AIR TEMPERATURE TO DECREASE BY 3-5 DEGREES IN TERRITORY OF ARMENIA THIS WEEK

YEREVAN, February 7 (Noyan Tapan). Precipitation is expected in
separate regions of Armenia on February 7 and 9, and weather mainly
without precipitation is expected in the territory of Armenia from
February 10 till the end of the week. According to Zaruhi Petrosian,
the Chief of the Weather Forecast Department of “HayHydromet”,
the average February temperature will not essentially change till
February 10: the air temperature will make -18 degrees in the
montainous regions, and in valleys it will make 7 degrees. The air
temperature will decrease by 3-5 degrees from February 10-12, and it
will increase by 3-5 degrees starting from February 13.

IT’S PLANNED TO ALLOCATE 89 MLN DRAMS IN 2006 FOR BUILDING TEMPORARY LODGING FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. 89 mln drams (nearly 193.5 thousand
dollars) is to be allocated from state budget for the first time
in 2006 for building temporary lodging for homeless people. Anahit
Gevorgian, Deputy Head of the Department on Problems of Disabled and
Old People of RA Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, reported this
during the April 6 discussion dedicated to the “Problems of Homeless
People.” According to her, homeless people will live in temporary
lodgings for only several months. After a number of detailed
explanations of psychologists, lawyers they will be settled in
different state tutorial institutions. A.Gevorgian mentioned that the
problem emerged in Armenia as a consequence of the new social-political
order established in the recent 15 years. As a result of the large
social polarization many people were deprived of their apartments,
lost their job. According to the data of RA Police, 100 homeless
people are officially registered in Yerevan. But according to Nane
Makuchian, Chairwoman of the “Center for Social Assistance” NGO,
their number in Yerevan reaches 800, 40 of them died in 2005 winter
from frostbite. N.Makuchian said that both state and non-governmental
organizations are engaged in the problems of persons below 16 and
above 60 years old as the latters belong to the able-bodied group
but indeed are deprived of not only job but also tutelage of the
above-mentioned organizations. Representatives of state and non-state
structures invited to the Ararat diocese in order to discuss complete
and all-round settlement of the issue failed to suggest any rational
variant acceptable for everybody for the solution of the problem.

CHILDREN’S DEATH-RATE DECREASES IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. This year the motto of the Day of
World Health, April 7, is “Every Mother, Every Child in the Center of
Attention.” Karine Saribekian, Chief of the Department on Protection
of Mother’s and Child’s Health of RA Ministry of Health, reported
during the April 6 discussion dedicated to mother’s and child’s
health that every minute 5 children die in the world during the first
week of their life, 8 during the first month, 8 still-born children
are born and 1 woman dies during the pregnancy or childbirth. At
the same time K.Saribekian said that compared with 90-s children’s
death-rate in Armenia decreased. At the beginning of 90-s 26 out of
every 100 newborn children died during the first year of life while
now the average index makes 12.5%. According to K.Saribekian, cases
of maternal death decrease year by year. At the beginning of 90-s
maternal death-rate made 40 per 100 thousand children, while during
the recent years this index makes 25.

PAYMENT FOR GIVING US EMIGRATORY VISAS INCREASES

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. From March 8, the payments for
emigratory visas to US and some consular services increased. But
according to the report submitted to Noyan Tapan from US Embassy,
the amount of the payment for non-emigratory visa remains the same –
100 dollars. The payment for all kinds of emigratory visas (including
those who won in the drawing of the “green card” increased by 45
dollars. The increase was permitted by US Congress for the purpose of
improving the means of security in the process of giving emigratory
visas and raising the physical protectability of the document. At
present the special payment for visas of the persons who won in the
drawing of the “green card” makes 375 dollars. This sum is only paid
by the winners of the lottery. The registration of those who want to
participate in the lottery remains free. The payment for services on
giving passport to American citizens, as well as some services rendered
to US residents who want to return to US also increased. It’s mentioned
that the whole information concerning payments for visas and consular
services may be found on the Internet site of the State Department
() or on the site of US Embassy in Armenia
().

RESULTS OF PSYCHIATRIC EXAMINATION OF ARMENIAN OFFICER’S MURDERER RAMIL SAFAROV LIKELY TO BE ANNOUNCED IN MAY

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The results of the second psychiatric
examination on the murder of the RA Armed Forces officer Gurgen
Margarian in Bydapest are unlikely to be announced soon – it is
not ruled out that they will be made public only at the trial
to be restarted on May 10. NT correspondent was informed about
this by the representative of the aggrieved party, lawyer Nazeli
Vardanian. According to her, the Azeri experts may be present at the
second examination to be conducted in Budapest next week only with the
Hungarian doctors’ permission. N. Vardanian reminded that the court
rejected the Azeri side’s petition to participate in the examination
and preparation of its conclusion. To recap, according to a psychiatric
conclusion on the case of Gurgen Margarian’s murder committed by Ramil
Safarov with extreme brutaly, R. Safarov was recognized healthy. The
doctors who had conducted the examination were questioned in the
court. They assert they are ready to insist on their conclusion.

