Author: Torosian Aram

MONTH OF ARMENIAN ART OPENS IN WASHINGTON

Noyan Tapan
Sep 7, 2007

WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Month of Armenian Art dedicated
to the 16th anniversary of the RA Independence has been opened with
a solemn ceremony in Washington, in the main annex of the World Bank
on September 5.

The Month has been organized on the initiative of the RA Embassy in
the U.S. jointly with the WB Art Program.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Press and Information Department of
the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pieces of the Armenian modern fine
arts, more than 40 sculptures and paintings of 16 Armenian creators,
are exhibited in the hall of the WB main annex within the framework
of the Armenian Art Month. Concert of Armenian medieval music was
also held in the WB concert hall on the opening day.

During the event, Tatul Margarian, the RA Ambassador to the U.S. and
Marina Galvani, the Director of the World Bank Art Program, made
opening speeches.

More than 200 guests, including high-ranking officials of the
U.S. State Department and the World Bank, WB staff members, clergymen
of the Armenian Apostolic Church in U.S., as well as representatives
of the American Armenian community were present at the opening ceremony
of the Month and at the concert.

DUDUK’S HOMELAND IS ONLY ARMENIA, JIVAN GASPARIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Sep 7, 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. RA People’s Artist, duduk player
Jivan Gasparian, also took part in the concert under the title
"Another Two Steps For World’s Peace" held on September 1 in Ankara
in connection with the World Peace Day. The Armenian musician had
received the invitation to take part in the concert from Turkey’s
Ministry of Culture.

As J. Gasparian said at the September 7 press conference, during the
concert he had performed works by Sayat-Nova, Makar Yekmalian and
Komitas, as well as a number of Armenian folk songs. Besides, the
duduk player had performed by a duet with Turkish saz player Yavuz
Bingyol. According to J. Gasparian, his performances received a warm
welcome by the Turkish spectators.

In his interview to one of Turkish TV companies J. Gasparian said
that he does not discriminate between nations and wishes everybody to
become brothers. And in response to a Turkish journalist’s question,
why Armenians consider duduk widely known in the world as their
instrument, while Turks also play that instrument, J. Gasparian said
that "duduk’s homeland is only Armenia and naturally, it is only an
Armenian instrument."

NEW ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO COST $2 BILLION

RIA Novosti
19:00 | 07/ 09/ 2007

YEREVAN, September 7 (RIA Novosti) – A new nuclear power plant (NPP)
being built in Armenia on the site of an existing facility will end
up costing about $2 billion, Armen Movsisyan, the Armenian energy
minister, told parliament Friday.

"The project’s feasibility study is being carried out by Armenia,
Russia, the U.S. and the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA]. The
old NPP is to be rebuilt within four and a half years," the minister
said.

Movsisyan said the construction of the new plant, located in the town
of Metsamor, near the Turkish border, would require a complex refit,
including the installation of seismic safeguards.

He added that Armenia must have a permanent source of nuclear power,
and that the Armenian NPP must be operational until alternative
sources are found.

Movsisyan said that thanks to the Armenian government efforts "many
foreign countries now understand that Armenia must have a NPP."

"Only a new Armenian NPP can become an alternative to the one now in
use," he said.

Specialists believe the existing Armenian NPP will remain operational
until 2016. It was commissioned in 1976, and includes one VVER-440
Soviet-designed reactor that generates 40-50% of Armenia’s electricity.

TELETHON 2007 LOGO UNVEILING RECEPTION

armradio.am
07.09.2007 13:28

Armenia Fund starts celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Armenia
Fund International Telethon – a Thanksgiving Day tradition since
Armenia’s independence. This year the 2007 Telethon season begins
with a special Logo Unveiling reception on Wednesday, September 12,
at the Alex Theatre’s Forecourt. The logo will be the face of Armenia
Fund’s 2007 International Telethon campaign.

The reception will feature a live performance by Gor Mkhitarian and his
band presenting stunning modern arrangements of traditional Armenian
folk music.

The creator of the new logo, Los Angeles based design artist, Edik
Balaian, will also be present.

