AZERI OFFICIAL POINTS TO “SERIOUS DIFFERENCES” WITH ARMENIA OVER KARABAKH
Trend news agency
13 Jan 05
BAKU
“The negotiations to resolve the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia are progressing very slowly. The situation is
very difficult. I can’t say that concrete results have been achieved,
but I hope they will be achieved,” Trend has quoted Azerbaijani Deputy
Foreign Minister Araz Azimov as telling a news conference at the
Foreign Ministry today.
The news conference was devoted to the results of the 11 January
meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers in Prague.
Azimov said there were very many differences in the sides’
positions. He added that some interest on the part of Armenia to step
up the process of negotiations was in evidence of late. In Azimov’s
view, this interest could have something to do with Armenia’s desire
to gain time or with Yerevan’s genuine intention to resolve the
Karabakh problem.
The diplomat stressed that Azerbaijan was still in favour of a
negotiated solution to the problem based on international principles,
including respect for the country’s territorial integrity. However,
the deputy minister said the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity would not mean an immediate solution to all problems. There
is also a problem of peaceful co-existence between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian communities of Nagornyy Karabakh in the future.
Touching on the issue of compromises, Azimov said Azerbaijan was ready
to reopen communications with Armenia provided the latter vacates the
occupied territories. He said the sides were sharing their views on
some issues, but pointed to serious differences on others.
Azimov believes that the next round of the negotiations will be held
in late February.
He also denied reports that an agreement had been reached to conduct a
referendum in Nagornyy Karabakh and to hand it over for administration
(as published).
From: Baghdasarian

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email [email protected]
Website
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, January 13, 2004
AGBU-SUPPORTED KARABAKH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PERFORMS FIRST OFFICIAL
CONCERT
New York, NY – Last month, the AGBU-funded Karabakh Chamber Orchestra
(KCO) presented its first official concert in Stepanakert, the capital
of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. Performing along with the State
Choir of Karabakh, the December 10, 2004 event was a landmark occasion
for the three-month old orchestra.
Gevork Muradian, Artistic Director and Conductor of KCO, traveled to
Stepanakert with a dozen musicians from Yerevan in September 2004 to
form the ensemble. Including several graduates of the Karabakh music
college among their ranks, the KCO began rehearsals on September 10th.
“After a month’s rehearsals the first performance took place on
October 8 in Stepanakert on the occasion of the 83rd General Assembly
of AGBU. Karabakh President and high-ranking officials attended the
concert. We were very warmly and enthusiastically received by the
people of Karabakh, which means that classical music has its audience
in Karabakh. Moreover, people were approaching our musicians after the
concert asking them to listen to their children’s musical abilities
and teach them. Two violinists and one violist already teach in the
music school of Shushi. New classes of viola and cello will be opened
in the Stepanakert musical college next year,” Muradian explained to
Armenia’s Aravot daily in a December 3rd interview.
Muradian elaborated that, in addition to AGBU funds, KCO receives
support from the Karabakh government. In the spring, KCO will travel
to Yerevan to perform in the Armenian capital and later to various
regions of Armenia for additional concerts.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the largest Armenian
non-profit organization in the world and has been at the forefront of
promoting and preserving the Armenian heritage around the world. In
addition to the KCO, AGBU also financially supports the Armenian
Philharmonic Orchestra.

