Georgia And Azerbaijan Failed To Push In A Clause In The Final Decla

GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN FAILED TO PUSH IN A CLAUSE IN THE FINAL DECLARATION OF ‘EASTERN PARTNERSHIP’ THAT THE 33 COUNTRIES SHOULD RESPECT EACH OTHER’S ‘TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY’

ArmInfo
2009-05-08 12:28:00

ArmInfo. EU "Eastern Partnership" summit was held in Prague on May
7, during which an official was given to the programme envisaging
establishment of closer cooperation with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,
Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. "The Eastern Partnership should not
reinstate blocks or the fight for spheres of influence", Czech Prime
Minister Mirek Topolanek said immediately before the start of the
summit. "It should not be a formal, but a pragmatic cooperation
of equal partners in the field of trade and energy security, and
also in the field of strengthening democratic principles and better
governance", he continued.

As Euobserver reports, last minute tweaks to the Eastern Partnership
summit declaration reveal EU unease over enlargement and immigration,
as well as the complexities of old conflicts on the union’s eastern
frontier.

An earlier Czech EU presidency text of 29 April referred to the 27 EU
states plus Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
as "European countries." It also spoke of "visa-liberalisation". The
latest document, rubber-stamped by EU diplomats in Brussels on
Wednesday (6 May), renamed the six as "Eastern European Partners"
and "partner countries." It added that the visa move is a "long-term
goal". Germany and the Netherlands forced the changes, concerned that
"European countries" sounds too pro- enlargement.

The new language on visas is a far cry from pre-April Czech proposals,
which spoke of "visa-free" travel. The visa wording may see just
a privileged few, such as diplomats or businessmen, one day freely
enter the EU, while ordinary people struggle to, say, meet a friend
in Madrid or try to build a better life in London.

Meanwhile, Georgia and Azerbaijan failed to push in a clause that the
33 countries should respect each other’s "territorial integrity". The
latest wording speaks of obeying the "principles and norms of
international law".

To note, the leaders of a number of European countries, in particular,
the British prime minister, French president, as well as heads of
the governments of Italy, Spain and Austria were not present at
Prague summit.

Armenia was represented at the summit by President Serzh Sargsyan.

Empyray Rock Band Launched A New Album

EMPYRAY ROCK BAND LAUNCHED A NEW ALBUM

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.05.2009 21:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On May 18 Hovhannes Tumanyan Puppet Theater will
host Empyray rock band’s concert to celebrate Hur Album release.

The album features vocal works as well as several instrumental
compositions.

Empyray is an Armenian rock band working in heavy rock, hard rock
and oriental rock genres. Their works are characterized by imposing
vocal, surprising melody transitions, thoughtful lyrics in Armenian
and English languages and complete, harmonic musical forms. The
group was formed in 1993 on initiative of Sargis Manoukyan and Karen
Arzumanyan. There have been about 50 concerts since than, but they
got wide recognition only in 2005. In 2006 Empyray recorded its
debut CD album with 13 tracks in the group’s own studio, gave its
first solo concert and won Armenian National Music Awards in category
"Best Rock Band".

A/H1N1 Pandemic Alert Can Move To Its Highest Level

A/H1N1 PANDEMIC ALERT CAN MOVE TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.05.2009 22:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The head of the World Health Organization, Margaret
Chan, yesterday suggested the A/H1N1 virus (swine flu) pandemic alert
would eventually move to its highest level.

But the woman in charge of the global fight against the H1N1 outbreak
said a move to level six should not be taken as a cause for panic.

"Level six does not mean, in any way, that we are facing the end of
the world. It is important to make this clear because [otherwise]
when we announce level six it will cause unnecessary panic," she told
Spain’s El Pais newspaper.

Officials from the United Nations and the WHO later insisted that there
were no imminent plans to raise the alert level. But they agreed that
going to the highest level could be an eventuality.

Raising the alert level to six would mean that a global pandemic was
in full effect. However, the officials emphasized that a pandemic
did not necessarily mean the disease was particularly deadly.

And in a video link with the UN, Chan appeared to attempt to allay
fears, adding: "We are not there yet."

The Financial Times also reported that Chan, who recently raised the
threat of a pandemic to level five, had suggested a move to level six
was likely. She warned that the real blow might come if a second wave
of cases swept across the globe at the start of the winter flu season.

