Author: Topchian Jane

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Sahan Arzruni
215 East 80 Street, #LD, New York, NY 10021-0546
Vox/Fax: (212) 650-0956
E-mail: [email protected]

June 13, 2006
_________________

ARMENIA MARKS 85 YEARS OF COMPOSER EDVARD MIRZOYAN WITH GALA CONCERT

The 85th birthday of composer Edvard Mirzoyan was celebrated in Yerevan~Rs
Komitas Chamber Music Auditorium on May 14, 2006, under the auspices of
Armenia~Rs Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs.

Attending the filled-to-capacity event was the Republic~Rs First Lady, Bella
Kocharian. The crowd of spectators stood by the walls and took seats on the
stage itself.

The program, conceived and organized by master pianist Sahan Arzruni,
featured cellist Medea Abramyan, soprano Nuné Patalyan, mezzo-soprano Anna
Mayilyan, and pianist Martin Vartazaryan. The concert also highlighted a
new work by Mirzoyan: ~SFour Chinese Songs,~T written in 2006.

In a ceremony prior to the concert, Mirzoyan was presented with several
medals and citations, including the ~SLeonardo da Vinci Medal~T from the
Italian Academy of Arts and Letters.

The musical program began with Mirzoyan~Rs ~SPoem,~T a work for solo piano
written to honor the 1971 graduation of the composer~Rs daughter, Zara.
~SAlbum for My Granddaughter,~T a 1984 commission by the French publishing
house Alphonse Leduc, was inspired by Mirzoyan~Rs granddaughter, Mariam, who
improvised the tune while dancing around her grandpa. Scores for both works
were recently made available by the Charentz Museum of Literature and Art of
Armenia.

The vocal works on display covered the entire span of Mirzoyan~Rs creative
life. ~SAsum en te~E,~T based on a text by Issahakian, was composed by an
18-year-old Mirzoyan in 1939. The melody of ~SVerhush,~T written in Dilijan
in 1977, inspired Armenia~Rs revered poet Silva Kaputikyan to compose lyrics
after the fact. Meditations on the seasons by poets of the Tang Dynasty
inspired Mirzoyan~Rs brief, lyrical ~SFour Chinese Songs,~T premiered by Anna
Mayilyan.

Two large-scale works for cello and piano were the centerpiece of the
concert. ~SPoem,~T written over a span of 10 years, is dedicated to Armenia~Rs
pre-eminent cellist, Medea Abramyan. The Sonata, composed for Mstislav
Rostropovich in 1967, was actually finished in Rostropovich~Rs Moscow
dacha~Wwhere the great cellist ~Simprisoned~T Mirzoyan so he could complete the
work. (A pirated recording of the piece~Rs 1968 premiere in the Moscow
Conservatory~Rs Great Hall features stunning performances by Rostropovich and
Mirzoyan.)

The evening concluded with four-handed arrangements of two of Mirzoyan~Rs
most popular works, ~SWaltz~T and ~SLezginka,~T performed by the
Vartazaryan-Arzruni team.

The event was recorded and broadcast by Armenian State Television.

–6/7/06

E-mail photos available on request.

(1) PHOTO CAPTION: The 85th birthday of composer Edvard Mirzoyan was
celebrated in Yerevan, with a concert organized under the auspices of
Armenia~Rs Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs. Pictured on the stage of
the Komitas Chamber Music Auditorium is Edvard Mirzoyan (at the microphone),
and (proceeding rightward) guest artists Martin Vartazaryan, Sahan Arzruni,
Nune Patalyan, program host Mr. Armen Budaghyan, Medea Abramyan and Anna
Mayilyan.

(2) PHOTO CAPTION: 85-year-old Armenian composer Edvard Mirzoyan with master
pianist Sahan Arzruni, who conceived and organized the May 14 birthday
tribute to the eminent composer.

# # #

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RF SUPREME COURT TO INVESTIGATE THE CASE AGAINST LEVON CHAKHMAKHCHYAN

ArmRadio.am
16.06.2006 15:33

RA Supreme Court will start today investigating the case against Levon
Chakhmakhchyan, former Senator of Armenia, attorney Boris Kuznetsov
told RIA Novosti.

He noted that the General Prosecutor’s Office submitted a corresponding
mediation to the Supreme Court.

"According to the Law, in case the Court finds that criminal signs
existed in the activity of my client, a criminal case may be launched
against him, and he will be presented accusations," Kuznetsov said.

To remind, Levon Chakhmakhchyan, representing the Parliament of the
Republic of Kalmikia at the Russian Federal Council, was arrested
when taking a bribe of US$300 thousand.

