Author: Vanyan Gary

AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION WILL CONTRIBUTE SUGGESTIONS IN EIGHTH ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF INFORMATION MINISTERS

APA
Jan 26 2009
Azerbaijan

Rabat. Elbrus Seyfullayev-APA. A preparatory Session for the
Eighth Islamic Conference of Information Ministers began in Rabat,
Morocco. High-ranking officials from the 57 member countries of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) are making finishing
touches to the agenda of the conference, APA reports.

The delegation led by Ali Hasanov, Chairman of Socio-Political
Department of the President’s Office represents Azerbaijan in the
event.

They will discuss the topics to be included in the agenda of the
conference. The two-day preparatory session will be followed by the
Conference of Information Ministers, which will begin tomorrow.

The conference coincides with the 40th anniversary of the foundation
of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Head of Azerbaijani delegation Hasanov addressing the event will
provide information about recent development of the country, relations
between Azerbaijan and Islamic countries, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. Hasanov will contribute suggestions on improving
opportunities of mass media to provide capacious information about
ongoing developments in Islamic countries, including Azerbaijan’s
just position concerning Nagorno Karabakh conflict, coordination of
OIC member countries’ mass media.

The conference will last till January 28 and joint declarations and
resolutions will be approved.

ARMENIANS WILL PARTICIPATE IN CELEBRATIONS OF ISTANBUL

AZG Armenian Daily

27/01/2009

International; Turkey

Turkish government has invited the Armenian community of Istanbul to
participate in celebrations to be held in 2010 under heading "Istanbul;
the cultural capital of Europe".

On the initiative of Istanbul patriarchate, an organizer committee
has been formed to coordinate different events.

According to Armenian Mirror Spectator, the members of the Committee
gathered December 2 to discuss possible proposals of the events.

Chairman of the Committee Nazar Bouyum underlined that Istanbul has
been a multicultural city, and achievements of different nations have
left their indelible traces in the history of the city.

"That is why it is necessary for our community to present itself
properly and show our contributions in the past and present. Our
culture is deeply rooted here; and a part of it is buried in
oblivion. We are obliged to reveal all that. But at the same time
we should appear with new ideas in order to strengthen our essence",
he said.

Interfax, Russia
Jan 23 2009

Armenia hopes to get $1 billion in stabilization loan – source

ARMENIA Jan 23

Armenia is hoping to get $1 billion in loans from Russia, the World
Bank, the Asian Development Bank, Enhanced Coverage LinkingAsian
Development Bank, -Search using: News, Most Recent 60 Days Company
Profile and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to
deal with the negative consequences if the world economic crisis, a
source in the Armenian government told Interfax.

The negotiations between the Armenian and Russian authorities on the
provision of the loan have been going on since late December 2008,
said the source. The Armenian administration has been forced to seek a
stabilization loan due to the sharp deterioration of the state of its
economy in late 2008.

In addition, Armenia is conducting talks with China on the provision
of a stabilization loan to the amount of $2 billion, said the source.

The Armenian administration expects the funds received from Russia,
China and international financial organizations to last it to conduct
stabilization measures in the next 1-1.5 years, said the source.

On Thursday, Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said Armenia had
asked Russia for a stabilization loan to deal with the consequences of
the global financial crisis. "Negotiations are now being conducted on
the matter," he said.

The world crisis began impacting the Armenian economy in fall 2008.

The hardest hit was the real economy (the chemical industry and the
mining sector).

Armenia and Georgia will join EU unlike Azerbaijan and Turkey: Armenian
analyst

2009-01-24 14:37:00

ArmInfo. Armenia and Georgia will join the European Union unlike
Azerbaijan and Turkey, says Armenian independent analyst Igor Muradyan.

Paradoxical as this may seem – especially in the light of Turkey’s
efforts to get in the EU – the point here is not whether the
above-mentioned states are making efforts to join the EU or not. The
point is that the borders of Europe have already been delimited and
Azerbaijan and Turkey are beyond them.

The motives of this policy are clear: Europe is beginning to lose its
European face. For example, in Great Britain liberalization has
resulted in a serious ethnic shift: 15% of the local population are
Muslims.

In this light, the Europeans, who, in words, say that they are ready to
impart the European values to the whole world, in fact, are gradually
narrowing the borders of future Europe.

ETHNIC ARMENIAN PAUL SARYIAN RUNS FOR NY CITY COUNCIL

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.01.2009 20:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian National Committee of NY Members attended
a special dinner in honor of City Council Candidate Paul Saryian at
Real Madrid Restaurant in State Island.

