Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

GORAN LENNMARKER: "IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY WILL HAVE POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THE SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Azeri Press Agency
Sept 8 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva – APA. "At the session of OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, September 18-21 in Toronto, I will also speak about my
visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia. I am analyzing the data I collected,"
special rapporteur of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Nagorno Karabakh
and Georgia Goran Lennmarker told APA. He expressed his satisfaction
with the visit and said he had gathered useful data. Taking a stance on
the steps aiming to normalize the relations between Armenia and Turkey
Goran Lennmarker said it was a positive factor for the whole region.

"This is just a beginning and I hope that the relations will
improve. Improvement of relations will also have positive influence
on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict," he said.

OSCE representative considers that the issue on genocide will sooner
or later be discussed during Armenia-Turkey dialogue.

"THE RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA CAN BE NORMALIZED BY THE PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES"
Tolga Korkut – [email protected]

BIA
Sept 9 2008
Turkey

Dr. Aktar sees many obstacles between the both states. It is a very
long process, he says, but "the Armenian and Turkish peoples can
do it. Those who are interested in this process need to create more
occasions to meet."

Dr. Cengiz Aktar describes President Abdullah Gul’s going to Armenian
to watch the soccer match between the two countries with the Armenian
President a very important and historical development. However,
he also thinks that there are other obstacles needs to be overcome,
so that this visit can bring positive results.

Nobody should expect from Armenia to quit using the word ‘genocide’
According to Aktar, Turkey is hoping that these kinds of steps will
eventually end Armenia’s insistence in using the word ‘genocide,’
but it is futile, because Armenia does not even want to discuss this
at the level of states.

Another obstacle is the factor of Azerbaijan: "Turkey is looking for
alternatives other than Russia for energy, but Azerbaijan ties its
hands because of the Mountainous Karabag conflict."

"This problem will be solved by the two peoples" On the other hand,
Aktar thinks that this visit has given a great opportunity for many
who have not been to Armenia to see what it is like.

"It will be a long process, but if this problem will be solved, it
will be at the level of peoples.It will be solved by forming between
the two societies."

For this reason, says Aktar, it is helpful that those who are for
the normalization of the relations between the societies can meet
with each other. He thinks the cultural and artistic activities may
be able to create the needed mediums for meetings.

At the end of the visit, the both presidents, Abdullah Gul and Serj
Sarkisyan, had said that they would not left the solution of the
problem between the two countries to the future generations.

"Lot of things will change, if the border is opened" Aktar says that
although it will be nothing short of a miracle if the border between
the countries, closed since 1993, is opened, lot of things will
change. However, the necessary step has to be taken by Turkey. It
will be a major step, says Aktar, if the problem of the recognition
of the border between the two countries is solved.

"The more 1915 is discussed, the better it is" Aktar says that people
have been discussing more what happened in 1915 after the European
Union process and the murder of Hrant Dink. "The young people no
longer believe in the "nothing happened" story.

"Armenian-Turkish weekly Agos, the newspaper of slained Dink, has
played a major role in this. Those young people who can ask questions
have started asking them. This may in time result in a movement of
justice that may affect the both countries. The real issue is the
matter of sharing the pain."

‘A CHORUS LINE’ REVIVES THE BROADWAY HIT

Daily News Tribune
663620/A-Chorus-Line-revives-the-Broadway-hit
Sept 8 2008
MA

A musical has something special when it inspires the original
co-choreographer to come out of retirement to direct it.

"I started working on "A Chorus Line" 33 years ago and some days I go,
‘Oh, no I can’t do it again,’" said Bob Avian, 70, the director of
the revival of the 1975 hit. "But I love the show so much, and the
new talent brings their own personalities to the parts."

When "A Chorus Line" opens at the Boston Opera House on Thursday
for a three-week run, the musical will look nearly identical to the
original production directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett,
which won nine Tony Awards, five Drama Desk Awards and a Pulitzer.

"My intention from day one has always been to present Michael Bennett’s
masterpiece," said Avian, who was the original co-choreographer. "I
never wanted to do my own version, because it’s his greatest show
and I didn’t want to mess with that. And it’s part of my history, too."

