Author: Tigranian Ani

PanARMENIAN.Net

Pamuk to receive honorary doctorate from Berlin’s Free University
09.03.2007 12:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Nobel literature laureate Orhan Pamuk’s
German publisher said on Thursday he would visit Germany in May for a
reading tour which was planned for February but reportedly cancelled
for security reasons. "We are delighted that Orhan Pamuk is prepared
so soon already to carry out the visit cancelled on short notice in
February," Carl Hanser Publishing said. German newspapers had said the
writer called off the trip because he feared for his life after the
murder in January of ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in
Istanbul, but Pamuk did not confirm the reports. Dink is believed to
have been killed by ultra-nationalists in revenge for remarks he made
about the massacre of Armenians under the Ottoman empire, reports the
AFP.

Pamuk, the author of "Snow" and other novels mulling Turkey’s clash
between Muslim and Western culture, has angered Turkish authorities
with similar remarks. He was prosecuted for telling a Swiss magazine
that 30,000 Kurds and a million Armenians had been killed during World
War I under the Ottoman Turks, but the case was dropped on a
technicality. Pamuk’s tour of Germany will begin in Hamburg on May 2
and will also take in Berlin, Cologne, Munich and Stuttgart. He will
receive an honorary doctorate from Berlin’s Free University on May 4.

TURKISH COURT FORMALLY ARRESTS TWO FOR OPENING FIRE IN THE COURTYARD OF ARMENIAN CHURCH

AP Worldstream
Published: Mar 07, 2007

A Turkish court on Wednesday formally arrested and pressed charges
against two Turks who opened fire into the air in the courtyard of
an Armenian church in Istanbul over the weekend.

The two opened fire into the air on Sunday several hours after a
memorial service at the Church of the Virgin Mary for an ethnic
Armenian journalist who was gunned down in January.

The court formally arrested the two on charges of "firing weapons
with the aim of threatening" and carrying "unlicensed guns."

The motive for the shooting was not clear but one of the suspects
reportedly told prosecutors that he wanted to meet with the Armenian
Patriarch Mesrob II, private Dogan news agency reported.

Last month’s killing of ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in
Istanbul prompted international condemnation as well as debate within
Turkey about free speech, and whether state institutions were tolerant
of militant nationalists.

Dink was shot outside his Istanbul office on Jan. 19 and his murder
revived a debate about the law. His prosecution under Article 301
turned him into a reviled figure among radical nationalists, some of
whom were arrested in connection with his killing.

HENRI TROYAT MEURT A PLUS DE 100LIVRES ET PRèS DE 100ANS
Etienne Dumont; Caspary

24 Heures
06 mars 2007 mardi
Edition La Côte

"HOMMAGE – L’ecrivain restait "l’auteur favori des Francais". Sa
carrière avait commence en 1935.

Il ecrivait toujours debout. Henri Troyat sera aussi mort debout,
pour autant qu’on puisse risquer l’image. Le doyen des Academiciens
francais et des Prix Goncourt a tire sa reverence dimanche a 95ans,
alors que son dernier roman chez Grasset, La Traque, date de 2006,
comme sa biographie de Pasternak.

Tout semble hors normes chez ce diable d’homme, qu’on disait par
ailleurs fort courtois. D’abord sa prolixite. L’ecrivain laisse
plus de 100 volumes, souvent regroupes en cycles: Les Eygletière,
La Lumière des Justes. L’âge n’avait pas diminue la production. Au
contraire. Sentant l’urgence, l’auteur s’etait multiplie. Depuis 2000,
douze nouveautes etaient ainsi sorties de sa plume. Je dis bien "de sa
plume". S’il se faisait un peu aider pour ses recherches historiques,
Troyat redigeait lui-meme. Il se mettait au travail chaque matin,
rue de Rivoli, après l’avoir deja fait chaque matin, dans son hôtel
particulier de la rue Bonaparte.

Une Russie reelle et revee

L’autre specificite de l’ecrivain consistait dans son amour
inconditionnel de la Russie. Une Russie a la fois reelle et
imaginaire. Ne Levon Aslan Torossian, en prenant compte son origine
armenienne, ou Lev Aslanovich Tarasov si l’on prefère rappeler sa
naissance a Moscou en 1911, le futur Troyat avait bien passe son
enfance au pays des tsars, avec une gouvernante suisse pour lui
enseigner le francais. Mais il avait vite dû le fuir. Sa famille
s’etait exilee a Paris lors de la Revolution.

