The Moscow Times
Arts & Ideas

Singer Rebuked

The very afternoon that Filipp Kirkorov was fined for his May outburst, the
pop star lashed out at another journalist in Moscow.

By Rebecca Reich
Published: August 13, 2004

A judge in Rostov-on-Don has fined pop star Filipp Kirkorov 60,000 rubles
($2,050) for a public outburst in late May that spiraled into a media blitz.

Kirkorov lashed out after journalist Irina Aroyan asked him why he performs
so many remakes. “You need to come prepared to press conferences with stars,
and not like you — yesterday walking the streets and, today, here in the
second row,” he retorted. Guards removed the memory card from Aroyan’s
camera and broke her dictaphone.

With tabloids zeroing in on the spectacle, Aroyan took Kirkorov to court for
personal insult. Judge Irina Vladimirova upheld her claim Wednesday,
commenting that Kirkorov tried to damage the journalist’s reputation.

Later that day, however, when Izvestia reporter Anton Pomeshchikov
telephoned the singer for comment, he received much the same medicine as
Aroyan. Interfax reports that the newspaper is planning to sue.

Copyright © 2004 The Moscow Times

The Moscow Times
Friday, August 13, 2004. Page 2.

News in Brief

Racism Warning

MOSCOW (AP) — Racism is spreading at an alarming pace in Russia, resulting
in a growing number of ethnic-based killings and attacks on minority groups,
human rights activists said Thursday.

Authorities have been reluctant to persecute the publishers and authors of
numerous virulently xenophobic and anti-Semitic publications that have
flooded Russian cities, said Alexander Brod, the director of the Moscow
Bureau for Human Rights and coordinator of an EU-funded program monitoring
xenophobia, anti-Semitism and ethnic discrimination in Russia.

A nationwide poll conducted earlier this year had 42 percent of respondents
saying that the involvement of Jews in politics, business and other spheres
must be curtailed — a prejudice that reaches far back into Russia’s
pogrom-haunted past — while 35 percent spoke against such restrictions and
the rest did not have an opinion.

Some 60 percent of those polled supported restrictions against migrants from
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.

The poll of 2,500 people, conducted by the independent Expertisa foundation,
had a margin of error of 2 percentage points.

PRESS RELEASE

Public Relations Department
Haigazian University
Beiru, Lebanon

Contact: Loucia Isaac Seropian
Tel: 961-3-647237
E-mail: [email protected]

Youth advances leave strong impact on cultural environment, summer, 2004 yet…

The country, Lebanon, in its summer 2004 cultural events and festivals has
witnessed a great rise and awakening consolidating youth’s role in
organizing local and regional cultural events from inception to
implementation.

Credit goes to enthusiasm of the young and the extra- curricular role of
universities in Lebanon, which have made seeking to cultivate its efforts
for the sake of cultural development and motivation through student
development programs and full-pledged support to academic activities and
life on campuses.

Over the past six years, I have worked closely with 2 distinguished
institutions of higher learning in Lebanon, with eyes wide open on print
and broadcast media. Both the media and academic institutions in Lebanon
hold cultural oriented events all (all- year- long) tinged with youth’s
stamina and effectively explore youth’s valuable talents in cultural
alteration and cultural exchange.

This leaves Lebanon on a high pedestal in terms of a supportive audience,
public support and, at times a, devoted audience of all generations
attending various cultural events. However, an audience of mixed
generations, is not the norm.

Mixed generations, are sometimes found thanks to advances in technology,
and find mixed generations using the same brand or commodity. This should
persuade us, as the older generation, to provide the young with a
challenging, culturally advanced society.

The next phase, if not well considered, might take us by surprise in the
future. If youth festivals, theatricals, dance, art and music concerts on
Lebanese premises outside University campuses, not only go un-rewarded or
un-awarded but also unevaluated, then those current efforts may become
redundant and will soon loose appeal in terms of sponsorship and audience
demand.

Here is our role and the role of the Lebanese Ministry of Youth and Sports,
which over the past few years has gone into sports and forgotten about the
‘other’ part of its mission ‘Youth’.

