Author: Topchian Jane

SITUATION IN JAVAKHK IS DANGEROUS

A1+
[08:22 pm] 23 January, 2009

Georgia’s Interior Ministry has arrested Grigor Minasyan and Sargis
Hakobjanyan. They are actively engaged in the cultural life of
Akhaltskha town. Grigor Minasyan heads the "Armenian Youth Centre" and
Grigor Minasyan – "Charles Aznavour" Charity Foundation. A criminal
action has been filed. The detainees are charged with formation of
illegal groupings and espionage.

"Yesterday Georgia’s Intelligence Service raided the premises of the
Youth Centre. They took away part of the Centre’s library. The raid
was followed by the arrest of Grigor Minasyan and Sargis Hakobjanyan,"
Armenian MP and Chairman of the "Javakhk" Patriotic Union Shirak
Torosyan told A1+.

The indictment is ungrounded. Minasyan and Hakobjanyan have nothing
to do with politics. This is a state terror against leading Javakhki
figures. They want to disturb cultural and national life of Javakhk
and create an atmosphere of fear, horror and distrust.

The representatives of the Intelligence Service have found no weapon in
the detainees’ flats. Shirak Torosyan thinks similar attitude towards
Javakhki Armenians may lead to dangerous and undesirable consequences.

This can be the last straw for Javakhki Armenians. If Georgian
authorities should not forget that one they their misdeeds may
boomerang against them. I am convinced that there are no armed
groupings in Javakhk. I call on the Georgian authorities to sober up
and release Grigor Minasyan and Sargis Hakobjanyan who were transported
to Tbilisi after the arrest.

Mr. Torosyan says Armenian authorities, for their turn, should take
adequate measures. "They must clear up the matter, find the reasons
for their arrest as well as the aim of Georgian authorities.

BH LEADER NEVER INTENDED TO SEIZE SOMEONE’S PROPERTY, KHACHIK GALSTIAN ASSURES

Noyan Tapan

Jan 23, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. "As far back as in December Gagik
Tsarukian stated that he will not take part in the auction of Bjni
Mineral Waters Factory CJSC," Khachik Galstian, the Spokesperson of
the Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) party Chairman, reminded
at the January 23 press conference answering journalists’ question
of how the BH leader treats the latest events regarding factory’s
owner Khachatur Sukiasian’s business.

According to K. Galstian, G. Tsarukian never intended to seize
someone’s property. "He considers that in his partner K. Sukiasian’s
business some workers just displayed unconscientiousness in their
duties. Meanwhile BH considers that the ownership right should be
protected," he mentioned.

K. Galstian also presented G. Tsarukian’s opinion about government’s
decision to place cash registers in fairs and markets. Thus, under
the financial-economic crisis the state should not increase small and
medium-sized businessmen’s tax burden leaving that step to easier
times. K. Galstian also said that no cadre reductions will take
place at enterprises belonging to G. Tsarukian, though the production
volumes have reduced considerably.

BH leader’s Spokesperson gave a negative answer to the question of
whether there are political prisoners in Armenia and found it difficult
to answer the question of whether there are people persecuted for
their political views.

The Armenian Reporter
Pianist Natalia Kazaryan charms her audience
Published: Thursday January 22, 2009

