Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

TRABZON IN AN UPROAR OVER LIGHTHOUSE IN THE FORM OF A CROSS

AsiaNews.it
July 24 2008
Italy

The building is part of a commercial complex reminiscent of the
sea. The design wounds "the sensibilities" of the city where the
assassination of Fr Santoro was carried out, and that of Dink planned.

Istanbul (AsiaNews) – Sadly famous for being the site of the
assassination of the Italian priest Andrea Santoro (in 2006), and where
the killing of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was planned (last year),
the Turkish city of Trabzon is in an uproar over a commercial center,
the structure of which – inspired by the sea – includes a lighthouse
(in the photo) in the shape of a cross.

In reporting on the affair, the Turkish Daily News emphasizes the
"emotions" of the city’s inhabitants toward Christianity, because
of events in the past. The stumbling block is the "Trabzon Forum",
a commercial center inaugurated in the presence of prime minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In the city, on the Black Sea, the imposing
structure is made to evoke a wave with a lighthouse beside it. This
was built with two balconies to allow visitors to admire the view. But
that makes it look like a cross.

And controversy has broken out. The architect, Levent Eyuboglu,
calls it a "misunderstanding", and even the director of the local
Karadeniz newspaper, Erhan Esaspehlivan, says that the people react
against anything that denigrates their own religion. "Islam is a noble
religion, and cannot be denigrated by little things like these. But
if you come and build a cross in the city center, we can’t overlook
it". On the other hand, a commentator for the same newspaper, Gursel
Colakoglu, says the matter has been blown out of proportion, in an
especially "sensitive" city.

Apart from the controversy, the people are convinced that the city
is in need of investment, like the new commercial center.

SITUATION IN ARMENIA CONTAINS ELEMENTS OF PUBLIC CRISIS

ArmInfo
2008-07-23 17:00:00

The situation in Armenia contains elements of public crisis,
representative of Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktiutyun
supreme Body, Armen Rustamyan, said today.

‘The first reason of such a situation is that the ill-timed resolving
of the accumulated problems led to unsatisfactory development rates
of the country in the main directions – democracy establishment,
legal state building and social problems resolving’, – Rustamyan
said. He also added that ARFD has a task to promote raising of the
development rates of the country by means of its programmes. He also
said that the post-election tension in Armenia is the second reason
of the public crisis.

‘Serious discussion was held in this context and temporary commission
of the National Assembly to investigate the 1-2 March events should
do everything possible to make its conclusions acceptable for the
community and raise trust in its activity’, – he said.

‘There is such a situation in Armenia at present when we should
simultaneously make democratic reforms as well as ensure national
security and political stability’, – Rustamyan concluded.

GOLDEN APRICOT’S EXPECTED AWARDS AND THE "MERMAID’S" IMAGINARY WORLD

AZG Armenian Daily
23/07/2008

Culture

During the seven days of the Golden Apricot film festival Yerevan
became the crossroads of cultures. French film director Cathrein
Breya presented to the Armenian public the uttermost of feminine
attractiveness and Serbian Director Goran Paskalevich remained
faithful to his motto: never to betray the principles and show real
human feelings in the films.

On July 19 took place the closure ceremony of the festival and
the distribution of the awards. The grand prix was awarded to Anna
Melikian’s "Mermaid". Alice, the hero of the film, lives on the shore
of the sea. She is able to make wishes come true. Once in Moscow
he meets a stranger, who wore a cross with the "Save and Protect"
inscription. That moment changed her life.

Two special awards went to the "Wonderful City" by Aditya Asarat
(Thailand) and the "Lemon Tree" by Eran Ricklies (Israel).

The Silver Apricot was awarded to Indian film "Laqshmeen and Me",
which tells about a woman working 12 hours a day and facing abuse
and violence all the time.

The main awards in the Armenian Panorama contest were given to Arik
Nazarian’s "The Blue Hour", Diana Mkrtchian’s "Gatha" and Mariam
Ohanian’s "Watery Novels". Turk director Huseyn Karabey’s "My Marlon
and Brando" was awarded a special prize. Special award "The Taler of
Parajanov" went to Wim Wenders, Germany, and Darioush Mehrjouee, Iran.

SERZH SARGSYAN: POSSIBLE VISIT OF TURKEY’S PRESIDENT TO ARMENIA MAY POSITIVELY AFFECT DISCUSSION OF ISSUES CONCERNING TWO COUNTRIES’ PUBLIC

ArmInfo
2008-07-21 15:29:00

Possible visit of the Turkish president to Armenia may positively
affect discussion of the issues which concern the two countries’
public, RA President Serzh Sargsyan said at today’s press-conference
dedicated to summing-up of the first 100 days of his presidency.