Paul Saryian is running in the 49th district of State Island in a
special Non-Partisan election coming to vote on February 24th. The
49th district is a central area in Staten Island bridging the gap
between Manhattan and Staten Island.

ANC-NY activist Dave Krikorian, who attended the night’s event
with Raffi Mahserdjian, Chairman of the ANC-NY, said of the event,
"As Armenians we have a responsibility to our community at large to
support anyone who is willing to take on the immense responsibility
of public service."

Paul Saryian joined the NYPD in 1984 and would remain on the force
for 23 years and acheive the rank of Captain before retiring. Paul
has drawn most of his sense of civic duty, charity and community work
from his grandmother.

Mr. Saryian said in his speech, "My effort to bring about change is
partly due to my Grandmother’s story, as a Survivor of the Armenian
Genocide and eventually making her way to NY, she has taught me the
true meaning of strength."

Raffi Mahserdjian of the ANC-NY said, "It is a great pleasure to
come out and see one of our extended community members working to
better our city for his community, Civic Duty is a great undertaking,
we commend and congratulate Paul on his run for office.

COOPERATION WITH DIASPORA SHOULD BE MOVED FROM CHARITY DIRECTION TO BUSINESS COOPERATION SPHERE

Noyan Tapan

Jan 23, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Diaspora’s potential is not used
completely for the sake of development of Armenia’s economy. Gohar
Gyulumian, the economist of the World Bank Yerevan Office, said
at the January 23 discussion organized jointly by the Ministry of
Diaspora and World Bank Yerevan Office. She said that one of Armenia’s
biggest official donors, WB cooperating with the Ministry wishes to
help in the issue of improving the relations with country’s biggest
unnofficial donor.

According to G. Gyulumian’s evaluation, cooperation with the Diaspora
should be moved from the charity direction to the business cooperation
sphere.

According to her, Armenia has a problem of integrating to
international economy and coming out to foreign markets. And
according to G. Gyulumian, the Armenians worldwide can have much
contribution in that issue. However, at present there are a number of
circumstances hindering that potential’s use, in particular, breaking
off Armenia-Diaspora relations in the Soviet years, not knowing each
other well, which in its turn results in the lack of confidence and
caution. "The problems are different, but we should think of overcoming
these obstacles, as only in that case we can record success," she said.

According to Minister Hranush Hakobian, it is natural that Diaspora’s
whole potential is not used, as it is a very difficult and large
phenomenon. "It is not one structure, with which we work well or
badly. To work with 7 million Armenians, who are not subordinate to
you in the structural respect and are not obliged at all to fulfill
your tasks, is very difficult. It is purely with friendly, partner,
patriotic motives that they should come and spend their time, use
their knowledge, experience, and abilities for the sake of homeland’s
development," the Minister said.

H. Hakobian said that the Ministry is already doing some work in that
direction. In particular, three professional all Armenian conferences
will be held this year. The first is a conference under the title
Armenian Architecture in the 21st Century. Besides, according to
the Minister, an attempt is made to create an all Armenian network
contributing to strengthening of not only Armenia-Diaspora, but also
Diaspora-Diaspora contacts.

A NOBLEMAN STEALS AGING QUEEN’S HEART IN DALLAS OPERA’S ‘ROBERTO DEVEREUX’
By Scott Cantrell / [email protected]

Dallas Morning News
Jan 21 2009
TX

Fascination with royal loves didn’t exactly begin with Prince Charles
and Diana Spencer. Or even with King Edward VIII and Wallis Warfield
Simpson.

Real or imagined, the loves of Queen Elizabeth I have figured in
novels, plays, movies and even operas. And that’s despite (or because
of ) the never-married monarch’s claim that she would go to her grave
both queen and virgin.No fewer than three operas about Elizabeth I are
by the 19th-century Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti: Elisabetta al
castello di Kenilworth, Maria Stuarda and Roberto Devereux . Following
up on its 2007 production of Maria Stuarda, the Dallas Opera brings
Roberto Devereux to the Music Hall stage Friday, with three more
performances on the schedule.

The sometimes murderous intrigues of the 16th-century British court
perfectly suited a composer, and period, that loved high drama and
vocal fireworks. Count on plenty of both in Roberto Devereux.

"It’s history, and a very dramatic story," says Hasmik Papian, the
Armenian soprano who plays Elizabeth in the opera – and sings music
of dazzling virtuosity. "It’s also very touching for today. And the
music is just gorgeous."

Adds tenor Stephen Costello, who portrays Elizabeth’s supposed
love, Robert Devereux, "You see how the queen gets very jealous and
passionate, even though she was known as ‘the virgin queen.’ And the
music is fantastic."