"If it’s going to happen, it would be the biggest of all outbreaks
the world has faced in the 21st century," she said.

On Sunday the WHO said there were 985 confirmed cases of swine flu in
20 countries, including 590 cases in Mexico where 25 people have died,
and 226 cases in the United States were one toddler has succumbed to
the disease.

Parliamentary Member Considers Serge Sargsyan’s Step A Betrayal

PARLIAMENTARY MEMBER CONSIDERS SERGE SARGSYAN’S STEP A BETRAYAL

LRAGIR.AM
16:46:39 – 04/05/2009

On May 4, the member of the Heritage faction of the Armenian
National Assembly Zaruhi Postanjyan stated that she considers Serge
Sargsyan’s policy in connection to the Armenian and Turkish relations
short-sighted, immoral and betraying.

At the same time, Zaruhi Postanjyan noted that Serge Sargsyan is
not an elected president but a "made elected" and she personally
witnessed how the parliamentary member Levon Sargsyan took the sacks
full with ballots for Levon Ter-Petrosyan and counted them for
Serge Sargsyan. By the way, she disagreed with the idea that the
stances of Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Serge Sargsyan relating to the
Nagorno-Karabakh coincide.

Armenian Government Vows Support To Local Jewelry Makers

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT VOWS SUPPORT TO LOCAL JEWELRY MAKERS

/ARKA/
May 4, 2009
YEREVAN

Armenia’s Government stands ready to support business initiatives of
local jewelry makers, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said as he met
last week with representatives of local jewelry companies and unions.

The premier received last Wednesday Honorary Chairman of the World
Union of Armenian Jewelers Gagik Abrahamyan, Chairman of the union
Vardges Knajyan (Switzerland), Chairman of the Armenian Union of
Jewelers and Diamond Processors Emil Grigoryan and leading Armenian
jewellery and watch makers and diamond processors, including Pierre
Arakelyan (Canada), Nazareth Sapunjyan (Lebanon), Gagik Gevorkyan
(Russian Federation), Hacob Minasyan (USA) and Shahe Arslanyan
(Belgium).

The spotlight of the meeting was the current situation in the local
jewelry market.

Stressing the importance of a business strategy in the sector
amid the global recession, the prime minister pointed out the need
for promoting a dialogue between Armenian jewelers in Armenian and
abroad. He hailed business attractive projects and initiatives in the
sector, emphasizing establishment of free economic zones in Armenia,
an industrial park in Gyumri, as well as negotiations between the
Russian Government and leading diamond miners ALROSA and Kristall
over boosting cooperation in the sector.

The participants at the meeting introduced the premier to near-term
objectives. They stressed the i mportance of effective cooperation
and joint efforts to address challenges.

The jewelry makers also emphasized the need for state-of-the-art
technologies and market surveys. They did not rule out possible
exhibitions in Armenia and other countries and suggested training
Armenian jewelers and diamond cutters abroad.

The leaders of local jewelry companies expressed a hope the programs
would help open up new employment opportunities in Armenia, making
the country an international center of jewelry business.

The prime minister assured the participants that the government would
study all the proposals made during the meeting.

Valery Gergiev Takes Eastern Festival To Armenia

VALERY GERGIEV TAKES EASTERN FESTIVAL TO ARMENIA

HULIQ
May 4 2009
SC

The "Perspectives of the 21st" 10th International Music Festival in
Yerevan has hosted Moscow’s Easter Festival. Today the Armenian society
has an exceptional opportunity to listen to the compositions of Vagner,
Chaykovski, Shchedrin and Mirzoyan performed by the Symphonic Orchestra
of the Mariinsky Theatre headed by Valery Gergiev.

Preceding the concert the renowned conductor will hold an open
rehearsal at the hall of the Yerevan State Conservatory with the
State Youth Orchestra of Armenia. Celebrated ballerina Mya Pisetskaya,
composer Rodion Shchedrin, and pianist Denis Matsuev will be present
at the event.

"Music is not a job for me. Neither do I want to say it’s my life. I
will simply say that if not music, I would do something else. But I
don’t think I would live an interesting life."

In 1981 Valery Gergiev headed the State Philharmonic Orchestra of
Armenia. "My four-year activity in Armenia was an invaluable trial
of great importance. I made many friends in those years."

