Author: Madatian Greg

AUTHORITIES ARE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT CREATION OF AN IMITATION DEMOCRATIC DISGUISE, ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS SAYS

NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 9, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The March 6 rally, march and several
other public events, which were organized by the Armenian National
Congress (ANC) and involved thousands of participants, passed in an
unusual atmosphere. The April 7 statement of ANK noted that for the
first time over the past two years, these events were not accompanied
by the presence of policemen, their pressure, provocations and threats
against demonstrators, and other illegal measures of inteference
with citizens’ free will. As a result, all the events took place in
an organized way, without any confrontations.

According to ANC, this posture of the authorities can have only one
explanation: a forum of the International Federation for Human Rights
(FIDH) was being held in Yerevan with the participation of some 400
human rights advocates from all over the world, so the authorities
decided to resort to cunning and other measures in order to conceal
the real face of the authoritarian regime from the forum participants.

"The circumstance that the authorities decided to fulfill their
constitutional duties during the forum has revealed several facts:

"Firstly, it is obvious that the authorities are only concerned about
the creation of an imitation democratic disguise, but not about their
direct duty of ensuring democratic freedoms,

Secondly, it is indisputable that the opposition and NGOs act in line
with laws and are capable of keeping public order on their own.

Thirdly, it is obvious that for two years on end the purpose of the
authorities and the police obedient to them has been not to keep public
order, but to commit provocations and persecutions to suppress the
national movement, that is, the police have always been the violater
of public order," the statement of ANC reads.

AMERICAN AZERBAIJANIS AND TURKS TO PROTEST BEHIND ARMENIAN EMBASSY BUILDING

APA
April 8 2010
Azerbaijan

Washington. Isabel Levine – APA. American Azerbaijanis and Turks
have started a new campaign dedicated to the anniversary of 1915
events in Turkey, APA’s Washington DC correspondent was told at the
Diaspora organizations.

Main events will be held in Washington DC and New-York.The Diaspora
is planning to protest behind the Armenian embassy building. In the
beginning of this week the Diaspora started distributing brochures
in the US capitol, where they try to explain the real meaning of the
1915 events.

"Our first goal is to explain the US elite what that issue is and to
make them forget about it", – said a member of Diaspora Rejep Mekhmet.

According to him, the administrations in the US are using this issue
as a tool for influence on their local politics.

"But this shouldn’t be such a tool, that some US government
representatives can use as a toy. The Diaspora also thinks that US
keeps this issue on the agenda, in order to use it against Turkey
which is prospering from day to day", – he said.

Another Diaspora member Rashid Sabakh reminded that Turkey is the
key country in the region and also one of the key countries global,
and that may be a reason for US to use such tools as 1915 events as
an instrument against the country. "Turkey, a country that wants to
solve the conflicts, with the help of 1915 issue is sometimes being
represented controversially", – he said.

Besides the protest actions there will be held information sessions
about the events of 1915 in April in the University of Arkansas
in Little Rock, University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Kent State
University in Ohio, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Northwestern
University in Chicago, Georgetown University and Rayburn House Office
Building in Washington DC.

The information sessions will be held with the information assistance
of Turkish professor Turkkaya Ataov, who is Professor Emeritus in
International Relations at Ankara University.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2-8, 2010

HIGHLIGHTS:

ROUND TABLE IN IZMIR

8 YEARS WITHOUT AIR

ROUND TABLE IN IZMIR

On April 2-5 in Izmir, Turkey, a round table on "Journalists Support
Stability and Cooperation in Caucasus" was held. The event was attended by
media representatives from South Caucasus, Russia and Turkey. The round
table was organized within the project of Yerevan Press Club and "Yeni
Nesil" Journalists Union of Azerbaijan, supported by the Open Society
Institute Network Media Program. The partners of YPC and "Yeni Nesil" were
Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, Federation of Journalists of Turkey
and Journalists’ Union of Russia. The round table was held with the
assistance of Izmir University of Economics. The participants discussed the
media situation in the region, the main regional political and economic
issues and their coverage by media, as well as the perspectives and the ways
of cooperation between journalists.

