AGBU - Armenian General Benevolent Union

NEWS

TRANSLATIONS FROM YEREVAN NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER NEWS AGENCIES POLITICS

1. OPPOSITIONISTS' MARCH HELD AFTER ANC PREELECTION MEETING IN NORK-MARASH PROCEEDS WITH SOME OBSTACLES [Aravot, 05/06/09]

First RA President, Armenian National Congress leader Levon Ter-Petrosian heading the ANC electoral roll in Yerevan Council of Elders elections met with Nork-Marash community's voters in the yard of Saint Mary Mother of God Church. Armenian National Congress (ANC) Coordinator Levon Zurabian, Hanrapetutiun (Republic) party Chairman Aram Sargsian, Armenian National Movement party leader Ararat Zurabian, ANM Board member Aram Manukian, resident of Nork-Marash, YSU lecturer Felix Arakelian spoke at the meeting.
L. Ter-Petrosian spoke at the end of the meeting. He reminded those gathered that on the voting day no power representative can press or intimidate a voter. According to him, the authorities can only press or intimidate those to carry out promotion. According to L. Ter-Petrosian, for achieving success the inert part of the electorate should become active.

"You should realize, understand that today they hold the power and tomorrow we will. However, you should treat us the same way. It is not the authorities that are the masters of the state, neither is the people, but a person, a citizen," L. Ter-Petrosian stated. In his words, no good power is formed anywhere through elections, but elections are the only mechanism giving the people a possibility to get free of a bad power. "If you elect us now and we become worse tomorrow, I will be glad if you throw us out," the opposition leader said.

The march following the meeting proceeded with some incidents. As long as L. Ter-Petrosian led the march no conflict took place between the demonstrants and police forces. However, after the first President left dozens of special police forces in red berets joined the policemen and on the way from Nork-Marash to the city center for several times surrounded the demonstrants and brawls and fights took place in some places. After a conflict between ANC Spokesperson Vladimir Karapetian and policemen a mutual consent was achieved, and the demonstrants finished the march without policemen's accompaniment.

2. REGULAR MEETING BETWEEN RA AND AZERI PRESIDENTS TO TAKE PLACE IN PRAGUE [Hayastani Hanrapetutiun, 05/06/09]

RA President Serzh Sargsyan leaves for Prague on a two-day working visit on May 7, where he will participate in the EU Eastern Partnership summit. The RA President will give a speech within the framework of the summit.

According to the RA President's Press Office, within the framework of the Nagorno Karabakh settlement negotiations process S. Sargsyan will meet with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Prague.
In the capital city of Czech Republic S. Sargsyan will have working meetings with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Turkish President Abdullah Gul on the latters' initiative.

3. KARINE GHAZINIAN: RA FOREIGN MINISTRY DOES NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO ARMENIA, DIASPORA, AND KARABAKH [NOYAN TAPAN, 05/06/09]

The RA Foreign Ministry considers that the Armenian-Turkish negotiations should be kept secret until they reach a certain point. RA Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinian reported at the May 6 press conference replying to journalists' observations that Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian does not provide sufficient information to Armenia's journalists and public. Speaking about journalists' discontent that they learn the most important news regarding Armenian-Turkish relations from foreign or Turkish press, K. Ghazinian reminded of the view E. Nalbandian voiced in his interview to Haylur that in general, one should not believe unofficial media.

The Deputy Foreign Minister said that today society in Armenia and Diaspora is not aware of the details of Armenia's and Turkey's April 22 statement, it does not know that it has nothing in common with the Nagorno Karabakh problem or recognition of the Armenian Genocide. All that, according to K. Ghazinian, is Foreign Ministry's omission, the Ministry should have provided more detailed information to the Armenians in the whole world. "We should also work better with our colleagues in Karabakh. In my conviction, the negative opinions on the negotiations process received from Karabakh are the result of poor awareness," K. Ghazinian said.

4. RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER: MEMBERSHIP TO EASTERN PARTNERSHIP DOES NOT MEAN YET THAT COUNTRY AUTOMATICALLY BECOMES EU MEMBER [NOYAN TAPAN, 05/06/09]

The EU Eastern Partnership Summit starts on May 7 in Prague. The Partnership member six countries, including Armenia, will sign a Declaration. RA Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinian reported at the May 6 press conference. She reminded that the idea of establishing Eastern Partnership belongs to Poland and Sweden, which "wish to have stable and reliable neighbors." K. Ghazinian said that though Eastern Partnership implies passage from neighborhood to partnership, membership to it does not mean yet that the country automatically becomes a EU member. "Eastern Partnership's value is that contacts will deepen especially between Partnership member countries. Besides, Armenia considers this at means of expanding its relations with EU," K. Ghazinian said.

The Deputy Foreign Minister said that the Eastern Partnership member countries will have relations in bilateral and all-round formats in four main platforms, democracy, stability, energy security, and human contacts. It is also envisaged to hold a summit once every two years and Foreign Ministers' meeting once a year. According to K. Ghazinian, Eastern Partnership should not attend to solution of conflicts between its member countries, but should achieve conflicting states' being interested in cooperating with each other irrespective of anything. "If there are verges of cooperation, any conflict can be avoided," she said.

5. HILLARY CLINTON: U.S. IS INTERESTED IN STRENGTHENING AND DEVELOPMENT OF ALL-ROUND RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA [NOYAN TAPAN, 05/06/09]

RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian being in Washington on a working visit met with U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton on May 5. The latter stated that the U.S. is interested in strengthening and development of all-round relations with Armenia, and President Obama's administration is resolute to expand cooperation between the two countries.
E. Nalbandian, in his turn, emphasized that Armenia attaching importance to further strenthening of its relations with the United States, will pursue development and deepening of friendly partnership with the U.S. and expansion of cooperation.
The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and United States discussed a wide range of issues regarding various spheres of bilateral relations, possibilities of development and expansion of economic partnership, touched upon the sitting of the Armenian-American Intergovernmental Commission to be held in May in Yerevan, discussed a number of regional and international issues.

