Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

GEORGY PARAJANOV: ARMENIA IS A SOURCE OF A NEW FORCE AND LIFE FOR ME

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 13 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. "Armenia is a
wonderful country, full of secrets and mysteries, wonderful temples
and churches.

Armenia is a source of a new force and life for me," film director
Georgy Parajanov residing in Moscow said.

The nephew of great film director Sergei Parajanov is taking part in
the Golden Apricot festival for the second time. During the first
festival, in 2004, he received the Golden Apricot prize for his
documentary "I Died in My Childhood" (dedicated to Sergei Parajanov).

"The more I live the more I understand that I constantly wish to
return to Armenia. When I came to Armenia for the first time, it was
two months after my uncle’s, Parajanov’s release from the prison,
early in the spring of 1978. I understood nothing from Armenia at
that time. However, when I come now, everything is already different,"
Georgy Parajanov said to Noyan Tapan correspondent.

In Georgy Parajanov’s words, Tiflis is already a little "dead" for him:
"Tiflis is my pain and my tragedy. My parents’ graves are there. I have
completely revealed that town. It was my university and my academy."

Georgy Parajanov said that he often comes to Armenia and he is going
to shoot a film here soon.

"I am glad for being invited to this festival. For me, the best prize
is the invitation of participation and the opportunity that brings
me to Armenia again," the film director assured.

At the current, fourth Golden Apricot Georgy Parajanov presents
extra-contest documentary "Adam’s Sons," which has been shot in
Armenia and is dedicated to one of the national minorities in Armenia,
Yezidis. The film presents how the identity, rites and language of
the national minorities are preserved here.

TRADE TURNOVER GROWS BY 14% AND SERVICES BY 17% IN JANUARY-MAY, 2007 IN ARMENIA, COMPARED WITH SAME PERIOD OF PREVIOUS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Jul 12 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Trade turnover made 471b 382.6m drams
(nearly 1b 162.4m USD) in January-May, 2007 in Armenia, in current
prices, which has increased by 14%, as compared with the same period
of 2006, in comparable prices.

According to the data of the RA National Statistical Service, retail
trade turnover made 294b 538.9m drams in January-May, 2007, in current
prices, which is more by 11.2%, compared with the same period of 2006,
in comparable prices.

The services provided in the first five months of 2007, in current
prices, made 203b 759.4m drams, which has increased by 17%, compared
with the same index of 2006, in comparable prices.

THE INFORMATION ABOUT A BOMB LOCATED IN THE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENTAL BUILDING N3 PROVED TO BE A LIE.

arminfo
2007-07-11 08:29:00

As ArmInfo was informed in RA Police station, the information about
the bomb was passed to the Healthcare Minister Artem Kushkian in
written form of a letter. The author of the letter, Aramayis Chakunc,
a resident of the Aygestan district of Yerevan, was arrested. To
find the malefactor was easy: seventy years old A. Chakunts, a
follow-up in the psycho ward, had written his name and address on
the envelope. Investigation is in process. To recall, the alarm on
the bomb had been received on the dispatcher’s panel at 2:13 PM. The
Ministries of Agriculture, of Education and Science, of Culture,
of Urban Development, of Labour and Social Issues, of Healthcare,
and of Nature Protection are located in the Governmental Building N3.

Armenian National Committee of Utah

Orem, UT 84058

Web:

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Contact: Sarkis Bekearian

E-mail: [email protected]

ANCA-WR Chapter Focus: Utah ANC Leads Community Outreach

Salt Lake City, UT – Outside of the state of California, the ANCA-WR
consists of numerous burgeoning communities and corresponding local ANC
chapters. One such chapter is the Utah ANC, which serves the interests of
the local community and strives to raise awareness on issues of concern to
Armenian Americans. Complementing the work of the Utah ANC, the Utah
Armenian American community enjoys the organizational presence of the
Armenian Relief Society “Hamaspure” Chapter which organizes annual social,
cultural and community events, and the local Homenetmen “Spitak” chapter.

“The Utah ANC is an integral component of the local Armenian American
community,” stated Utah ANC Chairman Sarkis Bekearian. “We plan to continue
working here in Utah to assist the community in becoming more engaged in
reaching out to their elected officials,” he added.

