Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
March 24, 2004
Contact: Ardashes Kassakhian
Telephone: 818.500.1918
ANCA LEADERS AND SUPPORTERS TO SPONSOR MAJOR KERRY CAMPAIGN EVENT
LOS ANGELES, CA – National, regional and local leaders and supporters
of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) are sponsoring a
major fundraiser in Beverly Hills for Democratic presidential
candidate, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts.
The event, which will be held on March 30th at the home of noted Los
Angeles businessman Ron Burkle, will feature a concert by James Taylor
and remarks by former Secretary of State William Christopher. ANCA
supporters are among the leading contributors for the event, which is
expected to collect over half a million dollars for the Kerry
campaign.
“We have been encouraged by the enthusiastic outpouring of support for
the Senator and the growing interest in his campaign from all segments
of the Armenian American community,” said ANCA-Western Region Chairman
Raffi Hamparian. “We have, for more than two decades, known of
Senator Kerry’s principled leadership on issues of concern to our
community. We look forward to doingall we can to share his excellent
record with Armenian American voters in the weeks and months before
the November 2nd election.’
Senator Kerry, during his long tenure in the U.S. House and Senate,
has consistently been a leading advocate of issues of concern to
Armenian Americans. As a U.S. Senator, Kerry has forcefully fought
for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He is currently a
cosponsor of the Genocide Resolution, S.Res.164, and he voted, in
1990, on the Senate floor for Senator Bob Dole’s (R-KS) Genocide
Resolution.
Meeting with ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian and ANC
activist Mihran Toumajan last September, the Senator acknowledged the
support of many Armenian Americans during his political career. On
the issue of the Genocide Resolution, which specifically references
the Armenian Genocide, the Senator promised continued advocacy. “It
is called justice, and we will get there together,” pledged Senator
Kerry. “I was incensed when the Turkish lobby and its allies
disrupted the bill in the Senate before,” Kerry added, referring to
the 1990 vote on Sen. Dole’s Genocide Resolution.
The Massachusetts Senator has been a vocal and effective champion of
stronger U.S.-Armenia relations and has consistently backed
legislative initiative to increase aid and expand trade with Armenia.
He is currently a cosponsor of legislation, S.1557, which would grant
Armenia permanent normal trade relations status.
Significantly, Senator Kerry has spearheaded a number of initiatives
to lift the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades. In 1991, he was the
lead sponsor of legislation, which was later enacted as Section 907 of
the Freedom Support Act, that restricted U.S. aid to the government of
Azerbaijan until it lifted its blockades of Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh. He also worked for the adoptionof the Humanitarian Aid
Corridor Act, which called for U.S. aid to Turkey to be cut off unless
Turkey lifted its blockade of Armenia. As recently as this January,
Senator Kerry formally called on President Bush to press the visiting
Prime Minister of Turkey to lift his nation’s illegal blockade of
Armenia.
First elected in 1984 from Massachusetts, Sen. Kerry is currently
serving a fourth term in the US Senate, where he represents one of the
largest Armenian American communities. He serves on the Senate
Finance Committee, the Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the
Subcommittee on Central Asia and South Caucasus.
For two differing perspectives on the Bush Administration’s record on
Armenian American issues, visit:
* Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council
* National Organization of Republican Armenians

#####

75-Nation Study of Lying Shows Differences Among Cultures
Released: Mon 29-Mar-2004, 18:10 ET
Newswise – Americans think they can detect a lie less than half of the
time. Norwegians and Swedes rate themselves even worse. Turks and
Armenians, however, say they can spot a liar upwards of 70 percent of
the time. Worldwide, people surveyed say they can detect 53 percent of
lies.
Those are among the findings of work done by Texas Christian University
Psychology Professor Charles F. Bond, and fellow researchers. Bond
helped to explain research into international deception at a
Congressional briefing session in Washington, DC recently.
`We have conducted a 75-nation study with 4,800 participants,’ says
Dr. Bond. `Eye contact, or lack of it, was mentioned more than any
other cue as an indicator that a person is lying.’