NEWS RELEASE
St James Armenian Church
816 Clark Street Evanston IL 60201
TEL: 847-864-6263 email: [email protected]
Program contact: Gevik Anbarchian at (773) 878-0215 or [email protected].
ST JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH
Film-Discussion Series: “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”
FRIDAYS AT 7:30PM: FEB 18; MAR 18; APR 15; MAY 20; JUN 3
FREE admission
Saint James Armenian Church (Evanston IL) announces its Winter into
Spring film discussion series. This year we will be screening the
highly-acclaimed The Decalogue by the Polish filmmaker Krzysztof
Kieslowski. The Decalogue (The Ten Commandments) is a series of ten
hour-long films written and directed by Kieslowski for Polish
television in 1988. Each episode looks specifically at the relevance
of one of the Ten Commandments in the context of contemporary life
circumstances, and explores larger issues of morality, ethics and
justice in both religious and secular/humanistic terms. The Decalogue
is the recipient of numerous international film prizes including the
Cannes Special Jury Prize and Chicago Film Critics, Best Foreign
Language Film. The films are in Polish with English subtitles.
Film screenings will be held on Friday evenings in the main hall of
St. James Church beginning promptly at 7:30 with dinner and the film,
and discussion to follow from 8:30 until 10:00. Guests are encouraged
to bring a small dish and/or drinks to share with others.
____________________________________________________________________________
Friday, February 18 at 7:30pm: Decalogue I-I am the Lord thy God.Thou
shalt have no other Gods before me.
A university professor trusts in the infallibility of the computer and
instructs his young son in its use. Anxious to try out a new pair of
ice skates, the two consult the computer to calculate the safety of
the thickness of the ice on a nearby pond. A freak thaw results in
unforeseen and tragic consequences. (53 minutes)
Friday, March 18 at 7:30pm: Decalogue V-Thou shalt not kill. Jacek, a
disaffected youth, randomly and brutally murders a taxi driver.
Arrested, he is given Piotr, a young lawyer, to defend him. Jacek is
put on trial, found guilty and executed by hanging. Is an eye for an
eye just and does the legal system, in the name of the people and
sanctioned by the government, have the right to kill? (57 minutes)
Friday, April 15 at 7:30pm: Decalogue II-Thou shalt not take the name
of the Lord thy God in vain.
Dorota visits her dying husband in the hospital. She is pregnant by
another man. She asks the doctor for her husband’s
progress-considering abortion should he live, choosing life for the
fetus if her husband dies. By predicting the fate of the husband, is
the doctor determining life or death of the unborn child? (57 minutes)
Friday, May 20 at 7:30pm: Decalogue X-Thou shalt not covet thy
neighbor’s goods.
In this black comedy, two financially strapped brothers, Jerzy and
Artur, unexpectedly inherit a small fortune when their father wills
them the most valuable stamp collection in Poland. (57 minutes)
Friday, June 3 at 7:30pm: Decalogue VII-Thou shalt not steal.
Six-year-old Ania is being brought up by Ewa in the belief that Majka,
Ewa’s daughter, is her sister, whereas Majka is really her
mother. Tired and saddened by the deception and desperate to have Ania
love her as a mother, Majka “kidnaps” Ania and runs away from her
parents. (55 minutes)
ST JAMES ARMENIAN CHURCH 816 CLARK STREET EVANSTON IL 60201 TEL:
847-964-6263
email: [email protected]
Divine Liturgy 10:30am every Sunday followed by fellowship.
Park FREE on Sundays in the Maple St garage one block west of the Church.
St James Armenian Church is conveniently located 2 blocks north of the Davis St CTA & Metra/UP North trains.
*************
Krzysztof Kieslowski (1941-1996)
Probably the best known Polish film Director of the last two decades, Krzysztof Kieslowski began his film career at Lodz State Theatrical and Film College. His first films were documentaries that concentrated on aspects of Polish life, culture, and politics under the then Communist Party. Indeed it was these conditions which helped spark the Solidarity movement which ultimately forced the Party to relinquish power by way of new general elections.
