Author: Chatinian Lara

AZERI’S MARASMIC APPROACH TO ART

Source: Panorama.am
13:18 22/05/2009

The political strategy of the official Baku on the social-cultural
life of the state seems to have some marasmic coloring.

Azeri mass media reports that the concerts of famous Georgian singer
Nino Katamadze scheduled on 30-31 May in Baku might be postponed. The
reasons of postponing the singer’s concerts are quite funny and
some unusual. The Azeri journalists have found a song by Katamadze
devoted to Armenia – "Oley", where the singer says "Yerevan". So
called investigative journalists found out that the singer performed
in Armenia in the frames of Jazz festival in Yerevan and devoted a
song to the city. For them, the Azeri, this is a serious barrier to
postpone the concert.

After the state philharmonic orchestra of Azerbaijan has been informed,
they started a serious investigation saying if the news is true the
concerts should be postponed.

ALBUM EXPECTED TO MAKE BIG WAVES

Hurriyet
1304.asp?gid=244
May 21 2009
Turkey

ISTANBUL – Kalan Music is releasing a new album that will become a hot
topic in Turkey. The album is named ‘Meds Yeghern – 1915 Oratorio’ and
includes music by world-renowned Armenian composer Khacadur Avedisyan.

The owner of ethnic Anatolian music label Kalan Music is preparing
to release a controversial album by world-renowned Armenian composer
Khacadur Avedisyan. Bound to be a hot topic, the album, titled "Meds
Yeghern – 1915 Oratorio," was dedicated to the incidents that took
place between the Ottomans and Armenians in 1915.

"I have attempted to release the album in Turkey for many years,"
Hasan Saltuk, owner of Kalan Music, told the Hurriyet Daily News &
Economic Review. "It was not easy to reach the composer’s family. Also,
there were no original records of the album."

Saltuk accidentally found the original records during a trip to
Paris. With the help of a friend’s son from the Netherlands, Saltuk
reached Avedisyan’s son, Mikayel Avedisyan. He then encountered another
problem. The composer willed that the album should be released only
with the title "Genocide – 1915 Oratorio."

Although Saltuk barely persuaded Avedisyan about the issue, he came
up with a new idea. They decided to release the album with the title
"Meds Yeghern – 1915 Oratorio" rather than "Genocide – 1915 Oratorio."

The Armenian expression "Meds Yeghern," meaning "great catastrophe,"
which was used by U.S. President Barack Obama on April 24 to refer to
the events of 1915, has caused much debate in Turkey. Saltuk said
he was ready for the big discussions that might occur after the
album’s release.

"We want to prove that albums like this can be released in Turkey,"
he said. "This CD will show that the 1915 incidents can be discussed
in the country. In this way, the diaspora’s political argument used
against Turkey will disappear."

Our fight is for freedom of thought

Saltuk said Turkey has been developing and modernizing very rapidly
and that he would not have been able to release an album like that in
the 1990s. "I was sued many times because we released music belonging
to different Anatolian ethnic cultures in their original languages,"
he said. "Today the state clearly talks about the issues for which
I have been tried in the past."

Saltuk said problems could be overcome only by talking: "Our fight
is to ban the bans."

Saltuk said the album included seven songs performed by the Armenian
National Radio National Instruments Group and the Armenian National
Radio Chamber Music. He said the album was precious in a musical
sense and that he was happy to add it to Kalan Music’s archive.

About Khacadur Avedisyan

Khacadur Avedisyan was born in 1926 in Armenian’s second largest town,
Gyumri. At 25, he was the first Armenian artist to win gold medals at
international competitions in Berlin and Moscow. As well as classical
music, he worked on Armenian folk music and played traditional folk
instruments. He formed the folk music unit at the Gomidas National
Conservatory in Yerevan in 1978. He worked as the art director of
the National Dance Group and later for Tatul Altunyan Music and Dance
Group in 1958. He continued composing music at the same time.

"EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP AND ELECTIONS" PROJECT TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
May 21, 2009

YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS: From May 27-June 1 "Federation of
Youth Clubs" will organize a project under "European Citizenship and
Elections" slogan in Yerevan.

Chairperson of the Federation Atom Mkhitarian told Armenpress that
during the project which will be financed by the EU issues connected
with the importance of participation of the youth in the elections,
their encouraging, arouse problems and their solution will be
discussed. It will last for a week; four young people from each
state – Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Holland, Denmark, France, Poland,
Germany and Latvia will take part in it.

