Author: Toganian Liana

KÁRIN TATOYAN REACHES FOR A NEW SOUND
Kevin Bronson

Los Angeles Times
/2008/02/12/karin-tatoyan-reaches-for-a-new-sound/
Feb 13 2008
CA

Meet Karin Tatoyan. She’s the one who started her set Monday night at
Spaceland on her knees, not so much launching into song as breaking
into an incantation. Who jammed virtually breathlessly for the first
10 minutes, teetering between hysteria and rapture. Who commanded your
attention despite the fact the faces of her otherwise nattily attired
sidemen were streaked with glitter paint. Who had you believing,
straightaway.

Think of Tatoyan as a baroque Bjork. If her haunting vocals don’t
dazzle you, her odd music will – counterposing, as it does, weird
electronics, sound effects and loops with the very organic tones of a
French horn and cello. Seeing her is like watching an Escher come to
life. Almost-mathematical repetition gives way to chaos; melodies build
and build yet resist payoff, like stairways to nowhere. On Monday, she
started one number with an innocent comment that rang fairly large:
"I’m gonna make a new sound." (It referred to a noise she was trying
to loop.)

Her opening set for the Pity Party’s residency was only the 10th live
performance for Tatoyan, a 24-year-old of Syrian-Armenian descent who
studied experimental music at Mills College. It was as distinctive
(and almost improvisational) as anything you’ll see in an L.A. club.

She has only one DIY release, "The History of Stains" EP (which
sounds a bit restrained compared to the stage show), but there are
some labels snooping around. Stay tuned.

–Boundary_(ID_r06PKUn4sUCm661mXnquvA)–

STOCK OF NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ARMENIA REPLENISHED WITH MORE THAN 52 THOUSAND ITEMS OF LITERATURE IN 2007

Noyan Tapan
Feb 12, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2007, the stock of the National
Library of Armenia (NLA) was replenished with more than 52 thousand
items of literature, including 31,119 books, as well as magazines
and other periodicals.

NT correspondent was informed by the director of the NLA Davit
Sargsian that the library stock is mainly replenished with books
sent by publishing houses, other books are purchased, exchanged,
donated. The NLA also receives books from abroad: their number made
20,900 last year, including 3 thousand books in Armenian. D. Sargsian
said that in 2007 the NLA published various books, inluding a brief
history of the National Library of Armenia and a bibliography of the
NLA publications.

In his words, the NLA should have all books, periodicals and the
press published in the Diaspora, as well as foreign literature on
Armenia published abroad. However, according to him, this problem is
a difficult one, and the library tries to solve it in cooperation with
Diasporan partners and diplomatic corps. The NLA currently cooperates
with about 100 libraries from 40 countries, centers of Armenology.

One of the most important problems of the library is to replenish
the stock of unique books. Although this section of the NLA has
received 60 items of antiquated books, today the library does not
have a complete collection of such books.

32 thousand visitors made use of 6.6 million items of literature from
the library stock in 2007.

NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS: "PRIME MINISTER CAN PROVIDE DEVELOPMENT"

Panorama.am
14:06 12/02/2008

Today "National consciousness" foundation held a meeting discussion
on "Armenian political and economic developments after presidential
elections" subject.

The representatives of the foundation said that they have examined
the social, political activities in Armenia, the challenges of the
RA and NKR security, the regional and international developments. In
the result of the examination they came to a single conclusion:
to support Serzh Sargsyan’s candidature in the forthcoming elections.

"We quite sure that the present Prime Minister could provide the steady
development in the inner political and social activities of Armenia,"
said Karen Meliksetyan, the executive director of the foundation.

Experts and politicians were also invited. Politician Garik Keryan
said that if Serzh Sargsyan is elected then the steady development
in the above mentioned aspects would continue. He said that possibly
some changes could happen if Levon Ter-Petrosyan is elected. He did
not mention more specifically what kind of changes those could be:
negative or positive ones.

IN CASE HE IS ELECTED, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE VAZGEN MANUKIAN WILL CUT DOWN THE RATE OF PROFIT TAX

Mediamax
February 11, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian presidential candidate, Leader of the
National-Democratic Union (NDU) Vazgen Manukian stated in Yerevan today
that in case he is elected, he will cut down the rate for profit tax
from the present 20% to 15%.

