Author: Madatian Greg

IRAN, AZARBAIJAN REPUBLIC MINISTERS DISCUSS ISSUES OF INTEREST

IRNA
May 4, 2010
Baku

Interior Minister Mustafa Mohammad-Najjar discussed issues of mutual
interest with Azerbaijan Republic National Security Minister Eldar
Mahmudov here on Tuesday afternoon.

In the meeting, Mahmudov, by referring to the good neighborly relations
and many commonalities between the two countries, underlined necessity
of deepening ties and expansion of cooperation, especially in the
fields of fight against illegal immigration and transit of drugs.

He expounded on cases concerning current situation in the region and
Karabakh dispute and underlined necessity of cooperation between the
two countries.

Mustafa Mohammad-Najjar, for his part, also underlined necessity of
expansion of mutual cooperation.

He said spread of drugs in the region is a consequence of the US
presence in the region, especially in Afghanistan, so among fields
of mutual cooperation are fight against drugs, terrorism and extremism.

Expressing satisfaction over current level of relations between Iran
and Azerbaijan Republic, the Interior minister expressed hope for
developing friendly ties between the two countries.

Mohammad-Najjar also met with commander of Azerbaijan Republic
Border Guard and discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of
border affairs.

The Iranian minister arrived in Baku on Monday upon the invitation
of Azerbaijan Republic Interior Minister and during the past 2 days,
has met with Azerbaijan Republic President Ilham Aliyev as well as
ministers of interior, and Economic Development.

YERKIR UNION PREDICTS TENSIONS IN JAVAKHK ON THE THRESHOLD OF GEORGIAN LOCAL ELECTIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 5, 2010 – 14:36 AMT 09:36 GMT

Yerkir Union is concerned over possible tensions in Javakhk on the
threshold of the Georgian local self-government elections.

"There are attempts to persecute the candidates who defend the rights
of the Armenian population," chairman of Yerkir Union Sevak Artsruni
said. "We strongly doubt that fair elections will be held. So, we
call on the OSCE to send observers to Samtskhe Javakheti."

"Although many Javakhk activists, including Vahagn Chakhalyan, are kept
in custody, there are forces seeking justice in the region," he added.

Yerkir Union program coordinator Robert Tatoyan said for his part that
they sent a letter to EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby and Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Thomas
Hammarberg to explain the situation in Samtskhe Javakheti.

"We were told that Mr. Semneby will address the issue during his
visit to the region," Tatoyan said.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

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THE ORTHODOX PRIMATE OF BRAZIL VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

On May 3 2010, a delegation from the ‘The Truth with God’ Inter-Church
Organisation led by the Greek Orthodox Primate of Brazil, Archbishop F.F.
Jeramaiah visited His Holiness Aram I. The delegation included
representatives from Greece, Switzerland, France, Brazil and the United
States.

The delegation briefed His Holiness Aram I on their intent of Christian
Unity, which they were realizing through meetings, events and publications.

His Holiness welcomed their effort and stressed on Church Unity through the
Inter-Church movement. He also stressed the importance for their
communities to live and experience this unity. His Holiness added that
Churches ought to safeguard their identity, yet congregate under the
umbrella of basic Christian values.

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View the photo here:
tos/Photos476.htm
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

ALIYEV’S ARMED INTENTION TOWARDS KARABAKH STOPPED BY TURKEY’S INVESTIGATION SERVICE

Panorama.am
04/05/2010

Turkish "Hurriyet" referring to Azerbaijani paper "Yeni Musafat" writes
about Azerbaijan’s Aliyev’s intentions to start armed activities
against Karabakh last year before the signing of Armenian-Turkish
protocols. Turkey’s national investigation organization (MIT) managed
to stop them.

"Ankara prevented Azerbaijan’s military activities and saved his
image. The tensed communication between Baku and Ankara is conditioned
by this very fact. If Azerbaijan started his armed operations,
Turkish ruling party "Justice and Development" would finally fail
its ties with Armenia," Hurriyet writes.

According to the paper MIT sources don’t confirm the news. And Turkish
foreign ministry said: "we’re for settling problems through dialogue."

ORANGE RANKED 50TH AMONG TOP 100 MOST VALUABLE GLOBAL BRANDS 2010

Panorama.am
04/05/2010

Millward Brown Optimor published on April 28th its 5th annual "Top
100 Most valuable global brands 2010" following which Orange is ranked
50th, instead of 53th in 2009.

The Orange brand valuation takes into account the mobile activities
of Orange and does not include activities such as TV and fixed line.

