KARAPETIAN RECORDS ARMENIAN CHILDREN’S CD
Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
May 18 2006
Belmont resident Noune Karapetian has ventured out of her classical
field to make a children’s CD.
The Armenian-American soprano, songwriter and music educator has
created a compilation of children’s songs that include both traditional
Armenian children’s songs as well as new songs created by Noune.
“I do keep a busy performing schedule as a classical singer, performing
with Granite State Opera, Opera Providence, New Bedford Choral Society,
singing classical repertoire,” she said. “It’s refreshing and exciting
to create something new for our children.
Having two children of my own, I know how important this work is and
I am having so much fun doing it.”
Karapetian has spent her entire adult life as a music educator and
performer. A cum laude graduate of Komitas Conservatory in Armenia
majoring in voice, she has also studied child psychology for two
years at the Pedagogical Institute in Armenia. Since moving to the
United States, she has appeared frequently in various concert venues
and operas and also was a finalist in a number of major competitions
including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, New
England division.
She has been teaching early childhood music classes along with piano
and voice for 14 years. She is the author of an Armenian music and
movement program called “Yerajisht Manouk.”
Karapetian feels that the success of this CD comes from her knowledge
of child development.
“A lot of what I do comes from a child’s perspective,” she said.
“Being a parent, of course, helps as well. I think about what the
songs should convey and the language I use, the range of the songs,
how each song can develop the child’s mental and physical capabilities
and I like to think I know how to write pretty catchy tunes. I give
a lot of thought to what is appropriate for children’s music. The
arranger Gegham Margarian did an incredible job, making each song
sound different and fun.”
The collection includes Armenian children’s folk songs. “I have done
some redesigning, like taking a children’s folk song and changing the
words a little to appeal to today’s child, making it more educational,
or taking a traditional Armenian rhyme and putting it together with
another unrelated folk tune. It sounds so natural that people hearing
it think that’s how it used to be,” she said.
She added, “I created this CD because of my passion for Armenian
music and language, my burning desire to give the children high
quality music and learning experiences.”
To celebrate the release of the CD, Karapetian and her friends Krko
the Frog, Mlavik the Cat, and others will perform on Sunday, June
25 at 3 p.m. at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St.,
Watertown. Tickets are $18 and $23 in advance; and $23 and $28 at
the door.
To purchase concert tickets or CDs, visit , or
call 617-733-7162.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS OF JAVAKHK AGAIN THREATENED
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 18 2006
AKHALKALAK, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On May 16,
leaflets in Russian of threatening character were spread in
Akhalkalak. According to the A-Info agency, the leaflets contained
the picture of a half moon and a star and the following was
written under the signature “Brigade of Liberation of Akhaltsikhe”:
“The time of retribution for our humiliations has come. Remember
1915. Gevorgian died, the next is Rastakian”. Gevorgian is the family
name of the Armenian young man killed in March in Tsalka during the
incident between the Armenians and the Georgians and Rastakian is the
distorted family name of Co-chairman of non-registered party “Virk”
David Rstakian. Representative of the Council of the Armenian NGOs
of Javakhk Khachatur Stepanian reminded that such leaflets were also
spread in October of the last year in Akhalkalak.
According to him, at that time the representative of the National
Security Service in Georgia “promised to reveal in short terms who
threatens the population” but nothing has been done by now. “It
only remains again to raise the question of guarantees of security
of the Armenians of Javakheti before the Georgian authorities and
the international organizations,” Khachatur Stepanian concluded. On
his part, David Rstakian declared that “if in connection with the
withdrawal of the Russian military base from Akhalkalak the Minister of
Internal Affairs and National Security declares about his confidence
that the situation in Javakheti is under his control, he is obliged
to reveal those who spread the leaflets”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DAMAGED SOWING AREAS IN SHIRAK MARZ IN URGENT NEED OF FERTILIZATION WHICH NOT YET POSSIBLE
Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006
GYUMRI, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The areas sown with spring crops were
partly harmed by frost in Shirak marz in late April. Movses Manukian,
head of the agriculture department of the regional administration,
told NT correspondent that 8 communities have already expressed
their concern over this fact. In 3 communities, the sowing areas were
damaged by 20%. The main damage was done to gardens (there are a few
of them in the marz), the areas under autumn wheat have not been
harmed at all, while last year’s sowing areas are in a much worse
state. The damaged areas are in urgent need of fertilization, but
the marz has not yet received nitric fertilizer. Shirak marz needs 10
tons of nitric fertilizer annually, but the government provides only
2 thousand tons. There are problems with agricultural machinery as
well: according to M. Manukian, the tractors currently used for land
cultivation not only in the marz but also in the whole country are
depreciated and obsolete. Those responsible have a hope that grain
harvesters will be imported into Armenia and Shirak marz in the near
future. However, these officials do not entertain particular hopes
about operation of anti-hail stations.

