Author: Talalian Arpi

SYNOPSIS OF THE PANEL "ARMENIANS AND ISLAM" AT THE 10TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CENTRAL EURASIAN STUDIES SOCIETY, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, CANADA, OCTOBER 8-11, 2009

AZG DAILY
14-11-2009

Science

On October 10, 2009, Mushegh Asatryan and Khachik Gevorgyan, the
founding members of the Armenian Association for Academic Partnership
and Support (ARMACAD) took part in the panel "Armenians and Islam",
organized by them, which was part at the Central Eurasian Studies
Society’s 10th annual Conference at the University of Toronto, Canada.

In late January a call for papers was distributed by Mushegh Asatryan
to invite all interested parties to participate in the panel. From
more than 15 applications 8 were accepted to constitute 2 different
panels on "Armenians and Islam", one on the medieval, and the other
on the modern periods. The organizers of the conference accepted the
panel on modern issues concerning the Armenians and Islam. After
negotiations with the organizers the panels were merged and 3
participants registered for the mentioned panel.

On October 10 in the room N 023 at the Munk centre for international
studies at the University of Toronto the panel on "Armenians and
Islam" started.

The organizer of panel Mr. Mushegh Asatryan introduced to participants
of the panel the idea and the reason of organizing such a panel. Since
Armenian history and culture are viewed as part of the Christian
heritage, Armenian studies is traditionally viewed as part of the
study of the Christian Middle East, with little attention to the
Islamic milieu in which Armenians have always lived. A second point
worth mentioning is the popular view among Armenians of the Islamic
world at best as "foreign", and at worst as an "enemy". This view is
sometimes shared by Armenian academics working on Armenian history,
which makes them view the history of Armenian interactions with
the Muslim world as a series of battles and massacres (due to some
historical events, such as the Genocide), completely ignoring the rich
cultural interaction between the Armenians and the Muslim world. Thus,
this panel is a symbolic step in urging future historians to view
Armenian history in a more complex manner.

As a discussant of the panel Dr. Khachik Gevorgyan mainly focused on
the following:

So far the discipline of Armenian Studies has been introduced either
via separate conferences devoted only to Armenian Studies, or this
discipline was introduced as a panel at international conferences
mainly devoted to Middle Eastern Studies, Christian Studies, Bible
Studies, etc.

He mentioned that one of the main ideas of this panel within this
conference is to introduce the Armenian Studies in a broader concept of
Eurasian Studies, which, of course, in some cases do overlap with the
Middle Eastern Studies. But still taking into consideration the modern
socio-political realities as well as the historical events through
centuries it is important to view Armenian realities in the context
of Eurasian Studies and more specifically in the context of Central
Asian and Caucasian studies, which in their turn are main geographical
areas to be studied within the Central Eurasian Studies Society. Thus
this society and this conference were chosen by the organizers of
this panel the Armenian Studies to be introduced in a new perspective.

As the programs of many conferences on Armenian Studies show, the main
bulk of participants are from different countries but not Armenia. Dr.

Gevorgyan mentioned that this situation has been changed by the active
involvement of the Armenian Studies program at Michigan, Ann Arbor,
which strives to always have representatives of Armenian academic
circles during the events organized on Armenian Studies at Ann Arbor.

>From this point, Dr. Gevorgyan particularly mentioned that the
importance of this panel can be viewed also from the perspective that
it is organized by those who have their academic background from the
Republic of Armenia and are bearers of Armenian Academic culture.

Then Dr. Gevorgyan discussed two papers presented at the panel
by Alyson Wharton (SOAS, University of London), "The Rise and
Eventual Fall of the Balyan Family: The Phenomenon of a Family of
Armenian-Ottoman Architects in 19th Century Istanbul" and Roubina
Shnorhokian (Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada),
"A Medieval Trans-imperial Chronicle: Preliminary Remarks on the
Examples of Het’um of Korykos and Rashid al-Din". Sona Tajiryan from
the Republic of Armenia who was to present a paper was unable to
attend this conference.