And all that shows, apparently, is just how often people can be wrong.
`This belief is most likely inaccurate,’ says Dr. Bond.’ least in
western research, eye contact has only a weak relationship to
deception.’
While shifty eyes are regarded with suspicion across the globe, the
researchers did find some international differences.
`Around 15 percent of respondents say that liars actually make moreeye
contact,’ says Dr. Bond. `We were interested in this minority view.’
In lands where Islam is the dominant religion, just under 30 percent
of respondents said that people make more eye contact when they are
lying. Fewer than 15 percent of residents of lands where Protestant
Christianity was the dominant religion felt the same way and the
figure was about 11 percent in nations where Roman Catholic
Christianity was dominant.
People who live in the poorest nations tend to believe that they are
most effective at spotting whoppers, Dr. Bond notes.
There are differences among cultures in the estimation of how many
lies are being told. Taiwanese and Portuguese believe they are hearing
about four fibs per week. Americans think they are exposed to eight
prevarications weekly.
Pakistanis and Algerians tend to be less trusting. Those surveyed in
those nations think they are mislead between 12 and 16 times weekly.
There are also differences among nations in peoples’ evaluations
oftheir own abilities to lie. In the United States, people believe
they can get away with lying 56 percent of the time. Chileans and
Argentines, by contrast, believe that they will be caught about 60
percent of the time. Those living in Moldova and Botswana think they
are detected lying fewer than 25 percent of the time.
Protestants think they get away with lying about 55 percent of the
time while Catholics believe that about half of their lies are
detected.
`Muslims rate themselves the worst at lying,’ says Dr. Bond.
Muslims think they get away with it only 47 percent of the time.
Dr. Bond outlined his research in a presentation titled `International
Deception,’ March 19 at the Rayburn House Office Building in
Washington, DC as part of a congressional briefing titled `Detecting
Deception: Research to Secure the Homeland.’
The event was sponsored by the Consortium of Social Science
Associations, the American Psychological Association and the National
Communication Association with funding from the W. K. Kellogg
Foundation.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th Street, NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
MONTANA GOVERNOR COMMEMORATES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
— Montana becomes 32nd State to
Recognize the Armenian Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC ­ Montana today became the 32nd U.S. state to
recognize the Armenian Genocide, joining with the Armenian American
community and all people of good conscience in honoring the victims
of this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
Governor Judy Martz, in a letter of recognition sent to the ANCA,
stated that she was “pleased to recognize your achievements to
bring awareness and recognition to the one and one-half million
Christian Armenian men, women and children who were victims of the
brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from
1915 to 1923.” She went on to explain that recognition of the 89th
anniversary of the genocide is “crucial to guarding against
repetition of future genocides.”
Montana joins 31 states that have already recognized the Armenian
Genocide through Governor proclamations or adoption of State
resolutions, including: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah,
Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Commenting on Gov. Martz’ statement, Montana resident and lifelong
ANC activist Yedvart Tchakerian stated “I am proud of Gov. Martz’
principled stand recognizing the Armenian Genocide and joining with
our community in this solemn remembrance. I can only hope that our
legislators in Washington will take similar action through passage
of the Genocide Resolution in the House and Senate.”
Armenian American activist Bob Semonian, a long-time friend of the
Montana Governor, played a key role in bringing this matter to her
attention.
The complete text of the letter of recognition is provided below.
#####
TEXT OF MONTANA GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT
April 2004
On behalf of citizens of the State of Montana, I am pleased to
recognize your achievements to bring awareness and recognition to
the one and one-half million Christian Armenian men, women and
children who were victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the
Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915 to 1923.
The Armenian genocide and massacres of Armenian people have been
recognized as an attempt to eliminate all traces of a thriving and
noble civilization over 3,000 years old. Recognition of the eighty-
ninth anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against
the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the
atrocities connected to these horrific events.
I urge recognition of their plight on April 24th, 2004, which is
nationally recognized as a Day of Remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923.
