Author: Virabian Jhanna

23 DOCUMENTARIES PRESENTED AT THE ARMENIAN PANORAMA

armradio.am
12.07.2007 16:39

This year many documentaries have been presented in the "Armenian
panorama" competition of the Golden Apricot Fourth International Film
Festival. Presenting some of the films at today’s press conference,
the Festival’s program director Michael Stamboltsyan noted that many
successful films of this genre of cinematography are being created
in Armenia.

Gor Baghdasaryan’s three-minute documentary titled "Dinner Time"
pictures a poor family dining. They live in a small carriage surrounded
with similar huts. In the young director’s words, he tried to present
the live of poor people whom one can meet anywhere and any time. The
film was shot in Vanadzor. It participated in the International Film
Festivals of Amsterdam and China, gaining prizes.

Gor Margaryan’s film titled "Small Fairy Tale" tells about Armenian
children, who work in hard conditions but do not lose their dream.

"This is an episode from the life of Armenian children, in whose life
laughter and sadness are merged," the author said.

Tigran Karapetyan’s "Jugha" documentary tells about the Armenian
architectural monuments. According to the director, the film consists
of three parts – facts about Armenians of Jugha, invasions of Shah Abas
and the recent demolition of Armenian khachkars by Azerbaijani forces.

Famous film director Armen Khachatryan’s documentary "Hope, faith,
love is also presented in the "Armenian Panorama" competition. Here
the author turns to the topic of love, betrayal, disappointment
and loneliness.

Let us remind that 23 films by Armenian directors from different
countries are participating in the "Armenian Panorama."

DEPARTMENTS FOR PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS MAINLY RECEIVE APPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL CHARACTER

Noyan Tapan
Jul 10, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The National Commission of the
Protection of Children’s Rights, which includes representatives
of different departments, is coordinating the measures taken in the
direction of the protection of the rights of children in Armenia. Lena
Hayrapetian, the Chief of the Children’s Problems Sub-Department of
Family, Women’s and Children’s Problems Department of the RA Ministry
of Labour and Social Issues, informed a Noyan Tapan correspondent that
corresponding sections were created in all the regional administrations
and in the municipality of Yerevan in April 2006 for the purpose of
implementing these measures. These sections, according to her, are
particularly engaged in the settlement of the problems concerning
those children who are deprived of parental care and have appeared
in a difficult situation, as well as issues concerning their return
to their families or settlement in special institutions.

Lena Hayrapetian mentioned that, according to the regulations,
each year these sections are to render an account to the
commission. According to the data received up to now, the sections
mainly receive applications of social character, with regard
to assistance to families having many children, in particular,
and organization of the summer holidays of a child. According to
Lena Hayrapetian, they have received complaints concerning cases of
violence carried out towards children, the number of which, however,
is not very great.

It was also mentioned that doctors, pedagogues, psychologists,
workers of the social sphere, as well as lawyers are working in
these sections. Lena Hayrapetian also said that retraining courses
are being organized for the collaborators of these sections.

RENOWNED ARMENIAN SINGER ELVINA MAKARYAN DIES IN U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.07.2007 16:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Renowned Armenian singer Elvina Makaryan died from
heart attack at the age of 59 in the United States. She had worked
in the state jazz orchestra under direction of Konstantin Orbelyan
for a long time and performed the songs of Armenian composers and
classic jazz.

Lately Elvina Makaryan worked at two new projects.

Sony Corporation showed interested in the jazz one.

PACE PRESIDENT:"FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS ARE THE BASIC CONDITION OF DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT"

ABHaber, Belgium
EU-Turkey News Network
July 9 2007

Free and fair elections are the basic condition of democratic
development, says PACE President in Baku

Lasting prosperity and sustainable development are not possible
without respecting the fundamental values of democracy, human rights
and the rule of law, declared Rene van der Linden, President of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, at the end of his
visit to Azerbaijan on 8-9 July 2007.

The President stressed, in particular, the importance of free and
fair elections which are the basis of every democratic system.

Therefore it is of the utmost importance that the 2008 presidential
elections take place in accordance with Council of Europe (CoE)
standards and mark a striking difference with the 2005 parliamentary
elections.

Mr van der Linden urged the authorities to intensify cooperation with
the CoE in order to improve election legislation, in particular as
regards the composition and functioning of electoral commissions and
the rights of observers.

Freedom of demonstration, of the media, unrestricted functioning
of political parties and independent justice are the pillars of
democracy, underlined Mr van der Linden. The authorities must very
seriously examine concerns over existing problems in this area and
take the necessary measures to comply with CoE standards.

Particular attention must be given to the cases of journalists in
prison and other persons allegedly imprisoned for political reasons.

Those which are in bad health should be released on humanitarian
grounds.