In collaboration with the Armenian Sport and Youth Affairs Ministry the
"Federation of Youth Clubs" also intends to organize a conference of
youth clubs and centers in July in Yerevan.

According to A. Mkhitarian more than 400 youth organizations are
registered in Armenia; besides this youth clubs and centers also
function. During the three-day conference the activity of these
organizations, their structure, issues as well as further tasks will
be presented. Young people from Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Javakhk
will take part in the conference.

EUROVISION 2009 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE PUBLISHED PROFESSIONAL JURY ESTIMATES.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
20.05.2009 12:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Eurovision 2009 Organizing Committee has publicized
the jury estimates for Eurovision 2009 song contest. The evaluation
system including both SMS voting and professional jury estimates was
first experimented this year. There were 210 professional musicians
(5 representatives from each of the 42 states) included in jury
staff. Jury members were required to be professionally involved in
musical industry and submit notification on their being independent
voters.

Alexander Rybak would have become winner hadn’t it been for SMS
votings, European Broadcasting Union reports. Professionals gave
Norwegian singer 312 points. Other countries had the following results.

2. Iceland (260)

3. Great Britain (223)

4. France (164)

5. Estonia (124)

6. Denmark (120)

7. Turkey (114)

8. Azerbaijan (112)

9. Israel (107)

10. Greece (93)

11. Moldova (93)

12. Bosnia and Herzegovina (90)

13. Malta (87)

14. Germany (73)

15. Armenia (71)

16. Ukraine (68)

17. Russia (67)

18. Portugal (64)

19. Croatia (58)

20. Lithuania (31)

21. Romania (31)

22. Sweden (37)

23. Albania (26)

24. Finland (12)

25. Spain (9)

"We believe it was a proper moment for introducing new voting system,"
Executive Director Svante Stockselius said. "It is fantasy. Both TV
audience and professional jury voted for the same participant. Some
of them finished with higher results thanks to TV viewers from all
European states. Vote publication ceremony was also predictable for
me, despite overwhelming support for Alexander Rybak."

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN’S "OTHER" FOREIGN POLICY: TREND NEWS COMMENTATOR

Trend News Agency
May 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Trend News European Desk commentator Elmira Tariverdiyeva.

Observers and mediators do not get tired to speak, if not about break,
then about significant advances in the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh
problem. Indeed, over the last year of Serzh Sargsyan’s presidency,
the negotiation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan has intensified
and even acquired a systematic nature – the two Presidents met four
times for one year.

Moreover, silence between Turkey and Armenia over the last seventeen
years was broken this year. There even was a possibility of opening the
border between these countries, even through following preconditions.

Armenia’s foreign policy can be divided into three periods: the policy
of Levon Ter-Petrossian, Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sargsyan. Sargsyan
began very actively to solve foreign policy issues, which was not
made by previous presidents, immediately after coming to power.

Yerevan qualitatively and significantly changed its foreign policy, but
is the Armenian political elite and establishment pleased? Alas, no.

Serzh Sargsyan is in a very precarious position within his own country
and in his relations with the powerful global Armenian Diaspora. The
Dashnaktsutsun party left the ruling coalition because of the
disagreement with the policy of establishing diplomatic relations
with Turkey. Dashnaktsutsun turned to opposition forces.

Given party’s national focus and its close relationship with the
international Armenian lobby, Dashnaktsutsun is a potentially serious
opponent for the current government.

This party could be the last hope for the Armenian lobby to bring
Armenia to desired line after the next presidential elections.

Dashnaktsutsun focused primarily on domestic political effect of
this step, giving the party the revolutionary color of opposition
forces, and rid it of responsibility for coalition’s inconvenient
consequences. The failure of Sargsyan’s policy has been repeatedly
linked with the Nagorno-Karabakh and Turkish processes by party
representatives.

Armenians’ dream to occupy others’ territories has been run the
risk during Sargsyan’s presidency. The idea on a possible agreement
seems blasphemy for the population. Major negotiators to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict – OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs – do not use
the disposition of Armenian press. President’s activity, as well as
the activity of negotiators and representatives of Turkish political
system has been criticized on the political scene in Armenia.

