Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

Tennis star donates $10,000 to Poochigian
Fresno Bee
Bee Staff
July 8, 2006
State Sen. Chuck Poochigian, R-Fresno, shares at least one thing
with Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and Al Gore: All received campaign
contributions from Andre Agassi.
The tennis great gave $10,000 to Poochigian’s campaign for attorney
general.
Agassi won’t give his reasons for supporting a Republican’s campaign
after years of contributing to Democratic candidates.
Poochigian credits a common friend whom he will not name.
“A strong supporter of mine said he would try to raise some funds,
and among the people he knows, apparently well, is Andre Agassi,”
Poochigian said.
Poochigian is running against Democrat Jerry Brown for attorney general
Agassi is gearing up for competition as well. The winner of eight Grand
Slam titles, he announced the U.S. Open will be his last tournament.
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Vladimir Putin Concerned over Racism Manifestation in Russia
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.07.2006 15:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Manifestation of racism is a very dangerous
phenomenon for Russia because the Russian Federation is a multinational
and multi-confessional state, Russian President Vladimir Putin said
during an online interview. “We should give a proper counterblow to
this evil, since it undermines our foundations.
Racism is conditioned by many factors, in part by the large flow of
immigrants and the reaction of the local inhabitants, who blame the
government for poor protection of their own rights,” Putin remarked. In
his words, these problems should be settled consistently at the
legislative level and with the assistance of the law enforcement
bodies. “Of course, this not sufficient and we should carry out
a great deal of work with the young generation. However any deed
exceeding the frames of the acting legislation will be punished,”
the RF President said.

Armenian Delegation to PA OSCE Spread Booklets on Vandalism of Azeri Authorities
07.07.2006 16:57
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – A representative of Nagorno Karabakh will appear at
the rostrum of the OSCE PA one day, head of the Armenian delegation
to the OSCE PA, Armenian parliament vice-speaker Vahan Hovhannisian
stated when addressing the OSCE PA session. Drawing parallels between
Montenegro and Nagorno Karabakh he attracted the attention of the OSCE
parliamentarians to Serbia’s civilized approach in a similar issue.
As third secretary at the RA Embassy in Belgium Tigran Balayan told
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, the members of the Assembly were given
booklets telling about the vandalism of the Azeri authorities as
regard the Armenian cultural monuments.
The speech of the Azerbaijani representative was fully dedicated to
the fires in the near-border regions of the NKR and Azerbaijan. The
discussions proved that the fires were a natural phenomenon, however
the Azeri deputy accused the Armenian side of inactivity in fire
extinguishing. In conclusion of the session Armenian parliamentarian
Artashes Geghamian presented the facts proving Azerbaijan’s guilt
in fire initiation.

ARMENIA MARKS CONSTITUTION DAY
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 6 2006
YEREVAN, July 5. /ARKA/. Armenians marks Constitution Day today. The
Constitution was adopted through a nationwide referendum conducted
on July 5, 1995, under Armenian National Movement party rule.
It is written in the Constitution preamble that Armenian people
guided by Armenian state system’s principles and the national goals
fixed in Armenian Independence Declaration and confirming commitment
to fundamental values adopts the Constitution in an effort to make
Armenia a prosperous country enjoying freedom.
Complying with demands of the Council of Europe, which Armenia joined
in 2001, the country’s leadership initiated Constitution amendment.
The Constitution was amended after constitutional referendum held
on November 27, 2005. The amendments provided citizens to appeal to
Constitutional Court and lifted the ban on double citizenship. The
right of double citizenship is very important to a huge number of
Armenians worldwide.
Under the amended Constitution, Armenian President handed a part of his
powers over to other bodies, particularly to the Government. It means
governmental decisions are no longer in need of presidential approval
for taking force. Now the President just enjoys a right to suspend
the implementation of those governmental decisions contradicting,
in his opinion, to the Constitution.
So, Armenia smoothly turned from a strong presidential republic into
parliamentary.
The present Constitution consists of 117 articles, which confirm that
Armenia is a sovereign and a democratic state governed by people.
The Constitution declares human dignity, rights and freedoms the
country’s highest values.
Equality of all citizens and a right for life are envisaged by the
Constitution and death penalty is abolished. Other rights of citizens
are fixed in the Constitution as well.

