Author: Badalian Vardan

MASTER ARTAVAZD PELESHIAN:TIME IS AGAINST ME, WHILE CINEMA IS AGAINST TIME

Yerevan, July 14. ArmInfo."I believe that the time will come, and the
scientific-technical progress will help the humanity to read the code
of the nature and reveal the unknown world that includes the entire
history of our Universe," Artavazd Peleshian, one of the great master
of world’s cinematography, prominent documentary director, said this
at today’s master class within the framework of "Golden Apricot" film
festival. Mr. Pelelshian said this in response to a visitor’s question
who asked whether he is concerned about the new technical inventions
that may replace real actors and film production methods used today. He
said that in the beginning the inventions and discoveries may frighten,
but later it turns out that the men of art may use them for their
own purposes without losing the art value of the film.

The author of the so called "distance montage" which helps reveal
"the absent reality" stated that he tries to fully reflect his view
of "the nature’s code" in all of his films. He added that in the
course of the montage a certain magnetic field is created between
the first and the second layers and helps to see the third, a newer
and more real one. Mr. Peleshian stated that as compared with the
associative, poetic and other types of montage, the distance montage
help see the real essence of the world, i.e., in his own terms "the
absent reality." Besides, he emphasized the importance of musical
accompaniment. "I like when in any film the music and the images
change their places and the music penetrates the space of the image
and the image enters the space of the musical layer. We can’t achieve
the expected effect without this "fusion," Mr. Peleshian said. At the
same time, he stated with regret that he can’t shoot films for already
14 years because of the financial problems. In particular, the lack of
about $10 million hinders him shoot the film "Homo Sapiens." Peleshian
wrote the script to this film already in 1968. He even intended to
shoot the film in collaboration with the French cinematographers,
but the financial problems prevented to begin the work. Even Jean
Luc Godard, great French film director, was very impressed by the
film’s script.

He added that in March, 2006, he agreed with Gevorgian, the former
RA Culture Minister, to begin the film screening works. Gevorgian
promised to spare no efforts to help him, but soon he resigned and
a new minister was appointed. "I still hope that I will be able to
begin the screening of the film," Mr. Peleshian said.

In the end of the master class Mr. Peleshian said: "Some people talk
of the phenomenon of my art, though I personally see no phenomenon. I
believe that the time is against me, while my art is against the time."

Dance festival after Vanushs Khanamiryan and Sukhishvili to open in Kobuleti

ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 11:40

An unprecedented dance festival after Vanushs Khanamiryan and
Sukhishvili will open today in Kobuleti, Georgia. 500 dancers from
30 groups will participate in the event.

Seminars will be organized during the six days of the festival. These
will provide the opportunity for the two peoples to introduce each
other to their history and choreography.

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Opens in Turkey

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.07.2006 14:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In Ceyhan, a town in the Mediterranean coast of
Turkey, the opening ceremony of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline
will be held.

The pipeline is considered to be a strategically important corridor,
joining Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia. Presidents of Turkey,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan will participate in the ceremony.

The 1776-km pipeline passes through territories of three countries –
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. 50 million tons of Caspian oil can
be pumped via it to world markets.

Ankara hoped George Bush and Tony Blair would arrive for the opening
ceremony, but they did not. These leaders already have meetings within
G8 summit in St. Petersburg.

Representatives of 32 countries will go to the terminal, named after
late Azeri President Heydar Aliyev. The Presidents will arrive in
Injirlik US military air base nearby. Roads to Ceyhan are taken under
special control, BBC reports.

BÝA, Turkey
July 11 2006

BIA² Releases 2nd Quarterly Monitoring Report

Monitoring media freedoms and rights in Turkey, BIA² discloses 56
"Freedom of Expression" cases launched against 67 individuals from
April through June as government still seeks to impose new
restrictions. Turkey pays ECHR 332,000 YTL in 1.5 years.