A dangerous situation occurred round the Nagorno-Karabakh problem,
head of the Dashnaktsutsun Revolution Federation Parliamentary Group
Vaan Ovannisyan said, the Mediamax reported.

"This situation has arisen because of our unreasonable policy towards
Turkey. It is not a secret that one of the main preconditions for the
restoration of Turkey’s relations with Armenia is the subordination
of Armenian interests to Azerbaijan’s in Karabakh and forced Armenia
to make assignments," Ovannisyan said.

If a real progress would be in the Karabakh conflict through signing of
a basic document, then Armenia will face heated internal developments
and perhaps even a political crisis that will focus to replace the
leadership.

Not only the political elite, but also the establishment is not pleased
with president’s policy. Experts and observers are asking a timely
question: What would happen if Turkey did decide to open the border
with Armenia? The first thing that threatens to Armenia is that after
opening of the notorious border with a fragile economic system, it will
be subjected to instant and fully justified Turkish economic expansion

Using advanced oligarchic system in Armenia’s economy, Turkey would be
able to simply "buy" Armenian oligarchs that significantly undermine
the national security of the country.

So whether President Sargsyan well to insist on improving the
long-frozen relations between Armenia and a half of neighboring
countries? The answer is not obvious, because strangely enough,
and what would be beneficial for the country, alas, will not please
the population.

ARMENIAN AND TURKISH HISTORIANS WORKING AT JOINT BOOK ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmInfo
2009-05-19 17:43:00

Arminfo. Armenian historian, professor Vahagn Dadryan together with
Turkish writer Taner Akcham, one of Turkish historians which recognize
Armenian genocide, are working at the book dedicated to the Armenian
genocide, Dadryan himself said at today’s meeting with students.

He also added one of his historical books about the genocide has been
recently translated in Turkish. This made Akcham to write continuation
of the book. The historian thinks it is very much important to study
the archive documents of the 20-s of the passed century directly
connected with Armenian genocide. He thinks that one of the reasons
why Turkey denies the fact of the genocide is that in case of its
recognition Turkey will be forced to rewrite its history and confess
that their forefathers were criminals, which committed terrible crime.

OSCE 17TH ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM’S FINAL MEETING STARTS IN ATHENS

Noyan Tapan
May 19, 2009

ATHENS, MAY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The final meeting of the 17th OSCE
Forum under the title Migration Government and Its Interrelation with
Strategy Carried out in Economic, Social, and Environmental Spheres
opened on May 18 in Athens. Armenia’s delegation also takes part in
the forum.

After the speeches of OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister
of Greece Dora Bakoyani and OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de
Brichambaut discussions continued at subject working sittings.

The forum will work until May 20.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
Ambassador of Armenia to Greece, delegation head Vahram Kazhoyan,
head of RA Foreign Ministry Department of International Organizations
Dzyunik Aghajanian, and Deputy Head of the Migration Agency of the
RA Ministry of Territorial Government David Hakobian are members of
Armenia’s delegation.

CRIMINAL CASE INITIATED ON FACT OF EXPLOSION AT NAIRIT PLANT

ArmInfo
2009-05-15 13:53:00

ArmInfo. A criminal case has been initiated on the fact of explosion
at Nairit Plant on Articles 231 part 2 and 285 part 2 of the Armenian
Criminal Code, the Police press-service told ArmInfo.

Preliminary investigation is underway. To recall 4 were killed and
6 were injured as a result of the explosion.

CJSC Nairit Plant is the exclusive producer of chloroprene rubber
in Armenia and CIS. A 90pct stake in the plant belongs to Rhinoville
Property Limited.

The remaining 10pct stake in the company belongs to the Government
of Armenia. The Polish Samex, American Intertex and Russian Eurogas
are the founders of Rhiniville property limited.

NATO EXERCISE KICKS OFF IN GEORGIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.05.2009 23:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgian Defense Minister David Sikharulidze
attended the opening ceremony of NATO exercise which kicked off in
Viziani base on May 11.

Before the ceremony, NATO representatives said they the Alliance
will not sever relations with Russia, although its position is not
understandable, Civil.ge reported.

The exercise will last till June 3.