Valery Gergiev last visited Yerevan 21 years ago. The aim of the short
visit was to meet the old friends. "I like interesting people, and I
have met many interesting individuals among Armenians," Gergiev said
and added that it is necessary to support the youth. This is the only
way towards bright future, he concluded.

Turkey-Armenia accord won’t harm Azerbaijan

Turkey-Armenia accord won’t harm Azerbaijan

Associated Press Worldstream

April 29, 2009 Wednesday 6:12 PM GMT

PRAGUE

Turkey’s president says a possible accord to normalize ties between
Turkey and Armenia would benefit Azerbaijan.

Abdullah Gul also says a reconciliation would stabilize the entire
Caucasus region.

Gul spoke Wednesday in Prague after meeting Czech President Vaclav
Klaus.

Azerbaijan is disturbed by Turkey’s and Armenia’s recent efforts toward
reconciliation, which could lead to the reopening of their joint border.

Turkey closed the border in a show of support to Azerbaijan, which is
in conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Turkey said last week the two countries bitterly divided over
Ottoman-era killings of ethnic Armenians agreed on a roadmap for
normalizing relations and reaching reconciliation.

First Court Hearing: Admission of French Lawyer Arapian as Defender

"YERKIR" UNION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR REPATRIATION AND
SETTLEMENT

Press-release
Contact: Robert Tatoyan
Mobile: +(374 94) 36 17 93
E-mail: [email protected]

May 2, 2009
Yerevan, Armenia

THE FIRST COURT HEARING IN THE CASE OF REFUSAL TO REGISTER THE FRENCH LAWYER
PATRICK ARAPIAN WILL BE HELD IN TBILISI ON MAY 7, 2009

On May 7, 2009 the first hearing in the case of refusal by the Ministry of
Justice to register Patrick Arapian, a French lawyer and a member of the
Paris Bar, as a court defender of Javakheti political activist Vahagn
Chakhalyan will be held at Tbilisi City Court for Administrative Cases.

The Chakhalyans’ interest in this case will be represented by Nino
Andriashvili, a lawyer of the Georgian non-governmental organization "The
Human Rights Centre (HRIDC)" seeking to protect and promote human rights and
basic freedoms in Georgia.

On February 16, 2009, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, without providing
any explanation refused to register Mr. Arapian as defender of Vahagn
Chahalyan in the ongoing trial. The Ombudsman of Georgia Sozar Subari, in
his letter addressed to the Minister of Justice Z. Adeishvili recommended
that the latter should restore the violated rights of the Chahalyans family
and allow the participation of the French lawyer, but the Georgian
authorities ignored this recommendation.

At the demonstrations in defense of Vahagn Chakhalyan that took place in
Paris on April 14 and 28, the Ambassador of Georgia to France Mamuka Kudava
received the organizers of the protest action and promised that the Georgian
authorities would give a positive solution to the question of registration
of Patrick Arapian.

Art Review: Sculpture Born of Scissors and Paper

New York Times
May 2 2009

Art Review
Sculpture Born of Scissors and Paper

It is hard to define sculpture these days. Artists continue to make
three-dimensional objects, but the range and variety of materials they
employ defy classification. This is enchantingly evident in a show by
the Armenian artist Karen Sargsyan at the Hudson Valley Center for
Contemporary Art.

Mr. Sargsyan, 36, makes figurative sculptures from cut paper. The
works in the current show were created during his stay in Peekskill
last fall as the center’s artist in residence. Depending on how you
look at it, the exhibition consists of either hundreds of individual
cut paper sculptures arranged across the mezzanine gallery or a single
installation made up of many parts.

Immediately eye-catching is a figure trailed by a black dog on the
landing outside the show’s entrance. The figure is leaning over the
railing, looking down at the galleries below. Both dog and figure are
intricately constructed from layers of colored paper and are
remarkable for their playfulness and dynamism; from certain angles, it
looks as if the dog is getting ready to bite the man’s bottom.

Dominating the exhibition is the sculpture of an outsize figure sunken
into a collapsed throne with a scepter across his right leg. He is a
king, or at least has the trappings of royalty. To his left is a
kneeling knight, while surrounding him is a group of jesters who seem
to be performing for his entertainment. It is a theatrical scene
reminiscent of baroque paintings of life in princely courts.