Orange is the 5th among world telecommunication brands and the second
among European mobile telecom brands. Orange is ranked 8th in value
in the Continental Europe brands ranking, according to Orange Armenia
press office.

In 2009, the Orange brand was estimated 13,242 million dollars and
ranked 53rd. In 2010, with a growth of 6%, its value has reached
14,018 mln dollars and the brand is now ranked 50th. In a market where
the trend is showing mobile operators’ brand values dropping by 1%,
Orange achieves a significant success.

Brand valuation is a measure of the financial value that is attached
to the brand. The BrandZ brand value is based on the intrinsic value
of the brand – its ability to generate demand. It is the total of
all future earnings that the brand is forecast to generate, based at
today’s value.

ALEXANDER RUSETSKY: INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE FAILED A NUMBER OF PEACE-BUILDING PROCESSES
Anna Nazaryan

"Radiolur"
04.05.2010 16:46

The diagnostics of conflicts in the South Caucasus is on a very low
level, director of South Caucasus Institute for Regional Security of
Georgia Alexander Rusetsky told a press conference today, analyzing
the issues of conflict resolution and establishment of peace in the
region. He sees a danger of resumption of military action in Karabakh.

The South Caucasus Institute for Regional Security has published
a book, which notes that the conflicting parties should not suffer
because of the ambitions of the international community.

"International structures have actually failed many processes targeted
at maintenance of peace. The effectiveness of their activity gives
occasion to think that international organizations have serious
problems with the attempts to maintain peace," Alexander Rusetsky said.

Today Russia and Turkey are to a certain extent involved in the
processes taking place in the region. After the 5-day Russian-Georgian
war Turkey came forth with an initiative of establishing a Security
and Stability Platform in the Caucasus, which did not come true,
but clearly demonstrated Turkey’s aspirations.

Director of South Caucasus Institute for Regional Security emphasized
the importance of the Armenian-Turkish process. "Although the
ratification of the protocols is suspended, the process will continue
in case proper conditions are provided," he said.

Geopolitical extremism poses a serious danger, Alexander Rusetsky
said. According to him, formats other than the OSCE Minsk Group
can exist for the settlement of the Karabakh issue. He said other
role-players could be included in those structures, adding that
first of all the people of Karabakh should participate in determining
their future.

CHAIRPERSON OF NA STANDING COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AFFAIRS RECEIVES CZECH AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
MAY 4, 2010
YEREVAN

Naira Zohrabyan, Chairperson of the NA Standing Committee on European
Integration Affairs, received today Czech Ambassador to Armenia
Ivan Yestrab.

Armenian National Assembly press service told Armenpress that welcoming
the ambassador Mrs. Zohrabyan expressed gratitude for the efforts
exerted toward activation of Armenian-Czech relations.

At the meeting the interlocutors also referred to the further steps of
implementation of the "Eastern Partnership" program, as well as to the
issues on the Euro-integration process of Armenia and on activation
of Armenian-Czech relations. The parties expressed concern about
the delay of the start of "EURANEST", noting that the alienation of
Belarus from the Eastern Partnership will not bring to solution of
issues of that country connected with democracy.

The ambassador made Mrs. Zohrabyan acquainted with the pre-election
political situation in Czechia, and Mrs. Zohrabyan presented with the
request of the ambassador the political motives of Armenian President’s
statement on suspending the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish
protocols, stating with gratification that the international community
understands the necessity of that step made by the Armenian party,
which is a consequence of the non-consistent policy of Turkey.

Ambassador Ivan Yestrab expressed hope that after the parliamentary
elections to be held this month in Czechia, the chairperson of the
RA NA Standing Committee on European Integration Affairs will pay a
visit to Czechia. Other issues of bilateral interest were discussed
at the meeting as well.

AZERBAIJANI MPS TO LOBBY AGAINST GENOCIDE BILL IN ISRAEL

news.az
May 3 2010
Azerbaijan

Yevda Abramov Members of the Azerbaijani-Israeli inter-parliamentary
group will leave for Tel Aviv on 4 May.

‘The Azerbaijani parliamentarians will do their utmost during the
visit to Israel to prevent the Knesset adopting the resolution
on the Armenian genocide,’ Milli Majlis Deputy Yevda Abramov told
Novosti-Azerbaijan today.

The Azerbaijani MPs will discuss the development of bilateral
relations in different spheres, including on the parliamentary level,
Yevda Abramov said, but the main issue on the agenda is the genocide
question.

The Meretz faction in the Knesset has proposed recognizing the killings
of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as ‘genocide’.

He said the Azerbaijani deputies would try to persuade Israeli
parliamentarians that discussion and recognition of the ‘Armenian
genocide’ did not meet the national interests of Israel.

