JAVAKHK MARKS 91ST ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006
AKHALKALAK, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 91st
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was marked in Javakhk on April
23-24. A torch-light procession took place in the cities of Akhaltskha
and Ninotsminda on late April 23. The procession was organized on the
initiative of the “Zori Zorian” youth union. According to the “A-Info”
agency, the liturgy dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide
victims was celebrated on early April 24 in all acting churches of
Javakhk. Representatives of the local self-government bodies of the
region and public organizations laid wreaths to the memorial stone
dedicated to the Armenian Genocide victims.

ARMENIAN POLICEMEN IN AKHALKALAK REPLACED WITH GEORGIANS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006
AKHALKALAK, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. As a result of
re-formation of the internal affairs system of Georgia, policemen
of the Armenian origin are gradually discharged their work in the
Internal Affairs Regional Department of Akhalkalak and replaced with
Georgians. According to the “A-Info” agency, with the reasoning that
they have got higher education in Armenia just recently (the Akhalkalak
Chief Officer has already given at least such an oral explanation to
former policemen), three captains and a lieutenant of the Armenian
origin were not re-accepted for work. Among them two Captains got
education at the RA Police Academy just by the apply of the Akhalkalak
Internal Affairs Department (which is in the Georgian Internal Affairs
Structure). “A-Info” also mentions that as a rule, Georgian policemen
replacing Armenians yield Armenians with professional skillfulness
and level of education.

AKHALKALAK SCHOOL AFTER RUBEN TER-MINASIAN ON THRESHOLD OF BEING CLOSED
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006
AKHALKALAK, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Akhalkalak
Armenian secondary school No5 after Ruben Ter-Minasian is on the
threshold of being closed. The problem is that, according to the
“A-Info” agency, the school building is in unsafe state, and the
Government of Georgia decided to restore in Akhalkalak building of
schools having more than 500 pupils, while the school No5 has 120
pupils. Nartsis Karapetian, the Education Department Chief of the
region of Akhalkalak mentions that in the case of not being restored,
the once famous school will not only have first grade in the 2006-2007
academic year, but other grades will be carried to other schools,
and the school will be closed.

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN: NO ISSUE OF ARMENIA’S MEMBERSHIP TO NATO SET
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006
SAINT PETERSBURG, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenia’s
striving for extending cooperation with the European Union and
NATO is not aimed against Russia. RA National Assembly Speaker Artur
Baghdasarian declared this on April 27. “I am for intensive development
of our relations with the European Union and consistent integration to
the European structures,” Artur Baghdasarian told a journalist in St
Petersburg. As radio Liberty informs referring to the Interfax news
agency, in connection with Armenia-NATO relations NA Speaker said:
“We have an individual partnership actions plan but this is only
cooperation. No issue of membership to NATO is included in the agenda
of Armenia’s foreign policy”. Artur Baghdasarian is taking part in
the special sitting of RF State Duma in St Petersburg dedicated to
the 100th anniversary of the Russian parliamentarianism.

NKR PRESIDENT GREETS PROCESS OF EXTENSION OF FORMATS OF COOPERATION BETWEEN RA AND NKR PARLIAMENTS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006
STEPANAKERT, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA parliamentary
delegation led by RA NA Vice-Speaker Tigran Torosian arrived in
Stepanakert on April 26 for the purpose of taking part in the works
of the Interparliamentary Committee of Cooperation between RA NA and
NKR NA. On April 27, the delegation was received by NKR President
Arkadi Ghukasian. A number of issues connected with extension and
development of interparliamentary contacts were discussed during the
conversation held with participation of NKR NA Speaker Ashot Ghulian
and Vice-Speaker Rudolf Hyusnunts. Greeting the process of extension
of formats of cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two
Armenian republics, Arkadi Ghukasian attached importance to the current
cooperation. He called on the Armenian parliamentarians to take more
active part in the issue of presenting the viewpoints of the Karabakh
side to the international community. Tigran Torosian in his turn gave a
positive estimation to the results of the Committee’s two-day work and
informed about the agreement with his Artsakh partners about including
the issue of RA and NKR economic integration into the agenda of the
next sittings. RA NA Vice-Speaker attached importance to exchange of
opinions and viewpoints with the Karabakh parliamentarians and also
spoke for activization of the contacts. Then, as Noyan Tapan was
informed from NKR President’s Acting Spokesperson, Arkadi Ghukasian
touched upon a number of economic and social problems of the country,
answered the questions.

RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS ON ALL STATES OF ORGANIZATION OF BSEC TO RECONSIDER THEIR APPROACHES TOWARDS ISSUE OF REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006
BUCHAREST, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 14th
meeting of Committee of Foreign Ministers of Organization of Black
See Economic Cooperation (BSEC) states was held in Bucharest. The
Armenian delegation taking part in the meeting is headed by Deputy
Foreign Minister of Armenia Arman Kirakosian. The heads of the
foreign political departments of the countries of Organization of
BSEC discussed the events held during Romania’s chairmanship, in
particular, the results of the meetings of working groups in the
sphere of transport, internal affairs, ecology, energy, science,
technologies, customs services and tourism. They exchanged opinions
about perspective issues of cooperation within the framework of the
Organization of BSEC. The Bucharest Declaration was adopted as a
result of the meeting. Arman Kirakosian in his speech, in particular,
emphasized the supremacy of the idea of realistic partnership in
the issue of smoothing over the disagreements existing among some
members of the organization. RA Deputy Foreign Minister called on all
country-participants to reconsider their approaches towards the issue
of regional infrastructures, especially towards relaunching railways
and motorways, emphasizing the economic profit from relaunching
of the Kars-Gyumri railway. As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA
Foreign Ministry Press Service, during the Committee’s meeting
representative of Greece, first Ambassador of Greece in Armenia
Leonidas Chrysanthopulos was elected the Secretary General of the
International Secretariate of Organization of BSEC. From May 1 2006,
the Russian Federation will assume chairmanship in the Organization
of BSEC.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF LITHUANIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006
ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians received on April 26 at the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus and Mrs Alma
Adamkie. Welcoming the Lithuanian President’s visit to the spiritual
center of all Armenians, His Holiness presented him the history of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, its important mission in the Armenian
people’s life and the activity of the Armenian Apostolic Church in
the post-Soviet period. “We pray the God that in the case of our two
peoples, the Soviet years were not able to mutilate people’s spiritual
life, their sole and love towards the Christ. By the belief and hope
towards the Christ, our peoples’ sons were able to strengthen their
belief, resist ordeals and create independence of their countries,”
the Catholicos of All Armenians said, wishing that the God keeps strong
the two peoples’ and states’ mutual relations and even strengthen with
newest developments of those ties the two republics for the well-being
of the peoples’ peaceful, creative life. His Holiness thanked the
President of Lithuania for recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
touched upon with satisfaction the careful attitude as well that the
authorities of Lithuania show towards the Armenian community who lives
with the Christian brothers peacefully, with brotherly love, having all
the freedoms and possibilities to organize their spiritual, national
and cultural life. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information
Services of the Mother See, Valdas Adamkus, expressing his respect
towards the Armenian Church and the Armenian Catholicos, touched
upon the important role of the church in the affair of keeping and
strengthening spiritual and moral values in the society and especially
among the younger generation. “…When you observe your history,
you see with great respect what Christian fundamental values Your
church has given to its people,” the President of Lithuania mentioned.
The interchurch and interreligious relations were also touched upon
at the meeting as well as they spoke about efforts made by Christian
churches in the affair of establishing peace in the world, brotherhood
among peoples and love. At the end the President of the Republic of
Lithuania visited the Patriarchate museum, the Cathedral. RA Justice
Minister David Haroutiunian accompanied the President of Lithuania
and his wife.

JUDY BADY CONVINCED THAT JOINT CONCERT OF ARMENIAN AND AMERICAN JAZZ MUSICIANS WILL BE HARMONIOUS SYNTHESIS OF TWO ARTS
Noyan Tapan
Apr 27 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN. “I am very glad to be in Armenia. I
had never been to this country before, but during a few days of my
stay in Armenia I have even managed to learn some Armenian words. The
Armenians are warm and hospitable people,” solo singer Judy Bady,
the head of the Judy Bady American jazz quartet, said at the April
27 press conference. Judy Bady has arrived in Armenia in connection
with the Jazz Days organized by the U.S Embassy for already the
fifth year. According to the American singer, her teacher was
Armenian pianist Armen Danielian who in his turn was the pupil of
famous American musician Billy Hamper. Judy Bady started her musical
activity from early childhood: at first she sang at the church,
then attended a musical college and studied at many well-known
musicians. “In spite of the fact that my teacher was Armenian by
nationality, I am not so much familiarized with the works of the
Armenian jazz musicians. I hope I will get to know them closer during
the April 29 joint concert with Armenian jazz musicians,” Judy Bady
said. According to the singer, elements of the Armenian jazz are
also included in the American jazz works to be performed at the
joint concert, which, in all probability, will be a successful and
harmonious synthesis of two arts. The traditional events dedicated to
the month of jazz organized by the U.S. Embassy Department of Culture
started on April 26 in Yerevan: the “Pictures from an Exhibition”
dance ensemble presented the “American Suite” jazz dance performance
at the hall of Hakob Paronian Theater of Musical Comedy. The same day
the “Jazz Colors” painting contest was also held with participation
of young painters. On April 29, within the framework of Jazz Days,
the American and Armenian jazz musicians will perform a joint concert
program at Alexander Spendiarian National Academic Theater of Opera
and Ballet and on April 30, jazz-lovers will have an opportunity to
listen to the Judy Bady quartet at the same hall.