“CILICIA” VESSEL SHIP WARMLY WELCOMED IN LITHUANIAN KLAIPEDA PORT
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
06/07/2006
“Cilicia” Armenian vessel ship arrived in the Lithuanian Klaipeda
port to leave for Stockholm from there. Zory Balayan, famous Armenian
writer and public figure informed about this.
The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia had established very close relations
with the Baltic states. Lithuania was no exclusion. The Armenian
merchants and craftsmen settled down in Lithuania many centuries
ago. But “Cilicia” arrived in Klaipeda not only paying tribute to our
ancestors. The sailors decided to arrive in this port as three of the
crew members served in the army in the Baltic states and visited this
port for many times.
According to Mr. Balayan, the Klaipeda based newspapers covered the
arrival of the ship in the port very well. Besdies, the local Armenian
community members organized a warm welcoming meeting for the sailors of
“Cilicia.” Konstantin Motenov, head of “Lloyd’s Register” international
classification organization for registration of vessel ships, gave
a certificate to “Cilicia,” according to which the Armenian ship may
sail all the seas and the oceans of the world. Mr. Balayan informed
that “Cilicia” will leave for Stockholm from Klaipeda.

PRESS RELEASE
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Anush Babayan
Tel: 3741 52 09 40
Fax: 3741 52 37 95
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
3.07.06
Recently the Toronto Affiliate of “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund
organized a fundraising dinner in Canada. Apparently, the presence
of Conservative MP Jason Kenney at the event caused concern of the
Azerbaijani Embassy and the Azerbaijani community.
Canadian Press put an article on the newswire in this regard. It was
picked up by several Canadian newspapers. Unfortunately, the reporter,
Jennifer Ditchburn, used solely Azeri sources while covering the
event. Moreover, the reporter tried to put a frivolous spin on the
fact that Canadian Armenians extended a helping hand to their kin
in Nagorno-Karabakh raising $300 thousand USD for construction of
schools in the area. The reporter purposefully mentioned that the
current Executive Director of “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund used to
hold the position of the Foreign Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. In this regard we would like to stress that the Executive
Director is not appointed, but rather is voted into the office by the
Board of Trustees of “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund, members of which
are influential, well-respected and well-known representatives of
the Armenian worldwide Diaspora.
“Hayastan” Fund brings to the attention of all interested parties
that during its 15-year history the organization has spend more than
$130 million on projects in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, the nature
of which is purely humanitarian. This philanthropic organization
has always been transparent in its operations. Since 1992 “Hayastan”
Fund has been undergoing annual independent audits conducted by Grant
Thornton. Never have our auditors revealed any improper spending of
funds. Through its affiliate offices in 19 countries, “Hayastan” Fund
often received co-financing from European (France, the Netherlands,
Greece and others) and U.S. governments for its projects. Never has
the organization had any problems with any government in this regard.
“Hayastan” Fund considers unacceptable drawn parallels between the
Fund and a unrelated questionable political organization. We want to
remind that “Hayastan” Fund is a organization that is well-respected
in the world and is proud of its mission benefiting people of Armenia
and Nagorno-Karabakh.
We consider this disrespectful and unsubstantiated attack a result
and embodiment of Azerbaijan’s shortsighted policy. We believe that
this attack questions the reputation of the organizers of this smear
campaign against “Hayastan” Fund and only strengthens the resolve of
Armenians around the world to help Nagorno-Karabakh stand on its feet.
In this regard we would like to cite MP Jason Kenney from the mentioned
article: “…I can’t imagine anybody objecting to Canada supporting
clinics, schools, hospitals and the like”. I think these words make any
further commentary unnecessary. “Hayastan” fund is strongly convinced
that the worldwide Armenian Diaspora will continue supporting their
ancestral homeland.
In her official letter to Mr. Russo, the Bureau Chief of “The Canadian
Press”, Mrs. Naira Melkoumian, the Executive Director of “Hayastan”
All-Armenian Fund, mentions: “It was irrelevant to refer to the
status of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, as the international status of
Nagorno-Karabakh is subject to the outcome of the peace talks that
have been mediated by the Organization of Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, co-chaired by France, Russia and the
United States. Meanwhile, “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund does not believe
that mere fact that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is not officially
recognized by the international community should stand in the way
of children’s education or people’s healthcare. The US Agency for
International Development (USAID), International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC), American Red Cross, Medecins Sans Frontier, Save
the Children, Halo Trust and other international humanitarian relief
organizations do not believe that either, since they have extensive
projects in Nagorno-Karabakh. For a number of years the US Congress
has been allocating nearly $5 million annually to the victims of
the NK conflict who reside in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. We think,
these facts make any other commentary unnecessary.”