In Resolution 1416 (2005), the Assembly stated that "considerable
parts of the territory of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian
forces". Regrettably, this situation has not changed since my last
visit in 2005, said the PACE President. Political leaders on both
sides must show determination to give a new political impetus to the
negotiations. In any case, Armenia and Azerbaijan must respect their
commitment taken upon accession to the CoE to use only peaceful means
for settling the conflict.

The Assembly contributes to democratic reform in Azerbaijan through
its monitoring procedure, which is a privileged tool of assistance
and dialogue between PACE and the authorities of Azerbaijan, concluded
Mr van der Linden.

The visit to Azerbaijan was the last part of PACE President’s trip to
the South Caucasus, during which he also visited Armenia and Georgia.

"TURKISH SPLIT POLICY IN SOUTH CAUCASUS CONTRADICTS INTERESTS OF UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, AND EUROPEAN UNION," RUBEN SAFRASTIAN MENTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Jul 09 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Ruben Safrastian, the Head of the
Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences
of the Republic of Armenia, made a statement saying that Turkey
is implementing a split policy in the South Caucasus and trying
to create a new Turkish-Georgian-Azeri axis. He mentioned in his
interview with a Noyan Tapan correspondent that the axis to be built
already has an infrastructure: that is the Baku-Jeyhan oil pipeline,
the Baku-Erzrum gas pipeline, and the envisaged railway, which will
connect those three countries, leaving Armenia out.

According to Ruben Safrastian, Turkey aims to form that new axis firsly
as an economic one, then as a new political union, which should give
rise to the creation of a military technical alliance between these
three countries.

In addition to this, according to Ruben Safrastian, this Turkish policy
is beginning to grow realistic firstly due to the gross mistakes in
Russian diplomacy, as well as on account of the increase in gas prices,
as a result of which Georgia turned to Azerbaijan. The latter provided
a great assistance to Georgia "on the request of Turkey, certainly,"
after which Turkey took advantage of this circumstance when Georgia
found itself in a situation where it depended on Azerbaijan.

The political scientist mentioned that one of the main goals of
the creation of this axis is to continue to deepen and finish the
isolation of Armenia.

According to him, these processes give rise to serious anxiety
and Armenia should estimate the current fact in a right way. "
I do not think that we should try to become a part of this axis,
that is not serious, however, I believe that we should make use of
the opportunities we have," he said.

According to the political scientist, we should make use of that
circumstance, in particular, that the creation of the above-mentioned
axis does not follow the interests of Russia and the latter will try
to hinder Turkey’s policy in the South Caucasus. In addition to this,
this policy of Turkey countervails the goals of the European Union
and the United States in our region as well: both the European Union
and the United States want to see the South Caucasus as a united
and integrated region, which is reflected in the "New Neighbourhood"
program of the European Union.

"One should not forget that Turkey is not a country which is able to
countervail the world’s political powerful centers, that is to say,
the United States, the European Union, and Russia. Thus, we should
be able to find that very way, which will give us an opportunity
to make use of this situation, that is the very policy of balance,
which has not been used by Armenia so far and which should be the
basis of diplomacy and politics," Ruben Safrastian declared.

PanARMENIAN.Net

More than 5 000 Azeris adopted Christianity recently
07.07.2007 13:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Recently more than 5 000 Azeris
adopted Christianity reports `Olaylar’, a group that
is busy with propagating Christianity in Azerbaijan.
According to the report, not only residents of
regions, but also people living in surroundings of
Baku are adopting Christianity. `Olaylar’ informs that
in the majority of cases people, who `had bad habits
and encountered injustice at their work place’ change
religion, Day.az reports

SERZH SARGSYAN: CONSTITUTION IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF EVERY COUNTRY

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.07.2007 17:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Prime Minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a
congratulatory message upon the Constitution Day, the RA Government
Press Office reports. S. Sargsyan’s message, in particular, reads as
follows, "Dear compatriots, I congratulate you on the Constituion
Day. The meaning of Constitution as the Organic Law of the state
is vitally important for the formation and development of every
state. The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia is that very
basic legal, political, ideological document of Armenian independent
statehood, which became the base of regulating all legal relations,
predetermining the way of development of our country. The constitution
that was amended in the result of a national referendum provides
large opportunities for realizing the national goals, formation,
strengthening and development of the Armenian statehood on the bases of
democratic values. In the result of constitutional reforms significant
changes are on the way in Armenia’s legislation, which are directed not
only at formation of new legal institutes, but also implementing the
reforms of second generation and new quality of life. I congratulate
you once again on the Constitution Day and wish you success."

International Herald tribune, France
July 5 2007

Azerbaijan says upcoming election in Nagorno-Karabakh illegitimate
The Associated PressPublished: July 5, 2007

BAKU, Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan emphasized Thursday that it will not
recognize the results of an upcoming presidential election in the
ethnic Armenian-controlled territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

A presidential vote in Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory inside
Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenian forces, is scheduled for
July 19.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said the balloting would violate the
country’s constitution and international law and "shall have no legal
effect whatsoever."