Starting with short black and white 16mm documentaries, Kieslowski began to develop a style that would become characteristic of his work. Emphasis on seemingly insignificant moments such as feet walking, or background characters helped to bring a natural clarity to his cinematography. The audience becomes a genuine third party, observing the natural flow of the subjects within his field of vision imposed by the camera. Realism was what Kieslowski concentrated on, and indeed his films, especially the features, have a documentary feel to them.
Earlier films reflected a social commentary on Polish martial law and the way in which ordinary people maintained their lives inside a restrictive social environment. His award-winning 1979 feature, CAMERA BUFF, a slyly humorous, satirical look at life in a corrupt provincial factory, may have had personal dimensions for Kieslowski as it depicts a filmmaker who exposes himself to both attention and criticism when he progresses from home movies to committed social documentaries.
Kieslowski learned firsthand that censorship may ride on the coattails of exposure with BLIND CHANCE (1981), which considered three possibilities for Poland’s political future as it explored three different outcomes springing from the premise of a student trying to catch a train. BLIND CHANCE was unable to include a fourth story in which Poland throws out the Communist Party entirely, and the remaining film, still quite impressive, was banned for over five years before finally being released in 1987. While the outcome of one BLIND CHANCE story was a blithely apolitical world (the student misses the train, and instead meets a sexy woman with whom he becomes involved), Kieslowski’s subsequent NO END (1984), while not forsaking wit entirely, nonetheless refused to be glibly satirical. The film’s hero, a
lawyer who represented many Poles oppressed by martial law, is dead at the film’s opening.
Kieslowski’s films always featured philosophical journeys into the human spirit and a concern for the moral and ethical implications of human action. Fittingly, he confirmed his status as a major contemporary director with DECALOGUE (1988), an ambitious series of ten hour-long films funded by Polish TV, telling stories “based” on the Ten Commandments. (In DECALOGUE 10, for instance, two brothers, an accountant and a punk rocker, both covet the stamp collection they have inherited from their father.) In the same year, Kieslowski expanded segments five and six into two features, A SHORT FILM ABOUT KILLING and A SHORT FILM ABOUT LOVE. Partially set, like the rest of the series, on a Warsaw housing estate, A SHORT FILM ABOUT KILLING is a grim and powerful tale drawing formal parallels between the act of murder
and the workings of the criminal justice system.
His first major international film, THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE (1991) explored human emotion in a very delicate often ironic way. Indeed as he put it, “…a sensitive film for sensitive people…” “Veronique” explores the simultaneous lives of two women, one Polish and the other French who are each other’s double, and who both feel a strange link to each other’s lives.
His magnum opus and fittingly enough, his last film project was a trilogy series entitled THREE COLOURS: BLUE (1993), RED (1994) and WHITE (1994).
Based on the three colours of the French Revolution, each film examines one thread of each theme. BLUE examines freedom, as portrayed by a woman who loses her family in an automobile accident, and the way in which she discovers a new direction to her life. WHITE looks at one man’s struggle for equality in his marriage in an aura of black humor, and finally RED concentrates on fraternity by highlighting the development of a relationship between a young model and an elderly man.
Krzysztof Kieslowski was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1941 and passed away in a Warsaw hospital in March 1996 due to heart complications but not before announcing tentative plans for another trilogy rumoured to be based upon the concepts of heaven, hell and purgatory.

