ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
01/10/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Armenian & Greek Leaders Discuss EU Issues with Congressman Robert Andrews during California Visit 2) OSCE Minsk Co-chair Calls for Azeri Concession 3) Another Assault by a Yesihva Student on an Armenian Priest 4) Prelate's New Year and Christmas Dinner Complete Success 1) Armenian & Greek Leaders Discuss EU Issues with Congressman Robert Andrews during California Visit GLENDALE--Members of the Board of Directors of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR), along with members of the Board of Directors of the American Hellenic Council (AHC), met with Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ) at the ANCA-WR headquarters in Glendale, California during the Congressman's visit to Southern California on December 27. Representatives of the ANCA-WR and the AHC voiced their concerns about the Republic of Turkey's attempts to join the European Union among other issues related to American foreign policy in regard to Armenia, Greece, and Cyprus. ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian thanked the Congressman for his support of the Greek and Armenian communities. Explaining that the Greek and Armenian communities were very concerned with the United States' active role in advancing Turkey's ambitions for EU membership, Kassakhian pointed out that Turkey has to conform to and adopt the basic standards of human rights by which the EU nations and the US abide. In addition to emphasizing Turkey's overall abysmal record on human rights, Kassakhian told Congressman Andrews of the importance of including recognition of the Armenian genocide as a precondition to Turkey's entry into the EU. AHC President Dinos Andrianos expressed the Greek American community's concerns regarding the tacit US support of the controversial Annan Plan for Cyprus which favors Turkey's position. The plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan would require that the Turkish occupying force vacate most of northern Cyprus, but allow Turkey to retain control of key areas on the island nation. Cypriots have overwhelmingly rejected the Annan Plan as have Armenian Cypriots. Congressman Andrews urged the ANC and AHC to continue their bipartisan outreach to members of Congress, adding that the public awareness campaign is working within the halls of Congress where most of the members are supportive of Armenian and Greek issues. Congressman Andrews commended the ANC and AHC for keeping their respective communities informed and involved in the political process. Representing New Jersey's 1st Congressional District, Congressman Andrews is a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. He sits on the House of Representatives Select Committee on Homeland Security and the Education and Workforce Committee. The Congressman has consistently supported Armenian issues and has earned an A or better on the ANCA Congressional Report Card during the last two election cycles. The American Hellenic Council (AHC) is a non-partisan political advocacy organization based in California, whose purpose of AHC is to lobby and inform congress about Greek American interests and issues. 2) OSCE Minsk Co-chair Calls for Azeri Concession BAKU (Armenpress)--According to an interview published in the Azeri daily Ekspress, the Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group revealed that Armenian and Azeri officials are negotiating an agreement to the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. Russian diplomat Yuri Merzlyakov also called on Azerbaijan to make concessions during upcoming talks between Azeri and Armenian foreign ministers Elmar Mamedyarov and Vartan Oskanian in Prague. Yuri Merzlyakov described the scheduled January 11 talks in Prague as "decisive," saying that "Armenia has agreed to some concessions. Now, it is Azerbaijan's turn." Azeri President Ilham Aliyev recently told his Security Council that a new stage in settling the Karabagh conflict has begun, and that the Prague process foresees a resolution to the conflict that would be "favorable to Azerbaijan." Merzlyakov reacted, saying that though proposals put forth by Baku would not be ruled out, mutual steps must be taken, and desire must be "demonstrated and coordinated." "Dialogue can continue towards a final resolution--should the Prague meeting produce any specific results," the Russian co-chairman stressed. He said the meeting of the ministers "will cast some light on many questions about the evaluation of the situation, specific proposals and prospects of holding more talks: Armenia has agreed to some concessions. Now, it is Azerbaijan's turn." 3) Another Assault by a Yesihva Student on an Armenian Priest By Bedross Der Matossian JERUSALEM--While Armenians all over the world were celebrating Christmas on January 6, Armenians of Jerusalem were celebrating the feast of Saint James the Lesser First Bishop of Jerusalem and the feast of King David. On the same day, Father Avedis Ipradjian woke up early to go to the Church of Virgin Mary to conduct mass. After completing his duties, he returned