SLOVAKIA PARLIAMENTARY DELIGATION’S VISIT TO ARMENIA POSTPONED
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The official visit to Armenia of the
deligation headed by Pavol Hrushovski, the National Council Chairman
of the Republic of Slovakia, was envasiged on April 8-10. But it was
postponed on the initiative of the Slovakian party, on the occasion
of participation in the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
BARBARIANS IN YEREVAN
A1+
01-04-2005
«It is not a secret for us that in our city trees are constantly being
cut. And all this is done before the eye of the people. We found a
terrible scene near the hotel «Golden Palace» which is being built
near the Victory Park. The sycamores of the pavement which could still
live up to 65 years were cat, and several poplars which were really
object of cutting slipped the eye of the cutters.
It is obvious that this is done on purpose with the aim of destroying
the little left green area in our city. We call to you to stop this
criminal attitude towards our city», this was the letter of Silva
Adamyan, head of the non-governmental organization «Center of
Bird-lovers». At the end of the letter, bringing as witness the photos
sent by her, Silva Adamyan calls us to witness this «barbarian
attitude».
ANCA WARNS ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY GROUPS ABOUT TARC/ICTJ THREAT
TO ARMENIAN CAUSE
WASHINGTON, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Responding to the Turkish
government’s increasingly aggressive campaign to deny justice for the
Armenian Genocide, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
circulated on March 28 a letter warning all the leading Armenian
American organizations about the “quiet, but profoundly dangerous,
campaign by Turkey aimed at the very heart of our community’s struggle
to secure full recognition, proper commemoration, and a just
resolution of the Armenian Genocide.”
THE ARABS APPEAL TO THE WORLD ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
A1+
01-04-2005
The 12 leaders of the Syrian North-Eastern tribes who have come to
Armenia in connection with the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, appealed to the international organizations today. The leaders
of the Arabian tribes think that «the world must reconsider their
attitude towards the Armenian Genocide and return to the Armenian nation
their just rights and demands».
The Arabs who first visit Armenian are those people who govern their
tribes. It is noteworthy that each Syrian tribe consists of more than a
million people. The leaders arriving Armenian represent the tribes which
during the Genocide received and helped the immigrants saved from the
Turkish jatagan. «The Arabs all know about the Genocide and they have
done many services to the Armenian nation», said the leaders in the
today’s press conference.
The guests have met the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, students
and many other people, they have visited Matenadaran and got acquainted
with the Armenian history. Today they will go to the town of Abovyan,
where there are many people who returned to Armenia years after the
Genocide. Tomorrow the representatives of the Arabian world will meet
the Catholicos of all Armenians.
As a result of the meetings already taken place, the representative of
the `Bagyara’ tribe, for example, has concluded, `It is already clear
for us that the Armenian nation has a history of thousand and thousand
of years, even before Christ. So this nation must recover its
fatherland’.
The leaders of the tribes represented the role of the Syrian Armenian
community in the activity of their country. The Armenians have many high
posts and always have places in the Parliament. By the way, the Syrian
Parliament has not officially recognized the fact of the Armenian
Genocide. According to the leaders, it is accounted for by the fact that
in that issue Syria is like Armenia:’There is no need to recognize an
issue which is testified to by every stone of the country’.
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 29 2005
Documents on Ottoman Empire developments to be sent to UN
Baku, March 28, AssA-Irada
Historical documents on the developments in the Ottoman Empire in
1915-1919 will be presented to the United Nations shortly to condemn
Armenians’ claims on the fake `genocide’ through historical evidence,
says chairman of the Turkish History Committee Yusif Hallac.
Hallac said that the number of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire
and exiled during World War I, as well as that of Armenians and Turks
killed in armed clashes, are based on the documents of the Empire and
the Armenian Church.
`The official documents prove again that the claims on the false
`Armenian genocide’ are not based on any historic facts and are much
ado about nothing,’ said Hallac.
On Monday, Turkey uncovered about one million unknown archive
documents of the Ottoman Empire, which are currently kept at the
Turkish Senior Department on State Archives.
The archive materials include official documents of the `Yildiz
Sarayi’ (the chancellery of Ottoman sultans), as well as those of
State Council, Interior and Foreign Ministries. Archive materials of
the Ottoman Empire, England, Germany, France and USA are among the
disclosed documents that will be available for employees of history
institutes, analytical centers and scientists.
According to historic facts, about 100,000 Armenians were killed in
armed clashes and died of various diseases in the Ottoman Empire in
1915.
519,000 Turks were killed by Armenian armed groups in the territory
of the Ottoman Empire from 1915 till 1919.
