Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

ELMAR MAMEDYAROV READY TO MEET WITH NEW FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA

Today.Az
s/44300.html
April 15 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister is ready for a meeting with the new
Foreign Minister of Armenia.

The due announcement was made by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mamedyarov in Baku.

He said he does not consider that the talks should be started anew
with the appointment of the new Foreign Minister of Armenia.

"We have discussed and coordinated a number of issues in the framework
of the Prague process and we should continue it. We can discuss only
the autonomy of Nagorno Karabakh and only within Azerbaijan. If they
want self-determination, international practice has many examples,
like Russia", said the Minister.

It should be noted that OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will meet with
OSCE chairman in Vienna. Mamedyarov said commenting on the forthcoming
meeting that official Baku will react after information on the results
of the meeting during which co-chairs will report to the OSCE chairman
and assess the situation in Armenia, come out".

It should be noted that Armenian ambassador to France Eduard Nalbadyan
was appointed Foreign Minister of Armenia yesterday.

HAROUTUNE BEDELIAN AND LORNA GRIFFITT IN CONCERT

Gibrahayer

WED NESDAY APRIL 16 at 8:30pm

Dedicated to the memory of Vahan Bedelian 1894-1990 violinist &
teacher to many generations of Cypriot musicians

Haroutune Bedelian (violin)

Since winning the First Prize at age twenty in the prestigious BBC
Violin Competition, Haroutune Bedelian has performed, broadcasted and
televised in major cities and concert halls around the world. He is
also invited regularly to participate in international music festivals.

Quotes from reviews of performances in major newspapers: "Alert,
subtle artist as well as a superb instrumentalist," New York Times;
"The result was a powerful music making, virtuosity going hand in
hand with unswerving loyalty to the composer," The Strad Magazine ;
"Mr. Bedelian has an unforced silvery tone and showed his musicianship
in his immaculate phrasing". London Daily Telegraph ; "Virtuosity comes
to him as second nature, but it is used as a means to the interpretive
freedom and sense of style that characterizes his playing above all
else," The London Times ; "Refined and sensitive musician. Controlled,
clean and effortless playing making light of the most formidable
difficulties," The London Guardian; "Technical and musical resources
of virtuoso class," The Los Angeles Times. Before his appointment at
the University of California, Irvine, he was professor of violin at
the Royal Academy of Music, London, England.

In 2007, Haroutune Bedelian issued on DVD the Six Sonatas and Partitas
for Solo Violin by J.S. Bach. That was the first time these works
appeared in their entirety on DVD.

Lorna Griffitt (piano)

Lorna Griffitt, D.M., began her performing career at 16 as a
soloist with the Louisville Orchestra under the direction of Robert
Whitney, in a performance of the Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor. Her
teachers include Doris Owen (Bickel), Tong Il Han, Gyorgy Sebok and
Maria Curcio. She received her doctorate with distinction in piano
performance from Indiana University under the tutelage of Menahem
Pressler. Dr. Griffitt enjoys an active career as soloist, chamber
musician and pedagogue in the US and in South America, Europe and
the Middle East.

Lorna Griffitt began her teaching career in 1974 at DePauw University
and joined the music faculty at the University of California, Irvine
in 1993.

During the summers, Dr. Griffitt is invited as guest artist to the
Schlern International Music Festival in Voels am Schlern, Italy
and to the International Cello Encounter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
where she teaches, gives master classes and performs in concerto and
chamber concerts with various international artists. With Haroutune
Bedelian, she recently recorded The Six Sonatas and Partitas for
Violin by J. S. Bach with the Robert Schumann piano accompaniment to
be released by Centaur Records later in 2008.

Programme: J.S. Bach Sonata No.1 in B Minor for violin and piano
J. Brahms Sonata No.1 in G Major for violin and piano

Interval

A. Webern Vier Stucke for violin and piano R. Schumann Sonata No.2
in D Minor for violin and piano

VIKTOR MERESHKIN: "COSSACKS HAVE BEEN ON AZERBAIJAN’S SIDE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Today
itics/44265.html
April 14 2008
Azerbaijan

"We plan to open a memorial of friendship of Cossacks and Azerbaijanis
in Azerbaijan, which is our home", said the head of Cossacks
clannishness of Azerbaijan Viktor Mereshkin.

He said the memorial will be impressive and there will be a symbolic
eight angled star and a large alley will pass near it.

According to him, the memorial opening will be attended by visitors
from Russia and Ukraine.

"This will be not only ordinary visitors but also governors of all
11 Cossacks armed forces of Russia, as well as senior representatives
of Ukrainian forces", said he.

He considers that the visitors will be glad to see the memodial.

"The thing is that many establish memorials to Cossacks but not so
whole-heartedly as it is done in Azerbaijan, noted Mereshkin.

He said they plan to award orders to some participants of the event
and also to President of Azerbaijan.

He noted that during the military conflicts, people try to attract
Cossacks to their side, while Cossacks continue supporting Azerbaijan.

"Since the very beginning of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, they have
been for Azerbaijan and said "Azerbaijan is right! We are for our
brothers!"", Mereshkin concluded.