Sincerely
[signed]
JUDY MARTZ
Governor

PRESS RELEASE
MARCH 22, 2004
UCLA Armenian Graduate Students Association
Graduate Students Association
c/o Armenian Graduate Students Association
Kerckhoff Hall Room 316
308 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Contact: Lilit Keshishyan
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
UCLA AGSA and ASA bring contemporary Armenian art to campus
The UCLA Armenian Graduate Students Association in conjunction with the
UCLA Armenian Students Association welcomed the campus community to a week
of contemporary Armenian arts hosted at UCLA’s Kerckhoff Hall Art Gallery.
The week-long series of events included an exhibition of visual arts from
March 8th through March 12th.
The exhibition, entitled “VIIISIONS: An Exhibition of Contemporary Armenian
Arts” featured works by prominent Armenian artists; Vachag, Seeroon
Yeretsian, Martiros Adalyan, Sev, Vahe Berberian, Kaloust Guedel, Alina
Mnatsakanian, and Samvel Saghatelyan as well as poet Lory Bedikian and
vocalist Soseh Keshishyan. Artists Sev, Vahe Berberian, Kaloust Guedel and
Samvel Saghatelyan participated in the Monday afternoon opening of the
exhibit at which they introduced their work and answered questions from
students and faculty members.
“It was rewarding to see the positive responses of both Armenian and
non-Armenian students and faculty at the exhibition,” commented UCLA AGSA
project director for the exhibition, Lilit Keshishyan. “I think the
exhibit, poetry reading and performance provided a rich and fulfilling
experience because it formed a creative and intellectual atmosphere, and
welcomed interaction between the artists and audience.”
On the evening of March 10th, UCLA Alumna Lory Bedikian delivered a poetry
reading at the gallery. Bedikian has read in numerous southern California
venues including California State University – Northridge, the Los Angeles
Poetry Festival, KPFK’s Inspiration House, and The World Stage as well as
for the YWCA of Pasadena. Presenting poems relating to issues of Armenian
identity in the diaspora and childhood experiences, Bedikian later
commented, “Reading at the gallery in the presence of such artwork reminded
me, once again, that the Armenian/Armenian-American artist’s voice is alive
and in significant progressive stages here in Los Angeles.” She also noted
that, “What is even more significant is that UCLA student groups have
recognized the relevance of organizing such events. One can only hope for
larger forums and diverse audiences in the future so that we can share our
rich art forms. As an alumna of UCLA, I was especially honored and excited
to read my poetry at this venue.”
Following the reading, Bedikian discussed her inspiration for writing and
encouraged all interested writers to continue writing and expressing
themselves through literary art. The evening ended with an a cappella
performance of three Armenian songs by Soseh Keshishyan. Keshishyan, who
has been singing at various venues for more than 10 years, is third-year
Ethnomusicology student at UCLA.
Sophomore, Sos Bagramyan, noted that “Samvel Saghatelyan’s pieces were
particularly interesting to me because of their intricate synthesis of
eroticism, dark colors and written text. It was really refreshing to see so
much talent and variety in the Armenian artistic community put on display
at UCLA. Events like this that bring not only the artistic achievements of
minorities like Armenians, but all arts in general into the academic forum
should be more frequent and encouraged by the university.”
All artists were invited back to campus for the closing of the exhibition
which was held on March 12th. There the artists mingled with the students
and members of the community at large in attendance. “Youth and young
energy is always inspirational for the artist and hopefully, in turn, the
artist will be able to inspire the students,” reflected Vahe Berberian.
“The artist-audience relationship is always a symbiotic relationship and it
is always nice to rekindle interests on both sides.”
———- Attachment # 1 of 1: “VIIISIONS” Photographs (3) ———-
– 1 – Photo viewable/download-able at:
– 1 – Caption: Myrna Douzjian (UCLA AGSA, organizing committee) introduces
the artists to the audience at the gallery opening on March 8th.
– 2 – Photo viewable/download-able at:
– 2 – Caption: UCLA Alumna Lory Bedikian reads selections from her poetry
to the students gathered at the Kerckhoff Hall Art Gallery on March 10th.