As S. Sargsyan said, when the matter concerns a neighbouring country,
one should not talk of the terms ‘but wait as much as required’. He
added that healthy discussion of the existing problems is already
marked both in Turkey and Armenia. Commenting on the fact of meeting of
the Armenian and Turkish diplomats, the president said that contacts
among the officials have never stopped, and there is nothing strange
that representatives of Armenia met their Turkish counterparts in
Switzerland. He emphasized that both Armenia and Turkey will only
win having established the relations.

PAN ARMENIAN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CENTER HELD CONGRESS

Panorama.am
15:27 19/07/2008

Today the congress of Pan Armenian International Youth Center has been
conducted. The Minister of Defense, the Consultant of the President
and representatives of Armenian show business have been present at
the congress. To the question of Panorama.am whether they were members
of the center they answered that they were invited to take part.

The Chairman of the center Andranik Nikoghosyan made a speech and
presented the story of establishing the center and its activities. The
center has been established after the presidential elections and
considering those 100 days of their foundation the members of the
center had meetings with the Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians,
the President of NKR and other high ranking officials.

The Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said that the future of the country
is in the hands of youth and looking at the representatives of young
generation he said he is sure Armenian will have bright future.

LABORATORIES TO CHECK QUALITY AND TYPE OF SEEDS

Panorama.am
16:56 17/07/2008

The Ministry of Agriculture fulfills a project of developing barley
and wheat planting. The objective of the project is to develop planting
of barley and wheat and to get such level that seeds are not imported
from foreign countries, said Samvel Avetisyan, the deputy minister
of agriculture.

According to the deputy minister the very first steps are already
done as seeds are being produced in different scientific centers of
Armenia. After that the farmers should be trained to take care of
the seeds and get rich harvest.

According to Avetisyan the seeds which are imported in these years
have bad quality very often. To handle the problem special laboratories
should be established to check the quality and type of those seeds.

ARMAN BABAJANIAN WILL NOT BE RELEASED

A1+
18 July, 2008

On July 18 over thirty Armenian citizens crowded near the
Penitentiary Department of the RoA Ministry of Justice with posters,
"Freedom of Speech," "Free Armenia," "Free Political Prisoner Arman
Babajanian." Meanwhile the Interdepartmental Independent Commission
on pre-term release was considering the preterm release of Arman
Babajanian, editor-in-chief of Zhamanak Yerevan daily. The application
on Babajanian’s pre-term release had been submitted to the Commission
by the administration of the penitentiary institution.

The commission features representatives of the President’s Personnel,
Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office, Police, Advocates’ Chamber,
penitentiary institutions and a psychologist.

After the closed sitting member of the Advocates’ Chamber Georgy
Gyulkhanian told "Zharangutiun" MP Zaruhi Postanjian that five out
of the six members had voted against Babajanian’s release.

"Most likely, only the representative of the Ombudsman’s Office
voted for Babajanian’s release as the Office had announced its stance
beforehand," said Zaruhi Postanjian.

"Shame on you!" shouted the protesters the moment the commission
members were leaving the building.

"Is Babajanian a real criminal? There are two criminals in this
country-Serzh Sarkissian and Robert Kocharian. Why don’t you imprison
them?" wondered a woman-protester.

Babajanian’s mother called at that moment to learn the commission’s
decision.

"We can appeal the decision at the Constitutional Court and we are
going to," Zaruhi Postanjian tried to console the woman.

Reminder, Arman Babajanian was sentenced to a 3.5 years of
imprisonment. He was charged with an evasion of compulsory military
service. The previous two applications on Babajanian’s pre-term
release were turned down.

ARAZ MAMEDOV: "CULTURE IN AZERBAIJAN IS NOT ONLY ON THE LOW LEVEL, BUT ALSO DEGRADING"

Today.Az
July 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Araz Mamedov, producer of the Night of the Ad
Eaters in Azerbaijan and founder of Flexible Solutions company.

– As is known, the next festival of the Night of the Ad Easters,
whose official producer in Azerbaijan is you, will be held in Baku
in late this year. Which country is the world fashion-maker in the
world of ad production?

