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AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage

Friday, April 23, 2004

BAYRAKDARIAN DEBUT AT AGBU AND HAMAZGAYIN-SPONSORED EVENING IN YEREVAN
IS SOLD-OUT

New York – Isabel Bayrakdarian performed on April 20, 2004, at
Yerevan’s Khachaturian Concert Hall under the direction of Armenian
Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) Conductor, Eduard Topchjan. The
AGBU-sponsored APO and Hamazgayin jointly organized the sold-out
evening attended by President Robert Kocharian, His Holiness Karekin
II, government ministers, foreign embassy representatives and leading
Armenian cultural personalities.

The Armenian Canadian soprano performed a program of arias from
popular operas, including Rossini’s “Barber of Seville and Dikranian’s
“Anoush” opera, as well as an array of Armenian chamber pieces.

Internationally known, Bayrakdarian first enchanted opera lovers in
New York where she won the Metropolitan Opera prize in 1997. She has
performed with many of the leading opera companies in Brussels, New
York, Paris, Salzburg and Toronto. She has also performed on the
Grammy Award winning soundtracks of the movies, “The Lord of the
Rings” and “The Two Towers”.

Impressed by the APO’s professionalism, Bayrakdarian thanked the
audience with heart-felt emotion for what proved to be a special
experience for her. “Though I have sung in many places, I am feeling
this joy for the first time. It feels great to sing in my homeland and
to sing for people who are very dear to me. I wish to hug each of you
present in the hall and to kiss Armenian land,” she said.

The Bayrakdarian concert is the latest in a season of AGBU-sponsored
performances. This year, productions of “Gayaneh” and “Anoush” by the
National Theatre of Opera and Ballet were made possible through grants
provided by AGBU. While the “Gayaneh” ballet premiered April 4,
“Anoush” will be performed on May 8.

AGBU has been a proud sponsor of APO since 1993 and continues to
champion the finest in Armenian cultural talent around the world. For
more information on AGBU cultural programs, please visit

ArmenPress
April 21 2004

FORMER PRIME MINISTER SETS UP NGO TO PROPAGATE FAIR ELECTIONS

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENPRESS: A former Armenian prime minister,
Armen Darbinian, told a constituent meeting of a new non-governmental
organization, Dignified Future, that it will work to promote
establishment of an electoral system that would meet international
standards.
Addressing the delegates of the meeting, the former prime
minister, who is now rector of Russian-Armenian (Slavonic)
University, said the non-governmental organization was not an
initiative of a same-name political party of which he is chairman.
The goal of the movement, he said, is to start the process of
national reconciliation. He said the new organization is open to all
individuals, politicians and forces concerned with the level of
national election institutions.
The organization intends to launch a large-scale explanatory work
among people to raise their awareness about electoral process and
their key importance for democracy consolidation.
IA statement, issued today, the new organization said its creation
was prompted by “unhealthy climate brought in by virtually all
national elections, marred by vote rigging and other fraud, held in
Armenia in the last ten years.”

Armenian opposition holds meeting before rally

A1+ web site
21 Apr 04

The Justice bloc and the National Unity Party held a meeting today to
discuss actions scheduled for today.

In an interview with Radio Liberty before the meeting, Justice bloc
leader Stepan Demirchyan spoke about the opposition’s positions over
the recent period.

“The impression is that nothing unites the opposition but violence
against the opposition and its supporters,” he said.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Television broadcast of the international conference on “Genocide, Impunity
and Justice” via satellite from the residential hall in Antelias – April
22nd, 2004

Antelias, Lebanon – Télé Liban television will broadcast via satellite the
international conference on “Genocide, Impunity and Justice”, from the
residential hall in Antelias, on Thursday 22 April 2004, beginning from 4:00
pm (local time).

Note: Simultaneous translation into Arabic, French and English.

View the schedule of the conference here:

Click here to view the satellite address / TELE LIBAN
ml

******

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission 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.