In fact, "A Chorus Line" has inspired the same loyalty in other artists
who shaped it. Choreographer Baayork Lee, who was Bennett’s assistant
choreographer, has restaged the dances for the revival. And original
set designer Robin Wagner and costume designer Theoni V. Aldredge
also have returned for the revival.

After three decades, though, certain references have become so dated
and obscure that they fall flat on today’s audiences, and these have
been changed. But the stories of the 17 dancers auditioning for
eight places on a Broadway chorus line transcend time to move and
inspire people. And the poignancy and intensity of their emotions
are beautifully expressed in songs like "What I Did for Love," and
"I Hope I Get It," by composer Marvin Hamlisch.

"All the stories are so universal and the audience identifies with
it tremendously," Avian said. "We say things on stage that are so
intimate and truthful."

The stories are told on a bare stage with mirrors, where an
all-powerful director wants the candidates not just to dance, but
to bare their souls. So, they talk to him about their childhood and
adolescence, families and friends, disappointments and dreams.

These stories aren’t just what writers James Kirkwood and Nicholas
Dante imagined. They’re adapted from conversations Michael Bennett
recorded with real chorus line dancers.

Although the concept of an audience watching people audition seems
common today, it was original 30 years ago.

"The structure of the show is much like reality television today,
but we were the first to do that," Avian said.

Avian met Bennett when the choreographer joined the cast for the
European tour. That began a lifelong friendship and collaboration.

"When Michael Bennett asked me to work with him, I said, ‘I don’t
know if I’m a good choreographer,’ but he said, ‘We’re good friends
and you always tell me the truth and that’s really important.’ As
his career moved up, I moved up with him."

The son of Armenian immigrants who grew up in Manhattan, Avian learned
to dance when he came to Boston University and a fellow student in a
movement class encouraged him to join her at Boston Ballet. He took
classes daily for four years, his first formal training, and got
hired shortly after graduation as a dancer in the first of more than
a dozen Broadway shows.

After a long career in choreography, directing and producing for
"Company," "Follies," "Dream Girls," and other shows, Avian retired
in 2000 – until he got a call about "A Chorus Line."

"I’d had enough and life had been good," said Avian, who divides his
time between Connecticut and Florida and will attend opening night
in Boston. "But the producer said, ‘Bobby, you better go do it. This
is your show.’ We’re very protective of it."

PRESS TV, Iran
Sept 6 2008

Gul in Armenia for soccer diplomacy
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:21:49 GMT

President Abdullah Gul who attended a soccer match between Turkey and
Armenia in Yerevan, says the game could help end a century of mutual
hostilities.

Attack helicopters escorted the Turkish chief executive’s jet on its
arrival and police and lined the traffic-free streets as his motorcade
sped through downtown Yerevan, the Armenian capital.

Several hundred protesters were seen rallying near the Armenian
presidential offices for Gul’s arrival shouting and chanting,
"Recognition" and "Stop denying the genocide" in reference to
Yerevan’s attempts to have the Ottoman-era massacre of Armenians
recognized as genocide.

Gul is the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia. Ankara and Yerevan
have no diplomatic ties but a relationship that is undermined by the
question of whether ethnic Armenians killed by Ottoman Turks in 1915
in the early years of World War I were victims of systematic genocide.

Gul was invited to attend Saturday’s match at Hrazdan Stadium by his
Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian, who called for closer ties in a
region brimming with tensions in the wake of the Russia – Georgia
conflict.

Departing Ankara, Gul said he hoped the first match between the two
national sides would aid `rapprochement’.

`This match is important beyond being the first match between the
Turkish and Armenian national teams,’ Gul told a news conference.

`I hope today’s match will contribute to removing barriers to the
rapprochement of two peoples with a common history, and contribute to
regional peace and stability.’

Turkey defeated Armenia 2-0 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier game.

Turkey has never opened an embassy in Armenia and in 1993 Ankara
closed its land border with Armenia in a show of solidarity with
Azerbaijan, a Turkic-speaking ally that was fighting Armenian-backed
separatists over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

But Russia’s decision last month to send its forces into Georgia, an
ex-Soviet state which borders both Armenia and Turkey, has convinced
many that it is time for Ankara and Yerevan to put their differences
aside.