Moreover, it would be rewarding to have the ministry, within the coming
years, organize a cultural youth festival with awards at the end of every
summer and keep the fire burning. This would be in addition to the many
sports tournaments. (Life among youth is not only sports, nor is this
limited to the younger generation)…..

At the end of the day, we are all striving not to fall short in the eyes of
our ountry, but if we were ever to neglect the young with their energy,
dedication and efforts we would be impoverishing our own future.

Who should do what? What should be done next?

As a mother, I always turn to the younger generation for acquired learning.
Let’s think of schools that give summer work for their students. Upon
their return, teachers evaluate the amount of work accomplished and assign
recognition accordingly. Children take pride that during their summer they
accomplished school recognition. They come home bragging. This gives them
motivation for the next step ahead.

In the same way provide an incentive by recognizing and rewarding Youth’s
cultural activities at the end of the summer. This would lead to positive
impact and feedback for the organizers and those who attended, let alone
those considering resuming their efforts the next summer with fresh new
ideas with a sense of positive competition leading to impact creativity
avoiding monotonous and repetitive events.

Academic institutions tend to recognize efforts and it’s rewarding. On a
yearly basis universities invite their alumni, honor a few well-known in
society generating many positive purposes. So too do a few Lebanese high
officials; when traveling abroad, they meet with key Lebanese businessmen
in the diaspora and build bridges, which also has a positive impact on
Lebanon as a whole. Also, we often read in the news about certain
individuals being honored or rewarded for purely academic achievements.

Households or big names should go the extra mile and evaluate Youths’
superlative work to Lebanon’s multicultural environment this summer and
every other summer. This would favor renewed cultural activities
future-attempts, as well as reform and change, challenging the youth and
attracting different audiences while gaining national and regional
recognition? This would lead to positive outcomes on many levels. And you
name one.

###

Les Echos
12 août 2004

Europe : Moscovici plaide pour l’adhésion de la Turquie

M. C.

Alors que le débat interne au PS se focalise sur la question de la
Constitution européenne, Pierre Moscovici, l’ancien ministre des
Affaires européennes, lance un autre sujet de polémique, en défendant
l’adhésion de la Turquie à l’Union. Accepter la Turquie « permettrait
d’intégrer un islam modéré » et la refuser « reviendrait à prendre le
risque d’un régime à l’iranienne à nos frontières », estime-t-il dans
une interview au « Point », persuadé que « les Turcs sont prêts à
accepter beaucoup d’évolutions dès lors que la perspective européenne
est ouverte ».

L’Etat turc doit engager des « réformes très profondes »,
poursuit-il, en citant « la présence des militaires aux marges du
régime », « la question des minorités » (kurde notamment) et la «
reconnaissance du génocide arménien ». « Qu’un parti musulman soit
aujourd’hui aux commandes (à Ankara) ne me choque pas, ajoute le
député européen. Ce qui n’est pas acceptable, c’est que la religion
envahisse l’espace public. Il est donc important que la Constitution
et la pratique politique turques consolident durablement la laïcité.
»

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AS A RESULT OF COMPLEX SURGERY PERFORMED IN VIENNA, EIGHT-MONTH-OLD
ARTUR HARUTIUNIAN’S ARM STARTS FUNCTIONING

YEREVAN, August 10 (Noyan Tapan). As a result of a complex surgery
performed in Vienna, the right arm of 8-month-old Artur Harutiunian
from Armavir started functioning. On July 8, he returned to Armenia
with his mother, Liana Harutiunian, and his brother. The surgery was
performed with the help of the Yerevan Office of the Austrian
Airlines. Being informed about the child’s disease the Airlines sent
the child’s medical history to Vienna. Surgeon Herbert Husley
performed free of charge the complex operation of 7,000 euros in the
local hospital. The Austrian Airlines also provided L. Harutiunian and
her two sons with free air tickets.

L. Harutunian is satisfied with the operation results. She told NT’s
correspondent at Zvartnots Airport that before the operation the child
was not able to move his right hand. The significant progress became
evident only a month after the surgery. According to her, in Armenia
they would have to wait to have such an operation for at least 2
years. In 6 months A. Harutiunian and his mother will go again to
Vienna to undergo a final examination.

