US EMBASSY THANKS ARMENIA FOR HUMANITARIAN AID
A1+ website
12 Sep 05
The US embassy [to Armenia] has expressed its heartfelt gratitude to
Armenia on behalf of the US people and the government for humanitarian
aid provided by the Armenian government for clearing the aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina.
The US people are deeply touched and are grateful for the generous
offer of the Armenian government, other world countries, individuals
and organizations.
Armenia Now, Armenia
Sept 9 2005
Praise in Paris: `Mels’ and Duryan find success in repeat performance
By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Yerevan native playwright Narek Duryan’s play `Thank You, God’ is
enjoying a repeat performance in Paris, at the De Jazet Theater.
The actor takes on many personalities
The play was so successful during a month-long run in June, that the
board of directors of the 700-seat theater in Bastille Square invited
Duryan back, where he is again the featured attraction this month.
`Stepping into this theater is a big success, for this theater is
among the ten most important and authoritative theaters in Paris,’
says actor and director Duryan, son of the popular conductor Ohan
Duryan. `If we take into account that 480 performances are played in
Paris every day, 30 percent of which have a life of only a day, than
one can imagine how difficult it is to attract attention.’
The character created and embodied by Duryan carries elements of
self-biography, of a man named Mels who has passed through a
socialist regime and is enjoying a European democracy trying to
realize what freedom is.
The hero’s name is comprised from the quartet of socialist stalwarts
– Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin.
Fed up with the ways of the Soviet Union, Mels crosses the state
border and finds home in the capital of democratic France. His bright
hopes fade, but he seems to succeed in everything (although his
marriage to a French woman turns out to not be a happy one).
`In this performance I study the question of personal freedom and
what is freedom,’ the play’s creator says. `It is a relative
phenomenon. When was I more free, when I could not travel, for I was
in a prison called Soviet country, but traveled around the world in
my mind, or now, when I can go wherever I want, but I don’t have
money? This is also a kind of imprisonment, a jail.’
Gradually developing the plot Mels tells about the way he has passed;
he was born in Armenia, had his military service in Siberia, opening
Siberia to the audience in a humorous manner: `It’s strange but I
remember with nostalgia our Soviet routine life, we had bread and
cheese, we were happy, it was a prison but we rebelled and were drawn
to Siberia. Which one is better? In dictatorship you cannot speak for
everyone listens to what you say, and in democracy speak as much as
you wish, no one listens to you.’
During `independence’, Mels ends up selling his valued possessions in
Yerevan’s vernisage bazaar; he puts his father’s military coat for
sale, medals he has won at the expense of his blood: `Everything is
shown by means of humor and anecdotes, but it hurts, for he sells a
whole history,’ says Duryan.
The author purposefully presents his hero in three societies – in
dictatorship, in wild capitalism and democracy. And the alterations
of the human type according to the type of the society become obvious
when Mels says to himself in total freedom: `I saw dictatorship and
freedom and now I understand a simple thing: freedom is measured by
the largeness of one’s cage’.
The French press have taken notice of Duryan
The French press and the cultural programs at the TF1 TV Company have
covered the Armenian’s performance. Elle a Paris writes: `With a
great portion of sense of humor and deep observation Narek Duryan
opened the closed curtains of the Soviets before us.’ And the Paris
Capitale says the performance `created a big revolution in the De
Jazet Theater for French audience’.
The artist, who has lived in Paris for the past 25 years, says he
wonders when Armenia itself will open up the borders of its own
freedom and cage together with Mels.
Audiences in Paris have been about 20 percent Diaspora. (Duryan hopes
to bring the performance to Armenia, but doesn’t know when.)
The Armenian audience is acquainted with Duryan’s art through several
performances – the musical `Don Quixote’ by Servantes-Bulgakov,
`Operation Nemesis’ historical-documentary performance staged
together with `Bohem’ theatrical group in the Theater of Young
Audience.
The `Bohem’ that has a rich experience of 15 years is the only
professional, stable, constantly theatrical group acting abroad, who
has never interrupted its activities and has traveled to European
countries, the USA, Canada, Egypt and oriental countries for many
times.
`Although it is 25 years already that I live in Paris, I always
considered myself a man from Yerevan, I haven’t changed even my
language; for me the acknowledgement of the audience here (Yerevan)
is very important and I think I will get it soon,’ says Duryan.
Pan Armenian News
ELECTRICITY EXPORT FROM ARMENIA TO GEORGIA TO RESUME
10.09.2005 05:25
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ TELASI Tbilisi electric power distribution company today
resumes electricity supplies from Armenia to Tbilisi. Up to 70 MW electric
power will be provided to the city at light hours, while 100 MW at darkness
hours. The electric energy will be supplied to Georgia via Alaverdy power
transmission line, which is rented by RAO UES of Russia. It should be
reminded that import from Armenia was stopped this spring. 75% of TELASI
shares, as well as the 9th and 10th energy blocks of the Tbilisi power
station are owned by RAO UES. Simultaneously, Khrami 1 and Khrami 2
hydroelectric power stations are managed by RAO UES of Russia.
Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR)
Date: 08 Sep 2005
Armenians choose independent path
Delegates at a conference on Armenia’s future voted for an independent
development, rather than placing too much reliance on Russia or Europe.
By Ara Tadevosian in Yerevan (CRS No. 303, 08-Sep-05)
Armenians meeting to discuss their country’s future have rejected the idea
that they should place all their hopes in Europe — and, more surprisingly,
Russia.
The 500 delegates at the unique conference held in Yerevan came from all
walks of life – teachers, students, small business owners, manual workers
and the unemployed – concluded Armenia should instead pursue its own path,
increasing economic activity and productivity, fighting corruption, and
ensuring the 2008 presidential election is free and fair.
“I think it isn’t right to go with one country,” said college student Gevorg
Stepanian. “You have to be more cunning and be able to manoeuvre in a number
of directions.”
The event was part of “Armenia 2020” — a campaign led by several prominent
figures from the Armenian diaspora, including businessman Ruben Vardanian,
who is president of the Russian Troika-Dialog group of companies, and Nubar
Afeyan, general director of the American group Flagship Ventures.
The results may come as a surprise to some western observers who think of
Armenia as primarily pro-Russian in orientation. However, organisers said
the results of the Yerevan gathering, held at the capital’s main stadium,
mirrored those at similar events in Idzhevan and Ekhagnadzor, where the idea
forging stronger links with Russia was also rejected.
As one participant said, “Because of its geopolitical situation, Russia will
always be interested in a weak Armenia and will keep us in slave-like
dependence.”
“Historically, Russia has betrayed Armenia repeatedly and that likelihood
exists today too,” said another.
A third person added, “Do you know of any other nation, other than the
Armenians, who have such a strange attachment to Russia? I think not – this
is just another example of our national irrationalism.”
Full integration into Europe also received the thumbs down from many of the
delegates, with that option getting only 120 votes compared with 136 for
preserving the Russian alliance and 210 in favour of a dynamic independent
path, the so-called Singapore model which organisers dubbed “Dare to Excel”.
Those unconvinced of Armenia’s need to integrate more fully with Europe gave
various reasons, with one person expressing fears the country would be
forced to change its constitution, and another saying, “We’re Armenians, and
Europe is not our home.”
A third participant put this view more pithily,”Europe is an old woman in
civilised make-up. There’s no need for us to fall for her charms.”
Sociologist Lilit Arutyunian said the conference showed that the
government’s talk of integration with Europe had been ineffective.
“It’s been 10 years now that the government has been talking almost daily
about its enthusiasm for European integration,” said Arutyunian. “But these
are just empty words. The government, intentionally or unintentionally,
places no emphasis on the fact that the principal European value is human
life, which now as before is worth little in our country.”
Many participants said Armenia’s relations with neighbours like Georgia and
historical enemy Turkey was more important than European integration. This
despite the fact that Turkey, with which Armenia has no diplomatic
relations, was not included in any of the possible development options
offered by the organisers.
“Today the question of Turkey’s entry into the Europe Union is being
discussed. But do we want to enter the European Union with Turkey? Just
imagine, the Armenian border opens and three million Turks rush in. What
would happen then?” asked one participant.
But another took a different view, said, “We must strive to normalise
relations with Turkey, as this will be extremely useful to us on the path of
independent development.”
Armenian relations with Azerbaijan, which are still hostile because of the
unresolved dispute over Nagorny Karabakh, remain too sensitive an issue for
conference participants even to discuss them as part of a picture of
shifting regional alliances.
The country’s other near neighbour Georgia, however, was viewed as a partner
by many participants. Rather than Europe, one person suggested that Armenia
focus on Georgia in order to gain access to that country’s ports. The two
have been trying to forge closer ties, and this summer tens of thousands of
Armenians took holidays in Georgia’s Black Sea resorts for the first time in
many years.
While the conference organisers admitted the current Armenian government was
unlikely to pay attention to many of the findings, the strong emphasis
placed on fair elections and the war on corruption may yet be reflected in
future voting patterns.
Even in the best-case scenario, Armenia has a long way to go to meet the
aspirations articulated by conference participants. According to Artashes
Kazakhetsian, manager of the Armenia 2020 project, if the ideas behind the
Singapore model were implemented in full, the country would take the next 15
years to attain the same level of development that another former Soviet
republic, Estonia, is at today.
Ara Tadevosian is the director of Mediamax, an independent news agency in
Yerevan.
Pan Armenian News
ARAB CULTURE DAYS SCHEDULED IN ARMENIA SEPTEMBER 17-23
10.09.2005 03:04
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Arab Culture Days will be held in Armenia September 17-23.
On the occasion a delegation of UAE Sharjah emirate headed by Minister of
Culture Abdul Muhammad al Uveisi will arrive in Yerevan on official call.