back to the Monastery of St. James to take part in the Holy Mass. "While I was standing in front of the Monastery's main gate, a Yeshiva student came and spat on me," he said. Father Avedis, who did not resort to any kind of violence, tried to convince the Yeshiva student to go with him to the police station and resolve the issue peacefully. "I told him that he has to apologize for the incident and go with me to the police station, but, on the contrary, he continued cursing at me," Father Avedis said furiously. While the altercation between Father Avedis and the Yeshiva student was taking place, a taxi carrying four Yeshiva students stopped nearby. The students immediately came to aid of the Yeshiva Student. "Suddenly, one of them attacked me and I still did not resort to any kind of violence," Father Avedis said. Meanwhile, a representative from the Foreign Ministry, who happened to be in the area and was accompanied by European diplomats and Israeli security, immediately came to the aid of Father Avedis. "The official immediately ran towards me and asked me if I need any help...Then he tried to stop the Yeshiva students, but he himself was assaulted. Consequently, the Israeli security interfered and tried to detain the Yeshiva students," he said. After the arrival of the police, the four Yeshiva students were arrested and taken to the nearby police station. Father Avedis was also called to give a statement. Bishop Aris Shirvanian, director of ecumenical and foreign relations of the Patriarchate of the Armenian Orthodox Church in the Holy Land, who had gone directly to the police station, contacted Mr. Mordechai Levi, the newly appointed advisor on Christian affairs to Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski. "Right away, Mr. Levi rushed to the police station and condemned the incident," Bishop Shirvanian said. That same evening, the Jerusalem Post reported that the assault on the priest was immediately condemned by the New York-based Anti Defamation League, and, later, by the Mayor of Jerusalem. "This kind of behavior is outrageous, inappropriate, and goes against all Jewish teachings," said the Co-Director of the ADL's Israel Office Laura Kam Issacharoff to the Jerusalem Post. Moreover, according to the Jerusalem Post, Mayor Uri Lupolianski also condemned the attack, which he called a "despicable act...likely to harm the delicate relations that exist in Jerusalem." The Mayor added, "Jewish people, who were subject to centuries of persecution abroad, should be the first to show tolerance and moderation to others." According to Bishop Shirvanian, this kind of assault is not only against the Armenians, but is also directed against all the Christian denominations. He added that behavior of the sort is restricted only to an extreme segment of Orthodox Jews. "During a meeting between the Christian church leaders and the Jewish Orthodox Rabbis last month, the Jewish Orthodox leaders condemned these kinds of acts," Bishop Shirvanian said. Father Norayr Kazazian, who also rushed to the police station, expressed concern that such incidents are still occurring. "We all have to learn to live peacefully with each other and respect each other. Jerusalem is not only a Holy place for the Jews, but also for Christians and Muslims." This is the second assault on an Armenian clergy in the last three months. In October 2003, Bishop Nourhan Manougian was assaulted by a Yeshiva student while leading a procession marking the Exaltation of the Holy Cross near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City. 4) Prelate's New Year and Christmas Dinner Complete Success LOS ANGELES--On January 6, Western Prelacy supporters gathered at Montebello's Baghramian Hall to celebrate Armenian Christmas Eve at the Prelate's traditional New Year and Christmas Dinner. Present at the joyous event were representatives of various Armenian organizations, numerous dignitaries, including Consul General of the Republic of Armenia Gagik Kirakosian and loyal supporters of the Prelacy's mission. Under the auspices of Prelate Bishop Mousegh Mardirossian, several large contributions highlighted the evening's festivities. Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian made a donation of $200,000 to sponsor the ARS Preschool of the San Fernando Valley. Philanthropist Charles Keyan, who had established a $50,000 scholarship fund for Mesrobian High School in 2004, boosted the total sum to $100,000. Mrs. Rose Kasimian donated $150,000 to the Prelacy in memory of her late husband, Mr. Kegham Kasimian. Mrs. Kasimian will be sponsoring the Media Department of the Prelacy as well as a Khachkar and several religious publications. A donation of $50,000 from the Compatriotic Union of Ourfa will be used to sponsor the Western Memorial Wall of the Prelacy Building, as well as a khachkar and a fountain on the premises. Longtime Prelacy supporters, Mr. and Mrs. John and Asdghig Bedrosian, who have hosted the annual dinner for several years now, also made a generous donation to the newly established Mortgage Burning Fund for the Prelacy building. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.