BIA News Center
11/07/2006 Erol ONDEROGLU

BÝA (Istanbul) – "Perihan Magden, Birgul Ozbaris and Gokhan Gencay
face up to 27 years imprisonment in total on charges of ‘discouraging
the public from military service’.

Everyone from journalists to tradespeople collide with freedom of
expression limitations as charges are pressed. While Turkey loses at
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) freedom of expression cases,
the taxpayer has to pay the compensation collectively".

The 2006 2nd Quarterly Report prepared by the "Network in Turkey for
Monitoring and Covering Media Freedom and Independent Journalism" –
BIA² Media Monitoring Desk and covering the months of April, May and
June discloses factual details on the situation of the media in
relation to rights and freedoms.

The 12-page BIA² report discloses that 56 new "Freedom of Expression"
have been launched against 67 individuals from April through June as
the government still seeks to impose new restrictions.

Covering the persecution of journalists and writers Nese Duzel,
Sebati Karakurt, Perihan Magden, Hrant Dink, Birgul Ozbaris, Gokhan
Gencay, Abdurrahman Dilipak, Memik Horuz, Evrim Dengiz, Nesrin Yazar,
Rustu Demirkaya, Elif Shafak, Semih Sokmen, Aslý Bicen, Sabri Ejder
Ozic, Murat Belge, Murat Yetkin, Hasip Kaplan, Emine Senlikoglu,
Mehmet Sevket Eygi and Musa Agacik the report stresses that Turkey
has already been made to pay over 332,000 YTL (USD 207.500) in
compensation in only 1.5 years at cases heard by the ECHR.

"While the reforms on the road to European Union membership were
important steps for freedom of expression the Justice and Development
Party (AKP) government has not only ignored the grave consequences
created by the Criminal Code in just a year but has even passed a new
form of the Anti-Terror Law (TMY) knowing it only brought more
sentences at the ECHR in the past and does so today too" says the
report.

BIA²: Government takes freedoms lightly

BIA² Media Monitoring Desk’s report deals with the situation of
journalists, writers and activists persecuted and prosecuted in
Turkey under the headlines "attacks and threats", "detentions and
arrests ", "trials and initiatives", "European Court of Human
Rights", "RTUK applications", "adjustments and seeking justice" and
"Reaction to censorship".

The report contains information on 56 court cases launched against 67
people, four journalists seeking their rights at local courts and 15
individuals who have applied to the European Court of Human Rights.

Charges made under Turkish Penal Code (TCK) article 288 (attempting
to influence justice), 301/159 (Insulting Turkishness and state
institutions), 318 (Discouraging the people from military service),
216 (Inciting hatred and enmity) are highlighted in the report
together with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s reply to
criticism of his conduct by filing for damages.

The "Independence" of Justice

The report cites developments over the past three months that reveal
problems with regard to the independence of justice in Turkey.

It notes that while the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors has
no structural or functional autonomy, the fact that the Office of the
Chief of General Staff and the Police force are at top of the list of
institutions filing criminal complaints "creates a concerning picture
for the freedom of media and expression".

"Covering a wide section of society from journalists to tradespeople
at least 40 people have been put on trial or are still being tried
under article 159 of the old TCK and article 301 of the new Code" it
says.

Anti-Terror Law

The report states that while the consequences of the Penal Code are
so clear the government’s approval of the Anti-Terror Law (TMY) means
"the freedom of media and expression of opinions is taken lightly".

The TMY that was passed by Parliament on June 29 and is currently the
source of journalist Nese Duzel and Sebati Karakurt’s trial does not
only increase prison terms and extend them to new areas but in
certain conditions also extends the criminal responsibility in
publications from newspaper owners and editor-in-chiefs to
"publication executives" the report warns.

It adds that the law amends previous articles in such way "that
monetary fines are now changed to prison terms and allows the
stopping of publications will also be a serious obstacle in the
debate of issues such as the Kurdish problem and media coverage of
these issues".