– Thanks for an interesting question. Frankly speaking, I find
it difficult to give an exact answer. Advertising is a product of
consumer culture. The higher the consumer culture is, the higher the
demand of ads. On the other hand, economic development and economic
freedom of any country influence the development of advertising both
as an art and an industry, as advertising is one of the main tools
in the competitive struggle of market participants.

I think there are several centers, conditioning ads development. One
of them is, undoubtedly, the United States, where there is the most
developed consumption society, free market and developed film industry.

The second center is Europe or the EU countries. Among the EU countries
I would especially single out Netherlands, Great Britain and France.

The third center is Chine and India. I would not draw a line between
these countries, advertising of these countries has national features,
but at the same time assimilates the best characteristics of global
advertising.

The forth center of visual ads are the Latin American countries. I
would like to single out Mexico and Brazil here. So, advertising is
best developing and make laws in the economic centers of the world.

– Which ads are of especial demand in the world?

– Advertising can be commercial and noncommercial (social). Today
special accent is made on social advertising. There are social problems
in the world and in each country and social advertising is an effective
method of reminding of them and mobilizing public forces for their
settlement. Thus, I think this advertising segment has not exhausted
its potential and social problems in the world have a tendency to
grow. Therefore, I think such advertising would be of special demand.

– How do you assess quality of Azerbaijan produced ads?

– Let’s assess it together. Not on bare words but reasonably. Let’s
start with the level of consumer culture, which is a part of social
culture. Social culture is not only on a low level, but it is rapidly
degrading. This is promoted by many factors but the key ones are low
quality of education and pop-message brain washing via mass media.

Another element, influencing advertising development is free and
competitive market. Here, something is also out of order. I will not
speak of problems of monopoly. But in the context of the discussed
question, if exactly, the quality and level of our advertising, it is
a crucial factor. Therefore, we have great many of ads of festivity
houses and banks, as there is competition in these two sectors,
which breeds the need for advertising.

The third factor is a production base. Where and who in Azerbaijan
can make a high quality audio-visual product? There are no schools
and no specialists and no work is carried out in this direction.

Azerbaijani advertising reminds me of Azerbaijani football, which
consists of legionaries and local ones do not comply with the world
level.

– Yes, the picture is pessimistic. Let’s be optimistic and ask:
what can become a smash brand of Azerbaijan via advertising, which
would raise the inflow of tourists, willing to see this "Eighth
world wonder"?

– I am not an expert in the sphere of advertising, but I think tourists
should be attracting with something unusual. It is now difficult to
cause admiration of a rich tourist, but nevertgeless, in our case
this task is possible to fulfill. Thus, our "friendly" neighbors
offer the tourists follow the way of Noah and taste ancient Armenian
fruit-apricot and the logotype of their tourist is pomegranate. At
the same time the video materials of Armenia advertising is filled
with ancient Albanian temples. Why not use the same brand and attract
tourists from Europe and America, who would be happy to spend their
dollars to touch Gemi Gaya? On the whole, among artifacts, related
to Noah, there are only two Ararat mountain and Gemi-Gaya, which were
hit by Noah’s ark and both bear no relationshup for Armenia.

But this requires huge work, restoration of infrastructure and
logistics and only then invitation of foreign guests. For example,
I have an American friend, whose hobby is such an extremal sport as
kite-serving. He states that there is the best combination of wind
force and wave height in Azerbaijan. He visits Khizi region with
foreign friends once a week to spend time on his favorite sport. Why
not use it for attracting tourists-extremals?

– It is a reasonable question. Which goods and services can Azerbaijan
promote to the markets of Near and Far abroad countries via correct
advertising?

– It is a good question, but it is a sphere of foreign economic
policy. We have much to offer, for example, black caviar, pomogranate
juice or fig jam. Though, only oil and gas are priority now, while
agriculture and local production are not able to meet even the internal
needs. Thus, let’s return to this issue when we have no oil.

– Good answer, a diplomatic one. Do you think professional advertising,
plus professional PR campaign, will improve the image of the country?

– Sure. Only professional, coordinated and purposeful with application
of due medias and communication channels. If advertising or PR do
not comply with an exact plan, it is not worthy of spending money,
as it will be senseless.

– And the resuming question: are the local ministries and departments,
responsible for creation of the positive image of Azerbaijan in
the world and for creation of conditions for raising the number of
tourists in the country, aware of the importance of such works?

– Do we have a ministry or a state committee on agitation or
propaganda? Each ministry or department settles its problems in this
sphere independently and not the best way, therefore, it is possible
in Azerbaijan to come across a billboard, which reads "Good way"
or a booklet in English, full of grammar mistakes and nonsense.

