Category: 2017

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday
Romanian expert proposes Romania to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Filip Clem, expert of the Parliament of
Romania, submitted a proposal to officially recognize the Armenian
Genocide by Romania.
Armenpress presents thetext of the proposal:
Romania can recognize the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire
In the current situation Romania will not lost and endanger anything
if it officially recognizes the tragic events of 1915-1923 in the
Ottoman Empire and the republic following it as the “Armenian
Genocide”.
In 2018 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Romanian
state, Romania can do this gesture of diplomatic courtesy and
historical solidarity.
The ongoing developments in the Middle East greatly weakened Turkey’s
reputation in the region. Today Turkey is a major political and
military power, but it no more enjoys the same democracy until July
2016. The US and NATO have cautious attitude towards Ankara and are
afraid of expansion of political Islam within the state circle.
Moreover, Russian-Iran regional alliance also has similar cautious
attitude. Turkey will not voluntarily withdraw from NATO.
There is mutual disappointment in Ankara’s relations with the EU.
Turkey wants to act as a global power, although in medium size,
independent, sovereign, as a possible candidate for a permanent member
of the UN Security Council.
Romania has avoided to publicly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide
being afraid of angering Turkey. Now the context has changed. Many EU
and NATO member states have officially acknowledged this historical
tragedy or demonstrated favorable attitude for its recognition.
Romani’s relations with Turkey have frozen to some extent: a mutual
caution has emerged.
We made a lot of efforts for official recognition of the Holocaust in
the WWII which resulted in paroxysm within the public. We have
established the Elie Wiesel Institute through the public funds. During
each official visit of the Romanian President or the Prime Minister to
the US the visit to Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC is
mandatory. We commemorate the memory of the Holocaust victims several
times a year via conferences, seminars, laying wreaths and various
events. We got used to this…
We want to reach the international recognition of the Romanian
genocide committed by the Soviet authorities and the army during the
WWII and after that.
How should the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide be done by Romania?
It’s not difficult, but first of all it should be based on political
will and consensus. There is an international practice which is not so
complicated in this sense.
The Parliament adopts a resolution as a result of the voting of
plenary session of the two chambers which is being released in the
Office Journal. In the extreme case, only the stance of one chamber of
the Parliament will be enough, however, we would consider this as a
partial gesture. The text of such resolution is not a standard at
international level. It must be officially recognized that the
respective events are called as “genocide” in accordance with the
“Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”
adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1948. It may also
have a reference to the fact that other national parliaments and/or
international organizations have already recognized it.
Likewise, the President of Romania in his some official speeches must
talk about these events calling them as “genocide” and must sent a
letter of condolences to Armenia and the Armenian people by strictly
condemning these atrocities and etc.
The Government and the Parliament can decide a day of the calendar
year (perhaps April 24) to commemorate this tragedy in our country. A
number of scientific conferences are being organized with
participation of the Romanian Academy, as well as several
representatives of Romanian Orthodox and Armenian Churches, central or
local authorities, and of course, representatives of the Armenian
community of Romania.
In terms of foreign policy the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can inform
the Romanian diplomats in foreign countries that the Romanian state
made a decision to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Therefore, the Ambassadors of Armenia and Turkey in Bucharest, maybe
the entire diplomatic corps, will be officially informed about it.
It depends on what kind of volume and emphasis we want to put on this
fact. I think for our country it would be enough to do what is
necessary: institutional steps for official recognition, plus some
domestic cultural events, no more than this. It would not be useful
for us to surprise someone with this issue. We also do not need to
deliberately insult Turkey. It’s a moral issue, a matter of principle,
a historical solidarity, as well as a natural gesture of political
opportunity at the moment. If Ankara threatens us to cut diplomatic
ties, it is first of all their problem, and it will not be a
beneficial step for them.
In the public education teachers at world history class can talk about
this episode as an actual genocide, ethnic cleansing. Unfortunately,
it’s not the only case in history.
There is an article in Wikipedia on official recognition at
international level according to which till now 29 states (including
also the US) and several international structures have officially or
indirectly acknowledged this genocide.