Pianist Natalia Kazaryan with Fr. Garabed Kochakian, pastor, at St. John
Armenian Church in Southfield, Mich.
Southfield, –
On a snowy, cold Michigan night, hardy souls gathered in the Cultural Hall
at St. John Armenian Church Jan. 9 for a piano recital by "hometown girl"
Natalia Kazaryan, now a student at Julliard. Many in the audience were
familiar with the artist’s talent but most had no idea what a treat they
were in for.
John Yavruian, chairperson of the St. John’s Komitas Choir, welcomed the
guests to "this exciting evening where we are so proud to present one of our
own in a recital." He then asked the pastor, Fr. Garabed Kochakian, to
introduce the Tbilisi-born pianist, who moved from the Republic of Georgia
to the United States with her family in 2002.
As she sat down at the piano and began to play, Ms. Kazaryan immediately
captured her audience. Bach’s Partita No. 3 in A minor, with its seven
movements, was easy to follow as she gave each section its distinct tone.
She played with intensity and great emotion, yet without theatrics, so the
listener was not distracted from the music.
With Haydn’s Sonata in E flat major, her fingers flew over the keys in the
presto finale.
Before performing Debussy’s Images, Book 2, Ms. Kazaryan spoke to the
audience about the influence the painters of his day had on the composer.
One can almost see what Debussy is painting with his music – and the pianist
did not disappoint. The first image, "Cloches à travers les feuilles,"
establishes the atmosphere. It is almost like a dreamscape and yet also like
being underwater, one can hear water currents.
Ms. Kazaryan played the second movement, "Moon descends on a ruined temple,"
as though she were composing the music herself – such restraint, no
hurrying, beautiful. In her expressive portrayal of "Golden fish," the third
movement, one can see the fish change from a placid creature to a fighter
who eventually escapes. The pianist truly captured the essence of Debussy,
the most difficult technically in her program, while leaving nothing out.
To watch Ms. Kazaryan compose herself before beginning each piece was
remarkable. In Babajanian’s Elegy for Aram Khachaturian, she captured the
composer’s love for his late colleague.
The lullaby ("Oror") from Khachaturian’s Gayane ballet completed her
program. Although the piano, with its hammers striking the strings, is
classified as a percussion instrument, Ms. Kazaryan made her instrument sing
like a violin.
The audience was on its feet as the last notes faded away. As bouquets of
flowers were brought up to the stage, St. John’s Music Director Rubik
Mailian congratulated the young musician, presenting her with a gift on
behalf of the Komitas Choir and inviting her to return often for future
recitals.
We had been entertained by a strong pianist who made her instrument sing,
sigh, and demand, yet never did we forget that we were listening to and
watching a lovely young woman who will go on to capture many more audiences.
Born in 1987, Ms. Kazaryan at the age of six enrolled at The Tbilisi Music
School for Gifted Children under the tutelage of Alla Nakashidze and made
her orchestral debut at the age of seven with the Tbilisi State Chamber
Orchestra.
Ms. Kazaryan began working with Professor Logan Skelton at the University of
Michigan while still in high school. With her parents and brother, she
visited Fr. Garabed, who introduced her to Mr. Mailian. Over the years, the
Komitas Choir contributed small scholarships in support of her travel to
piano competitions. She performed at the church several times, including
during Lent after Badarak and for the choir’s celebration of the 75th
anniversary of St. John’s in 2006.
In the fall of 2005, with a full scholarship, Ms. Kazaryan began her
bachelor of music degree studies at Julliard under the guidance of Jerome
Lowenthal. She will graduate in the summer of 2009.

ARMENIAN CULTURE MINISTER ASSURES THAT NOT ARMENIAN MONUMENTS IN THE TERRITORY OF ARMENIA ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION

ARMENPRESS
jan 21, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS: The monuments of not Armenian origin
situated in the Armenian territory are in a very good condition and
are taken care of, Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan told Armenpress,
informing that there are 350 Muslim monuments in the republic of which
15 are monumental, the rest are tomb-stones, including Mongol, Persian
and Turkmen. In the territory of Armenia there are also Christian
monuments not belonging to Armenians. The minister assured that the
issues of their care and perseverance is always under the limelight.

H. Poghosyan expressed concern over the destruction of Armenian
monuments in Azerbaijani territory and noted that the country impedes
the visits of monitoring groups of international organizations having
an issue to hide the fact of destruction of Armenian monuments in
Old Jugha.

Referring to the initiative of the Council of Europe to send a
group which will study the situation of monuments in Armenia and
Azerbaijan, the minister said that the approach of the Armenian
side is unequivocal: they may study all the monuments but they
must particularly pay attention to the issues with which Armenia
is concerned with, those historic-cultural values which are being
destroyed in the territory of other countries.

"The Council of Europe did not specify by which principle the monuments
will be viewed. If again they will not refer to the disputable issues,
sending of the monitoring group will not give anything to Armenia. I
think the Armenian side forwards this question in a right way as
we have concrete issues: in the Azerbaijani territory on concrete
monuments concrete actions are carried out," the minister said.

She assured that Armenia provided to the Council of Europe lists of
all the monuments in the territory of the country and the studies in
which conditions they are.

The Azerbaijani soldiers in December 2005 destroyed the Armenian
cemetery in Old Jugha and built a shooting place there. After that
Armenia voiced the fact in international establishments and called on
studying and condemning it. Azerbaijan, though, impeded several times
the entrance of PACE and UNESCO fact finding missions to Nakhijevan.

SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTES OF ARMENIA AND FRANCE TO COOPERATE

Panorama.am
17:06 21/01/2009

The Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia and the Center
national des recherches scientifiques (CNRS) have signed a cooperation
contract in Paris. Samvel Harutyunyan, the President of State Committee
of Science and Catherine Breshiniac, the President of the CNRS signed
the contract, reports the public relations department of the Foreign
Ministry.

According to the source, the objective of the document is to strengthen
the scientific cooperation of the two countries. It is planned to share
scientific experience by exchanging scientists of the two countries,
to implement scientific programs, to organize conferences and seminars.

CAFESJIAN FAMILY FOUNDATION SHOWS INTEREST IN ACTIVITIES OF RA MINISTRY OF DIASPORA

Noyan Tapan

Jan 20, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, NOYAN TAPAN. During the meeting with the Vice
President of the Cafesjian Family Foundation John Waters, the RA
Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian presented the work done by
the ministry in recent period and its projects and programs to be
implemented in the near future. She spoke about the three strategic
tasks of the ministry: the preservation of the Armenian identity,
the unification of the Diaspora’s potential around homeland and the
development of programs on repatriation.

NT was informed by the Press and PR Department of the Ministry of
Diaspora that the interlocutors also discussed issues related to the
conferences of Armenian architects, lawyers, bankers and financiers
to be held in 2009, as well as "Ari Tun" ("Come Home") program. In
the words of the minister, it is envisaged bringing 1,000 Armenian
children to Armenia this year.

Underlining the importance of the Diaspora for Armenia, J. Waters
said that Mr. Cafesjian follows the work and mission of the Ministry
of Diaspora via newspapers and he is interested in the ministry’s
activities. According to him, the programs presented by Ms. Hranish
Hakobian are congenial to the Cafesjians and will be discussed by the
Foundation, with proposals to be made to the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

Armenian Youth Federation of Australia
259 Penshurst Street, Willoughby NSW 2068
PO Box 238, Willoughby NSW 2068
E: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] | W:
<;

13 January 2009

2009 HASG College Enrolments Up by 70%

With the 2009 school term yet to commence, HASG College has already
registered a 70% increase in its new enrolments in students in Kindergarten
and other Years in the Primary and Secondary Schools (30 new students) from
enrolments last year.

"We are very encouraged by this increase in enrolments this year" said
Principal Kaylar Michaelian, adding "More parents from our Community are
appreciating the unique and quality education, both bi-lingual and
bi-cultural, that students receive at HASG College in a safe, clean and
nurturing environment".

A number of these new students have come to HASG College from other Private
and Catholic schools in Armenian Community areas of Chatswood and Ryde.

At the end of 2008, HASG College introduced limited Entrance Scholarships
for both Primary and Secondary Schools.

"We know that there are other academically strong students from our
Community in the increasingly crowded and strained public school system
whose family may be discouraged in also enrolling their children at HASG
College because of college tuition fees" said College Board Chairman Ara
Vartoukian. "Through our Entrance Scholarships we want to provide
assistance in having more of the best and brightest students at our College
to gain the benefits of the unique education it provides."

For enrolments or more information about the HASG College Entrance
Scholarships, please contact the College Administration Manager Ms Wendy
Rangi – Tel: 9970 6984 or email – [email protected].

Nurturing individual excellence and community values
A K-12 co-educational, non-selective, bilingual Armenian and English
Christian College
5 Chiltern Road, Ingleside NSW 2101

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

January 19, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

REMEMBERING HRANT DINK

Washington, DC – "On the 2nd Anniversary of Hrant Dink’s assassination,
as we pause to reflect on his life and untimely death, his legacy lives
on in Turkey," said Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. In December of last year intellectuals in Turkey
asked their fellow citizens to sign a petition apologizing to their
‘Armenian brothers and sisters’ for the ‘denial of the Great Catastrophe
that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915.

"With this petition, its 27,775 signatures, and the millions around the
world that call for Turkey to lift its ban on truth, an irrevocable
trend continues towards global recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
This public apology is a first step in that direction and will
inevitably lead to Turkey coming to grips with its genocidal past,"
added Ardouny.

In the weeks following Dink’s assassination, then-Senator Joseph Biden,
Jr. (D-DE), introduced a resolution in the U.S. Senate, which was passed
by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. S.Res. 65 condemned the
murder of Hrant Dink as "a shameful act of cowardice perpetrated with
contempt for law, justice and decency" and urged the Government of
Turkey to repeal Article 301 and "work diligently to foster a more open
intellectual environment in the country that is conducive to the free
exchange of ideas."