ARMPRODEXPO 2009 INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION COMES TO AN END
Hasmik Dilanyan

"Radiolur"
13.11.2009 16:16

President Serzh Sargsyan today attended the closing ceremony of the
Armprodexpo 2009 9th international exhibition.

President Sargsyan walked about the pavilions, familiarized with and
tasted the products presented by 65 local and foreign companies.

The President presented his impressions to participants of the
exhibition, listened to their problems and proposals.

The global crisis has affected almost all participant companies. They
hope, however, to resume the earlier level of production in the
near future.

All the participating companies have already received different offers
during the three days of the exhibition.

UKRAINE MAY FACE OVERTURN?

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.11.2009 12:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Former Ukrainian intelligence chief, general
lieutenant Alexander Skipalsky said conduction of elections under
the circumstances is possible but the outcomes will conflict with
the Constitution.

"The authorities are too weak. That is why we requested the President
to assume the commission of the Cabinet and announce state of
emergency," he said.

Gen. Lieut. Skipalsky also suggested that summoning of a constituent
assembly capable to take the right decisions may be a way-out,
flot2017.com reported.

17TH SITTING OF INTERPARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION ON COOPERATION BETWEEN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIA AND FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF RUSSIA HELD IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Nov 10, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The 17th sitting of the
Interparliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the National
Assembly of Armenia and the Federal Assembly of Russia was held
in Yerevan on November 9. As the press service of the RA National
Assembly reported, the bilateral cooperation in the transport sector
and cargo transportation, also the prospects of connecting to the
Iranian and Turkish railways, increasing cargo traffic volumes and
making them more efficient were discussed at the sitting.

The Chairperson of the NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs
Hermine Naghdalian underlined the role and importance of cargo
transportation, especially by rail, for the Armenian economy under
blockade. She spoke about the danger of the red tape related to
cargo transportation, the negative consequences of the system’s
monopolization, and the free and unfounded price policy. She expressed
a hope that persistent joint work may put these issues in order.

The opinion of the Russian side regarding the same problem was
presented by Director General of South Caucasus Railways company
Shevket Shaydullin who said that their major aim is to ensure
continuous efficiency and financial stability of the sector, improve
the quality of transportation services, develop transport sector of
Armenia and integrate it into the Eurasian transportation system. He
informed those present about the repairs and technical modernization
carried out and the company’s future plans.

It was mentioned that the work has slowed down due to the financial
and economic crisis, as a result of which cargo traffic has declined,
and the company is operating at a loss. According to S. Shaydullin,
the concession agreement allows conducting a flexible price policy,
except on cargo transportation of strategic importance, which makes
up 60% of the overall cargo traffic.

The next sitting of the Interparliamentary Commission will be held
in Moscow in March 2010.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION PREPARES ANTI-CRISIS PROGRAM

Aysor
Nov 10 2009
Armenia

The oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC) pays great attention
not only to political matters but to economical and social ones,
said at press-conference coordinator of Armenian National Congress
Levon Zurabyan. He also pointed that this year’s January-September
mark cutback of economic activity by 18%.

"Armenia holds the record for economic recession. This demands on an
explanation," he said blaming authorities for providing benefits for
some oligarchs involved in import deals.

Armenia’s economy is in a great dependence on foreign transfers which
have decreased over past months because of crisis. "If transfers
decline by 40-50%, Armenia’s economy will face collapse. In this
case the authorities should provide low pricing, otherwise people
will not be able even to pay utility bills," he said.

According to Levon Zurabyan winter will bring some social impairing.

Meanwhile, Armenian National Congress is developing anti-crisis
program and will present it soon, he announced.

TURKEY RUNS HOT AND COLD
By Andrew Novo

Asia Times
0Ak01.html
Nov 9 2009

Autumn has proved a busy season for Turkey as the nation of more than
76 million continues to establish itself as a regional hegemon while
pursuing a policy of "no problems with neighbors". While the process
of reconciling with neighbors – a tenuous agreement with Armenia,
de-mining the border with Syria, a new energy deal with Russia and open
amity with Iran – is yielding results, "no problems with neighbors"
may mean new problems with old friends.