The current regional context enables to treat Turkey calmly which will
be mutually beneficial. Only Armenia’s geopolitical closeness to the
Russian Federation remains. This is the only inconvenience for Romania
which is firmly attached to NATO, however this should not be a
hindering factor in this regard. Eventually, our states must recognize
what has been already recognized by other Euro-Atlantic states.
There are many articles published about this material. Recently there
are more and more favorable opinions among our public over the
recognition of the genocide. The efforts of the Armenian community
resulted in organizing a number of conferences and cultural events.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday
Newly appointed Ambassador of Iceland presents credentials to
Armenia's President
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of Iceland to Armenia Sigríður Bergling
Ásgeirsdottir(residence in Moscow) presented her credentials to
President Serzh Sargsyan on July 11, press service of the President’s
Office told Armenpress.
The Armenian President congratulated the Ambassador on her appointment
and wished her success on carrying out her diplomatic mission in
Armenia. The President said although the Armenian-Iceland inter-states
ties have started developing over the past 20 years since the
establishment of diplomatic relations, the potential of mutual
partnership of both countries have not been fully utilized during that
period and Armenia is ready to deepen inter-states ties with Iceland
expecting also the active work of the Ambassador on this issue.
Ambassador Sigríður Bergling Ásgeirsdottir assured that she will make
all efforts for strengthening the Armenian-Iceland bilateral ties. She
informed that she had already had several meetings and discussions in
Yerevan for that purpose and she believes that there is a potential to
successfully cooperate in commercial and humanitarian spheres, adding
that it’s necessary to carry out consistent work on this path. The
Ambassador considered prospective the development of mutual
partnership between the universities of Armenia and Iceland, the
exchange of experience in IT and tourism fields.
The sides agreed that Armenia and Iceland can develop mutually
beneficial partnership in energy, in particular, in renewable energy
field where Iceland has great experience and achievements.
President Sargsyan and Ambassador Sigríður Bergling Ásgeirsdottir also
discussed regional issues and challenges, the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement process within the OSCE Minsk Group.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday
European figures' visit to Artsakh will continue - Gaspar Karapetyan
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. The European Armenian Federation for
Justice and Democracy will continue informing the MEPs and lawmakers
of the parliaments of European countries about attacks and ceasefire
violations on the border by Azerbaijan, Gaspar Karapetyan – Chairman
of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy, told
Armenpress.
According to him, one must not rule out the possibility of new actions
similar to the April 2016 atrocities, however, everything must be done
to prevent them.
-Like last year this year as well the European Armenian Federation for
Justie and Democracy continued organizing the visit of European
lawmakers, public groups to Artsakh. Will such visits continue?
-Yes, these visits continue and must continue since Artsakh is one of
the most important missions of our current activity. Several days
before we have organized the visit of Belgian lawmakers to Armenia and
Artsakh. They had meetings with high-ranking officials. This visit was
the third in 2017. Over the past two years 22 Belgian lawmakers have
visited Armenia and Artsakh.
The positive results of these delegations can be seen later during
their activity in Europe, be it about the process of protecting the
Artsakh people’s right to self-determination, be it in the form of
participating in various events organized by us, for instance,
“Artsakh-Nagorno Karabakh hidden treasure” exhibition organized by the
European Armenian Federation which was attended by 200 people,
political figures. The exhibition aimed at presenting Artsakh’s
tourism opportunity, as well as the capacity of economic investments
to the European public.
-Mr. Karapetyan, how would you comment on the recent events in the
Artsakh-Azerbaijani border? What steps does the European Armenian
Federation for Justice and Democracy take to inform the international
community about the authenticity of the Azerbaijani provocative
policy?
-It’s not the first time in the history that Azerbaijan uses its own
population as a human shield. Of course, the death of an innocent
child is a tragic phenomenon, however, this child is the victim of
Azerbaijan’s government and Aliyev’s inhumane treatment. We witnessed
Aliyev’s inhumane treatment during the April war when the bodies of
90-year-old Armenian civilians of Talish village were tortured as a
result of crimes committed by the Azerbaijani army and the Armenian
soldiers were beheaded in Islamic State-style. The OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs call on to cease military operations and return to
negotiation table, however, this is not enough. The OSCE Minsk Group
must also mention the side who violates the ceasefire and condemn it.