Touching upon the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, H. Clinton classed as historic the April 22 statement of the RA and Turkish Foreign Ministries. She reaffirmed the position of the United States to continue providing complete assistance to normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
The latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement were also discussed at the meeting. H. Clinton emphasized the necessity of conflict's peaceful settlement and said that the U.S. as a country co-chairing in the OSCE Minsk Group will continue providing complete support to reaching of agreements between the conflict sides and to problem's solution, which will create new possibilities for development of the South Caucasian region, strengthening of stability and security.

The same day the RA Foreign Minister met with General James Jones, the U.S. President's National Security Adviser, at the White House. Issues regarding various spheres of Armenian-American partnership, provision of regional security were discussed at the meeting. J. Jones highly assessed Armenia's participation in peacekeeping actions and in that context its important contribution in the issue of providing international security. A detailed talk on the normalization process of Armenian-Turkish relations and possibilities of Nagorno Karabakh settlement took place at the meeting.

At the meeting with Howard Berman, the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, E. Nalbandian presented the main directions and priorities of Armenia's foreign policy. The interlocutors touched upon issues concerning stability and security in the South Caucasus.
According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department, on May 4, E. Nalbandian visited U.S. Congress, where he met with Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-chairs Frank Pallone and Mark Kirk, Armenian Caucus members, Congressmen Anna Eshoo, Steve Rotman, and Scott Garrett. The RA Foreign Minister thanking the Congressmen for their pro-Armenian activity of many years, highly assessed the work of the House of Representatives Armenian Caucus and its members' role in strengthening Armenian-American relations.

At Congressmen's request E. Nalbandian presented the latest developments in normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and the steps to be undertaken to establish normal relations between the two neighbor states in that sphere. The Congressmen expressed support to the steps undertaken by the Armenian leadership to normalize the relations with Turkey.
The Nagorno Karabakh settlement negotiations and their prospects were touched upon at the meeting.
At the meeting with Rodney Bent, the head of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, E. Nalbandian discussed issues related to continuation of programs implemented by the Corporation in Armenia.
The RA Foreign Minister also met with representatives of the American Armenian community in the capital city of the United States.
Completing his visit to Washington on May 5, E. Nalbandian left for Prague, where he will participate in the Eastern Partnership Summit as a member of the delegation led by the RA President.

6. DEPUTY FM REFERS TO THE PRESIDENT’S PRAGUE VISIT AND INTENDED MEETINGS [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

The Turkish side has expressed commitment in organizing of the May 7 meeting of the Armenian and Turkish Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Abdullah Gul. The meeting of Presidents of Armenian and Azerbaijani will also take place in Prague.

The Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will take part in the summit of EU directorate; presidents or prime ministers of EU member states and six countries involved in the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus) which take part in the summit will adopt a resolution announcing the start of the Eastern Partnership.

During today’s press conference the deputy Armenian Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinian noted that meetings of the Armenian President with the president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barrozzo and EU High representative of Common Foreign Policy and Security issues Javier Solana are also intended. Because of the lack of time other meetings will not possibly be conducted.

The expectations of the Armenian side from the planned meeting with the President of Azerbaijan are unchangeable – to find utmost fast ways for the Karabakh conflict regulation, and from the meeting with the President of Turkey – to establish good neighborly relations with Turkey without preconditions, putting an end to the isolation of Armenia, opening of the borders and establishing diplomatic relations.

“The opening of the last close border of Europe will really be useful for Armenia as well as for Turkey”, - the deputy minister said noting that Turkey, Iran and Russia are bearers of a great role in the region. Having another open border and establishing normal relations with the neighbors as soon as possible are truly very important for Armenia.
In response to the question about the “road map” K. Ghazinian noted that these issues have got definite answers in the Armenian FM’s interview given to “Armenpress” news agency.

She also reminded the former FM Vardan Oskanian’s idea that negotiations should not yet be made public.
“They are still secret; in case they are brought to a logical end the scopes will be possible to be opened and the secret points of the road map presented to the public”, - the deputy minister said.
“No document has been signed, only statements have been made on the “road map” which is not yet an agreement but a guideline of actions. It will bring to the regulation of the relations”, - the deputy foreign minister said claiming to believe the official sources rather than a media which spreads disinformation making references to non-official sources.

K. Ghazinian also noted that the only reason for misunderstandings of the statement on the “road map” is the lack of awareness. She got phone calls from Diaspora asking for comments and finds that there is still time to properly inform public and the world spread Armenians that there is no precondition in the conducted negotiations and made statements.
No negotiations are possible on the Armenian Genocide and the Karabakh conflict.

7. DEPUTY ARMENIAN FM CONDITIONS NON-PARTICIPATION OF ARMENIA IN THE NATO TRAININGS IN GEORGIA BY THE SITUATION IN THIS STATE [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

Armenia is not participating in the “Cooperative Lancer/Cooperative Longbow-2009” military trainings which will be held in Georgia within the frameworks of NATO Partnership for Peace project is conditioned by the situation in Georgia.
During today’s press conference the Deputy Armenian Foreign Minister Karine Ghazinian noted that Armenia has always launched as close cooperation with the NATO as possible and took part in the trainings but this time the situation in Georgia will complicate the participation of Armenia.
There is no issue of NATO membership in the Armenian agenda but the country is in close cooperation with the institution within the frameworks of Individual Partnership Action Plan project.

Referring to the security of Armenian population in Javakhk and in the whole country conditioned by the inter-political situation in Georgia Deputy Minister K. Ghazinian noted that in such cases permanently bilateral negotiations are held with the authorities of this state to ensure the security of the Armenian people.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry on the state level does everything to ensure the security of Armenian people in Georgia.
The Armenian Defense Ministry has also through an official message informed that “because of the created circumstances the representatives of Armenian Armed Forces will not take part in the above mentioned NATO trainings in Georgia”.