Turkish foreign affairs have made recent headlines: on October 10,
Turkey signed an agreement normalizing relations with Armenia. The
border between the two countries, closed since 1993, was opened. Two
days later, Turkey canceled a joint air force exercise with Israel. A
few days after that, the European Union released its

annual report on the progress made by countries aspiring to EU
membership.

Naturally, Turkey figured prominently in the report, which many
commentators saw as a balancing act, pitting Turkey’s progress –
improvements in relations with Armenia and Syria abroad, and more
rights for Kurds and improved civil-military relations at home –
against its shortcomings: a lack of progress on the Cyprus issue and
the recent ruling and fine against the Dogan Media Group.

The dichotomy inherent in the EU report mirrors larger questions not
only about Turkish politics and society but also about the country’s
diplomatic posture. Turkey is familiar with occupying a unique position
in world affairs. As recently as the early 20th century, it was a
polyglot Muslim empire with deep roots in Europe. In the time-worn
but geographically accurate phrase, it is the bridge between Europe
and Asia.

Since 1952, it has been the easternmost member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO). It is also the only Muslim state that is
part of the alliance. Turkey contributed to winning the Cold War but
has been lukewarm about the fight against fundamentalist Islam and
opposed the 2003 war in Iraq. In fact, the Turkish government famously
refused a request from the American government to use eastern Turkish
provinces as a launching pad to create a second front in northern
Iraq. Turkey came under fire from high-ranking American policymakers
who blamed this for the strength of the Ba’athist insurgency as late
as 2005. More recently, Turkey has not been shy about sending air
units and even ground troops to combat what it describes as Kurdish
terrorists in northern Iraq.

Turkey’s uncompromising attitude toward the "terrorism" of the Kurdish
Workers’ Party (PKK) should, in theory, generate support for similar
Israeli policies and actions against groups in Gaza and Lebanon. This
is no longer the case. In January this year, at Davos in Switzerland,
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made headlines when he directed
a high-tempered attack on Israeli policy in Gaza toward President
Shimon Peres. Since then, Israeli-Turkish relations have suffered
more substantive setbacks. The above-mentioned cancellation of joint
air exercises being only one example. Turkey continues to improve its
relations with Syria and, most significantly, is now courting favor
with Iran. This new relationship is of genuine concern.

In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian published on
October 26, the prime minister made several controversial statements.

He called Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad a "friend". He claimed
that Turkey had no problems with Iran and its peaceful nuclear
ambitions, and that Western nations were being unfair in calling for
restrictions and transparency that would prevent Iran from developing
nuclear weapons. Erdogan went so far as to say that even if Iran
wanted a nuclear deterrent, countries like the United States, Britain
or France, as nuclear powers themselves, had no right to protest.

Erdogan followed his Guardian interview with a visit to Iran and
seems intent on strengthening relations between the two countries
even further.

The current administration in Turkey markets itself as a bridging
force. It claims that it will serve as the EU’s bridge to its Muslim
neighbors and Muslims already within the EU. In 2008-09, it served as
mediator for backchannel negotiations between Syria and Israel. Turkey
has claimed to use its unique position to bridge the divide between
NATO and Iran. Sadly, both for these challenges and for Turkey’s image,
these bridges have not yet proved passable.

The motives behind such acts are not entirely clear. The current
Turkish administration is somewhat promiscuous in its international
affairs. On the one hand it professes love for the European Union,
seeks EU membership and is "Westernizing" in line with the EU’s
blueprint. On the other hand, Turkey continues its war against the PKK,
is pursuing its own energy policy in relation to Russia and is flirting
with Iran. The government in Ankara still refused to recognize the
government of the Republic of Cyprus, even though Cyprus is a full
EU member.