Also appearing in the opera are mezzo Elizabeth Batton as Sara,
Duchess of Nottingham; and baritone David Kempster as the Duke of
Nottingham. The production brings back the stage director of the 2007
Maria Stuarda, Stephen Lawless, and, with some amendments, the Globe
Theatre set by designer Benoit Dugardyn.

This isn’t a time to fuss over historical accuracy. Based on an 1829
play by the French dramatist Francois Ancelot, Roberto Devereux takes
plenty of liberties with the relationship, whatever it really was,
between the queen and the young Earl of Essex (Devereux’s title).

"It’s Queen Elizabeth toward the end of her reign, the 53-year-old
queen, with one last lover," says Dallas Opera music director Graeme
Jenkins, who’s conducting the performances. "Here comes this dashing
young man into the court, getting ahead of all the other courtiers,
and they’re all incredibly jealous.

"Within a year of the opera’s opening, he goes to quell an uprising
in Ireland, and everything goes wrong. While he’s away the courtiers
have worked up a treason plot against him, and only his friend Lord
Nottingham tries to save him."

But here’s where, with plenty of operatic license, it gets
complicated. Although Elizabeth, against her better judgment, is
obviously infatuated with Essex, in the opera he’s in love with
Nottingham’s wife, Sara. Essex and Sara had been an item some time
before, but Elizabeth got her rival married off to Nottingham.

When Essex admits to Elizabeth that he doesn’t love her, the queen goes
off in a vocal tirade. And when Nottingham, by way of an embroidered
scarf, learns that he’s been cuckolded, the formerly prim-and-proper
nobleman loses his cool. When all is finally out in the open, the
queen really goes berserk, with plenty of vocal fireworks.

What happens to Essex? Well, you’ll just have to go to the opera to
find out, but let’s just say it’s a real knuckle-biter.

"He’s a very pompous guy," says Costello, whose dashing good looks
are perfect for a young nobleman who steals a queen’s heart. "He
kind of felt that his relationship with the queen was far beyond what
she presumed.

"I think she was infatuated that he was a younger guy and had an
interest in her. But it was a love-hate relationship. She loved him,
but she was still the queen, still the ruler of England, and she
wanted to prove it."

In the end, power and pride win over love.

"She’s a complex woman," Papian says of Queen Elizabeth, "but I think
she stays a cruel woman. If I had been her, I would have forgiven. Of
course, she regrets it at the end, but it’s too late."

CURRICULUM GETS CHANGES

Hurriyet
sh/domestic/10826876.asp?scr=1
Jan 22 2009
Turkey

ANKARA – Turkish students will no longer be taught with phrases
such as "baseless" or "so-called Armenian genocide" while studying
Turkish-Armenian relations, daily Milliyet reported yesterday. Instead,
the 8th grade text books that cover the issue will refer to what some
claim as genocide as the "1915 events."

The Coordination Board to Fight Baseless Genocide Claims, or ASÄ°MKK,
the Education Ministry and the Head Council of Education and Morality,
or TTK, conducted a common study on the issue.

In line with the views of ASÄ°MKK, the 8th grade curriculum of the
course "Revolution History and Kemalism" was amended. Statements on the
Armenian issue, which is taught in the seventh unit of the book under
the title "Turkey after Ataturk: Post World War II", were rearranged.

The former curriculum’s statement that "historical development of
Turkish-Armenian relations and Armenian allegations will be taught,"
has been replaced by a new one saying that "Turkish-Armenian relations,
1915 events and related Armenian allegations will be taught."

TTK authorities said the amendment was made in the content of the
curriculum.

–Boundary_(ID_t5Se2+kfzKPC2xyTUd dgbg)–

AGBU Press Office
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New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, January 22, 2009

AGBU YP Yerevan Meets With Armenia’s Ombudsman, Armen Harutiunian

On January 16, 2009, members of AGBU’s Young Professionals of Yerevan
(YP Yerevan) met with the Republic of Armenia’s Ombudsman Armen
Harutiunian at the AUA Business Center.

AGBU Educational Programs Coordinator Hasmik Khalapyan introduced
Harutiunian to the group, after which Harutiun Poghossian, the newly
elected chairman of AGBU YP Yerevan, spoke about the recent and future
activities and projects of their professional group. Harutiunian spoke
to the group about his office’s activities as one of the leading voices
in the country in support of human rights in the constitutional, civil
and political arenas.

Attendees asked questions about the process of development of democracy
in Armenia, human rights, the limits of certain rights, as well as the
Ombudsman’s assessment of certain issues connected with human rights.

The AGBU Young Professionals are committed to preserving and promoting
the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural, and
humanitarian programs. For more information on the AGBU Young
Professionals, please contact the AGBU YP Liaison by emailing
[email protected].

