Author: Tambiyan Samvel

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: IT IS DIFFICULT FOR EMPIRES TO BEG PARDON

ArmRadio.am
19.02.2007 17:58

It is always difficult for an empire to beg pardon, and it is
particularly the case when the question refers to Eastern empires,
RA President Robert Kocharyan declare din an interview with "Le
Figaro" newspaper, responding to the question about the possibility
of improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations after the assassination
of Hrant Dink, the editor of Agos daily.

"There are different opinions, but I think this murder will have no
influence after the first shock. The problem is much deeper and derives
from the history of the Turkish people," Robert Kocharyan noted.

Turning to the stance of France on penalizing the denial of the
Armenian Genocide, Robert Kocharyan first expressed gratitude to France
for the bill recognizing the Armenian Genocide. "I know that attempts
are being made to go further. These are not our initiatives, but rather
the result of efforts of the Armenian Diaspora. This is an internal
political question of France. But, of course, Armenia agrees with
all that refers to the Armenian Genocide," said the Armenian President.

ISSUES OF COORDINATION OF SOME SECTORS OF ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN BORDER TO BE DISCUSSED IN TBILISI

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Feb 19 2007

February 19-21 a meeting of the Co-Chairs of the Commission on the
Armenian-Georgian State Border Demarcation and Delimitation – RA Deputy
FM Gegham Gharibjanian and Georgia’s Deputy FM Georgy Manjgaladze –
will be held in Tbilisi.

According to the information DE FACTO got at the RA MFA Press Service,
the Co-Chairs will discuss the issues referring to the coordination
of some sectors of the Armenian-Georgian state border.

IN S. DEMIRCHIAN’S WORDS, FORMATION OF ALLIANCE IS NOT END IN ITSELF, EFFICIENCY OF UNIFICTION IS IMPORTANT

Noyan Tapan
Feb 19 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The People’s Party of Armenia
inclines to alone participate in the coming parliamentary elections but
it did not make a final decision yet. PPA Chairman Stepan Demirchian
stated about it in the February 17 interview to journalists. He
mentioned that the PPA newly elected board will make the decision on
the format of participation in the elections, the proportional list
of the party and majoritarian candidates. S.Demirchian mentioned that
consultations among opposing political forces are still in process
and will continue, but he does not consider correct to speak about
them during the negotiations. He emphasized that not all of the
rumours concerning the contents of the negotiatios being put in the
circulation correspond to the reality. In his words, there is no
use of "amorphous" alliances, formation of an alliance is not end
in itself and one must take into consideration the efficiency of a
similar unification. "In all cases we shall be ready to cooperate
with our partners of the opposing field in the name of free and
fear elections," the PPA Chairman assured. Particularly, the party
positively relates to the proposal to create a coordinating group
to secure legality of the elections. The PPA Chairman reminded that
though during the 2003 elections the party had no members in the
electoral commissions, but the confidants selflessly struggled. "We
have always struggled and will struggle against falsifications, but it
is not a deed of one party. Everybody speaks now about free and fear
elections, including the authorities, but one may not secure free and
fear elections by statements," Demirchian mentioned. In his opinion,
it is necessary to create an atmosphere of intolerance in the country
against illegalities and falsifications. Touching upon nomination of
opposing leaders in all the 41 electoral districts by the majoritarian
electoral system, Demirchian mentioned that the idea was correct, but
it will give maximal result "if everybody really participates." In
his words, it is not obligatory that a candidate is a party head,
" the important one is that he is a powerful candidate."

The PPA Chairman considered absurd the accusations of the party’s
being a "mine" in the opposing field. In his words, the party has
always been a uniting force, the evidence of what is formation of the
"Miasnutiun" (Unity) and "Ardaroutiun" (Justice) blocs. "Unification
of 9 parties in the "Ardaroutiun" bloc was unprecedented, only PPA
was able to do it," the party Chairman stated.