8. ARMEN RUSTAMYAN DISMISSED FROM DUTIES OF MEMBER OF NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL [Hayastani Hanrapetutiun, 05/07/09]

Chairman of the Armenian NA’s foreign relations permanent commission Armen Rustamyan applied May 6 to the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan for dismissing him from duties of a member of the National Security Council.
Presidential press service told Armenpress that Serzh Sargsyan signed a relevant decree on doing it.

9. ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTS MEET IN CZECH REPUBLIC [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

Meeting of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan with his Azerbaijani counterpart takes place in the US Embassy in Czech Republic with the participation of the foreign ministers of the two countries, OSCE Minsk group co-chairs and personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office Andrzey Kasprzyk.
The participants of the negotiations are expected to meet with the reporters.
Today in the morning President of Armenia arrived in Prague to participate in the Eastern Partnership Summit where the launch of the “Eastern Partnership” initiative will be declared. The president is also expected to deliver speech at the summit.
Today Armenian president is also expected to meet with the Prime Minister of France and Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom.

The meeting of Serzh Sargsyan and Turkish President Abdullah Gul is expected after midnight.

10. TIGRAN SARGSYAN DISMISSES KARLEN GEVORGYAN FROM DEPUTY URBAN MINISTER OFFICE [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan dismissed Karlen Gevorgyan from the office of the deputy urban minister of Armenian, governmental press service reported.

11. ARMENIAN SIDE ASSESSES PRAGUE MEETING AS USEFUL [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

Meeting of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev took place in the capital of Czech Republic, Prague, in the US Embassy.
Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting started with the participation of the foreign ministers of the two countries, OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, and personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office. Afterwards the negotiations continued face-to-face and lasted for more than two hours.

The Armenian side assessed the Prague meeting as useful, which gave an opportunity to the sides to more specify their approaches over the principles of regulation of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
The foreign ministers of the two countries have been tasked to continue the works on the basis of “Madrid principles” and prepare the next meeting of the presidents.
During the visit to Moscow April 23 President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan stated that the core issue of the negotiations is the status of Nagorno Karabakh.
Within the frameworks of the two-day visit to Prague Serzh Sargsyan will participate in the Eastern Partnership Summit. The Armenian president will have a number of other bilateral meetings.

12. OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS ASSESS MEETING OF ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTS AS CONSTRUCTIVE [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

“Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev had a constructive meeting,” US co-chair of the Minsk Group Matthew Bryza said, assessing today’s meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents.
According to Bryza, the presidents managed to lessen the disputes over basic principles of the conflict regulation and agree over the main ideas which they came to discuss. “We have certain ideas over basic principles, which we were trying to complete and the two presidents displayed a general approach towards them,” the US co-chair noted.

French co-chair Bernard Fassier said that in near future they have a lot of work to do. The co-chairs are planning to suggest the presidents meet in early June in Saint Petersburg. “What we have heard today from them gives an opportunity to register a progress,” he said. According to him, the bright proof of it is that if previously Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents were meeting once in a year, in the past 11 months they have met four times and the coming meeting will take place in the nearest future.
Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov said that like previous times the prospects and principle agreements have been preserved. Currently works must be carried out to prepare the next meeting. Before it, the co-chairs will meet with the foreign ministers of the two countries and will pay as many visits to the region as it is necessary for preparing the Saint Petersburg meeting.
As to the meeting of the presidents of the OSCE Minsk group co-chairing countries, Yuri Merzlyakov said that such an opportunity have been discussed long time ago. “It is rather difficult to gather presidents of Russia, USA and France in the same place in the same time. As soon as strict necessity of doing it will appear we will work in that direction,” the Russian co-chairman said. On his turn Matthew Bryza said that the organization of such meeting is possible.
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan will participate today in the evening in the Eastern Partnership Summit and deliver a speech. Before the summit kicked off the Armenian president had conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU External Relations and European Neighborhood Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

13. TURKISH PRIME MINISTER HOPES THAT UN SECURITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER ARMENIA OCCUPANT COUNTRY [NOYAN TAPAN, 05/07/09]

"It is very difficult to overcome the problems in Turkey's and Armenia's relations without solving Armenia's and Azerbaijan's problems." Declaring this, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan expressed the hope that the UN Security Council, the temporary member of which Turkey is at present, will consider Armenia an occupant country. According to Panarmenian.net, the Turkish Prime Minister considers that the UN should make such a decision and call Armenia for withdrawing its troops from Nagorno Karabakh.
"Turkey has already undertaken steps and proposed forming a Caucasian Stability Platform with the participation of Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia. The argument between Armenia and Azerbaijan should be given an immediate solution, after which the Armenian-Turkish relations will be also normalized," Erdogan said.

14. OSCE MG CONFIRMS ITS ASSISTANCE TO AZERBAIJAN'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY [NOYAN TAPAN, 05/07/09]

The OSCE Minsk Group declared its assistance to Azerbaijan's territorial integrity calling Azerbaijan's authorities for launching a more constructive dialogue with Armenia. This is mentioned in UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's report under the title The Situation in Azerbaijan's Occupied Territories addressed to the UN General Assembly for consideration. The report consists of letters of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs and a number of UN member countries with proposals on Nagorno Karabakh settlement.
The UN General Assembly in 2008 March with Resolution 62/243 called its member states and international and regional organizations for "assisting the conflict settlement process within their jurisdiction." The Assembly instructed the Secretary General to present an all-embracing report on that resolution's fulfillment at the 63rd session.
UN Secretary General's report mentioned that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs said that General Assembly's Resolution 64/243 discriminatively agitates only certain principles proposed by them in Madrid earlier. "Such lack of balance, unfortunately, made our countries vote against that resolution. Nevertheless, during the clarification of voting reasons and today also we again confirm our assistance to Azerbaijan's territorial integrity," the letter read.
According to the UN Press Service, the U.S., Russia, and France have declared that the "most efficient way, by which Azerbaijan can achieve its territorial integrity, is continuation of more constructive dialogue with Armenia" for the purpose of final elaboration of the main principles that the Co-chairs proposed to the two sides in Madrid.

15. NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS TO PROCEED WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS [ARMENPRESS, 05/08/09]

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met May 7 in Prague with the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul, on the latter’s initiative. This is the second meeting between the two presidents.
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan and Turkish newly appointed Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoghlu were also present at the meeting.
Armenian and Turkish presidents positively assessed their Prague meeting during which they have reached an agreement to “respect previously achieved arrangements and move forward towards the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions and within sensible time-frame”.
Armenian president, during the short meeting with the reporters, assessed the meeting with his Turkish counterpart as “useful”. “We agreed to respect our arrangements,” Serzh Sargsyan noted, assuring that preconditions are excluded.
Turkish president said that during the meeting they discussed Armenia-Turkey relations, the normalization of which, according to him, will stem from the interests of the two countries.
Within the frameworks of the “Eastern Partnership” Summit in Prague Serzh Sargsyan had meetings with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, EU Commissioner of External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner as well as British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
During the meeting with the French prime minister the interlocutors remembered with warmth the meeting in Paris last year and noted with satisfaction that the Armenian-French relations are developing successfully in the economic, humanitarian and other spheres.
Armenian president expressed assurance that the new initiatives in the economic cooperation, like the entrance of French “Orange” into the Armenian market, gives new impetus to the Armenian-French economic cooperation. During the meeting the two sides expressed readiness to deepen bilateral relations.
With the request of the French prime minister, Serzh Sargsyan presented the developments in the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations as well as process of Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation.
Referring to the Karabakh conflict regulation issue, the Armenian president stressed that the core issue of the negotiations is the status of Nagorno Karabakh. Serzh Sargsyan pointed out that Armenia is ready to such a solution of the issue which will bring to long-lasting peace.
During the meeting the interlocutors also referred to the impact of the global financial-economic crisis on the economies of the two countries as well as to the steps directed towards its confrontation.
At the meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, the sides underscored the further development of relations between the two countries both in bilateral and multilateral formats. Serzh Sargsyan and David Miliband exchanged thoughts over ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasian region.
During the meeting with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commissioner of External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the latter greeted the efforts directed towards the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and expressed readiness to assist in the process.

16. SERGEY LAVROV SAYS RUSSIA IS OPTIMISTIC OVER THE KARABAKH CONFLICT REGULATION [ARMENPRESS, 05/08/09]

During his speech in the Carnegie foundation of support to the universal peace the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister stated that Russia is optimistic over the Karabakh conflict regulation.
According to him Russia, USA and Europe “work harmoniously” for the regulation of the situation. Lavrov noted that Armenia and Azerbaijan had fixed the main principles of conflict resolution still during the Madrid meeting in autumn 2007. He underlined that they are coming into force and “the aim of negotiations in the present round is to bring these agreements up to the end”.
Lavrov said that the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents will have another opportunity of meeting in the nearest future as they have accepted the invitation of participation in the St. Petersburg economic conference.

17. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF KARABAKH CONFLICT REGULATION FIRST OF ALL SUPPOSE REGISTRATION OF RIGHT OF KARABAKH PEOPLE TO SELF-DETERMINATION [ARMENPRESS, 05/08/09]

The Armenian side assessed the Prague meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents useful, which gave an opportunity to the sides to more clarify the approaches over the basic principles of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation.
According to a source close to the negotiation process, by saying “basic principles” the principles of self-determination of nations, territorial integrity and non-usage of force are specified which in its turn has been registered in Helsinki at the OSCE ministerial gathering. The combination of the basic principles in the negotiation process first of all supposes registration of the right of Nagorno Karabakh people to self-determination without agenda limitation – up to separation and legal registration of de facto independence.

18. ARMENIAN DM PUTS FLOWERS ON THE MEMORIAL COMPLEX TO THE LIBERATION OF SHUSHI [ARMENPRESS, 05/08/09]

Today, accompanied by the head of the Chief Headquarter of the Armed Forces, Colonel-General Yuri Khachaturov, high ranking servicemen, heads of Yerevan Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun communities, the Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian put flowers on the memorial complex to the liberation of Shushi, the press service of Armenian Defense Ministry reported.

19. OSCE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE SAYS FIGHTING AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS NECESSARY TO BE REGARDED AS A PRIMARY DIRECTION [ARMENPRESS, 05/08/09]

Armenian authorities exert serious efforts to combat the trafficking in human beings, OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Eva Biaudet said.
According to her, the issues of combating trafficking must be regarded as a primary direction. “Trafficking in human being is not happening in a vacuum; there are people, environment and conditions that result in it. The corresponding institutions must provide proper protection and support to the victims of trafficking”, - Biaudet said.
She said that in combating against trafficking the approaches towards the issue must be improved. The OSCE Special Representative stressed the importance of working with the NGOs and international institutions which provide support to the victims of trafficking.
According to her, the internal trafficking must also be paid attention to which may be connected with urging children to beggary and compelling people to work.
“People who are possibly involved in the vulnerable groups and easily become a victim of trafficking must be paid special attention to. The Armenian citizens become victims of trafficking more often in Turkey and United Arab Emirates”, - Biaudet said.
Within the frameworks of three-day visit to Yerevan the OSCE Special Representative had meetings in the Armenian National Assembly, Government, Prosecutor’s Office, Police and expressed anxiety on the fact that during the latest years overwhelmingly women have been arrested for trafficking in human beings part of whom were victims of trafficking themselves.
“It’s a great business to deal with such a crime; I claim to discover the real beneficiaries”, - Eva Biaudet said.