50 TOURISTS FROM FRENCH CITY OF VALENCE VISIT IJEVAN EVERY YEAR
Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Since 2000, about 50 tourists
from the French city of Valence visit Ijevan every year. Mayor
of Ijevan Varizhan Nersisian stated this during the May 18
press conference. According to him, Ijevan and Valence have been
sister-cities for 10 years. With the assistance of the Valence mayor’s
office, since 2000, French experts in tourism have been invited to
Ijevan under the program on cooperation between the two cities in
the tourism sector. On their advice, about 70 apartments have been
repaired and furnished in Ijevan, as the city lacks the appropriate
hotels to accomodate a large number of tourists. V. Nersisian said
that thanks to the assistance of the Valence mayor’s office, French
teachers from Ijevan underwent training in France, as well as some
young people from Ijevan – students of Yerevan Linguistic University
after V. Bryusov were provided the opportunity to attend courses for
transaltors and tour guides in France.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ASSIGNS ARARAT REGIONAL GOVERNOR TO ASSIST PEASANTS WHO SUFFERED AS RESULT OF FLOODS
Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues related to state assistance
for elimination of the consequences of sping floods in Ararat marz
were discussed during the May 18 working meeting of the Armenian
President Robert Kocharian and the regional governor of Ararat marz
Alik Sargsian. The President gave the regional governor assignments
on providing assistance to the peasants – owners of land plots and
gardens damaged by floods and continuous rains. According to the RA
President’s press service, the current work on the social, economic,
health, cultural and educational programs to be implemented in the
marz this year were discussed at the meeting.

A COMPARATIVE NOTE OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIES OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
By M. Alkhazashvili
Translated by Tiko Giorgadze and Diana Dundua
The Messenger, Georgia
May 18 2006
The countries of the South Caucasus countries can be distinguished
by their high rate of economy growth. In 2005 the Azerbaijani economy
grew 26.4 percent – the highest rate of all CIS countries, although it
should also be considered that in Azerbaijan the oil sector accounts
for 41.3 percent of the country’s GDP.
According to Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Artur Rasizade without the
oil sector then the per capita GDP, which is currently estimated at
USD 4,700, would drop to USD 900. Furthermore, an important part of
the country’s oil revenues are in the hands of foreign investors.
In Georgia, economic growth was 9.3 percent last year, with an
inflation rate of 6.2 percent. Georgia’s economic growth was primarily
a result of the service and construction spheres. The construction of
the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Erzurum gas pipelines were important
factors in the country’s economic growth.
In 2005 Armenian economic growth, with the help of a negative inflation
rate of – 0.2 percent, totaled 13.9 percent. The Armenian economy is
not dominated by any single sector and therefore its economic growth
comes from several areas – industry, construction, agriculture and
the service industry.
The situation in the taxation-budgetary spheres is practically the
same in all three South Caucasus countries and all three countries
are working to increase their tax accumulation levels.
In 2005 Georgia introduced its new Tax Code which contained
liberal taxation tariffs. As a result of this reform the taxation
administration has been significantly improved.
Azerbaijan’s state budget is mainly filled by the revenues received
from selling oil and oil products. But in Georgia almost half of
the state budget revenues (47 percent) came from the collection of
transport taxes.
In 2004-2005 the character of both Azerbaijan’s and Georgia’s state
budget policies was similar in that the increase of budgetary sources
was targeted at defense and the state capital investment field.
In 2005 Georgia significantly increased the financing of its defense
sphere. Georgia has allotted almost USD 325 million for staffing its
military and modernizing its army’s equipment. This sum totaled 0.6
percent of the GPD.
Azerbaijan’s defense expenses in 2006 are set to total USD 650
million – four times more than the sum allotted by Armenia for its
own state defense.
The top two imports and exports for the three South Caucasian countries
are as follows:
Imports Exports
Armenia Diamonds, precious stones 19.7%, Gas 14.6% Jewels,
semi-precious stones, precious metals 35.4%, Metals 33.2%
Georgia Oil & oil products 13.5 %, Vehicles 7.2% Scrap metal 19.1%,
Wine 9.2%
Azerbaijan Machinery and technical equipment 18.7%, Iron 17.4% Oil
86.5%, Iron 1.01%.