‘Tel Aviv understands full well that the recognition of the
"Armenian genocide" by Israel will damage relations between Israel
and Azerbaijan,’ Abramov said.

Yevda Abramov represents the Jewish community of Azerbaijan.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE

Monday, May 3, 2010

Karabakh Chamber Orchestra Honors 60th Birthday of Albert Safarian

Karabakh Chamber Orchestra (KCO) opened its 2010 concert season on March
12 at the Stepanakert Culture Palace, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, with
a concert dedicated to the 60th birthday of Karabakh musician, teacher,
painter and sculptor Albert Safarian.

The concert was attended by NKR Culture Minister Naira Aghabalian, who
congratulated Safarian on his birthday and presented him with a medal of
gratitude recognizing his unique contribution to the development of
culture in Karabakh. In her speech, Aghabalian also thanked AGBU for its
part in founding the orchestra, and she praised the orchestra for
participating in the cultural rebirth and development of war-torn
Karabakh.

Albert Safarian was born in 1949 in Stepanakert. He studied trumpet at
Stepanakert music school and graduated from the Yerevan State
Conservatory. He taught trumpet and trombone and founded a brass
orchestra as a professor at Sayat-Nova music college, where his students
have been winners of regional and national contests. Safarian has
performed as a conductor and a musician in the orchestra. He is a member
of the Union of Writers of Karabakh and has served in the past as
chairman of the union. Karabakh Chamber Orchestra was founded in
September 2004 with sponsorship from AGBU, which continues to date.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit

Concert magistral du c`ur Sahak-Mesrop à l’Abbaye Saint-Victor de
Marseille à l’occasion de son 30e anniversaire
Khatchig Yilmazian avait dédié le concert aux victimes du génocide de 1915

MARSEILLE

hp3?id_article=60753
dimanche2 mai 2010, par Krikor Amirzayan/armenews

Vendredi 30 avril dans le superbe cadre de l’Abbaye Saint-Victor de
Marseille, et en présence d’un très large public de près de 500
personnes, la chorale Sahak-Mesrop dirigée par Khatchig Yilmazian
vient de fêter des 30 ans. Ce concert exceptionnel était dédié aux
victimes du génocide.

Dès l’entrée des membres de la chorale, l’assistance au sein de
laquelle on notait la présence de nombreuses personnalités, réserva
des applaudissements nourris qui redoublèrent lors de l’arrivée de
Khatchig Yilmazian, le maître incontesté de la formation.

Accompagné au piano par Juliette Yilmazian le c`ur Sahak-Mesrop débuta
le concert par des chants de requiem avec « Vor Hanéitz », « Kahanayk
», « I Verin », « Der Voghormia » et « Notre Père » (arrangements
signés Loris Djeknavorian). Puis « Der Zor » de Krikor Pidedjian,
suivi de « Seigneur, protégez-nous aussi » de Vartan Sarxian
merveilleusement exécutée par la soliste Ani Conquet, et « C’est le
printemps mais il neige… » de Komitas par la remarquable soliste
Gariné Mirzoyan furent très appréciés du public émerveillé par la
qualité de la chorale. Enfin Antranik Minassian exécuta tour à tour, «
Gloire au héros Antranik », « Au soleil d’Arménie » et « Cilicie- A
l’aube, à l’aube ». Enfin la première partie de la soirée se termina
avec « Arpa Sévan » et le soliste Vahan Makvetsyan.

Après une courte pause, la deuxième partie du programme reprit avec «
Vision de la mort » d’Ara Bartévian (soliste Noubarig Derminassian).
Suivirent « Requiem » d’Alexandre Haroutiouninan, « La complainte
d’Adana » (arrangements Roupen Altounian), « Andouni » de Komitas
(soliste Ani Conquet), « Hirondelle », « Berceuse » de Komitas (solo :
Arménouhi Khatchikyan). Enfin après « Oh, ma patrie lointaine » de
Kourken Alemchah et la « Cantate arménienne » d’Alexandre
Haroutiounian, le concert magistral se termina sur « Vive Zeytoun ! »
d’Anassian. Face à cet éblouissant programme mêlant `uvres sacrées,
patriotiques et mélancoliques, le public, debout, réserva des
applaudissements nourris. Un bel hommage à ce c`ur Sahak-Mesrop qui
donne sous la conduite de Khatchig Yilmazian toute la noblesse à la
culture musicale arménienne à travers l’hexagone mais aussi dans de
nombreux pays où le groupe se produit régulièrement.

Texte et reportage photos Krikor Amirzayan