———————————
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EurasiaNet Organization
Jan 13 2005
TURKEY, RUSSIA CELEBRATE TRADE TIES WHILE PROBING AN EXPANSION OF
GEOPOLITICAL CONTACTS
Mevlut Katik 1/12/05
Turkey and Russia celebrated rapidly expanding bilateral trade during
a visit by a massive Turkish trade delegation January 10-12 to
Moscow. The visit also generated several significant political
developments, including an announcement that Turkey would explore
cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and a Russian
commitment to consider the lifting of an embargo against Turkish
Cypriots.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan led the Turkish
delegation, comprising 52 MPs and 600 business executives. The size
of contingent underscored the fact that Russia has emerged as
Turkey’s second largest trade partner after Germany, in part because
of Turkish imports of Russian natural gas via the Blue Stream
pipeline. Bilateral trade volume in 2004 was estimated at $10
billion. The figure could skyrocket to $25 billion by 2007, Erdogan
said. The centerpiece of the visit was the opening of a Turkish Trade
Center in central Moscow.
Erdogan’s press office hyped the visit as “probably the busiest …
made by one our [Turkey’s] leaders.” The January 12 statement went on
to say that Turkey’s “economic ties with Russia are ripe for growth,”
adding that Ankara expected “an influx of Russian capital.” Russian
President Vladimir Putin reciprocated the enthusiasm expressed by
Turkish leaders. Putin met with Erdogan at least four times during
the three-day visit, including a private dinner at the presidential
residence outside Moscow.
Only sketchy details have emerged on trade talks conducted during the
visit. Turkish officials let it be known in advance that they would
seek a discount on the price of Russian natural gas supplies. Russia
currently provides about two-thirds of Turkey’s natural gas needs.
According to the Interfax news agency, Russia agreed to expand gas
exports to Turkey, but provided no details. There was likewise no
information on the price that Turkey would pay.
Russia, at the same time, expressed interest in other Turkish energy
spheres, especially electricity. “The Russians are interested in
power stations that work with natural gas, coal and hydropower,” said
Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler. The minister added that Russian
companies were interested in participating in energy-related
privatization tenders, and were ready to explore the feasibility of
laying down cables on the Black Sea floor to export electricity.
In addition to energy, Turkish and Russian officials confirmed that
talked about developing military-technological ties. They did not go
into specifics, and no agreements were announced.
Beyond the trade talks, several statements by both Turkish and
Russian officials could have a profound impact on regional
geopolitics. While in Kazakhstan on a one-day visit January 12, Putin
welcomed Turkey’s interest in establishing trade relations with the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which included Russia,
China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Putin
described Turkey’s interest as “unexpected,” Interfax reported.
Meanwhile, Putin indicated that Russian policy may soon shift on the
Cyprus issue, which has served as an obstacle in Turkey’s path toward
European Union membership. The Russian president said he would start
advocating for the lifting of an international embargo on the
Turkish-controlled sector of the divided island. “We do not think
that the political isolation of Northern Cypriots is fair,” Putin
said.
Erdogan and Putin also reportedly probed for an understanding on
Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. [For background see the
Eurasia Insight archive]. The normalization of Turkish-Armenian
relations would potentially hasten Turkey’s European Union accession
process. Russia, as Armenia’s strategic ally, could be in position to
facilitate a rapprochement. The normalization issue, in turn, is
connected to the long search for a lasting Karabakh settlement, as
Turkey has long supported Azerbaijan in the peace process.
Political observers suggested that existing geopolitical conditions
were exerting considerable force on Turkey and Russia to expand their
political and economic ties. For Turkey, Russia potentially could
help remove several obstacles still standing in Ankara’s European
Union membership drive, namely the Cyprus and Armenia questions. In
addition, in the wake of the diplomatic row between the United States
and Turkey over Iraq, the Turkish government apparently welcomes the
diversification of its foreign policy – mainly for economic purposes.
Even though, Ankara has worked hard to repair its relationship with
Washington, there appears to be some lingering concern over whether
the United States will address Turkish security concerns in Iraq.
[For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive]. During
a January 11 visit to Turkey, a top US military leader, Gen. John
Abizaid, offered assurances that Washington would address the issue
of Kurdish militant activity in northern Iraq, without offering a
specific action blueprint. [For additional information see the
Eurasia Insight archive].
For Russia, closer relations with Turkey could potentially help
Moscow slow the steady erosion of its influence in the Black Sea
Basin. Over the past year-plus, Russia has seen pro-Western
governments come to power in Georgia and Ukraine. [For background see
the Eurasia Insight archive].
Many pundits gave Erdogan high marks for his recent performance. Over
the last month, Erdogan’s government has finessed the European Union
into agreeing on the accession issue, taken steps to restore the US
relationship, and now opened new channels of commercial and political
communication with Russia. “Turkey’s foreign relations have always
been very pragmatic and mostly rational, especially with its eastern
neighbour Russia,” said Firdevs Robinson, the editor of the British
Broadcasting Corp.’s Central Asia and Caucasus Service. “Erdogan is
continuing this tradition with an important additional element. He is
using Turkey’s economic potential as well as his personal charm. He
is seen as `a leader that keeps his word.'”
Editor’s Note: Mevlut Katik is a London-based journalist and analyst.
He is a former BBC correspondent and also worked for The Economist
group.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian minister praises ties with Arab countries
Arminfo
12 Jan 05
YEREVAN
The tense atmosphere that emerged in the region as a result of the
Iraqi war in 2004 had a negative effect on Armenia’s cooperation with
Arab countries, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan told a news
conference today while reporting on the results of 2004.
The minister noted that the situation in Iraq caused Armenia’s concern
due to the presence of an Armenian community in this
country. Therefore, Armenia decided to take part in restoration
programmes in Iraq, sending a peacekeeping contingent there. At the
same time, the minister noted that Armenia’s relations with Arab
countries and Israel were dynamic.
Thus, in 2004 agreement was reached on granting Armenia observer
status in the Arab League. The minister noted that apart from Saudi
Arabia, which is abstaining from establishing diplomatic relations
with Armenia as before, Armenia’s relations with Lebanon, Egypt and
Syria are developing more dynamically.
Vardan Oskanyan also noted that the United Arab Emirates’ interest in
Armenia had increased recently. Vardan Oskanyan said that in 2004
Armenia successfully cooperated with Algeria, Morocco, Libya and Sudan
in international organizations. Certain progress was also achieved in
Armenian-Israeli relations.

