“ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE” SECOND ALL ARMENIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL STARTS
Noyan Tapan
Jun 26 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The solemn opening ceremony of the
“One Nation, One Culture” second All Armenian cultural festival took
place in the K.Demirchian Sports and Concert Complex on June 23. RA
National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosian, Culture and Youth Issues
Minister Hasmik Poghosian were present at the ceremony. Numerous
cultural figures arrived from France, Austria, U.S., Syria, Lebanon,
Iran participated in the opening ceremony.
Welcoming the festival participants, Tigran Torosian mentioned that
this festival which has become traditional, is one of the best displays
of development and presentation of national culture. He expressed
confidence that owing to the festival, the cultural cooperation will
more develop between the Fatherland and Diaspora. According to the
NA Speaker, everybody’s debt is to do its best for making closer
cultural relations between Diaspora and Armenia.
The State Dance and “Berd” ensembles of Armenia as well as a number
of folk groups performed at the festive concert followed the opening
ceremony.
According to the festival participants, the festival strengthened
the consience and feeling of being one nation, newly revealed variety
and deepness of our national culture.

ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE SECOND ARMENIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL ORGANIZED AT IMPROPER LEVEL, FESTIVAL PARTICIPANS SAY
Noyan Tapan
Jun 26 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN. A book exhibition was organized on
June 26 at the Moscow cinema of Yerevan within the framework of the
One Nation, One Culture second Armenian festival. About 400 titles of
fiction, scientific and educational books published in Iran, Turkey,
Bulgaria and Belarus were presented at the exhibition.
It was announced in advance that Armenian and Diasporan
publishing-houses will present their production in Charles Aznavour
square. But, the exhibition-sale under the title “Armenian Book”
did not take place. According to the organizers, the reason is lack
of funds.
Only RA Government has allocated 117 mln drams (about 275 thousand
USD) for the festival, as well as there are many sponsors. But many of
the participants complain that almost all the events held within the
framework of the festival are at the improper level. And the festival
organizers in their turn call on to “treat the issue mildly as the
festival is still at the stage of formation.”
Tiran Lokmagyozian, correspondent of the “Akos” Turkish weekly,
mentioned in his interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent that the
expectations were great: “We need such events. I hope the festival
will be held at a higher level even if in the coming years.”
According Levon Ananian, Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Armenia,
the Diasporan Armenians express dissatisfaction saying that they are
not familiarized with the works of modern Armenian writers and the
exhibition-sale of books would enable them to present the literary
production of the recent years.
“This is important for us, as we also get to know the literature
created in the two fields through such exhibitions.”

“LAZAREVS READINGS” DEDICATED TO HISTORY AND CULTURE OF ARMENIANS IN RUSSIA HELD IN MOSCOW
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 26 2006
MOSCOW, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Lazarevs Readings
which have already become traditional, were held in Moscow on June
3-6. They were dedicated to culture and history of Armenians as well
as to study of their contribution in the general cultural heritage of
peoples of Russia. According to the “Yerkramas” (country) newspaper
of Armenians of Russia, the conference which is mainly organized with
efforts of the “Ararat” Armenian cultu ral-educational society and
the Armenian Historic-Genealogical Society already for the third time,
gathers participants from all over the world.
Year by year the program organizers puts something new in organization
of the Readings, gradually increasing the level of the event. As it
was before, opening of the conference was organized with great luxury,
officials made speeches from the Russian and Armenian sides. The
second day sitting of the readings was outgoing, involving a visit
to Fryanovo, near Moscow, where famous patrons of arts Lazarevs also
left their wonderful trace. The third and forth days of the readings
took place at the city library after N.Nekrasov, which again received
hospitably the conference participants.
Three main thematic directions may be separated in the variety of
the reports presented during the third Lazarevs readings. First
of all, those are researches concerning history of the Lazarevs’
family and the heritage left by its prominent representatives. The
second large thematic direction was history of other eminent Armenian
dynasties, a problem, to study of which the activity of the Armenian
Historic-Genealogical Society is dedicated as well. Speeches dedicated
to different issues of history of the Armenian Diaspora and its
present problems may be united in the third group.
Participants of the Lazarevs readings implement interesting researches
relating to a wide circle of issues connected with history of Armenians
of Russia and the present state, introducing their contribution in
the affair of development of the Armenian-Russian ties.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DERENIK GABRIELIAN ELECTED VICE-CHAIRMAN OF EUROPEAN BOXING UNION
Noyan Tapan
Jun 26 2006
MOSCOW, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Vice-Chairman of the Armenian Boxing
Republican Federation Derenik Gabrielian was elected as Vice-Chairman
of the European Boxing Union at the regular 10th Assembly of the
European Boxing Union held in Moscow. 29 of delegates of 45 countries
voted for him. And Russian Eduard Khusainov was elected as Chairman
of the European Boxing Union.
Bulgarian Academician Emil Zhechyev, former Chairman of the European
Boxing Union, was elected as Honorable Chairman of the organization.