Following the release of statement by the Artsakh Defense Ministry,
the European Armenian Federation immediately informed the MEPs about
the authenticity of the recent ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan on
the border. And then some members publicly condemned this policy of
Azerbaijan.
Full version of the interview available in Armenian.
Interview by Anna Gziryan

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday
Armenia to hold International Philatelic Exhibition dedicated to
Aivazovsky's 200th anniversary
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. International Philatelic Exhibition will
be held in Armenia in November 2017 dedicated to the 200th anniversary
of Ivan Aivazovsky, Hovik Musayelyan - President of the Union of
Philatelists of Armenia, told Armenpress.
“As you know, the 200th birthday anniversary of Aivazovsky is being
celebrated in our country. We don’t want to miss this event. Now a
committee has been formed to regulate issues related to the
international exhibition”, he said.
Philatelists are interested in participating in the International
Philatelic Exhibition. There is already an interest from Russia and
the US.
Postage stamps dedicated to Aivazovsky, culture painting and Armenia
will be presented during the exhibition.
Another international philatelic exhibition is expected in Armenia in
2018. Within the frames of events on the occasion of Yerevan’s 2800th
anniversary, an intenational philatelic exhibition will be held under
the title ‘Smart city’.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday
Armenia's Suren Manukyan elected IAGS Board member
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. During the 13th conference of the
International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) in the
University of Queensland in the Australian city of Brisbane the
elections of the IAGS leadership was held, the Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute told Armenpress.
Henry Theriault has been elected IAGS President.
Adam Muller and Melanie O’brien have been elected Vice-Presidents.
Hollie Brehm , Sara Brown, Hilary Earl, Christian Gudehus, Suren
Manukyan (Armenia, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute) and Andrew
Woolford have been elected members of the IAGS Board.
The IAGS was founded in 1994 and is the largest organization in the
world uniting genocide scholars.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday
Armenian Ambassador visits IRNA news agency in Iran
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Ambassador to Iran Artashes
Tumanyan on July 10 visited the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)
where he had a meeting with Executive Director Mohammad Khodadadi,
press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told Armenpress.
The Armenian Ambassador presented information on Armenia’s economic
opportunities, science, education and culture spheres, by highlighting
the importance of comprehensive and true information about Armenia and
the Armenian-Iranian relations in the Iranian media.
Mohammad Khodadadi presented in-detail the 81-year-old activity of the
news agency.
During the meeting the sides also emphasized the need to provide with
balanced information over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as
they discussed the possibilities to establish ties with Armenian
Diaspora and ethnic Armenian journalists operating there.
Agreement was reached to make an exchange of information on political,
economic and other affairs with the Armenian side in the context of
the Armenian-Iranian ties, regional and international developments.
They also attached importance to organizing mutual visits for
journalist groups.
The Armenian Ambassador proposed to establish IRNA Office in Yerevan
as an important cooperation step which was welcomed by Mohammad
Khodadadi.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday
Sweden attaches importance to expanded partnership with Armenia at
bilateral format
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Sweden
Edward Nalbandian and Margot Wallström on July 10 exchanged letters on
the occasion of the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic
relations between the two countries, press service of the Armenian
Ministry told Armenpress.
In his letter the Armenian FM said with satisfaction that over the
past quarter century the two countries have established firm and
friendly partnership, productive cooperation which includes political
dialogue, mutual partnership within the frames of international
organizations, inter-parliamentary ties, trade, cultural and academic
exchange and a number of other spheres.
FM Nalbandian expressed confidence that it would be possible to deepen
and expand the bilateral cooperation through joint efforts for the
benefit of the two friendly countries and peoples.
In her letter the Foreign Minister of Sweden said the bilateral
relations are positively developing. According to her, Sweden attaches
importance to the expanded partnership with Armenia both at bilateral
format, as well as within the frames of the Comprehensive and Enhanced
Partnership agreement to be signed with the EU.