ASSISTANT TO RA PRESIDENT TO SPEAK DURING THE HEARINGS ON ARMENIA AT THE US HELSINKI COMMISSION

armradio.am
14.04.2008 12:28

Assistant to RA President Vigen Sargsyan will deliver a speech at
the hearings on the "Armenia after the Elections" to be held at the
US Helsinki Commission on April 17.

The hearing will focus on the ramifications of these developments for
Armenia and the United States, especially the ongoing Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) negotiations on
Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia s qualifications for assistance from
the Millennium Challenge Account.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza and Arman
Grigoryan, Spokesman for former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan are
also expected to make speeches.

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as
the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors
progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki
Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States
Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each
from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.

KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI PLANS TO COMPOSE ARMENIAN SPIRITUAL MUSIC

ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin
II on April 10 received Krzysztof Pendrecki in the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin. Welcoming the world-famous composer, His Holiness said in
his speech: "We are familiar with your works and today we are glad to
meet you and express our appreciation for your services to mankind".

K. Penderecki told His Holiness about the history of his family,
speaking about his Armenian roots and childhood memories.

NT was informed by the press services of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin that the interlocutors also spoke about resemblance of K.
Pendereski’s works to the Armenian spiritual music. In the words of the
composer, he has a desire to write Armenian spiritual music.

KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI TO BE HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF PROSPECTS OF 21st YEREVAN FESTIVAL

Noyan Tapan
April 11, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Henceforth the days of world-famous
composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki in Armenia will become
traditional and Penderecki himself will become the Honorary Chairman of
the Prospects of 21st International Music Festival. Stepan Rostomian,
the festival Director, said on April 11. According to him, Krzysztof
Penderecki’s visit to Armenia is a historic event, as one of "the last
of the Mohicans" of great music of the 20th century visited Armenia
thanks to this festival of classical music having international
authority.

During his second meeting with Armenian journalists Penderecki said
that he is too impressed by the festival. "The festival is organized
in line with all international standards. And orchestras and choirs,
which performed my works, showed high professionalism," Mr Penderecki
said. The maestro is especially impressed by the performances of
the Armenian State Academic and Hover chamber choirs conducted by
Hovhannes Chekijian and Sona Hovhannisian.

Krzysztof Penderecki is especially delighted with performances of
Komitas’ works (for instance, Chekijian’s choir, on April 7, before
Penderecki’s Stabat Mater performed Sand Song by Komitas). "Komitas
is unique and cannot be compared with anyone. He is very close to
his national traditions," he emphasized. The maestro said that his
next work will have Armenian lyrics.

According to the world-famous composer, when creating for him the
most important is not form, but the cosmic material that is the
basis of the creation. The musician having Armenian roots feels a
complete Polish and in the respect of creation he is international,
with traditions of German classical music as a basis.

Krzysztof Penderecki expressed gratitude to festival’s organizers
for giving him a possibility to visit Armenia. The maestro also said
that he gained "good friends in Armenia, with which I am connected
through not only music, but also through human relationship." And
as Mr Rostomian said, world-famous cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich’s
last Moscow student Ivan Monighetti has made much contribution in
the issue of maestro’s coming to Armenia. I.

Monighetti for already several times has participated in the Armenian
festival.

Krzysztof Penderecki’s wife, Elzbieta Penderecka, who was present at
the meeting and is the Chairwoman of Beethoven International Music
Festival being held In Warsaw, said that Armenia will take part in
that authoritative festival from next year.

Famous musician-performers Ivan Monighetti, Andrzej Bauer, Chrisian
Altenburger, Arto Noras, and Michele Letik taking part in Penderecki
festival said that they have good impressions from Armenia. In
particular, they highly evaluated the fact that there are many
young people among concert’s spectators, who take interest in modern
music. They also noted that elderly people and pensioners are mainly
among the spectators in European countries.

LINCY FOUNDATION OFFICIALS VISITED HOVSEPIAN SCHOOL AND WESTERN DIOCESE

Noyan Tapan
April 11, 2008

PASADENA, APRIL 11, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Lincy Foundation
Officials in the face of Jay Rakon and Harout Sasounian, visited the
Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian School of St. Gregory the Illuminator
Armenian Church in Pasadena, on April 8. His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Vicar General, and the Vice-Chair of the Diocesan
Council, lawyer Mr. Joseph Kanimian, Mr. Armen Hampar, the Chair
of the Cathedral Building Committee, Benefactor Shahe Shahbazian,
Architect Mr. Kaaren Khoudikian, and Mr. Raffi Kendirjian greeted The
Lincy Foundation new President Mr. Jay Rakow and Mr. Harut Sassounian,
Senior Vice-President of the Foundation.

During the meeting His Eminence congratulated Mr. Rakow for his
appointment to the presidency of The Lincy Foundation and praised The
Lincy Foundation for its enormous contribution to Armenia as well as
the interest shown by the leadership of the Foundation to the cause of
education in the Diaspora, especially the Armenian schools in Southern
California. His Eminence also gave information on the general programs
of the primacy and especially stressed that the construction work of
the Cathedral will start in May.