Azeri Speaker censures US congressmen for Armenian bias
ANS TV, Baku
12 Jan 05

[Presenter] A meeting between Azerbaijani Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov and
a delegation of the German Marshall Fund of the United States at the
Milli Maclis [parliament] today focused on the Karabakh problem.
[Correspondent, over video of the meeting] Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov
told the meeting with the delegation of the German Marshall Fund of
the United States that 20 per cent of our lands had been occupied as a
result of Armenia’s aggression and over 1m people had become
refugees. Alasgarov said that Azerbaijan supported a peaceful solution
to the conflict that would be in line with international legal norms
and also criticized the work of the OSCE Minsk Group. He said that
being a co-chairman of the Minsk Group, the USA should try to reach a
fair solution to the conflict and step up its activity. The speaker
also sent a message to some pro-Armenian congressmen.
[Alasgarov addressing the delegation members] Let the congressmen
supporting Armenia’s interests know that Armenia is trying to expand
its territory by all possible means at the expense of Azerbaijani
lands and that it has committed aggression against Azerbaijan.
[Correspondent] The head of the delegation, [Senior Transatlantic
Fellow at the German Marshall Fund] Ronald Asmus, said that a new
project launched by the German Marshall Fund was aimed at
disseminating information about Azerbaijan in the USA.
[Asmus, speaking in English with Azeri voice-over, captioned] We aim
to gain insight into Azerbaijan’s current problems and exchange
opinions with [Azerbaijani] MPs and government members over this.
[Correspondent] Ronald Asmus promised to collect documentary evidence
about the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and submit it to US
congressmen. The US Congress is planning to hold hearings on Nagornyy
Karabakh.
Afat Telmanqizi, Azar Qarayev, ANS.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 7-13, 2005
HIGHLIGHTS:
THE QUESTIONABLE GIGAHERTZES
ONLY ONE OF NEARLY 40 FREQUENCIES REMAINS UNWANTED
JOURNALIST’S POWER SUPPLY INTERRUPTED
PRACTICAL GUIDE TO HUMANITARIAN LAW
THE QUESTIONABLE GIGAHERTZES
On January 12, 2005 the National Commission on Television and Radio
announced broadcast licensing competitions for frequency diapasons of
2300-2400 MHz and 2500-2700 MHz of Yerevan. The deadline for the bids in the
competitions is on April 11, 2005. The bids will be considered by the
National Commission on April 22.
The frequencies presented for the competition have a pre-history of their
own. In September last year the press questioned the legitimacy of the
launch of the so-called “supersystem”, owned by “A UP” company that got an
opportunity to rebroadcast 50 TV channels in GHz diapason. The permission
for re-broadcasting was issued by the Republican Telecommunications Center
of the RA Ministry of Transportation and Communication. On its behalf, the
National Commission on Television and Radio insisted to license these
frequencies by competition (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, September
17-23, 2004).
The dispute progressed into litigation: the suit of NCTR contained a demand
to annul the permission, issued to “A UP” company by the Republican
Telecommunications Center. On December 2 the court of primary jurisdiction
of Center and Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan approved the reconciliation
agreement between NCTR, the Ministry of Transportation and Communication,
Republican Telecommunications Center and “A UP” LLC. According to the
agreement signed, the Ministry and the Republican Telecommunications Center,
as one of its subdivisions, refused from claiming the 2300-27000 MHz
diapason and annulled their previous resolutions on the broadcasting
activities of “A UP”. The right to the diapason was stipulated to belong to
NCTR that assumed a commitment of announcing a competition for it.
As noted above, the applicants and winners for these frequencies will be
determined in spring. Yet, notably, the “supersystem” is being advertised on
Armenian TV air, with particular intensity on New Year’s Eve. The viewers
are informed how, even today, one can watch several dozens of channels.