By employing a grassroots approach, the Utah ANC has successfully reached
out to the community in raising awareness of H. Res. 106 and S. Res. 106,
the Armenian Genocide Resolutions in the House and Senate. Speaking to the
universal humanitarian importance associated with ending the cycle of
genocide, Armenian and non-Armenian Americans of Utah alike have called,
faxed, and emailed their local Congressmen and Senators to become cosponsors
of H. Res. 106 and S. Res. 106. Senator Orin Hatch (R-UT) has received
correspondence from Utah constituents, and in epitomizing the very essence
of grassroots advocacy, Congressman Chris Cannon’s (R-UT-03) office received
dozens of signed and hand-written letters from district constituents urging
him to cosponsor H. Res. 106. Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT-02) was one of
the earliest supporters of H. Res. 106, joining onto the resolution as a
cosponsor on January 31, 2007.

Additionally, former Governor Leavitt signed Utah’s official proclamation
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Utah is now one of 40 states in the
United States that officially has recognized the Armenian Genocide. The
Utah ANC plans to continue its advocacy efforts at all levels of government
to raise awareness of both Armenian Genocide resolutions and plans to
schedule district meetings in August with Utah’s Congressional and
Senatorial Delegation.

“As a grassroots organization firmly committed to energizing all of our
local communities, we are extremely pleased to see the vibrant leadership
and efforts of the Utah ANC,” stated Andrew Kzirian, Executive Director of
the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR). “The
Utah ANC’s strong role in raising awareness of the Armenian Genocide
resolution is a testament to the spirit of advocacy that we hold so dear,”
he added.

Consisting of over 2000 Armenian Americans, the Armenian American community
of Utah consists of families from all over the world that have settled in
major cities from Salt Lake City to Provo to Ogden and their surrounding
suburbs. The Utah ANC is committed to continuing outreach and community
building in the area, and looks forward to planning a Town Hall meeting to
discuss issues impacting Armenian Americans in the near future.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout
the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.

###

Photo Caption: President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and First Lady Bella
Kocharyan are joined by (left to right) Mrs. Karen Huntsman (wife of
Benefactor John Huntsman, Sr.), wife of then Utah Governor Michael Leavitt
Jacalyn Smith Leavitt, then Utah Governor and current U.S. Secretary of
Health and Human Services Michael Levitt, and Utah Activists Hasmik and Ara
Bekearian at the Capitol Building in Salt Lake City, Utah.

AAEF PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT TO ARMENIAN VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

ARMENPRESS
Jul 09 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian science and education
ministry and the Anushavan Abrahamian Educational Fund (AAEF) have
signed today in Yerevan an agreement whereby the latter commits to
continue to help rehabilitate Armenian vocational schools.

Speaking after the signing ceremony minister Levon Mkrtchian said he
hopes that this initiative will be supported by other Diaspora-based
Armenian benefactors.

The Foundation president Anushavan Abrahamian said he is proud of
being able to help Armenia restore its vocational education.

"I am not very rich but I want to spend the proceeds of our family
Foundation on helping develop Armenian vocational education," he said
urging other Diaspora Armenians to follow his example.

The Anushavan Abrahamian Education Fund (AAEF) was founded as a
charitable organization in the USA in 2004 with the intention of
starting its first programs in Armenia. It has already spent $200,000
on vocational schools in Armenia and will provide $500,000 more
this year.

Darchinyan slips to shock defeat

Story from BBC SPORT:
boxing/6281510.stm

Published: 2007/07/08 06:27:34 GMT

Vic Darchinyan was beaten for the first time in his career on Saturday
to lose his grip on his IBF flyweight title.
The Armenian-born Australian, making his seventh defence, was knocked
out in round five by Philippino Nonito Donaire, who dominated from the
start.

Donaire tagged Darchinyan with a left hook, leaving the southpaw, 31,
on the canvas for several minutes.

On the same bill in Connecticut, Travis Simms lost his WBA light
middleweight title to Haiti’s Joachim Alcine.

Both fighters had points deducted for excessive clinching, but American
Simms, making his third defence, was knocked down in the ninth on his
way to a comprehensive points defeat.

Darchinyan said he wanted the chance to avenge his loss to Donaire.

I shut him up and he still wouldn’t admit in the ring after the fight
that I beat him
Nonito Donaire

"I’m very disappointed," he said. "He caught me with a very good shot.
I’ll be back. I definitely want a rematch."

Donaire’s win was doubly satisfying, given Darchinyan had beaten elder
brother Glenn in 2006.

"I came in here as an underdog," said Donaire, 24.

"Nobody believed in me, but I did it. I think the key for me was every
time Darchinyan threw and landed, I punched back and that got him
thinking. It took the bully out of him.

"I shut him up and he still wouldn’t admit in the ring after the fight
that I beat him."

"This fight wasn’t just for me, it was for my family and the Filipino
people, too. I could feel their energy tonight. I felt so good in the
ring."

