"FOLLOWING THE SUN" COLLECTION TALES INVENTED BY CHILDREN TRANSLATED INTO GERMAN
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
June 5, 2009
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The presentation of a collection of tales invented
by children from 11 regions of Armenia took place in Khnko Aper
library today.
"Following the Sun" was translated into German and published on
the initiative of German Embassy in Armenia, foundation for the
preservation of wildlife and cultural assets, with assistance of
VivaCell-MTS.
Alex Petizian: The Backbone of St. Lawrence
By Antranig Dereyan
/alex-petizian/
June 4, 2009
In Canada, lacrosse might be the national sport, but hockey will
always remain the sport that put the county on the map.
On March 9, 1987, U2 released their studio album, "The Joshua Tree"
and in Toronto, Alex Petizian entered the world to start his journey.
In 1988, the Petizian family moved to Montreal, where the majority
of his family was already located, and in 1992, Petizian, age 5,
was on the ice, playing hockey as a forward.
"I always enjoyed the game, ever since I was young. My father and
I would watch the games on TV. Being in Montreal, we were Montreal
Canadiens fans. My father also coached a local youth team and I would
be the mascot, running around, being part of the game from a far. I
have been around hockey for as long as I can remember. I wanted to
win the Stanley Cup, like Patrick Roy did in 1993," said Petizian to
the Armenian Weekly.
The opportunity for Petizian to play goalie, like his idol Roy,
presented itself when he was 8 years old and his team’s goaltender
decided to quit.
"The team had a dilemma on its hand. I had always been fascinated by
the position and wanted to give it a try. So, I put on the pads and
went into the net," he said.
Petizian’s first game in between the pipes-playing the goaltender
position-was not a memorable one. "We lost the game, 7-2. I remember
it because it was a big learning experience for me. Yes, I lost the
game, but I didn’t give up. I knew I could be a good goaltender."
His switch from forward to goalie, however, was met with some
disagreement.
"My father, even though he was supportive of my choice, always believed
that the goalie should be the best skater on the team and he didn’t
think I was, at that time, evolved fully as a skater. But he always
just wanted me to have fun," said Petizian.
As he grew in age, he also grew in his ability. His skating got
better, his agility, awareness, and all the intricacies that make a
good goalie a great goalie took form.
"I took power skating classes after school, plus hockey practice. And I
skated, not only during the season, but in the summertime as well. My
skating improved, as well as all the other skills that I needed to
improve," he said.
As his skills sharpened, so did his options. He enjoyed playing in
Canada, but for him to be on the road to the NHL, he needed to make
a choice: either go play juniors or stay in school, but be in a prep
school, which would be the stepping stone to college hockey.
"My parents did not want me to leave school. They and I decided it
would be best to remain in school, and not to get out of the school
rhyme," said Petizian.
After two years at his local high school, he made his way, down the
49-parrel, to Gates Mills, Ohio to attend the Gilmour Academy.
"I was 16 when I left for Gilmour. I would play everyday, after school
and on the weekends. There were road trips to play other schools and
in all we played around 60 games, more games than I would have played
in my local high school," he said.
>>From Gilmour, he went to Northwood School in Lake Placid, N.Y.,
for a post-graduate year. It was while playing at Northwood that his
play was noticed.
"St. Lawrence’s hockey scouts came to see me play and offered me a
scholarship, and I took it," he said.
Usually, a team will only offer a player a scholarship after some time,
10-15 looks, but with Petizian, it did not take that many looks.
"At Northwood, I had a teacher and coach, Mark Morris [now head coach
of the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL], who is good friends with the
head coach at St. Lawrence. He really helped me out," said Petizian.
It was the right time and the right place for Petizian who, heading
into his senior year as a St. Lawrence Saint is looking to improve
on last season’s results.
"As a team, I think we can win the ECAC [St. Lawrence’s college league]
and we can make it and win the NCAA tournament. On a personal level,
if I play well this year, I will have a better chance at signing with
an NHL team," he said.
Petizian is considered a free agent, not having been drafted into
the NHL in his draft year. He is able to sign a contract with any
team after his senior year.
In order to get prepared for the upcoming season, Petizian is already
skating and working in the net.
"I must get prepared now, during the summer, because that is the time
to get stronger and work out all the kinks," he said.
He is working with Buffalo Sabres goaltending coach Jim Corsi to help
his all-around game and technique.
"It is great to be able to work with him. He has trained some of
the best goalies in the world: Dominik Hasek, Martin Biron, and now
Ryan Miller. I know he already has made me better. I move in the net
quicker, I have faster reflexes, as well. I have improved tremendously
under his guidance," said Petizian.