8 YEARS WITHOUT AIR

On April 2, eight years have passed since "A1+" TV company was deprived of
the right to air as a result of a refusal of broadcast license. Since 2002
"A1+" has participated in 12 competitions, held by the National Commission
on Television and Radio, and every time the bids of the TV company were
scored lower than the ones of its rivals.

On April 2, 2010 International Federation of Human Rights, Committee to
Protect Freedom of Expression, Yerevan Press Club, Internews Media Support
NGO, Media Diversity Institute-Armenia, Armenian Helsinki Committee,
Foundation against Violation of Law, Civil Society Institute released a
statement, noting that after April 2, 2002 the broadcasters started to work
more cautiously and that a hidden censorship is applied in Armenia, by using
economic and tax leverage, as well as political pressure. The signatories
mentioned that the European Court of Human Rights in its decision of June
17, 2008 on the suit of the "A1+" founder, "Meltex" LLC, versus Republic of
Armenia ruled that Article 10 of European Convention on Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms had been violated, i.e. the right of "A1+" to freely
impart information and ideas. Nevertheless, on September 10, 2008 RA
National Assembly suspended the broadcast licensing competitions for two
years, by enacting the amendments to the RA Law "On Television and Radio".
This became an obstacle for implementing the ruling of ECHR.

On March 4, 2010 the Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe, by
addressing the issue of the enforcement of the ECHR decision on the case of
"A1+", stressed that "detailed information on the developments regarding the
remedies pursued by the applicant before the competent national judicial
authorities is awaited", emphasized the statement. Besides, in its
Recommendation 1897(2010), "Respect for Media Freedom", endorsed on January
27, 2010, the Parliamentary Assembly of CoE called upon the Armenian
Government to revise the amendments to the Law "On Television and Radio",
passed on September 10, 2008.

The human rights and journalistic organizations urged the Armenian
authorities to create conditions that will guarantee the freedom of
expression in Armenia. Particularly, to provide impartiality and
transparency of future broadcast licensing competitions and hereby to
ensure well-founded and justified decisions by National Commission on
Television and Radio, which will restore public trust.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

FERIDUN SINIRLIOGLU ARRIVED IN YEREVAN

news.am
April 7 2010
Armenia

Turkish Foreign Minister Deputy Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu
is on a visit to Yerevan, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told
the journalists on Wednesday.

According to him, Turkish official will meet with RA President Serzh
Sargsyan and RA Foreign Minister. Nalbandian disclosed no other
details concerning Turkish offcial’s visit.

Earlier, Turkish press reported that Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan
intends to hand Armenian President three messages on the prospects
of Armenia-Turkey reconciliation and Karabakh conflict settlement.

Meanwhile, the White House rejected information that
Obama-Sargsyan-Erdogan trilateral meeting is scheduled in the sidelines
of Global Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

April 6, 2010

____________________________________________

EASTER WELCOMED AT NEW YORK’S ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL WITH HUGE CROWD
OF WORSHIPPERS

A stormy winter, trailed by a rainy March, gave way to a sunny spring day,
as hundreds gathered at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Easter
Sunday. It was the kind of sunlight that brought out the warm pinks on the
cathedral’s granite block plaza and gently stole into the narthex where it
was hushed like a child by the somber interior of the church.

Inside, the faithful shared the joy of the Resurrection, but were reminded,
too, of the story’s darker beginning, marked "with the suffering of an
innocent person" and the sacrifice borne to "expose the evils of the world,
while illuminating the power of God."

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the homily
at St. Vartan Cathedral on April 4.

More than 1,800 people participated in services, with some 6,000 candles-a
record number-lit throughout the day. Upon entering the church, many paused
to offer a prayer before passing into the pews; others stood at the back
when the seats had become scarce, or spilled out onto the plaza, where audio
speakers broadcast what was happening inside the cathedral.