ANCA EASTERN REGION ENCOURAGING VOTER REGISTRATION FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION

DE FACTO
2008-07-16 17:34:00

With the 55th Presidential and 111th Congressional elections quickly
approaching this November, the Armenian National Committee of America,
Eastern Region (ANCA-ER), is working to promote voter registration
outreach, and online and in-person education to help strengthen
Armenian American voices on issues of concern to the community.

"Armenian Americans can play a powerful part in making their vote
count.

With regular participation in local and national elections, the
strength and voice behind the Armenian cause can only continue to
grow," commented Ani Hagopian, outreach coordinator for the Armenian
National Committee of America, Eastern Region.

Encompassing thirty-three states, the ANCA Eastern Region embodies a
significant number of Armenian Americans and draws attention towards
efforts being made to enhance the Armenian voice. Zori Eurdekian,
2008 ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern, recently sent out ANCA congressional
questionnaires to hundreds of potential congressional candidates and
incumbents in hopes of establishing a strong database to demonstrate
how each candidate stands on issues important to the Armenian American
community. The ANCA questionnaire is a tool for activists that allow
each community to help determine ANCA endorsements and support for
particular races.

Drawing attention to Armenian Genocide recognition, foreign aid
to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, and the genocide in Darfur, the
questionnaire responses are shared with ANCA activists and will be
available through the ANCA website this coming fall.

Sources indicate the 2008 presidential and congressional elections
are said to be the election in which technology will play the biggest
role yet.

Knowing the importance of the Internet in this election, the ANCA
provided opportunities on its website for people to register to vote,
allow access to past meetings and events activists have had with
representatives and senators, and even review Congressional "Report
Cards" of their human rights and Armenian related activity over the
last two years.

"First time voters will be an imperative part of this election; we
want to make sure that they know they have the opportunity to learn
where candidates stand on important issues and be able to have the
ability to register to vote at their fingertips," Hagopian says.

In addition to Internet accessibility, the ANCA will also have tables
set up at the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) 75th Annual Senior
Olympics, which takes place in Detroit, Michigan from August 30 to
September 2, 2008.

CONSTRUCTION 2008 4th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS HELD IN TSAKHKADZOR

5576

TSAKHKADZOR, JULY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Construction 2008 4th
International Congress was held on July 11-14 in Tsakhkadzor with the
participation of 120 representatives of 70 companies of Armenia,
Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, and Turkey, unions and state sector
structures.

Norayr Nazinian, the Director of the Master Center for International
Integration Support, the congress organizer, said before the opening of
the event’s July 12 first plenary sitting, that the RA Ministry of
Urban Development, the official sponsor of Construction 2008, on the
very eve of congress opening refused to present a report without any
explanations.

At the beginning of the sitting Arevik Avanesova, Master’s Deputy
Director, presented the statistical data characterizing the advance
rates of construction sphere development. Gurgen Minasian, the
Executive Director of the Union of Builders of Armenia, the official
sponsor of the congress, presented the greeting speech of Union
Chairman Gagik Galstian. Ashot Baghdasarian, the Chairman of the Union
of Designers of Armenia, another sponsor, presented the situation in
the sphere of design due to the lack of legislation in the sphere.

Ashot Muradian, the Head of the Real Estate Land Survey State Committee
Staff attached to the RA government, said in his speech that the
structure keeps in the focus of its attention simplification of the
state registration system of newly built entities. Arsen Abrahamian,
the Deputy Director General of Artsakh Investment Fund, presented
apartment construction programs implemented with use of mortgage
financing mechanisms in NKR. And Hamlet Hakobian, the Chairman of the
Ecoperlit company, touched upon the problems of buildings’ heat
protection sphere and the necessity of fulfilment of the proper norms.

Then Construction 2008 continued with two round tables. The subject of
the first of them was "the role of construction companies’ modern
production, meterial-technical bases in branch’s development," of the
other "the main problems of raising the quality of construction
production and ways of their solution." The presentations of
Eurostan-Uyut, Polyplast Novomoskovsk, and Makon companies concluded
that day’s schedule of the congress.

Section sittings, as well as round tables on the subject "the main
problems of environment designing" and "urban development programs:
issues of stating value of real estate on newly-built buildings’
market" were held on July 13.

It should be mentioned that the official sponsor of the Construction
2008 4th International Congress was also the Republican Union of
Employers of Armenia.