Journey along Silk Road proves to be captivating
By T.J. Medrek

Boston Herald
Friday, April 8, 2005

Poor Yo-Yo Ma – and lucky us. The classical superstar can try his best
to just blend into an ensemble, such as his own Silk Road Project. But
the eloquent sound he draws from his cello just naturally commands
attention, admiration and love. Of course, when Ma and his Silk
Roadies played a Bank of America Celebrity Series gig at Symphony
Hall on Wednesday, there was lots more to love than just the skill
of one of Cambridge’s most celebrated residents.

To my ears, last year’s Silk Road appearance underwhelmed. But
this year’s was taut and engaging from the start – and the audience
responded ecstatically. Certainly this year’s addition of several
musicians from such places as Armenia and Azerbaijan to the concert
was not only more in line with the Silk Road’s CD releases but also
more in line with its purpose.

Ma organized the Silk Road Project and its band to explore musical
traditions of countries along the ancient Silk Road, once the major
Europe-to-Asia trading route, and the impact of those traditions
on modern composers in the region. Add some Western instruments and
sensibility to the mix, and East meets West in still-new ways.

Ma got his time front and center, playing Franghiz Ali-Zadeh’s haunting
“Habil-Sayagy (In Habil’s Style)” accompanied only by the mostly
gentle sounds of Joel Fan’s prepared piano (think a mandolin crossed
with bedsprings). But for the rest he ceded the spotlight – if not
his persistent hold on our ears – to the likes of Gevorg Dabaghyan,
whose playing of the clarinet-like duduk was as expressive as a human
voice in settings of three Armenian folk songs. Composer and virtuoso
tabla player Sandeep Das’ improvisatory “Tarang” for percussion was
another standout. And sensational singer Alim Qasimov filled songs
from Azerbaijan with vocal prowess and astonishing authority.

The evening concluded with Ma and company playing rousing,
foot-stomping music of the Roma, including an arrangement of
“Turceasca” by Newton composer Osvaldo Golijov. To say that this Silk
Road Project sent everyone home happy would be understating it wildly.

Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, at Symphony Hall, Boston,
Wednesday.

Najarian steamrolls his way to victory
By Josh Kleinbaum, News-Press and Leader

Plenty of support, strong credentials help attorney best three
incumbents in council race

Glendale News-Press
April 7, 2005

GLENDALE — This time, Ara Najarian had some breathing room.

An attorney and trustee for Glendale Community College, Najarian
dominated the Glendale City Council elections on Tuesday, receiving
9,054 votes — 1,244 more than anyone else. He was the only candidate
in a field of 19 to get more than 10% of the vote, and he beat three
incumbents.

Najarian’s success is a far cry from his run for the college district
board in 2003, when outstanding provisional and absentee votes
propelled him from third place to second.

Najarian said he learned the secret for success during that 2003 race.

“The importance of reaching out to the different communities was
really something that I became acutely aware of,” he said. “You’ve
got to reach out across the entire swath of Glendale — rich, poor,
apartment owners, homeowners, young, old, Armenian, non-Armenian,
Korean, Latino — to be a successful candidate.”

Najarian’s ability to reach out to the community may have helped
him gain widespread support, but his formula for success was more
expansive.

His experience as a college trustee and a former city transportation
and parking commissioner gave him strong credentials on two major
issues — transportation and education.

“He’s not an unknown commodity,” Councilman Rafi Manoukian said.

Najarian stayed above the fray in much of the mud-slinging and
accusations of dirty politics, preferring to run a clean and positive
campaign. Challenger John Drayman described Najarian’s campaign as
smart, honest and decent.

He supports the Americana at Brand, but unlike the three incumbents,
he was not a central player in the Americana debate.

By staying out of that debate in 2004, he avoided alienating large
segments of the community.

“He was not the one who cast the vote one way or another,” said Mayor
Bob Yousefian, who finished second behind Najarian. “The ones who
cast the votes were the ones who were attacked.”

Glendale’s Armenian-American community gave Najarian strong support,
including an endorsement from the Armenian National Committee.

Over the last six years, since Manoukian first galvanized the city’s
Armenian-American electorate, that segment of voters has become a
political force.

