BRITISH MUSICIANS HOLD JAZZ COURSES IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Mar 28 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 27-30, the British Council
in Armenia in association with well-known jazz musicians Garry Crosby
and Abram Wilson are holding jazz courses for Armenian jazz musicians
within the framework of the “Soldiers of the Future” educational
program. As it was mentioned in the report provided to Noyan Tapan by
the British Council in Armenia, the goal of organization of the courses
is to promote development of performing, stage and improvisatory
skills and enrichment of the reportoire. Parallel with the courses,
the British musicians will share their experience and knowledge with
the local head of the band so that the Armenian band can continue
its activity after their departure. The result of this cooperation
will be presented to the Armenian spectator on March 30 and 31 at the
“Vanguard “folk club: the Armenian musicians will perform with the
British ones. The “Soldiers of the Future” non-profit organization
was founded in 1992 by Garry Crosby, bassist of the well-known “Jazz
Warriors” band, for the purpose of encouraging and supporting young
talented musicians who want to continue their activity in the sphere
of professional jazz.

OSKANIAN: “LOOKING BACK, I CANNOT SAY WHERE ARMENIA WOULD BE WITHOUT DIASPORA”
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2006 00:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Since declaring independence Armenia made much
progress: US providing considerable assistance to Armenia, trade
privileges, equal military aid, progress in Armenian Genocide
recognition, clear perception of the geographic, historical
and economic limitation of Armenia by persons forming its public
opinion. Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated it when addressing a forum
on Armenian issues in Washington. He specifically noted, “Looking back,
I cannot say where Armenia would be today without the Diaspora. The
Diaspora can promote Armenia, which will a demonstration of its
dreams, values. The Armenian community of the US will contribute to
Armenia, which will be an ally of the United States. And we are friends
indeed. We are partners in fighting terror, non-proliferation of arms,
providing for regional security, rule of law, democratic and economic
freedom. We are not mere ideological partners, we share values America
is based on.” Speaking of the development of democracy in Armenia,
Oskanian said, “State building was different for Armenia than it was
to the US, as we had to break the previously functioning system and
to build a new one. Owing to that we welcome various US programs. We
also appreciate the fact of offering additional, targeted assistance
for holding normal elections in 2007 and 2008. However, democracy is
more than elections. Democratic institutions and processes are not an
ultimate aim. They are also a tool to form the necessary political and
economic atmosphere, which will result in a proportional growth. Thus,
democracy is a tool for development, just like development stimulates
democratization.”

RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SENDS CONGRATULATION MESSAGE ON OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THEATER
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA National
Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasarian sent a congratulation message
on the occasion of the International Day of Theater. In the message
submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA Public Relations Department,
is said: “I warmly congratulate theatrical figures and certainly
admirers of theater as well on the occasion of their holiday, the
Day of Theater. The Armenain theater having history of millenniums
had an invaluable contribution in the Armenian people’s culture
and history, and why not, in the history of the world theater as
well. Armenian artists have always been in the center of attention
with their art, gifting people the wonder of art. And today as
well, continuing the splendid traditions of their predessesor,
they assist the moral-spiritual education of the spectator and the
progress of the society. The draft “On State Assistance to Theater”
is in circulation at the National Assembly the adoption of which will
contribute development of the theatrical activity. Again congratulating
all the people of the theater, I wish them health and happiness,
successes and that the theater’s curtain is never pulled down.

OSKANIAN TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO UKRAINE IN JUNE
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2006 01:01 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian will arrive in Ukraine on
an official visit in June, Ukrainian MFA Spokesperson Vasily Filipchuk
stated at a briefing today. In his words, the agreement on that was
reached during Ukrainian-Armenian consultations at the level of FMs in
Yerevan on March 24. During the consultations a wide range of bilateral
matters was discussed, specifically activation of the Ukraine-Armenia
dialogue, intensification of exchange of information, cooperation
between the MFAs, interaction within international organizations. The
parties paid special attention to activation of cooperation in
Eurointegration of both countries, reports Novosti-Ukraine agency.

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: “IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE PEOPLE’S PUBLIC AND CULTURAL LIFE WITHOUT THEATER”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian sent a message of congratulation to the theatrical
figures and theater-loving society on the occasion of the International
Day of Theater. In the message submitted to Noyan Tapan by the
RA Government’s Information and Public Relations Department, it
is particularly said: “It’s impossible to imagine people’s public
and cultural life without theater, devoters of the theatrical art,
the true shapes, modern for all the times, created by them live
forever in the memory of generations, educate them with high ideas of
beautiful, kind and just, also keeping lighted among the people the
beleif towards tomorrow’s day during hard times. During our new days’
history, during the first years of building the independent statehood,
the theater figures as well shared all the difficulties of those years
with our people, but they didn’t yeild, and owing to them, those real
devoters of the stage, doors of the Armenian theater of many centuries
never closed in front of spectators, new performances were even born,
what is too valuable. I warmly congratulate all the devoters of the
Armenian stage on the occasion of the International Day of Theater
and wish them new and new creative successes and spectators appraising
and loving the theatrical art as it true worth.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALICE PANIKIAN DECLARED 2006 CANADIAN “MISS SPACE”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2006
MONTREAL, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 20-year-old
daughter of a Canadian Armenian family, student of the “York”
University Alice Panikian was declared 2006 Canadian “Miss
Space”. According to the “Marmara” newspaper of Istanbul, 48 beauties
from different regions of the country took part in the beauty contest
held on March 21 at Montreal “Casino de Montreal” hall. Alice Panikian
received her crown from Natalia Glebova, a beauty Russian by origin
who became “Miss Space” last year.

