Author: Nahapetian Boris

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Studies Program
Ingrid Peterson, Administrator
University of Michigan
1080 S. University, Suite 3633
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Phone: 734.763.0622; Fax: 734.763.4918
email: [email protected]

SOJOURN AT ARARAT
A play about the Armenian homeland, love, identity, and the horrors of
war
based on 2,000 years of Armenian literature in English

ANN ARBOR, MI, January 19, 2010 – The University of Michigan (UofM)
Armenian Studies Program (ASP) and the Center for World Performance
Studies (CWPS) present "Sojourn at Ararat," a play created and
performed by Nora Armani and Gerald Papasian. The performance combines
humorous and dramatic portrayals of the Armenian people and homeland
through the use of narrative text, poetry, songs and music of several
renowned Armenian artists. The piece has been performed
internationally and received eight Drama Logue Critics’ Awards and
multiple awards in Armenia.

The performance will be held in the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Auditorium,
Biomedical Research Building, 109 Zena Pitcher, Ann Arbor, Michigan,
on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. It is free and open to the
public. For additional information please contact ASP (734) 763-0622
or CWPS (734) 936-2777.

"Sojourn" is a play with underlying themes, beginning with a love
story that draws upon the text of romantic era poems. It is also a
humorous depiction of war and human conflict using the central theme
of an epic piece, "One Drop of Honey," by renowned Armenian poet and
writer Hovhannes Toumanyan, when one drop of honey becomes the cause
of universal war and massacre. Further, it reflects the horrors of the
1915 Genocide, narrated through an eyewitness account of the dance of
20 innocent virgins who were doused in kerosene and torched to
death. It incorporates music by composers Jean-Jacques Lemetre of
Theatre de Soleil of Paris as well as Armenian composers Gomidas and
Sayat Nova.

Nora Armani is a film and theater actress who was born in Egypt to
Armenian parents. She was trained at RADA, UCLA and Ariane
Mnouchkine’s Theatre de Soleil. She has a BA in Directing from the
American University in Cairo and an M.Sc. from the University of
London (LSE).

Gerald Papasian was born in Egypt to Armenian parents. He holds an MFA
in Directing from the Yerevan State Institute of Art and Theatre of
the Stanislavski School, and he studied at thee Lee Strasberg
Institute in Los Angeles.

The University of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program promotes the
study of Armenian history, culture, and society. A member of the
University of Michigan International Institute, the program organizes
educational opportunities for students, faculty and the community.
For more information, contact the Armenian Studies Program at (734)
763-0622 or visit

The University of Michigan International Institute houses 18 centers
and programs focused on world regions and global themes. The institute
develops and supports international teaching, research, and public
affairs programs to promote global understanding across the campus and
to build connections with intellectuals and institutions
worldwide. For more information, visit

U.S. WARNS AGAINST A NEW MOSCOW DECLARATION
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
18/01/10

The separate meetings of the OSCE Minsk group American co-chair
Robert Bradtke with the Armenian president and foreign minister
before the visit of the Minsk group co-chairs to the region are quite
interesting. They are interesting also from the point that they are
happening before Serge Sargsyan’s visit to Moscow on January 18. It
was officially stated that Serge Sargsyan is going to discuss the
process of the normalization of the Karabakh issue in particular the
possibility of a Sargsyan-Medvedev-Aliyev trilateral meeting in the
end of January.

Under such circumstances the American co-chair Robert Bradtke visits
Armenia, meets with Serge Sargsyan who was going to leave for Moscow to
discuss the Karabakh settlement and the possibility for a trilateral
meeting. Proceeding from this step of Washington, the Moscow meeting
is taken very seriously beyond the ocean. Washington is not excluded
either to have advised to Armenia not to take the meeting in Moscow
seriously.

The point is that there is a precedent of a trilateral meeting
initiated by Russia which gave birth to the "Declaration of Moscow".

It is difficult to say what practical influence the declaration has on
the process of settlement because no essential events happened after it
which would prove the practicality of the declaration. The Armenian and
Turkish joint statement issued in the night of April 22 as well as the
pre-signing and the signing of the Armenian and Turkish protocols may
be considered such ones. This is in case we presume that the Armenian
and Turkish relations are linked with the Karabakh issue not only for
Turkey but also for the international mediators. But international
mediators refuse their connection. At the same time, they can do that
for diplomatic reasons and in reality they linked them and considered
them "parallel" which they do not hide unlike their "connection".