According to the Austrian Airlines, the company considers the regular
provision of such charitable help as its prerogative. “Support
provided by our Airlines to the Armenian public is also obvious in
other spheres, for example, in the organization of young
tennis-players tournaments, or in the organization of concerts by
young musicians or plays,” said Werner Kruger, Manager of the Airlines
Yerevan Office.

MetroWestDailyNews.com

>From Iraq tour of duty to the RNC

By Michael Kunzelman / News Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 11, 2004

ASHLAND — When John Merguerian returned home to Ashland from a yearlong
tour of duty in Iraq, many of his friends and neighbors assumed the war and
its horrors had left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.
They could not have been more wrong.
Merguerian, an Army reservist who served as an Arabic linguist in a
civil affairs battalion, said countless Iraqis told him in their native
tongue that their life is much better since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s
regime.
“Life is still tough for these Iraqis, but, that said, at least they
have some freedom now,” he said. “I feel we’ve done some good. There are
some positive things going on over there.”
Not only does Merguerian support the war, but he also looks forward to
playing a small part in trying to re-elect his commander in chief. The
30-year-old is heading to New York City this month to serve as an alternate
delegate at the Republican National Convention in New York City.
“I wanted to give the public a different perspective on the war in
Iraq,” he said.
Merguerian was recruited by Robert Semonian, a member of the
Massachusetts Republican State Committee. They both attend St. James
Armenian Church in Watertown.
“I felt that he would have an important message to give people, as
someone who served in Iraq,” Semonian explained. “He’s a young person, very
articulate, honest and straight-forward.”
Merguerian, a 1992 graduate of Ashland High School, became active in
Republican politics and volunteered for several GOP campaigns while he
attended the University of California at Los Angeles, where he majored in
Arabic and Middle Eastern political science.
When he enlisted in the Army in 1997, his language skills quickly made
him a valuable asset. In Iraq, he served in the security intelligence
section of the civil affairs battalion.
He performed a wide range of tasks, “everything from doing humanitarian
work to collecting intelligence,” he said.
Merguerian admitted to being scared when he arrived in Iraq in April
2003 during a phase of the war he describes as the “looting period.”
“Everything was out of control,” he said. “Conditions weren’t good. We
didn’t know what was going to happen.”
But Merguerian said he always enjoyed his work with the Iraqi people, a
statement that often surprises his friends and neighbors.
“They said the media portrayed the war as posing a constant threat of
violence for the troops, with no diplomacy or communication between the
Americans and the people in the neighborhoods,” he recalled.
Merguerian said many of the younger soldiers, especially those whose
tours of duty have been extended, are “very upset with the Bush
administration.”
But he has no qualms about supporting Bush over John Kerry.
“When I listened to Kerry’s speech (at the Democratic National
Convention), I didn’t hear him lay down a plan for what he wants to do
post-war in Iraq,” Merguerian said.
Merguerian’s father, Haig, is proud of his son’s war service. But he
cannot say the same about his son’s Republican credentials.
“He’s on the other side,” he said with a laugh.
A strong Kerry supporter, Haig Merguerian has been a registered
Democrat ever since immigrated to the United States from Armenia in 1967.
“I don’t know why he’s still supporting the Republicans,” Haig
Merguerian said. “But I’m not going to tell him not to go (to the
convention). He can do whatever he wants.”

ACCORDING TO GEORGIAN OFFICIALS, APPOINTMENT OF NEW AMBASSADOR TO
ARMENIA DELAYS DUE TO ABSENCE OF SPECIALIST

AKHALKALAKI, August 10 (Noyan Tapan). At the joint session of the
Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Integration into
Europe, Deputy of the Georgian parliament Van Bayburdian drew
attention of the Deputy Minister and MPs to the fact that Georgia has
no Ambassador to neighboring Armenia for 8-9 months. No new Ambassador
was appointed after the tenure of Ambassador Nikolos Nikolozishvili
expired. According to the “A-Info” Agency, the Armenian MP undrelined
the fact that if a state is considered friendly, the appointment of
the Ambassador should not be delayed for a long time. Deputy Foreign
Minister Lasha Shvania, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations
of the Georgian parliament Kote Kabashvili and Chairman of the
Committee on Issues of European Integration David Bakradze considered
this comment as relevant, but noted that the appointment of the new
Ambassador to Armenia has been delayed due to the absence of the
needed specialist. At the same time, the Georgian officials expressed
hope that this problem will be settled soon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

POPULATION OF ARMENIA CONSIDERS THAT RESUMPTION OF WAR WITH AZERBAIJAN
IS MAIN MILITARY THREAT

YEREVAN, August 10 (Noyan Tapan). 2,021 respondents and 50 experts
participated in the public opinion and expert polls conducted by the
Armenian Center of National and International Studies (ACNIS).