3.07.06
Mardakert Regional Development Project Underway
The Regional Development project for the war-torn Martakert Region in
Nagorno-Karabakh is currently underway. The multi-level development
program focuses on developing the region through a series of
projects. The program is going on at a fast pace in different
directions.
Traditionally, construction competitive bid process is announced
for the major projects implemented in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Bid
committee consists of officials of the Fund’s Executive Board,
representatives of AGBU Armenian representative office, Armenian
Relief Society Regional Office, Yerevan Office of Armenian Assembly
of America and NKR Government. This year a representative appointed
by the RA President was also included in the committee.
A tender for the 4,865 km long Drmbon-Mardakert section of the
North-South highway will be conducted on June the 5th. Prior to
the tender the prequalification stage was conducted. Applications
from Karavan and Virage companies were received. Karavan met the
qualification requirements. The first tender for this section was
conducted on May 29. Due to high prices offered by the participants
the tender was cancelled and re-announced. The project of Mardakert
drinking water of 30 km is in tender stage. The NKR government has
ordered the design. The design cost worth of 40 million AMD was covered
by “Hayastan” Fund. It is a two-stage project. Two prequalification
proceedings were conducted for the construction on May 23. Dorozhnik,
Sfinks, Sokol group, Virage companies took part in it. Dorozhnik and
Virage companies have passed the prequalification stage. They will
submit their proposals at the tender on July 4. The “Hayastan” Fund
has also announced tenders for the construction of water supply system
for Varnkatagh, Maghavuz, Mets Shen and Vaghuhas villages. Tender
for Kichan-Drmbon section of the North-South highway is also announced.
The project design of the gas pipeline for Chldran and Arajadzor
villages is already ready. Currently, it is undergoing expertise. The
design was made by “Artsakhgas” closed JSC.
The planning and conceptual design of the Mardakert Regional Hospital
are already ready. The project is being spearheaded by the U.S.
Western Region affiliate. Conceptual design has been prepared by Los
Angeles based hospital architect in collaboration with the NKR Health
Ministry. The design of the hospital has been already ordered. The
Los Angeles affiliate will provide the hospital with medical equipment
contributed at the Telethon.
Since 2005 construction of Madaghis school is in process. The
Toronto/Canada/ affiliate of the Fund has undertaken the sponsorship
of the project. The school is designed for 120 pupils.
A tender is announced for Kochoghot village school. The project will
be financed by the French affiliate. The contract for construction
design was concluded on May 16. The Toronto affiliate has undertaken
also construction of a school in Verin Horatagh village. In coming
days, a design contract will be signed.
A large-scale agricultural development project will be implemented in
Mardakert. A commission is set to coordinate the works. The Executive
Director of the “Hayastan” Fund, NKR Minister of Agriculture,
leadership of US East Cost affiliate and representative of American
“Turnaround associates” company are involved in the commission. The
“Turnaround associates” is a qualified consulting company which
provides consultation to the developing countries free of cost.
The Fund will conclude an agreement with NKR government for joint
implementation of the project. According to the agreement the
“Hayastan” Fund will implement the project jointly with the NKR
Agricultural Support Fund, which will establish a closed joint stock
company and a NGO. The agreement will include charters of the NGO and
the JSC, as well as a contract on the relations of NKR Agricultural
Support Fund and the organization. All of these documents are prepared
by a qualified legal expert. The “Hayastan” Fund will provide the
closed joint-stock company with agricultural equipment.
The company will give equipment for use to the peasants with low
charges. Some of the modern tractors, trucks and other agricultural
equipment have already been ordered. In August they will be in
Mardakert. In addition, for about three years the Fund will pay
salaries to the employees and cover other expenses of the company.
After that period the company is envisaged to become a profit making
organization. At present, the only shareholder of the company is the
Agricultural Support Fund. During five years the peasants will buy the
shares and the equipment will become their ownership. The population of
the sub-region can use the agricultural equipment by becoming members
of the NGO. Interests of the NGO members will be defended. Members
of the NGO will be empowered to take part in decision-making and to
take direct control over the works.