ARMAVIA ACQUIRES NEW A-319 PLANE
Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 18, the airline Armavia
acquired a A-319 plane of the Airbus company on leasing. The plane
was manufactured in late 2004, in the French city of Toulouse,
and was operated for a year – from 2004 to December 2005 by the
CIT company (U.S). According to Armavia’s press release, prior to
being sent to Armenia, the plane underwent technical servicing in
Mexico. This 134-seat plane has 8 business class seats and 126 econom
class ones. Armavia has an A-320 plane, two A-319 and a YAK-42. The
company is conducting negotiations on acquiring on leasing a
70-75 seat CRG plane of U.S. production. According to the press
release, all medium-term and long-term projects of Armavia are in
force. Particularly, work is underway to open Yerevan-New York-Los
Angeles and Yerevan-Milan flights.

VIDEO FEATURES LOCAL WORLD WAR II VETS
Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
May 18 2006
The new documentary, “Our Boys: Armenian World War II Veterans,” will
be shown in a special program on Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at
the Armenian Library and Museum of America, 65 Main St., Watertown.
In 2005, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Tom Spera,
the son of a veteran of the war, was determined to find a way to
honor Armenian-American soldiers who had served their country. He
collaborated with filmmaker Roger Hagopian to produce the “Our Boys”
video, featuring oral histories interspersed with personal and
historical photographs from the wartime period.
The film’s interviewees attend the Armenian Memorial Church in
Watertown and the First Armenian Church of Belmont. These men –
some barely out of high school at the time – reflect upon the
bombing of Pearl Harbor, their induction into the service, their
harrowing journeys aboard troop transport ships through rough seas,
correspondence with their families back home, poignant and humorous
moments, and near-death experiences during combat.
Life on the home front is recalled by the wives and relatives of
the veterans. They worked for the armed services and in factories,
served as air raid wardens and plane spotters, comforted the wounded
in hospitals, and, in groups, attended USO dances, meeting soldiers
who, at a moment’s notice, could be shipped out to war.
Filmmakers Hagopian and Spera will be on hand to answer questions
and discuss the making of the video, which runs for approximately
55 minutes.
Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). There will be
a question and answer period and reception with refreshments following
the video.
The Armenian Library and Museum is located in Watertown Square at
the corner of Main Street and Church Street. Parking is available
behind the museum building and in adjacent areas. The event will
begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.
The program will take place through the cooperation of ALMA and
the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research in
Belmont. For more information, contact NAASR at 617-489-1610, or
e-mail [email protected].
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IJEVAN BORDERS TO EXTEND
Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The new administrative borders of Ijevan
to include a 2,600-ha area instead of the current area of 260 ha will
be approved soon by the Armenian government. Mayor of Ijevan Varuzhan
Nersisian stated this at the May 18 press conference. He said that a
new master plan of Ijevan has been developed. In his words, approval
of this document will be conducive to an increase in tax revenues
of Ijevan by creating preconditions for speeding up the process of
alienation of the community lands. It was noted the Ijevan own revenues
programs have been executed since 2000: this year, the own revenues
program amounted to 42 mln drams against 33 mln drams last year.
According to the mayor, only 5 years ago Ijevan’s budget (own revenues
and state subsidies) made 17 mln drams, while in 2006, the budget
makes 162 mln drams (about 360 thousand USD). According to the mayor,
Ijevan currently has a population of 21 thousand.

VARUZHAN KARAPETIAN RUNS HIS BUSINESS IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006
NOYEMBERIAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Varuzhan Karapetion, who was released
from a French prison after spending there 20 years for killing the
Turkish consul in 1983, is currently running a business in Armenia. NT
correspendent was informed at the Tavush regional administration that
V. Karapetian signed a contract with the regional administration on
leasing 60 ha of land outside the administrative borders of communities
for a 25-year period. These areas are meadows and pastures adjacent
to the car tunnel of the city of Dilijan.
According to informed sources, V. Karapetian also owns a car enterprise
that services the Ijevan-Yerevan microbus route.