Author: Jagharian Tania

TIME TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER

UK Newsquest Regional Press – This is Herefordshire
March 28, 2006 Tuesday

Herefordshire

Two films detailing the work of the Greek-Armenian spiritual master
George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff (1866-1949) will show at the WRVS
Riverside Community Centre, Vicarage Road, Hereford, on Monday,
March 6 and Monday, March13 at 7pm.

Meetings with Remarkable Men, directed by Peter Brook, will show first.

Based on Gurdjieff’s book and filmed in the rarely photographed
mountains and deserts of Afghanistan, the film includes rarely seen
footage of sacred dances directed by Gurdjieff’s pupil Jeanne de
Salzmann (1979).

The Seekers of Truth, a documentary film of Gurdjieff’s unending
search from early years in the Caucasus to his last days in Paris,
will show second.

EU: ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE KARABAKH PROBLEM BY FORCE TO HAVE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2006 19:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Union will directly participate in
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, EU Special Representative
for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby stated. “Resolution of conflicts
in the South Caucasus will be one of the EU’s priorities. This is a
signal for a deeper engagement of the organization in the settlement
of problematic situations,” he said in an interview with RFE/RL. In
his words, he has “a slightly stronger mandate on involvement in
frozen conflicts.” The EU representative acknowledged that both
Armenia and Azerbaijan are facing serious difficulties in terms of
their domestic opinion. “What may be necessary is to try to work with
public opinion in the two countries to convey the message that neither
side has anything to gain from playing on time,” he said. “Armenia
will continue to be isolated if a solution is not found.

And in the case with Azerbaijan where there are forces that argue
that the country will gain economic strength and thereby also military
it is necessary to send a clear message that an attempt on the Azeri
side to resolve the conflict by military means will have very serious
consequences. It may not be successful in the first place, and it
will also seriously damage Azerbaijan in terms of its investment
climate and reliability as a partner.”

GROUP OF THEATER ARTISTS CONFERED RA HONORARY TITLES

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 27 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. By RA President
Robert Kocharian’s March 25 decree, RA Honorary Titles were given
to a group of workers of the theatrical art for the considerable
contribution in the sphere of the theatrical art and on the occasion
of the International Day of Theater. As Noyan Tapan was informed
by the President’s Press Office, the People’s Artist’s title was
given to opera singer Barsegh Toumanian, honorary artist’s title was
given to Hovhannes Babakhanian, an artist of the Yerevan Hrachia
Ghaplanian Dramatic Theater, Hrant Tokhatian, an artist of the
Yerevan Chamber State Theater, Derenik Martirosian, an artist of
the Hovhannes Toumanian Puppet State Theater, Lala Mnatsakanian, an
acrtress of the “Mher Mkrtchian” Artistic Theater and Karen Sargsian,
the editor-in-chief of the Alexander Spendiarian’s Opera and Ballet
National Academic Theater. Theatrical critic Varsenik Grigorian,
Hakob Ghazanchian, the Artictic Head-Director of the Yerevan Young
Spectators’ Theater got titles of Honoured Art Figure. and Grisha
Sahakian, the main painter of the Yerevan Young Spectators’ Theater
got title of the Honoured Culture Figure. By another decree of the
President, Kamo Arzumanian, the Director of the Kapan Alexander
Shirvanzade State Dramatic Theater was awarded Movses Khorenatsi medal.

CINEMA: PER FILM “LA FATTORIA DELLE ALLODOLE” SU GENOCIDIO ARMENI

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
16 Marzo 2006

Berlusconi Invita I Taviani A Prudenza, Giornale Turco

(ANSA) – ANKARA, 16 MAR – Silvio Berlusconi avrebbe scritto una
lettera ai registi Paolo e Vittorio Taviani chiedendo loro di non
urtare la suscettibilita’ dei turchi con ‘La fattoria delle allodole’,
il film che stanno per girare sui massacri degli armeni nell’Anatolia
ottomana del 1915-16, che sposerebbe la tesi armena del “genocidio”.

Lo scrive oggi il giornale turco in inglese ‘The New Anatolian’,
lasciando intendere che la lettera del premier sarebbe una risposta
a passi diplomatici intrapresi di recente sia verso l’ Italia, sia
verso altri paesi europei, annunciati nei giorni scorsi dal ministro
degli esteri turco, Abdullah Gul.

Lo stesso giornale riferisce che l’organismo Euroimages del Consiglio
d’Europa ha deciso di finanziare, con 600 mila euro, il film dei
Taviani basato su un romanzo della scrittrice italo-armena Antonia
Aslan, che sposa la tesi del genocidio raccontando una vicenda
ambientata durante la deportazione forzata degli armeni dell’Impero
ottomano fino al nord della Siria.

