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.

FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF FINISHES CONSTRUCTION WORK IMPLEMENTED BY GRANT OF U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Noyan Tapan
May 31 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. The Fund for Armenian Relief finished
the contsruction program having been implemented by the 1.5 mln
dollars grant of the U.S. Agency for International Development since
2004. As Levon Lachikian, the FAR responsible for press informed
the Noyan Tapan correspondent, in general, construction works were
implemented in 2 boarding schools and 3 old-aged pensioners’ houses
of Armenia. Those are Yerevan boarding schools for children having
poor eyesight and poor ear, old-aged pesnioners’ houses of Yerevan,
of the village of Haghtanak and the Gyumri house-internat for invalids
and elderly people. L.Lachikian mentioned that the Yerevan special
school for children having poor eyesight and the Gyumri house-internat
were fundamentally restored, and the other isntitutions were partly
restored.

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF TEHRAN MARKS REPUBLIC DAY
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 31 2006
TEHRAN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Surb Liturgy was
celebrated and requiem ceremony was held to the memory of the Armenian
nations’ sons perished in the 1918 May battles in all churches of
the Tehran Armenian Diocese on May 28, the Day of First Republic of
Armenia. Archbishop Sepuh Sargsian presided the liturgy celebrated at
the Surb Sargis church. RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
to Iran Karen Nazarian and the Embassy officials, representatives of
the Tehran Armenian Diocese Deputies’ Council, Diocesan Council and
“Alik” institution were present at the liturgy. His Holiness Sepuh
preached during the liturgy. “Our people carried on a cherished
struggle 88 years ago, in the name of keeping the Fatherland and its
existence. And today historic prohibitions have been liquidated in
Armenia, Artsakh and in four sides of the world, and May 28 reality
shines like sunbeams in land battles of the Armenian people’s
history. Not only the firmament of Armenia shines today, but also
of all those countries in which Armenia has its presence at the
Embassy’s level,” His Holiness particularly said. A reguiem ceremony
was held at the end of the liturgy. Then a reception took place in
the National primacy hall. After His Holiness Sepuh’s congratulations
on the occasion of the holiday, RA Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to Iran Karen Nazarian made a speech who mentioned
that today’s Republic of Armenia is continuation of the statehood
gained by the May 28. According to the Ambassador, Diaspora has kept
for many years the idea of the Armenian independence and the Armenian
Tricoloured, and today RA Embassies are defenders of the Tricoloured
out of borders of the Republic of Armenia. According to information
of the Tehran “Alik” daily, a ceremony dedicated to the Republic Day
took place in the “Ararat” sports complex on the initiative of the
Armenian cultural “Ararat” organization as well.

RA OMBUDSMAN CALLS ON CITIZENS WHO SUFFERED FROM URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS TO ASSERT THEIR RIGHTS
Noyan Tapan
May 31 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. The decision of the RA Constitutional
Court has provided the citizens, who lost their houses as a result
of urban development programs in downtown Yerevan, with a new legal
opportunity to protect their rights. The RA Ombudsman Armen Harutyunian
stated this during the May 31 press conference dedicated to the 100th
day of his term of office. He reminded that citizens have received the
right to appeal to court based on a newly discovered evidence until
July 18. He believes that irrespective of court rulings, citizens will
have document-based grounds to continue defending their rights in the
European Court of Human Rights. A. Harutyunian said that he filed
a petition to the RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, in which,
taking into account the necessity to rule out further violations
of citizens’s rights and to restore their violated rights during
implementation of urban development programs, he proposed suspending
forced alienation of citizens’ property for state needs (until a law
regulating such proceses is adopted) and discussing the possibility
of paying back the 10% income tax deducted from the sums calculated
for owners and users by a compensation agreement. According to the RA
Ombudsman, there are problems with unauthorized buildings, as a result
of which the rights of other citizens are violated. The RA Ombudsman
Staff has sent a certificate based on such cases to the mayor and is
waiting for a response. Another certificate was filed to the Head of
the RA Department for Compulsory Execution of Court Acts, taking into
consideration a large number of complaints about execution of court
acts. During the 3 first months of the ombudsman’s term of office, the
RA Ombudsman Staff’s employees paid 15 visits to marzes. The ombudsman
received 770 applications, but many complaints were not related to
the activity of the RA Ombudsman. In the opinion of A. Harutyunian,
the human rights sitiation is not satisfactory in Armenia, “there is
much to be done”. In response to a question, A. Harutyunian said that
he has received an application from Chairman of the Heritage party,
former Armenian foreign minister Raffi Harutyunian in connection with
the illegal use of his office property. The RA Ombudsman noted that
the case will be examined, after which R. Hovhannisian’s application
qualified as a “Report on Crime” will be sent to the prosecutor’s
office for investigation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress