Armenian Diaspora News

[Hovik]

Officials List Conditions For Dual Citizenship In Armenia

Radio Free Europe 02/11/2005 00:49

The lifting of a constitutional ban on dual citizenship whould not automatically give Diaspora Armenians the right to vote and get elected to a public office in Armenia, leaders of the governing coalition told RFE/RL on Tuesday.

Senior lawmakers from the governing Republican Party (HHK) and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) said ethnic Armenian citizens of other nations will have that right only if they live in Armenia, have served in its military and pay taxes.

Dual citizenship is among the numerous constitutional amendments which citizens of Armenia will endorse or reject at a referendum on November 27. The existing constitution, enacted in 1995, bans them from being the citizens of other states. Many Armenian parties believe that the restriction is unjustified given the existence of the worldwide Armenian Diaspora. President Robert Kocharian pledged to abolish it when he came to power in 1998.

“We have a national security issue,” said the HHK’s Samvel Nikoyan. “Every step taken by us should serve that purpose. Anything beyond that is not acceptable to me.”

“For example, giving one or two million Armenians of Russia the right to vote mean that the outcome of every Armenian election is decided in Russia,” he added. “Can we allow such a thing? Of course not.”

Levon Mkrtchian, a Dashnaktsutyun leader, agreed, saying that the right to vote must be pegged to a number of conditions such as a minimum residency requirement. “A Diaspora-based citizen’s rights would be commensurate with the fulfillment of their obligations,” he said.

Mrktchian said Dashnaktsutyun experts are already working on a draft law on citizenship. He said it will be circulated as early as next spring if the constitutional amendments pass the referendum.

The allies of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian, who enacted the controversial constitution in 1995, remain strongly opposed to dual citizenship.

[Hovik]

Diaspora Heeds Genocide Allegations more

INTERNATIONAL 11.05.2005 Saturday - ISTANBUL 05:57

Diaspora Heeds Genocide Allegations more
By AA
Published: Friday, November 04, 2005
zaman.com


A group of MPs from the Belgian Senate, following their visit to Armenia, said the Armenian people "do not care" about "the so-called genocide allegations".

Under the leadership of Walloon Socialist Party member Belgian Senate Chairwoman Anne-Marie Lizin, Senator Luc Willems from Fleming Liberal Party and Walloon Christian Democrat Party member Francis Delperee made an official visit to the Armenian capital Yerevan.


The delegation sharing their impressions at a news briefing emphasized ordinary Armenian citizens do not heed the "so-called genocide allegations" as much as the Diaspora Armenians do.


According to the Belgian delegation, Ankara's proposal to "let the issue be examined by unbiased historians and accepting the scientific outcome" "cornered Yerevan in a serious way".


The delegation trying to choose their words carefully during their contacts in Armenia avoided any expressions that may suggest acceptance of the "so-called genocide" allegations and focused on recording Armenian and Turkish views separately.


Meanwhile, Lizin offered "Belgium mediation" to overcome the problems between Armenia and Turkey.




Brussels

[Gavur]

According to the Belgian delegation, Ankara's proposal to "let the issue be examined by unbiased historians and accepting the scientific outcome" "cornered Yerevan in a serious way".

Ha Ha Ha hohohoho!
Lets break down ertugrul said:
Let the isuue be examined

Transalation-We realize we're cornered with this issue among others lol

by unbiased historians and accepting the scientific outcome

Transalation-Give us some time so our people can digest the truth and then we will accept our history as long as it's presented to us by some entity that can prove they have no gain by the outcome.

This is music to Armenians ears

[Hovik]

Travel + Leisure Honors Innovations In Responsible Tourism

TRAVEL + LEISURE HONORS INNOVATIONS IN RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Earth Vision, VA
GreenBiz, DC
Nov. 30, 2005

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2005 - Travel + Leisure has recognized seven
projects and organizations from around the world for defending the
historical, cultural, and ecological integrity of tourist destinations.

The magazine paid tribute to seven innovative programs and initiatives
across seven categories in the inaugural Global Vision Awards. Selected
by a jury of seven distinguished global travel authorities, the winners
are defending the historical, cultural, and ecological integrity of
various regions throughout the world and are featured in the magazine's
December issue.

The winners are:

Economic Development: Tufenkian Artisan Carpets, Nepal and Armenia
New York-based James Tufenkian has enhanced the economy of developing
communities in Nepal and Armenia by implementing worker-welfare
programs, providing schools, housing, medical facilities and a
water-purification plant for thousands of artisans and craftspeople.

Cultural Preservation: Falmouth Heritage Renewal, Falmouth, Jamaica
This four-year grassroots campaign started by Virginia-based
Christopher Ohrstrom preserves endangered sites of cultural or
historical significance and, whenever possible, has bolstered the
communities surrounding these projects.

Community Outreach: Himalayan Homestays, Ladakh, India Created to
support the customs and traditions of communities in the higher
Himalayas, this conservation program has single-handedly transformed
the perception of the snow leopard from a dangerous predator to
an animal whose presence draws travelers and provides economic
opportunities to villagers throughout this region.

Green/Eco-hotel Initiative: Hilton Vancouver Washington The centerpiece
of a revitalization plan aimed to embrace environmental responsibility,
the hotel is exemplary in its energy efficiency, wateruse reduction,
sustainable construction and operation, and promotion of alternative
transportation.

Ecological Conservation: Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Mauritius
Acting as an incubator, outdoor laboratory, preservation site and
vistor's center, this ecosystem rehabilitation effort has conserved and
enhanced a threatened environment that paves the way for regeneration
projects worldwide.

Innovation: Al-Azhar Park, Cairo This urban-renewal initiative has
provided leisure and recreational space to a city that has little,
and has energized social and economic development for neighboring
residents while serving as a catalyst for historic preservation.

Corporate Initiative: Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces, India With 56
properties in 39 locations in India, Taj's philanthropy has aided
hunger-relief efforts, education, health crisies, fund-raising,
earthquake relief, and income generation for underprivileged women and
other social development and environmental issues facing communities
throughout India.

"The winners of our first annual Global Vision Awards set powerful
examples for all of us in the travel world, where protecting natural
resources and supporting local cultures has become an imperative," says
Nancy Novogrod, editor in chief of Travel + Leisure. "In recognizing
these outstanding organizations and individuals, we believe that we
are also highlighting tourism's potential as a force for good."

Travel + Leisure editors nominated finalists in seven categories and
presented them to a jury of experts who selected the winners. The
jury was comprised of seven global travel business leaders: Bonnie
Burnham of the World Monuments Fund; Andrew Drumm of the Nature
Conservancy; Andrew Fairley of Turtle Island Resort; Steve Fitzgerald
of Conservation Corporation Africa; Niki Leondakis of Kimpton Hotels &
Restaurants; Ronald Sanabria of Rainforest Alliance; and, Sean Southey
of Equator Initiative.

[Hovik]

Unemployment 'down,' Job Vacancies Up

UNEMPLOYMENT 'DOWN,' JOB VACANCIES UP

Aftenposten, Norway
Dec. 1, 2005

Norway's state employment agency Aetat set the country's jobless
rate at 3 percent on Thursday. Other agencies have argued that the
real level of unemployment is higher, but it does appear there's more
demand for workers.

Photo: Anusj Ambartsumian (center), originally from Armenia, has sent
out more than 100 job applications for a math teaching job without
even being called in for an interview. Now she's working as part-time
cleaning help at Ullevål Hospital in Oslo, along with co-workers
Tigist Lule (left), who has completed pharmacist education in Norway,
and Benyam Teshone, who was a journalist in Ethiopia.

PHOTO: ROLF Ã~XHMAN

Aetat's figures only take into account those Norwegians who officially
have registered themselves as unemployed, and sought unemployment
benefits. Private employment agencies point out that many people who
quit or lose their jobs don't seek state assistance, and try looking
for new jobs on their own.

The figures also don't reflect the level of underemployment in Norway,
where many highly educated job seekers, especially immigrants, try
to find work without success.

Newspaper Aftenposten reported yet another such case earlier this
week, where a math teacher from Armenia with 14 years of experience
and fluency in Norwegian wound up working as part-time cleaning help
at an Oslo hospital. That's despite strong demand for math teachers
in Oslo schools, and credentials held by the would-be teacher that
are approved by state education authorities.

State agency Aetat nonetheless reported that Norway only has 72,300
people fully without work, or 3 percent of the labour force. That's
down from 84,600 unemployed people in November of last year, and down
3,400 from October.

Aetat claimed it also registered 24,700 new job vacancies, up 47
percent from November last year.

Yngvar Ã...sholt of Aetat noted that Norway's jobless rate has declined
every month this year. "The increase in job vacancies indicates that
we can expect unemployment to fall further during the next few months,"
he said.

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/business/article1169019.ece

--Boundary_(ID_Z4c5x08ecsOhtKtMA4B/3Q)--

[Hovik]

Gibrahayer e-magazine 12-6-05

LEDRA STREET OPENING UP
(Gibrahayer - Nicosia December 6, 2005) A once vibrant business center - where four decades ago a lot of Armenians made their living with Greek and Turkish Cypriots - could be opening up as the latest crossing point between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish occupied areas.
The historic Ledra street and Odos Ermou junctions have been witnessing a clean up operation by the Turkish army, but this, not without raising eyebrows, as their "operation " is accompanied with new fortifications that have prompted a strong reaction from the Ministry of Defence and Greek Cypriot political parties, claiming that through this action, the Turkish army is gaining a military advantage by advancing to new positions on the Green line, where fierce street fighting had taken place during the Turkish invasion of 1974.

(Cyprus Mail - Nicosia) It was a moving sight to see a bulldozer smashing through the wall on the Turkish controlled side of Ledra Street. Not quite the fall of the Berlin Wall, and unlikely to be followed by the tearing down of the length of the wall along the old city centre, but significant nonetheless.
In contrast to the desolate political stalemate at the national level, Nicosia’s local authorities have been keen to see movement on the ground, egged on by shopkeepers on both sides eyeing increased business in the event of an opening. For years, successive mayors of the capital’s two communities have worked hard towards laying the groundwork for reintegration of the city, taking advantage of UN and EU projects to collaborate wherever possible.
The opening of Ledra Street is the fruit of those efforts and of the good will involved in such collaboration. And while it is unlikely to have any immediate impact on the political situation, it will contribute further to the growing normalisation of everyday relations between the two communities, at the same time uniting the city in a shared commercial interest.

http://gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com/index.htm?ar=77&p=21

[1.5 million]

I've had some involvement - (difficult to explain and thats all I can say) - in an effort which ferried some Greeks to the Turkish side and vice versa - for very limited visits. Can't say more - and it was not myself who actually brought them back and forth - but someone very close to me...still to hear the accounts was very heartwarming (all was reported back to me) - people who got to see their homes and neighborhoods and places they knew very well - for the first (and likely only) time in over 20 years time...shame that it will never be as it ws...but perhaps there is hope in the future - if Cypriots are allowed to determine their own future without outside interferrence (which has always been the catalyst for problems).

[Hovik]

System Of A Down - Hypnotize

SYSTEM OF A DOWN - HYPNOTIZE
written by Matt Kelly on 9 Dec 2005

varsity.co.nz, New Zealand
Dec. 9, 2005

Hypnotize
by System Of A Down
39 mins, 12 tracks

Splitting a group of songs that could've fit onto one disc into
two and then selling them both separately at full price is a risky
business. Make all the statements you like about thematic and artistic
motivation, it's hard to get away from the fact that you'll generate
more revenue.

However, upon hearing the first installment in this sort-of double
album, Mezmerize, which was released months ago, I was sold. A powerful
slab of rock managing to be weird and poppy at the same time, 75
consecutive minutes of it might've been hard to take despite how good
it was. If Hypnotize were to be equal to, or better than, Mezmerize,
System Of A Down would be looking at a band of the year nomination.

Unfortunately it's not. You do have the classic SOAD gimmick of
marrying a titantic pop chorus with idiosyncratic lyrics, complex
riffs and hard metal rhythms executed well on "Dreaming" and "Kill
Rock 'N' Roll" but the same gimmick doesn't carry the dry, abrasive
"Attack". Whereas Mezmerize arguably doesn't have a weak moment,
here we have "She's Like Heroin". Initially the worst thing I'd heard
in a while, it grew on me slightly but remains quite naff with Daron
Malakian's comedy vocal and the constant use of the word "ass".

There's less of the Frank Zappa satirical circus feel this time
as the album is generally more direct and hard, though "Vicinity
Of Obscenity" with the already infamous chorus of "Banana, banana,
banana, terracotta, banana, terracotta, terracotta pie" and a vibe that
goes everywhere from scary to hilarious keeps SOAD's air of knowing
insanity alive. Then along comes "Lonely Day", the most conventional
song SOAD have ever recorded. As Malakian sings "Such a lonely day
should be banned/ It's a day that I can't stand", you can feel the
hearts of old school SOAD fans and alt. metal generally combusting
(yet cheesiness aside it doesn't have a bad sound).