La decisione di finanziare il film e’ stata presa – secondo il giornale
– durante una riunione dei 32 ministri della cultura del Consiglio
d’Europa, con l’opposizione del solo ministro turco e l’astensione
di quello macedone.

La decisione ha irritato fortemente Ankara, anche perche la
Turchia partecipa con un contributo annuale di 1 milione di euro
ai sovvenzionamenti di Euroimages, per cui – sostiene il giornale
New Anatolian – “la Turchia sta finanziando le tesi armene con il
proprio denaro”.

Secondo il giornale, il fatto poi che anche la Rai avrebbe deciso
di finanziare il film avrebbe creato una tensione diplomatica in
particolare tra Ankara e Roma.

La tesi turca e’ che la deportazione degli armeni da parte del governo
ottomano degli anni 1915-16 non fu un genocidio perche fu decisa
come necessaria “misura di guerra” in risposta alla ribellione, su
istigazione delle potenze europee, degli armeni dell’est anatolico,
i quali avevano tradito la fedelta’ agli ottomani alleandosi con
l’invasore Russia, attaccando le popolazioni turche e facendo diverse
centinaia di migliaia di vittime tra queste ultime.

Sta di fatto che i convogli ferroviari che deportavano gli armeni
furono attaccati lungo il cammino da forze paramilitari, soprattutto
curde e – secondo gli armeni – ben 1,5 milioni di armeni (la quasi
totalita’ degli armeni di Anatolia, compresi molti armeni che vivevano
fuori della regione armena, dove c’era stata la ribellione) furono
sterminati, per cui – sempre secondo gli stessi armeni – si tratto’
del “primo genocidio del XX secolo”.

I turchi respingono con sdegno queste cifre, insieme alla qualifica
di “genocidio” per quei massacri, affermando che ci furono 500-600
mila morti sia da una parte sia dall’altra, in un conflitto armato
tra armeni cristiani e turchi musulmani.

MEMBERS OF RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DISLIKE SONG REPRESENTED BY ARMENIA AT
EUROVISION

YEREVAN, MARCH 24.ARMINFO. The melody of the song represented by
Armenian singer Andre at Eurovision reminds Mongolian melodies,
Galoust Sahakian, head of Republican faction said today at the
parliament.

While Artashes Geghamian, leader of “National Unity” party, said that
they could send singer Shoushan Petrosian to Eurovision instead of
Andre. Secretary of ARFD faction also expressed the opinion that a
better song including more national tunes could be represented at the
competition.

On his turn, Victor Dallakian, secretary of “Justice” faction, stated
that the song of Andre is chosen to match the taste of the Armenian
authorities that prefer listening to Arabic tunes during their
parties.

Only Samvel Balasanian, head of “Orinats Yerkir” party, confessed that
he really liked the song. “Certainly, they could have chosen a better
song, but this one is good, as well,” he said.

It’s worth mentioning that according to preliminary data, the song of
Andre occupies one of the leading positions. Andre received many
suggestions to give concerts in foreign countries. Eurovision
competition will be held in Athens in end May.

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
1 AMERICAN AVENUE
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 10) 464700
FAX (+374 10) 464742
E-MAIL: [email protected]

March 22, 2006
Dedication of Border Guard Training Center
On March 22, 2006, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia and the Government of Armenia
Border Guards and National Security Service will dedicate the Border Guard
training Center in Yerevan that was renovated with U.S. Government
assistance. U.S. Ambassador John M. Evans will officially transfer the
facility to the Commander of the Border Guard Forces Armen Abrahamian.
The U.S. Government invested over $130,000 dollars to complete renovations
of the facility through the U.S. Embassy´s International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs Office. The U.S. Government began the renovations one
year ago with an investment of an additional $84,000 through the Embassy´s
Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance Program.
The Border Guard Training Center is used for both initial training for new
border guards and for in-service training on legislative or structural
changes and use of new equipment. Several groups of border guards have
attended 1-2 month training courses since the renovation of the first part
of the building in preparation for taking over the responsibilities at
Zvartnots Airport from the Russian Border Guard. Training on the use of
passport readers will be conducted soon. Conscripts working along the border
will also receive the training on operation of the new equipment in this
training center.

