to
make sure the witness testifies at the next session.

In addition to this the Ä°stanbul Police Department yesterday released
a statement denying some news reports which stated that the police
department was responsible for the secret witness not showing up to
testify on Monday because the department was supposed to bring the
witness to court. The statement said the department never received any
directive to bring the witness to court on Feb. 8. A later statement
in the day from Presiding Judge of the 14th High Criminal Court Erkan
Canak confirmed this, noting that the witness could not be summoned
to the stand due to the absence of a translator.

Slain journalist Hrant Dink’s wife, Rakel, is seen among the protestors
in front of an Ä°stanbul court.

This witness, who was supposed to be heard on Monday, had said in his
initial testimony to prosecutors that Hayal and Samast had fired at
Dink together on the day of the murder, contrary to the perception
that Samast was the only hitman. The witness, who uses a translator,
testified to the prosecutors on Jan. 30, 2007, saying a man who
appeared to be around 40 to 45 years of age and 1.65 meters in height
first approached Dink and spoke to him for three to five seconds. The
witness testified: "I saw this person make physical contact with Dink.

At the same time, I saw two people, one from the front and one
from behind, approach Dink. The one that was coming from behind had
brown hair, a round face, a dirty beard, fair skin, short fingers,
was study and about 1.70 meters tall. He looked like he was high
on drugs; he was wearing a black coat that went down to his knees,
a colored sweater inside his coat and as far as I can remember, he
shot at Hrant Dink. The one that I later learned was Ogun Samast
also shot twice at the same time as the other one, and he loudly
uttered something that had the word "Armenian" in it as he pulled his
gun." The secret witness also identified the second gunman as Hayal
from the pictures he was shown.

Cage plan and Dink connection Meanwhile, the co-plaintiff lawyers
in the 12th trial demanded that the court investigate whether Dink’s
killing was part of the Cage plan, an alleged military plot to create
panic and chaos recently exposed by the Taraf daily. The plan mostly
focused on killing non-Muslims and bombing mosques to create chaos
that would eventually help the plotters take over the government.