Says the report:

"The case launched against journalist Hrant Dink for his article
series ‘Armenian Identity’ under article 159 turned into an adventure
displaying differences of evaluation between local courts and the
Supreme Court, constituting an important example. As observed in
other "inciting hatred and enmity" cases, the Dink case also damaged
"the feeling of justice" being upheld.

Human rights activists have now tied hoped to President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer’s veto of the TMY which has in the past 1.5 year alone cost
Turkey 332.500 YTL at the European Court of Human Rights".

10 attacks on media, journalists in prison go up to 4

According to the report, nine journalists and one publishing company
have been attacked in the past three months while two journalists
have been threatened.

In the same period of last year the number of attacks recorded was 7.
Another determination made by the report is that journalists working
for the Kurdish press are frequently being charged with "assisting
the PKK".

"Isci Koylu" [Workers Peasants] magazine Editor-in-Chief Memik Horuz
was the only journalist "under arrest in prison in the scope of press
freedoms" until the new year but since then Dicle News Agency (DÝHA)
reporters Evrim Dengiz, Nesrin Yazar and Rustu Demirkaya have been
added to the list bringing up the number to 4 in six months.
"Assisting the PKK" cases launched against the three journalists
continues.

"Discouraging military service" a spreading threat

"Ulkede Ozgur Gundem" newspaper reporter Birgul Ozbaris has been
charged seven times in trials related to her news coverage and
interviews on conscientious objection and she faces 21 years
imprisonment if found guilty.

"Birgun" newspaper Sunday Supplementary editor Gokhan Gencay
interviewed conscientious objector Erkan Bolot, "Yeni Aktuel"
magazine writer Perihan Magden wrote an article titled "Conscientious
Objection is a Human Right". Both journalists face three years
imprisonment each.

With amendments made in the Military justice and trial procedures,
the trial of individuals such as Abdurrahman Dilipak at military
courts will not be possible but civilian courts will be allowed to
attribute to the Military Criminal Code where such trials are heard.

Article 301 puts over 40 on trial

The allegation of "Insulting Turkishness" has last been leveled
against "Father and Bastard" novel author Elif Shafak, Metis
Publishing House chief Semih Sokmen and translatorAsli Bicen.

An investigation on the same charge was also launched against the
Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Karekin II.

The justice system and security forces continue to show tolerance to
Unity of Jurists group member attorney Kemal Kerincsiz and his
associates who spread violence into court cases.

Radio broadcaster gets 6 months under 301

The Adana 5th Court of First Instance sentenced radio broadcaster
Sabri Ejder Ozic to 6 months imprisonment under article 301 for
"publicly insulting the parliament" despite opinions presented to the
court by the Court of Appeals Public Prosecutor and the court’s own
prosecutor. The court neither deferred the sentence nor turned it
into a monetary fine.

Yetkin faces 4.5 years for criticizing court case

It appears that the allegation of "attempting to influence a fair
trial" that faces journalists every time judicial decisions are
debated, is to continue to be a long-term problem.

Even though the case launched against "Radikal" newspaper writer
Murat Belge for criticizing a court decision banning a conference on
Ottoman Armenians resulted with an acquittal, four writers from
"Radikal" and "Milliyet" newspapers were not fully cleared when the
prosecution appealed against their acquittal.

On top of these, a prosecutor now demands 4.5 years imprisonment for
"Radikal" newspaper writer Murat Yetkin for criticizing the court
case against renown author Orhan Pamuk.

TCK’s article 216 is also leading to different consequences in
judiciary practice. Jurist Hasip Kaplan who expressed his views on
contemporary issues on a television program aired by "Flash TV" was
acquitted in the case where he was charged with "inciting hatred and
enmity".

However, journalist-writer Emine Senlikoglu was sentenced to 12
months imprisonment for expressing her views on a television program
she attended in Manavgat in the year 2000.

This allegation was also leveled against "Milli Gazete" newspaper
writer Mehmet Sevket Eygi in the past three months.