The case of Cyprus should not be forgotten because it holds
an important history lesson. In 1974, Turkey, in spite of its
membership in NATO and the Cold War, invaded the island to prevent
its unification with Greece. Greece was a NATO ally, governed at the
time by an anti-communist military junta. Nevertheless, Turkey was
willing to invade and risk splitting NATO. War with Greece was even a
possibility. As recently as 1996, Greece and Turkey have come close to
war stemming from disputes over territory in the Aegean. Such examples
are important. They demonstrate that in matters of national security,
Turkey will not defer to traditional alliances; it will choose the
path along which it feels most secure.

Unfortunately for the West, this path seems to be taking Turkey away
from the United States, the European Union and the NATO alliance. The
current Turkish administration is making decisions that may determine
Turkey’s alliances for years to come. If the present course is not
reversed, the effect may be to burn the very bridges that, for years,
Turkey sought to build.

Andrew Novo, DPhil Candidate St Antony’s College Oxford, UK.

ETHNIC ARMENIAN SINGER TO REPRESENT TURKEY IN 2010 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.11.2009 18:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The process for who will represent the country in
the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest has already begun in Turkey. Turkish
TV broadcaster NTV, during the second initial stage, asked website
visitors to vote for their favorite contestant. About 15,000 people
voted with first place going to Haiko Chefkin, a Turkish citizen
of Armenian descent, who garnered 15.94% of the votes. Haiko, in
particular, beat Tarkan, who fell behind by 4%.

The 55th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Oslo, Norway,
from May 12-16, 2010.

Journal of Turkish Daily
Nov 7 2009

Intervew with Dr. Sedat Laciner on the Changing Dynamics of Turkey’s
Foreign Policy

Saturday, 7 November 2009

Dr. Sedat Laciner, Head of the International Strategic Research
Organization (ISRO/USAK), offers insight into claims within the
international community that a shift in Turkish foreign policy has
occurred. It is argued that Turkey is diverging from a secularist,
modern, western country to an Islamic state and Laciner addresses the
argument in the following interview.

There are some that accuse Turkey of deviating from its Western
foreign policy to that of the East. What do you think of these
assumptions and accusations?

First of all, as President Gul said in his speech at USAK this week,
we should not look at Turkey’s trade relations or official visits to
understand Turkey’s direction. We have to look at the values of Turkey
to assess whether there has been a change in direction. In the last
seven years Turkey has made great reforms and transformations. For
example, the Kurdish policy of the Turkish State has changed
dramatically, even mentioning the term Kurd in Turkey was taboo in the
1990s, but now there is a Kurdish State TV channel, TRT 7. These
developments have not only been in Kurdish broadcasting, but many
other fundamental rights have been given to the Kurdish people as
well.

With matters concerning Armenia, Cyprus, relations with Greece, and
many other problematic issues, Turkey has changed its policies and
Turkish laws have been liberated and made more democratic. Turkey’s
economic relations with neighboring countries, specifically western
countries, have increased as well. After Turkey’s application to the
EU for full membership, much progress has been made and the EU
countries have confirmed Turkey’s progress from a backward country to
one that has begun to comply with EU standards. It is clear that
Turkey is not leaving the West; they have developed much more due to a
desire to join the West, the EU. Turkey is increasing its economic
relations; it is not trading in its Western values for those of its
Middle Eastern neighbors.

What are the main objectives and lasting effects of the Zero Problem
with Neighbors policy in the region?

Davutoglu and the current government’s policy of zero problem with
neighbors aims to foster cooperation with the region: the Balkans,
Caucasus and the Middle East. Following cooperation, its next
objective is integration of the region, but when we say integration we
mean economic integration not political. Some argue that since Turkey
is improving its relations with Iran, Syria and Iraq, it means they
are shifting their direction towards the east, but this is not true,
Turkey wants cooperation and economic integration, it does not desire
to turn away from the EU or the West in general.

People are asking Turkey why it is developing its relations with Syria
and Iran, but before questioning Turkey’s relations with these
countries we should understand that Turkey is not a lucky country. Our
neighbors are Syria, Iraq and Iran. If Turkey was France, which has
neighbors like Spain and Germany, its foreign relations could be
easier but our neighbors are maybe the most problematic countries in
the world. We have to tame them and change them, and of course
Turkey’s direction is not towards Iran. If we look at Turkey’s values
like liberal democracy, transparency, free liberal economic market,
human rights and all other western values that the current and
previous government focused on and accepted, we can see that Turkey is
trying to reach the standards of the EU and the West, not the Iranian
understanding of values.