For the first time, Armenian Americans have a majority on the council.

“To Armenians, it’s a big deal,” Yousefian said. “This is the first
time it’s happened. [Armenian Americans] are getting the perception
that it’s OK to be involved, it’s OK to go out and vote, and it’s OK
to run for office.

“It also sends a different message — these are three Armenian
candidates who had a following that was more than just Armenians. The
bottom line comes to, who is a good candidate? As far as I’m concerned
and Ara’s concerned and Rafi’s concerned, the number one issue to us
is what is in the best interest of the city.”

JOSH KLEINBAUM covers City Hall. He may be reached at (818) 637-3235
or by e-mail at [email protected].

Ma, ensemble improvise in a lively musical tour

MUSIC REVIEW

The Boston Globe
April 7, 2005

By Richard Dyer, Globe Staff

Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble gave a large and enthusiastic
audience a 2½-hour multicultural hootenanny in Symphony Hall last night.
An ensemble of 14 virtuoso musicians from many lands joined the cellist
for a program that presented four kinds of music: authentic folk music
from countries along the Silk Road; modern arrangements of folk music
for mixtures of Eastern and Western instruments; contemporary composed
music with deep roots in national and folk cultures; and cheerful
crosscultural improvisations.

Although Ma founded the Silk Road Project, it has grown and developed in
surprising ways because he has never made it all about himself. For most
of the evening, he was an ensemble player, emerging for only one solo,
”Habil-Sayagy,” a substantial piece for cello and prepared piano by
Franghiz Ali-Zadeh. This is an amazing piece to have been composed by a
woman in Baku in 1979. The innards of the piano were atmospherically
plucked and struck by Joel Fan, while Ma used his instrument in an
improvisational recitative-and-aria style based on the sound and
traditional repertory of the kamancheh, an instrument from Azberaijan.

Wu Man, virtuoso of the Chinese pipa, made herself completely at home in
Romanian gypsy music; in these exciting and smoochy tunes, violinists
Colin Jacobsen and Jonathan Gandelsman vied with each other in speed and
altitude. Gevorg Dabaghyan proved the expressive master of the Armenian
duduk, a small instrument with a large, plaintive sound resembling a
combination of clarinet, oboe, and saxophone. Sandeep Das, playing the
tabla from India, joined three Western drummers to create waves of
rhythm. The astonishing vocalist Alim Qasimov from Azberaijan boasts a
tenor so high that high C was a note to play in the midst of volatile
cascades of expressive coloratura.

Percussionist Shane Shanahan announced the last encore by saying this is
what the party would have sounded like if all the musicians had
simultaneously pulled into the same oasis on the Silk Road centuries
ago; it was great fun to join them there.

–Boundary_(ID_PZVE/FZVFNcZ65PO/j8oCA)–

Pope Set Precedent With World Religions
By LOUIS MEIXLER, Associated Press Writer

Associated Press
Thursday, April 7, 2005

ANKARA, Turkey – He was the first pope to visit a mosque and pray at
Judaism’s holiest site, and he returned the relics of revered Orthodox
Christian saints.

In death, John Paul II continues to set precedents: His funeral is
attracting religious and political leaders whose faiths were never
represented at such a high level at papal burials.

John Paul II ushered in “the globalization of religion,” said John
Esposito, founding director of the Georgetown University Center
for Muslim-Christian Understanding in Washington. “He increased
exponentially the dialogue with … people of all faiths.”

Friday will mark the first time the leaders of Orthodox Christianity
and the Armenian Apostolic Church have attended a pope’s funeral. Iran
and Syria are sending their presidents, and Israel is dispatching its
foreign minister – top levels of representation never before seen at
papal funerals.

The funeral is making its mark even in places where the pope has
virtually no following. In Turkey, a country with a small number of
Roman Catholics, the national police have canceled celebrations of the
force’s 160th anniversary. Turkey’s flag, which features the crescent,
a symbol of Islam, will fly at half mast Friday to honor the pope.

“Not only was he the leader of the Catholic world, he was also
the leader for peace and dialogue between religions,” Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday before flying to Rome for
the funeral. “Even toward the end, at the height of his ill health,
he relentlessly worked toward that goal.”

Ali Bardakoglu, Turkey’s top Islamic cleric, said he shared “the
grief of Catholics worldwide.”

The pope’s ability to bridge the divide between religions was aided
by his common touch and keen understanding of the power of symbolism,
which inspired even those who sharply disagreed with him on issues
of faith. Many people seemed to warm to the pope and regard him as
genuinely holy even if they did not share his religious beliefs.