"We understand that in a short-term prospect this will have negative
influence on the budget proceeds, however already in a year we will
witness more intensive economic growth", Vazgen Manukian stated today,
presenting his economic program.

Mediamax reports that the candidate also noted that it is necessary to
cancel the present order of VAT collection on the border from products,
which have not been realized yet.

Answering the question on the struggle against shadow economy, Vazgen
Manukian noted that "the peculiarity of the shadow sector of Armenia,
which makes, according to certain data, up to 50% from the GDP, is
its interlocking with authority structures, and against this very
phenomenon it is necessary to struggle in the first place".

Robert Kocharyan: This would be the most civilized election in the
history of Armenia, if…

armradio.am
09.02.2008 13:55

President Robert Kocharyan held a meeting with the participation of the
Heads of the National Security Agency and Police, Attorney General,
Heads of the Departments of the National Security Agency and Police of
Yerevan and the Prosecutors of the marzes, President’s Press Office
reported.

Addressing those present, the President of Armenia said: `The
pre-election process is entering a crucial stage. Our objective is to
hold legitimate elections and your departments’ and personally your
roles are significant here.

Understandably, during the election period the domestic situation
becomes somewhat apprehensive. The candidates and the parties are
conducting a number of large-scale events. All your activities should
tone with the situation, and in this period your workload will
increase.’

Robert Kocharyan divided the main activities into two large groups. The
first group, according to the President, must include the issues
related to the activities carried out by the law enforcement agencies
in conformity with the Electoral Code. The task of the Police is to
verify the voter lists.

The second group of issues must deal with the discipline, as well as
the maintenance of the public order in general on the election day,
especially in the vicinity of the precincts. The law enforcement bodies
have to respond swiftly to all the signals related to the violation of
the Electoral Code. As of today, in the Prosecutor office a specialized
group has already been created, and the Police have established a `hot
line.’

Speaking about public order, President Kocharyan noted that during
recent large-scale events two incidents have already been registered.
He gave instructions to be more alert.

`Apparently, it is hard to imagine elections devoid of any incidents at
all anywhere in the world. However the number, scope, tension of the
incidents, as well as the ability to respond and prevent them quickly
depends on us,’ said Robert Kocharyan and added `along with these
duties you have many other important duties to attend to. They are not
suspended in the election period and demand persistent work. All this
requires much more work on your personnel’s side.

It is very important that the criminal situation in the country does
not deteriorate. No one should think that the election period could be
taken advantage of. It is also very important that any candidate or
political force does not consider turning the elections in an
uncontrollable process through some kind of provocation.

Stability is one of our most significant achievements; our success is
built on stability and with this regard there is no room for faltering.

Some candidates and political forces are trying to drag you into the
political process; sometime public accusations are sounded and
provocations are made. It is for everyone to know that the law
enforcement bodies and government structures as a whole are carrying
out their obligations in a decent, efficient and resolute manner.

In this period, all of us, including the candidates and political
forces, should be much more tolerant. When the situation is tense, when
accusations are exchanged, and when there is a candidate whose entire
campaign is a chain of provocations, the temptation to respond and
react is big. That is why it is important for us to be patient,
restrained and self-possessed, and to respond to all those attempts by
the force of law and within law.

You are acting on behalf of the State, you are wearing the uniform, and
you have ranks, therefore you should be more alert, restrained but at
the same time very resolute regarding these processes.’

ACCORDING TO DATA OF SOCIOMETER, 67% ARMENIA’S VOTERS READY TO VOTE
FOR SERGE SARGSIAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the results of 6
preelection surveys conducted by the Sociometer sociological center in
the RA regions and in Yerevan, 67% voters is ready to vote for Prime
Minister Serge Sargsian. Aharon Adibekian, center’s head, said at the
February 6 press conference. According to him, 13% voters was for Artur
Baghdasarian, the Chairman of the Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law)
party, 11% for Levon Ter-Petrosian, the first RA President, 5% for
Vahan Hovhannisian, a member of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun Bureau, 2% for
Vazgen Manukian, the Chairman of the National Democratic Union, 1% for
Artashes Geghamian, the Chairman of the National Unity party.

The total sum of the people, who are ready to vote for non-partisan
Arman Melikian, Aram Haroutiunian, the Chairman of the National Consent
party, and Tigran Karapetian, the Chairman of the People’s Party, does
not exceed 1%. According to A. Adibekian, the number of people, who
have not oriented themselves for whom to vote, made 12% respondents and
the number of those, who did not wish to say whom they prefer, 11%.