RADANOVICH LEADS CONGRESSIONAL EFFORT TO URGE SECRETARY OF STATE TO RECONSIDER RECALL OF AMB. EVANS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 26 2006
WASHINGTON, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Four leading
Congressional friends of Armenia, George Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam
Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone
(D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), have strongly encouraged Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice to reconsider the recall of Ambassador Evans,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
In a June 22nd letter, the legislators noted that “after months of
speculation,” the recall of Ambassador Evans “was confirmed when the
President nominated Richard Hoagland to serve as the new United States
Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia on May 23. While there has been
no official acknowledgement that Ambassador Evans removal was a result
of his February 2005 statement that the Armenian Genocide was the first
genocide of the 20th Century, all evidence points to that conclusion.”
“We join with Armenian Americans across the country in thanking
Congressman Radanovich, Schiff, Pallone, and Knollenberg – the four
lead authors of the Armenian Genocide Resolution – for once again
taking the lead in challenging the State Department’s failed policy
of complicity in Turkey’s denial of this crime against all humanity,”
said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We share their
belief that Ambassador Evans’ recall should be reversed and look
forward, in the days ahead, to learning more about the circumstances
behind this ill-advised, morally unjustifiable, and increasingly
controversial action.”
The Congressional letter closed with the four legislators expressing
their belief that “the United States must formally recognize
the Armenian Genocide, and we will continue to work towards that
goal. Allowing John Evans to continue as Ambassador to Armenia sends
a strong message on the necessity of Turkish recognition, and will be
an important step in establishing the U.S. position on the Armenian
Genocide.”

AMERICAN ARMENIAN BENEFACTOR VAHE KARAPETIAN CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT SERIOUS PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA AND ARTSAKH
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 26 2006
LOS ANGELES, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. American
Armenian benefactor Vahe Karapetian presented the RA Police two
modern machines with necessary equipment which are envisaged just
for a police work. They will be in Yerevan soon. The agreement was
reached on it in February, 2006, when Nerses Nazarian, the Chief of
the Yerevan City Department of the RA Police was in the U.S. at the
Pasadena Chief Police Officer’s invitation.
As Vahe Karapetian mentioned in the interview to our correspondent,
there is a safe, washbasin, lavatory, seats envisaged for 20 policemen,
with a special equipment overhead of each, in the machines made for
Armenian policemen.
Only the machine costs 98 thousand dollars, and including equipment
and clothes, about 300 thousand dollars. Their transportation expense
is covered by the United Armenian Fund, with Harut Sassounian’s
assistance.
Different organizations and services of Los Angeles make use of the
machines called “Soat Team,” made by Bahe Karapetian’s factory.
As the benefactor informed, his national donations started still 30
years ago. “Charitable works were done and are still being continued
in Artsakh.
Construction of the Goris-Stepanakert road is my obligation: I make
investments every year, my employees are there, I myself head those
works. I visit there few times a year, control perfect restorations
of the road,” V.Karepetian mentioned.
The “Armenian World Cooperation” public organiztion was founded in
Armenia with V.Karapetian’s assistance. The activity of the NGO will
be spread all over Diaspora, according to V.Karapetian, “for we are
able to find the common denominator in important issues.”
As for his interest towards scientific works in Armenia, Vahe
Karapetian mentioned that he impatiently waits for the day when a
youth scientific-research group is created to study possibilities
of a direct usage of sunbeam. “We know to what extent the state of
economy has become difficult recently, because of rise in gas and oil
prices. Our energy is in the mind of our youth. We must make investment
for that discovery,” he mentioned. According to V.Karapetian, the ways
of getting energy from wind or sunbeam existing at present are just
primitive ways: more effective ways must still be discovered. “Only
an Armenian young man, a future Armenian scientist may do it. Today
everybody goes abroad to make a living. They must be kept in the
Fatherland,” he said.
The “Vahe Karapetian” foundation was founded to implement all the
above-mentioned programs. Besides financing of the above-mentioned
programs, it is envisaged to spend resources of the fund was the
Amaras road construction as well. “I have promised that the road,
being separated from the North-South road by 8 km, which leads
towards Amaras where the church founded by Gregory the Illuminator
is, and at the same time, the school founded by Mesrop Mashtots,
will be restored as well,” the benefactor said.