– 3 – Photo viewable/download-able at:
– 3 – Caption: UCLA students enjoy an evening poetry reading and a
cappella performance.

California Courier Online, April 1, 2004
1 – Commentary
State Dept. Offends Armenians
Calling the Genocide “Alleged”
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
**************************************************************************
2 – UACC Chancel Choir Presents
Holy Week Cantata, April 8
3 – Diocese to Conduct Easter
Services at Ararat Home
4 – Matiosian Wins Emmy,
Golden Reel Awards
5 – Special Books Comfort Alzheimer Patients
6 –
************************************************************************
1 – Commentary
State Dept. Offends Armenians
Calling the Genocide “Alleged”
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
In an alarming development on the eve of the 89th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide and just months away from the upcoming presidential
elections, the Bush Administration has gone out of its way to offend and
alienate the large and influential Armenian-American community.
In the “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2003” recently released
by the US Department of State, the following two sections in the report on
Turkey refer to the Armenian Genocide:
Section 2: “In June, authorities arrested and indicted teacher Hulya
Akpinar for comments she made during a conference in Kilis Province on the
alleged genocide of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire.”
Section 5: “In April, the Education Ministry issued a circular urging all
schools to have their fifth-and seventh-graders prepare a one-page essay
arguing that allegations that the Ottomans committed genocide against
Armenians are ‘baseless.’ ”
Referring to the Armenian Genocide as “alleged” or “allegations” is
appalling. The last time the State Dept. used such denialist language was
back in 1982. Since then, successive administrations have used euphemisms
and other evasive terminology. By saying, “alleged,” the State Department
is in fact joining Turkey in denying the veracity of the Armenian Genocide.
It is highly ironic that this administration came to the White House with a
personal promise made by Pres. Bush that he would support the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide. During his term in office, the President has not
only broken his promise by avoiding the words Armenian Genocide in his
annual April 24 proclamations, but has allowed his top aides in the White
House, the Pentagon and the State Dept. to oppose any mention of the
Armenian Genocide by the U.S. Congress and state legislatures.
This is outrageous. Armenian-Americans will not forget the Bush
administration’s misrepresentation on this most important and sensitive
issue to all Armenians worldwide. In the next presidential election, no
self-respecting Armenian should vote for Pres. Bush nor contribute a cent
to Bush’s re-election campaign.
Please e-mail your complaints to the White House: [email protected];
and the State Dept:
Demonstration Against British Ambassador
The latest development on the denial of the Armenian Genocide by the
British Ambassador to Armenia, Thorda Abbott-Watt, is an announcement by
the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF) that a
demonstration will be held in front of the British Consulate in Paris (18
bis rue d’Anjou) on Saturday, April 3, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Similar
protests are expected on April 24 in front of British Embassies in several
other countries, including Armenia.
Last week, 14 Armenian organizations from a dozen European countries sent a
joint letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair requesting a public apology from
Amb. Abbott-Watt and urging the British government to take “all necessary
measures in order to prevent the recurrence of such shameless incidents in
the future.”
Dozens of Armenian and non-Armenian newspapers from around the world have
been covering the controversy revolving around Amb. Abbott-Watt. The Azeri
newspaper “Echo” published a lengthy commentary on this subject,
speculating on whether the British government would recall its Ambassador
from Armenia or “the diplomatic scandal will eventually end by the
Armenians quieting down all the fuss.”
A prominent newspaper in Armenia, Azg, published a commentary on March 27,
urging Armenians to boycott all events attended by Amb. Abbott-Watt. It
would be equally effective if Armenian officials and organizations do not
invite her to any events or conferences. If she is shunned by Armenian
officials and isolated from Armenian society, she would not be able to
carry out her diplomatic duties in Armenia. The British government would
then have no choice but to recall her back to London.