According to the results of the surveys, in Yerevan the number of S.
Sargsian’s supporters is 61%, Levon Ter-Petrosian’s 15%, A.
Baghdasarian’s 11%, V. Hovhannisian’s 8%. However, according to A.
Adibekian, in the opinion of the respondents, V. Hovhannisian is not
considered as an obvious opposition candidate. And if A. Baghdasarian
joins L. Ter-Petrosian, the votes of the latter will increase only by
4%.

The negative image of the first President among the respondents makes
38-40%, of A. Haroutiunian, T. Karapetian, and A. Melikian together
17%, of S. Sargsian 7.9%, of A. Geghamian 6%.

A. Adibekian said that 73% voters is informed about the candidates
through television. The rating of confidence of TV companies, according
to him, has increased by nearly 60%.

According to the Sociometer’s head, these figures are changeable, as
some developments are possible until the elections.

CAMPAIGN ADVERTS FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES BROADCAST ON ARMENIAN PUBLIC TV

Public TV, Armenia
Jan 31 2008

The television showed the leader of the National Democratic Union
and presidential candidate, Vazgen Manukyan, holding a meeting with
young people. Manukyan called on the youth to be "free", "not to be
anyone’s prisoner" and "not to create idols for themselves".

Armenian Public TV also showed the presidential candidate Aram
Harutyunyan, the leader of the National Solidarity Party, speaking
on the need to adopt a law on opposition, which will document the
rights of the opposition. Harutyunyan called on Armenian citizens to
vote for him because he "will be not just a president for everyone,
but also for each person".

The television showed the former Armenian president and presidential
candidate, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, holding his election campaign in
Gegharkunik Region of Armenia on 30 January. Ter-Petrosyan was shown
commenting on Armenian President Robert Kocharyan’s recent statements
that Ter-Petrosyan is going to establish "brotherly" relations with
Azerbaijan. Ter-Petrosyan said that establishing good neighbourly
relations with Azerbaijan does not mean having brotherly relations.

"Our task is to document Nagornyy Karabakh’s free Armenian existence
in an international agreement, to guarantee its security, to guarantee
its freedom, to ensure its economic development and prosperity and to
normalize our relations with all our neighbours," Ter-Petrosyan said.

Then the television showed the election advert for the presidential
candidate and former foreign minister of Azerbaijan’s breakaway region
of Nagornyy Karabakh, Arman Melikyan. The advert showed an Armenian
citizen, Eranuhi Husyan, speaking about Armenian women following the
tradition of obeying their husbands and establishing happy families.

After that, the television showed the election advert for the leader
of the National Unity Party and presidential candidate, Artashes
Geghamyan. The advert included archive footage of Geghamyan’s speech
at a news conference saying that the Armenian Pan-National Movement,
which ruled the country from 1991 to 1998, organized provocations
regarding the murders of six people in May 1990 in Yerevan. The advert
included archive footage of the 1990 events.

The television also showed the election advert for the Armenian prime
minister and leader of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, Serzh
Sargsyan. Armenian singer Shushan Petrosyan was shown saying that she
will vote for Sargsyan. Sargsyan was shown speaking at his election
rally in the town of Ashtarak on 30 January. He called on people to
vote for him in the presidential elections, the same way they voted
for the Republican Party of Armenia in the parliamentary elections
in 2007. The advert showed people in the street saying that they will
vote for Sargsyan.

Public TV also showed the leader of the Orinats Yerkir (Law-Governed
Country) Party and presidential candidate, Artur Baghdasaryan, who
spoke about the provisions of his election manifesto: freedom and
peace, justice, safety and security of citizens and the country,
active employment policy, the struggle against corruption, decent
salaries and pensions, education and health. The advert also showed
several people who spoke in favour of Baghdasaryan.

After that, the presidential candidate from the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation – Dashnaktsutyun and Armenian deputy parliament speaker,
Vahan Hovhannisyan, was shown speaking at a news conference and saying
that the number of agreements, which Dashnaktsutyun has started signing
with citizens ahead of the election campaign to secure their support
for Dashnaktsutyun, has exceeded 170,000.

Hovhannisyan said that he will make it into the second round of the
elections and will not support any candidate in the second round
of elections, denying reports that Dashnaktsutyun will support the
ruling authorities in the second round of the presidential elections.