With the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaching, the Primate
spoke about God’s love and the way "Christ showed this love for the most
humble people." He said that the experience of Genocide survivors "is part
of the greater story of Easter: the miracle that conquered death with life,
and conquered falsehood with truth."

"We all have family members and loves ones who endured suffering, but who
emerged to stand as a light of truth, for us and for the world," Archbishop
Barsamian said.

He reflected on the difficulty of parting with a generation of survivors who
built a future in a new country without losing the ancient faith of their
forefathers. The passing of Archbishop Barsamian’s own father earlier this
year-a man born during the Genocide-was a personal sign "that life will be
different from now on," the Primate said.

"Indeed, life will be different for our entire community without the
presence of our beautiful elder generation among us," Archbishop Barsamian
said.

"Just as clearly, we need to understand the duty that now falls on us, as
their proud descendants.As Armenians and as Christians, we must let our good
works shine before the world, so that the example of our people-living,
departed, and yet to be born-will always be a Light of Truth, to glorify
God."

Flight of doves

After the Divine Liturgy, the Primate led a procession to the cathedral
plaza, where 12 doves were released, symbolizing the dispatching of the 12
apostles.

Hratch Toufayan, a member of St. Mary Church of Livingston, N.J., who is
actively involved in the Armenian Church on the parish, Diocesan, and global
levels, was the godfather of the "Release of Doves" ceremony.

Most recently, Mr. Toufayan, and his wife Suzanne, have been supporting the
construction of Sourp Haroutiun Armenian Church of Orlando, FL, which will
be consecrated in June. At the Diocesan Assembly in Chicago, IL, this year,
Mr. Toufayan will receive the "Armenian of the Year" award.

Also taking part in the "Release of Doves" ceremony was Ambassador Garen
Nazarian, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, and his family.

A reception followed in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Hall, where Archbishop
Barsamian officiated at a home-blessing service. The faithful received
nshkhars, or blessed communion bread, to take home.

The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir sang the Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday
under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian. Florence Avakian
accompanied on the organ. The cathedral remained open until 6 p.m. on Easter
Sunday, welcoming worshippers throughout the afternoon and early evening.

Vocations theme part of "Washing of Feet" service

Similar celebrations were underway at parishes across the Diocese. Easter
was preceded by Holy Week, which commemorates the dramatic events leading to
the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

At St. Vartan Cathedral on Palm Sunday, March 28, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros
Chevian, cathedral dean, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and conducted the
Turun-Patzek or "Door Opening" Service.

At the conclusion of services, the faithful walked from the cathedral plaza
to the western entrance of the building, carrying palms in commemoration of
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Also on Palm Sunday, a special Children’s Day was held at the Diocesan
Center, where young Armenians had the opportunity to learn about their faith
and culture, do seasonal crafts, participate in the badarak, and enjoy lunch
together.

On April 1, Great and Holy Thursday, Fr. Chevian celebrated the Divine
Liturgy in the morning. In the evening, Archbishop Barsamian officiated at
the "Washing of the Feet" ceremony, which commemorates Christ washing the
feet of the apostles after the Last Supper.

In recognition of the Diocese’s "Year of Vocations," ranks of
clergy-Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, several priests, and deacons and
seminarians-served as surrogates for the apostles. The "Washing of the Feet"
ceremony was followed by a Khavaroom or Vigil Service.

The Order of the Crucifixion of Christ and the Order of the Entombment of
the Lord (or Taghoom Service) were commemorated with services on Great and
Holy Friday, April 2.

On Easter Eve, Saturday, April 2, Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian celebrated
the Divine Liturgy. Students from the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum read
scriptures and sang in the choir along with students of local Diocesan
Armenian Saturday schools.

###

Photos attached.

Photo 1: Worshippers kiss the cross during the procession on Easter Sunday
at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.

