ARTUR AGHABEKIAN: TARGET SHOTS HAVE BECOME ACTIVE RECENTLY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian side has
repeatedly expressed its concern over violations of the cease-fire,
and although there have always been shots after the cease-fire, target
shots have become active recently. RA Deputy Minister of Defence
Lieutenant General Artur Aghabekian stated this during a talk with
reporters in the RA National Assembly on May 31. According to him,
as a result of such a target shot, Sergeant-Major Levon Adamian,
a serviceman for a fixed period, died on May 27 while on duty.
The deputy minister noted that the RA Ministry of Defence constanly
informs the OSCE group on contact-line monitoring about each fact of
cease-fire violation. The group conducts monitoring regularly, as
well as in case of an obvious violation of the cease-fire. He said
that there have been cases when the monitoring group has presented
facts about a violation of the cease-fire by the Armenian side.

ZHARANGUTIUN PARTY OFFICE AGAIN VACATED AND SEALED
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. In the midday of May
31 when Raffi Hovhannisian, Zharangutiun (Heritage) party Chairman,
RA former Foreign Minister, and his colleagues were working at their
offices, the party’s central office was surrounded and a group of 10
employees of RA Justice Ministry’s Service of Obligatory Execution of
Judicial Acts in uniforms entered the office. “An unprecedented turn
not subject to any regularity happened: against the April 14 court
decision prohibiting to carry out any action in the territory rented by
Hovhannisian and towards the property of the office, the executors of
the above-mentioned ministry led by Vahram Yenokian and accompanied by
“chief evictor” of Yerevan Tigran Tadevosian, forcibly made the party
employees vacate the territory and again sealed all the doors of the
Zharangutiun’s central office,” the party report read. Hovhannisian
and his staff had nothing else to do but to leave the territory they
had been renting for 12 years, where they had entered in accordance
with the court decision and execution of this decision by the same
Service of Obligatory Execution of Judicial Acts on May 29, about
3 months after its first closure. In the official report made by
Yenokian and his subordinates Raffi Hovhannisian registered: “The
Service of Obligatory Execution of Judicial Acts led by Mr Yenokian
and with the presence of Mr Tadevosian, forcibly evicts us from
the territory we had rented for 12 years in a legal and civilized
way. This action is illegal, unfair and does not proceed either from
the decision of the court or from justice in general. This regular,
though small anti-constitutional action of our country is done by
pressure and against my will.” In connection with the opening of his
office inspiring some hopes and its official closure after 24 hours
Hovhannisian strictly condemned “the policy aimed at spreading fear
all over the republic, the atmosphere of all-round lawlessness and
arbitrariness” and promised together with his fellow-citizens to
“continue to struggle for the sake of law and dignity predetermined
by the party.”

THIS YEAR GOLDEN APRICOT YEREVAN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TO BE OPENED WITH FIRST ARMENIAN FICTION FILM “NAMUS”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Golden Apricot
(Voske Tsiran) Yerevan international third film festival will be
opened with the first Armenian mute fiction film, “Namus” by Hamo
Beknazarian shot in 1926 in the Hayfilm studio. The “Namus” having
a history of 80 years has been lately digitalized and restored
at the Arte French TV company and shown at the Balzac most famous
cinema of Paris. Informing about it at the May 31 press conference,
Mikael Stamboltsian, Director of the festival’s programs, declared
that this time the festival’s opening and closure ceremonies will
be more “festival” that in the previous years. Festival’s general
producer Armen Mazmanian mentioned that the Golden Apricot’s opening
and closure ceremonies will have two accentuations: the opening and
closure in the square of Moscow cinema will be a manifestation of a
people’s holiday and inside the cinema it will have a reserved and
solemn format fit for festivals and will have a small art feature.
In difference to the previous festival, this time the Armenian and
English texts will correspond to each other. A.Mazmanian is convinced
that festivals themselves are luxurious and unprecedented events,
so there is no need to overload them with superfluous musical
shows. A.Mazmanian also mentioned that like the previous years,
a Holiday of Apricot will be organized this year.

ANDRE: ARMENIA’S FIRST PARTICIPATION IN EUROVISION REGISTERS GREAT SUCCESS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenia’s first
participation in the Eurovision-2006 song contest registered great
success, whereas there were countries that have participated in this
contest for several dozens of times but have no success. Singer Andre
who represented Armenia at the contest declared this at the May 31
press conference. Armenia took the 8th place as a result of voting
of viewers of 38 countries and this means that a representative of
Armenia receives an opportunity to perform in the final without taking
part in the semi-final in the next, Eurovision-2007 festival. Andre
is sure that not only the Armenian Diaspora, but also foreigners
have voted for Armenia as they liked the song. According to Andre,
his performance in semi-final had some shortcomings that were caused
by sound directors. The singer said that almost participants of all
countries had technical problems, which was normally accepted by
them. “We treated this contest very seriously, whereas for other
countries this was a common TV show,” he emphasized. According
to Andre, even the videoing was not done in accordance with the
requirements of the producers of country-participants. Andre also
mentioned that singers with strong voices, such as representatives
of Cyprus and Belgium, took part in the Eurovision-2006, but they
did not pass even to the final: “As a result, Finland won, which,
as the organizers estimated, had come to Athens for mocking the
Eurovision.” Diana Mnatsakanian, Foreign Relations Executive of the
Public Television of Armenia, informed that H1 is already working out
the rules of participation in the preliminary stage of the Eurovision
contest, which should be brought in correspondence with the general
regulations of the European Union of Broadcasters. According to
D.Mnatsakanian, they will be placed on the site of H1 by September
and everybody who wants can present his/her songs by November.

PUPPET THEATER TO TAKE PART AT ONCE IN TWO RUSSIAN THEATER FESTIVALS IN SEPTEMBER
Noyan Tapan
May 31 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. In September, Yerevan Hovhannes
Tumanian State Puppet Theater will take part at once in two Russian
theater festivals, the Festival dedicated to Sergei Obraztsov’s 105th
anniversary to be held in Moscow and the Festival of Puppet Theaters
in Chelyabinsk. As Noyan Tapan was informed by theater Art Director
Ruben Babayan, the Moscow festival is held within the framework
of Year of Armenia in Russia. R.Babayan also said that on May 1-8,
the company of actors took part in the 7th International Festival of
Dramatic Theaters in Trapizon with the performance of the “So-vats-ner”
play by Slavomir Mozhek. Companies of actors of 12 countries of the
Black Sea region, including Russia, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Iran,
Hungary, took part in this festival.

CEREMONY OF “CILICIA” SAILER’S DEPARTURE FROM THAMES RIVER TAKES PLACE IN LONDON
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
LONDON, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The ceremony of
“Cilicia” sailer’s departure from the famous St. Katharine’s Dock
on the Thames River in London took place on May 28. The Armenian
Ambassador to the UK Vahe Gabrielian made an opening address. He
congratulated those present on the Day of the First Republic of
Armenia, and, speaking about the meaning of this day, noted that
the day of “Cilicia” sailer’s departure was not chosen by accident
and signifies the inflexible will and consistency of an Armenian
realizing his cherished dreams. He expressed confidence that the feat
of “Cilicia” sailer’s crew will be an example for others to follow in
their efforts to make the Republic of Armenia prosperous. Chairwoman of
the Armenian-British multiparty parliamentary group baroness Caroline
Cox recited her poem to “Cilicia”. Chairman of the Comunity and Church
Council of Great Britain Ara Palamudian and writer-publicist Zori
Balayan also made speeches. The national anthems of the RA and the
UK were performed, the choir of St. Eghishe Church sang. Hundreds
of people attended the event. According to the RA MFA Press and
Information Department, a reception was held at St. Katharine’s Dock’s
sailing club on the evening of May 26, at which members of the Armenian
community, as well ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic
corps accredited to London and heads of local government bodies were
present. The Armenian Ambassador to the UK Vahe Gabrielian, Chairman
of the commission on organization of “Cilicia” sailer’s departure,
Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Stuart Windsor and the
sailer’s annalist Zori Balayan delivered speeches. Over the last
fifteen days, the film “Navigation by 7 Seas” was shown 5 times in
community organizations. BBC covered the departure of the “Cilicia”
sailer several times on May 25, with one of the programs being
broadcast live from the vessel. Tower Bridge in London was opened on
the occasion of the “Cilicia” sailer’s departure.