BUSINESS

20. CB CHAIRMAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SESSION OF OBSERVING COUNCIL OF GERMAN-ARMENIAN FUND [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

Chairman of the Armenian Central Bank Arthur Javadyan left today for Frankfurt where he will participate in the regular session of the Observing Council of the German-Armenian Fund May 7-8.
Press service of the Armenian Central Bank told Armenpress that during the session issues on the support to small and medium-sized enterprises, stable development of apartment market, and restoring energy development credit programs will be discussed.
Within the frameworks of the programs negotiations will be held with the KfW bank for involving means.

21. ARMENIAN ECONOMY MINISTRY TO ORGANIZE A FAMILIARIZING VISIT FOR THE FOREIGN JOURNALISTS [ARMENPRESS, 05/08/09]

The Armenian Economy Ministry will May 27-June 2 organize a familiarizing visit to Armenia for the foreign journalists.
Head of the tourism department of the Ministry Mekhak Apresian told Armenpress that at present negotiations are held with the UN “World Tourism Organization” to conduct the visit of nearly ten journalists from different countries of the world to Armenia.
“Such visits are important; it is another good opportunity to present Armenia to the foreigners. Such a project has also been implemented last year; journalists from Italy visited Armenia”, - M. Apresian said.
According to him, this is an occasion to present the foreign journalists what kind of accommodations are created in Armenia for the tourists and what projects are being implemented for the development of the sphere. The foreign journalists will visit historical-cultural places and museums.
The Economy Ministry also intends to organize visits of the foreign tour-operators to Armenia.

DIASPORA

22. CHARLES AZNAVOUR APPOINTED RA RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN AND AMBASSADOR OF ARMENIA TO SWITZERLAND [Azg, 05/06/09]

On May 4, RA President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on appointing Charles Aznavour RA Resident Representative to UN Geneva Office and other international organizations (residence Geneva). RA President's Press Office reported it.
By another decree signed by the RA President on May 5 Charles Aznavour, RA Resident Representative to UN Geneva Office and other international organizations, was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RA to Switzerland (residence Geneva).

23. FAAE CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR CREATING WORLD ALL ARMENIAN FORUM TO CONTRIBUTE TO HAY DAT SOLUTION [NOYAN TAPAN, 05/07/09]

Ashot Grigorian, the Chairman of the Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe, made a statement calling organizations acting in the Diaspora for unifying establishing a World Forum, the activity of which will be aimed at solving the Hay Dat (Armenian Cause) and preventing issue's developments not favorable for Armenia. The statement, the text of which A. Grigorian also provided to Noyan Tapan, in particular, read:
"A change in the domestic and foreign political situation was recorded after Armenia and Turkey came to a mutual consent over provisions unknown yet and created a road-map, which called forth much concern in the Diaspora.
The creation of the road-map is no doubt much regress on the background of the huge achievements of past decades in the issue of Genocide, which is very alarming for the Diaspora. The Armenians in the Diaspora are also very much concerned with another important issue of Hay Dat, developments proceeding around the Nagorno Karabakh problem.
The Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe (FAAE) receives many telephone calls and letters from Diasporan Armenian organizations and individuals, who express bewilderment how the RA authorities can sign any document on vital issues of the nation of nearly 10 million people spread all over the world without taking into consideration the people's opinion, especially completely ignore Artsakh people's opinion. The Diasporan Armenians hold the same opinion in an issue: the Armenian authorities should not be permitted to make personal decisions. Even attempts of Hay Dat's solution not favorable for Armenia will drive a wedge among the Armenian nation, which is fraught with serious consequences.
FAAE proposes Armenian organizations and parties in the whole world unifying and creating a common All Armenian Forum, which will either unitedly support the Armenian authorities in resisting insuperable pressure exerted on the latters by third countries or will form opposition to the Armenian authorities in case the latters make personal decisions in issues of national significance and will assume the struggle for solving the Hay Dat.
We would like the organizations and authorities of Artsakh to also take an active part in the work of the newly created World All Armenian Forum, union of Armenian organizations of America, Europe, and Russia (etc.).
Forum's founding congress will be held in September. Before that we are ready through electronic or other means of communication to discuss problems we all are concerned with and working with the Armenian authorities to prevent fatal actions posing danger for the Armenian people and to contribute to solution of the Hay Dat. We are waiting for responses with hope."
According to the statement, bids for participation in the organizing committee's work on forum's creation can be introduced to FAAE to the following e-mail: armes@nextra.sk.

ARTS

24. ARMENIAN PM UNDERSCORED CONDUCTION OF RECENT SERIOUS CULTURAL EVENTS [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

During the recent period the music-addict public had an opportunity to participate in a number of serious cultural events.
Today at the session of the Armenian government Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan congratulated particularly Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan on the occasion of “important cultural events which enriched the cultural life of the country”.
Tigran Sargsyan described the “Spartacus” ballet staged by Yuri Grigorevich and the performance of one of the best symphonic orchestras of the world headed by him as an exclusive gift to the music-addict people. “Finally the Armenian audience had an opportunity to watch the ballet. I congratulate all us with that serious cultural events,” Tigran Sargsyan.
He also added that on May 22 rock music-addict public will have an opportunity to be present at the concert of “Jethro Tull” rock band.