644,900 Armenians, who were exiled during World War I, returned to
Turkey in 1921, while most of them went to Syria, France, USA,
Greece, Russia and Iran.*
MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMY OF ARMENIA HAS 50 VACANCIES
THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FILLED FOR A 1.5-YEAR
YEREVAN, MARCH 25. ARMINFO. The Ministry of Finance and Economy of
Armenia has 50 vacancies that have not been filled for a 1.5-year.
Minister of Finance Vardan Khachatryan says during a regular
examination for one of the vacancies.
He says that the ministry needs chief specialists and even heads
of the department at a salary of 40-90,000 AMD. The minister says
that this salary is not high, but it is higher than pensions and
allowances in the republic. He says that examinations to the post of a
civil servant at the ministry are no so difficult, besides there are
promotion funds at the ministry, which double the salary. At present
some 750 people work at the ministry and the minister complains of
lack of qualified specialists.
Today, 10 applicants passed examination for the vacant post of
the first class specialist of the department of methodology of the
department of development of financial market and currency settlement
(34,000 AMD salary). It is only the first step to climb up the
ladder. The examinations are held in Armenia in connection with the
Law on civil servant that came into effect two years ago. The present
contest was the 2,000th in succession. On the whole, there are 7,200
civil servants and 250 vacancies in Armenia. Specialists say that the
posts connected with control, licensing and certification are highly
in demand unlike the others.
Easter a time of rebirth, renewal
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Don’t let the miles or grudges keep you separated from friends,
loved ones
>>From turmoil comes an appreciation for life’s bounty. So too is it
that the harsh and barren winter gives way to spring as nature renews
the cycle of life.
Flowers start to bloom and farmers begin to till the soil that will
nourish life with fruits and grains.
As part of this renewal, Christians today celebrate Easter and the
resurrection of Christ. They mark the conclusion of his journey
from darkness into light and the Christian tenant that mankind has
been redeemed.
But, while Easter Mass and the Resurrection serve as the cornerstones
of today’s celebration, cultures around the globe magnify the day’s
significance in many special ways.
In Greece, Easter eggs are dyed red to symbolize and honor the blood
of Christ. In Germany and Austria, green eggs commemorate Christ’s
last supper. An Armenian tradition involves decorating hollowed out
eggshells with religious images significant to the holiday.
In the United States, the traditions also vary while still recognizing
the egg as the symbol of germinating life and the coming of spring.
Pennsylvania Dutch children are taught that if they are good, the
Oschter Haws will lay a nest of brightly colored eggs.
On Monday, children will descend on the White House to roll Easter
eggs down the South Lawn continuing a tradition that Congress outlawed
in 1877 because it was tearing up the grounds of the Capitol.
But, in 1878 President Rutherford B. Hayes issued an official order
that “should any children arrive to egg roll on Easter Monday, they
were to be allowed to do so.” Now, over 125 years later children still
flock to the White House dressed in Easter finery to hurriedly move
brightly colored eggs across the South Lawn.
In New Hampshire and southern Maine, communities have come together
to renew their celebration of life and family.
Bolduc Park in Laconia was the site of an Easter egg hunt.
The Center Harbor fire station played host to an Easter party
In Portsmouth, children enjoyed an indoor beach party at the Edgewood
Center.
Rochester came together for a potluck supper at the Roberge Center.
In Kittery, Maine, children and adults decorated Easter eggs at the
Community Center and Traip Academy high schoolers sponsored an Easter
egg hunt for their younger counterparts.
Such traditions celebrate Easter and the meaning of the Resurrection
by fostering a sense of community and of family, the foundation on
which civilizations are built.
Of course, there will be families which will not be able to come
together for an Easter celebration. Many are separated by war and
illness. Children are away at college, others have chosen jobs in
warmer climates.
But physical separation is no excuse. Through His resurrection and
ascension, Christ taught us that it is our spirit which is important.
The miles need not separate families and friends if they are united
in spirit.
Pick up the phone. Send an e-mail. Repair a damaged relationship. Renew
your life and the life of someone you care about.
That is the message of Easter.
VIKTOR DALLAKIAN: ARMENIA’S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA BECAME VASSAL
YEREVAN, MARCH 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The relations with Russia are important
but as a result of the policy carried on by the Armenian government
they have turned into “vassal relations.” Viktor Dallakian, Secretary
of NA Ardarutiun (Justice) faction, expressed such an opinion at
the March 25 parliamentary briefing. The MP mentioned that first
of all he means the “Property for Debt” transaction, according to
which the Russian side was obliged to make investments amounting to
more than $107m, which wasn’t done and the enterprises transferred
to the Russian side aren’t working. According to Dallakian, Russia
also plays a negative part in connection with the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline. According to him, if Armenia was given a possibility of
becoming a transit territory the sums received from this could exceed
the country’s budget twice. But Armenia doesn’t manage this because
of the Russian pressure, which also binds to use the Iranian gas in
Armenia exceptionally for the purpose of producing electricity. The
projects of Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran railway, as well as the project
of foundation of a common electric system with these countries show
that Armenia is again left out of the regional development programs,
Dallakian mentioned. The speaker also expressed anxiety about the
circumstance that the delegations representing Russia in different
international organizations don’t support the Armenian delegations in
connection with the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Viktor Dallakian assured
that the events dedicated to the Year of Russia in Armenia are called
up to keep the balance as events dedicated to the Year of Azerbaijan
are simultaneously being held in Russia.