President Sarkisian also said that he had been invited by President
Gul to attend a return football match between the two nations in
Turkey next month.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Aznavour won’t attend Armenia-Turkey soccer game over illness
06.09.2008 13:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Renowned singer Charles Aznavour said he was glad to
know that Turkish President Abdullah Gul finally decided to pay a
visit to Armenia.

`I would be happy to be in Armenia on such an important day but
unfortunately I have some health problems. Dear Mr President, I wish
you success in your mission for the glory of the Armenian people. I am
hopeful that a meeting with Turkish President will be an advance in
bilateral relations,’ Aznavour said in his message.

Gul will be in Yerevan on Sept. 6 to attend a World Cup qualifying
soccer game between the Armenian and Turkish national teams.

Ankara broke diplomatic relations and closed the border with Armenia
in 1993 over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

AZERI LEADER, US VICE-PRESIDENT DISCUSS KARABAKH, REGIONAL SITUATION

AzTV Baku
Sept 4 2008
Azerbaijan

Azeri-US ties are developing successfully and have entered into new
areas, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said after talks with US
Vice-President Dick Cheney in Baku on 3 September.

Speaking at the meeting, which was shown on Azerbaijani’s state-owned
AzTV the same day, Aliyev said: "We are now working on the development
of diversification of energy supply. This is important not only for
consumers, but also for producers of energy resources."

Aliyev stressed the development of ties in the political, economic,
defence and security spheres and international peacekeeping
operations. The president referred to the USA’s important role in the
OSCE Minsk Group, tasked with helping to resolve the Karabakh conflict.

"The resolution of the Armenian-Azeri conflict over Nagornyy Karabakh
is very important for us. As one of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group,
the USA plays an important role in helping the two sides to find ways
to settle the conflict. The resolution of this conflict should be based
on international legal norms, as with other conflicts, on condition
that respect is shown to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
the region and all countries around the world," Aliyev added.

Aliyev noted that he discussed the situation in the region at his talks
with Cheney and expressed hope that strong partnership between the USA,
Azerbaijan and other regional countries would strengthen security,
peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

In turn, Cheney said that "the USA strongly supports Azerbaijan’s
sovereignty and territorial integrity. We support the resolution of
the Nagornyy Karabakh problem through talks based on the principle
of your country’s territorial integrity and all other international
legal norms. The resolution of the conflict today is more important
than before, because regional peace and stability and Azerbaijan’s
security depend on the resolution of this issue."

Cheney highly rated Azerbaijan’s loyalty to cooperation with
Western countries in the energy sphere and thanked Azerbaijan for
its contribution to the US-led global fight against terrorism. He
supported "the Azerbaijani people’s efforts to strengthen democracy
and supremacy of the law, to respect human rights and to… build a
modern, progressive and independent state" and expressed confidence
that Azerbaijan would serve as an example in ensuring peace and
stability in the region.

PRESIDENT SAYS ARMENIA NOT TO RECOGNIZE GEORGIAN BREAKAWAY REGIONS

Mediamax
Sept 4 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 4 September: Armenia cannot recognize the independence
of Abkhazia and South Ossetia without recognizing the independence
of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic (NKR), Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan stated.

The head of state said this on 3 September at an annual meeting of
heads of Armenian diplomatic missions abroad.

"The question whether Armenia will recognize the independence of South
Ossetia or Abkhazia has been heard recently. As with Kosovo, it’s
obvious that given the Karabakh problem Armenia cannot recognize the
independence of similar formations without recognizing the independence
of Nagornyy Karabakh," the Armenian president stressed.

At the same time, Serzh Sargsyan expressed his confidence that during
the negotiation process the Armenian side can persuade Azerbaijan
that there is no alternative to the recognition of the right of the
people of Nagornyy Karabakh to self-determination.

SON OF GEORGIA’S FIRST PRESIDENT DETAINED IN TBILISI

Itar-Tass
04.09.2008, 16.45

TBILISI, September 4 (Itar-Tass) — Georgia’s law enforcers say
they have detained son of the country’s first president, late Zviad
Gamsakhurdia, Tsotne Gamsakhurdia, on charges of spying for a foreign
power and plotting an overthrow of the constitutional bodies of power.