Turkey’s policies are quite different than the Iranian understanding
and approach, these two countries have always been competitor
countries in the region, but we have to have cooperation with Iran; it
is not the neighbor of the United States or Germany, Iran is our
neighbor. Thanks to the new Turkish neighbor policies, millions of
Iranian tourists come to Turkey every year; they travel and absorb and
see the Turkish way of life. They are changing and influenced by the
Turkish model, and not just because of travel, but due to exposure to
Turkish broadcasting as well. Arabs and Iranians watch Turkish soap
operas, they are learning Turkish so that they can understand these
soaps and the most popular soaps are Turkish. The influence is
apparent because in Saudi Arabia, some men applied to the courts to
ban Turkish series’ because they argue that these programs are
influencing society.

Turkish culture, tourism, and economic relations between these
countries, all social and economic relations are changing the society
in Iran and Arab countries. We say it is the soft power of Turkey; it
is perhaps the only country that can change the Middle Eastern
societies because Turkey was the governor of this region for
centuries. Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Algeria, and Iraq were
all under Ottoman rule and there are many Turkish people amongst the
people of the Middle East and both sides are Muslim and know each
others culture very well. I think the U.S and EU countries cannot
understand the Middle Eastern culture or politics, but Turkey can. For
instance, during the Bush era in the United States, they thought that
if you change leaders, you can change the regime, change the borders
and create a new democratic Middle East but it did not work. Saddam is
gone but terror came to replace him. There was not terror under
Saddam; Iraq was a terror free state during his time. The 9/11 attacks
were not carried out by citizens of Iraq, most were Saudi Arabian but
the U.S. still attacked Iraq and nothing has changed, maybe it has put
Iraq in a much worse situation.

Turkey is against military attacks against any Middle Eastern
countries, including Iran, because Turkey argues that we need soft
power, we need to gain the hearts and minds of the people. Any attacks
in the Middle East will also harm the Turkish economy and our
interests. This is why we are trying to solve the conflicts and
problems in the region. Turkey was the moderator or facilitator
between Israel and Syria, between Afghanistan and Pakistan, between
the various sects in Iraq and even between the United States and Iran.
Turkey is trying to solve all the regional problems because we know
that if Turkey cannot, those problems will overflow into Turkey, like
the Kurdish problem; Northern Iraq has become a base for the PKK who
are attacking Turkish targets. So Turkey is not changing its direction
but perhaps discovering the region and trying to further its good
relations with the region. I think Turkey is improving relations with
the Middle East, Caucasia and the Balkans but not at the expense of
boosting its relations with the West, because a stronger partner is
better than a weaker partner for the United States and the EU.

There are academics that label Turkey’s current policies
Neo-Ottomanist, would you agree with this classification?

I think Neo-Ottomanism is not possible because the world is a
different place and if any resemblance of Ottoman Policy were
initiated then all the former states would be against Turkey. Turkey
should unite the regional countries and change the surrounding region;
it should democratize and liberalize the region, especially the Muslim
countries. Some of them are so backward in education and in where they
position women in society, their economic development and so forth.
Turkey has to change these societies and not by imposing something as
the empire did. First we need to solve the problems and then we should
make cooperation and integrate, this ensures equal relations. We can
name this understanding Neo-European Unionist policy because this is
the EU spirit. Turkey is following the EU experience, not the Ottoman
experience.

How would you characterize relations with Israel under the AKP?

There are some Israelis and Jewish people that have thought the AKP
was an Islamist party and that they were against relations with
Israel, but this is not the case. The previous Israeli ambassador to
Turkey gave a lecture at USAK a few years ago and he argued that
Turkey’s relations with Israel peaked during the AKP administration.
Economic relations reached over 10 billion dollars, and tourism,
direct investments and trade have developed further and those cannot
be compared to past relations between Turkey and Israel. The AKP is
not against Israel, or against the West, they have complied to EU
regulations in almost all dimensions with Israel, but at the same
time, Turkey has decided to solve its problems with its neighbors.