Toutes ses etudes, l’adolescent les fera donc en France, dont il
adoptera la nationalite. Troyat refusera toujours de revenir en Russie,
meme après la chute du communisme. "La neige est plus propre dans
mes reves. " Plus durable aussi! Entre les romans et les biographies
(Gorki, Alexandre 1er, Ivan le Terrible ), Troyat aura pu "songer"
pendant soixante ans.

La troisième particularite de Troyat, c’est l’affection que lui auront
voue non pas une, mais plusieurs generations de lecteurs. Si la presse
peut aujourd’hui rappeler qu’il restait "l’auteur favori des Francais",
ce n’est pas pour rien. Le succès sera venu très vite.

Son premier ouvrage, Faux jour, n’a-t-il pas recu le Prix du Roman
populaire en 1935 (l’auteur avait 24ans!)? Et Troyat n’est-il pas
devenu le Goncourt 1938 grâce a L’Araigne? Aux inconditionnels de la
saga Les Semailles et les moissons, vers 1955, ont ainsi pu succeder
sans mal ceux des Heritiers de l’avenir dans les annees 60 puis, deux
decennies plus tard, les amateurs de grandes biographies litteraires:
Zola, Verlaine, Tourgueniev

Populaire de qualite

Cette longevite affective, vis-a-vis d’un homme par ailleurs distant
et volontairement peu mediatique, a cependant une raison profonde.

Certains Troyat se revelaient bien sûr meilleurs que d’autres. Leur
auteur n’a pourtant jamais decu son monde. Il n’a pas connu ce lent
declin qui menace les meilleures plumes. L’homme semblait toujours egal
a lui-meme, avec sa belle clarte. Il ne connaissait ni ces effets de
style, ni cet abus de construction dramatique qui ont gâche tant de
ses contemporains. Avec lui, on etait sûr de ne pas s’ennuyer. Troyat
faisait ce qu’on appelle du "populaire de qualite".

Plus etonnant, Troyat demeurait capable de surprendre, entre deux
"vies" de ces grands Russes qui finissaient par laisser supposer
qu’il avait intimement connu Gogol ou la Grande Catherine. En 2003,
un recueil de nouvelles, L’Eternel contretemps, prouvait qu’il avait
non seulement l’habit vert, mais l’esprit assorti. Ce grand bourgeois
etait un diable d’homme!

–Boundary_(ID_/bMZwM7ls4ryMfFCifX+kw)–

RA FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH CONDOLEEZZA RICE

armradio.am
06.03.2007 10:33

March 5 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who is paying an official
visit to the United States, met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice.

During the meeting issues related to bilateral relations were
discussed. The role of the Millennium Challenge Program for the
reduction of rural poverty in Armenia was emphasized.

The interlocutors also turned to the forthcoming parliamentary
election in Armenia and stressed the importance of conducting these
in compliance with international standards.

Reference was made to regional questions, the current state of
Armenian-Turkish relations and US mediation in the direction of
normalization of these.

The parties exchanged views on the latest developments and perspectives
of the negotiations over the Karabakh conflict resolution.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
March 6, 2007

Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to India

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, the capital of
the Republic of India, on Friday, February 23, 2007.  His delegation was met
upon arrival by His Excellency Ashot Kocharian, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to India, and staff of the
Armenian Embassy in Delhi.

On the morning of Saturday, February 24, the first visit of His Holiness
during this trip was to `Rajghat Gandhi Samadi’, the state memorial in New
Delhi to Mahatma Gandhi, to pay his respects to the memory of the national
hero of India and leader of the Indian independence movement through
non-violent resistance.  His Holiness and the pontifical delegation,
accompanied by Ambassador Kocharian, were met at the entrance of the complex
by the director of the memorial, who escorted the Catholicos of All
Armenians to the cenotaph at the center of the park.  His Holiness Karekin
II placed a floral wreath on the monument to Mahatma Gandhi and offered a
prayer asking for peace in the world, brotherhood among nations and love for
one another.  Following the wreath laying ceremony, His Holiness signed the
memorial book of the monument.