For more information on AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit

OBAMA PRESIDENCY BOOSTS BOTH EXPECTATIONS AND FEARS IN TURKEY

Today’s Zaman
Jan 20 2009
Turkey

As Barack Hussein Obama becomes the 44th president of the United
States today, both Turkey’s expectations and fears regarding the US
capital seem to have increased.

Turkey is hoping for increased cooperation with the US in its fight
against the terrorist activities of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)
and on regional issues where Turkey wants to have its say. Turkey
has already made clear its willingness to help or guide the Americans
in determining policies with regards to Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and
Syria. Turkey wants to see a more cooperative and consultative US
capital that does not impose its policies on its allies. Turkey is
also hopeful that President-elect Obama will keep his word about
establishing a just and stable peace in Palestine.

Despite its expectations from the "president of change," Ankara is
also vigilant about the possible drawbacks the Obama administration can
pose toward Turkey. Turkey’s most obvious fear is about recognition of
the Armenian claims of genocide by the administration. Obama already
pledged during his election campaign that if elected he would recognize
the Armenian claims.

Fear comes first

Obama’s choices of Joe Biden as vice president and Hilary Clinton as
secretary of state have made it clear to Ankara that the US will never
be as friendly as it has been in the past when it comes to speaking
about the Armenian claims. Obama and Biden have made clear more than
once that they support Armenian claims that a genocide took place
at the hands of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. As a senator,
Clinton has, since 2002, co-sponsored successive "Armenian genocide"
resolutions. From the very moment that her name was suggested as head
of the State Department, Armenian diaspora organizations expressed
their satisfaction with the appointment as they believe Clinton is
"an individual with a strong record in support of Armenian genocide
recognition." Experts are not altogether pessimistic about Washington’s
future decisions regarding genocide recognition resolutions that will
certainly come to the House and probably to the Senate. The head
of the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization
(ISRO/USAK), Sedat Laciner, recently told Today’s Zaman that US
recognition of Armenian claims of genocide would harm Obama’s own
policy on the Caucasus as he has lent support to the recent thaw
in relations between Armenia and Turkey, which began with President
[Abdullah] Gul’s visit to Yerevan in September. Politicians would love
to believe in this optimism, but it seems that Foreign Minister Ali
Babacan is already worried. Speaking to the parliamentary Planning and
Budgetary Commission, Babacan expressed his hope that the US would
be more cooperative "despite statements by presidential candidates
during their campaigns about issues that are sensitive for" Turkey.

Cooperation against ‘common enemy’ PKK

Despite its fears about possible US recognition of the Armenian
genocide claims, Turkey is hopeful that the new administration will
continue the Bush administration’s hard-won support for Turkey’s
fight against the PKK’s separatist terrorism. After a long period of
tension between Ankara and Washington about the US’s unwillingness to
cooperate with Turkey against the PKK, Turkey managed to recruit the
support of then-US President George W. Bush, who in 2007 declared the
PKK a "common enemy" for Turkey, the United States and Iraq. Since
then the US military has supplied Turkey intelligence about the PKK
to facilitate Turkish cross-border raids on the terrorist group’s
bases in northern Iraq. Turkey hopes that the new administration
will continue this policy of cooperation. President Gul has already
spoken with Obama on the issue and received Obama’s promises "that he
believes Turkey has the right to fight against terrorism as part of its
right to self-defense." Ankara especially fears the consequences of an
unplanned, uncoordinated withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. Sources
say Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who recently visited the
United States to attend a G-20 summit on the global financial crisis,
raised Turkey’s concerns when he met with Obama aides and asked
that the withdrawal be carefully planned. Obama promised during his
electoral campaign that he would withdraw US forces from Iraq in no
more than 16 months’ time.

>From unilateralism to global cooperation

Ankara is hopeful about Obama’s term in the White House since it
regards this as an opportunity for the world order to metamorphose from
imposing unilateralism to cooperative multilateralism. In an interview
with Today’s Zaman, President Gul said he perceived the biggest
difference between Obama and the previous administration as Obama’s
readiness "to avoid unilateralism in world affairs and cooperate with
other countries." Gul asserted that as far as issues where the US would
seek multilateral action are concerned, Turkey would be one of the
US’s most important partners. Nonetheless, several Turkish analysts
have cautioned that Ankara shouldn’t accept multilateralism as a
given and should adapt a proactive policy that would help thoroughly
explain to the new US administration that the two NATO allies have
to maintain a strategic dialogue rather than imposing unilaterally
designed policies on one another. Ankara is particularly interested
making its voice heard about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iraq,
the Iranian nuclear power plant issue and the future of Afghanistan.