Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF VIRGINIA TO BE ACTIVE WITH ARMENIAN CAUSE

DeFacto Agency
May 14 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 14.05.08. DE FACTO. On April 20, 2008, Armenian National
Committee of America, Eastern Region (ANCA-ER) Executive Director,
Karine Birazian, traveled to Richmond, Virginia, where she spoke to
the Armenian community on ANCA objectives and initiatives, as well
as how to become more active with the Armenian Cause.

"The excitement to have the ANCA ER Director come to Richmond was
amazing," commented Melanie Kerneklian, chairperson of the ANC of
Richmond. Kerneklian also served as the former chair of National
Organization of Republican Armenians (NORA) and currently serves
as the vice chair of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) "Hooys"
chapter. A dinner party was held that evening by Dr. & Mrs. Murad
and Melanie Kerneklian to give an opportunity for community members
to have a more in-depth exchange with Birazian. There, Birazian also
gained insight as to genocide education initiatives undertaken by
the Armenian Education Center, a grassroots organization founded to
help teachers in the Commonwealth of Virginia gain access to Armenian
Genocide curricula. The Armenian Genocide is included in the Virginia
Department of Education’s revised Curriculum Framework as the first
major example of genocide in the 20th century and a precursor to the
Jewish Holocaust.

The following day, Birazian visited Thomas Dale High School where
she spoke to a class of students on 20th century genocide and the
ongoing genocide in Darfur.

On Wednesday, April 23rd, nearly 40 Richmond activists, among whom
close to a dozen were young teenagers, traveled to Washington,
DC, and participated in the 93rd Commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide on Capitol Hill. Activists also had an opportunity to meet
with and speak to Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA-7) to discuss foreign aid
and genocide recognition. To note, while serving in the Virginia
House of Delegates, Rep. Cantor cosponsored the Armenian Genocide
Resolution. Against tremendous Turkish opposition, the ANCA, coupled
with Rep. Cantor’s leadership, helped pass the resolution. As a
result, Virginia also introduced the Armenian Genocide curriculum
for Virginia schools.

UK GOVERNMENT MEMBER USES TERM ARMENIAN GENOCIDE FOR THE FIRST TIME

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.05.2008 14:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The UK government has strongly condemned the
desecration of the Armenian Genocide Monument in Cardiff, Wales, which
occurred on Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, 2008, independent
French journalist Jean Eckian told PanARMENIAN.Net.

In a reply to MP David Burrowes, (who had taken up a complaint by
B. Nazarian of Armenia Solidarity about the act of vandalism), the
Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt Hon Paul Murphy, replying for
the UK government specifically referred to "the desecration of The
Armenian Genocide Memorial in Cardiff in January 2008."

"I wholeheartedly condemn this violent act of desecration. It is
distressing that this is yet another example of how we must all
continue to be vigilant against such acts of racism, violence and
hatred; and that we all need to stand united against them," he said.

"This attack, like many similar crimes, is often unprovoked and
undertaken under the cover of darkness.

I hope that when the vandals are caught and prosecuted for this crime,
this will go some way to easing the pain and distress that has been
caused by this terrible act", he said.

"This is a most significant development" said a spokesman for Armenia
Solidarity. "In the past government ministers have made strenuous
efforts to avoid using the phrase the Armenian Genocide.

Office of Assemblymember Paul Krekorian
Adrin Nazarian Chief of Staff
620 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 403
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 240-6330
(818) 240-4632 fax
[email protected]

May 12, 2008

Assemblymember Krekorian Announces:
Judges Select 24 Finalists in FILMFEST 43

Glendale, CA – Following an "arduous, but very exciting winnowing
process," Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) announced that
judges of the first FILMFEST 43 have selected 24 finalists in four
categories: Animation; Documentary/PSA; Experimental/Music Video, and
Narrative.

Hailing an "unprecedented outpouring of interest and local talent,"
Assemblymember Krekorian said the judges-visual-arts professionals-have
chosen 11 narrative films, five documentaries, five experimental/music
video projects, and three animation entrees as finalists in FILMFEST 43,
an artistic and creative event set for 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 16, at
Glendale’s historic Alex Theatre.

"I am absolutely thrilled that, in the entertainment capitol of the
world, in the flagship city of California’s signature industry, over 100
aspiring filmmakers have submitted their short films to our Festival,"
Assemblymember Krekorian said. "Not only are these artists part of the
next wave of local movie talent," he said, "but for some of them, the
next step in their careers is here."

The finalists represent 11 public and private schools, Assemblymember
Krekorian said. They include Burbank High School, Burbank ROP Program,
Clark Magnet High School, Crescenta Valley High School, Flintridge
Sacred Heart Academy, Grant High School, John Burroughs High School,
Marshall High School, Oakwood High School, Providence High School, and
Toll Middle School. "This is an amazing and very satisfying turnout of
talent and ambition from throughout my district," Assemblymember
Krekorian said. "I thank the judges who took the time to carefully
review and consider every entry."

As chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Preservation of
California’s Entertainment Industry, Assemblymember Krekorian has
conducted hearings aimed at keeping filmmaking jobs and projects in
California. "These young movie makers have displayed great imagination
and talent in producing their films," he noted. "This bodes well for
the future of California’s film industry and the tens of thousands of
jobs that it creates and supports."

FILMFEST 43 is open to the public and admission is free. To RSVP for
free tickets or for additional information, contact Assemblymember
Krekorian’s District Office at (818) 240-6330.

# # #

Panorama.am

17:18 09/05/2008

TURKISH SINGER INVITED ARTO TUNCBOYAJYAN TO TURKEY

Famous singer of Eastern show business Sezen Aksu
invited Arto Tuncboyajyan and Armenian Navy Band to
Turkey to instrument her new CD in Turkey. In early
70th the singer was the queen of pop music in Turkey.
She wants to include Arto’s several songs which she
liked the most.

Note that Arto Tuncboyajyan will leave for Los Angeles
after Turkey.

Source: Panorama.am

ARMENPRESS

PAYING TRIBUTE IN `YERABLUR’ PANTHEON

YEREVAN, MAY 9, ARMENPRESS: On the sixteenth
anniversary of the heroic liberation of Shushi and on
the Day of Victory and Peace Armenian high-ranked
officials paid tribute to the memory of those who died
in the Artsakh war.
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosian,
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian, representatives of
legislative and executive bodies, high-ranked officer
staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, clergyman,
representatives of the diplomatic corpus, political
officials came to `Yerablur’ pantheon to put flowers
to the tomb of Armenian Chief Commander Vazgen
Sargsian, Andranik Ozanian.
`Today is a day when we on one hand pay tribute to
the memory of those who were killed and on the other
we are proud for our victory and hope that we can
unite on resolute moments for reaching victory,’
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian said after
paying tribute.
He also noted that steps are being carried out for
increase of honor payments of the participants of the
Second World War. On May 8 the Armenian government
decided to double them from July 1.
`The second step which must be carried out is to
work out a complex program – large social package
which during the 2009 budget discussions will be
presented to the public. It will include what the
state can do additionally within the limits of its
financial abilities, to help unsecured class, war
handicapped people, participants of the war,
parentless children,’ T. Sargsian said.
Mothers of killed and missed freedom fighters asked
the prime minister to receive them for presenting
their social issues. Tigran Sargsian promised to meet
with them in near future and hear all the issues.
The leadership of the country and high-ranked
officer staff of the Armenian Armed Forces put wreath
on the memory of the Unknown Soldier.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsian will participate
today in Nagorno Karabakh celebrations dedicated to
the Day of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army, 16th
anniversary of liberation of Shushi and Day of
Victory.

TALENTED MOSCOW-BASED MUSICIAN SONA ARSHAKIAN GIVES FIRST SOLO CONCERT
IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The 21-year-old Sona Arshakian from Moscow
gave her first important and responsible concert at Yerevan’s Chamber
Music House. The program of the first solo concert of the Moscow State
Conservatory student was a complex and rich one. On that evening the
young pianist performed works of almost all European composers:
Scarlatti, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann and Rakhmaninov.

According to Sona, the program was complex but she was well-prepared,
and she expressed a hope that the audience will like her performance.
"My professor is very strict and demanding. We have prepared well for
the concert but the program was difficult," she said.

"I starting playing the piano quite unexpectedly. In our family, I am
the first to practice music, for which I am obliged to a childhood
friend. Following her suit, I started to attend a music school and soon
I realized that I was to play and become a famous pianist," Sona
recalls. Shortly afterwards the gifted girl continued her education at
Yerevan music school after P. Tchaykowsky, and three years later she
left for Moscow to study in Moscow, a city famous for its music
traditions.

The talented and hard-working girl not only studied music in a foreign
city but also improved her music skills and graduated from the
Tchaykowsky music shools with an honors diploma. With the same success
Sona Arshakian entered the Moscow State Conservatory, studying in the
class of famous Professor Yuri Hayrapetian of Armenian descent. "At his
classes, I began to perceive music differently. It is a different
feeling that I can express only on the keyboard of a piano. This
perception is peculiar to my world, in which nothing but nature and
music exists: they are as much in harmony as the air and breath," Sona
said.

In response to the question about why there are no works of Armenian
composers in her concert program, Sona replied that it is a matter of
time, and the next time she will certainly perform works of Armenian
authors.

In addition to playing the piano, Sona likes to sing, paint and dance.
"I like Armenian folk songs above all and I sing them with pleasure. I
often sing in church," she noted.

Sona’s greatest wish to become a great and well-known pianist, for
which she stidies hard. After this solo concert, the young pianist will
give a performance in Moscow. She plans to participate in an
international competition of pianists in Geneva in October.

In 2006 Sona took part in the Citta di Sulmona competition in Italy and
won the second prize, while at another international contest of
pianists in Italy in 2007 she was awarded the 3rd prize and the Special
Prize.