Photo 2: More than 1,800 people participated in services at St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral on Easter Sunday. (Photo by Dn. Levon Altian.)

Photo 3: In his sermon, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian said that the experience
of Armenian Genocide survivors "is part of the greater story of Easter."

Photo 4: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Hratch Toufayan prepare to release
doves following the Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday. Mr. Toufayan and his
wife Suzanne are actively involved in the Armenian Church on the parish,
Diocesan, and global levels.

Photo 5: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian looks on as Hratch Toufayan, surrounded
by family members, releases a dove on the cathedral plaza. The "Release of
Doves" ceremony symbolizes the dispatching of the 12 apostles.

Fort Greene Filmworks
Shareen Anderson
345 Clinton Avenue 11F
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Tel: 347-731-4003
Email: [email protected]
http://www.fortgre enefilmworks.com/

April 5th, 2010

Charents: In Search of My Armenian Poet, a documentary film by Shareen
Anderson, will be screened at the Sarasota Fringe Film Festival on
Friday, April 9th, 2010.

The film explores the life and works of one of Armenia’s best-loved
poets, Eghishe Charents, who was tragically killed in a Stalinist
prison in 1937 under mysterious circumstances.

This literary travelogue takes viewers on a journey from Armenia to
the poet’s birthplace in Kars, Turkey. The journey is interweaved with
stylized readings of Charents’ poems and interviews with experts and
ordinary people, creating a fascinating narrative of the poet’s life
and works.

Screening Venue, Date, and Time:
Sarasota Fringe Film Festival
Main Street Plaza Building
Theater 2
Friday, April 9th, 2010, 1:00 PM

For more information about the screening, visit the Sarasota Fringe
Film Festival website at For more
information about the film and the filmmaker, visit
, or contact the filmmaker/production
company directly.

Note that the Film Festival charges a small fee as all-day passes to
the festival.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS ICC PROSECUTOR LUIS MORENO-OCAMPO

armradio.am
06.04.2010 17:07

President Serzh Sargsyan received Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Prosecutor
of the International Criminal Court of Hague (ICC), who has arrived
in Armenia to participate in the 37th Congress of the International
Federation of Human Rights (FIDH).

Greeting the guest, President Sargsyan sad: "It’s very important
for us to host in our county people with rich experience in the
field of defense of human rights and condemnation of crimes against
humanity, especially considering that recently there have been many
discussions on one of the greatest crimes against humanity – the
Armenian Genocide."

Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo noted that their activity is targeted
at the protection of human rights, and prevention of genocides is
one of the primary tasks.

The Armenian President and the ICC Prosecutor discussed the
perspectives of how the Court could help Armenia be more protected.

STRICTER CONDITIONS FOR GAMBLING SECTOR FAVORABLE FOR LARGER COMPANIES

Tert.am
17:45 ~U 06.04.10

New strict measures in Armenia’s gambling business will bring about
tangible changes in the sector. The result will be that large companies
will have favorable conditions to grow, while small ones will face
difficulties as the new restrictions will require supplementary
investments, resources and abilities, said RA Deputy Finance Minister
Vardan Aramyan at a press conference today.

"Larger companies in this sector are more disciplined and have control
systems, separate subdivisions to fight against money laundering
and financing of terrorism. Smaller companies are less disciplined,
more negligent, and that is conditioned by [their] abilities," said
Aramyan, recalling that on April 1 the government approved the "RA
Concept on Regulation and Control of the Gambling Business Sector"
which clearly states the list of the measures to be taken to raise
the control and regulation level in the sector.

Aramyan also mentioned that currently there are 11 casinos and 103
gambling halls in Armenia which together pay about 4 billion dram in
taxes per year. At the same time he couldn’t say how many visitors
these casinos and gambling halls have annually as no such data is
presented to the bodies in charge of their control.

Casinos and gambling halls in Armenia will also have to report
on visitor quantity. The concept will design new conditions and
requirements for the co-founders, managers and other key officers in
the companies in this sector.