Meanwhile, more e-mails from hundreds of Armenians as well as non-Armenians
from several countries (including Armenia and the United Kingdom), continue
to be sent to the British Ambassador in Armenia:
[email protected]; to Michael Jay, the Under-Secretary and Head
of the UK Diplomatic Service: [email protected]; and to Prime Minister
Tony Blair through the following web site:
(click on select a subject,
select “international affairs,” and then click on the “go” button), asking
the British government to withdraw its Ambassador as she can no longer
effectively carry out her diplomatic duties in Armenia. Please send copies
of your e-mails and any responses to the Armenian Foreign Ministry
([email protected]) and to [email protected].
To review articles and statements on this issue, please check the following
web site:

**************************************************************************
2 – UACC Chancel Choir Presents
Holy Week Cantata, April 8
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – The United Armenian Congregational Church Chancel Choir
will present a Holy Week of Sacred Music, April 8, at 8:15 p.m. at the UACC
sanctuary, 3480 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles.
The UACC Chancel Choir will perform the cantata, “The Seven Last Words of
Christ,” by Theodore Dubois.
The Cantata will follow the traditional Maundy Thursday supper and
communion service that will be held in UACC’s Paul Aivazian Hall, beginning
at 7 p.m.
The Choir of about 40 singers will be joined by soloists Nune Kartalyan,
Suzie Mazmanian, Raffi Kerbabian and Aren Der Hagopian, with Martha Sarian
as organist and H. Hrant Agbabian, Director of the Chancel Choir.
**************************************************************************
3 – Diocese to Conduct Easter
Services at Ararat Home
LOS ANGELES- Continuing a tradition of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, special Holy Easter Church services will be conducted at
the Ararat Armenian Home, 15105 Mission Hills Rd., Mission Hills on April
12, at 11 a.m.
Los Angeles area clergymen of the Western Diocese will participate in the
Church services.
**************************************************************************
4 – Matiosian Wins Emmy,
Golden Reel Awards
LOS ANGELES – After winning the prestigious Academy of Arts and Sciences
Emmy Award for Best Sound Editing on a Television Series, Mace Mationsian
also won the Motion Picture Sound Editors, Golden Reel Award for Best Sound
Editing in Television.
The Academy recognized the Chicago-born Mationsian for his work on the CBS
TV hit crime drama series, CSI.
The Golden Reel Award was presented to Matiosian for his work on CSI at the
Motion Picture Sound Editors Annual award banquet held at the Century Plaza
Hotel on Feb. 28. This was Mationsian’s seventh Emmy Award and ninth Golden
Reel Award.
Mationsian is currently the Supervising Sound Editor on CSI, the number 1
rated show on television.
He also recently completed HBO’s Carnivale series.
His credits include Hack, UC Undercover, Star Trek: the Next Generation,
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the Others, Baywatch, McGyver and dozens of TV
movies and specials.
Currently living in Santa Barbara, Calif., Mationsian works in Hollywood at
the Todd AO Studios.
He began his career in sound at Ryder Sound Services in Hollywood, which
was owned by Levon Chaloukian.
**************************************************************************
5 – Special Books Comfort Alzheimer Patients
By Paula Lloyd
Neighbors Cityview
FRESNO -Margaret Magarian, 91, has one favorite book. It’s a think
scrapbook of family photos and memories designed by her daughter that she
reads over and over again.
The pictures and written memories comfort her mother, who has been
diagnosed with dementia, says Judi Magarian-Gold. The book also provides
hours of entertainment. “She says, ‘I’ve read them 100 times, but I sure do
love them.'”
Magarian-Gold and longtime friend Jan Lewis developed three paperback,
plastic com-bound memory books to give Alzheimer’s and dementia patients
and their families, or any senior, a way to record and preserve memories.
Sitting at the kitchen table of her Fresno home, Magarian-Gold opens the
first thick, hard-bound photo album she made for her mother.
Lewis and Magarian-Gold met in 1962 at California State University, Fresno,
where they earned teaching credentials. The two retired teachers have each
published educational materials.
They also have shared the joys and sorrows of caring for aging parents.
That experience, coupled with their teaching and writing skills, led to the
creation of the memory books.
Like Magarian-Gold, Lewis had also created a book for her mother, Opal
Lewis, who died in May at 84.
