PRESS RELEASE
ARKA BALLET
Date: April 27, 2004
Contact: Tania J. Chichmanian, ARKA Ballet
(301) 587-6225; [email protected]

ARKA BALLET INVITED TO ARMENIA –
WILL PERFORM AT NATIONAL OPERA AND BALLET THEATRE IN AUGUST

ARKA Ballet is the first American ballet company officially invited to
perform in Armenia. The Armenian State Philaharmonic has invited the
Washington, DC-based troupe to appear at the National Opera and Ballet
Theatre in Yerevan on August 6 and 7, 2004. The company of 16 will present
two programs of mixed repertoire featuring works by contemporary American
choreographers as well as recent works by Artistic Director Roudolf
Kharatian.

The Philharmonic, which is the successor to Armenia’s Armconcert, will host
the company for a one-week stay in Armenia, covering expenses in Armenia for
the touring company, including lodging, meals, in-country transportation,
rehearsal space and all performance-related PR and marketing. The tentative
schedule even includes a little sightseeing! ARKA Ballet is now frantically
working on air travel arrangements for which it has launched an aggressive
PR campaign. Upcoming events to watch for include a pre-trip ‘preview gala’
at the American Dance Institute on June 12, as well as an art exhibit May 21
to June 21, 2004.

ARKA Ballet was founded by Roudolf Kharatian and launched at the Kennedy
Center in 1999. Since then, the company has performed at many venues
throughout the Washington, DC area including the Kennedy Center, the Lisner
Auditorium, and the Kay Theatre. In 2001, ARKA Ballet was commissioned by
the Diocese of the Armenian Church to create two ballets based on key
moments in Armenia’s Christian history. The two works, Vartanank, to the
music of Edgar Hovanessian, and St. Gregory’s Prayer, to the music of Alan
Hovaness, were premiered in New York during the 1700th Anniversary
Celebrations in Central Park.

ARKA Ballet features young, dynamic, classically-trained professional
dancers. The company’s repertoire includes many of the classical favorites
as well as more contemporary works. ARKA Ballet also serves as a vehicle to
educate US audiences about Armenia and its rich culture, by presenting works
that use Armenian history, legends or music as their basis.

The tour to Armenia has been a long-time dream for the company and marks the
troupe’s first-ever tour abroad. It also opens the door for ongoing
cultural exchange and dialogue between the American and Armenian dance
communities, helping to strengthen the ties between these two nations. Upon
its return to the US, ARKA Ballet plans to broadly publicize its Armenia
tour through performances in a variety of venues, using the trip as an added
opportunity to showcase Armenian themes. Plans for 2005 include the
development of a new ballet commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. The Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre has
invited ARKA Ballet’s Artistic Director Roudolf Kharatian to create a new
full-length ballet based on St. Gregory of Narek’s Book of Lamentations.
The ballet will premiere in Armenia in 2006.

ARKA Ballet dancers are excited at the prospect of experiencing Armenia
first hand after hearing so much about the nation from Kharatian, whom they
fondly refer to as “Mr. K.” Many have also expressed the desire to stay
on for a few days following the performances in order to take in more of the
sites and have a chance to immerse themselves in the country, albeit for a
short while.

For more information about ARKA Ballet and its planned tour to Armenia,
please contact Tania Chichmanian at 301-587-6225 or [email protected]; or
visit ARKA Ballet is dedicated to the continued
development of the artform of ballet.

# # #

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE)
Spring Session
Armenia: Assembly calls for peaceful dialogue without preconditions
[28/04/04] The Armenian authorities should allow peaceful demonstrations to
take place, release those detained during recent demonstrations, immediately
investigate any reported human rights abuses that took place and create fair
conditions for the media, the Assembly said today following an urgent debate
on the situation in the country. If no progress is made on these demands by
the opening of the September session, the parliamentarians resolved to
reconsider the credentials of the Armenian delegation. However, they also
called on the opposition to achieve its goals within the constitutional
framework. Both sides should engage in a peaceful dialogue without
preconditions, they stressed.
—

Azeri president fails to start Karabakh settlement from scratch – daily
Yeni Musavat, Baku
29 Apr 04

Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharyan
respectively started their meeting at 1330 [0830 gmt] Baku time
yesterday. The meeting was also attended by the OSCE [Minsk Group]
cochairs.
[Passage omitted: Presidents’ remarks on the meeting]
Observers pay a special attention to a point from the presidents’
statements. Ilham Aliyev acknowledged that efforts to restart talks
from scratch yielded no results. It is no secret that Ilham Aliyev,
who stepped into his father’s shoes at the expense of certain
conditions, has been burdened (or he burdened himself) with
troublesome problem of making compromises on Karabakh.
Ilham Aliyev realized his responsibilities and therefore, he wanted to
resume the negotiations on the Karabakh settlement from scratch and
this might have been advantageous to Azerbaijan. However, Aliyev’s
efforts received sharp reactions, particularly from the USA, and the
new co-chairman [of the OSCE Minsk group], Steven Mann, stated openly
that not only it was important to give the go-ahead for the
negotiations but it was necessary for Azerbaijan to compromise.
The above said has also to do with Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan. He has been manipulating the “Karabakh card” for a long
period and it is high time for him to make concessions. It is not by
accident that the French president also “reprimanded” him [Kocharyan]
before a visit to Warsaw… [ellipsis as published].
There only remains to wait for the effects of this and next meetings
on the overall atmosphere in Azerbaijan and Armenia.
[Passage omitted: Presidents of the South Caucasus republics also met
yesterday]

PRESS RELEASE — April 30, 2004
Contact: Richard Hovannisian
Department of History
University of California, Los Angeles CA 90095-1473
e-mail [email protected],
telephone: 310-825-3375; Fax 310-206-9630
UCLA–The Armenian Communities of Iran will be featured in the 14th
UCLA conference on Historic Armenian Cities and Provinces. Scholars
from seven countries will make presentations on the history, culture,
art and architecture, political activities and involvement, and
current state of the Iranian Armenians. The first session is in
Armenian and will be held in the Glendale Presbyterian Church on
Friday evening, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. The remaining sessions on
Saturday, May 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday, May 16,
from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. will be held in Young Hall in the Court of
Sciences on the UCLA campus. Parking in Structure no. 2, entrance
from Hilgard Avenue at Westholme. The conference is open to the public
at no charge.
Further details may be found on the web at UCLAArmenian. org.
————————————————————————-
The Armenian Communities of Iran
Friday-Sunday, May 14-16,
2004
Glendale Presbyterian Church (Friday, 7:30-9:30 p.m.)
UCLA, Court of Sciences 50 (Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m, Sunday, 1:30-5:30
p.m.)
University of California, Los Angeles
Sponsored by
Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History
University of California, Los Angeles
Co-Sponsored by
Armenian Society of Los Angeles
and the UCLA
International Institute
G.E. von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies
Center for European and Eurasian Studies
————————————————————————-
Friday, May 14, 7:30-10:00 P.M.
Glendale Presbyterian Church
125 South Louise Street (at Harvard), Glendale, California 91205
Friday Evening Session in Armenian
Conference Opening: Armenian-Persian Relations
Richard G. Hovannisian, University of California, Los Angeles
Salmast–Its History, Ethnography, and Role
Onnik Hayrapetian, Mashdotz College and Glendale Community College
The Life and Work of Archbishop Nerses Melik-Tangian, Prelate of Atrpatakan
Gohar Avagyan, National Archives of Armenia, Erevan
The Monasteries of Saint Thaddeus (Tade) and Dzordzor
Armen Hakhnazarian, Research on Armenian Architecture
————————————————————————-
Saturday, May 15, 2004, 9:30- a.m. 5:30 p.m.
Court of Sciences 50 (Young Hall), UCLA Campus
Sessions in English – 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The Armenian Communities of IranAn Introduction
Richard G. Hovannisian, UCLA
Armenian Iran in the History of Vaspurakan, 9th-10th Centuries
Anne Elizabeth Redgate, University of Newcastle, England
Armenian Activities in Tabriz under the Il-Khans, 13th-14th Centuries
Peter Cowe, University of California, Los Angeles
Armenian Reactions to the Fall of the Principality of Maku in 1426
Hovann Simonian, University of Southern California
INTERMISSION
Ottoman Military Operations in Azerbayjan, the Silk Trade, and the
Armenians, 16th-18th Centuries
Thomas Sinclair, University of Cyprus, Nicosia
Epigraphic Documents (Inscriptions) as a Source for Study of the
Socio-Political Life of the Armenians in Northern Iran, 17th-19th Centuries
(Armenian with English summary)
Gabriella Uluhogian, University of Bologna, Italy
Armenian Rural Settlements in Central Iran, 17th-19th Centuries
Vazken Ghougassian, Prelacy of the Armenian Church, New York
LUNCH RECESS
2:00-5:30 p.m.
The Place of the Atrpatakan Region in the Armenian Liberation Movement
Rubina Peroomian, UCLA
“Our Country”: Iranian-Armenian Identity during the Iranian Constitutional
Revolution
Houri Berberian, California State University, Long Beach
The Massacres in Khoi–Experiences of Armenians and Iranians, 1914-1918
RoseMary Cohen, Los Angeles
INTERMISSION
Raffi’s Stories on Iranian Armenian Life
Gayane Hagopian, UCLA
Hakob Karapents’ Iran
Anahid Keshishian, UCLA
Persian Armenian: The Third Literary Dialect of Modern Armenian
Bert Vaux, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
DISCUSSION
————————————————————————-
Sunday, May 16, 2004 -1:30-5:30 p.m.
50 Court of Sciences, UCLA Campus
First Session in Armenian (Summaries in English)
Bibliographic Sources on the Persian Armenians in the16th and 18th Centuries
Armen Ter Stepanyan, Mashtots Matenadaran, Erevan
Armenian Gharadagh
Armen Hakhnazarian, Research on Armenian Architecture
Armenians in the Iranian Theater and Cinema
Artsvi Bakhchinyan, Erevan
INTERMISSION
Second Session in English
The Armenian Bourgeoisie in the Economic Life of Iran, Late 19th -Early
20th Centuries
Samvel Stepanian, Glendale, formerly Institute of Oriental Studies, Erevan
The Armenian Community of Tehran–Past, Present, Prospects
Aida Avanessian, Tehran, Iran
The Economic and Social Integration of Armenian Iranians in Southern California
Claudia Der-Mardirosian, UCLA, and Anny Bakalian, New York University
DISCUSSION
Photographic Exhibit by Richard and Anne Elizabeth Elbrecht,
Davis, California
Open to the Public* No Charge* Limited
Seating*
Parking Structure No. 2, Hilgard and Westholme Entrance