Telethon 2007 will air live around the world on Thanksgiving Day,
November 22. Proceeds will benefit Armenia Fund’s newly adopted
beneficiary project – the Village Development Program. This critically
important program will revitalize Armenia’s rural regions by creating
new economic opportunities as well as building waterways, healthcare
facilities, schools and other vital infrastructure. During the Logo
Unveiling event, a surprise announcement will be made marking the
first seed money from Los Angeles for the Village Development Program.

REFRESH: AUDIENCE PLAYS ROLE IN SELECTIONS FOR FOREIGN FILM SERIES

Appleton Post Crescent
/article?AID=/20070904/APC0101/70904007/1979
Sept 4 2007
USA

What happened

Community suggestions have contributed to the fall lineup for NEW World
Cinema, a foreign film series that resumes Sunday at the University
of Wisconsin-Fox Valley in Menasha.

Badri Varma, chairman of NEW World Cinema’s organizing committee,
said audience recommendations are the impetus for showing Ireland’s
"My Left Foot" and Iran’s "Children of Heaven," two of the six films
in the upcoming series that runs through Nov. 19.

Varma said "My Left Foot," the true story of a painter and writer
who perseveres despite his struggle with cerebral palsy, is NEW World
Cinema’s contribution to Celebrating Abilities Week in early October.

"Children of Heaven," which introduces the series, is one example
of the committee’s attempts to mix dramas with more light-hearted
fare, said Jeff Kuepper, UWFV’s student activities director and a
committee member.

"We try to get a good variety of presenters because we found really
the majority of the people stay for the discussion," Kuepper said.

The committee is seeking the public’s input for a January to
May 2008 spring series. For more information, contact the Fox
Cities Rotary Multicultural Center at 920-882-4056 or e-mail
[email protected].

What’s new

The show time on scheduled days is 7 p.m., with discussion to follow
each screening in Room 1229 at UW-Fox Valley, 1478 Midway Road,
Menasha. The films have English subtitles. Tickets cost $5. Season
tickets cost $25.

Sept. 9-10: "Children of Heaven" (Iran, 1997); Rated PG. Synopsis:
After a boy loses his little sister’s shoes, the siblings decide to
share the boy’s shoes and hide the loss from their parents, who can’t
afford to replace the footwear.

Sept. 23-24: "The Sea Inside" (Spain, 2004); Rated PG-13. Synopsis:
Former Spanish sailor Ramon Sampedro, a quadriplegic for 28 years,
campaigns for the right to end his life with dignity. (Based on a
true story)

Oct. 7-8: "My Left Foot" (Ireland, 1989); Rated R. Synopsis: In
1930s working-class Dublin, Christy Brown overcomes the challenges
of cerebral palsy by learning to paint and write with his only
controllable limb, his left foot. (Based on a true story)

Oct. 21-22: "Mirch Masala" (India, 1985); Not rated. Synopsis: A
tax collector in colonial India orders a woman to sleep with him,
but she flees for safety to a spice factory, causing the community
to take sides.

Nov. 4-5: "Vodka Lemon" (Armenia, 2003); Not rated. Synopsis: A widow
and a widower in post-Soviet Armenia meet and befriend each other at
the cemetery where they both are grieving for their late spouses.

Nov. 18-19: "Bread and Tulips" (Italy/Switzerland, 2000); Rated
PG-13. Synopsis: A middle-aged, neglected housewife finds adventure
while trying to make her way home after her family deserts her during
a bus trip.

INTERNATIONAL OR DE FACTO RECOGNITION?
Naira Hayrumyan

Lragir
Sept 3 2007
Armenia

On September 2 Karabakh marked its 16th anniversary of independence.

And if in the past 15 years it was a real celebration, this year
it was marked by the bill on the recognition of the independence
proposed by the leader of the oppositionist Heritage Party Raffi
Hovannisian. Although no party has endorsed the bill, it "sparked"
debate on the priority of the international recognition or setting
down the factual independence.