With all this on-the-ice preparation, one might think that his life
away from the ice would take a hit. But Petizian is handling both
his lives-on and off the ice-extremely well.
"Life away from the ice is working out well. Obviously, I have to
pick and choose the times I go out. I have to think about when to let
loose and when I have to step away. The hockey is great, but it takes
up the large bulk of my time. I go out more during the off-season,
but I am smart in how long to stay out and what to do," he said.
His hockey life also took a large toll on his Armenian social life.
"I have been to some church events, but because of hockey I wasn’t
able to go to Armenian school like my other cousins in Canada. I
haven’t been to any youth events like Sports Weekend or Armenian
Olympics, but I do know my history and can understand a bit of the
language. My family is basically Armenian, we eat Armenian food,
go to church for Christmas and Easter, so it is good," he said.
Petizian wants his future to be in hockey, but if, for some reason
it doesn’t work out, he is prepared.
"At St. Lawrence, I am an economics major with a math minor. I have a
GPA over 3.0. I want to continue playing hockey, but I am ready if I
need to do something else… I would love to open my own restaurant,
actually. I don’t see myself as the 9-5 type of guy, but I love food
and it would be great to have my own place," he said.
Alex Petizian is looking forward, not only to the upcoming Saints’
season, but showing the hockey world what he is made of. Make it or
not, Petizian is another example of what Armenians are capable of.
ARMEN HAROUTIUNIAN: REPRESENTATIVES OF OPPOSITION AND POWER ARE EQUALLY TO BLAME FOR FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE’S FAILURE
NOYAN TAPAN
JUNE 4, 2009
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JUNE 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The activity of fact-finding committee
of experts on study of the cases of mass disorders of 2008 March
1-2 in Yerevan failed, and representatives of both the opposition
and the authorities are equally to blame for it. RA Ombudsman Armen
Haroutiunian said in his interview to the Shant TV company. According
to him, representatives of opposition and ruling coalition brought
the atmosphere of intolerance reduced to extremity to the fact-finding
committee, did not act as independent experts, and it was impossible
to carry out fact-finding committee’s mission under the circumstances.
A. Haroutiunian considers that some media publications had a very
negative impact on committee’s activity: in particular, press tried
to make unique commentaries having nothing in common with committee’s
documents.
Under the circumstances A. Haroutiunian considers that fact-finding
committee’s general conclusion cannot be even spoken about, and
the only possible legal way is that each of fact-finding committee
members should present his individual conclusion on committee’s 6-7
months’ activity.
ARMENTEL NOT TO REVIEW INTERNET PRICES FOR THE TIME BEING
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
04.06.2009
/PanARMENIAN. Net/ In press-conference held today, a PanARMENIAN.Net
correspondent asked Beeline (trade mark: ArmenTel) General Director
Igor Klimko about possibilities of introducing more competitive
tariff plans for Internet services. And this is what he answered,
"We do really have real tasks in the sphere. I find that Internet
should be accessible in any place and at any time, and prices should be
reasonable. We’ll study the real needs of our subscribers to estimate
the real demand. Let me note once again that I find Internet a growing
sphere not only for ArmenTel but also for the entire telecommunication
market of Armenia."
SECOND HEARING ON VAHAGN CHAKHALYAN’S CASE POSTPONED FOR JUNE 15
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.06.2009
/PanARMENIAN.Net / The second hearing on Vahagn Chakhalyan’s case was
held in Tbilisi court on May 29. The court had to consider Georgian
Justice Ministry’s refusal to register Patrick Arapian as Chakhalyan’s
defender, Yerkir Union told PanARMENIAN.Net.
However, the Justice Ministry submitted some documents and then the
judge postponed the session.
On April 6, the Akhaltsikhe district court has found United Javakhk
Democratic Alliance leader Vahagn Chakhalyan guilty and sentenced
him to 10 years in prison and 18,000 lari ($10,650) fine.
After a wave of protests in mid April, Georgian Ambassador to France
Mamuka Kudava pledged to urge Georgian authorities to register Arapian
as Chakhalyan’s defender.
PRESIDENT SARGSYAN HOSTED ARGENTINEAN ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN EDUARDO ERNEKIAN
armradio.am
02.06.2009 16:14
President Serzh Sargsyan today received Argentinean Armenian
businessman, President of the American International Airlines Company
Eduardo Ernekian, President’s Press Office reported.
President Sargsyan said to be informed about the process of programs
implemented by Eduardo Ernekian in different spheres.
The interlocutors agreed that it was necessary to move forwards
despite certain difficulties caused by the global financial-economic
crisis. Eduardo Ernekian said all his programs were normally
proceeding.