Abu Dhabi City Guide , UAE
April 4 2010

Qanun Crossroads Fuses New Musical Combinations At Abu Dhabi Festival
2010 (4 April 2010)

The `Queen of Qanun’ Hasmik Leyloyan, last night graced the Emirates
Palace Ballroom with a free concert, ‘Qanun Crossroads’, staged as
part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2010, organized by the Abu Dhabi Music &
Arts Foundation (ADMAF). Joined by the Camertone Ensemble, Leyloyan
enchanted the audience with a truly magical performance of haunting
music, performed on one of the Middle East’s most treasured
instruments. Appealing to both eastern and western audiences, Leyloyan
gave an emotional performance spanning oriental Hijaz to occidental
Paganini.

The partnership of Hasmik Leyloyan and Camertone Ensemble produced a
fascinating tapestry of sound, blending elements of chamber music with
the distinctive, folk-ish sounds of the Qanun. The eclectic musical
program last night included classical works by Mozart, Paganini,
Chopin and Brahms alongside more modern pieces by George Gershwin and
Scott Joplin. There were also well known pieces by such distinguished
Armenian composers as Aram Khatchaturyan, Alexander Spendiaryan, Arno
Babajanyan, and others, as well as an Armenian national song, In
Foreign Vacant Roadway, as a tribute to Leyloyan’s home country.

HE Hoda I. Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF commented:
`We are delighted to welcome Hasmik Leyloyan to the Abu Dhabi Festival
this year and to be able to hear the wonderful sounds of the Qanun,
one of the region’s most important instruments. We are passionate
about showcasing new types of music and bringing them to a wider
audience. Last night’s performance with the Camertone Ensemble
combined musical styles to produce a unique sound many of us have not
heard before. ‘

Leyloyan has been the soloist of Armenian State Philharmonic Society
since the 1970s. She has performed with the orchestras of Yerevan
National Opera House, Montreal, Toronto, Sydney, Lyon and New York,
and The National Instruments Orchestra of Moscow among others and has
collaborated with various renowned musicians.

Leyloyan has an unusual style of playing, using both right and left
hands; the left for chords and the right for arpeggios and double
chords. This allows her to play several different notes at the same
time and to play her international repertoire with great fluidity.

Camertone Chamber Music Ensemble, which is made up of violins, viola,
violoncello, contrabass and piano, was founded in 2007 by Liana
Khandkaryan, the ensemble’s first violinist and artistic director. The
group is made up of graduates of Yeveran and Moscow conservatories.
Their repertoire includes classical, contemporary and popular music.

Abu Dhabi Festival 2010

The Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 is held under the patronage of His
Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and
runs until 7 April. This year’s Festival is a feast of arts and
culture with more than 90 events over three weeks, fusing world-class
performances in traditional, classical and jazz music, drama, fine
arts, and ballet alongside rich education and community programs.
Tickets for the Festival are on sale from timeouttickets.com, Virgin
Megastores (Abu Dhabi Mall and Mall of the Emirates Dubai) and
Emirates Palace (12pm-6pm). Part of the proceeds will go to the Ewaa
Shelter for Women and Children. More information can be found at

http://www.abudhabicit yguide.com/news/news-details.asp?newsid=4412&n ewstype=Local%20News

Armenian prime minister has no health problems

2010-04-03 10:13:00

ArmInfo. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan has no health
problems, PM spokesman Aram Ananyan told ArmInfo on April 3.

"T. Sarkisyan passed a usual medical examination on April 2 in "Nairi"
Medical Center in Yerevan. The prime minister has no health problems",
Ananyan said.

To note, according to the information published by Haykakan Zhamank
newspaper on April 3, the prime minister’s health broke down on April
2, after which he was carried to Nairi Medical Center. Members of the
government headed by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visited the
Medical Center on the same day. According to the information by
Haykakan Zhamanak, as quoted by employees of the Medical Center, the
prime minister had a cerebral stroke.