In this case, it becomes possible that in Moscow something like
the continuation of the Moscow Declaration is being matured which
is tried to be attributed more practicality. In other words, there
was the Moscow declaration, then steps aimed at the Armenian and
Turkish process, and now again an attempt towards the "Moscow" is
being made to register a crucial point in the Armenian and Turkish
relations again. All this is interesting in the sense of how this
chain includes the United States, which, wittingly or unwittingly,
gave Russia the opportunity for the meeting allowing Erdogan who
arrived in December last year in Washington to comment on the context
of the Armenian-Turkish relations with the Karabakh settlement.

The "passivity" of the U.S. after these events, and Bradtke’s visit
to Yerevan on the eve of Sargsyan’s visit to Moscow, indicate the
presence of Washington’s "reservations". Moreover, is not excluded
that it is not just reservations, but also observations. Otherwise, it
is hardly worthwhile to meet with Sargsyan before he travels to Moscow.

Khanjian: An Author’s Notes
Asbarez
Jan 15th, 2010

BY ARA KHANJIAN

Based on the comments of some readers of my article `Questionable
Economic Results Do Not Provide Justification For Signing The
Turkey-Armenia Protocols’, Asbarez January 8, I would like to make two
clarifications.

First, this article is not arguing that we shouldn’t open the border
and that we should isolate ourselves from the rest of the world.
Turkey closed the border; therefore Turkey could open it at anytime.
Armenia should be prepared for that day. Currently we aren’t.

The article says that: `We could divide Armenian producers into two groups:’

First, large companies producing energy and raw materials such as
copper. Most of Armenia’s exports are based on raw materials.’ If
Turkey opens the borders, this group of producers could benefit,
because they could export energy, such as electricity to Turkey.
`The second group could be represented as small and medium size
producers, producing for the domestic markets, mainly in the
agricultural and food production sectors.’ Most of the labor force in
Armenia works in this group. The article argues that this group will
suffer when Turkey opens the border, because they will not be able to
compete with the subsidized Turkish products. The article describes
that the Turkish government:
Protects its products through higher tariffs and quotas. Either
Armenia should impose similar tariffs and quotas on Turkish products
or it should negotiate with Turkey to reduce them.
Subsidizes its producers. Either Armenia should subsidize its
producers at the same level or should negotiate with Turkey to reduce
them.
Promotes its exports. Armenia’s government should support its
producers to exports their goods all over the world.
Finally the article argues that the best way for Armenia to improve
its economy and raise the standard of living of the population, is to
increase the productivity of production in general, and more
specifically the production of the agricultural sector. In section
four, the article argues that Armenia could increase productivity and
improve living conditions in Armenia by increasing the level of
competition, reducing corruption and shadow economy, improving the
rule of law and increasing government expenditures on education,
health care, communication, internet access, etc. When Armenia takes
these measures and improves the quality of production and if Turkey
opens the border, then Armenian products will be able to compete with
Turkish ones.

Secondly, I am not using economic arguments to argue against the
protocols. We don’t need the economic arguments to be against the
protocols. There are already three main reasons to oppose them. In my
opinion the most important reason to oppose the protocols is that it
accepts and confirms the current borders that exist between Turkey and
Armenia. This implies that Armenia agrees that Kars, Ardahan, the rest
of Western Armenia, even Massis and Ararat are Turkish territories.
The second reason is that the protocols `will generate directly or
indirectly doubts about the Armenian Genocide.’ Finally, the protocols
could endanger Karabakh. These three arguments are more than
sufficient to condemn the protocols. Even if the economic gains from
open borders are more than the economic losses, accepting that Ararat
is a Turkish territory, is enough for me to be against the protocols.

The article is just arguing that those who support the protocols
couldn’t even use economic arguments in favor of the protocols,
because when Turkey opens the borders, some groups in Armenia will
benefit, while others will suffer and the effect on the whole economy
and the population is questionable.

January-November 2009 the number of real estate transactions was
increased by 5.3% in Armenia

YEREVAN, January 15. /ARKA/. In January-November 2009 the number of
real estate transactions was increased by 5.3% making more than 137.1
thousand compared with the same period of 2008.