Following up on the kicking

Journalist Musa Agacik who four years ago was covering Prime Minister
Erdogan during a festival was kicked by the PM’s bodyguard Murat
Oksuz . Star newspaper reporter Agacik could find no one to testify
as witness to the assault but pursued his claim that resulted with an
administrative monetary fine for Oksuz. (EO/II/YE)

* The full report in Turkish can be obtained from Bianet. Please
contact Erol Onderoglu, Tel: 0212 251 1503 Fax: 251 1609 e-mail:
[email protected] for more information.

–Boundary_(ID_E+Rd6Lhe6XN++yOpOkW6J Q)–

EBRD to provide US$ 20-21 million for reconstruction of "Zvartnots" airport

ArmRadio.am
11.07.2006 13:23

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will
provide a credit of US$ 20-21 million for reconstruction of the
international "Zvartnots" airport. The credit will be provided for
the period of seven years.

In 1994 EBRD had provided 17 million for the construction of the
freight terminal in "Zvartnots" airport.

Russia’s Any Measure against Georgia Deals Blow to Armenia’s Interests

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.07.2006 14:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Any measure undertaken by Russia against Georgia
deals an unintentional blow to Armenia’s interests, Vice-speaker
of the Armenian National Assembly Vahan Hovhannisian told reporters
today when commenting on the closing of the Russian-Georgian border
by the Russian authorities. In his opinion, this is conditioned by
the Russian-Georgian relations, which "now tense, now improve".

"Recently these relations tend to aggravate. However our Russian
counterparts should understand that any step against Georgia damages
Armenia’s interests. Thus they should be more supple and cautious,"
Hovhannisian underscored.

To remind, on June 8 night the Russian border guards closed the
Kazbegi-Verkhni Lars checkpoint over the start of construction
works at the border. This caused problems for traffic and a great
number of vehicles including those heading for Armenia stuck at the
Russian-Georgian border.

Azeri People Little Informed of Karabakh Life

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.07.2006 15:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When visiting Karabakh I always inform courteously
my acquaintances in the Azeri MFA of the trip. But I insist on the
right of a reporter to make free trips and no power can prohibit me
from doing it," British journalist Thomas de Waal said. In his words,
Azeri people are very little informed of today’s life in Karabakh. "If
Azeri reporters could freely go to Karabakh it would be very useful,"
he said.

At the same time he underscored he hasn’t heard that he is a "harmful"
individual for Azerbaijan and Armenia. "I think there are people who
have not read "The Black Garden" and such people like demonstrating
discontent. Fortunately, they form a minority. I have many friends
in Armenia and Azerbaijan," he remarked, reported Echo Baku-based
newspaper.

ARMENIA WON’T TELL TEHRAN THE TRUTH

Lragir.am
08 July 06

Sometimes the impression is that Armenia itself does not know what
to sell to Russia and what not to sell. More exactly, it knows it
cannot sell anything. It simply does not know what Russia would like
to have. The situation is worrying, but as it is accepted to say,
it is not a fact, it is more than a fact, it is the reality. With
regard to the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline we deal with the same reality.

Russia announced about its likelihood to buy the gas pipeline several
days ago. It is clear that if they announce about their likelihood,
they make efforts to fulfill their intention. What is an effort in
this direction if not negotiations with the initiators of the gas
pipeline? The Iranian Deputy Ambassador to Armenia announced several
weeks ago in Yerevan that his country is not aware of the possibility
of participation of a third country to the gas pipeline. It means that
Gazprom makes efforts to negotiate with Armenia only. For its part,
this means that only the section of the pipeline running through
Armenia is concerned. Perhaps Gazprom does not need more because for
absolute influence it is enough to have the Armenian section. After
all Armenia needs the pipeline more, and if the prospect of a transit
pipeline is concerned, the section of the pipeline running through
Armenia is sufficient to get complete influence.

It is interesting that the Armenian party did not announce officially
about negotiation with the Russians but some officials, nevertheless,
hinted at it. Both the defense minister and the foreign minister spoke
about it. Serge Sargsyan said there are interesting developments,
and Vardan Oskanyan said funding of the construction of the Armenian
section of the pipeline is considered. It is clear that the Russians
would not give the money for nothing, if they would give it at all.