Especially interesting about this grouping of figures is the way in
which each of them is engaged in some sort of dramatic gesture, highly
suggestive of movement, yet frozen in space and time. I like this
tension, for it invites deeper contemplation of the symbolism of the
scene. Why is the king sacked out on the floor? Has he been deposed
and is living in exile? Are these additional figures that surround him
all that remain of his once loyal and devoted subjects?

Viewers looking for guidance on how to interpret this installation
will find little relief in the oblique title, `Abroad Understanding.’
Nor is there an exhibition catalog or brochure to narrow things down a
little. Still, clues can be found in the work itself. The clothes on
the figures appear frayed, even chewed up or eaten away, suggesting
that the king has been out of power for some time. He and his
entourage are living in exile.

You might also notice that the expressions on the faces of several of
the figures are strained, suggesting feelings of suffering and
pain. That Mr. Sargsyan can convey pathos in paper is indicative of
his tremendous skill with scissors, and no doubt why in 2007 he won
the Netherlands’s prestigious Thieme Art Award, given annually to a
promising young artist, and is being heralded as a rising art world
star.

Mr. Sargsyan, who lives in Amsterdam, originally worked in clay, later
moving to paper. It was a smart decision, for while there are numerous
contemporary artists working with ceramics, no contemporary
international artist that I can think of makes work on this scale
using slivers of cut paper. It helps him stand out from the crowd ‘ in
the same way that colorful Styrofoam sculptures distinguish Folkert de
Jong, another well-known young Dutch artist.

But that is where the comparison ends, for the two artists have
different sources of inspiration. Whereas Mr. de Jong is interested in
political issues and history, Mr. Sargsyan is interested in
theatricality and process.

Littering the floor around Mr. Sargsyan’s figures are bits and pieces
of scrap paper, several preparatory sculptures of human faces and
limbs, along with paper renditions of scissors and a tape
dispenser. By not cleaning up the gallery the artist invites us to see
the space as a studio, as a laboratory for ideas, and the artwork as
an active, changing work in progress.

The artist’s choice of material raises obvious questions about the
durability of his installations, since paper tends to discolor, sag
and even degrade over time, especially when exposed to light and
moisture. But Mr. Sargsyan uses a special kind of heavy-duty archival
paper, much like that used as a support for drawings and paintings. He
believes that with good care, these sculptures can last forever.

`Karen Sargsyan: Abroad Understanding’ Hudson Valley Center for
Contemporary Art, 1701 Main Street, Peekskill, through May
24. Information: (914) 788-0100 or hvcca.org.

gion/westchester/03artwe.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/nyre

Armenian Central Bank To Regulate Problems With Debt Management At L

ARMENIAN CENTRAL BANK TO REGULATE PROBLEMS WITH DEBT MANAGEMENT AT LEGISLATIVE LEVEL

ArmInfo
2009-04-30 15:56:00

Arminfo. Armenian Central Bank is going to regulate problems with
debt management at legislative level, chairman of Central Bank [CB]
Artur Javadyan said in the parliament today when submitting in the
first reading the draft law ‘On alterations to the law ‘Central Bank’

Javadyan said that debt management of CB is implemented to support
the payment balance and ensure financial stability. This point
is also stemming from the law ‘Om state debt’, according to which
debt management is implemented on the basis of the law ‘On Central
Bank’. Javadyan emphasized that foreign debts and guarantees on local
debts are the state debts. Gross foreign debt of the Republic of
Armenia consists of the debts of government, Central Bank and private
residents. Resolving of the problem of internal debt towards residents
on behalf of Armenia is implemented on the basis of compensation of
contracts on attraction of the credit funds. Debts of the government
are: government bonds, foreign borrowings, fund allocations, given
by commercial banks to the government, and internal guarantees. Debt
of Central Bank is formed to provide the payment balance, to support
financial and macro-economical stability. Central Bank has a right
to issue short-term bonds with term up to 1 year. The IMF funds
will be attracted to support the payment balance. The IMF is going
to allocate $540 mln to Armenia. As of today, $240 mln have been
already allocated. The rest will be given via separate tranches
over 28 months. These funds are directed to replenishment of external
reserves. Moreover, Central Bank also has a right to get other external
obligations, for instance, attraction of credit funds of the German
KfW bank, which are about 30 mln EUR as well as the World Bank,
which has already given $50 mln to Armenia for development of small
and medium-sized business.