BAKU: ARMENIA’S ROLE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS WILL BE SIMILAR TO ROLE OF ISRAEL IN NEAR EAST
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.07.2006 17:47 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Pretending to defend Azerbaijan’s national interests
and contrary to the assurances they give the Azerbaijani authorities
will have to accept Armenians’ demand,” political scientist Zardusht
Alizade stated. In his words, the Armenian side is not going to return
all of the seven regions. “The only thing Azerbaijan can receive is
the withdrawal of the Armenian troops from the five regions which
make the security belt,” he said.
The Azeri political scientist underscored that peacekeeping forces
will be deployed in Nagorno Karabakh and to all appearance these will
be NATO forces. “They will ensure security of the Armenian population
first of all. As for Russia’s position, it remains unchangeable. Russia
tries to protract the settlement of the conflict,” Alizade said.
He is convinced that the U.S. intends to gain Armenia’s support and
make it main ally in the region.
“I suppose Armenia’s role in the region will be similar to the role of
Israel in the Near East. Lachin and Kebaljar are most likely to remain
under Armenia’s control,” he said, reported Real Azerbaijan newspaper.

CONDUCTOR SAHBAII TO DISCUSS MOZART WORKS
Mehr News Agency, Iran
July 1 2006
TEHRAN, July 1 (MNA) – Iranian conductor Manuchehr Sahbaii is to
discuss the style of Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s
works at the Mozart Music Festival here Sunday.
The workshop is held at the University of Tehran’s Avini Hall.
Parsian band conducted by Maziar Zahireddini will give a performance
in the morning and a piano concert by guest musicians from Armenia
and Tajikistan will be held in the afternoon.
Pardis Music Band from University of Tehran’s Fine Arts Faculty with
the cooperation of the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz
(KUG) is holding Mozart Music Festival from July 1-8.
Over 100 young musicians are to compete at the event.
The selected musicians will have performances with the University of
Tehran Orchestra. They will also give performances in the country’s
universities.

PURE CYMBAL-ISM
Toronto Star, Canada
July 3 2006
New Brunswick firm Sabian Ltd. hopes to `ride’ out the metals boom and
`crash’ the fortunes of its foes, by Sharda Prashad
Acadian culture, scenic coastlines – New Brunswick is famous for
many things, even a cymbal company that’s part of a four-century-old
Turkish dynasty.
Sabian Ltd., one of the top two cymbal manufacturers in the world,
laid its roots in Canada a quarter century ago after a bitter dispute
over ownership divided the business.
Today, Sabian’s fighting another battle: remaining competitive against
a high dollar and high commodities prices.
Closing in on $40 million in gross sales, achieving double-digit
growth and counting the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Phil Collins
and other top percussionists among its customers, Sabian’s winning.
Besides producing a world-class product, Sabian is dabbling in
futures contracts to offset the soaring price of copper, one of its
main costs. It is also selling higher-end products with bigger profit
margins more aggressively, and increasing top-line sales targets to
prevent a drop in bottom line, says Andy Zildjian, newly appointed
president.
Andy works alongside brother Bill, a former commodities trader and
drummer who looks after international customers and commodities
transactions.
If Sabian’s profit-raising strategies aren’t effective, it might
have to do something it’s trying to avoid – increase the price of its
cymbals. For now, Sabian’s strategy is working and a growing volume
of orders is pushing up production levels at its cymbal plant in
Meductic in southwestern New Brunswick.
The company, which employs 150, produces 1.2 million cymbals every
year. Sabian makes more than 1,500 different types, with rides,
crashes and hi-hats being the most popular. Most are made by machine.
But the old Turkish tradition hasn’t been lost, as 15 craftsman hand
hammer about 20 per cent of the more high-end metal discs. Cymbals
cost between $64 and $770 for individual pieces, with custom-made
cymbals commanding a premium.
Everyone in Meductic, population of 189, seems to work at Sabian,
including town mayor James “Nort” Hargrove, vice-president of
manufacturing.
How exactly did a company that was started by an Armenian alchemist
named Avedis in Constantinople in the 1600s end up in Meductic?
Avedis Zildjian III moved from Istanbul to Massachusetts in the
1920s. Both of his sons, Armand and Robert, were involved in Avedis
Zildjian Co. with a mission that’s not changed since the days of
Constantinople: to make the world’s best cymbals.