The pontifical delegation and the ambassador next visited the `Akshardam’
complex in Delhi, a monument and temple of the Hindu faith.  His Holiness
was met at the entrance of the complex by a number of Hindu priests, led by
one of their most senior members, Sadhu Atmaswarupadas, a Hindu Swami. 
During the tour of the complex, His Holiness was introduced to Indian
history, culture and national traditions, in addition to examples of Hindu
architecture, art and society.  In the afternoon, the Pontiff of All
Armenians visited the National Museum of India, where he viewed examples of
ancient Indian art, including items created by followers of the Hindu and
Buddhist faiths.

On Sunday, February 25, His Holiness and the delegation traveled to the city
of Agra.  Agra was the site of the second Armenian church in India, the
Church of the Holy Martyrs (Surb Martiros), constructed in 1562.  Although
the church no longer exists, there are a number of Armenian gravestones in
the cemetery of Agra.  While in Agra, His Holiness also visited the Taj
Mahal complex and the historic Fort of Agra.

On Monday, February 26, His Holiness Karekin II and the pontifical
delegation visited the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in New Delhi.  Mr.
Haik Sookias, Jr., Chairman of the Armenian Church Committee of Calcutta and
Chinsurah had traveled to Delhi to accompany His Holiness.  The entourage of
the Armenian Pontiff was greeted at the embassy by His Excellency Ambassador
Ashot Kocharian, embassy staff with their spouses and families, and
Armenians living and studying in New Delhi.  Also present were Armenians
from the diaspora currently working in the Indian capital on the staffs of
embassies for their respective countries, including the Russian Federation,
the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Cyprus.

Ambassador Kocharian greeted His Holiness and welcomed the first visit of a
Catholicos of All Armenians to the Armenian Embassy in India.  The
ambassador thanked His Holiness for coming and honoring them with his
blessings and prayers, and noted that the visit was the best way to
celebrate the year 2007 as the 15th anniversary of Armenia establishing
diplomatic relations with India.

Mr. Sookias, speaking on behalf of the Church Committee, also welcomed His
Holiness and thanked him for the being the first Catholicos to visit India
in more than 40 years.  He spoke of the great anticipation with which the
Armenians of Kolkata (Calcutta) and all of India will be greeting their
Pontiff.  Mr. Sookias further invited all Armenians in Delhi to travel to
Calcutta and participate in the re-consecration of the Holy Trinity Armenian
Church of Tangra, which will be presided and offered by His Holiness during
the pontifical visitation.

The Catholicos of All Armenians addressed the gathered faithful and guests,
and extended his appreciation and pontifical blessings to them.  He also
offered his prayers for the brotherhood between the Armenian and Indian
peoples and friendship between the Armenian and Indian states.

Accompanying His Holiness during the pontifical visit to India are Rev. Fr.
Ktrij Devejian from the Mother See and Rev. Fr. Hovnan Hakobian as
Staff-bearer.

ARMENIAN MP: AMERICAN RADARS WILL MOST POSSIBLY BE DEPLOYED IN NAKHICHEVAN INSTEAD OF GEORGIA

Regnum, Russia
March 5 2007

The question of deploying a US radar station in Caucasus is to a
certain amount a staged surprise played by American politicians,
Member of the Armenian Parliament, Member of the Republican Party
Armen Ashotyan told a REGNUM correspondent.

Speaking of true aims of deploying a radio location system in South
Caucasus, Ashotyan divided them into three scenarios. Depending on what
the radio location system will be directed at, the question is to be
treated from the points of view of Russia, Iran and Armenia, the MP
believes. Russian officials, he continued, have already announced that
a radio location system will not put Russia’s security under threat;
so, the Russian leadership determined its position and, probably,
developed certain steps to counteract. "As for Iran, probably, a
radio location system is a kind of counteraction to possible missile
launches from Iran. But such scenario, as well, to all appearances,
can be subjected to criticism, as it is clear that at present stage
Iran has no missiles with the range of 10,000 km necessary for possible
bombardment of the United States. Maximal range of missiles, by which
the Iranian Armed Forces are equipped, is 1,500-2,000 km, and it is
clear that such talk is only concealing USA’s true aims," he said.