FM Margot Wallström highlighted that there is a huge potential between
the two countries for further cooperation in several fields, such as
human rights and freedoms. The dialogue at bilateral and multilateral
platforms, including within the UN, will serve basis for expanding the
mutually beneficial partnership.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday
'Heated July in Nagorno Karabakh' – political scientist Markedonov
analyzes recent escalation in NK conflict
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Baku tries to change the stance of the
OSCE Minsk Group for its benefit by the use of force, political
scientist Sergey Markedonov said in the analytical article entitled
‘Heated July in Nagorno Karabakh’ published at Politcom.ru, reports
Armenpress.
“This is Azerbaijan’s policy. Azerbaijan believes that by causing a
war alert it will lead Russia, the US, France, as well as Iran which
is in the Minsk Group to the idea that in order to prevent bloody war
and maintain regional stability it is necessary to strengthen
pressures on Armenia. It is another issue to what extent such
imaginations correspond to reality. In fact, the reality is the
opposite, there are no facts proving Azerbaijani argument, however, it
is being actively presented in information field and not only for the
domestic audience but also for the foreign one”, the political
scientist said.
Yerevan tries to highlight that the Azerbaijani side is unable to find
an agreement, moreover Azerbaijan is inclined to an approach on using
force instead of dialogue.
In what way is the July escalation reflected in the context of
previous clashes, whether it proves new developments in the Karabakh
conflict, or the opposite, it highlights the former trend? The
political scientist presents the escalations in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan
line of contact during 2017 and the political meetings during that
period. He says what we have witnessed in February, May and June was
repeated also in July. According to him, the next day after the
results of the regional visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs were
released, a new escalation has been recorded.
Sergey Markedonov says the Karabakh trend in July 2017 remains the
same: that is to maintain peaceful negotiation process to prevent
large-scale war.

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday
Armenian FM calls on OSCE to enhance presence in NK conflict zone
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. As long as Azerbaijan fails to respect
its international commitments in compliance with 1994-1995 trilateral
ceasefire agreements, refuses to implement the Vienna and St.
Petersburg Summit commitments, especially on the creation of the
mechanism for investigation of the ceasefire violations, that can
become also a mechanism for prevention of escalation, Baku bears full
responsibility for all consequences for such behavior, Armenian
foreign minister Edward Nalbandian said during the Informal
Ministerial Meeting of the OSCE entitled ““Building trust through
dialogue and cooperation” in Austria.
ARMENPRESS presents the text of the minister’s speech, as reported by
the foreign ministry.
“Mr. Chairman,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank the Austrian Chairmanship and particularly
Minister Sebastian Kurz for organizing this informal Ministerial
discussion.
Joining efforts with a view to overcoming distrust and increasing
confidence is enshrined in the birth certificate of this Organization,
while dialogue and cooperation have been long identified as the
instruments for achieving our common goals. We appreciate the
Chairmanship’s initiative to once again apply to the foundations of
the OSCE, since neither dialogue, nor cooperation can be taken as
granted nowadays. We hope that this kind of discussions can contribute
to reviving the true spirit of cooperation, being mindful that the
most noticeable accomplishments of the OSCE have been secured through
dialogue and compromise, political will and good faith.
The setbacks of our cooperation and erosion of trust do not merely
limit to the existing disagreements on number of areas. Here we refer
also to the abuse of the principle of consensus, the consequences of
which go far beyond from damaging the trust, especially in the cases
where there is none, but rather shaking the very essence of the OSCE
which is designed to solve the issues through dialogue and cooperation
and never through imposing the position of one participating State at
the expense of all others and the entire Organization. Thus, the
refusal of Azerbaijan to join the consensus on the extension of the
mandate of the OSCE Office in Yerevan damages not merely the integrity
of the field missions of the OSCE but its capacity of inclusive
cooperation in implementing the commitments. Azerbaijan failed to
respect the OSCE commitments back home and eliminated the OSCE Office
in its own country before it attacked and closed the OSCE last assets
in the region.
The violation and abuse of shared norms and principles do not happen
in a vacuum. It does not come as a surprise that this participating
State found itself alone and in isolation in challenging the OSCE
Office in Yerevan.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The dire record of Azerbaijan’s noncompliance encompasses all three
dimensions of the OSCE. The leadership of Azerbaijan uses every
opportunity to boast about multiculturalism allegedly cultivated by
them. In reality thousands masterpieces of Armenian cultural and
historic heritage, sacred sites, churches, monasteries, cross stones
destroyed and erased by Azerbaijan testify to the contrary. The 2016
report of the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance
states: “Political leaders, educational institutions and media have
continued using hate speech against Armenians; an entire generation of
Azerbaijanis has now grown up listening to this hateful rhetoric”. It
is this generation raised in the environment of such propaganda that
again and again committs despicable crimes. How could the leadership
of Baku talk about multiculturalism at the same time declaring that
“all Armenians of the world are number one enemies of Azerbaijan”?