Magarian-Gold and Lewis also realized there wasn’t anything on the market
like what they wanted. “There are plenty of books, but no workbooks,”
Magarian-Gold says.
Memory books are helpful for Alzheimer’s patients, Lewis says, “because
long-term memory goes last.” Linda Hewett, co-director of the Alzheimer’s
and Memory Center, says the memory books “create a structured way for
family members and friends to talk with a person who has difficulty
communicating, who often doesn’tj remember what happened yesterday.
“I think they have hit on a really great idea,” Hewett says.
The books are purposely printed in a less-inexpensive format, to be more
accessible. “My Album of Memories,” a scrapbook-style workbook for pictures
and written recollections, and “Family History,” a workbook with questions
to spark conversations about family and friends, are each $12.95.
“Journal of Loving Memories,” a workbook for family and friends to share
their recollections, and a 2004 calendar with pictures drawn by
Magarian-Gold that seniors can color are each $8.95.
For details call (559) 431-8571 or 448-0555.
******************************************************************
6 – Burbank Library Getting Hundreds
Of Donated Armenian Books
By Alex Dobuzinskis
Los Angeles Daily News
BURBANK — Burbank libraries will soon have more than 200 donated books
either about Armenia or written in Armenian for their international
collection, a community organizer said Wednesday.
The library’s acquisition of Armenian books comes at a time when the number
of Armenians moving into Burbank is on the rise.
Pharmacist Tamar Kekorian, the wife of Burbank school board member Paul
Kekorian, said about 100 books were collected at a book fair earlier this
month and other books have been collected in the meantime to bring the
total to more than 200. The goal is to collect 400 to 500 books.
“It’s such a tremendous project that we decided to stretch it over nine to
10 months so that we can actually accomplish it,” Kekorian said.
The books already collected are valued at more than $5,000, she said. The
books were donated by local residents, and some provided money to buy new
books.
The first phase of the book collection focuses on books about Armenian
history and the Armenian genocide of 1915.
The next phase of the collection will involve the donation of children’s
books, some of them written in Armenian.
One of the books ready to be donated is by poet Hovhannes Toumanian, who
was born in 1869 and wrote a number of short, fablelike stories such as
“Nazar the Brave.”
Nazan Armenian, a member of the Armenian National Committee of Burbank,
said the book donation program is good for the libraries.
“It will drive more Armenian patrons to use the library,” she said.
Kekorian said she got involved in collecting books for the city after head
librarian Sharon Cohen approached her husband and asked for help in
obtaining more books about Armenia.
“I would like to encourage others to be involved in projects like this.
Because due to budget cuts, it’s very difficult for libraries to have the
kinds of collections that they would ideally like to have,” Kekorian said.
**************************************************************************
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Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted
through this service. Information in that regard should be telephoned
to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to:
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**************************************************************************

Pravda.RU:World
13:09 2004-03-29
US Deputy Secretary of State gives Azerbaidjani troops in Iraq high marks
A morning meeting between Azerbaidjani President Ilham Aliev and US Deputy
Secretary of State Richard Armitage began with a one-on-one meeting, and was
later expanded to include other members of the respective sides. As reported
by the Azerbaidjani press office to a Rosbalt correspondent, during the
second round of talks, Ilham Aliev remarked on the accelerated evolution of
bilateral relations in all spheres.
According to Aliev, the United States is assisting Azerbaidjan in its
efforts to institute political and economic reforms. He also maintained that
the United States would offer similar assistance for the social and economic
development of the various regions of the country.
Aliev said that he hoped for the further bilateral cooperation of the two
countries in the military sphere. ‘Azerbaidjan belongs to the antiterrorism
coalition, and will continue to participate in the future,’ he said.
Addressing the conflict in Karabakh, Aliev noted that it would be resolved
with the participation of the OSCE, and in accordance with the territorial
integrity of Azerbaidjan.