OSCE not to force Azeri authorities to fulfil commitments, British MP says
Turan news agency, Baku
27 Apr 04

The Council of Europe and the OSCE will not force Azerbaijan to fulfil
its commitments to the organizations, President of the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly Bruce George has told the Azerbaijani news
agency Turan. Decisions on democracy must be made by the Azerbaijani
people and the traditions of Western democracies may appear alien to
the South Caucasus countries, George said. He added that the
counterterrorism contribution of Azerbaijan played a decisive role in
its relations with the USA and the UK but should not overshadow
development of the rule of law. The following is the text of report by
Azerbaijani news agency Turan; subheadings inserted editorially:
Baku, 27 April: The president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and
head of the British-Azerbaijani parliamentary group, Bruce George, has
answered some questions concerning bilateral relations and commented
on domestic political developments in Azerbaijan in the course of his
conversation with the head of the Vatan society, Murad Hasanli.
The OSCE’s view on 2003 presidential election
Asked about the OSCE’s assessment of the 2003 presidential election in
Azerbaijan, George said that the reports of the short-term and
long-term missions point to the presence of several “areas” which must
be “strongly” criticized. They were followed by an OSCE BDIHR [Bureau
for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights] mission which had
numerous meetings with the leadership of Azerbaijan. During the
meetings the delegation expressed their concern about “weakness” of
the laws during the election and about the way the election was
conducted. The people of Azerbaijan have to decide themselves how to
conduct the next election and one can only hope that they will conform
to international standards.
Does the international community recognize the incumbent government of
Azerbaijan in the light of the opposition’s statements about the
government being illegitimate because of falsifications?
George replied that the election did have some “deficiencies”, but it
is up to the Azerbaijani political system to decide whether it wants
democratic elections. As for the BDIHR, OSCE, Council of Europe,
individual governments and organizations, they “may only play their
role in carrying out some changes. However, demands of those changes
have to come from within Azerbaijan,” he said. The West cannot
“impose” its standards on others and each country has to make its own
choice.
Considerable differences between Azerbaijan and Georgia
Some observers reckon that the West displayed double standards when
assessing the elections in Azerbaijan and Georgia. What can be said in
this regard?
There is a considerable difference between Georgia and Azerbaijan,
George said. Although there were irregularities in each of the two
countries, the parliamentary election in Georgia was more “deficient”
than the presidential election in Azerbaijan. There was an appropriate
response from the population. Moreover, many international
organizations and NGOs had worked well in Georgia in order to form the
basis of the civil society.
Describing his view of the present political situation in Azerbaijan
in the light of repression against the opposition and stifling the
independent mass media, and speaking of possible ways of involvement
of the international community, George said that he would not
intervene in the domestic affairs of Azerbaijan at this juncture. As a
president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, “my role is very limited
and I do not want to be viewed as an instrument of this or that
group”, he said.
OSCE will not force Azerbaijan to fulfil commitments
Asked whether the OSCE will “force” Azerbaijan to fulfill its
commitments to the Council of Europe and the OSCE, George said that
these organizations do not practise forcing anyone. In his words, the
Council of Europe and the OSCE are more inclined to assist through
education and recommendations. It is up to the countries themselves,
as to how useful these methods will prove for them. “I do not intend
to intervene in the confrontation between the Azerbaijani authorities
and the opposition for the decision has to be taken within the
country.”
In his opinion, many standards of the European Union and NATO may seem
too harsh and yet the countries of Eastern and Central Europe have
decided to comply with them. The situation in the South Caucasus
countries is somewhat different and the traditions of Western
democracies appear alien to them. “We can assist only provided that
the country is willing to come nearer to democratic standards,” he
said.
Asked whether the election in Azerbaijan has affected the talks on the
Nagornyy-Karabakh conflict, George did not give an unambiguous
answer. He reckons that in both countries the people who can settle
the conflict must win the elections. Further, he talked about his
intention to visit Azerbaijan and Armenia. He wished that a mutually
acceptable resolution be found and that the OSCE Minsk Group become
more active.
Counterterrorism contribution of Azerbaijan
Speaking about Azerbaijan’s contribution to the fight against
international terrorism, Bruce George said that this contribution has
played a decisive role in relations of Azerbaijan with the USA and the
UK. Still, this contribution should not “overshadow” development of
constitutionalism and rule of law in the South Caucasus countries.