ONLY ONE OF NEARLY 40 FREQUENCIES REMAINS UNWANTED
On December 27, 2004 the National Commission on Television and Radio
considered the bids submitted to the broadcast licensing competitions
announced on September 16. As it has been reported, five vacant UHFs in a
number of Armenian cities were put on the competitions: 22nd in
Yeghegnadzor, 22nd in Spitak, 26th in Dilijan, 33rd in Gyumri and 36th in
Vardenis (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 10-16, 2004).
Three frequencies received one application each: 22nd in Yeghegnadzor was
claimed by “Dzori Kanch” LLC, 33rd in Gyumri – “CHAP” LLC, and 36th in
Vardenis – “SAMELON” LLC. The 22nd frequency of Spitak is contested by three
LLCs – “Anna ev Karen”, “Medea Soft”, “Alik-Arman”. The competition for 26th
frequency of Dilijan was annulled because of absence of bidders.
At the same session of December 27 NCTR made a decision of granting several
vacant frequencies in various regions of the country to the Public Radio of
Armenia for its programs. Another set of vacant frequencies was granted to
the Public Television of Armenia – for broadcasting the programs of the
First Channel and the youth channel “Nor Alik”.
On December 28 the National Commission considered the bids submitted for
other broadcast licensing competitions, announced on September 17. As it has
been reported, the competitions presented the 30th UHF in Artashat , two FMs
in Yerevan (100.6 and 101.1 MHz), as well as two FM-packages in a number of
Armenian cities. The first package includes eight frequencies, the second –
twenty frequencies (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 17-23,
2004).
The only bidder for the 30th frequency in Artashat was “Telelex” TV company.
“MS Explorer” LLC filed applications for the two FMs in the capital. It
should be noted that its founders are “A1+” TV company (deprived of air
since April 2002) and Center “Cooperation for Democracy” NGO. Besides “MS
Explorer”, the 100.6 MHz of Yerevan is claimed by “Avrora” radio, and 101.1
MHz – by “Avtoradio”.
The package of 8 FMs got only one application – from
“ArRadioIntercontinental”. The package of 20 FMs is claimed by “Van” radio
station and Radio “HAY”.
The results of all the competitions will be announced by the National
Commission on February 14, 2005.
JOURNALIST’S POWER SUPPLY INTERRUPTED
On December 24, 2004, “Haikakan Zhamanak” daily published a report that on
December 23 the Chief Editor of the newspaper Nikol Pashinian addressed a
letter to the RA General Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepian. By this address the
Chief Editor petitioned the Prosecutor to institute criminal proceedings on
the illegitimate stoppage of power supply in the flat of “Haikakan Zhamanak”
correspondent Avetis Babajanian, who resides in Armavir. In the opinion of
the newspaper, the reason for the power supply interruption of the
journalist’s flat was his article “Cold and Dark Days of Armavir” (“Haikakan
Zhamanak” of December 18). The publication was critical of the activities of
“Musaler”, the Armavir branch of “Electric Networks of Armenia” CJSC. It
told, in particular, about the periodical power supply interruptions in
dozens of villages of the region that started after the appointment of the
new director of “Musaler”. On December 23 the newspaper noted that the power
supply of Avetis Babajanian’s flat was interrupted on the command of
“Musaler” director.
As Avetis Babajanian informed YPC, the power supply of his flat was resumed
on December 24. The journalist also noted that criminal proceedings on the
incident were instituted basing on the letter of “Haikakan Zhamanak” Editor,
which, as he learned from unofficial sources, were stopped due to absence of
corpus delicti.
PRACTICAL GUIDE TO HUMANITARIAN LAW
The “News” section of YPC web-site () features a presentation
article on the Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law, published by “Medecins
Sans Frontieres” international humanitarian organization.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375007, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 1) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 1) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