AP
Wednesday, 21 April 2004

Yerevan
20 April 2004

A five-footed calf has become the centre of attention for locals in a
small village in Armenia.

The calf – which has a fifth foot hanging from its left shoulder – was
born this week near the Armenian capital of Yerevan.

Locals said the abnormal foot is fully formed with a hoof.

The calf has become a beloved pet among locals.

It’s not known whether the apparent deformity will affect the life
expectancy of the calf.

APTN
APEX 04-21-04 0631EDT

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
April 20 2004

MM OF AZERBAIJAN PROTESTS PARLIAMENT OF CANADA
[April 20, 2004, 22:21:42]

Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic condemned the preliminary
decision of the Canadian Parliament on recognition of the notorious
`Armenian genocide’.

As was informed by AzerTAj, at the 20 April plenary sitting of the
Milli Majlis, the MPs expressed concern on preliminary decision of
the Canadian Parliament on recognition of the so-called `Armenian
genocide’. It was noted that Azerbaijan is keen on development of
relations with Canada and has made certain steps. Despite of
corresponding actions by the government of Canadian, the mentioned
act of this country’s parliament is incomprehensible

Chairman of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic Murtuz Alaskarov
stressed the inadmissibility of decision of the Parliament of Canada.
He assigned the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation at the Council
of Europe to negotiate with the Canadian deputies. At his words, the
Chairman is going to send an informatory message to his Canadian
counterpart.

It has to be reminded that Parliament of Canada has adopted a
resolution to discuss the question related to the notorious `Armenian
genocide’ shortly.

Parliamentary delegation of Canada has the observer status at the
Council of Europe.

Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)
April 17, 2004 Saturday, Home Final Edition

BUILDING A HOME AWAY FROM HOME ;
Azerbaijan native turns eyesore into ‘cool’ restaurant
By Dean Narciso, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Nine months ago, Garry Ambartsoumov sat inside a vacant East Side print
shop and waited for a vision.

For hours, alone with a notebook and pencil, the ethnic Armenian
scrawled notes, drew diagrams and considered color schemes for turning
the building into a showplace.

Ambartsoumov’s vision — the Blue Crystal restaurant and banquet center
— with its black-light-illuminated interior, textured coral wallpaper
and waterfall, opened last week.

“This is beautiful. It’s going to bring the Russian community together,”
said Alex Chernyakhovski, who came to the United States from Ukraine.

Dina Shirina, a Russian physician who immigrated here 11 years ago,
invested more than $60,000 in the Blue Crystal.

“I thought Columbus has needed someplace where you could go and dance
and eat, some place more festive, more than just food,” Shirina said.
“People from Europe want to eat and talk and meet people when they go
out . . . to dress up, show off and enjoy themselves.”

One who was glad to see him renovate the building at 2167 E. Livingston
Ave. was Bruce Black, president of the Berwick Civic Association and
coordinator of Columbus’ Neighborhood Pride program.

“That building had become an eyesore for that community — boarded up,
leaking,” Black said. “And we were scared that we’d have another empty
building in our community. No neighborhood wants to see that, especially
on your main thoroughfare.”

Black, who attended last Saturday’s opening, was impressed with
Ambartsoumov’s confidence and focus.

“He explained to me what his vision was, and I told him, ‘I think this
is definitely different from any place I had been in. This is really
cool.’ ”

Ambartsoumov moved to Columbus 13 years ago. He left his native Baku,
Azerbaijan, to protect his family from the growing conflict between
Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan, he said. “If I don’t come here,
my family could be killed.”

He came to Columbus with his wife, Lia, and their 2-year-old daughter
after living in Moscow for two years and working as a hair stylist. He
arrived here with $1.45 in his pocket.

Speaking no English, he delivered pizza, sold jewelry in a pawn shop and
painted apartments.

Four years ago, he opened 3-SG Body Shop at 1125 Cleveland Ave., a North
Side business he still co-owns.

“If you work very hard, be smart, don’t put yourself in trouble, and
show your face to people, you can make money here,” he said.

Ambartsoumov borrowed $22,000 on his North Side home and got $32,000
from his mother-in-law, Galina Gasanova, and $300,000 from other
investors to create the Blue Crystal, which is open Monday through
Thursday for dinner and can be used as a banquet or party center on
weekends.

Last Saturday, privet, the word Russians use to greet friends, was
exchanged throughout the evening, along with hugs and toasts.

“He understands our needs. And he’s got a good business orientation,”
friend Vazha Pinskiy said. “I think he’s doing everything right.”

[email protected]

Armenian National Institute
122 C Street, NW Suite 360
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: 202-383-9009
Fax: 202-383-9012
E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Phone: (202) 383-9009
E-mail:[email protected]

Demand for Armenian Genocide Information Prompts ANI to Expand its Popular
Web Site

Washington, DC — The Armenian National Institute, continuing its
longstanding service for public awareness of the Armenian Genocide,
announced Thursday the launching of its expanded Web site
() incorporating new research, enhanced content and
upgraded features.

ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian said increased interest in issues relating
to the Armenian Genocide made the expansion and redesign inevitable.

“The mounting demands for information on the Armenian Genocide, the recent
release of numerous publications significantly expanding our knowledge of
the Armenian Genocide, and the tremendous flexibility offered through
database formats to research and explore across the entire ANI Web site
indicated that the time was right for seriously upgrading the
widely-consulted ANI Web site,” Adalian said.

A year in the making, the expanded Web site now holds a very rich assortment
of information covering the spectrum of new research and new scholarship.
Educators, researchers, students, and the general public can easily navigate
the site and search for specific references or information.

ANI Academic Council chairman Professor Christopher Simpson, who oversaw the
redesign of the ANI Web site, said:

“Since its beginning ANI took a leading role in encouraging human rights and
genocide education nationwide. Mindful of the needs of educators, the
media, and public officials, the ANI Web site rapidly emerged as the primary
electronic reference library and resource center on the Armenian Genocide.
I am delighted to see this significant expansion of the site and especially
its enhanced search capacity that addresses our growing knowledge and
understanding of the Armenian Genocide. The increasing number of visitors
to the site attests to the quality and reliability of the data provided on
the ANI Web site.”

The Armenian National Institute is dedicated to the study, research, and
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

Armenia wants to see Iran more involved in region, foreign minister says

Azg, Yerevan
14 Apr 04

Text of Tatul Akopyan’s report in Armenian newspaper Azg on 14 April
headlined “Construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is starting
this year”

On 12-13 April Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, who was in
Iran on an official visit, had meetings with the secretary of Iran’s
Supreme National Security Council, Hasan Rowhani, Information Minister
Ali Yunesi, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and First Vice-President
Mohammad Reza Aref.

After the meetings Vardan Oskanyan gave a news conference. He said
that the problem of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline had been discussed
during the talks with top Iranian officials. “The authorities of
Armenia and Iran are determined to construct the gas pipeline. We hope
that during the visit by Iran’s oil minister, [Bizhan]
Namdar-Zangeneh, to Yerevan, the final version of the document will be
signed and we shall start construction this year,” Oskanyan said.

The head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s CIS department, Mehdi
Safari, said that Iran’s oil minister would visit Yerevan next
month. Safari said that the final document on construction of the gas
pipeline would be signed in Yerevan. The Armenian foreign minister
mentioned that construction of the gas pipeline would give a new
quality to Armenian-Iranian relations and would be of serious
significance for the region. “As for bilateral economic programmes, we
have discussed the problems of the Kadzharan tunnel, construction of
the power plant on the Araks [Araz] river and the transit problems
between the two countries,” Oskanyan said.

Regional problems, including Karabakh, were also discussed during the
meetings. During his meeting with the first vice-president of Iran,
Mohammad Reza Aref, Oskanyan noted that, unlike Turkey, Iran had a
balanced position in the region. “We want Iran to be more involved in
regional processes, and construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
will increase Tehran’s role in the region,” Oskanyan said.