What do you attribute to the flare up in accusations that Turkey’s
policies towards Israel are anti-Semitic?

The Neo-Cons and Neo-Jewish organizations and think tanks, pro Israel
and right wing extremists in Israel have accused Turkey of being
anti-Israeli in the last 3 or 4 years. After the Lebanon war and Gaza
conflicts, Turkey harshly criticized Israel because in both cases more
than 1400 people were killed by Israeli forces and many were women and
children. Perhaps 100-150 were militant while the rest were civilians.
Turkey harshly criticized Israel and said their way of combating
Palestinians is not effective and their efforts are only creating more
terrorists but terrorizing the region. Israel creates these problems
and we are paying the cost. It is ironic that some Israeli experts are
now accusing Turkey of being anti-Semitic because Turkey is maybe the
best country in terms of anti-Semitism records. During Ottoman times,
Jewish people took shelter here, Sephardic Jews came to the Ottoman
State, they were a main component of the empire and when the empire
was collapsing Turkey and it’s minorities cooperated together. There
were some Jews who were against having a Jewish State because they had
the protection under the Empire, a safe haven. They declared that they
had a Jewish state and a country that protected them and during the
20th century, you cannot see any anti-Semitic political current in
Turkey. Israel accuses all critics of being anti-Semitic but this is
not good for Israeli interests. Turkey believes that friends need to
criticize each other sometimes in order to maintain both parties
interests. We are not enemies.

We also see some extremist groups in Israel organizing campaigns
against the AKP. They organize secret reports and secret gatherings
that argue the U.S. should support a military coup in Turkey because
they claim the current political party here cannot develop strong
Turkey-Israeli or Turkey-U.S. relations. They have waged a dirty
campaign in Washington to create a gap between the Turkish and U.S.
administrations and the Turkish State is well aware of these dirty
campaigns. For example, the Jewish group MEMRI is translating Turkish
speeches and Presidential reports in order to manipulate American
society. They translate words with a quite different spirit. If the
Prime Minister says we are friends of Israel that is why we are
criticizing them, they translate it into we are criticizing Israel
because Israel deserves that. They apply dirty tricks to manipulate
American politics.

Last year, after the Davos crisis, a high ranking Israeli general
accused Turkey in all policy areas, including our policies with the
Kurds, Armenians and Greeks, all issues that Israel supported during
the 70’s 80’s and 90’s so what happened in 2009? Nothing has changed
but the problem in Israel is that some politicians and military
personnel are very emotional. I understand they are under fire, they
are surrounded by some hostile Muslim countries and since the 1920s,
they have been in hot conflicts; this environment has had negative
effects for them and maybe they cannot think with a healthy mind
frame, but if they continue to behave towards Turkey in this way, and
undermine Turkish-United States, EU and Israeli relations, this
behavior will cause long lasting damage in relations.

Interview was conducted by Stacy Maruskin, a researcher at the
International Strategic Research Organization (USAK).
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Journal of Turkish Weekly

tervew-with-dr-sedat-laciner-on-the-changing-dynam ics-of-turkey-39-s-foreign-policy.html

SHOCK AND JUBILATION AT FINAL 21
By Lara de Matos

Tonight
icleId=5233461&fSectionId=434&fSetId=251
N ov 6 2009
South Africa

‘Any age, any act." It’s the maxim that has underpinned the local
talent series from the start, and one which the show has undoubtedly
stuck to throughout.

>From transvestite Tina Turners, seven-year-old Brenda Fassie
impersonators and white-boy Rastas who rock the didgeridoo, to
dog trainers, jugglers and comedy acts, the first SA’s Got Talent
has truly provided a platform for some of our country’s best (and
downright bizarre) acts.

After six week of auditions, during which the three judges cast
their scrutinising gaze over thousands of South African hopefuls,
the numbers have now been whittled down to the Top 21.