Presenting the investment programs in the sphere of agriculture, the
businessman noted that new technologies, new methods of cultivation
and irrigation were being applied.
During the meeting reference was made to the banking sphere and the
initiatives of the "HayPost" Company.
ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA: WE HAVE DEVELOPED THE IDEA TO ORGANIZE ONE MORE VISIT TO NAGORNO KARABAKH WITH POLAD BUL BUL OGHLU IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PREVIOUS ONE
Today.Az
774.html
June 2 2009
Azerbaijan
Ambassador of Armenia to Russia Armen Smbatian responded to
questions related to information about the forthcoming joint visit
of the representatives of Armenian and Azerbaijani community in
Nagorno-Karabakh.
When asked about information that he, together with the Ambassador of
Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bul-Bul oglu are going to organize a visit
of representatives of the two countries to Armenia, self-declared
Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, Armen Smbyatyan said: "We have
developed the idea to organize one more visit to Nagorno Karabakh
with Polad Bul Bul oghlu immediately after the previous one, as we
(hopefully, not only we) felt the need for such contacts – in the
end of the trip there appeared a small sign, bringing the two nations
closer.
For the first time, in conditions of negative information constantly
renewed and purposefully addressed to the public, there appear a
positive line of possible cooperation. I want to emphasize that these
visits are not intended to replace the negotiating process. As before,
we are for negotiations between heads of states within the OSCE Minsk
Group. However, I consider it appropriate for the representatives
of various sectors of our society to continue to communicate with
each other".
Asked about the reason of a long interval between a previous and
a planned visit and the reason for certain "secrecy" around the new
trip, he replied as follows:
"Since 2007, our countries have recorded significant political
developments, in view of which the new tour was postponed. Now,
in my opinion, there has been created a congenial atmosphere for
the visit. The absence of advance information, which you called a
"mystery" is caused not only by the usual diplomatic practice,
but a special sensitivity of the issue. It lies in a mechanism of
coordination and organization of a trip, as this raises many issues,
both political and ethno-psychological, social and ethno-cultural ones.
If the information on this trip is presented ahead of time or will
be made incorrectly, the interests of participants of the event will
be affected in such a way that it will simply be frustrated. This is
unacceptable, especially because today in conditions of a certain
decrease in the level of effectiveness of other contacts between
Azerbaijan and Armenia, it is vitally important to develop the contacts
between the representatives of our public.
Believe me, there will always be forces that neglecting the interests
of peoples and nations because of thoughtlessness or mercantile
personal motives, would be happy to derail the process. In this
connection I urge the media, as well as representatives of "reliable
sources" to be very responsible to each statement and information on
the subject".
FOREIGN MINISTER OF SYRIA PAYS WORKING VISIT TO ARMENIA
Panorama.am
15:40 01/06/2009
The Foreign Minister of Syria Arabic Republic Walid Al-Mouallim is
going to pay a working visit to Armenia today and tomorrow, FAM press
service reports. According to the source the Syrian Foreign Minister
has scheduled meetings with the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan,
the Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, NA Chairman Hovik Abrahamyan and
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan.
The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Syria will give a joint press
conference tomorrow.
BAKO SAHAKYAN’S ADDRESS ON OCCASION OF CHILDREN’S DAY
Panorama.am
12:27 01/06/2009
The President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan sent his
address on the occasion of the Protection of Children’s Rights Day,
NKR President’s Cabinet reports.
"Dear children, I cordially congratulate you on this wonderful
holyday. This is a day full of warmth and care, duty and
responsibility. That day unifies the entire mankind around an important
issue of the defending the children’s interests and rights, providing
them health care, education and proper upbringing.
The authorities of the NKR undertake appropriate measures to encourage
large families, create favorable life and education conditions for
children. The number of the newly built schools and kindergartens,
hospitals and playgrounds is growing. Child benefits are increasing on
an annual basis too. From now on no efforts will be spared to ensure
Artsakh children healthy and happy childhood.
Today’s children of Artsakh are tomorrow’s citizens of heroic
Fatherland, you are our future and we are must do our best to make
the future bright and radiant, peaceful and happy.
Dear kids, I congratulate you once more on the 1 June International
Children’s Day. Let the sun shine brightly and the sky above be
cloudless, let happiness and success guide you whole your life."
ARMAVIA AIRWAY COMPANY CONGRATULATED LITTLE PASSENGERS ON INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 16:24 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On International Children’s Day, June 1, children
aged 2-12 were received presents at all of Armavia’s outbound flights,
Armavia Press Service reported.
Says one of the passengers, mother of an 11 year -old kid, "We’re
glad to be using Armavia’s services. The company’s safe and reliable,
besides it often offers pleasant surprises. I’m sure this will be a
memorable day for my child."