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]
April 24, 2004
Reflections on the Official Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the
Canadian Parliament
April is the month for remembering genocide. The Armenian Genocide of
1915-1923, the Jewish Holocaust of 1939-1945, and the Rwandan Genocide of
1994, are all commemorated during this month. It is a time of considerable
public activity, with lectures, candle-light vigils, commemorations,
speeches, religious services, and other special events. It is also a time
for serious personal reflection, not only on what happened and why, but
what it means to the world today.
It is noteworthy that the Members of the Canadian Parliament–from PEI to
British Columbia, from the Northwest Territories to the US border, from
regions where there is not a single Armenian voter or lobbyist–chose to
recognize the Genocide in a free vote according to their individual
conscience, and in keeping with their Canadian values and human rights
principles. This does not mean that some MP’s did not vote for political
reasons.
An editorial in the April 24, 2004 issue of the Globe and Mail, Canada’s
national newspaper, on the recognition of the Genocide is another example
of Canadian human rights values. It explains that in a country in which
diversity is a fact of life, society must be based on respect for human
rights. This represents a position which is hard to attribute to lobbying
activity. It is simply a matter that “If this diverse country stresses
human rights on the domestic scene, it can hardly deny their value in the
larger world.”
There is a growing number of countries making the special effort to
recognize the Armenian Genocide. Canada is only the most recent of some two
dozen countries and international organizations that officially recognize
the Genocide.
There is no denying the hard work of numerous Armenian civic, political,
academic, religious, and human rights organizations and individuals who
work with these officials, keeping them informed and engaged on the issues.
We believe at the same time that it is critical to acknowledge the numerous
non-Armenians–Americans, Canadians, French, Germans, Jews, Swiss, Turks,
etc., politicians, scholars and human rights activists–who, for no reason
other than their principles, continue to struggle for truth, justice and
human rights. It is fitting at this time to remember the cumulative efforts
of all those for whom affirmation of the Armenian Genocide is a victory for
universal human rights.

A1 Plus | 22:01:51 | 29-04-2004 | Politics |
OSCE CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASING NUMBER OF VIOLENT INCIDENTS IN ARMENIA
The OSCE Office in Yerevan is deeply concerned about the increasing number
of violent incidents, an alarming lack of progress in bringing to justice
the perpetrators and the atmosphere of intolerance in the Armenian society.
“There is a need for an urgent, efficient and fair investigation of these
cases, resulting in the prosecution of the perpetrators in accordance with
the law,” said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office, in a
letter sent to Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian.
In this respect, Ambassador Pryakhin referred to the recent attack on the
Member of Parliament Victor Dallakian on 23 March, the beating of human
rights defender and Chairman of the Helsinki Association, Mickael Danielyan,
on 30 March, as well as of the well-known politician, Ashot Manucharyan on
22 April.
Ambassador Pryakhin expressed his regret that the investigation of these
incidents and of the attacks against journalists during the demonstrations
on 5 and 13 April had not progressed and no offender had yet been held
accountable.
At the same time, the Office is also concerned and follows closely the
investigation of the cases of violence, intimidation and detentions
following the recent demonstrations in Armenia.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Ave., New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
[email protected]
(212) 686-0710 ext. 60
April 29, 2004
—————————————-
DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY BEGINS TODAY
The 2004 Diocesan Assembly begins today (4/29) in White Plains, NY.
More than 150 delegates from all local parishes throughout the Diocese
will meet over the next four days for business decisions, discussions
on the meaning and importance of stewardship, and for fellowship.
The 2004 Clergy Conference, held in conjunction with the Diocesan
Assembly, ended today. Clergy have been meeting since Monday to
discuss pastoral issues and focus on the pastoral role in stewardship.
You can follow all the action from this year’s Diocesan Assembly by
clicking to our special web blog:
Click now to read about and see photos of the Clergy Conference
trip to the new Diocesan Ararat Youth and Conference Center.
Click throughout the weekend for live, updated stories and photos.
Click to:
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern),
4/29/04)
# # #