25. THE “RENAISSANCE” INTERNATIONAL CONTEST-FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO THE 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOMITAS KICKS OFF IN GYUMRI [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

The “Renaissance” contest-festival of musicians dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Komitas kicked off May 6 in the Gyumri State Dramatic Theatre after V. Achemian.
It will last by May 11 and is organized by the Armenian Culture Ministry, Gyumri branch of Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas as well as the “Pyunik” all-Armenian foundation of development of human resources under the high patronage of Armenian First Lady Rita Sargsian.
The festival which is held in the republic for the first time is unprecedented with its number of participants as well as in its geography. Head of the Chair of performance of the Gyumri branch of the Yerevan State Conservatory Samvel Adamian told Armenpress that nearly 700 musicians from all the provinces of the republic as well as from Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Latvia and Georgia presented applications for participation.
10-28 year old musician-performers may take part in the festival. As an obligatory stipulation each participant will present a Komitas work.
“Suchlike events usually contribute to the promotion of the music life, discovery of new talents, cooperation; and for a town like Gyumri this festival will be an innovation. This is really a holiday for Gyumri”, - head of the Chair of people’s instruments of Gyumri branch of Yerevan State Conservatory Rita Vardanian said.
Contests of piano, string, wind instruments, solo singers, people’s instruments and singing will be held May 7-9 in different Gyumri musical educational centers.
The results will be announced during the May 11 closing ceremony of the festival which will be followed by a gala-concert.
26. ARMENIAN EDITION OF ORHAN PAMOUK’S “SNOW” NOVEL PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC [Azg, 05/07/09]

The Armenian edition of the Nobel prizewinner Orhan Pamouk’s “Snow” novel has today been presented in the Office of the All-National Armenian Educational and Cultural Society.
According to the head of the All-National Armenian Educational and Cultural Society Lilit Galstian, the “Snow” novel is more than up to date in the context of today’s Armenian-Turkish relations where “the hyphen separating these two nouns contains anguish, embarrassment and commitment, sorrow and consciousness of the tragedy of the Genocide”.
L. Galstian noted that the author must provide permission for translating the novel: she was very much impressed when O. Pamouk, knowing that the book will be translated into Armenian, refused from the honorarium.
“O. Pamouk had to pay a high price for this book: having been expatriated he has to live in Boston now. But I’m sure that the bravery of such people give an opportunity to the two publics to launch an active dialogue”, - L. Galstian said.
Prose writer Ruben Hovsepian said that the “Snow” novel is not a pure fiction book. It is after the “snow” when the black spots, history and ruined buildings are better seen.
The “Snow” is a classic novel with multilateral plot structure and plain context which uncovers the image of the modern Turkish society which lives with middle age Asian rules and everyday life built on inhumane, cruel traditions, betrayals and blood. The actions of the novel take place in the former Armenian Kars town. Seeking for the truth brings the hero, a vagrant Turkish poet, to Kars which is buried in obscurity and snow. From Russian the novel has been translated by Hakob Soghomonian by direct comparison with the Turkish.
The book has been published in 1000 issues in eastern Armenian and 500 issues will be published in Lebanon in classic orthography.

27. “ARMIN VEGNER AND ARMENIANS IN ANATOLIA: 1915” EXHIBITION OPENS IN THE ROME HOUSE OF COMMEMORATION AND HISTORY [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

The “Armin Vegner and Armenians in Anatolia: 1915” exhibition opened May 6 in the hall of Rome House of Commemoration and History (Casa della Memoria e della Storia) organized with the support of Armenian Embassy to Italy and through cooperation between the Rome Jewish Cultural Center and the Council of Rome Armenian Community.
The exhibition was dedicated to the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. It was opened by the son of Armin Vegner Misha Vegner.

SOCIAL

28. 300 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE ARMENIAN PROVINCES TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAM OF DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS FOR ENTERING THE LABOR MARKET [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

More than 300 young people from the Armenian provinces took part in the program of development of the required skills for entering the labor market.
Head of the program-coordinator “Center of Professional Orientation of the Youth” of the Armenian Labor and Social Affairs Ministry Haykuhi Gevorgyan told Armenpress that during the continuative meetings in April the participants got acquainted with the ways of finding jobs, peculiarities of intercourse with the employers, main types of conduction of an interview as well as peculiarities of methods of influence of the mass media.
The key project objectives are to foster the participation of the youth of the provinces in the processes which develop in the province life as well as to assist them in finding jobs. Practical works as well as discussions and debates have been held. During the meetings the participants have themselves proposed important factors of finding a job and discovered possible ways of solution of the issues.
The “Center of Professional Orientation of the Youth” has implemented the mentioned project in collaboration with the Center of organization of youth events of the Armenian Sport and Youth Affairs Ministry.
Works are also conducted with the visitors of the resource-center in the office of the institution; they get information on the education opportunities, labor market and the vacancies as well as work out the required documentations necessary for applying to an employer by making use of the technical resources of the center.
The informative materials necessary for the resource-center are regularly being worked out.

29. “WITHOUT TIES” MEETING OF HEADS OF IT ORGANIZATIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS TO BE HELD IN AGHVERAN [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

Meeting “without ties” of heads of IT organizations and representatives of the state institutions will be held May 8-10 in Aghveran.
Executive director of “The Union of IT Enterprises” Karen Vardanyan told Armenpress that during the meeting works conducted in the IT sphere in Armenia and the issues the sphere is facing will be discussed.
The participants will refer to the issues of compatibility of Armenian information technologies in the conditions of the world financial crisis, promotion of the sale of IT product and exporting them to new markets, as well as will refer to the problems existing in the telecommunication sphere.
Nearly 50 representatives of the sphere will take part in the meeting.

