SYMBOLIC RITUAL OF PASSING THROUGH BARBED WIRE INVENTED
A1 Plus | 18:57:31 | 11-05-2004 | Politics |
Each participant of the For and Against Civil Will forum held Tuesday
by 40 organizations had to go through barbed wire to get in the hall.
Armenian Helsinki Assembly member Isabella Sargssyan says: “When I
passed through the wire, some sense of freedom from fear and victory
over lawlessness came over me”.

Armenia authorities, opposition agree on start of dialogue
ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 11 2004
YEREVAN, May 11 (Itar-Tass) – Armenia’s authorities and the opposition
have succeeded in agreeing on the start of a political dialogue and
the formulation of an agenda for talks, Parliament Speaker Artur
Bagdasaryan announced here on Monday night at the close of a regular
meeting between officials of the ruling pro-president coalition and
the opposition.
Bagdasaryan said, “Political consultations that have been held in the
parliament of Armenia from February to May have yielded the first
positive results,” said the Speaker’s statement circulated by the
parliamentary press service.
Members of the factions represented in the National Assembly “agreed
on the start of a political dialogue. An appropriate agenda is to be
formulated on May 13,” the Parliament Speaker pointed out.
The demand for a political dialogue between Armenia’s authorities
and the opposition is contained in a resolution passed by the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that considered the
internal political situation in Armenia on April 28.
The opposition continues to insist on President Robert Kocharyan’s
resignation. The opposition also demands that that the arrested
activists of the opposition be released, that the opposition be given
airtime in live television broadcasts, that residents of Armenia’s
regions be given an unimpeded access to Yerevan for participation in
anti-government actions.
The authorities of the republic refer to the opposition actions as
“manifestations of political extremism”. The opposition rally that
took place in downtown Yerevan on the night from April 12 to13 was
dispersed by police.
The opposition has taken a time-out in the holding of meetings in
Yerevan for the period from the coming Wednesday to May 14.

Movie tells of Armenian family’s experience
By Alex Dobuzinskis, Staff Writer
Los Angeles Daily News, CA
May 11 2004
GLENDALE — Armenian-Americans are expected to respond to Glendale
resident Vahe Babaian’s film “After Freedom,” but the first-time
feature filmmaker believes his portrayal of the immigrant experience
could also appeal to a wider audience.
The film will open Friday at the Glendale Cinemas and Laemmle’s Music
Hall in Beverly Hills. Over the past two years, the film has been
shown at the Method Fest Independent Film Festival, the Montreal
World Film Festival and the Avignon Film Festival.
“It’s about people; everyone can relate to it,” said Babaian, 43,
an Armenian-American who grew up in Iran.
“After Freedom” is about a young Armenian-American man, played by
Mic Tomasi, and his relationships with his father, his fiance and
his at-times reckless friends.
Tomasi’s character, Michael Abcarian, feels obligated to his father,
who brought his family to the United States and struggles to make a
living in his new country.
Like the father in the film, Babaian’s own father, who had worked
for British Airways before coming to the United States from Lebanon,
could not find comparable work in the United States and instead worked
for a carpet store and a fan company before he died in 1987.
Babaian’s mother died when he was getting ready to shoot the film.
The relationship between father and son plays a prominent role in
the film, and that will be compelling for viewers, he said.
“A lot of questions are not answered when you lose your parents like
that early on,” he said.
Both Babaian and Tomasi attended Herbert Hoover High School in
Glendale.
Glendale is briefly mentioned in the film as being where Tomasi’s
character lives, but the film was shot throughout the Los Angeles area,
Babaian said.
The budget for the film, which was finished in 2002, was less than
$1 million.
Greg Laemmle, president of Laemmle Theatres, said his company has
had success showing films by or about Armenians in the past, and that
Armenian-Americans respond.
“While they don’t come out for every picture, when they do they come
out in large numbers,” he said.
Babaian has lived in Glendale since he came to the United States
at the age of 16 knowing only a few words of English. He learned
filmmaking at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, and paid his
way by working full time at a supermarket.
In a future project, “Hotel Luxe,” Babaian plans to convey his
experience in a hotel in war-torn Beirut, where his family stayed
while trying to arrange their immigration to the United States.
Alex Dobuzinskis, (818) 546-3304 [email protected]