"The separatist regime in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan
represents nothing but an illegal structure established by Armenia on
the basis of ethnic cleansing of (the) Azerbaijani population," a
ministry statement said.

Nagorno-Karabakh and some surrounding areas have been controlled by
ethnic Armenian forces since a 1994 cease-fire ended a six-year
conflict that killed some 30,000 people and drove more than 1 million
from their homes. Tensions remain high between Azerbaijan and Armenia
despite more than a decade of coaxing from international mediators
led by the United States, Russia and France to resolve the region’s
status.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I HAS LUNCH WITH PATRIARCH SFEIR

His Holiness Aram I held a long meeting with Patriarch Sfeir of the Maronite
Church in Bekerke on July 3. The Lebanese Minister of Culture Dr. Tarek
Metri and the chairman of the Christian-Muslim Dialogue Committee Fares
Shehab also attended the first part of the meeting between the two Spiritual
Leaders. The Armenian Catholicos and the Maronite Patriarch then held a
private meeting.

The focus of both meetings was bringing Lebanon out of its current
stalemate. Several issues were discussed in this context, including the
election of a new president, the formation of a new government and the
resumption of national dialogue.
The Pontiff then had lunch with Patriarch Sfeir.

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos9.htm#2
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias , Lebanon .

EurasiaNet, NY
June 5 2007

OBSERVERS: WORRIES NOT OVER FOR ARMENIA’S RADIO LIBERTY

Marianna Grigoryan 7/05/07

Local observers believe opposition from the international community
led to the failure of a controversial bill that could have restricted
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s broadcasts in Armenia. Despite the
vote outcome, however, they argue that the legislation’s implications
for freedom of media still linger on.

Sixty-six votes were necessary to pass amendments to two laws that
would have imposed stiff fees for the retransmission of foreign
broadcasters’ materials via public radio and television. Opposition
members of parliament and several independent parliamentarians
boycotted the July 3 vote. Only 63 votes for the amendments were cast
by pro-government MPs, with two parliamentarians abstaining.

"It was proof that it is quality rather than quantity that matters.
The minority beat the button-pressing majority," commented
independent MP Victor Dallakian, who worked with the opposition
Heritage and Country of Law Parties on the boycott. "This is our
first victory, the success of free speech."

The Armenian service of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty, a past target for criticism by senior government officials,
is currently the only broadcaster to make use of this service. [For
details, see the Eurasia Insight archive]. The ruling Republican
Party of Armenia and government, however, have denied that the
amendments were aimed at RFE/RL.

Opposition members say that they expect fresh amendments in the fall.

"The law, no doubt, needs changes; especially there is a need for
that ahead of the upcoming presidential elections since we need to
have a law that would protect free speech and meet international
standards," said Stepan Safarian, a political analyst and member of
the opposition Heritage Party parliamentary faction. "However,
legislative changes must be made with complex discussions and not in
an unprepared way, which happened in this case."

Opponents of the legislation say that the international community’s
strong condemnation of the amendments discouraged pro-government
lawmakers from showing up in sufficient numbers to pass the proposed
bills. Such criticism jarred with international observers’ assessment
of Armenia’s May 12 parliamentary elections as the first to mostly
meet democratic standards.

"This approach contradicts public interests and the serious
contribution that independent media have in public debate, as well as
in the matter of political pluralism," news outlets reported Swedish
Ambassador to the Council of Europe Per Sjõgren, head of the Ago
Group, which monitors Armenian and Azerbaijani compliance with
Council of Europe commitments, as saying on July 2 trip in Yerevan.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Human Rights Watch
largely echoed those sentiments.

"The authorities did not expect international structures to give such
strong-worded assessments," argued Artur Sakunts, chairman of the
Helsinki Assembly’s Vanadzor office in northern Armenia. "There
wasn’t such pressure even after the elections."

That criticism, coupled with a July 2 protest action by local civil
rights groups, journalists and non-governmental organizations made
for "huge" pressure, noted political analyst Richard Giragosian.
"[I]t was impossible that all that would not have its influence,"
Giragosian said.

In response, Parliamentary Speaker Tigran Torosian, who had backed
the amendments, stated that " documents" and "an expert study" were
necessary before proceeding, according to statements posted on portal
panorama.am. The Ago Group’s reaction, he said, "responds naturally
to the improper noise raised in Armenia."

Helsinki Assembly’s Sakunts and other activists, however, say that
further wrangles could still be in the works. With a presidential
vote next year, commented Sakunts, "I am sure that the story is not
over yet."

Editor’s Note: Marianna Grigoryan is a reporter for the independent
online weekly ArmeniaNow.