"For us, independence is not an end in itself. It was the only way
of saving the country and people. We had to focus our resource and
efforts on defending the fatherland," said President Arkady Ghukasyan
in this connection. "In foreign affairs, our ultimate goal is the
international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh, and I am sure it will
take place. We must be strong in all aspects: politics, military,
economy, culture, etc.," Arkady Ghukasyan said.

According to the speaker of the Karabakh parliament Ashot Ghulyan,
we have made considerable progress on our track for independence. The
speaker said "the quality of life, the effectiveness of the army and
the creation of a more favorable climate for the activities of various
branches of power help judge about the way the country has passed."

Armenia should be the first to recognize the independence, thinks
Raffi Hovannisian and a great number of Diasporans. The fact that
Armenia has not recognized Karabakh might be the obstacle to the
countries which have no reason not to recognize NKR. Meanwhile, the
Armenian political forces think at the moment the recognition of the
independence of Karabakh by Yerevan is not expedient.

"Over the past 2-2.5 years a significant factor has emerged in the
talks. The international organizations and the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs started to acknowledge the right of Nagorno-Karabakh for
self-determination. I think this is a quite new stage for us. I
would also like to add that the PACE resolution passed in January
2005 maintains that Nagorno-Karabakh Republic may be separated from
Azerbaijan through a democratic way. I think this is an achievement.

On the whole, the talks are satisfactory for us if the international
community eventually recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. I think
it is inevitable. The problem is to bring this moment as closer as
possible," said the speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Tigran
Torosyan who had nevertheless arrived in Karabakh to celebrate the
Independence Day of NKR.

"I don’t think there are people who would not wish the recognition
of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. If it only depended
on the Republic of Armenia… The talks are underway which set their
rules. On the other hand, it’s a tradition that the Armenian parliament
is always unanimous regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It would
be desirable if the members of parliament sustained this approach. It
would enhance the role of the parliament regarding this issue,"
the speaker said. At the same time, he said every year when the
Armenian parliament adopts the budget, it recognizes the independence
of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic by providing an interstate loan to an
independent state.

As to Karabakh, it is highly skeptical towards the international
recognition of its independence. We conducted a poll in the streets of
Stepanakert to find out how important it is to people to be citizens
of an independent country.

"It makes no difference they recognize us or not. If there is no
threat and there are conditions to live. Now we are not in danger.

Who knows what will happen if they recognize the independence,"
said a shop assistant on Azatamartikneri Street.

"First Azerbaijan must recognize. If Baku rejects relations with us,
nobody’s recognition will help," said a pensioner walking in the
central part.

"It makes no difference to me, independence or part of Armenia. It’s
important that we don’t depend on Azerbaijan. I heard on TV they are
always nagging at Armenians," said a student of Artsakh State.

"I used to work for the factory, I used to get a high salary. At
that time life was not so easy but now it’s worse. I get 18 thousand
drams. What can I buy on this sum?" says a pensioner selling herbs
on the market.

"Very good. I left Baku for a provincial town, now it has become a
capital. It’s not as big as Baku but it’s a capital. There are nice
concerts, people are cultured, they talk Russian. In 1990 they wanted
us to live in a village but I told my husband no, I want to live in
the city and I don’t regret," said a refugee from Baku.

LEONID TILSH GAINS TWO SILVER MEDALS IN EUROPEAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

Noyan Tapan
Sep 3, 2007

BELGRAD, SEPTEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Leonid Tilsh represented Armenia in
the European Youth Championship of canoe rowing finished in Belgrad,
the capital of Serbia, on September 2. He took second place in 500m
and 1000m competition areas with 1-seat canoe and was awarded with
silver medals.

"JEWS PONIARD TURKEY IN BACK"

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Aug 30 2007

ISTANBUL, AUGUST 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The recognition
of the Armenian Genocide by the "Anti-Defamation League" Jewish
organization has caused a great alarm in Turkey and the local press
continues to respond to the opinions expressed with regard to this
question every day, Marmara of Istanbul reports.