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: GEORGE SHIRINIAN
DATE: April 27, 2004 Tel: (416) 250-9807
DR. H. MARUTYAN LECTURES ON KARABAGH MOVEMENT AND ARMENIAN IDENTITY
Cambridge, MA – Dr. Harutyun Marutyan, Senior Researcher at the Institute
of Archaeology and Ethnography in the National Academy of Sciences of
Armenia, gave a lecture entitled “The Genocide and Armenian National
Identity Changes During the Karabagh Movement (1988-1990)” in a public
event on April 21. The lecture was co-sponsored by the National
Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and the Zoryan
Institute for Contemporary Armenian Research and Documentation.
Through an analysis of banners and posters prominently used in Armenia
during the Karabagh Movement, Dr. Marutyan demonstrated that there was a
strong connection in the minds of the Armenian people between the
contemporary pogroms against Armenians in Azerbaijan and the Armenian
Genocide of 1915. He presented numerous slides depicting signs and banners
from the Movement that even in their early phases recalled the Genocide.
From displays in the distinctive shape of the Armenian Genocide Memorial
(Dzidzernagapert) to the content of banners, caricatures, and slogans in
Armenian, English, and Russian, the Armenians clearly demonstrated that
they viewed the Sumgait and Baku pogroms as synonymous with and a
continuation of the Genocide. In addition, they evoked other cases of mass
violations of human rights, including Stalin’s purges and exiling of
Armenians to remote areas of the Soviet Union.
Dr. Marutyan described the transformation of national identity from that of
a victimized people to that of a people with a new assertiveness.
Initially, the protesters directed their concerns toward the essentially
powerless Armenian public and government. Soon they directed their protests
toward the government and Communist Party hierarchy in Moscow. Eventually,
they looked beyond the Soviet Union and appealed to the outside world in
general. The progression of the Karabagh Movement inevitably led to a call
for independence, which many Armenians saw as the only way to prevent the
future genocide of their people.
Dr. Marutyan demonstrated compellingly how historical memory strongly
affected Armenian identity and influenced the creation and subsequent
development of the Karabagh Movement, ultimately leading to the
independence of Armenia and neighboring Karabagh.
Dr. Harutyun Marutyan is a Social/Cultural Anthropologist, Senior
Researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography in the National
Academy of Sciences of Armenia and is also Visiting Professor of
Anthropology at Yerevan State University. He is author of numerous books
and articles, and co-author of “Armenian Folk Arts, Culture, and Identity”
(Indiana University Press, 2001) and “Stories on Poverty” (Yerevan: Lusakn
Press, 2001). Currently, Dr. Marutyan is Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the
Anthropology Program, MIT. During his stay in the United States, he has
lectured at MIT, Rice University, Berkley, UCLA, and has been invited to
lecture at other universities before he leaves the United States at the
beginning of June.

The Russia Journal
First case of human anthrax reported in Armenia
WORLD/CIS » :: Apr 29, 2004 Posted: 19:49 Moscow time (15:49 GMT)
E-Mail this article Comments to Editor
Discussion Forum Printer-Friendly
YEREVAN – The first case of human anthrax has been registered in a village
in the Shirakskaya region of Armenia. As reported to a Rosbalt correspondent
by the Armenian Health Ministry, the infection originated in cattle, and
health workers do not exclude the possibility that the case will not be the
only one.
As of April 17, tens of cases of anthrax in cattle have been reported in the
region. The cause of the epidemic has been attributed to substandard
vaccine. The area has been quarantined, and health workers have reported
that the epicenter of the contamination has been localized. /Rosbalt/