Railroad ferry link between Russia, Georgia opens Wednesday
Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
March 23, 2005
MOSCOW, Mar 23 (Prime-Tass) — The opening of the railroad ferry
link between Russia’s Kavkaz seaport in the Krasnodar Region and
Georgia’s Poti seaport opened Wednesday, the press service of Russian
Transportation Ministry said.
Two trial voyages were expected to be made, the press service said.
The press service said that on Wednesday the first ferry carrying 18
railway cars loaded with grain to Armenia is expected to sail from
Kavkaz to Poti. The ferry is expected to return in five days with
railway cars loaded with manganese ore.
The second ferry passage, which will also carry railway cars loaded
with grain, is scheduled for the beginning of next week.
The agreement on opening the railroad ferry link was signed on
January 10.
The land-based railroad link between Russia and Georgia was cut in
August 1992 after the breakout of an armed conflict in Georgia’s
breakaway republic of Abkhazia. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Central Asian
states may also use the Poti-Kavkaz route. End
‘Vodka Lemon’ Life’s astringent taste can go down smooth
By Elvis Mitchell New York Times
Times Argus
March 22, 2005
“Vodka Lemon” just might be the world’s iciest postcard film: You
will never be so happy to sit inside a cozy, theater as when you
watch the actors exhaling clouds of warm breath over the blindingly
white expanse.
But the thicket of relationships that the director, Hiner Saleem,
has created and weaves his cast and camera through is so invitingly
hotblooded and crowded with hilariously melodramatic incident
that the snowbanks are not nearly as forbidding as they initially
seem. Eventually the chilly air becomes a character; it has the
astringent sharpness of the title drink that everyone in the movie
downs, and complains about.
The picture starts with an old man being pulled across the snowy
wastes on his bed, an image right out of a dream. But Saleem’s gifts
come from giving these outlandish visual statements a grounding in
the everyday reality that the characters experience. He is headed to
a funeral, and “Vodka Lemon” charts the intermingling – marriages,
death and sexual complications – in an Armenian village. Like most of
the other New Directors/New Films offerings “Vodka Lemon” is set in
a place that almost makes us want to applaud for the sheer industry
required to get a camera crew there.
Chief among the citizens is the wily Hamo, played by Romik
Avinian. With a grizzled jaw line one could scratch to start a
fire, Avinian dominates the picture as if he has finally grown
into his surly, direct charisma. This fine, guarded actor anchors
the goings-on. After attending so many funerals, Hamo has begun a
flirtation with a much younger woman, the 50-ish widow Nina (Lala
Sarkissian). She feels a void in her life, and he simply recognizes
now as the time for both of them to move into a new adventure.
The ravaged and impoverished village also must cope with its own
deficits. The support system in place during Soviet rule is long gone,
with several residents fondly griping about the comforts, such as
they were, that the Soviets provided. There hasn’t been much change;
life in this flash-frozen community has gone from minimal to Spartan,
but nostalgie de la boue is still nostalgia.
“We have nothing left but our freedom,” one villager grouses. Saleem
understands that need is the central motivating force in the villagers’
lives: for heat, food, emotional humidity and clarity.
Saleem’s layering does compensate for the lack of formal structure,
though the picture is provisionally set around the shock waves caused
by the imminent wedding of Nina’s granddaughter. But the picture
does not need an elaborately contrived plot. What it has instead
is a neighborly, fresh-air quality; all the doors in the miniature
snow-globe of a town are open, as is the chatter and curiosity about
everyone’s familial intrigues.
The movement from one conversation to another gives a likable freedom
to “Vodka Lemon,” and allows Saleem to set up a few running jokes
that combine quotidian absurdity with thoughtful melodrama, like the
opening shot of the old man, and a few other freakish outbursts that
have to be witnessed to be believed, and savored.
It is an intelligent gamble on Saleem’s part; he knows that if he’s
not going to satisfy audiences with convention, he should at least
supply a few entrances as detonation devices.
“Vodka Lemon” could be an Ice Capades version of a Beckett play,
with a group of seasoned though modest hammy actors in complete
control. Their affectlessness gives the movie an atmosphere of
hypothermia-laced surrealism, with shots of drama serving the same
purpose as the vodka; both keep the blood flowing. This movie has
an antic, mordant visual poetry that matches up with the rancor and
feeling in its population’s souls.