Mr. Jay Rakow in his remarks stressed the importance of education and
thanked the dedicated staff of the school for their diligent service.

ARMENIAN EX-LEADER SAYS STRUGGLE TO CONTINUE

Mediamax
April 11 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 11 April: Armenia’s ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan has
sharply criticized the West and accused it of using "double standards",
read the ex-president’s statement that was circulated in the evening
of 10 April.

Regime receives blessing of "civilized world"

Ter-Petrosyan, who came second in the [19] February presidential
election, said [in the statement] that "the kleptocratic regime
changed its leader in Armenia on 9 April with the blessing of ‘the
civilized world’".

President Serzh Sargsyan’s inauguration was held in Yerevan on 9 April.

"The West confined itself to statements that were outwardly sharp but
in fact empty and irresponsible, thus willingly or unwillingly making
for the reproduction of the criminal authorities of Armenia. Guided
by political motives and double standards, European organizations
took the side of the illegitimate regime, but not of Armenia’s new
civil society that was inspired by the ideas of democracy, freedom
and law-governed state. With the aim to weaken Armenia’s position in
the Karabakh settlement process, the West has preferred to have in
our country a dictatorship that has vulnerable legitimacy rather than
the authorities enjoying people’s confidence," said the ex-president
who ruled the country in 1991-98.

Call on supporters to stop hunger strike to continue struggle

Ter-Petrosyan called on his supporters, who were arrested and detained
on suspicion of organizing mass disturbances on 1 March that resulted
in the eight deaths, to stop their hunger strike.

"Your health, unshakable will and determination are required to
continue the nation-wide struggle. 9 April is not the end, but the
beginning of the sacred struggle and political manifestation of this
struggle will soon be visible to our society. I have no doubt that
the continuation of the nation-wide movement will force the world
community to change its attitude to our state," the ex-president said.

ARMENIA’S FUTURE SPELLED OUT IN PRESIDENT’S ELECTION PLATFORM: PRIME MINISTER SAYS

ARMENPRESS
April 11, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s future is clearly spelled out
in president Serzh Sarkisian’s election program and in the government
plan of actions that was approved by parliament, new prime minister
Tigran Sarkisian said today during a press briefing.

He said the near-term priorities of the government are all singled
out and the government’s goal is to implement them.

He said his government will be working to materialize these ‘ambitious’
programs which he said were also approved by the society.

He said the composition and the structure of the new government will be
clear in few days, adding also that new ministries will be established,
but declined to reveal details.

Interpreting his earlier made remarks that the government will be
pursuing a tough policy and that he will be an exigent premier Tigran
Sarkisian said this means speciation of government ministers’ duties.

Tigran Sarkisian said also he is not going to join any political party
and disagreed with opinions that his no-party affiliation will make
him weaker with little leverages to influence government ministers.

He also endorsed the approaches spelled out by new president in his
inaugural speech on how to diffuse political tensions in the country
saying this is the only way to reconcile the society.

He also confirmed that budget revenues rose by 5 billion drams in
the first quarter.

Armenian Genocide Museum of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 202-383-9009; E-mail: [email protected];
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
Rouben Adalian
April 11, 2008
Phone: (202) 383-9009
Web:
E-mail: [email protected]

MINNESOTA FEDERAL COURT CONFIRMS DISMISSAL OF CAFESJIAN LAWSUIT IN FAVOR
OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM

Washington-On March 31, 2008, the U.S. District Court in Minnesota
confirmed the October 2007 ruling to dismiss the first lawsuit filed by
Gerard Cafesjian and the Cafesjian Family Foundation against the
Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian Genocide Museum and
Memorial, Inc.

The dismissal of Cafesjian’s lawsuit came within a week of the milestone
approval obtained by the museum project from the District of Columbia
Historic Preservation Review Board and the endorsements by DC
community-based organizations. Rapid progress continues toward the
opening of the museum, which is slated for 2010.

The lawsuit filed by Cafesjian in April 2007 sought to rescind the grant
agreement his Foundation had made with the Armenian Assembly with
respect to the Armenian Genocide Museum project, so that Cafesjian could
recover substantially appreciated real estate. Subsequent filings and
press attacks by Cafesjian were similarly intended to scuttle the
building of a genocide museum.
Cafesjian formally abandoned the project demanding return of appreciated
real estate, leaving behind unpaid taxes, an unpaid mortgage, leaking
roofs, unpaid salaries, unpaid contractors, an illegal lien on the
properties, no audits, and compliance problems with other donors’ gifts,
all of which left the project in tatters.

Despite additional lawsuits filed by Cafesjian in Minnesota and the
District of Columbia in an effort to obstruct the museum project, no
court to date has ruled in Cafesjian’s favor or hindered the rapid
progress registered. The dismissal in Minnesota allows Cafesjian to try
again in the District of Columbia if he chooses, but in a filing dated
April 1, 2008, Cafesjian has apparently appealed the Federal Court
decision to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. At the same time, the
Armenian Assembly has repeatedly called upon Cafesjian to resolve
differences in private through mediation.

NR#2008-02