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN GREETS HNCHAKIAN PARTY’S RETURN TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On March 23, RA
National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasarian received Sedrak Achemian,
Chairman of the Social-Democratic Hnchakian Party’s central board,
board member Matsak Poladian and party’s Armenian representative
Lyudmila Sargsian. Matsak Poladian informed NA Speaker about the
recent decisions of the Social-Democratic Hnchakian Party’s recent
congress mentioning that the party having structures in 14 countries
of the world has made a united decision to change its strategy and to
return to Armenia as far as possible, promoting its main activity in
the homeland. From considerations of making their own contribution to
the European integration processes, they also attached importance to
having offices in European capitals, in particular, in Brussels, for
lobbying activity. Greeting party’s return to Armenia, Artur
Baghdasarian touched upon Armenian political-legislative processes –
Electoral Code’s amending, bill “On Dual Citizenship”, attached
importance to the elaboration and implementation of the immigration
policy conception. As Noyan Tapan was informed from NA Public
Relations Department, possibilities of development of interparty
relations were also discussed at the meeting.

TV says France “for the first time” backs Georgia’s drive to join NATO

Channel 1, Tbilisi
23 Mar 06

[Presenter] France is ready to support Georgian membership of
NATO. Official Paris, whose voice is decisive for Georgia, stated its
readiness for cooperation during meetings with a Georgian delegation
led by the parliament speaker. Nino Burjanadze has held successful
meetings in Paris.

[Correspondent] For the first time, support for Georgian membership of
NATO has been heard from the French political rostrum. Official
Paris, which in general sides with Russia at international forums, has
now spoken in support of Georgia.

A statement about NATO membership was made by the president of the
French Senate, Christian Poncelet, after his meeting with Nino
Burjanadze.

[Poncelet, in French, with Georgian translation superimposed] As you
know, on the initiative of the French Senate, a meeting has been held
between the chairs of the Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani
parliaments. The conflicts in this region should be settled
peacefully.

[Burjanadze] Mr Poncelet promised to support us on very important
issues such as France getting actively involved in the peaceful
settlement of conflicts and Georgia’s striving for the development of
democratic processes. We are sure that we will get such support.

[Correspondent] This is the first time France has publicly supported
Georgian membership of NATO. France has a decisive say in NATO, so its
support is crucial.

[Davit Bakradze, chairman of the Georgian parliamentary committee for
European integration] Georgia has indeed made significant progress on
this path.

Yet, when this is stated officially by France, a country that has a
decisive say on the issue of European countries joining NATO, we
naturally see it as an important statement and assurance.

[Passage omitted]

Over 2,000 Britons live in Iran: Report

IRNA website, Tehran
23 Mar 06

London, 23 March: At least 2,000 Britons are estimated to live in
Iran, according to the latest consular figures recorded by the UK
embassy in Tehran.

Consular returns for 2004/2005 put the estimated British national
community in Iran at 2,100, one of the lowest in the region.

The number may be higher as there is no requirement for UK citizens to
register with overseas missions.

The figure compares with 115,000 in the UAE, 85,000 in Pakistan,
19,000 in Saudi Arabia, 9,550 in Turkey, 7,000 in Bahrain, 6,500 in
Oman, 6,000 in Qatar, 5,895 in Russia, 4,500 in Kuwait and 2,800 in
Azerbaijan.

Neighbouring countries with fewer British expatriates include Iraq,
2000, Afghanistan, 900, Turkmenistan, 700, and Armenia, 60.

The annual returns put the total size of British communities living
abroad at 13.1 million at the end of March last year, fractionally
down in 2003-04, but below the 15.8 reached in 1999.

The highest number of UK citizens living abroad is the estimated
3,752,031 in China, which includes those in the former colony of Hong
Kong. The second highest is the 2.4 million in Canada, followed by
just over 2 million in Australia and nearly 1.4 million in the US.

Other former colonies with sizable British communities include South
Africa, 750,000, New Zealand, 450,000 and Ireland, 103,467. Among
European countries, there are also 677,000 in Spain and 301,000 in
France, with many Britons buying second houses there.

THE STORY OF A WEAPON

Lragir/am
23 March 06

Member of Parliament Shavarsh Kocharyan thinks Russia is not our
strategic partner, because in the years of collapse of the Soviet
Union Armenia received 1.5-2.5 times less tanks, guns, armored
machines, helicopters, than Azerbaijan. We did not get planes at all,
whereas Azerbaijan got 50.

Hearing this statement, the deputy chairman of the All-Armenian
Movement Aram Manukyan said it was not quite true, but he said, `I am
not telling what I know and what I can tell.’

Manuk Gasparyan, who had been listening to all this, carried on the
topic. According to him, along with the withdrawal of the Russian
forces from Georgia the `scrap metal’ weapons are brought to
Armenia. In the meantime, Azerbaijan will acquire modern weapons. The
weapon brought from Georgia to Armenia is `junk weapon,’ agreed Aram
Manukyan.

By the way, in accordance with the European convention on restriction
of conventional weapons, the weapons of the Russian military bases in
Armenia are `counted’ in the arsenal of Armenia.