Probably it considers this to be part of Baku’s self-proclaimed
“intelligent power". There is nothing smart in trying to mislead the
international community, especially those countries that do not have,
difficulty to find out the truth, to warn their citizens of the
Armenian origin to avoid visiting Azerbaijan, where they will be
subjected to outrageous racist discriminating practice on the basis of
their ethnicity.
Mr. Chairman,
In April 2016 Azerbaijan unleashed a large scale aggression against
Nagorno-Karabakh that was accompanied by the grave violations of
international humanitarian law, atrocities against the civilian
population, including children, women and elderly persons, mutilation
of the bodies, Daesh-style beheadings, which have been condemned by
international community.
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries initiated Summits in Vienna
and St. Petersburg aimed at overcoming the consequences of
Azerbaijan’s aggression as well as at creating conducive conditions
for the advancement of the negotiation process.
During the Vienna Summit it was particularly agreed upon and then
reconfirmed in St. Petersburg to establish the OSCE mechanism for
investigation of the ceasefire violations; to increase the number and
enhance the capacity of the OSCE monitors on the line of contact
between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan, and on the border between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. The commitment on the exclusively peaceful
settlement of the conflict was reiterated, the strict adherence to the
1994-1995 ceasefire agreements was emphasised.
Trust and confidence are built when agreements are implemented. With
this understanding Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh gave their consents to
implement the mentioned high level agreements. Azerbaijan backtracked
from those agreements as it had done with prior commitments many times
before. This attitude of Azerbaijan questions its credibility for
being a party to negotiations, which honours its agreements.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In the framework of the OSCE trust means first of all trust into
Organization and its ability to address eminent security challenges in
Europe. We firmly believe that based on the proposals of the Co-Chairs
the OSCE should enhance its presence on the ground in the conflict
zone on more permanent and stronger basis. In this respect the OSCE
could help all parties to the conflict to respect ceasefire, avoid
military escalation and build trust and confidence. The OSCE is an
organization which was created on the lessons of history and history
teaches us on many occasions that war is an outcome of misperception
and miscalculation of security environment while peace is an outcome
of trust. Azerbaijan has chosen a different path.
People on all sides of the conflict deserve to know who pushes them to
the path of loss and suffering. Identifying the security threats in
impartial and responsible manner is important for credibility of this
Organization as well.
We took note that in their statement the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
identified Azerbaijan as a party who first resorted to the violence.
This has been far not the first appeal of the Co-Chairs addressed
directly to Azerbaijan. On previous occasions the Co-Chairs have made
a number of clear cut statements calling Baku to refrain from the
escalation of the situation, to reaffirm the commitment to peaceful
settlement of the issue, to refrain from criticizing the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-Chair countries and to respect their mandate, give up efforts
to shift the conflict resolution to other formats, to agree to the
establishment of investigation mechanism of ceasefire violations. In
response to Azerbaijan’s claims that tried to question the validity of
the ceasefire agreements of 1994 and 1995, the Co-Chairs clearly
stated that these agreements have no time limitation and should be
strictly adhered to.
However, Azerbaijan ignores all appeals of the Co-Chair countries and
continues to stick to its highly destructive attitude at the
negotiation table and provocative actions in the conflict zone.
On July 4th the Azerbaijani leadership once again resorted to the
tactics of notorious terrorist organizations and as many times before
used its civilian population as a human shield for shelling the
territory of Nagorno-Karabakh by heavy weaponry, including by multiple
rocket launcher systems. In response, the Defense Army of
Nagorno-Karabakh was obliged to exercise self-defense against the
aggressive actions of the Azerbaijani side. Baku clearly demonstrated
that it is not capable to comprehend the appeals of the Co Chairs.