JIM TOROSIAN AND GEGHAM GRIGORIAN GIVEN SURB SAHAK – SURB MESROP ORDERS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006
ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians handed on April 22 at the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin the “Surb Sahak – Surb Mesrop” order to prominent
architecture Jim Torosian and Gegham Grigorian, the Artistic head
of the Yerevan Alexander Spendiarian Opera and Ballet National
Academic Theater, for their services to the Armenian culture and
great contribution. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information
Services of the Mother See, the ceremony of giving the orderes was
opened by the speech of Archbishop Nerses Pozapalian, the monk of
the Mother See. Archbishop Pozapalian touched upon Jim Torosian’s
and Gegham Grigorian’s creative life way and productive work, then
thanked His Holiness for the attention constantly paid to Armenian
artists and appreciation of cultural figures. Professor Varazdat
Haroutiunian and poet Seyran Zakarian presented their thoughts about
Jim Torosian’s and Gegham Grigorian’s life and activity. Then the
Patriarchal holy condacks were brought and read by Bishop Arshak
Khachatrian and Bishop Paren Avetikian under the sounds of the “Ej
Miatsinn i Hore” church song. “Dear Mr.Torosian, great and valuable
is Your contribution in life of our people. The productive activity
of long years that blessed by the God, has been resulted with valuable
implementations, worthly classified Your name near famous names of the
Armenian architecture. … We touch upon with special satisfaction Your
services to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin which are expressions of
Your sensere love and devotion towards our spiritual holy place. Being
a member of the Architectural Council of the Mother See, You assist
as much as possible to construction programs implemented by the Mother
See, using Your professional abilities for restoration of our historic
monasteries and and construction of new churches and church buildings,”
is said in the Patriarchal condack. “Today we touch upon with great
satisfaction Your cultural activity and productive contribution of
years. Your name as a winner of numerous competitions is widely known
in the Fatherland and out of its borders. … Today You continue
Your significant cultural activity with the same productiveness,
as the Artistic Head of the Yerevan A.Spendiarian Opera and Ballet
National Academic Theater, putting in Your skills and abilities in
making the Opera and Ballet National Academic Theater more prosperous
as well in the thankful affair of developing the music culture,”
is mentioned in the condack addressed to Gegham Grigorian. After the
condacks were read, His Holiness decorated Jim Torosian and Gegham
Grigorian with the “Surb Sahak-Surb Mesrop” order. After giving the
orders, Jim Torosian and Gegham Grigorian said the world of their
heart to those present. The ceremony was closed by the speech of
the Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness again appreciated Jim
Torosian’s and Gegham Grigorian’s devotiom, love and faithfulness
shown by the productive activity towards the Armenian people and the
Armenian Apostolic Surb Church.

RA AMBASSADOR IN WASHINGTON OPENS PHOTO EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO STATE OF ARMENIAN MONUMENTS IN TURKEY AND NAKHIJEVAN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 27 2006
WASHINGTON, APRIL 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A photo exhibition
dedicated to the state of the Armenian historic-cultural monuments in
Turkey and Nakhijevan which was presented by the Armenian Architecture
Studying Organization, opened at the RA Embassy to Washington on April
24. Few dozens of photos that J.Manucharian, the Deputy Chairman of
the organization presented, picture the process and consequences of
the successive annihilation policy implemented towards the Armenians
historic monuments, monasteries and khachkars (cross stones) in the
above-mentioned territories. The organization functions under the
slogan condemning the “cultural genocide” and organizes exhibitions
to draw the international communities’ attention to the necessity
of protecting the Armenian historic-cultural values. As Noyan Tapan
was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information
Department, in the exhibiton’s opening speech RA Ambassador Tatul
Margarian appreciated the work done in the direction of studying
Armenian architectural monuments existing out of the borders of the
Republic of Armenia, interpretation and certification of monuments
lost as a result of historic events. The Ambassador mentioned that
the issue of keeping the Armenian rich architectural culture, making
property of generations is today modern and urgent, particularly
emphasizing the fact of barbarous annihilation of Armenian khachkars
implemented recently in Nakhijevan. The exhibition will function
during the coming ten days, hundreds of American Armenians, American
officials have already visited it.