And, much as we at Tonight were, you may just be surprised – or even
shocked – at some of the selections.

The remaining contenders will have an opportunity to revisit their
respective talents when the show shifts into "live gear" next week,
as they strive to prove to the public and the adjudicators why they’re
deserving of the title.

Ultimately, however, only one act will walk away with the R250 000
and our money (pardon the poor pun) is on this sizzling sextet:

TONIGHT’s TOP SIX SIZZLERS

Kalon Badenhorst

There are accomplished contemporary dancers in this world, just as
there are gifted hip hoppers. But seldom does one see a meshing of
the two forms.

Especially when executed so superbly. With his elastic-like limbs
and emotive movements, it’s astounding to consider Kalon, 12, only
started his official training two years ago.

Louis & Willem van der Merwe

As with many acts throughout the show Louis, 27, and older bro’
Willem’s, 33, appearance belied their latent talents: that such
poignant operatic sounds could emerge from the mouths of these
seemingly run-of-the-mill Mother City siblings left even the judges
with jaws hanging in wonder.

And yes, that their main motivation for entering was to help Louis
regain his ex-girlfriend’s affections, makes you want them to win.

Hey, who among us isn’t a sucker for a good love story?

George Avakian

He may not have made quite the impression he’d hoped for in the Idols
auditions (he only placed among the Top 75), but this 19-year-old
Joburger of Armenian descent has not allowed that minor set-back to
deter him from his beat-boxing dreams.

And the boy certainly dreams big. George’s growing reputation as one of
the country’s foremost entertainers is on the up and up, following a
"career in its infancy" coup, which saw him open for Wyclef Jean in
December last year.

Cameron Lombard and Natasha Jacobs

Between Cameron’s comical facial expressions and Natasha’s
hips-that-don’t-lie, this dynamic ballroom dancing duo from Retreat
and Mitchells Plain are definitely ones to watch.

And to think, they’re only eight years old!

Cleo Filander

A darling of the judges from the moment she first stepped on stage and
stunned them with her angelic voice, many are already touting Cleo,
8, as the likely winner of the competition.

Interestingly enough, however, it’s her ballet achievements rather
than her singing skills that this youngster from Vereeniging is most
proud of.

Darren Rajbal

He may claim that his hearing disability has left him with few friends,
but as his mom reveals, the ladies still love this 19-year-old
Durban boy.

His first attempt at hip hop came on the back-end of a mime act, which
he subsequently choreographed into a dance routine in his early teens.

As Darren has already proven, while he may not be able to actually
hear the music, the lad surely knows how to move to it!

THE REMAINING TOP 21

Adino Trapani, 12, of Johannesburg, with Ventriloquism for Dummies;

Cadence, 17 to 20, all-female hip hop group hailing from Johannesburg;

Daniel Petersen, 40, and Daniel Petersen III, 7, Cape Town based
father-son keyboard and drum duo;

Faith Ndukwana, 40, Mother City singer;

Gregory Mabusela, 21, keke horn player, hailing from Soweto;

Ingrid Rosendahl, 48, and Yvonne Burger from Jozi, with Musical
Freestyle Dogs;

Julian Hepburn, 14, a Pretoria-based singer;

Jody Kleinhans, 28, physical comedian, from Cape Town;

Louis Cason, 22, a Bloemfontein juggler;

Louwtjie Rothman, 18, of Cape Town, with Guitar Medley;

Roses, 14 to 17, a Joburg-based hip hop crew;

Show Stopaz, 17 to 24, a Johannesburg dance troupe;

Siphiwe Boyce, 19, and Nkumbuzo Nkonyana, 20, Cape Town magicians
with Soccer Mania;

Tshwaraganang Youth Group, 11 to 24, traditional dancers from the
North West;

Umbumbano, 28 to 38, Margate-based choir group.

FINAL COUNTDOWN

The final four episodes will work as follows:

SA’s Got Talent will go live on SABC2 from Monday.

On Monday through to Wednesday, seven acts will perform each night.

There will then be a one-hour interval.