30. A CENTER OF ECOTOURISM TO FUNCTION IN THE “KHOSROV FOREST” STATE RESERVE IN THE NEAREST FUTURE [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

The 2010-2014 management plan of the “Khosrov Forest” state reserve worked out in the Armenian Nature Protection Ministry will give an opportunity to improve and ensure the further growth of the life-resources of the reserve as well as to efficiently harmonize the nature protection and nature usage works.
Head of the department of special protected nature territories of the Nature Protection Ministry Aram Aghasyan told Armenpress that according to the new plan scientific research and oversight works will also be conducted in the reserve.
A. Aghasyan said that in the “Khosrov Forest” state reserve, where a museum filled with 1850 plant herbariums and the administrative building have already opened, a center of ecotourism will also function in the nearest future.
There are 1800 types of plants growing in the “Khosrov Forest”, which is 1400-2200 meters above the sea level and occupies 29 000 hectares of territory, from which 146 types are registered in the “RA Red Book”; 66 - from 142 bird types and 33 of the 55 mammals are also registered in the “RA Red Book”.
Almost all year round the territory is full of tourists due to the historical-cultural monuments – Garni temple, Geghardavank, Havuts Tar, Aghjots temple, numerous cross-stones and areas registered in the Middle Age written sources.
According to A. Aghasyan the description of the reserve boundaries and its layout-map also found place in the plan.

31. YEREVAN INVOLVED IN THE EU PROJECT DIRECTED TOWARDS THE RENOVATION OF TOWN YARDS [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

Armenian Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan received the delegation of Marseilles (France) municipality.
Media relations department of the Armenian Diaspora Ministry told Armenpress that the municipality officials Jacques Huzher, Frederick Kuto and Bruno Yesayan conveyed the warm greetings of the mayor and vice-mayor of Marseilles to the Minister and said that they have bright memories on her France visit.
The French officials informed that Marseilles and Yerevan together with a number of other European towns have been involved in a EU program which is directed towards the improvement of town yards to make them children’s and sport squares. The implementation of the three-year project will cost 600 000 euros for the towns involved in the project.
H. Hakobyan greeted the idea of implementation of such project and expressed hope that the Yerevan municipality will within the fixed period present the necessary information for participation in the project. The Minister expressed her gratification on the Armenian-French fruitful and sincere relationship and with peculiar praise spoke about the very constructive role of the Marseilles Armenian community in consolidation of this relationship.

32. RESTORATION WORKS OF HOROM, NOR KYANK, SPANDARIAN, GEGHANIST ROAD SECTORS WITH THE CREDIT MEANS FROM THE WB TO KICK OFF IN THE NEAREST FUTURE [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

During today’s session the Armenian Government approved the draft decision of restoration of the Horom, Nor Kyank, Spandarian and Geghanist road sectors which will be implemented within the frameworks of program of improvement of roads of vital importance implemented with the support of the World Bank.
Armenian Transport and Communication Minister Gurgen Sargsyan noted that the WB will transfer sums necessary for the implementation of the program within two days after the 30% of the co-financing of the Armenian Government is transferred on the corresponding account of the state means.
After the transfer of this 30% the WB will each month transfer money already in case of 10% of co-financing of the Armenian Government. G. Sargsyan said that if means provided by the executive body are increased the WB means will also correspondingly increase.
In response to the prime minister’s requests the minister noted that overall 25 million USD are expected from the World Bank for the improvement of the roads of vital importance the first part of which will reach nearly 7.5 million USD. It is expected to be transferred already May 16. The construction works within its scopes will kick off as soon as possible and according to the draft be finished in December this year.
The prime minister clarified that the 25 million USD is only a part of the WB credit program of nearly 85 million USD. 50 million USD are intended to be provided to the Armenian Central Bank which in its turn will allocate it to the small and medium sized enterprises through the Armenian commerce banks. From the remaining sum 2 million USD will be provided to the Agriculture Ministry. T. Sargsyan tasked to specify the terms of getting of other parts of the credit.
The prime minister also stressed the importance of solution of the existing road construction issues which will be implemented within the frameworks of “Millennium Challenges” program.

33. TEACHING, TECHNICAL TRAININGS HELD WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF ARMENIAN FIREMEN [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

With the participation of Armenian firemen teaching, technical trainings have today been held in Yerevan organized by the Armenian Emergency Situations Ministry within the frameworks of Armenian-Swedish-Estonian program.
According to the conventional scenario the fire brigade first brought the injured outside of the crashed car then isolated the fire which broke out in the building and put off the fire. The temperature in the fire burst building reached nearly 1000 degrees.
The “Development of opportunities of protection of people in Armenia” trilateral program has been worked out and is being implemented by the agency of Swedish rescue service through the cooperation of Armenian and Estonian rescue services.
Program coordinator Swedish Andres Oberg said that such trainings are very important for the firemen as a result of which besides the fire put off works they also learn different rescue exercises. According to him, the program aims at improvement of the efficiency of the defense system of the Armenian population.
The program is being implemented in five directions – assessment and reduction of risks on the local level, works with the children and the youth, development of the communication system and dispatcher service, development of teaching methodic and equipments as well as optimization of the operative service.

34. THE NUMBER OF THE NKR VISITORS IS INCREASING [ARMENPRESS, 05/07/09]

According to the data of the NKR Foreign Ministry’s Consular Service, the number of foreign citizens who visited the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the first quarter of 2009 increased about twice, compared with the same span of 2008. NKR MFA Press Service told Armenoress that prevailing are citizens of France, Iran, Great Britain, Holland, Russia, Poland, and others.
According to the NKR MFA Consular Service, in spite of the world financial crisis, a stable trend of increasing the number of foreign citizens visiting our Republic is fixed. They are mainly tourists, the peak of their visits to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic falling on the period between May and September.

35. JOURNALIST NVER MNATSAKANIAN BEATEN [Azg, 05/07/09]

Today at 00:02 o’clock in front of the first entrance to the #20/3 building on Margarian Street two unknown people beat the journalist of “Shant” TV Nver Mnatsakanian and escaped. The alarm call to the police was received at 00:15 o’clock.
Public relations department of the Armenian Police told Armenpress that N. Mnatsakanian applied for the medical support to the “Armenia” medical center and went home. A forensic medical examination has been appointed.
An investigation is being conducted.