As long as Azerbaijan fails to respect its international commitments
in compliance with 1994-1995 trilateral ceasefire agreements, refuses
to implement the Vienna and St. Petersburg Summit commitments,
especially on the creation of the mechanism for investigation of the
ceasefire violations, that can become also a mechanism for prevention
of escalation, Baku bears full responsibility for all consequences for
such behaviour.
This stresses once again the imperative for the international
community to consider more tangible means to curb Azerbaijan.
We are bound together to advance the cause of peace and security
through the OSCE. We will continue to be actively involved in all
efforts aimed at building cooperation, consent and trust in the OSCE
area.
Thank you.”

El Paso Times (Texas)
 Tuesday
Kerkorian Estate
Eds: Attorneys Jill Basinger and Amin Al-Sarraf, for the Kerkorian
estate, can be reached at (310) 553-3000; Brendan Coughlin, for Davis, (949)
379-6500.
By BILL HETHERMAN
City News Service
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Lawyers for Kirk Kerkorian's widow want a judge to
order the estate's executor to provide an explanation for some of the
billionaire's management decisions, including the financing of a box office
flop and the distribution of $200 million in estate assets to charities.
Una Davis was married for a brief time to Kerkorian before his June 2015
death at age 98 from age-related causes. His estate's lawyers estimated its
value at $1.8 billion at the time of Kerkorian's death, but Davis' attorneys
say increases in MGM stock value make the assets closer to $3 billion.
``This may well represent the largest probate estate in Los Angeles
County history, if not the entire state of California,'' Davis' lawyers state
in their court papers.
An attorney for the estate could not be immediately reached for comment
on the Los Angeles Superior Court petition, which is set for hearing on Sept.
13.
Davis is seeking a one-third interest in Kerkorian's estate, saying she
was pressured by those close to him into signing a waiver to any interest she
had when the two wed in 2014. Kerkorian was married three times previously.
Judge Maria Stratton previously put a stay on litigation related to
Davis' petition while she appeals the judge's March ruling allowing the
Kerkorian estate's executor, Anthony Mandekic, to oppose her petition. Davis
maintains she is an ``omitted spouse'' who is entitled to the same amount of
money she would have received had Kerkorian died without a will.
Documents filed by Kerkorian's attorneys when his estate was opened
included a copy of his will, dated July 2013. Kerkorian designated that $15
million be given to Patricia Mary Christensen, the wife of longtime Kerkorian
attorney Terry Christensen, and $7 million to Mandekic, who also served as
secretary-treasurer of Kerkorian's Beverly Hills-based Tracinda Corp.
Davis' lawyers maintain that the time is ripe for Mandekic to explain
some of his actions.
``Petitioner has become aware of a number of circumstances that should
give the court concern as to the actions of Mr. Mandekic as executor and should
lead to his being ordered to file an (account) for his actions in regard to
this multibillion-dollar estate,'' Davis' lawyers state in their court papers.
Mandekic has obtained sole control of $900 million in cash by selling
$34 million in MGM stock, according to Davis' attorneys.
``Has Mr. Mandekic been using or investing in options or other risky
investment vehicles?,'' Davis' lawyers ask in their court papers.
Davis' lawyers also cite the April premiere of ``The Promise,'' a film
about the Armenian genocide that starred Christian Bale and was directed by
Oscar winner Terry George. They state in their court papers that they believe
Mandekic was a co-manager of Survival Pictures LLC, which produced the movie.
``Despite its star power, the film was a financial failure and the
production is expected to lose as much as $80 million,'' Davis' lawyers allege
in their court papers. ``Leaving aside its historical relevance, how precisely
was the flop of a film financed? All of this concerns (Davis) as a claimant to
one-third of the estate, as it should concern the court in its supervision of
Mr. Mandekic in performance of his ... duties.''
The Davis attorneys also ask why Davis was given an executive producer
credit for the film.
In February, Stratton allowed for the distribution of $200 million to
various charities picked by Mandekic and other members of a committee.
Attorneys for the estate said in June that most of that money had been
distributed, according to Davis' attorneys' court papers.
``Which charitable organizations did the selection committee ...
choose?,''? Davis' lawyers ask in their court papers. ``What amounts were
distributed to each?''