Employee of the Counting Chamber of Russia was also arrested.

SWITZERLAND FOR SEARCH OF WAYS FOR DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION OF THE NK CONFLICT
Author: À.Mammadov

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 12 2006

Switzerland is for search of ways for diplomatic resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Micheline Calmy-Rey, the deputy chairperson
of the Federal Council of Swiss Confederation, stated in Yerevan on
12 June in a joint news conference with Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian.

The Swiss government has repeatedly organized meetings of the
Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Geneva, Trend reports citing
ARKA.

“The resolution of the Karabakh conflict will stimulate the restoration
of relationships between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Turkey,’
she underlined.

The deputy chairperson of the Federal Council of Swiss Confederation
is on an official to Armenian from 11 to 13 June.

During the visit Calmy-Rey will meet with Armenian President Robert
Kocharian and Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian.

–Boundary_(ID_kUCPjQ5CgkLN74inYyu8Ig)- –

By June 17 OTE Company will develop the list of applicants to buy `ArmenTel’

ArmRadio.am
09.06.2006 17:32

By June 17 OTE Company will develop the list of applicants to buy
`ArmenTel.’ The results of the tender will be known in the second
half of July, MEDIAMAX Agency informs.

A number of local and foreign Companies are participating in the
tender to purchase 90 percent of `ArmenTel’ shares announced by Greek
OTE Company.

RA FM ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO EP’S ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND EU

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 8 2006

YEREVAN, June 8. /ARKA/. During his meeting with the Vice-Speaker of
the Euro Parliament Edward Mcmillan-Scott the RA Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vartan Oskanian said he attaches great importance to the role
of the Euro Parliament in the development of dialogue between Armenia
and EU, the Press and Information Department of the RA Ministry of
Foreign Affairs reports.

Interlocutors with satisfaction pointed out the fact of active
cooperation and development of relations between Armenian
parliamentarian and Euro Parliament, particularly touching upon
issues connected with work of the session of Armenia-EU Committee of
Parliamentary Cooperation held in 2006.

Upon Scotts’ request Oskanian presented in outline recent developments
in the process of peace settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and Armenian’s position regarding this problem.

The EP Vice-Speaker is in Yerevan in order to take part in the opening
ceremony of the national office of the International Association of
Business and Parliament.

APPRECIATION OF NATIONAL HEROES EMERGES AS DAILY NECESSITY
By Karine Mangassarian

Yerkir.am
June 02, 2006

The presentation of historian Ashot Nersissian’s book titled “Living
Heroes” was held at ARF on May 30. The book tells about the lives
and activities of outstanding Armenian leaders of the First Republic
period Avetik Sahakian, Karo Sasuni and Zoravar (Commander) Sepuh.

The prominent Iranian-Armenian author Hovsep Hovhannissian’s book
“Memoirs” was also presented at this event. Ashot Nersissian has
also published two monographs titled “Djokhq Hrayr” (Hell Hrayr) and
“Ruben”.

ARF representatives, professors from YSU’s department of history and
Diaspora Armenian attended the presentation. Artashes Shahbazian,
ARF, stressed the importance of the publication since in the fifteen
years after the independence there is a lack of national literature
and historiography. The generation that wants to learn about its
national political identity needs such works.

ARF Bureau Representative Board Hrant Margarian notes in his speech
that even though the books are not ARF’s publications ARF appreciates
and values such initiatives that tell about outstanding people of
our history that are not known to our nation.

“These books are important because they tell about historic realities
not known to our people before. They are important for another
reason: in our materialized life when material values are preached
everywhere and when the value system in the whole state system has
been distorted our generations are shaped with no national value
systems. It is foreign states that shape our young generation’s
outlook and we seem to have surrendered to this situation. In this
context, the publication of this book is crucial for the upbringing
of generations,” Margarian stated.

Margarian assured the national leaders of those times can serve as
an example for today’s leaders and young people. Head of the history
chair at YSU Babken Harutyunian noted that today it is necessary to
remind our young people about our history every second.

“Not a single nation can make its future without properly examining
its past. The First Republic of Armenia gave us a number of dedicated
national leaders who were ready to sacrifice their lives to sustain
our first state,” Harutyunian noted.

Harutyunian believes that even though these people are not recognized
internationally they were very important for Armenia and their
example can help to bring up the coming generations with the spirit
of patriotism to make them citizens that would be ready to struggle
for our small piece of land.