System of A Down are much more impressive when venturing further
afield, as in the quiet almost medieval guitar breaks in "U Fig"
or the South American sounding drums on the middle eight of the
title track. Worth singling out for mention is Holy Mountains which
despite its obvious pomp and "seriousness" (it concerns a post WWI
massacre of one million Armenians, all four members of SOAD being
descended from Armenian roots, though the band is California based)
is mildly enthralling with its mix of screaming, ghostly murmurs,
pace and solemnity.

The album closes with the rest of Soldier Side, the song that begins
at the start of Mezmerize. It's works thematically but the conclusion
to the song is a bit histrionic and doesn't have the power you might
hope for.

System Of A Down is a band with plenty of tricks in their bag but
it seems most of the good ones were on the first disc. Hypnotize is
no disaster and the good outweighs the band but its flaws snuff out
the Mezmerize/Hypnotize project's hopes of being great and leave it
instead as quite good.

[Hovik]

Armenian Monument Again Destroyed In Russia

ARMENIAN MONUMENT AGAIN DESTROYED IN RUSSIA

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Dec 29 2005

SYKTYVKAR, DECEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. Early in the
morning of December 27, unknown malefactors destroyed the Armenian
memorial khachkar (cross-stone) in the capital of the Republic of
Komi, Syktyvkar: they pricked all over the monument with sharp
subjects, after which overthrew and broke it. According to the
"Yerkramas" ("Territory") newspaper of Armenians of Russia, head of
"Van" Republican Armenian National-Cultural Autonomy Vardan Musinian
called this an act of vandalism and declared about the intention
to restore the monument. "If necessary, we will build ten such
monuments," he declared. Law-enforcement bodies are searching for
the malefactors. The khachkar was opened on December 9 in the forest
tract of Syktyvkar in Dimitrov street. The stele made of red tufa
was brought to the capital of Komi from Armenia and was placed in
the place of the future Armenian Cultural Center. According to Vardan
Musinian, the future center must include a church and the office of
the organization. The town administration allotted rather an uneasy
place for the khachkar in the respect of crime: the khachkar was
placed in the forest tract dividing the Syktyvkar town cemetery and
Dimitrov street. According to the data of 2002 census of population,
more than two thousand Armenians live in the Republic of Komi.

[Reincarnated Am]

Armenian Hostage Freed in Iraq

NICOSIA (AFP)--A Cypriot-Lebanese man taken hostage by gunmen in Iraq five months ago and threatened with death has been released, officials and family members said on Sunday.

The Cypriot foreign ministry said it had been informed by the family of Garo Jikerjian, who is of Armenian origin and holds both Lebanese and Cypriot citizenship, that he was freed on December 31.

"This was the best Christmas present I could ever expect; it's like no other," said Jikerjian's aunt, Rita Metzadourian, who added that she had spoken to him briefly and that "he said he was okay."

The Cypriot foreign ministry said Jikerjian was expected to return to Cyprus within the next few days.

"The foreign ministry expresses its satisfaction at the happy conclusion of the five-month captivity of the Cypriot national," it said in a statement.

Jikerjian was kidnapped by gunmen in August in Baghdad's upscale Mansur district, where he was working for a Lebanese-owned but Cyprus-based importer of food and liquor for US-led coalition forces and the Iraqi army.

A group calling itself The Group for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice posted a video on the Internet on September 11 showing a man who identified himself as "Garo" sitting on the floor with his hands and feet bound and a hooded gunman pointing an automatic weapon at his head.

They threatened to kill the hostage unless his company left Iraq. Last month, his father issued an appeal for Jikerjian's release in a video message broadcast on Arab television.

"I believe there was payment made. They wouldn't have released him otherwise, but I don't know any of the details," Metzadourian said.

The kidnappers had initially demanded 20,000 dollars for Jikerjian's release, but after his employer paid the ransom the amount jumped to two million dollars, Metzadourian said in September.

Dozens of foreigners have been kidnapped by anti-American insurgents in Iraq and some have been executed by their captors. Around 40 foreigners remain missing or reported kidnapped since a spate of abductions first blighted Iraq in April 2004.