Hovhannisyan called on citizens to defend their right to secret ballot.

At the end, the leader of the People’s Party and owner of ALM Holding
and presidential candidate, Tigran Karapetyan, was shown visiting rural
communities in Armenia. Video showed people saying that Karapetyan
is the only person who was with the people even before the election
campaign.

GERMAN GOVERNMENT ISSUES ~@150MLN SOFT CREDITS, GRANTS TO ARMENIA IN 1995-2007

ARKA News Agency
Feb 5 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, February 5. /ARKA/. In 1995-2007, the German Government
issued ~@150mln soft credits and grants to Armenia by means of the
German KfW bank for the implementation of various development programs.

The press service of the RA Ministry of Finance and Economy reports
that, at his meeting with RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan
Khachatryan, Vice-President of the KfW bank group for Europe and the
Caucasus Ronald Ziller.

According to Ziller, bilateral financial cooperation is focused on
the energy, water supply, encouragement of the financial and private
sectors, as well as on public health and ecology. Ziller also pointed
out that the KfW is also involved in the formation of the Procredit
global banking network, and one of the banks is to be opened in
Armenia on February 5.

Minister Khachatryan expressed his satisfaction with the KfW bank’s
activities in Armenia. "Since 1995, the bank has been a reliable
partner, and with its effective assistance we managed to implement a
number of programs of enhancing the energy security and consolidating
infrastructures of the country," the Minister said.

The sides also discussed the results of the bank-funded programs
and exchanged views on the new potential for expanding bilateral
cooperation.

The German KfW bank has been rendering assistance to Armenia in
implementing financial cooperation programs since 1995. In 1998, the
bank opened its representative office in Armenia. The bank focuses
its activities on energy, water supply, as well as the development of
the country’s financial and private sectors. The bank has allocated
some ~@200mln for the implementation of the programs.

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
February 2, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SENATOR McCAIN SHARES VIEWS WITH ARMENIAN AMERICAN VOTERS

— Letter to ANCA Condemns Murder of as Many as One and a Half
Million Armenians; Falls Short of Armenian Genocide Recognition

— Romney Campaign Shares prior Gubernatorial proclamations on
Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON, DC – Republican Presidential hopeful John McCain, in a
letter sent today to the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA), reached out to Armenian American voters by outlining his
views on issues of special concern to the Armenian American
community.

The Arizona Senator’s letter, while notably falling short of
properly characterizing the Armenian Genocide, condemns the "the
brutal murder of as many as one and a half million Armenians under
the rule of the Ottoman Empire," and praises the Armenian American
community for "ensuring that one of the greatest tragedies of the
20th century is never forgotten." The longtime legislator and
Vietnam War veteran wrote that:

"It is fair to say that this tragedy, the brutal murder of as many
as one and a half million Armenians under the rule of the Ottoman
Empire, has also been one of the most neglected. The suffering
endured by the Armenian people during that period represented the
prologue to what has come to be known as humanity’s bloodiest
century."

Senator McCain described "the rise of independent Armenia from such
painful experiences" as "extremely inspirational," and praised "the
vibrancy of the Armenian diaspora." He went on to express his deep
admiration for "both Armenia’s support of coalition operations in
Iraq and NATO peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, as well as the
Armenian-American community’s great contributions to our nation.
In my visits to Armenia, I have been deeply impressed by the
tremendous progress made in very difficult circumstances." He
closed his letter by expressing that he "greatly appreciate[s] this
opportunity and look forward to working with the Armenian-American
community in my campaign and as the next President of the United
States."

As a Senator, John McCain has opposed the Armenian Genocide
Resolution and has not generally been proactive in supporting other
elements of the Armenian American legislative agenda. At a town
hall meeting in New Hampshire on Sunday, January 6, 2008 Senator
McCain was reported to have answered a question on the Armenian
Genocide by noting that he recognizes the Armenian Genocide, but
opposes the Armenian Genocide Resolution due to the Turkish
government’s sensitivities. In correspondence with Arizona
constituents he wrote, in October of 2007, that, "Condemning modern
Turkey for the acts of the Ottoman Empire would serve only to harm
relations with the Turkish people while injecting the Congress into
the sensitive role of historian of a period clearly preceding the
births of all but a very few congressmen. That is not a
development I wish to help facilitate."