Panorama.am

16:26 07/05/2008

NALBANDYAN MET MAMEDIAROV. AGREEMENT REACHED

On 6 May Edvard Nalbandian, the Foreign Affairs
Minister of Armenia, had a meeting with his Azeri
counterpart Elmar Mamediarov. The meeting took place
in Council of Europe France permanent representation
and the OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen Bernard Fussier
(France), Mattiew Bryza (USA), Yuri Merzliakov
(Russia), and OSCE ongoing president special
representative Anjey Kasprchik were also present at
the meeting.

According to the press and public relations department
of the FAM, after minister Nalbandian said that the
meeting has held more cognitive mission. The two
ministers have shared their opinions on Karabakh
question current activities; they have presented the
attitude and perspectives of their countries and made
arrangements to keep the negotiations. The minister
should present the discussion results and the future
blueprints should be arranged by the presidents.

Before the meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister
of Azerbaijan, Mr Nalbandian had a meeting with the
OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen and the special
representative of the OSCE ongoing president. The
Minister said that Armenian authorities highly
evaluate the activities and efforts conducted by the
co-chairmen and are ready to continue the negotiations
by the support of the Minsk group representatives.

Source: Panorama.am

Mental Health Weekly Digest
May 5, 2008

SCHIZOPHRENIA IMMUNOLOGY;
Researchers at Institute of Molecular Biology release new data on
schizophrenia immunology

Scientists discuss in ‘Cryoglobulins as indicators of upregulated
immune response in schizophrenia’ new findings in schizophrenia. "In
the present work the concentration of abnormal immune complexes,
cryoglobulins (Cgs), in the blood of schizophrenic patients was
determined, and immunochemical composition of these complexes was
studied. Eighty multiple-episode schizophrenia-affected subjects (55
medicated, 25 drug-free) and 40 healthy controls were involved in the
study," investigators in Yerevan, Armenia report (see also
Schizophrenia Immunology).

"Cgs were isolated by exposure of blood serum samples to precipitation
at low temperature followed by extensive washings of Cg-enriched
pellets. The immunochemical composition of Cgs was analyzed using
different electrophoretic and immunoblotting systems. Significantly
increased blood serum levels of type III Cgs were detected in all
schizophrenia-affected subjects, as compared to controls. We also
revealed the presence of C1q and C3 complement proteins and their
activation products in Cgs isolated from the blood of schizophrenic
patients," wrote A. Boyajyan and colleagues, Institute of Molecular
Biology.

The researchers concluded: "The results of the present study suggest
that Cgs are involved in schizophrenia-associated upregulated immune
response by binding the complement proteins, activating the complement
cascade and triggering aberrant apoptosis."

Boyajyan and colleagues published their study in Clinical Biochemistry
(Cryoglobulins as indicators of upregulated immune response in
schizophrenia. Clinical Biochemistry, 2008;41(6):355-60).

For additional information, contact A. Boyajyan, Institute of
Molecular Biology NAS RA, 7 Hasratyan St., 0014 Yerevan, Armenia.

The publisher of the journal Clinical Biochemistry can be contacted
at: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane,
Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.

Keywords: Armenia, Yerevan, Schizophrenia Immunology, Biochemistry,
Immunology, Psychiatry, Schizophrenia.

This article was prepared by Mental Health Weekly Digest editors from
staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Mental Health Weekly Digest
via NewsRx.com.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext. 202
Fax: +37410. 565601
Email: [email protected]

Tigra n Balayan, Head of Press Division, Replies to a Question
by "Haykakan Zhamanak" Newspaper

QUESTION: A couple of days ago, US State Department published the annual
Country Reports on Terrorism, which includes some critical provisions on
Armenia. What is Armenia’s stance on this issue?

ANSWER: First, I would like to say that the criticism included in the report
is a concern for Armenia.

The anti-corruption struggle is a problem which needs continuous and
consistent work. As you know, a few years ago, a national anti-corruption
strategy has been elaborated and put into implementation, some provisions of
which are being revised.

One of the core topics President Sargsyan’s pre-electoral program was
anti-corruption struggle, thus, Armenia’s government is determined to
struggle against this vicious phenomenon.

We joined a number of international documents: the UN anti-corruption
convention (came into force on 7 April 2007), a number of documents in the
framework of Council of Europe, which are aimed at struggling with
corruption and controlling the process. Armenia will continue its
uncompromising struggle with corruption.

As to the issue of Armenia-Iran relations included in the report, Armenia
considers Iran a friendly country where a historically formed Diaspora
exists. Our relations with Iran, which are not targeted against any country,
are characterized by bilateral cooperation which, I believe, is natural for
neighboring countries. Armenia is willing to establish such kind of
relations with all its neighbors.

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS MILITARY UNITS ON THE BORDER WITH AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Press Agency
May 4 2008
Azerbaijan

Yerevan-APA. Armenian defense minister Seyran Ohanian has visited
military units in north-eastern direction on the border with
Azerbaijan.

Ohanian told journalists the president urged him to learn work done
for improvement of engineering installations on the border and problems
concerned local residents, APA quotes Novosti-Armenia. "We have visited
the battle-front and made decisions for strengthening of settlements
defense. We will build several more engineering installations for
strengthening of defense line". Ohanian said he ordered militaries
not to retaliate fires from the opposite side.