Commenting on the books, Harutyunian noted that the authors
had succeeded in presenting the material in an easily readable
manner. Historian Norayr Pahlavuni noted that several books telling
about the heroes of the First Republic have been published since
independence.

“However, publication of these books would not have importance if they
were to stay on our bookshelves and our generations were not exposed
to them,” Pahlavuni noted. He suggested that these books should be
included into the university curricula and be distributed not only
in Yerevan but also in the regions.

Hrach Abrahamian, a descendant of one of our national heroes
participated in the whole process of publication of the books. In
his speech he stressed the importance of appreciation of the lives
and activities of these heroes who are not known to our people but
have proved with their lives the dedication to their nation and
the motherland.

“I have chosen prominent leaders: Avetik Sahakian (Father Abraham)
who was the speaker of the Parliament of the First Republic, Karo
Sasuni who was a member of ARF’s Armenia Board and the organizer of
the February uprising, and Zoravar Sepuh whose life had one guideline –
do not rely on foreigners, but rely only on your own hopes.

Guided by this principle they built the First Republic and we can still
learn lessons from this experience,” Ashot Nersissian said noting
that the history of activities of national leaders was covered with
the dust during the Soviet period. The books published today will
help to remove this dust from the pages of our history.

The author of the book thanked all those who had supported the
publication especially the descendants of his heroes who had assisted
wit the publication of the book. Karo Sasuni’s son Babken Sasuni,
Father Abraham’s grandson Armen Sahakian, Levon Palian and Avetik
Sahakian’s granddaughter Madlen Minassian assisted the author with
the publication. Ashot Nersissian informed those present at the
event that he will continue the series of publications titled ”
The Living Heroes”.

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
PRESS RELEASE
-“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund
-Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
-Contact: Anush Babayan
-Tel: 3741 52 09 40
-Fax: 3741 52 37 95
-E-mail: [email protected]
-Web:

5.06.06

One more apartment building unveiled in Spitak

On June 5, the `Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund unveiled one more
residential building in Yereankyuni district, Spiatak town. Construction
of this district started in 1999. There are 11 residential buildings in
Yerankyuni of which 10 are sponsored by HAAF’s Great Britain local
committee and the other one by the German local committee.

Mrs. Naira Melkoumian, the Executive Director of the Fund, Armineh
Carapeti, the representative of the Great Britain local committee,
Armenian donors from Great Britan Seda and Tigran Ouzounian, who have
sponsored the project, Armenians from Great Britain and Vanik Asatrian,
Mayor of Spitak town were present at the opening ceremony of 8b
building. Naira Melkoumian expressed gratitude to the benefactors and on
behalf of RA President and Chairman of the Fund’s Board of Trustees
Robert Kocharian, handed over them the Certificate of the `Hayastan’
Fund’s Honorable Donor.

Appreciating the successful work of the Great Britain local committee
Mrs. Naira Melkoumian mentioned that the local committee has always been
actively participating in various initiatives of the Fund, especially in
the large-scale project in Spitak. Delegates of the Great Britain local
committee expressed satisfaction for the qualified construction work
done.

All the buildings in Yerankyuni district are constructed with the same
design. They are seismically resistant and designed for the people
having lost their homes as a result of the earthquake.

ROUND-TABLE MEETING IN KARABAKH
E. Babayan

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
05 June 2006

In late May the Karabakh branch of the human rights organization
Civic Action Center held a round-table meeting in Stepanakert on
the problems and prospects of development of the non-governmental
sector in Nagorno Karabakh in the framework of the initiative “South
Caucasian Integration: Alternative Start.”

>From Yerevan Georgy Vanian, the director of the Caucasian Centre
of Peace Building Efforts, and Louisa Poghossian, the coordinator
of the project “South Caucasian Integration. Alternative Start,”
participated in the round-table meeting. The first meeting of the
representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia in the framework
of this initiative took place on July 19, 2005 in Yerevan. In March
2006, the second meeting took place, funded by Caritas (France). The
representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Abkhazia, Nagorno
Karabakh and South Osetia took part. On July 8-13 the six recognized
and unrecognized states of this region will meet to discuss the
problems of establishment of democracy and settlement of conflicts,
humanitarian problems in conflict settlement and conciliation,
effectiveness of human rights and peacemaking NGOs, their establishment
in unrecognized states, etc. The director of the Civic Action Centre
Albert Voskanian presented a report on the non-governmental sector in
Nagorno Karabakh, prepared by CAC, Young Democrats NGO and Harmony
NGO. “Although the NKR legislation does not hinder the development
of NGOs in NKR in any way, the development of the non-governmental
sector is very slow.