The Times (London)
February 16, 2007, Friday

The Times has received a slew of e-mails from angry Turks

The Times has received a slew of e-mails from angry Turks, who are in
fact complaining about Time magazine. On its February 12 issue Time
issued a documentary DVD about the Armenian Genocide of 1915, in its
European edition an act that has prompted an e-mail campaign alleging
that Time’s action has "distorted the truth". Presumably Time itself
has received more complaints.

FORMER CHIEF OF NA LEGAL SERVICE PRESENTS REJECTION TO JUDGE

Noyan Tapan
Feb 14 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Examination of the case of Suren
Mamikonian, the former head of the RA National Assembly Legal Service,
a member of the "Orinats Yerkir" (Country of Law) party, continued
at the Court of 1st Instance of the communities of Kentron and
Nork-Marash, Yerevan, on February 12.

The claimant disputes NA staff head Hayk Kotanian’s notification
concerning discharging about 40 state servicemen, including him as
well. S.Mamikonian demands from the court to recognize invalid the
official’s act contradicting the law. The claimant presented mediation
at the court session by which the size of demands of the appeal is
added. Taking into consideration that NA Speaker Tigran Torosian’s
31.07.2006 decree on making changes in the RA staff structure became a
basis for the notification being disputed, the claimant demanded from
the court to recognize invalid the NA Speaker’s above-mentioned decree
as well. The court, presided by judge Samvel Tadevosian, refused the
mediation with motivation of NA Speaker’s not being involved in the
case as a side. In the judge’s words, the issue may be discussed within
the framework of other case, in the case of presenting a new claim
to the court. Indignant with that decision, S.Mamikonian presented
rejection to the judge. "I think that the court has been from the
beginning inhibited with the issue of involving the RA NA Speaker
in the case examination and, probably, it is under state pressure
in that sense. The process of the case examination proves this,"
is said in the rejection appeal. The court session was stopped to
discuss S.Mamikonian’s rejection.

ANCIENT COIN SHOWS CLEOPATRA WAS NO BEAUTY

CNN International
Feb 14 2007

LONDON, England (CNN) — Antony and Cleopatra — one of history’s
most romantic couples — were not the great beauties that Hollywood
would have us believe, according to British academics.

A study of a 2,000-year-old silver coin found the Egyptian queen,
famously portrayed by a sultry Elizabeth Taylor, had a shallow
forehead, pointed chin, thin lips and sharp nose.

On the other side, her Roman lover, played in the 1963 movie by
Richard Burton, Taylor’s husband at the time, had bulging eyes,
a hook nose and a thick neck.

History has depicted Cleopatra as a great beauty, befitting a woman
who as Queen of Egypt seduced Julius Caesar, and then his rival
Mark Antony.

But the coin, which goes on show on Wednesday at Newcastle University
for Valentine’s Day, after years lying in a bank, is much less
flattering about both famous faces.

The 32BC artifact was in a collection belonging to the Society of
Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, which is being researched in
preparation for the opening of the new Great North Museum.

Clare Pickersgill, the university’s assistant director of
archaeological museums, said: "The popular image we have of Cleopatra
is that of a beautiful queen who was adored by Roman politicians
and generals.

Relationship romanticized "The relationship between Mark Antony
and Cleopatra has long been romanticized by writers, artists and
film-makers.

"Shakespeare wrote his tragedy Antony and Cleopatra in 1608, while
the Orientalist artists of the 19th century and the modern Hollywood
depictions, such as that of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the
1963 film, have added to the idea that Cleopatra was a great beauty.

"Recent research would seem to disagree with this portrayal, however."

The university’s director of archaeological museums, Lindsay
Allason-Jones, said: "The image on the coin is far from being that
of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

"Roman writers tell us that Cleopatra was intelligent and charismatic,
and that she had a seductive voice but, tellingly, they do not mention
her beauty.

"The image of Cleopatra as a beautiful seductress is a more recent
image."

The silver denarius coin would have been issued by the mint of
Mark Antony.

On one side is the head of Mark Antony, bearing the caption "Antoni
Armenia devicta" meaning "For Antony, Armenia having been vanquished."