Richard Armitage in turn gave high marks to the participation of
Azerbaidjani troops in the antiterrorism coalition. In his view,
Azerbaidjani soldiers are serving in an exemplary fashion in both Iraq and
Afghanistan. ‘We want a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Karabakh,’ he
said. ‘The Caucasus can become a good partner for the West in the future,
but in order for that to happen, peace has to be established in the region.’
It was notable that many journalists representing independent and opposition
media were not allowed to attend the meeting between Armitage and Aliev.
© RosBalt

RUSSIAN OLIGARCH’S DONATIONS AIM TO HELP GEORGIA FIGHT CORRUPTION
Moskovskiy Komsomolets, Moscow
29 Mar 04
It is wrong to accuse Russia’s oligarchs of being uncaring or
miserly. It emerged yesterday that Senator Andrey Vavilov, former
owner of the Severnaya Neft (Northern Oil) company, who has now
retired from business, is ready to make his own contribution to
combating corruption in Georgia.
Let us recall the famous US philanthropist George Soros’s announcement
that he would supplement the monthly salary of Georgian President
Mikheil Saakashvili by 2,000 dollars and his ministers’ salaries by
1,500 each dollars. The US billionaire wants in this way to make a
contribution to fighting the corruption that is eating away at
Georgia. The official salary of the neighbouring country’s top leaders
is absolute chicken feed. And therefore Soros’s offer should indeed
appreciably improve their financial position. The American’s logic is
that a Georgian president who receives 2,000 dollars per month simply
has no reason to steal. He is able to buy everything he needs himself.
The general consensus of opinion is that it was the Soros Foundation’s
money that paid for the “rose revolution” last fall. It seemed that,
after Tbilisi, the leading financial speculator had decided to turn
his attention to Yerevan. But it is now becoming clear that Georgia
continues to be the central focus of his concerns.
Andrey Vavilov informed your Moskovskiy Komsomolets correspondent
yesterday that, on hearing about the Soros initiative, he is also
unable to remain aloof. In his view it is not only the Americans that
should be fighting corruption and, to that end, paying the Georgian
leaders’ wages. Corruption in Georgia affects Russia even more
severely than the United States – we are neighbours, after
all. Vavilov has set his contribution at the following level: He is
prepared to supplement Mikheil Saakashvili’s pay by 600 dollars per
month and Georgian ministers’ pay by 300 dollars. Vavilov reckons they
will be happy in the knowledge that they are getting money not from a
single source – the Soros Foundation – but also from Russia. This
should increase the independence of Georgia’s top functionaries even
further.
Andrey Vavilov did not clear his personal initiative with Saakashvili
and his subordinates. But he hopes that they will accept it with
gratitude. He is also calling on other Russian businessmen to join him
in the fight against corruption in Georgia.

Edicom, France
Lundi, 29 Mars 2004
Cinéma: les sorties de la semaine
VODKA LEMON
Réalisateur: Hiner Saleem
Interprètes: Romik Avinian, Lala Sarkissian, Ivan Franek, Rouzanne
Hesropian
Nationalité: France
Durée: 1h28
Sept dollars par mois de retraite, une armoire, un vieux téléviseur
soviétique et un costume militaire pour tout capital. Hamo, bel homme
d’une soixantaine d’années vit seul dans un petit village kurde
d’Arménie avec l’un de ses fils et sa petite fille. Une lettre de son
deuxième fils arrive de France. La rumeur court le village:
l’enveloppe serait pleine de dollars Mais Hamo, lui, ne pense qu’à la
belle inconnue du cimetière…

Tageblatt, Zeitung fur Letzebuerg (Luxembourg)
Lundi, 29 Mars 2004
»Vodka lemon» : une comédie bien frappée
Le cinéaste kurde irakien Hiner Saleem signe avec »Vodka lemon» une
comédie noire et givrée, où l’humour surréaliste et grinçant se
teinte de tendresse et de poésie. Le film sort quelques jours après
le Nowrouz, le jour de l’an kurde.