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
May 11 2004
INTER-PARLIAMENTARY GROUP OF COOPERATION PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN
DEVELOPMENT OF AZERBAIJAN -GERMANY RELATIONS
[May 11, 2004, 10:51:07]
As was informed by AzerTAj, on May 10, members of the Germany-Caucasus
parliamentary group of Bundestag, Germany, have met members of
the Azerbaijan-Germany inter-parliamentary group of cooperation of
Milli Majlis.
Having welcomed the visitors, the head of Azerbaijan-Germany
inter-parliamentary group of cooperation, academician Jalal Aliyev
noted that between our countries there are friendly relations with
ancient history. Similar visits even more expand our cooperation.
German businessmen willingly put investments into various branches of
economy of Azerbaijan. After regaining state independence, Azerbaijan
under the direction of our national leader, President Heydar Aliyev
in the country began realization of some large projects, and it has
turned to very much advanced country of region. However, as a result
of occupation by Armenia of the 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands, more
than one million people became refugees and IDPs in their homelands.
The fact creates serious obstacles for development of the country.
The century, in which we live, is a century of protection of human
rights. But the states of the world and the international organizations
do not want to apply sanctions against the Armenian aggressors and to
put the aggressor on its place. We hope, that our German friends will
help us to solve the problem in the peace way within the framework
of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
The head of German delegation Christoph Bergner informed, that
today they have met the refugees placed in Baku. We have very
heavy impression. In structure of delegation, there are the persons
representing both opposition, and authority. If in the Bundestag also
there are disagreements in the decision of any question, but in the
question of cooperation with Azerbaijan all are unanimous.
The goal of visit to Azerbaijan is carrying out exchange of opinions
on some questions. Parliaments play great attention on development
of relations between our countries and rapprochement of our peoples.
At the meeting, passed in a friendly and mutual understanding, the
parties had exchange of opinions and on a number of other questions
representing interest, and also deputies have shared their impressions.

A new way to serve
By Ngoc Huynh, Staff writer
Syracuse Post Standard, NY
May 11 2004
Janet Munro, of Cazenovia, is a minority among the thousands of Peace
Corps volunteers.
The average age of a Peace Corps volunteer is 28; Munro is 69. Before
she retired as a teacher at East Syracuse-Minoa High School last year,
Munro knew she wanted to do more, give something back.
“I’ve always known that I will reach the stage of my life where I
have no responsibility,” she said, “and shed my garments and I can
completely forget about me and help other people.”
This mother of five and grandmother of 13 has been reading about
Armenia in southwestern Asia, where the Peace Corps stationed her.
She is scheduled to leave in June. She will be trained for three
months and then serve for two years.
Her daughter Nancy Chase, of Manlius, is proud of her mom.
“This (Peace Corps) will allow her to help people and use her talent,”
Chase said. “She pushes herself to do a lot and she’s an inspiration.
“We’re going to miss her,” Chase added. “That’s the only hard part
of the whole thing.”
Munro was an English teacher for 28 years, and she has been selected
to train Armenian English teachers in methodologies and curriculum
building.
She will train for three months in Dilijan, a resort town about 68
miles from the capital, Yerevan. After her training, Munro does not
know where in Armenia she will be placed.
Munro said she does not plan to duplicate her comfortable American
life in Armenia. She knows bucket baths are common and not all toilets
are modern.
Barbara Crossett, Munro’s colleague and a former student, said Munro
has a thirst for knowledge.
“She’s like a walking encyclopedia. She knows a lot about a lot
of different
subjects. She’s very smart,” said Crossett, now an English teacher
at ES-M High School.
Crossett’s children also had Munro as a teacher.
Armenia is about the size of Maryland, with a population of about 3
million. It prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt
Christianity, in the early fourth century.
Munro read that Armenia is about 2,700 years old. She said she is
looking forward to learning about its culture, history and people.
Early last month, Munro contacted a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia
named Dawn Sheppard for advice and suggestions.
Sheppard’s first e-mail to Munro said, “You are going to love
Armenia. I have never known friendlier people. They will give you
all they have which isn’t much.”
Munro wanted to know whether shorts – which she wears when she jogs
four times a week – would be acceptable for a woman her age. “No
Armenians wear shorts, men or women,” came the reply.
To prepare for her trip, Munro has bought a Swiss army knife, books
and a sleeping bag for temperatures of minus 20 degrees. Temperatures
in Armenia are similar to those in New York state, but not all homes
have modern heating systems.
“I’m not terribly nervous,” Munro said, “but I’m beginning to feel
separation pain.”
There are 7,533 Peace Corps volunteers, according to Bart Kendrick,
regional public affairs specialist. He said about 6 percent are over
age 50. He added that people who participate usually change their
lives upon returning to the United States.
Some even seek employment with the Peace Corps, Kendrick said.
“I think it’s one of those kinds of experiences that aren’t easily
erased,” Kendrick said.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
May 11 2004
MEETING IN MILLI MAJLIS
[May 11, 2004, 14:20:46]
Chairman of the Milli Majlis Murtuz Alasgarov received members of
the Germany-Caucasus parliamentary group of Bundestag.
Mr. Alasgarov touched upon the history of relations between the two
countries saying they have been developed intensively after Azerbaijan
has gained its independence. He especially emphasized the role the
two countries’ leaders and reciprocal visits had played in bringing
the relationship to todays level.
Dwelling on the reforms being successfully implemented in Azerbaijan,
the Chairman expressed satisfaction with the fact that a number
of German companies had made investments in various branches of the
country’s economy. He noted however that despite the rapid progress of
Azerbaijan, there are some problems seriously hampering the development
of the country and its integration into the West. Speaking in this
connection of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Mr. Murtuz Alasgarov informed the guests in detail on its historical
roots, position of our country in the problems settlement and expressed
gratitude the German Government for its support
Having passed the greetings from Chairman of Bundestag over to the MM
Chairman, Head of the German delegation Christoph Bergner noted Germany
is very interested in development of relations with Azerbaijan. The
agreements on development of bilateral links reached during the visit
by Foreign Minister Joschca Fischer to Baku, aroused keen interest
in the Bundestag, he said.
Mr. Bergner described the present visit as a continuation of that
one. He noted that Germany appreciates the Azerbaijan’s efforts for
establishment of cooperation with the European Union, and is ready
to help in this relation.
Later on, the parties have exchanged views on a number of other issues
of mutual interes.