OSCE PA PRESIDENT THINKS THERE IS A ‘GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY’ FOR KARABAKH PROBLEM RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.07.2007 15:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Thoughts of a military resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict are inadmissible, OSCE PA President Goran Lennmarker
said when opening the organization’s 16th session.

Both states will benefit from a peaceful agreement, he said.

"Thousands of displaced persons and refugees will be able to return
to their homes. A peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
will offer both states a possibility to work jointly with Georgia for
formation of a secure and democratically developing region," he said.

Mr Lennmarker described the current situation as a "golden possibility"
for the conflict resolution. "The OSCE Minsk Group has prepared a
framework agreement which includes all points the sides are concerned
about. The document is ready for signing by the leaders of two
states. Only political will is needed," he said, Day.az reports.

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
July 4 2007

Azerbaijani State Committee’s Chairman Nazim Ibrahimov to Visit Germany

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr. Trend S.Ilhamgizi / Nazim Ibrahimov of the
Azerbaijani State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Residing
Abroad, has stated that he will visit Germany in July.

Ibrahimov will attend the Congress of World Azerbaijanis’ conference
in Cologne. Ibrahimov noted that since establishing the committee
they take part in all of the congress’s conferences.

`The policy of our organization is attached to protection of our
counterparts abroad. We do not want that activities of our
counterparts residing abroad to damage Azerbaijan’s interests,’
Ibrahimov said.

The chairman noted that he would visit Mainz, Germany, at the
invitation of the municipality’s head. According to the chairman,
many Azerbaijanis reside in Mainz and this visit may unite the
Azerbaijani Diaspora in the region.

Yeinz Boytel, the head of Mainz’s municipality, after his visit to
Azerbaijan addressed a letter to his country’s media. ‘In his letter
Boytel recognized that the Nagorno-Karabakh is inseparable territory
of Azerbaijan. Germany supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity,’
Ibrahimov added.

EVICTION-THREATENED RESIDENTS PROTEST ‘GOVERNMENT HARASSMENT’
By Karine Kalantarian

Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
July 3 2007

More than a hundred people facing eviction from their Yerevan homes
slated for demolition gathered outside President Robert Kocharian’s
office on Tuesday to protest against their alleged harassment by a
powerful security agency.

The protesters reside in Yerevan’s few remaining old neighborhoods
that are due to be torn down as part of a massive government-approved
redevelopment going on in the city center. Unlike hundreds of other
families whose houses have already been demolished, many of those
residents do not officially own their houses and will not necessarily
be compensated for their loss.

They claim that municipal authorities demand huge fees in return for
granting them title to their properties. The Yerevan municipality
promised last year to do this free of charge in some of the
neighborhoods concerned.

Organizers of the protest said that the National Security Service
(NSS) rounded up and questioned on Monday more than two dozen
eviction-threatened residents. Lena Chilingarian, a middle-aged
resident of the Kozern neighborhood, claimed to be one of them. "I
got really scared when people from the National Security Service came
to take me away," she said.

Chilingarian and other protesters allegedly questioned by the NSS
said law-enforcement officers specifically tried to get them to
give incriminating testimony against Samvel Mkrtchian, head of the
non-governmental organization Community and Right championing their
cause. They said they refused to testify that he is doing so for money.

The NSS already arrested on controversial fraud charges in 2005 a
human rights lawyer who had helped other evicted families sue the
Armenian government at the European Court of Human Rights. The lawyer,
Vahe Grigorian, was released several months later.

The demonstrators feared that Mkrtchian, whose mobile phone was not
reachable for two days, was also arrested by the former KGB. However,
the activist denied this as he joined the protest later on.

Still, Mkrtchian claimed that municipality officials have told him
that the NSS is "dealing with you." He said he is constantly being
followed by unknown individuals and fears for the safety of his
wife and children. "Their goal is to sabotage activities of the
non-governmental organization Community and Right," he told RFE/RL.

The protesters, meanwhile, dispersed after receiving what organizers
described assurances by officials from Kocharian’s staff that the
NSS will not disturb them anymore.

PRESIDENT OF PACE TO VISIT ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA

Prime News Agency, Georgia
July 3 2007

Tbilisi. July 03 (Prime-News) – Rene van der Linden, President of
the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe, will visit Armenia,
Georgia and Azerbaijan within the framework of the regional visit in
the countries of South Caucasus.

Prime-News was told about that at Tbilisi Representation of Council
of Europe.

The President of PACE will complete his visit to countries of South
Caucasus on July 10.

Rene van der Linden will hold meetings with the governmental officials,
representatives of political parties and NGOs of the aforementioned
countries.

The issues related to fulfillment of assumed responsibilities will
be probably discussed at the meetings.