In 1989, Senator McCain introduced legislation supporting a
peaceful and fair settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict and
later supported Section 907 and the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act.
In 1999, however, he voted against maintaining Section 907.

In February of 2000, Senator McCain wrote, in an earlier campaign
letter to the ANCA, that he condemned "the systematic murder of as
many as one and a half million Armenians," and welcomed "Armenia’s
emergence as an independent nation and its growth as a democracy."
He also discussed his 1997 visit to Armenia, during which he "was
fortunate to witness . . . the gains that country has made since it
achieved independence from the former Soviet Union," and noted his
"sincere desire to continue to forge the closest relations between
Armenia and the United States."

The Romney for President campaign has shared with the ANCA copies
of proclamations made by Gov. Romney during his tenure as
Massachusetts governor. While the first three statements during
his four years in office properly described the Armenian Genocide
as genocide, his fourth and final statement refrained from using
the accurate terminology. To date, the Romney for President
campaign has not issued any statement on issues of concern to the
Armenian American community.

The McCain campaign can be contacted at the following coordinates:
John McCain 2008
P.O. Box 16118
Arlington, VA 22215
Tel: 703-418-2008
Website:

The full text of Senator McCain’s letter is provided below.

The Romney campaign can be contacted at the following coordinates:

Romney for President
P.O. Box 55899
Boston, MA 02205-5899
Phone: (857) 288-6400

As always, the ANCA welcomes feedback on its service to the
Armenian American community. Please forward your thoughts and
suggestions about the 2008 Presidential election by email to
[email protected].

#####

February 1, 2008

Aram Hamparian
Executive Director
Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Thank you for contacting me regarding my views on issues of special
concern to the Armenian-American community – a community which has
contributed richly to the American fabric and has been instrumental
in ensuring that one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century
is never forgotten.

It is fair to say that this tragedy, the brutal murder of as many
as one and a half million Armenians under the rule of the Ottoman
Empire, has also been one of the most neglected. The suffering
endured by the Armenian people during that period represented the
prologue to what has come to be known as humanity’s bloodiest
century.

Therefore, the rise of independent Armenia from such painful
experiences is extremely inspirational, as is the vibrancy of the
Armenian diaspora. In particular, I deeply admire both Armenia’s
support of coalition operations in Iraq and NATO peacekeeping
efforts in Kosovo, as well as the Armenian-American community’s
great contributions to our nation. In my visits to Armenia, I have
been deeply impressed by the tremendous progress made in very
difficult circumstances.

I greatly appreciate this opportunity and look forward to working
with the Armenian-American community in my campaign and as the next
President of the United States.

Sincerely,

John McCain

DASHNAKTSUTYUN’S GAME IS DISHONEST

Lragir
Jan 31 2008
Armenia

The deputy leader of the Republican Party Galust Sahakyan stated
January 31 at the Azdak Club it is absurd that the ARF Dashnaktsutyun
which has put up a presidential candidate is not criticizing the
force which had closed down Dashnaktsutyun several years ago but is
criticizing the government.

"They do not try the government which discredited them but they
say we did everything social, we developed agriculture, health
would have been very good but we did not manage. This is the game
Dashnaktsutyun plays which I think is not honest," Galust Sahakyan
says. He refuted the information that they expect the endorsement of
the ARF Dashnaktsutyun in the second round of the election.

"There is no such consideration because we have not discussed the
second round," Galust Sahakyan says.

The reporters asked whether it means that after victory in the
presidential election the Republican Party will review Dashnaktsutyun’s
share of government, and will reduce it.

"First of all we do not reduce but the political situation dictates.

The track will be chosen which will reinforce stability in the
country. But for the principle, since 1999 the political forces which
people trusted and voted for, we collaborated with them, either by
agreements or a coalition. Therefore, it does not matter whether it
will be Dashnaktsutyun or other, we cannot find it out yet.

Naturally, today Serge Sargsyan is the first, Arthur Baghdasaryan
is the second, Geghamyan is the third. This is it. This is not a
forecast. This is the result of statistics, polls, and our analyses.

The second and third places are of great value, people are fighting
for them. Therefore, I do not think that now we must be considering
what position each will get. It depends on the political situation.

The political situation was such, and for the sake of more stability we
set up a coalition with the Orinats Yerkir Party. It should be viewed
in the light of the political situation rather than party interests,"
Galust Sahakyan says.