State Committee of Cadastre of Armenia informed that during the
reporting period of 2009, 34.8% from total transactions was registered
in Yerevan and 1.9% in Vayots Dzor. In Kotayk region 12.4% from total
transactions were registered, in Ararat region – 9.9%, Lori region –
9%, Armavir – 6.6%, Shirak – 6.2%, Gegharkunik region – 6%, Aragatsotn
region – 5.2%, Syunik and Tavush regions – 4.5% and 3.6% transactions
accordingly.

27.1% of total transactions made alienation of real estate and 16.5%
were transactions of primary registration of real estate. 12.6% of
transactions registered in Armenia made heritage of real estate, 10.4%
– mortgage transactions and 9.1% – renting of real estate.

Transactions of privatization of real estate made 0.03% from total
number of registered transactions and the remaining 23.6% were state
registrations, particularly 15.6% were transactions of registration of
limitations of using the real estate. –0 –

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO GO TO MOSCOW JANUARY 18, TRILATERAL MEETING POSSIBLY DISCUSSED: FARMANYAN

Tert.am
11:02 ~U 15.01.10

RA President Serzh Sargsyan, along with his wife, Rita Sargsyan,
will go to Moscow for an official visit on January 18, upon the
invitation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. During the visit,
the two state leaders will continue high-level talks, dicsussing
issues related to cooperation between the two strategically allied
countries in different spheres and regional issues.

During the Moscow visit, a trilateral meeting between the presidents
of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan might also be discussed, said
press secretary of the RA president, Samvel Farmanyan, responding
to journalists’ questions as to whether the news that at the end of
January, the presidents of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan were to
hold a meeting with the aim of discussing the Nagorno-Karabakh issue
was in fact true.

According to Farmanyan, Russia, as a OSCE Minsk Group co-chair
country, is making serious efforts in mediation toward resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict – a move that Armenia highly praises.

"Through the mediating efforts of the President of the Russian
Federation, [and] with the participation of Armenia’s, Russia’s and
Azerbaijan’s presidents, two meetings have already taken place.

"Since the conflict hasn’t yet reached a peaceful resolution, it’s
natural that as with Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s separate meetings,
new meetings in other forms, might take place. There’s nothing unusual
here, [what’s] unusual would be the opposite, if there weren’t any
new meetings," said the president’s press secretary.

Farmanyan also informed the press that the revised version of the
Madrid Principles on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
have not been officially presented to the country’s leadership,
as was previously reported by some sources.

VARUZHAN HAKOBYAN TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL IN A DUTCH CITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.01.2010 19:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Representing the U.S., an Armenian chess player
Varuzan Hakobyan , the silver medalist of the world team championship,
will take part in the international chess festival (tournament "B")
between January 16 and 31 in the Dutch city of Wijk aan Zee.

Chess festival in Wijk aan Zee is the International Chess Tournament,
which takes place annually in the Dutch city of Wijk aan Zee.

In 2008, the Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian became the winner of
the tournament.

VIC DARCHINYAN VS. DONAIRE IN JUNE

Panorama.am
14:56 15/01/2010

We’ve already informed our readers that WBC/WBA super flyweight
champion Vic Darchinyan will be back in the ring in California on March
6 against the American Raul Martinez. After that he will be after
Noninto Donaire to hold back the knockout win. It’s worth reminding
that in July, 2007, Noninto Donaire recorded knockout against Vic
Darchinyan. Martinez had 25 perfect victories but recorded the only
loss in April last year to Donaire. Darchinyan will fight in Australia
after the March fight. He will be in action again in April or May on
a promotion that will also feature IBO cruiserweight world champion
Danny Green. Darchinyan said, "I would love to fight in Australia,
the Nonito Donaire rematch could be in June." Darchinyan continues,
"That’s what I want, I have been waiting for that fight (with Donaire)
a long time already. I love fighting very often."

Darchinyan is managed by Elias Nasser and promoted by Gary Shaw.

ARMENIAN POGROMS IN BAKU WERE PLANNED PREVIOUSLY

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.01.2010 14:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ After the February 1988 Sumgait massacres and brutal
crimes against Armenians we never thought the same might happen in
Baku, a town with a population of 1.5 million, with 200.000 being
Armenians, said Eleonora Avanesova, one of survivors of Armenian
pogroms in Baku.