»Vodka lemon», tourné dans des villages kurdes en Arménie, en kurde,
en russe et en arménien, a reçu le Prix Saint-Marc du meilleur film à
la dernière Mostra de Venise qu’il a dédié aux Kurdes et au
»Kurdistan, dont c’est l’année zéro». »Le 9 avril 2003, j’ai appris
la nouvelle que j’attendais depuis mon enfance, la chute de Saddam
Hussein», a déclaré le cinéaste, né en 1964 au Kurdistan irakien.
Le film s’ouvre sur une scène saisissante: un vieillard sur un lit
métallique glisse rapidement dans un paysage de neige. Lorsque cet
étrange traîneau s’arrête, le vieillard retire son dentier et se met
à jouer de la flûte. Ce sont les funérailles de l’épouse d’Hamo, un
beau sexagénaire à la chevelure blanche.
Avec une retraite de moins de dix dollars par mois, il vit avec l’un
de ses fils, sans emploi, et sa petite fille. L’autre fils vit à
Alfortville, un mot magique, synonyme d’Eldorado, dans ce minuscule
village kurde d’Arménie, privé de tout. Lorsqu’une lettre arrive de
France, tous espèrent que l’enveloppe est pleine d’argent.
Mais ce n’est pas le cas et certains regrettent le temps d’avant (de
l’Union soviétique) où »on n’avait pas la liberté mais on avait tout
le reste».
Hamo, lui, en est réduit à vendre son uniforme et son armoire, ce qui
donne lieu à des scènes surréalistes et picaresques avec les
pérégrinations du vieil homme trimballant l’encombrant objet dans un
désert blanc qui semble ne mener nulle part, où circule pourtant un
bus coloré, presque vide.
»Tombe la neige», la rengaine d’Adamo accompagne Hamo, qui croise
régulièrement dans le bus et au cimetière une belle veuve qui va
s’incliner devant la tombe de son défunt mari…
L’univers de »Vodka lemon», avec ses personnages attachants, son
mariage, ses musiciens et son banquet en plein air, rappelle un peu
celui de Kusturica. Le tragique y côtoie la gaieté et il ne faut
surtout pas penser aux lendemains.
»Je suis un homme pudique, dit Hiner Saleem. Même dans les moments
vraiment très difficiles, tragiques, il y a toujours un petit truc
qui nous fait éclater de rire.»
Le cinéaste a tourné dans des conditions très rudes, au pied de la
plus haute montagne d’Arménie, dans des villages isolés en hiver, par
-25 degrés. Il rêve de réaliser le prochain au Kurdistan. »Mais il
faut acheminer le matériel, par où passer? Qui va vouloir nous
assurer? Mais c’est sûr je ferai ce film. L’histoire se passe au
Kurdistan».
Réfugié politique dès l’âge de 17 ans, il a vécu dix ans à Paris où
il a réalisé »Vive la mariée… et la libération du Kurdistan», puis
»Passeur de rêves» dans les villages kurdes d’Arménie. »Avec ces
films, dit-il, je me réinventais un pays».
En même temps que »Vodka lemon», Hiner Saleem publie »Le fusil de mon
père», un récit (Editions du Seuil) où il raconte son enfance et
l’histoire des siens, depuis l’arrivée au pouvoir de Saddam Hussein
jusqu’au jour où il a dû fuir l’Irak.
Il aime citer cette phrase de son grand-père: »notre passé est
triste, notre présent est catastrophique, mais heureusement nous
n’avons pas d’avenir».

A1 Plus | 17:09:53 | 29-03-2004 | Politics |
BILL ON HOLDING RALLIES AND MEETINGS TO BE DISCUSSED
Parliament will discuss the bill on “Order for Holding Meetings, Rallies and
Marches”. Suggestions over making amendments to the Law on “Administrative
Law Transgression” are represented, too.
Parliament State and Legal Committee and the temporary Committee of
Integration with the European Structures introduced these bills.
Parliament has continued discussion of the Labor Code since morning. It is
planned to consider the suggestions over making changes to the law on
granting privileges of tax and social insurance payments to Agarak’ copper
and molybdenum enterprise and Kapan’ ore mining and processing enterprise.
—