ARMENIAN-EGYPTIAN BUSINESS FORUM SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN ALEXANDRIA IN 2007
Noyan Tapan
Jun 26 2006
CAIRO, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Ambassador to Egypt Ruben
Karapetian was on a working visit to Alexandria, an industrial center
of Egypt, on June 21-22 with the aim of discussing and promoting the
opportunities of trade and economic cooperation between Armenia and
Egypt. During the visit, the ambassador met with the management of
the Union of Businessmen of Alexandria (UBA), visited Farco – Egypt’s
largest pharmaceutical company and the Zahran plant of domestic
electric appliances.
During a meeting with UBA Chairman Muhammed Ragab with the
participation of about 25 businessmen, the Armenian ambassador
presented the current satisfactory state of bilateral relations,
stressing the need for further activization of the Armenian-Egyptian
trade and economic cooperation. R. Karapetian pointed out such sectors
as pharmaceutics, IT, agriculture, tourism, education and science as
promising ones.
The sides agreed to sign an agreement on cooperation with the Union of
Businessmen of Armenia and to hold an Armenian-Egyptian business forum
in Alexandria in 2007. The opportunities of implementing long-term
investment programs in Armenia were discussed as well.
According to the RA MFA Press and Information Department, the UBA
also accepted the Armenian ambassador’s proposal to organize a visit
to Alexandria by a delegation of businessmen of Shirak marz. Within
the framework of this visit, it will be possible to sign an agreement
on declaring Alexandria and Gyumri sister cities.
Dr. Medhat el-Dib, Rector of the Institute of Tourism and Hotels
of Alexandria, who attended the meeting, announced his decision to
allocate 5 scholarships to Armenia.

RA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE COOPERATES WITH 30 COUNTRIES WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS AND PROGRAMS
Noyan Tapan
Jun 26 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN. 35 post-graduate scholarships, 20
master’s places and 80 ones for bachelor and specialists with diplomas
are envisaged for RA citizens every year. Corresponding competitions
are implemented for envisaged places. Vahe Grigorian, the Chief of the
International Cooperation Department of the RA Ministry of Education
and Science informed about it at the June 23 press conference.
According to Grigorian, according to interstate treaties, agreements,
practical programs, memoranda of mutual understanding, the Ministry
of Education and Science cooperates with about 30 countries, including
the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Lebanon, Egypt.
According to him, the competition for places for the bachelor and
the educational degree of a specialist with diploma continues in
the RF at present for what the Russian side allocated 70 places this
year. 50 applications were presented for the 70 places at the first
stage of the competition organized in May, 36 people were recognized
winners. A new competition was announced for the vacant 34 places,
agreeing beforehand with the side allocating scholarship.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IT IS NOT EXCLUDED THAT ARMENIAN DOCTORS OF JAVAKHK GET NO CORRESPONDING CERTIFICATES FOR NOT KNOWING GEORGIAN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 26 2006
AKHALKALAK, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. By the decision
of the Geogrian Ministry of Labour, Health Care and Social Issues,
doctors of regional hospitals of Akhalkalak and Ninotsminda will also
participate in new testing of doctors.
According to the “A-Info” agency, the medical testing will be held in
the Georgian language for Armenian doctors as well. It is not excluded
on this occasion that doctors of Javakhk will get no corresponding
certificates not for having poor professional skills, but just for
not knowing Georgian, the necessity of which is not very primary in
the affair of treating Armenian patients of Javakhk.
The testing will start from July 1 when accepting of corresponding
appliactions will be completed.

MESKHET TURKS PAY “TOURIST” VISIT TO JAVAKHK
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 26 2006
AKHALKALAK, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. About 400 Meskhet
Turks arrived in the region of Akhalkalak on June 21. According to the
“A-Info” agency, guests arrived in Javakhk left for the terriroty of
the villages of Khavet, Davni in the south-western part of the region
of Akhalkalak where their forefathers’ settlements were once. Turks
mentioned in conversations with local Armenians that the goal of
their visit is just “tourist” one, and they have no issue of being
re-setteled in this territory.
The “A-Info” reminds at the same time, that the absolute majority of
settlements of Meskhet Turks exiled in 1944 in the regions of Aspindza
and Adigen today re-settled mainly by Georgians.
The tourist visit of Meskhet Turks to Javahkh has no direct tie with
the state program of their re-settlement in Georgia.