Sydney Morning Herald , Australia
Jan 13 2005
Bring down the dictator
January 14, 2005
Page Tools

“The last one to dodge the train is the band leader.” Daron Malakian
(right) settles the issue the old way.
Sex, drugs, rock’n’roll … and politics. Daron Malakian – sorry,
System of a Down – likes it with the lot. Kelsey Munro has attitude
with hers.
SYSTEM OF A DOWN
Hordern Pavilion, Driver Avenue, Moore Park
January 25, 7pm
$66.40
Bookings 9266 4800
They will also play the Big Day Out on January 26. Win tickets to the
sold-out event in next week’s Metro
You couldn’t have predicted System of a Down’s success. Mixing
intelligent, experimental, heavy music with a generous dose of
left-wing politics is not a proven recipe for chart success.
But their 2001 album Toxicity sold more than 4 million copies,
propelled by the furiously tight smash hit Chop Suey! The four
Armenian-Americans went from being an underground Californian band to
international success.
Live, they have a bone-buzzing intensity and frenetic
teenage-boy-laden mosh pits, but this is not easy music. How did they
get so big?
“We just stuck to our guns,” says guitarist and chief songwriter
Daron Malakian.
The band has had a dogged policy of non-compromise since their
formation in the mid-’90s. A buzz built around the quartet throughout
the Californian scene on the strength of their live sound and a
three-song demo that circulated among fans. System’s ferocious,
precise sound got pushed to bigger and bigger audiences. But not even
the band expected the mainstream to embrace Toxicity.
Advertisement
Advertisement”Yes, I’m very surprised that the world has grabbed onto
it the way it has because it was an experiment for us,” Malakian
says. “We’re lucky because we are a very artsy-fartsy band, and
people get it.”
Malakian is putting the finishing touches on two new studio albums.
He says he’s not a perfectionist: “I just want it to be right, I
don’t nitpick at shit. I get the production credit on the record, and
I get to be the [AC/DC guitarist] Malcolm Young of System of a Down.”
He laughs uproariously.
“I respect those people. You look at Slayer and you see Kerry King. I
look at Slayer and I see [songwriter-guitarist] Jeff Hanneman.”
He says this as though everyone would know what he means – that he
respects the behind-the-scenes musicmakers in bands over those showy
frontmen.
By his own reckoning, Malakian writes about 95 per cent of System’s
music, including the lyrics. He bristles slightly at the suggestion
that his band is a dictatorship.
“It’s a democracy, everyone respects the way the band works, I don’t
step over anybody,” he says. “I really don’t want to sound like I’m
discrediting my band members here because I’m not. It’s really how
System works. Serj [Tankian] writes songs but not in bulk the way I
write songs … It works as a team.”
All of the band – singer Tankian, bass player Shavo Odadjian and
drummer John Dolmayan – share Malakian’s eclectic taste in music,
ranging from Slayer to the Doors.
Frontman Tankian co-founded the activist group Axis of Justice with
Audioslave’s Tom Morello, which has worked for causes such as
homeless people and voting issues in the US. Some of System’s songs
have anti-war themes.
But Malakian is uncomfortable with System being tagged a “political”
band.
“We just sing about what the world, about what’s around us,” he says.
“We have political songs and we have songs about, y’know,
psycho-groupie-cocaine crazy.
“Somebody asked me, ‘Are you guys about sex, drugs, rock’n’roll,
politics, having a good time?’ I said, ‘Yes!’ We’re not about a
history lesson, like, ‘You gotta learn all about the Armenian
genocide’ or all about politics. We’re not only about that and we’re
not only about sex, drugs and rock’n’roll, we’re like a f—ed-up
mutation of all that shit.”