36. THE AGREEMENT ON PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY THROUGH GAS FROM IRAN WILL POSSIBLY COME INTO FORCE IN THE NEAREST FUTURE [ARMENPRESS, 05/08/09]

The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is in a normal working condition but is not exploited at present because Armenia has a corresponding agreement with Russia ensuring the required amount of gas from this country.
Head of the foreign relations department of “Complex of Vorotan hydro power stations” CJSC Karen Khechumian told Armenpress that the gas pipeline with Iran is an alternative one which in case of necessity can be exploited each moment. So that the gas pipeline does not remain fully unused there is an agreement to get gas from Iran, produce electricity with it and return it back.
The electricity must be produced by Yerevan Thermo Power Plant. K. Khechumian assessed it as profitable for Iran because it will be able to get additional electricity without spending unnecessary powers. For Armenia it is profitable in respect that the electricity which is returned to Iran is less than the received gas can provide. K. Khechumian assessed it as a mutually profitable deal stressing that in the nearest future the deal will get into force. At present negotiations are held in that direction.
Selection of the Yerevan Thermo Power Plant for the implementation of the agreement is conditioned by the fact that the plant is being currently upgraded and makes a transit to new and technically more profitable technologies.
K. Khechumian considers it possible to start the production of the electricity from 2010. According to him, the cooperation with Iran gradually expands and develops. As an example he pointed out to the project of construction of a joint hydro power plant on the bank of Arax River in collaboration with the Iranian side, which is still on the preliminary round.

37. ON MAY 8 A 2.6 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE REGISTERED 6 KM TO THE SOUTH-EAST FROM TOWN OF YEGHEGNADZOR [ARMENPRESS, 05/08/09]

At 12:09 o’clock May 8 a 2.6 magnitude earthquake has been registered 6 km to south-east from the town of Yeghegnadzor, Armenia, the intensity of which in the epicenter reached 3-4 magnitudes.
The National Service of Seismic Defense told Armenpress that the earthquake of 3 magnitude intensity was registered in a number of Armenian settlements, particularly in Vayk, Yeghegnadzor, Agarakadzor, etc.

38. ARTSAKH WEB PAGE LAUNCHED AT THE BERLIN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXHIBITION WEBSITE [ARMENPRESS, 05/08/09]

An Artsakh web page is launched at the website of the Berlin International Tourism Exhibition (ITB) – (www.virtualmarket.itb-berlin.de). NKR MFA Press Service told Armenpress that it provides corresponding information on the places of interest, historical-architectural monuments, and spiritual values of Nagorno Karabakh.
At the March 2009 international tourism exhibition in Berlin, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was introduced in a separate exhibition hall, attracting greatly the attendees’ attention.
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Produced by AGBU Armenian Representation

Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

AGBU Armenia Commemorates Armenian Genocide with Events at Arabkir
Children's Center and Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in Yerevan, Armenia

Yerevan - On April 23, 2009, the AGBU Scouts of Armenia organized a
commemoration ceremony on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide at the AGBU Arabkir Children's Center of Yerevan.

Prepared as a cultural evening to honor the memory of the 1.5 million
victims of the Armenian Genocide, the event began as scouts, their
parents and audience members lit candles in memory of the martyrs of
what is widely recognized as the first genocide of the twentieth
century. The program included a selection of poetry readings and songs.
Historian Edik Danielian spoke about the Armenian Genocide and the
rights of Armenians; his lecture was followed by a documentary about the
catastrophe of 1915. The event coincided with the visit of students from
the AGBU Nubarian School of Montevideo, Uruguay, and the diasporan
Armenian students were honored to participate in the event.

The next day, on April 24, a group of AGBU youths representing AGBU
scouts, AGBU Children's Centers and AGBU Young Professionals of Yerevan
traveled to the Armenian Genocide Memorial (Tsitsernakaberd) to pay
tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Various AGBU members in Armenia, students of the AGBU Nubarian School of
Montevideo, and AGBU Armenian Representation staff formed a group at the
eternal flame, where they observed a moment of silence befitting the
solemn occasion. A memorial wreath was jointly laid by AGBU Central
Board member Yervant Zorian and AGBU Armenian Representation director
Ashot Ghazarian.

Established in 1906, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the
world's largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New
York City, AGBU (www.agbu.org) preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

AGBU-AYA Lebanon's Vahram Papazian Drama Group Presents "God, Don't Forsake Us"

To open the 2009 season, the Vahram Papazian Theater Group of AGBU-AYA
Lebanon gave the first presentation of "Der, Mi Toghour Mez Ander" (God,
Don't Forsake Us), a two-act, modern-day tragi-comedy by the talented
Armenian playwright Jirair Ananian, at the Hagop Der Melkonian Hall on
February 26, 2009. Subsequent performances, including a gala
presentation on March 1, were staged over the following two weekends.
This production coincides with the golden jubilee of the Papazian
Theater Group, which was founded in 1959 by the well-known
Lebanese-Armenian actor and director Berj Fazlian.

In charge of the production was Prof. Yervant Ghazanchian, veteran
theatrical director from Armenia who has been directing the group for
the past decade.

Ananian's plays have been frequently staged in Armenia and, to a certain
extent, in the diaspora. The theme of this play, despite being based on
the post-independence realities of the Republic of Armenia, bears a
great similarity to the psychological states witnessed by the Armenian
communities of the Middle East, where the impact of political unrest and
emigration are chronic problems. The play depicts a clash in a family
when the father refuses to leave his ancestral soil, while his wife
follows her brother's directive to emigrate because the country is
facing food shortages and high unemployment.

Set in a stark apartment, the play is animated by the comings and goings
of its characters, who live in a society struggling to maintain their
high ideals in the face of harsh on-the-ground realities. The 17
experienced and first-time actors who participated in the Papazian
production delighted audiences with their energy and skill.

AGBU-AYA Vahram Papazian Theater Group, which was founded in 1959, is
one of AGBU's six theater groups. For more information about AGBU and
its cultural programs, visit AGBU online at www.agbu.org.

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