PROFESSOR DORA BAGHDASARIAN ELECTED DEAN OF LAW DEPARTMENT OF URUGUAY STATE UNIVERSITY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
MONTEVIDEO, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Professor Dora
Baghdasarian was elected the Dean of the Law Department of the Uruguay
State University. As Diego Karamanukian, the Uruguay “Radio Armenia”
correspondent informs, the Uruguay Armenian lecturer and attorney
got 65% of votes during the elections of the Dean. Dora Baghdasarian
enjoys great respect among the scientific circles of South America,
is an author of numerous works.

AUSTRIAN PARISH COMMUNITY OF ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH ELECTS NEW BOARD AND CHAIRMAN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
VIENNA, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Board and Chairman’s
elections of the Austrian Parish Community of the Armenian Apostolic
Church that took place on May 28 in the central hall of the Vienna
State Federal Administration, passed in an unprecedented strained
atmosphere. There were few reasons: First of all, a number of
processes took place during the previous presidency on which the
Austrian Armenian community still waits for explanations.
Especially the story presented in the April issue of the “Azg”
newspaper on the will that spiritual pastor Archbishop Mesrop Grigorian
formed and which had an incomprehensible development, waits for
its outcome. Then, the decision, adopted by the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, to refuse Armenians from Armenia having the electoral
right of their right of electoral vote. Those issues made problems of
the community even deeper, and there was only one outcome: to elect
a board involving new, young, fresh forces and to connect with it
explanation of all noisy cases and the process leading to unity. As
a result of calcualting votes ended at midnight, the new board staff
and the name of the Chairman were stated. Lawyer Doctor Haig Asenbauer
who is the author of a scientific thesis about the Armenian Genocide,
an offspring of the famous family of Chgnavorians, was elected the
Chairman by majority of votes. His mother is UN Advisor Arshaluis
Chgnavorian, maestro Loris Chgnavorian’s sister, father is British
Petroleum specialist-advisor Erwin Asenbauer. In the opinion of the
majority of the community and old and new (from Armenian) members,
such a young staff of the board and the newly elected Chairman are
serious guarantees for presenting oneself under the Austrian Armenian
joint flag.

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF BUENOS AIRES MARKS REPUBLIC DAY WITH GREAT LUSTRE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
BUENOS AIRES, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
community of Buenos Aires marked on May 28 with great lustre the 88th
anniversary of the First Republic and Sardarapat battle. Celebrations
started in the morning in the “Armenia” street closed for traffic which
was decorated with Armenian and Argentinian flags and flowers. The
street was full of dense crowd, representatives of all the community
structures, hundreds of pupils of Armenian schools, Armenian scouts
were present. Armenian and Argentinian marches were performed by the
orchestra of the Internal Affairs Ministry of Argentina. After the
Surb Liturgy celebrated at the Saint Gregory the Illuminator church,
the community representatives and RA Ambassador to Argentina Vladimir
Karmirshalian laid wreaths to the memorial complex dedicated to the
Sardarapat battle. The RA Ambassador addressed speech of gratitude to
the gathered about thousand people. An open-air concert organized by
Armenian schools took place. Then the celebration was removed to the
“Armenia” cultural association’s (ARF) center, on the threshold of
which a bas-relief picturing the historic way the Armenian nation
has passed after proclaiming the First Republic of Armenia will be
placed. The solemn placing of the monument bas-relief took place
with the participation of the community structures’ heads and the RA
Ambassador. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s
Press and Information Department, during the solemn reception taken
place in the “Tutunjian” hall of the center, the RA Ambassador to
Argentina, heads of the ARF South American Central Committee addressed
speeches of gratitude to those present (700 people).
Then a festive concert took place with the participation of the “Nor
Araks” orchestra, “Masis” dance group and “Hay Stars” estrada ensemble.

COMPETITION ON ARMENIAN HISTORY HELD AMONG GEORGIAN ARMENIAN SCHOOLS’ PUPILS ENVISAGED TO MAKE TRADITIONAL
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
AKHALKALAK, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The ceremony
of awarding prizes of the competition on the Armenian History held
among pupils of Armenian schools of Georgia by the Armenian Relief
Union Javakhk Fund took place on May 28 in the hall of the Akhalkalak
Mayor’s Office. According to the “A-Info” agency, 32 schoolchildren
became prize winners in this competition held with a goal to encourage
teaching of the Armenian History at Armenian schools of Georgia. The
competition organizers envisage to make it traditional and to hold
awarding ceremony on May 28, the Day of the First Republic of Armenia.
The “Akunk” union assisted holding of the copetition as well.