In this situation a logical question occurs why official Yerevan
avoids announcing about negotiations with Gazprom for the Iran-Armenia
pipeline. In addition, Armenian officials have to make hints at
negotiations, while Russia regularly reports on the negotiation and
agreement to buy the pipeline.

In other words, evidently Yerevan avoids public speeches on this
topic. The reason is clear. Several months ago, when the Iranian
foreign minister Manuchehr Mottaki was visiting Yerevan, he and Vardan
Oskanyan announced that participation of a third party to the pipeline
requires the agreement of both Iran and Armenia. In the meantime,
official Iran states that they are unaware of a Russian-Armenian
negotiation. On the contrary, the Russians inform that the negotiation
is underway and there is already agreement. Hence, Yerevan negotiates
with Moscow and fails to inform Tehran about the negotiation despite
the agreement. In any case, this is not proper. They sell it with
one hand and take an oath with the other not to sell it.

In the meantime, this question is rather important for Iran. Russia’s
engagement in the project of the pipeline neutralizes Iran’s prospect
to have an influence over regional energy projects. This might be the
reason why the pipeline has appeared on the agenda of the Iran-Armenia
relations over the past few months, and already official Iran is not
satisfied with the assertions of the high-ranking Armenian officials
that the pipeline is not for sale.

Another question is what Robert Kocharyan achieved during his Iranian
visit. The president’s visit had been planned long ago but Armenia was
said to avoid it. And if it took place, it means that either Yerevan
has decided what to say and how to settle the problem with Iran or
Tehran has made an ultimatum and Robert Kocharyan had no way but to go.

There were no details on the pipeline in the statements made
during the president’s visit. Moreover, it was not touched upon in
public statements either. On the other hand, there is a diplomatic
nuance: language is for hiding thoughts. It is possible that high
evaluations of the Iran-Armenia partnership hid the high reefs of this
partnership. The presidents of the two countries announced, however,
that there are no unsettled questions between Armenia and Iran. If
frankness prevails over diplomacy in this statement, it means Robert
Kocharyan managed to settle the problem of the pipeline in Iran. On
the other hand, if the problem with Iran is settled, sure enough a
problem with Russia occurred. In this sense it is highly doubtful that
Yerevan would step on this path to running into trouble with Russia,
especially with the elections drawing nearer. Consequently, Robert
Kocharyan reached an intermediate solution in Tehran in an effort
to temporize. It is interesting to know the cost, because everything
including time has its price.

JAMES HAKOBYAN

State House official named in Arturs’ fake press conference
By Biketi Kikechi and Patrick Mathangani

The Standard, Kenya
July 7 2006

The alleged Government link in the Arturs saga emerged on Thursday
after an inquiry heard that on the day the two held a press conference
at the Kenyatta International Airport VIP lounge, a companion
identified himself to airport officers as a State House official.

In yet another day of astonishing disclosures, a security official at
the airport gave a step-by-step account of the stage-managed press
conference and how it was made to appear like Artur Sargasyan had
just jetted into the country.

Security officers organised for the gold-bedecked brothers to swagger
through Gate Six and use the VIP lounge to dupe journalists that they
were high flying investors.

The story, which unfolded like a chapter from a Western thriller,
was the highlight of Thursday’s proceedings at the Kiruki Commission
of Inquiry into the activities of the two alleged brothers who have
since been deported for causing a security breach at the airport.

Press conference

A security officer, Mr David Bosire Michiemo, owned up by telling
the commission that he helped open the Gate Six air bridge for the
guests, who had been sitting at a lounge waiting for the KQ flight
from Dubai to touch down even as journalists waited for the plane
carrying the newsmaker.

The two, whose identity remains shadowy, claimed to be fabulously
rich brothers based in Dubai and that the President of Armenia was
their uncle. They used the press conference to rebut earlier claims
by Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga that they were Russian mercenaries who
took part in the commando-style raid on the Standard Group premises
on March 2.

