NEWS ON ARMENIATV

2007-10-17 Kiro Manoyan refers to adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution by the House of Representatives of US Congress

He reminded that on the threshold of discussions in the Committee, Turkish top officials and Mass Media developed an unprecedented campaign by pressuring the Jewish community of the USA, the Jewish community of Turkey and blackmailing its allies. But Turkeys calculations failed noted Kiro Manoian. He said that Turkey fears that the adoption of the Resolution by the US Congress will lead to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by other countries and negatively effect Turkey’s relations with Europe, Armenia will demand compensation and finally, Turkish national dignity will be insulted.

2007-10-17 UEFA President Michel Platini in Armenia

Michel Platini said that UEFA experts thoroughly studied the situation recommended the UEFA Executive Committee to cancel the matches. According to him even though UEFA is in no way political, it could not ignore the human life safety factor and go on with the match. Asked why in this case the teams did not receive at least one point each, the UEFA president replied briefly "No game, no points". Michel Platini, assured that from now on they will not admit a situation, when the national teams of countries with complicated foreign political relations find themselves in one group. He said that a mistake made once will not be repeated twice.

2007-10-17 A Gala Dinner dedicated to the Armenia Fund \'s 15th anniversary

Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister, member of the Armenia Fund Board of Trustees, and the Board\'s appointed liaison for the Armenia Fund Rural Development Program Vardan Oskanian spoke about the economic challenges facing Armenia and the promise of a program that focuses on the economic and infrastructure development of Armenia\'s rural communities. During his speech Vardan Oskanian reminded that he is not a fundraiser, he is the foreign minister of a country that has managed to overcome obstacles, compete successfully and ensure its rightful place in the region. He said that Armenia is respected in international organizations as a capable partner and has an open economy and solid legislation. Oskanian called on the Armenian Diaspora not to take all this for granted, not to take Armenia and Karabakh for granted and not to take Armenians ability to survive and prosper for granted. He reminded that Armenia has worked hard to keep peace in Karabakh, to come out ahead of its neighbors in almost every important economic index, to relieve emigration and even achieve a modest level of in-migration. According to him now is the time to work hard to consolidate what Armenia has and go forward. The Foreign minister said that in the 21st century, Armenians are not orphans and survivors looking for kindness and sympathy. They are looking for philanthropy, not charity. The Armenia Fund is more than charity, it is more than helping people, it is building a country. He reminded that the Fund’s first years were focused on securing emergency assistance and fuel, by 1996, the Fund began to take on strategic projects; the road that linked Karabakh to Armenia and then, the road that linked Karabakh’s different regions to one another. According to him, Armenia Fund’s 15 years of accomplishments have been possible because the Armenian people around the world have understood their responsibility to support state building in Armenia and Karabakh. Vardan Oskanian said that today Armenia Fund is entering its third phase; comprehensive development assistance. According to foreign minister with the help of the Rural Development Program, the villages will have decent roads, drinking water, irrigation water, gas and electricity, access to schools, to health centers, to telephone service, television and the internet. According to him reviving one village at a time is nation building. Vardan Oskanian called on all to donate during the evening, donate during the telethon on November 22, donate generously, so that villagers of Azatamut, who wake up and stare across the trenches at soldiers pointing in their direction, know that their back is covered, so that residents of Jrapi village become too busy to be intimidated by the imposing Turkish flag laid out in stone on the hillside right across their border, so that grandfathers and grandsons call their sons and fathers to return from abroad. “You who inhabit lands beyond our borders are our limitless, self-perpetuating, resource. You are Armenia. You must participate in its creation, and do this wholeheartedly and completely -- not with conditional or partial use of your potential, but rallying all your resources, realizing that you are doing so for your own survival as well as Armenia’s” said Vardan Oskanian.

2007-10-17 Protest in front of Yerevan State University

Members of the union protested against Yerevan State University dean Aram Simunians decision, not to allow them place national hero Tatul Kerpeians statue in the history faculty named after Tatul Kerpeian. Yerevan state university secretary on scientific issues Vahram Petrosian explained the incident saying the placement of the statue has not been forbidden, but it has been postponed until the end of the renovation works of the faculty. Chairman of Nicole Aghbalian students union Vahe Sarkissian said that they intend to pursue the issue, Tatul Kerpeians’ statue is unveiled. According to him, Krpeian never belonged to any political party; he was simply a national hero and his statue needs to be placed in the faculty named after him.

2007-10-17 Ruben Gevorgiants’ film “Hragordzi Autumn” was screened in Yerevan

Ruben Gevorgians dedicated his film to Italian legend Tonino Guerra. According to Gevorgins, Tonino Guerra differs from Leonardo Da Vinci only by playing the saxophone and football.

2007-10-17 Armenian Journalists receive awards

According to chairman of the union of Armenian Journalists Astghik Gevorgian, many journalists deserve the Azdarar award and it was very difficult to select the winners, which is hwy they established a new award called “For Devotion to the Profession”. The Award is nominated in 5 categories: periodical press, radio, television, regional press and photojournalism. Besides journalists and photographers, a special posthumous award was given to the editor-in-chief of Agos newspaper Hrant Dink.

2007-10-17 Armenian genocide survivor arrived in Armenia to celebrate his 100th birthday anniversary

Souren Abrahamian immigrated from Van to the US when he was only 6 years old. In Armenia he shared his memories with those present at the Tekeian cultural center. Abrahamian was granted a certificate for his patriotic activity. According to Souren Abrahamian’s daughter, her father started talking about the 1915 event recently, as the past was too painful for him to remember and talk about.