The note he slipped into a crack in the Western Wall apologizing
for the suffering of Jews over the centuries has been preserved in
Israel’s national Holocaust museum.

The gesture marked a crucial change from Pope Paul VI’s visit to
Israel in 1964, when the Jewish state and the Vatican were so distant
the pope traveled only to Christian holy sites and never mentioned
Israel by name.

The pontiff’s contribution to religious tolerance “will be with us
for many years,” Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said at the
start of a Cabinet meeting last week.

For many Muslims, a key symbolic moment was when the pope stood in
the ancient Omayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, in 2001 and appealed to
Christians and Muslims to seek common ground rather than confrontation.

For the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians, the pope’s landmark
apology for Roman Catholic wrongs against the Orthodox and his return
of the relics of two Orthodox saints were no doubt key to the decision
of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I – leader of the world’s Orthodox
Christians – to attend the funeral.

“Pope John Paul II envisioned the restoration of the unity of the
Christians and he worked for its realization,” said Bartholomew. “His
death is a loss not only to his church, but to all of Christianity
as well, and to the international community in general, who desires
peace and justice.”

John Paul’s global reach is due in part to the fact that he was
history’s most-traveled pope – logging 723,723 miles, or three times
the distance to the moon. His message was reinforced by a modern
media that beamed his smiling image to millions of homes.

“Pope John Paul in many ways became a leader and symbol to a degree
that no pope in the past could achieve,” Esposito said. “It is a
product of the man … but also the fact that with globalization of
travel and communications he could play that role.”

Besides Bartholomew, key religious leaders at the funeral will include
the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Catholicos Karekin II,
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Lebanon’s Maronite Christian
Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni of
Indonesia and Shear-Yishuv Cohen, the chief rabbi of the Israeli city
of Haifa. Teoctist, the 90-year-old patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox
Church was planning to attend but will not because he has the flu.

There are some who will not be joining in the mourning.

“How can the death of a non-Muslim be a loss to the Muslim
world?” asked Gamal Sultan, an Egyptian Islamic activist and editor
of Al-Manar, a journal that serves as a mouthpiece of Islamic
fundamentalists.

Although Israel is sending its foreign minister, the country’s two
chief rabbis are not attending. And Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s
holiest shrines, has not announced it will send anyone.

Left open by the death of the pope is whether his legacy of promoting
interfaith dialogue will continue.

“A lot depends on the next pope,” Esposito said. “There is a momentum
there and part of that momentum cannot be reversed.”

;u=/ap/20050407/ap_on_re_eu/pope_religious_unifier_1

“DEFENCE OF LIBERATED TERRITORIES” CALL ON RA AUTHORITIES NOT TO MAKE DEFEATIST STATEMENTS

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. “It’s a pity that the Defence Minister
speaks about concessions, such statements strike a blow on our
army, our servicemen’s spirit,” Zhirayr Sefilian, coordinator of
the “Defence of Liberated Territories” public initiative, declared
during the April 7 press conference while commenting upon RA Defence
Minister Serge Sargsian’s statements made lately. Declaring that he is
speaking on behalf of the Karabakh war participants, Sefilian called
on the Armenian authorities “to stop such conversations,” otherwise,
according to him, “they will be punished very strictly.” During the
press conference it was also mentioned that the “Defence of Liberated
Territories” public initiative has repeatedly warned that the Karabakh
policy of the current regime is the continuation of the previous one
and is “defeatest at least to the same extent.” “Today the failure
of Armenian authorities in Karabakh policy may be confirmed. The
concessions made by words and, in fact, also in practice, as a matter
of fact, lead the international community into error and the latter
makes its demands towards Armenia much stricter,” Armen Aghayan,
political secretary of the organization, declared. According to him,
“adventurous policy” is carried on by the country’s authorities,
which leads the Armenian people to a “deadlock fraught with the gravest
consequences.” The statement of the “Defence of Liberated Territories”
initiative was also publicized during the press conference, according
to which “numerous opinions voiced in the official reports during the
March 29-30 NA hearings were obviously expressed for a special purpose
of including them into the Karabakh settlement package.” According to
the authors of the statement, it’s the first time that the Armenian
party “voluntarily puts into circulation formulations containing
concessions” before getting the Co-chairmen’s proposals. At the
same time, according to the document, the Armenian people will never
put up with surrenderring any part of their homeland, infringing on
national security and political deals concluded at the expense of
national interests. “Not to take this into consideration is equal to a
political suicide for political factions ruling at present, factions
assisting them, as well as those pretending on it. We are sure that
they have finally lost the right to decide the people’s fate, to
speak on behalf of the people and will be inevitably punished,” the
“Defence of Liberated Territories” initiative declared.