Biden commented, "Hrant Dink was a man of strong conviction who wanted,
above all, to foster greater understanding and respect between Turks and
Armenians. His assassination is one more tragic reminder of why Turkey
needs to reform its laws and allow for an open discussion of events
surrounding the Armenian Genocide. It should never be a crime to speak
the truth."

The Turkish Government’s response to the online petition has been
regrettable. Earlier this month, a Turkish prosecutor opened an
investigation that could lead to criminal charges against the authors of
the online apology petition. The state prosecutor is probing whether or
not this apology violated Article 301 of its penal code, which could
lead to charges under the law against insulting the "Turkish nation."

"Today, Armenians and other minorities are still at risk in Turkey and
Article 301 is the main factor in this injustice," concluded Ardouny. As
recent as January 8, 2009, Turkish Web site, Nethaber.com published an
article with a photo of members of the "Osman Gazi Cultural Association"
of the town of Eskishehir, Turkey, holding posters that read, "Dogs
Allowed. Jews and Armenians Not Allowed." The offensive signs were seen
at the anti-Israeli rally protesting the Jewish actions in Gaza.

In the two years since Dink was murdered by a Turkish ultranationalist,
Turkey has still failed to adopt standards and practices that would
reverse the prevalence of intolerance, repression and prejudice which
led to the assassination. Arat Dink, the son of Hrant Dink, was also
convicted under Article 301 for characterizing the 1915 killings of
Armenians as genocide.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###
NR#2009-005

Editor’s Note –

The Assembly remains committed to honoring Hrant Dink’s memory and
legacy. For more on Dink, please visit the Hrant Dink Fact Sheet on the
Assembly’s Website at
/Hrant_Dink_-_2008/FACT_S
HEET_-_Hrant_Dink_11.pdf

Benita Ferrero-Waldner: EU believes that the region will never attain
its full potential as long as frozen conflict in Nagorny Karabakh
remains unresolved

YER EVAN, JANUARY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. "Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are
important countries for the EU, and we want to do more to help them
advance in the reform process that will bring them greater prosperity
and stability". The Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said this prior to her
visit to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan on 19-22 January.

NT was informed by the Office of the EU Delegation to Armenia that
during her visit the Commissioner will discuss proposals to
substantially upgrade the level of political engagement with the EU’s
Eastern neighbours in a new Eastern Partnership (EaP). Implementation
of each country’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action will also
be discussed. In Georgia the Commissioner will discuss implementation
of the up to 500 million-euro program to re-launch the economy and
resettle IDPs following last summer’s conflict. In Armenia and
Azerbaijan she will urge renewed efforts to find a settlement for
Nagorny Karabakh. In her words, " the EU believes that the region will
never attain its full potential as long the frozen conflict in Nagorny
Karabakh remains unresolved".

Focus News, Bulgaria
Jan 17 2009

Turkey warns US over recognizing Armenian claims on 1915 incidents

17 January 2009 | 13:37 | FOCUS News Agency

Ankara. Turkey’s foreign minister has warned Barack Obama’s incoming
administration that any U.S. recognition of Armenian claims regarding
the 1915 incidents could derail reconciliation efforts between the two
neighbors, the online English edition of Hurriyet newspaper reports.

Turkey warns US over recognizing Armenian claims on 1915 incidents "It
would not be very rational for a third country to take a position on
this issue… A wrong step by the United States will harm the
process," the Anatolia news agency quoted Ali Babacan as saying late
Friday.

Turkey has "never been closer" to normalizing ties with Armenia, its
eastern neighbor, and a breakthrough could be secured in 2009, the
minister said, according to the AFP.

Obama, who takes office Tuesday, pledged to his Armenian-American
supporters during his election campaign to recognize the 1915
incidents as "genocide".

The issue of 1915 incidents is highly sensitive for Armenia as well as
Turkey. Around 300,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks, died in
civil strife that emerged when Armenians took up arms, backed by
Russia, for independence in eastern Anatolia.

However Armenia, with the backing of the diaspora, claims up to 1.5
million of their kin were slaughtered in orchestrated killings in
1915. The issue remains unsolved as Armenia drags its feet in
accepting Turkey’s proposal of forming a commission to investigate the
claims.