Armenia exempts Russia from paying $6.2m
RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
May 11 2004
RBC, 11.05.2004, Yerevan 13:40:45.The parliament of Armenia
exempted the Russian Economy Ministry from paying VAT totaling $6.2m
within the framework of a deal on including the assets of Razdan
thermal power station in the authorized capital of Razdan Energy
Company. According to the ARKA news agency, the Armenian parliament
adopted a corresponding bill on the second reading. The final stage
of transferring the Razdan thermal power station to Russia implies
including its property in the authorized capital of Razdan Energy
Company, a legal entity, which is being established by Russia in
Armenia.
According the legislation of Armenia, Russia had to pay a 20-percent
VAT from the cost of the property ($31m), which amounted to $6.2m. As
a result, Russia faced unforeseen expenditures and the Armenian side
decided to introduce changes to legislation, which imply VAT relief
for establishing Razdan Energy Company.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia president to pay working visit to Russia
ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 11 2004
YEREVAN, May 11 (Itar-Tass) – – President Robert Kocharyan of Armenia
will pay a working visit to Russia on May 13-15, press secretary of
the president Ashot Kocharyan said.
“Relations with Russia have the character of strategic partnership
and are an important factor of ensuring economic development and
security of Armenia,” Ashot Kocharyan said.
As the press secretary recalled, Robert Kocharyan’s official visit
to Russia in January last year, during which a dialogue between the
two countries’ presidents was continued, became an important stage
in intensifying bilateral relations.
According to Ashot Kocharyan, at present priority importance is
attached to economic cooperation. In this context, the sides will
consider prospects for economic development and broadening of economic
relations, the press secretary said.
The Armenian president will meet in Moscow with leaders of the
Russian companies supplying natural gas to the republic and other
representatives of business circles.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION DERAILS DEMOCRATIZATION
A1 Plus | 19:36:12 | 11-05-2004 | Politics |
“Violence and election fraud have become dangerously commonplace in
our country and all illegalities are being committed amid growing
informational blockade”, said participants of For and Against Civil
Will forum held by 40 organizations on Tuesday in Yerevan.
Karen Hakobyan, a member of Hope organization, is convinced the time
came, when each citizen must feel himself guilty for the situation
created.
Chair of Armenian Helsinki Association Avetik Ishkhanyan says the
community let the authorities ruin the whole nation.
Today, the forum came up with a statement saying human rights violation
derailed democratization process in Armenia and illegalities committed
by the authorities created the atmosphere of impunity in the republic.
In their statement, the forum participants demanded to release all
political prisoners, to prosecute all those officials, who violated
constitutional law, provide right for receiving information to citizens
and to return broadcasting license to A1+ TV Company.

Agenda for Armenian ruling coalition-opposition dialogue to be set 13 May
Mediamax news agency
11 May 04
Yerevan, 11 May: The agenda of the political dialogue between the
representatives of Armenian ruling coalition and the opposition will
be formulated on 13 May.
Armenian National Assembly speaker Artur Bagdasaryan issued this
statement in Yerevan on the evening of 10 May, Mediamax reports.
“I hope that the political forces presented in the Parliament will
do everything possible to establish a new political situation in the
country and will achieve the resolution of the existing difficult
problems by means of a dialogue,” the speaker said.