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Jan 13 2005
Azerbaijan among mostly unfree countries, says report

The US Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal have included
Azerbaijan into the list of mostly unfree countries. In their 2004
Index of Economic Freedom based on a 5-point scale, Azerbaijan’s
standing was at 3.38, which makes it 103rd in the world out of 155
countries indicated.
A similar report issued in 2003 placed Azerbaijan 106th, with a 3.39
rating.
Topping the list is Hong Kong, while Singapore and Luxembourg were
rated second and third respectively. Former Soviet Union republic
Estonia was rated fourth. The United States, which has topped a list
of 10 for the past 11 years, was downgraded to 12th place. Ireland,
New Zealand, Great Britain, Denmark, Iceland, Australia and Chile
were placed ahead of the US.
The report placed Armenia 42nd with a 2.28 rating, while Russia
124th. Iran, Cuba, Laos, Turkmenistan, Zimbabwe, Libya, Myanmar and
North Korea (155th) were indicated as the most economically unfree
countries.
The rating of countries was determined based on trade policy,
interference of the government, financial policy, foreign
investments, wages and pricing, and property rights.

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-1) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
Armenia Aids Tsunami Victims

Minister Oskanian announced today¹s decision by the Armenian government to
provide short and long-term assistance to victims of the South East Asian
tsunami disaster.

After having received the necessary information from the governments of the
countries affected by the catastrophe, at the cabinet meeting of Thursday,
January 13, the government determined to allocate $50,000 to provide Sri
Lanka with blankets and mobile generators, per their request. In addition,
the Armenian government will provide aid in the same amount to Indonesia,
whose government has requested medical and educational personnel and
materials.

Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Baibourtian, who recently concluded his term
as Armenia¹s ambassador to India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nepal, said, ³We
are calling for volunteers from Armenia and the Diaspora who are ready and
willing to offer their professional services to those who have suffered so
much. Those in the health and mental health fields are sorely needed and can
be of great help in offering post-traumatic assistance. Armenia has been the
recipient of such largesse and Armenians are eager to do their share in this
recovery effort.”

The Foreign Ministry is working with the appropriate Armenian agencies to
transport the materials and the personnel. Deputy Minister Baibourtian also
explained that the Foreign Ministry is cooperating with the Armenian
communities of Australia, India and Thailand to provide additional support.

The Indonesians have lost schools and therefore are in need of teaching
materials and stationery supplies. The Armenian government will work with
the Armenian community of Australia to procure such resources and make them
available.

The Armenian-Indian community, too, has mobilized its resources and provided
services to the tsunami victims of India. The Armenian government has worked
with the Indian-Armenian community and the Chairperson of the Armenian
Church Committee in Calcutta, Mrs. Sonia John, in order to provide this
internal assistance, given the Indian government¹s principled position not
to accept foreign assistance. The Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth sent the
equivalent of $210,000 to the Prime Minister¹s National Relief Fund. In
addition, the Armenian Government has offered that post-traumatic
rehabilitation be made available at the Red Cross Hospital in Yerevan.

Finally, in Thailand, through the leadership and generosity of Armenia¹s
Honorary Consul in Bangkok, Mr. Bob Kevorkian, monetary assistance and
housing construction has been offered to Thailand¹s tsunami victims.