According to the results of the polls made public during the ACNIS
seminar, 44% of experts considers that the resumption of the war with
Azerbaijan is a main military threat for upcoming 5-10 years. 47.5% of
the respondents of the public opinion polls holds the same opinion. On
the question “Whom do you consider the enemy of Armenia?” 76% of
experts answered “Azerbaijan”, 64% of experts answered “Turkey”.

According to the results of the public opinion polls, 90.9% of
respondents considers Azerbaijan as an enemy state, 78.2% considers
Turkey as an enemy state. 66% of experts and 90% of participants of
the public opinion polls consider Russia as a friendly state. 64% of
experts and 46.8% of the population expressed positive attitude
towards Russia. But the assessments of experts and population
concerning the issue of the deepening of the relations with Russia and
the US are quite different. 76% of experts is for the deepening of the
relations with the United States and only 30% of them considers that
the further deepening of the relations with Russia is necessary. As
for the results of the public opinion polls, 35.6% of respondents
considers that one should deepen the Armenian-American relations and
51% considers that one should retain their present level. Almost 77%
of respondents is for the further deepening of relations with
Russia. 36% of experts and only 2.2% of the population are for the
restriction of relations with Russia.

According to respondents of both the expert and public opinion polls,
the confrontation of the authorities and the population, as well as
the consequences of the faked-up elections represent a danger among
the domestic problems.

TRILATERAL AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN SPHERE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT
SIGNED BETWEEN ARMENIA, RUSSIA AND UN

YEREVAN, August 10 (Noyan Tapan). According to the press service of
the Ministry of Urban Development, the trilateral agreement was signed
between the RA Ministry of Urban Development, the Federal Agency on
Construction and Housing Economy of Russia and the UN “Habitad
Executive Bureau” during the recent visit of RA Minister of Urban
Development Aram Harutiunian to Moscow. During his visit Aram
Harutiunian met with Sergey Kruglikov, Director of the Department on
Construction and Housing Economy of the Ministry of Energy and
Industry of Russia, and Minister of Energy and Industry Viktor
Khristenko besides the meeting with Vladimir Averchenko, Head of the
Federal Agency on Construction and Housing Economy of Russia.

Prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of
urban development, as well as the possibilities of the realization of
the provisions of the agreement signed between the RA Ministry of
Urban Development and the State Construction of Russia in 1997 were
discussed during the meetings. Viktor Khristenko also promised to
contribute to the matter of the opening of the representation of the
RA Ministry of Urban Development in Russia.

18 ARMENIAN SPORTSMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHENIAN OLYMPIC GAMES

YEREVAN, August 10 (Noyan Tapan). “You should know that behind of you
there is the country, the people expecting successes of you.” With
such words RA President Robert Kocharian turned to Armenian sportsmen
and coaches leaving for Athens to participate in the Olympic Games.
he President noticed that the great hopes are pined on them. According
to Ishkhan Zakarian, Chairman of the Armenian Olympic Committee, 18
sportsmen in 9 sports will represent Armenia in the Olympic Games.
Part of them is already in Athens. It is expected that the Armenian
sportsmen will occupy honorary places especially in the competitions
on weight-lifting, wrestling, boxing. It was noticed that Olympic
champion Albert Azarian will be given the honor of carrying the
Armenian banner during the solemn ceremony of the opening of the Games
to be held on August 13. It was also mentioned that 4 disabled
sportsmen will participate in the Para-Olympic Games starting in
Athens on September 19. They will participate in the competitions on
swimming, athletics, weight-lifting and archery. RA President Robert
Kocharian will be also within the delegation leaving for Athens with
the purpose of rendering moral support to Armenian sportsmen.