The Georgian Prosecutor-General’s Office opened a criminal case
against Tsotne Gamsakhurdia in November 2007.

Lawyer Keti Bekauri was allowed to see her client earlier on Thursday.

"Tsotne is well. He says he is innocent, and he dismisses all the
charges that have been brought against him," the lawyer said.

Tsotne Gamsakurdia, 32, a philologist by profession, was very critical
of the Georgian authorities’ policies lately. From the autumn of 2007
to August 2008 he was resident in Russia.

In an article in Russian journal VIP Premier published before Georgia’
s attack on South Ossetia Gamsakhurdia wrote, "In the current
conditions the main player in Georgian territory is the United States."

He quoted public statements by some US political scientists who
stressed "the importance of US presence in Eurasian Balkans (a term
coined by Zbigniew Brzezinski) for limiting and restraining Russian
influence, and now the influence of China".

By promoting Georgia’s accession to NATO, Washington, 9 Cbesides
purely military considerations, plans to influence Russia’s North
Caucasus, which has a high conflict potential due to ethnic and
religious factors," Gamsakhurdia wrote. The United States "could not
influence the fate of the region without strategic allies. Turkey
is such an ally in TransCaucasia." Thus, "it would be appropriate
to speak about a certain coincidence of geopolitical interests of a
world power and a regional power." Iran displayed growing interest
in TransCaucasia of late and it has shifted the focus of cooperation
to Armenia, specifically that in the economic sphere. "For Armenia
Iran becomes an additional factor of national security enhancement,"
Gamsakhurdia concluded.

As for West European intentions in the region, they mostly boil down
to the transit of energy resources "as a stand-by option in case
traditional cooperation with Russia and the Middle East fails."

Georgia has not developed either into an "oasis of democracy" or
into a flourishing economy, contrary to promises by foreign and
domestic politicians. According to official statistics, a fourth of
the population has emigrated and a half of those remaining live below
the poverty line.

Modern transnational energy and transportation projects failed to
provide either security or economic success to the country.

"At the current stage internationally recognized neutrality would be
the20best way out of the situation – all the interested parties would
guarantee security and development of the country," Gamsakhurdia said.

He does not rule out the possibility of "strategic partnership of
Georgia and Russia" by virtue of historic, cultural and economic
traditions.

"In difficult conditions of networked and colliding interests of
various powers the Georgian leadership is obliged to carry out
a balanced, long-sighted policy that meets the interests of the
people. In reality, it is the other way round."

ARMENIANS WAITING FOR GUL WITH OPEN ARMS

Turkish Daily News
Sept 4 2008
Turkey

While Turkey is debating what kind of reaction President Abdullah Gul
will get in Armenia when he goes to watch Saturday’s football game,
a voice rising from the other side of the Mount Ararat is quite
welcoming. ‘The Armenians are hospitable people, we have total
respect for your president,’ says the football federation chief
Ruben Hayrabedyan

As a novel occassion is approaching with the football game between
Turkey and Armenia, both countries have seemingly forgotten about
sports as all eyes are on the prospective meeting of presidents
Abdullah Gul and Serge Sarkisian.

Gul has not officially confirmed his visit to Yerevan for the World
Cup qualifying fixture, but it has been reported that he would accept
Sarkisian’s invitation to watch the game together at Hrazdan Stadium.

However, Gul will not be the only Turk watching the game at the
55,000-seat venue. The Turkish Football Federation expects 113 of their
members to be present at the game, declared the Armenian Federation
head Ruben Hayrabedyan.

Previously, it was reported that 5,000 seats were reserved for
Turkish fans. Hayrabedyan said visitors coming to Yerevan would
make an important contribution to solving the problems between the
two countries.

"We need contact to overcome problems between Turkey and Armenia,"
the federation chairman told the Turkish Daily News. "Yes, there are
painful memories of the past, but they should not be preventing the
bridges of fraternity in the future."

Saturday’s encounter has already become a diplomatic issue, surpassing
the sporting event, but the Armenian football chief tried to bring
the game back to the forefront of people’s minds.