One of the reasons family businesses tend to endure longer than others
is there is a substantive mission, says David Simpson, professor of
entrepreneurship and family business at the University of Western
Ontario’s Ivey School of Business.
The statistic that just 10 per cent of family businesses make it
to a third generation is often thought of as a bad thing, says the
professor, but most companies that have existed for more than 100
years are family businesses.
If you consider the family businesses of Sabian, The New York Times,
or Michelin Tires, says the professor, all seem to have transferred
the business values from generation to generation rather than just
passing the entrepreneurial reins.
For Avedis’ younger son Robert, there was never any question he’d
continue the family business. After serving in World War II, Robert
visited New Brunswick for fishing and camping trips. He was hooked
on Canada, not just on the country’s wilderness, but its inhabitants.
Robert believed they could produce the coveted cymbals.
Robert expanded the company’s operation to Meductic in the late
1960s and hired 15 staff to manufacture the company’s most-labour
intensive cymbals.
When Avedis died in 1979, the brothers spent two years battling over
ownership, until Robert decided to leave the family business and open
a new cymbal company. What’s fascinating about Sabian, says Simpson,
is the family feud wasn’t about getting out of the family business,
since both were dedicated to staying in it and there are few examples
where a family squabble leads to direct competition. The formation
of Adidas and Puma in 1948 after brothers Rudolf and Adolf fought
over their shoe company is another example. Usually family feuds
occur when someone wants to move the business in a new direction,
dissolve it, or leave it.
Robert took over the small Canadian operation in 1981, expanded it
and named it Sabian after daughter Sam and sons Bill and Andy. There
was a one-year non-compete clause with Zildjian that meant Sabian
couldn’t sell cymbals in the United States. In 1983, it turned a
profit for the first time. Robert dryly divulges the amount: $1,750.
The firm has since experienced double-digit annual growth and Andy
wants to close in on $50 million in sales and eventually overtake its
main competitor – Avedis Zildjian Co. of course. Armand died in 2002
and that firm is now run by his daughters.
To compete in the cymbal world, Robert, who is 82 and chairman (he
quips that there’s no board), says Sabian has to innovate in making
cymbals, and get more people playing these copper discs.
The company targets three markets: recreational players, such as
those who play in garage bands, professionals, and growing ranks
buying cymbals as part of a therapeutic music regime. The cymbals
are also promoted in schools, with the hope that young musicians
will catch the Sabian fever early. Robert says the most effective
marketing tool is word of mouth.
That’s how Brendan Buckley, drummer and music producer currently
touring with Shakira in Europe, found out about Sabian. He started
using the brand in 1997 when he was on tour with Julio Iglesias
after a former classmate raved about the product. “I trusted his ears
immensely, so my curiosity was piqued,” says Buckley.
The best way to choose a cymbal is by playing it, he says, since no
two sound the same.
Buckley has worked with Shakira for eight years, and while he says she
doesn’t concern herself with product names, she has “remarkable ears.”
Another reason why the company has prospered is that its mission
includes meeting the needs of all customers, meaning it caters to
the discriminating needs of professionals.
“It’s not easy to get to Meductic,” says Robert, but drummers such
as Phil Collins and the Neil Peart of Rush have made the journey.
“If you get a devoted musician, they’ll have a sound in the back of
their mind.”
Sabian will work with drummers until the exact sound can be replicated
on the cymbal. Despite a high dollar, soaring metals prices and a
bitter family feud, Zildjian’s association with cymbals continues to
endure after several centuries.
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G8 COUNTRIES HIGHLIGHT UNSOLVED CONFLICTS
PanARMENIAN.Net
03.07.2006 13:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ G8 countries do pay much attention to unsettled
conflicts, including that in Karabakh, Armenian President’s
Spokesperson Victor Soghomonyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In
his words, the statement of FMs reaffirms G8 importance in solving
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
We remind that the other day the FMs reaffirmed the G8 supports
mediation efforts of the OSCE MG over peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
“We underscored the need for soonest agreement over peace settlement
basic principles to be attained in 2006. We urge Azerbaijan and Armenia
to display political will and prepare their peoples to peace,” says
a statement of G8 chair made at a meeting of G8 FMs in Moscow.