The bogus brothers claimed that Raila and MP Kalonzo Musyoka requested
them to play a role in the no- confidence vote against the proposed
new constitution last year.

The local media gave the press conference big treatment but raised
pertinent issues concerning the event, its planning and information
that Sargasyan’s name was not on the manifest of the flight he
purported to have arrived on.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the commission wanted to know the
identity of Messrs Julius Mwangi Maina and Alphonce Omita.

Passes for journalists

Assisting Counsel Ms Dorcas Oduor asked Bosire if he knew Maina and
Omita because they cannot be traced although they were allegedly
associates of the Artur brothers.

"We cannot find him (Maina). How do we find him?" asked Oduor,
but Bosire said he does not know him because they only met once at
the airport.

The commission was told that Maina went to the security office at
5.20am on March 13, and introduced himself to duty officer Mr Moses
Wanyonyi and Bosire as Mr Julius Maina from State House.

Wanyonyi who also appeared at the commission on Thursday, said he
received a call from his boss, Mr Stanley Mutungi, who instructed
him to have 10 passes ready for journalists the following day.

"He further told me that the instructions were from the Deputy Managing
Director Ms Naomi Cidi," said Wanyonyi.

Wanyonyi, 51, who has since voluntarily retired from Kenya Airports
Authority, said he handed over the passes to Maina and asked Bosire
to guide him.

Kenya Airways flight delayed

Bosire accompanied Maina to a Mercedes Benz car at the Airport
manager’s car park. Maina asked Bosire to escort one of the occupants
in the car, whom he later got to learn was Artur Margaryan, and a
woman to the first class lounge.

Maina asked Bosire to give the woman a pass as they went through
Unit Two while Margaryan and Maina used their own all-areas-permanent
airport passes. They went to the Duty Free Shops lounge, where they
were later joined by lawyer Fred Ngatia and Omita.

Ngatia and Omita had been waiting at the NAS cafeteria, from where
Maina and Bosire led them to join Margaryan and the woman. Bosire said
the Kenya Airways flight KQ311 that they were waiting for delayed
and Maina left after introducing him to Omita, who then took charge
and asked Bosire to accompany him to meet the waiting journalists.

Bosire said Ngatia briefly talked to the journalists before guiding
them to a different lounge for tea. Omita then frantically started
seeking for a place where he could type a document but none was open
at the time.

Stage-managed arrival

He then went to Cidi’s office in the company of Bosire, where he
printed a document from a diskette.

Cidi’s Secretary Judith Chepkor confirmed that Omita, whom she had met
earlier at the office, consulted Cidi and later printed the document
for him. "Omita told Wanyonyi to stage-manage the ‘arrival’ so that
reporters could cover the event," said Bosire.

Wanyonyi allegedly told Bosire to look for the security officer to
open Air Bridge Gate Number 06 so that the ‘guests’ could walk in to
be covered as they arrived.

The TV cameras zoomed in as the brothers swaggered through the gate
and to the VIP lounge that had since been made available for their use.

On Thursday, Cidi’s secretary corroborated the allegation that
Margaryan and Sargaryan went to Cidi’s office, from where they were
escorted to the passes office.

Officers in the passes office have said Cidi instructed them to issue
the passes on February 10 and June 8.

OSCE MISSION HELD MONITORING OF THE FRONTLINE

ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 12:53

On July 5 the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office held monitoring of the frontline between NKR and
Azerbaijan to the South of Kuropatkino settlement.

Participants of the monitoring revealed no facts confirming the
Azeri reports on intentional arsons over the territories under NKR
control. At the same time, representative of the NKR Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, who was accompanying the OSCE Monitoring Mission,
called the attention of the members of the group to the extensive
burnt area of the field three kilometers away from positions of the
Azeri Army.

>From the positions of NKR Defense Army the Monitoring Mission was
headed by Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Andrzej Kasprzy. The group comprised field assistants of the Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Peter Keey (Great
Britain) and Gunter Folk (Germany).