The Sharjah Minister will meet with Armenian Minister of Culture Hovik
Hoveyan. The Arab delegation includes the national dance ensemble and
theater troupe of Sharjah, who will perform in Armavir, Gyumri, Vanadzor and
Yerevan. The concert in the Armenian capital will take place on the
Independence Day – September 21. It should be noted that a week of Armenia’s
culture was organized in Sharjah emirate last December, reported IA Regnum.
Pan Armenian News
CONGRESSMAN GUTIERREZ JOINED CONGRESSIONAL ARMENIAN CAUCUS
09.09.2005 03:12
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Congressman Luis Gutierrez, who is currently serving his
seventh term in office, strongly supports U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian
Genocide and has cosponsored legislation in the House of Representatives
that would properly recognize his crime against humanity, the Armenian
Assembly of America reported. Joining the Congressional Armenian Caucus Mr.
Gutierrez became its 147-th member. Additionally, Gutierrez has urged the
President to formally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide in his annual April
24 remembrance statements. Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian said
the Assembly is pleased that Congressman Gutierrez will be part of this very
important body. “As a Chicago resident, I have witnessed firsthand the
Congressman’s efforts on behalf of his constituents and know he will be an
effective member of the Caucus.”
A1+
| 16:27:15 | 09-09-2005 | Politics |
REMINDING OF THEMSELVES
The members of the party «New Times» are convinced that prior to the Local
Governing Bodies elections some powers use the name of their party
mentioning that the party supports this or that candidate. In connection
with this the party «New Times» has made an announcement:
«Not only in the Yerevan communities but also in the regions of Armenia the
«New Times»» did not support and is not going to support any candidate. We
are convinced that the Elections of Local Governing Bodies will be forged.
Moreover, we are sure that the candidates and the powers supporting them
will not be able to realize any reforms and they just create ground to forge
the coming elections.
The administration of the «New Times» Party is convinced that the country
needs radical reforms the realization of which can secure real progress».
FM REAFFIRMS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AS KEY CONDITION FOR CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 8 2005
Baku, September 7, AssA-Irada — Baku is ready for a speedy
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh
within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, foreign minister Elmar
Mammadyarov said at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in
Vienna. “Azerbaijan is ready for the conflict resolution based on
respect for its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The status of
the Upper Garabagh region of Azerbaijan Republic should guarantee
a peaceful co-existence of the Armenian and Azeri residents”, the
minister said in a statement published on Wednesday. The status should
be determined with the full-fledged involvement of both the Azeri
and Armenian communities of the region, as this is the most fair
alternative, Mammadyarov said. The minister positively assessed the
intensifying process of conflict resolution, saying that official Baku
hopes Armenia will adhere to a constructive position. Azerbaijan’s
chances for settling the conflict ‘have never been higher’, he
said. Mammadyarov mentioned that as a result of the ongoing political
and military aggression against Azerbaijan, a massive re-settlement
of Azerbaijanis took place amid indifference of the international
community. “The geo-political impact of this conflict tramples on
Azerbaijani borders and impedes the establishment of normal relations
in the entire South Caucasus region…Armenia will not be able to
seize a single patch of Azerbaijan’s land. Although they inflicted
considerable damage to Azerbaijan, the strongest blow was dealt upon
Armenia itself.”*
SITUATION WITH KARABAKH UNFAIR: AZERI PRESIDENT
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5. ARMINFO. Azerbaijan is very strong and Armenia
will not stand its pressure. But we do not want war for it will claim
many lives. Let’s nobody doubt this, Azeri President Ilham Aliev says
in an interview to Hurriyet.
He says that each Azeri believes that one day the “occupied” lands
will be liberated and the Azeri flag will be hoisted over Karabakh.
Commenting on his Kazan meeting with Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan Aliev says that there are no results yet. “The Armenians
are waiting for us to give them independence. But this is impossible!
Our territorial integrity is our top priority. I told Kocharyan that
we are ready to guarantee the security of Karabakh’s Armenians. I
stressed that Baku will not let them face any danger.” “But the
Armenian army does not want to leave our lands.”
Aliev says that during a recent phone talk US State Secretary
Condoleeza Rice told him that Washington wants the parties to settle
their conflict. “I wonder why being an occupant Armenia is still
unpunished though I certainly understand that the Armenian lobby is
strong. This situtaton is extremely unfair,” says Aliev.
He notes that after the talk he felt some softening in Kocharyan’s
position but this was not enough for settling the problem. “We have
taken all possible steps but Armenia keeps ignoring the international
public opinion. The West advocates quick resolution. We are doing our
best for that. Then we will sit down and think it over,” says Aliev.
OUT CHANCES LOW AGAIN
A1+
| 14:58:41 | 07-09-2005 | Sports |
In today’s football match Czech Republic – Armenia the international
bookmakers give the advantage to the hosts. Their victory index is
only 1.02.
The victory index of the Armenian National team is 21, and the draw
index is 9. The same scene is in the case of the youth teams.
The National teams of Armenia and the Czech Republic will play today
at 08:30 p.m. by Yerevan time.