Ashotyan said that the true aim of deploying the RLS is a wider
coverage and control over Black Sea and Caspian Sea area, with access
to India and Middle East. "It is clear that from geographic point of
view, the Caucasian Range will prevent the RLS from working towards
Russia. The most effective deployment of the system would be in lower
parts of Caucasus, despite the fact that Georgia is mostly mentioned
in the media." "However, I think that Georgia will be far from goals
and aims posed to the radio location system: control over the Black Sea
and Caspian area with access to the Middle East and the Indian Ocean,"
Ashotyan said adding that, most probably, lower part of Azerbaijan,
the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, suits this target most.

Meanwhile, Ashotyan believes that information of US readiness to deploy
its radio location system in South Caucasus is "an information action"
aimed at examining reaction of local elites from neighboring countries
as well as countries in South Caucasus. "Till true aims are concealed,
it is hard to discuss on characteristics of the station.

As soon as the radio location system is built and directed, it will be
clear against whom it is targeted. From the technical point of view,
it is question of three-four years. And when the station is ready, one
will have more grounds to say how it will affect Armenia’s national
security and for changing the balance of powers in the regions,"
Ashotyan stressed.

DISLI: ARMENIAN RESOLUTION AIMS AT DEFAMING OUR HISTORY

The New Anatolian, Turkey
March 5 2007

Saban Disli, a member of the Turkish parliamentary delegation which is
currently in Washington D.C. so as to express Turkey’s sensitivity
regarding the Armenian resolution submitted to the U.S. House
of Representatives, said it is a black spot trying to defame the
historyof Turkey.

Disli, who is an MP of Justice and Development Party (AKP),
held a press conference in Washington D.C., together with other
parliamentarians from the delegation.

Stressing that "a large-scale struggle" was necessary on the matter,
Disli said, "this is a serious issue. It is a black spot trying
to defame our history". He also said that the delegation tried to
explain the consequences of the approval of such a resolution to the
related parties.

Disli stressed that two separate parliamentary delegations would
visit Washington D.C. within this month as a part of this struggle,
aiming to explain the views of the Turkish society on the issue to
American congressmen.

Upon a question on which measures Turkey would take in case of the
resolution’s approval and whether a resolution condemning the "Indian
genocide" would be adopted at the Turkish parliament, Disli noted,
"We do not want to consider the probability of the approval of the
resolution. We are working for a lasting solution".

Commenting of the Jewish lobby’s stance regarding the Armenian
resolution as well, Disli indicated that the representatives of the
lobby expressed that they watched the issue closely, however they
did not want to affirm which steps they would take on the matter.

Former Ombudsman of Armenia is second on Heritage’s ticket

Arminfo
2007-03-02 14:22:00

The ticket of opposition Heritage party is led by its leader, first FM
of Armenia Raffi Hovannisian, first Ombudsman of Armenia Larisa
Alaverdyan and the chairman of the party’s council Vardan Khachatryan.

The ticket was unanimously approved by the party’s council
today. Among the top ten are the widow of the vice speaker of the
Armenian parliament Yuri Bakhshyan Anahit Bakhshyan, director of the
Armenian Center for National and International Studies Stepan
Safaryan, well-known lawyer Zaruhi Postanjyan.

The ticket comprises 58 candidates.

The council confirmed that it will not run in the single-mandate
elections and will focus on the party-list elections.

PROGRESSIVE PARTY OF ARMENIA SUBMITS APPLICATION ON NOMINATION TO RA CEC

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 2, the Progressive Party of
Armenia (PPA) submitted an application on nomination by proportional
system to RA Central Electoral Commission (CEC). As Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed by CEC Spokesperson Tsovinar Khachatrian,
seven candidates are included in PPA’s preelectoral roll. It is headed
by Party Chairman Tigran Urikhanian.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Romania ready to assist in realization of Armenia-EU Action Plan
02.03.2007 13:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Romanian newly appointed Ambassador to Armenia Crina
Rodica Prunariu presented copies of her credentials to Armenian Deputy
Foreign Minister Armen Bayburtyan, the RA MFA Press Office reports. At
the meeting A. Bayburtyan underlined the importance of strengthening
relations with Romania, especially after the country became an EU
member state this January.

Alongside he stressed the importance of Romania’s experience in the
sphere of economy development. In her part, the ambassador expressed
readiness that Romania will make every effort to assist Armenia in the
process of realizing the initiatives in the framework of Action Plan
with the EU.