"Even before the pogroms, Armenians in Azerbaijan always suffered
from infringements upon their rights," she told Wednesday a news
conference in Yerevan.

"I worked in a scientific institute where my articles were always
undersigned by other authors My name was at best indicated as a
co-author," Avanesova stressed.

According to her, Armenian pogroms in Baku were very well organized,
as Azeri gangster groups possessed lists with the names and addresses
of all Armenians.

As noted by Robert Khachatryan, another eye-witness, "The pogroms
reached their peak on January 13, 1990 after Azerbaijan’s Supreme
Council passed a decision on withdrawing from USSR."

"Azerbaijani official sources reported 56 people dead, but Armenian
experts say 270 Armenians were killed during the pogroms. According to
other sources, the number of victims reached 1000," he said, adding
that the atrocities against Armenians in Baku can be characterized
as Genocide.

Sumgait pogroms: an Azeri-led pogrom that targeted the Armenian
population of the seaside town of Sumgait in Soviet Azerbaijan during
February 1988. On February 27, 1988, large mobs made up of ethnic
Azeris and other ethnicities formed into groups that went on to attack
and kill Armenians both in the streets and their apartments; widespread
looting and a general lack of concern from police officers allowed the
situation to worsen. The violent acts in Sumgait were unprecedented
in scope in the Soviet Union and attracted a great deal of attention
from the media in the West. The official death toll was 32 people
(26 Armenians and 6 Azeris). Many insist that at least 200, not 30,
people were killed.

Armenian pogroms in Baku: twenty years ago today the Azerbaijani
authorities instigated the pogroms of Armenians in Baku. Some 400
Armenians were killed and 200 thousand were exiled in the period of
January 13-19. The exact number of those killed was never determined,
as no investigation was carried out into the crimes.

On January 13, 1990 a crowd numbering 50 thousand people divided into
groups and started "cleaning" the city of Armenians. On January 17,
the European Parliament called on EU Council of Foreign Ministers
and European Council to protect Armenians and render assistance to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. On January 18, a group of U.S. Senators
sent a letter to Mikhail Gorbachev to express concerns over the
violence against the Armenian population in Azerbaijan and called
for unification of Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia.

119 SWINE FLU CASES IN ARMENIA

news.am
Jan 13 2010
Armenia

As of January 13, the number of infected with swine flu in Armenia
reached 119. Presently, two patients undergo treatment in the
hospitals, whereas 114 are already discharged, RA Health Ministry
website reads.

According to the official data, to date three people died of swine
flu in the country.

The Ministry reports that the number of acute respiratory infections
and emergency calls reduced in the republic.

NEW NEGOTIATION FORMAT IN KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT APPEARED IN EARLY 2010

news.az
Jan 13 2010
Azerbaijan

Rauf Rajabov A new format that can be conditionally called a single
dialogue area in the Major Caucasus region appeared in the beginning
of 2010, Rauf Rajabov.

The negotiations between the Russian and Turkish Prime Ministers
V.Putin and R.T.Erdogan during the latter’s visit to Moscow and the
visit of Russian FM S.Lavrov to Yerevan can form a new geopolitical
situation in the region.

Baku and Yerevan will be a new political space where regional
interests of the Major Caucasus would prevail, said Rauf Rajabov,
editor-in-chief of the 3rd View information and analytical agency.

He considers that the aforementioned de-facto negotiations have
designated the single space for a dialogue both on the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict and the resolution of the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

The political scientist also noted that it is unclear how negotiations
in Moscow and Yerevan will end.

"I think the breakthrough is possible if the parties do not trade but
take into account the interests of all Major Caucasus countries without
exception. Under the mediatory breakthrough I propose ratification
and implementation of the two Armenian-Turkish protocols as well as
the withdrawal of the Armenian troops from five regions of Azerbaijan
that are currently occupied", Rajabov said.

"But the sides involved in the negotiations in Moscow and Yerevan
should not forget the main thing: they have assumed this historical
responsibility of cutting this Gordian knot in the South Caucasus not
by force. By the way, the OSCE Minsk Group should not be blamed for
passiveness. 2009 was marked with the titanic efforts of the co-chairs.

The current negotiation format results from the development of basic
Madrid principles and signing of the Meindorf declaration.

Nevertheless, a new format that can be conditionally called a single
dialogue area in the Major Caucasus region appeared in the beginning
of 2010", Rajabov considers.