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE IS TRUST ARMENIA HAS TO JUSTIFY
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2006 00:52 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Millennium Challenge Compact is the single
largest government investment in Armenia’s economy, Armenian FM
Vartan Oskanian stated when addressing a forum on Armenian issues
in Washington.
The signing of the Compact drives both economic development and
democratization in Armenia, he said.
“The US government chose Armenia as one of the potential recipients
because Armenia is needy. That’s no secret. But there are lots of
needy countries in the world. Why Armenia? Because the US government
determined to contribute to the budgets of those countries that are
themselves attempting to grow in the right direction – to govern
justly, to encourage economic openness and to invest in people,”
Oskanian said. “Armenia is a part of the MCC because not only is there
plenty about our society that needs to be put right, but because we are
on a path that is right,” the Armenian FM added. As Oskanian noted,
Armenia has the honor and the obligation to build on the confidence
that has been placed in our government and our people. “And so,
even as we spend these funds to turn mud into asphalt and to give
farmers the irrigation water that is their lifeblood, we will work
to make sure that good governance and the principles of an open and
fair society take root in our homeland,” Oskanian stated.

REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA OF EUROPE CONSIDER INADMISSIBLE ANDRE’S PERFORMING “WITHOUT YOUR LOVE” SONG AT “EUROVISION”
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2006
BRATISLAVA, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “An ode to
“unprecedented successes” of the Armenian singer participating in the
“Eurovision” was presented by the “Haylur” program of the RA Public
Television on March 23, to what we, representatives of the Armenian
Diaspora of Europe, had to respond,” is said in the joint statement of
the Armenian community of Vienna, the Armenian Forum of Europe and the
Armenian community of Slovakia. “Dear editorial staff of “Haylur” and
administration of the H1 TV, specialists more or less acquainted with
the Armenia music will fact you that the song performed by singer Andre
has more connection with neighboring Azerbaijani art of singing than
with the Armenian national song. Even more, the song is “cribbed from”
“hits” of Turkish famous singer Tarkan. Certainly, this “Armenian”
song has a chance to arise interest among the European audience,
and this was your only goal. Yes, it’s possible to become famous in
this way and to get points. But at a what price?” representatives
of the Armenian Diaspora of Europe mention. “We state that if this
“hit” is sent to the “Eurovision,” we’ll speak against it and call
on everybody to blame for your not serious action as well,” is said
in the message. To recap, it is spoken about the “Without Your Love”
song performed by Andre which arose opposing responses among the
cultural figures and the society.

MONITORING OF CONTACT LINE BETWEEN KARABAKH AND AZERI ARMED FORCES SCHEDULED MARCH 29
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2006 01:21 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In compliance with the mandate of the OSCE
chairman-in-office, a monitoring will be held in the contact line
between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces near Gapanli
village of Terter district on Wednesday. Harry Eronen and Peter Key,
field assistants to the special envoy of the OSCE chairman-in-office,
will monitor the Azerbaijani side of the frontline. Andrzej Kasprzyk,
the special envoy of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Olexander Samarskiy
and Imre Palatinus, special envoy’s fields assistants, are in charge
of monitoring the Karabakh side of the frontline.

UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL READY TO SEND EXPERTS TO REGION TO STUDY ISSUE OF ANNIHILATION OF ARMENIAN MONUMENTS OF OLD JUGHA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 28 2006
BRATISLAVA, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Ara Abrahamian,
the Chairman of the World Armenia Congress, as an ambassador of
kind will, touches upon the problem of annihilation of the Armenian
monuments of Old Jugha by Azeris, at the official meeting with Koichiro
Matsuura, the UNESCO Director General. As Noyan Tapan was informed by
Ashot Grigorian, the Chairman of the All-Armenian Structures European
Representation, the RA Foreign Minister’s Advisor, Ara Abrahamian
seriously condemned the vandalism towards cultural monuments in
general and the act of annihilation of the Old Jugha khachkars
presenting a great value for the Christian culture particularly,
mentioning that has too serious political consequences as well and
more distabilize the political state of South Caucasus. Informing
that RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian also negotiated with him
on that issue, Koichiro Matsuura expressed readines to send a group
of experts to the region to estimate and condemn the study of the
problem and of what happened. Details on experts’ visit will be known
soon. Ara Abrahamian also invited Koichiro Matsuura to visit Armenia
personally to get acquainted with treasures of the Armenian culture
closely. Koichiro Matsuura assured that as soon as he gets an official
invitation, he will schedule his visit to Armenia with pleasure.