"Football may seem to be overshadowed by the politics these days,
but that is not true," said Hayrabedyan, adding that football fans
are eagerly awaiting the match.

There are worries about serious protests against the Turkish side,
especially against Gul, and although Hayrabedyan did not deny that
protests might take place, he said they would not be aggressive.

"The Armenians are hospitable people," said Hayrabedyan. "Our people
want peace to be obtained between two countries. Our people have
complete respect towards the President Gul."

As the Armenian side played down the possibility of tensions off the
pitch, they expressed a strong belief that their national team would
give a hard time to the Euro 2008 semi-finalist Turks on the pitch.

"The Armenian team has become more and more strong recently," said
Hayrabedyan, adding that many players on the squad are playing abroad,
especially in Russian, Iranian, Romanian, Dutch and Danish clubs.

"Of course I want Armenia to win the game. But what is more important
than that, is my hope that the friendship will be the one winning in
the end."

SAVE AGEING POGOSE SCHOOL
by Durdana Ghias

The Daily Star
22
Sept 2 2008
Bangladesh

Pogose School, one of the oldest schools of Dhaka, has become a
living relic due to lack of steps to conserve the building located
near Shankharibazar.

Founded on June 12, 1848, the school was initially run at the house
of NP Pogose, a well-known Armenian at Armanitola and founder head
teacher of the school. At that time it was known as Pogose Anglo
Vernacular School.

The school was shifted for some time to a rented house of JC Panioty,
also an Armenian, before being shifted to this building.

On a visit to the school last week this correspondent found the old
school building in a shabby state. The two-storey building was standing
with the quaint features of its own in the midst of a vast field. In
the middle of the pediment the year 1848 is embossed in plaster.

The building is now used for administrative purpose only. Classes
are held in another building. The portico in front of the entrance
was crowned with battlements, a style of the colonial period.

Climbing up the wooden staircase one will find a long veranda, lined
with wooden doors, on the first floor. Entering the last door of the
veranda one will find the old cashier working at a quaint counter
with wooden banisters.

There is a fireplace in a room once used as a classroom. The old
teachers’ room has a big table and long benches with handles all
around it. It has a quaint chandelier hanging from the roof.

On the wall in front of the headmaster’s room the portrait of NP Pogose
is hung prominently. The portrait is assumed to be drawn by C Pote,
also an Armenian and teacher of the school during its early days.

Conservation Architect Dr Abu Sayeed M Ahmed said the school’s
structural design reflects the classical architectural style of the
colonial period.

"The school has arcaded veranda on the ground floor and pillared
veranda on the first floor. Wooden lattice windows were constructed
for shedding purpose," said Dr Sayeed.

Covered portico, circular pillars and triangular pediment are some
important architectural features of the building.

"The building has circular pillars with ionic shaped capitals. There
is a covered portico. Its roof was used as the veranda of the first
floor. It has a triangular pediment to highlight the central entrance,"
he said.

The central portion of the veranda on the first floor is highlighted
with three projected bays that include four columns.

"At present the outlook of the building is poor. Its surrounding is
quite barren. If trees, plants and gardens can be arranged in the
surrounding areas then the building will become more appealing and its
features will be manifested greatly to the visitors," said Dr Sayeed.

Present head teacher Zulfa Mohammed said the school has lost its past
glory as one of the best schools of Dhaka since they are not getting
good students for the last few years.

"Now we don’t get good students like we had before. Previously good
students from Shyampur and the other side of the river got admitted
to this school. That stopped after closing down the eastern gate,
which we shared with Jagannnath University," he said.

"We had to close it down due to the political clashes among students
who used to get into our compound when a fight broke. Now we have
the entrance near Shankharibazar," said Mohammed.

The school’s former students believe it is a matter of pride for them
that the school is their Alma Mater.

"I was a student of the school in 1950s. At that time it was one of
the most prestigious schools of Dhaka," renowned cartoonist Rafiqunnabi
(Ranabi), an ex-Pogosian, said.

"I loved my school a lot because of the big field in front of it,"
he said. "At that time I was not aware of the heritage value of the
building. But now I feel quite proud that I belong to this quaint
place," he said.