107 NGOs are registered but the majority do not operate. They say the
reason is the money problem, the lack of opportunities to establish
partnership with organizations abroad. The reason why international
organizations and donors often reject cooperation with Karabakh
NGOs, including humanitarian sphere, is that the country is not
recognized. As a result, the Nagorno-Karabakh refugees do not receive
aid from international funds and organizations.

Nevertheless, certain progress is reported in the non-governmental
sector,” said Albert Voskanian. The participants of the round-table
meeting came up with proposals, namely on cooperation between the
Karabakh NGOs and the Armenian Diaspora, international assistance
to the development of democratic institutions in Nagorno Karabakh,
relations with the government. Most participants approved the draft
report. They think it reflects the state of the NKR non-governmental
sector adequately. Georgy Vanian, Caucasian Centre of Peace Building
Efforts: “It is necessary to shift from office peace building to real
peace building efforts, meet people, work at places, disseminate peace
building ideas, and be consistent. On May 5-17 the Armenian-Azerbaijani
task force of the project “South Caucasian Integration. Alternative
Start” had meetings in Georgia, South Osetia and Abkhazia, our
website was presented (which is an important factor for integration),
the topics of the July 8-13 working meeting of the six states in
Yerevan (including the representatives of South Caucasian NGOs,
and citizens of all these states) were specified. A joint document
will be adopted during these debates, which will be extended to the
societies of all the six states.” Louisa Poghossian, Coordinator
of the project South Caucasian Integration. Alternative Start:
“A tenacious approach and frankness are essential to the settlement
of problems. During the meeting in July in Yerevan we are going to
break up in groups. One of the groups, for instance, will include
representatives of Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh, and will deal
with specific issues. The parties will work out and sign a document
and assume its joint fulfillment.” Recently the Caucasian Centre of
Peace Building Efforts and the Civic Action Centre conducted a survey
among 24 Nagorno-Karabakh NGOs and 3 labor unions to find out the
problems that hinder establishment of relations with international
organizations, participation in international and regional seminars
and trainings. Particularly, as a major obstacle to partnership with
Azerbaijanis NGOs 12 pointed to financial problems, 11 emphasized the
political situation, 6 pointed to the lack of interest, 4 mentioned
the reluctance of the government and politicization of the issue,
2 point to the lack of means of communication, 1 emphasized the
unsettled conflict and 1 pointed to the atmosphere of distrust. One
NGO answered that there are no obstacles at all.

6 participants declined to answer this question. With regard to
cooperation with NGOs of other countries 13 pointed to financial
problems, 3 said the problem is that the country is not recognized,
2 said there are no means of communication, 1 pointed to the low level
of awareness. Three NGOs think there are no obstacles, 7 participants
declined to answer this question. The participants of the survey came
up with the following proposals on overcoming these problems: setting
up direct relations among NGOs 6, development of a civil society 5,
assistance from international organizations 4, elimination of distrust
4, government assistance 3, persuading Azerbaijan that direct relations
with Karabakh are vital 2, prevention of politicization of the problem
2, international conferences 2, exchange of visits 2, engagement in
regional and international projects 3, alternative sources of funding
1, solidarity of NGOs 1, creation of a website with details about
potential partners 1, regular seminars and trainings 1. By the way,
this year the government decided on funding projects of NGOs, which
will promote greatly the non-governmental sector in Karabakh.

Azerbaijan News Service
June 2 2006

DAQLIQ QARABAQ PROBLEM TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE SESSION OF OSCE
PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLY ON JUNE 3
2006-06-02 10:26

Daqliq Qarabaq problem will be discussed at spring session of OSCE
Parliament Assembly on June 3 if several parliamentarians give their
consent on this issue. According to Eldar Ibrahimov Turkey, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Central Asia states will support
Azerbaijan’s initiative. Azerbaijan will be represented by Bahar
Muaradova, head of Azerbaijani delegation at OSCE Parliament Assembly
and deputy speaker of Milli Majlis.

Parties have already agreed upon the major points of Karabakh
settlement, Azeri paper states

ArmRadio.am
03.06.2006 13:37

The parties have already agreed upon the major points of the
negotiations process over the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,
Baku based `Echo’ newspaper informs, referring to anonymous sources of
the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the newspaper, there is an agreement on withdrawing from
the territories under Karabakh control. It notes that for some time
Armenia will be allowed to control the Lachin corridor, which will
link Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. Besides, the source underlines that
the version of `provision of security of Kelbajar region by the
Armenian side’ is also discussed at the negotiations.