ACQUIT YOUR ANCESTORS AND STRING UP YOUR ENEMIES
by Christopher de Bellaigue

The Daily Telegraph
May 9, 2009 Saturday
London

Rebel Land: Among Turkey’s Forgotten Peoples

Visitors to Istanbul know that Turkey was a nation conceived in
opposites: Asian and European, Islamic and secular, cosmopolitan
and nationalist.

Perhaps they might also have heard about the Kurdish troubles in the
east; or the hangover from what many Armenians describe as the genocide
of 1915, which the Turkish state is determined to play down. Few,
though, will venture to the east of this massive country in person,
to the borderlands close to Kurdish Iraq and Armenia where these
issues are living history.

One man who made that journey (and stayed) is the journalist
Christopher de Bellaigue, the author of an acclaimed book on Iran
and a former Turkey correspondent for The Economist.

De Bellaigue chose to live in a small town called Varto, in the
province of Mus in eastern Turkey. There he found descendants of all
the groups (both religious and ethnic) that fought each other as the
Ottoman Empire retreated into Turkey’s current borders. One early
scene is instructive: 30 Armenian-American tourists visit the ruined
monastery of Surp Karapet, or St John the Baptist, singing patriotic
songs in a land once filled with churches. Watching them are suspicious
Turkish soldiers, who wonder what claim these Armenians have on their
land. Further out there are Kurds, many of whose ancestors expelled
Armenians on behalf of the Ottomans, but who now dream of joining a
united Kurdistan.

Little ground is given in the battle over historical memory. "In
general, Vartolus use the past to acquit their ancestors and string
up their enemies," writes de Bellaigue. Few speak openly to him
about the Armenian killings, but some facts are uncontested: one
year into the First World War, as the Ottoman Empire was losing
the battle against the Russians, an Armenian deportation order was
issued by Istanbul. Thousands of Armenians fled or were killed. Some
modern historians claim that 1.5 million died in an organised
genocide. Ataturk, the founder of the People’s Republic, admitted later
(privately) that atrocities took place, but claimed these were local
initiatives. The national archives remain closed on this matter.

The culpability or otherwise of the Turkish state has become a
key question – not only regarding Turkey’s proposed entry into the
European Union, but also in challenging the founding myths of the
secular nationalist state.

De Bellaigue hears that at the time one Kurd in Varto warned an
Armenian friend: "I am telling you that the government has ordered
the massacre of Armenians and the looting of their goods. Save
yourself!" There are reports of Sunnis and Alevis (a small sect with
shifting loyalties ) fighting over the possessions left by fleeing (or
murdered) Armenians. But de Bellaigue questions the label "genocide";
for later on, when the Russians pushed back the Ottomans and took
over Varto, there were indiscriminate killings of Sunnis by returning
Armenians – though not on the same scale.

According to de Bellaigue, the accusation of genocide – with its
distinction of absolute perpetrator and absolute victim – makes
reconciliation between the sides more difficult. "What is needed is a
vaguer description," he argues, "connoting criminal acts of slaughter"
so everyone can be encouraged to mourn and atone.

The chances of this are slim while Turkey still feels threatened by
Kurdish separatists. As we have seen, at first the Kurds fought for
the new republic. Ataturk made encouraging noises about allowing them
cultural autonomy. But, like the Armenians, their existence challenged
his vision of a monocultural Turkey. Soon the courts banned any use
of Kurdish and allowed Turkish-speaking settlers to take Kurdish land.

In 1925 a wealthy Kurd named Sheikh Sait, who was unhappy with
these measures and the anti-Islamic policies of Ataturk (a notorious
drunk, he legalised the sale of alcohol), led a rebellion in eastern
Turkey. The state responded by crushing his forces with air power,
and after that Ataturk never mentioned the word "Kurd" in public. The
descendants of such rebels have been more inclined towards Marx
ism than religion, most notably the PKK (in the Seventies it was
not unusual to see Varto shepherds reading Das Kapital). Since the
capture of the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in 1999 the rebellion has
quietened down. The ruling AK party has hinted to the EU that it is
prepared to come to a settlement with the Kurds. In the meantime,
Turkey’s last substantial minority is still waiting.

This is a fascinating book. De Bellaigue knows the country very well
(he speaks fluent Turkish) and is alive to the sensitivities of all
sides. His account is not always particularly easy to follow; but
perhaps a linear narrative would have flattened out the many stories
he wishes to tell, which resemble, as he says, an "infinity of shapes".