In particular, the Yeni Safak daily nespaper reported on August 29
that the new position of the Jews has made Emir Gvercek very angry. The
latter is the grandson of Behic Erkin, a Turkish Ambassador, who saved
the lives of 20 thousand Jews during the World War II. Emir Gvercek
wrote how those Jews were saved in his book "The Ambassador". Currently
he is very angry with Jews and declares they turned to be ungrateful
and poniarded Turkey in the back.

HAYPOST CJSC APPEALS TO THE LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH A REQUEST TO MAKE AN INVESTIGATION

arminfo
2007-08-29 17:58:00

HayPost CJSC appealed to the Armenian law-enforcement agencies with a
request to make an investigation concerning the damage, inflicted on
the company during the last 5 years because of operation of service
vehicles.

According to the source, the company revealed serious violations of
vehicle fleet management by some employees and officials of HayPost,
supposedly involving fraud and embezzlement, and inflicting significant
losses on the company. This concerns procurement and usage of petrol,
usage of vehicles, and repairs and maintenance of vehicles. The company
applied to the law enforcement authorities to investigate the matter
and proceed accordingly.

To note, since June 2007 the company has undertaken subsequent
executive management changes, aimed at creating an image of impartial,
transparent accountable and reliable company.

To recall, on 30 November 2006 the complete block of shares of HayPost
CJSC was placed into the trust of the Dutch CJSC "Haypost Trust
Management", which belongs to the Dutch Postfinance and which was
created for the above-mentioned purposes. The agreement on management
was signed for a five-year term, with a right to prolong it for five
more years.

EXECUTOR OF TURKEY’S ECONOMIC REFORM PROGRAM NAMED NEW FOREIGN MINISTER
Suzan Fraser

AP Worldstream
Published: Aug 29, 2007

Turkey’s new foreign minister has helped lift the Turkish economy
from recession and is a strong advocate of European Union membership.

Ali Babacan, 40 _ one of the youngest ministers in the Cabinet _
succeeds Abdullah Gul, a devout Muslim who was chosen and immediately
sworn in as president Tuesday. Gul, who vowed to uphold secularism
despite skepticism from his critics, approved a Cabinet list submitted
Wednesday by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The deeply pious Babacan was the minister in charge of the economy
and, as Turkey’s chief negotiator for EU membership, worked closely
with Gul in the government’s campaign to join the 27-member group.

The minister has a difficult task ahead.

Separatist Kurdish rebels have stepped up strikes against Turkey from
hideouts in northern Iraq, and the military chief has spoken in favor
of a cross-border incursion to stamp them out.

Erdogan appears reluctant to order an invasion. But the government
has said Turkey would take any necessary steps if the United States
fails to live up to a pledge to help fight the rebels.

Turkey is also concerned by a possible referendum on incorporating
the oil-rich city of Kirkuk into the autonomous Kurdish region in
northern Iraq.

Turkey opposes the referendum, fearing it could boost Kurdish
separatists in Turkey.

Relations with the United States, a NATO ally, face a serious test
with opposition Democrats proposing a congressional resolution that
would recognize World War I-era killings of Armenians by Turks as
genocide. Turkey vigorously denies the allegation.

Turkey’s EU membership talks came to a virtual standstill late last
year when European leaders decided to partially suspend negotiations
to protest Ankara’s refusal to open its ports to trade with EU
member Cyprus.

Turkey does not recognize the government of Cyprus, which has led to
a standoff between Brussels and Ankara over the membership bid.

Babacan, who earned a business degree at Northwestern University in
the United States, also acted as steward of economic reforms that
were backed by the International Monetary Fund. The reforms helped
Turkey emerge from an economic crisis and attain an average annual
growth of 7 percent.

As the youngest minister in the outgoing Cabinet, he was affectionately
called "Bebe-can" or "Baby-can" by other ministers, according to
reports.

Babacan was born to a conservative family in Ankara in 1967. His
family ran a small business, where Babacan began working at an early
age. He finished high school and university at the top of his class
before studying in the United States.

Babacan, a founding member of Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted Justice and
Development Party, is married and has two children.