Cleopatra appears on the reverse of the coin with the inscription
"Cleopatra Reginae regum filiorumque regum," meaning "For Cleopatra,
queen of kings and of the children of kings," or possibly "Queen of
kings and of her children who are kings."

Experts say the coin, on display in Newcastle University’s Shefton
Museum, is not particularly rare but is very collectable. The
collection has been owned by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle
upon Tyne since the 1920s.

ARMENIA TO HAND RAILWAYS TO CONCESSIONAL MANAGEMENT

Armenpress
Feb 13 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS: Transport and communication minister
Andranik Manukian said today a tender for concessional management
of Armenian Railways will be announced in summer. He said ministry
experts have teamed up with World Bank experts to prepare the tender
package and a draft concessional agreement text.

Manukian said Russian, French, Ukrainian and Kazakh companies have
shown interest in Armenian Railways. He said World Bank experts suggest
that the winner transfer $10 million as concessional payment and pay
2 percent of its incomes to the government. He said railway tariffs
will be set by the Pubic Services Regulatory Commission. Manukian
said the Railway will remain under the government’s ownership.

"In a couple of years Armenian Railways will lose its carriages and
locomotives as they are in their last days. Armenia does not have
extra $170 million to repair the railroads and buy new carriages and
this is the main reason that prompts us to hand it to confessional
management,’ Manukian said.

ARMENIAN LOBBY: "TURKEY IS THREATENING THE U.S"

Sabah, Turkey
Feb 12 2007

Armenian lobby of the U.S Congress claimed that Turkey is threatening
Washington for the draft bill presented to the House of Representatives
about the so-called Armenian genocide.

Armenian members of the low wing of the Congress; the House of
Representatives Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg have written a
letter to the President of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Lantos
on this issue.

In the letter, both parliament members said: "As we understand, some
top level Turkish government officers are telling Washington not to
discuss the draft bill in the Congress and threatening Washington by
stating Turkey would stop its logistic support for American soldiers
in Iraq. Such threat, which clearly means interference in the military
operation of the U.S, is absolutely unacceptable.

The letter also said ‘Turkey is already feeling despair in its
campaign on denying the systematic death of 1, 5 million Armenians
which cause Turkish authorities to endanger the lives of American
soldiers in Iraq."

STATE THREATENS TO ABOLISH "AIR TAX" IN ARMENIA

Yerevan, February 12. ArmInfo. The so-called "air tax" or the state
duty of 10,000 drams, collected from each passenger leaving Armenia,
will be abolished, the Head of the Chief Department of Civil Aviation,
Artiom Movsisyan, told ArmInfo.

According to him, the collection of the state due just before the
flight in airports has proved its inefficiency. Moreover, some of
the "Zvartnots" airport’s employees were arraigned in receiving tens
thousands of US dollars as a result of fraudulent deals with checks
for the "air tax". The incident, Movsisyan noted, has induced the RA
President’s staff and the Finance Ministry to revise the expediency
of this kind of state due, a part of which did not reach the Armenian
state budget. "It is yet unknown, what will be the conclusions of
the country’s authorities: if the decision on abolishment of this
duty ill be final or it will be automatically added to the air
ticket’s cost. However, it will no more be called an "air tax" ",
A. Movsisyan said.

FILM ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO COMPETE FOR A "GOLDEN BEAR"

ArmRadio.am
12.02.2007 11:57

First screening of the "Lark farm" film of Vittorio and Paolo Taviani
brothers will take place February 14-15 at the Berlin International
Film Festival.

The film, which is a joint Italian-French-Spanish-Bulgarian production,
tells the story of a genocide survivor family. The world premiere of
the film will take place in the "Filpalast" of Berlin.

The film stars Canadian-Armenian actress Arsine Khanjian, Alechandro
Presiosi, Angela Molina and others.

The Berlin International Film Festival called also "Berlinale," is
one of the most popular film festivals in the world. It was founded in
1951. This time it is held February 8-18. the awards of the festival
are the golden and silver bears (the symbol of Berlin).