At 9.30pm, the programme returns for the results show, during which
two acts will be chosen – one by the judges and one by the viewers –
every evening, to perform in the finale on Thursday.

The ultimate (and inaugural) winner of SA’s Got Talent will then be
elected by public vote alone – the outcome of which will be announced
during the concluding Thursday night results broadcast.

Viewers can vote for their favourite candidate all of next week
(when prompted to do so by the presenters, that is) either via SMS,
or by calling the IVR line.

SMSes should be prefaced by the word "talent", followed by the number
of your preferred act each evening, and sent to 34768.

Alternatively, you can call the IVR line at 083 913 4768 and follow
the voice prompts.

SA’s Got Talent, Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm. Results show at 9.30pm.

WIN WIN WIN

PREDICT the Winner and stand a chance to win big!

Four lucky readers stand to win R5 000 each, simply by predicting
the victor of the inaugural SA’s Got Talent competition.

Simply *SMS the keyword SABC2 followed by the name of the person you
think is going to win to 33120.

Predict the Winner competition winners will be announced on Friday,
November 13, in The Star, Cape Argus, Pretoria News and Isolezwe
newspapers.

SMSes will be charged at R2 each. Competition closes on Thursday,
November 12, at 7.30pm

Terms and conditions apply.

2010 COLORADO U.S. SENATE CONTENDERS SPEAK OUT ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

armradio.am
06.11.2009 11:11

The two leading contenders for Colorado’s Democratic U.S. Senate
nomination, Andrew Romanoff and Michael Bennet, have staked out
their views on U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Romanoff, a longstanding and vocal advocate for Armenian Genocide
recognition, announced his candidacy on September 16th, challenging
Bennet, who has held this Senate seat since he was appointed
earlier this year by Colorado’s Governor Bill Ritter to fill
the vacancy left when Ken Salazar departed the Senate to serve as
Secretary of the Interior. During his service in the Senate, Salazar
established a record, along with nearly all the other members in
the state’s Congressional delegation, of co-sponsoring the Armenian
Genocide Resolution, advocating Armenian priorities, and supporting
anti-genocide initiatives.

In an exclusive letter to the Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates [text
below], Romanoff, the former Speaker of the Colorado House, reviewed
his extensive record in support of Armenian American concerns and
pledged, if elected, to be an original co-sponsor of a Senate Armenian
Genocide Resolution.

Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates co-editor and ANCA activist Vi Bashian
Cooper praised Mr. Romanoff’s steadfast record of support stating;
"Speaker Romanoff has repeatedly demonstrated his longstanding loyalty
to our community and our abiding wish to have the Armenian Genocide
affirmed as United States policy. His actions as a Colorado state
legislator, including his service as Speaker of the House, confirm
his consistent dedication and honor to Colorado Armenian Americans. Mr.

Romanoff is one of those rare shining lights of character and intellect
on the Colorado political stage. He will represent our Rocky Mountain
state and our national Armenian-American community with distinction
should he be elected to the United States Senate."

Senator Bennet, in letters sent to his Armenian American constituents
during his first months in office, addressed the Armenian Genocide as a
"heartfelt opinion." More recently, including in a letter received by
RMHA on October 26th, he has been more straightforward, describing
the Ottoman Turkish Empire’s systematic slaughter of Armenians
as genocide. He further states that, "I certainly understand your
frustration with those who would attempt to qualify or recast these
deaths as mere casualties of war." Senator Bennet remains silent
as to whether he will co- sponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
S.Res.316, currently before the U.S. Senate.

"Armenian Americans from across Colorado welcome our friend Andrew
Romanoff’s reaffirmation of his longstanding record in support of
Armenian Genocide condemnation and commemoration, and are, as well,
very gratified that Senator Bennet has joined with so many of his
colleagues in our state’s Congressional delegation in properly
recognizing this crime against humanity," said Jirair Christianian,
a Colorado Armenian American businessman and ANCA grassroots activist.

"We look to Senator Bennet, in the coming days, to act upon his
principled stand by agreeing to serve as an official cosponsor of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution."