Massis Weekly Vol. 25 No. 23
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June 18, 2005
– Aram Sarkisian Holds Confidential Discussions In The U.S.
– Authorities Criticized For Unwillingness To Espouse Proposals On
Constitutional Reform
– Adam Schiff Introduces Genocide Bill
– Poll Shows Armenians Mostly Dissatisfied With Their Situation
– His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos Of All Armenians In The Western Diocese
– AUA Helps Establish Regional Ophthalmic Unit in Sevan
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– Aram Sarkisian Holds Confidential Discussions In The U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC — Aram Sarkisian leader of Hanrapetutyun party and a
prominent Armenian opposition figure has held a series of meetings with
U.S. Department of State and White House officials over the past week.
Sarkisian has been in the United States for about a week at the
invitation of the Social Democrat Hunchakian party, first visiting
Washington D.C. and then traveling to Los Angeles.
Sarkisian~Rs stay in Washington coincided with a working visit by
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian to the U.S. capital. But in a
phone conversation with RFE/RL on June 13, Sarkisian said that he didn~Rt
meet Oskanian in Washington even though they stayed in the same hotel.
Sarkisian, the brother of Prime Minister Vazgen Sarkisian who was killed
in the attack on the Armenian parliament chamber on October 27, 1999,
had meetings with senior political members of the U.S. Department of
State and the White House, but added that he could not disclose details
because of what he called confidentiality.
The White House meeting was with the National Security Council Caucasus
Director. Speaking about this meeting Aram Sarkisian said he was
impressed by this U.S. official and his knowledge of Armenia.
~TThe U.S. is a country that has its own interests in the region and
considers these interests to be strategic. The U.S. wants to have
friendly, allied relations with Armenia and also be a strategic
partner,~T Sarkisian told RFE/RL. ~TWe mainly discussed issues related to
the future of Armenia and my approaches to this future both in terms of
foreign and domestic policies,~T Sarkisian added without elaborating. ~SI
think the time to say more will come after completing the work.~T
But he mentioned that during his official meetings they also discussed
issues related to the Karabakh settlement and Armenian-Turkish
relations. Sarkisian also met with two members of US Congress, Adam
Schiff (DCA) and Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ).
Besides official
meetings, Sarkisian also met with representatives of the local Armenian
community.
He stated at a public meeting in Glendale, California: ~SArmenians, I
have come to take you home.~T According to Sarkisian himself, there were
many who said they wanted to go back to Armenia.
– Authorities Criticized For Unwillingness To Espouse Proposals On
Constitutional Reform
YEREVAN — Vahagn Khachatrian, who was an advisor to former President
Levon Ter-Petrosian, thinks there is little hope that the Armenian
authorities will embrace the Council of Europe~Rs proposals regarding
constitutional amendments before June 23, when the revised amendments
are to be submitted to the Council of Europe.
Speaking at a seminar in Yerevan on June 15 to discuss the advisability
of constitutional amendments, Khachatrian said:~SEven in these conditions
Robert Kocharian does not want to yield in the face of huge pressure.
The authorities do not want to retreat in any way, realizing well that
any nationwide event, be it a referendum or elections, creates an
additional problem for them as they will have to
develop a rigging mechanism and [select] those in charge of these riggings.~T
In Khachatrian~Rs opinion, ~Sno matter what constitution we have, it will
never be a problem for the current authorities to bypass or violate it.~T
Meanwhile, Progressive-Liberal Party Chairman Hovannes Hovannisian
slammed Kocharian for allegedly attempting to dupe the West, while in
real fact, Hovannisian thinks, the authorities are not
ready for serious reforms and ~Swill rig the outcome of the referendum~T
this fall in which voters will be asked to approve or reject the final
version of the constitutional amendments.
Another reason, according to Hovannisian, is that Kocharian ~Scherishes
hopes that the new Constitution will enable him to be nominated [for
president] for a third time in conditions of a certain
situation,~T or alternatively that Kocharian ~Swants to give a gift – a
new constitution – to his successor to make him a much stronger leader
who would act as a guarantor for him [Kocharian] and his entourage in
their future.~T
Speaking at the seminar, political analyst Aghasi Yenokian expressed the
opinion that it is much more important that the proposed package of
amendments should limit the powers of the executive body.
Leading legal experts from the Council of Europe were in Yerevan earlier
this month to discuss with Armenian officials their serious concerns
regarding the draft constitutional amendments.
Their statement criticized the Armenian authorities for failing to
embrace key Venice Commission recommendations that would give more
powers to the Armenian parliament, limit Kocharian~Rs authority to
appoint judges, and make the mayor of Yerevan an elected official. The
statement warned that failure to accept those recommendations would
seriously hamper Yerevan~Rs efforts at European integration.
– Adam Schiff Introduces Genocide Bill
GLENDALE (The Leader ) — Rep. Adam Schiff introduced a resolution to
Congress on Tuesday, with bipartisan support from more than 50
congressmen, that would require the government to recognize the Armenian
genocide.
~SI hope this year we can make the recognition happen,~T Schiff said. ~SIt
has been 90 years. If not now, when?~T For two years, Schiff has fought
for U.S. recognition of the genocide, in which more than 1.5 million
Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire beginning in 1916. The
resolution would also require the U.S. president to acknowledge the
genocide each year on the date of its anniversary.
The bill was cosponsored by representatives George Radanovich
(R-Mariposa), Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich.) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.).
Introducing the new resolution is the second step Schiff has taken in as
many weeks, and underlines his efforts during the past two years
regarding the issue. Last week, Schiff announced that a forthcoming bill
requiring the government to acknowledge the genocide was guaranteed a
hearing by House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde,
increasing the its chances at becoming law.
He is still working on the language to that bill, which he will
introduce to the House of Representatives in the near future, Schiff said.
Tuesday~Rs introduction received substantial bipartisan support. More
than 50 members of Congress, democrats and republicans, joined to
support the resolution, including Rep. David Dreier.
– Poll Shows Armenians Mostly Dissatisfied With Their Situation
A poll conducted by a Russian research center shows that 46 percent of
citizens of Armenia ~Scan hardly make their both ends meet~T, while only
33 percent can actually ~Ssatisfy their essential needs~T.
Russia~Rs ~SROMIRO Monitoring~T center conducted a poll among residents of
five CIS countries, including Russia, Armenia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and
Moldova, as well as in Bulgaria and China.
The ~SNovoye Vremya~T magazine writes that Armenians and Bulgarians have
the worst opinion about their own situation and their countries~R economies.
Ninety-one percent of citizens polled in Armenia thinks that the
country~Rs economic situation is ~Spoor~T or ~Saverage~T.
Answering the question of who will be the world~Rs most powerful nation
in 20 years~R time, 34 percent of questioned Armenia~Rs citizens said it
will be the United States, 25 percent spoke in favor of Russia
and 19 percent mentioned the European Union.
Twenty-one percent of respondents in Russia see their country as the
world~Rs leader in two decades, while the same percentage of Russians are
convinced that the U.S. will preserve its world dominance.
– His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos Of All Armenians In The Western Diocese
Symposium/Dialogue On Globalization And The Armenian Church At USC
On Friday, June 10 a symposium took place entitled Globalization and the
Armenian Church in the Davidson Conference Center at the University of
Southern California, presided by His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and sponsored by the Western
Diocese of the Armenian Church, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies,
and the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture.
Professor Donald Miller, USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture,
spoke on ~SThe Dynamics of Globalization: Patters and Processes~T.
Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church Youth
Center in Glendale, spoke on the theme of ~SThe Impact of Globalization
on the Armenian Church: An Assessment.~T The topic of ~SA New Agenda for
the Armenian Church: Taking the Offensive~T was presented by Prof. Hrair
Dekmejian, Department of Political Science and Director of the USC
Institute of Armenian Studies.~T
A Panel discussion followed conducted by Prof. Donald Miller, with the
participation of students and guests in attendance.
In Conclusion His Holiness Karekin II spoke on the topic of ~SShepherding
St. Gregory~Rs Progeny in a Globalized World.~T His Holiness emphasized
that Globalization is not a new concept, and that in the 5th Century the
Armenian people were in the danger of assimilation, however, with the
help of God and through the efforts of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Mashdots
the Armenian alphabet was created (the 1600th anniversary of which will
be celebrated this year). With the translation of the Holy Bible,
religious, liturgical, philosophical and other works, our culture, the
Armenian Church, and the Armenian people were enriched and were given a
national identity which distinguished us from other people.
Globalization, which became more of an issue at the end of the 20th
century undoubtedly leaves its mark also on our people and the church.
However, we are certain that thanks to our unshakable faith and love
towards our Motherland, we will be able to remain unaffected by foreign
pressures. We will lead our people and necessarily the youth towards the
~SFountain of Light~T, towards Christ, with his
teachings of the Holy Gospel and the mission of creating a motherland.
The Symposium came to a close with the Benediction by His Holiness
Karekin II. The Students then approached the Catholicos to receive his
blessings. At 7:00 p.m. on June 10 His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians blessed the Altar Cross Stone and four icons of the new
edifice of St. Gregory Armenian Church, in Pasadena. Following the
ceremony a Banquet took place in the Agajanian Hall of the Church.
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, departed for
Fresno on Saturday Morning, June 11, 2005 after having completed his
Pontifical visitation in the Greater Los Angeles Area. His Holiness,
accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, and
his entourage,
were greeted at the Fresno airport by the clergy of the region, as well
as representatives of the Parish Councils, Ladies~R Societies and ACYO.
In honor of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
marking his official entrance into the San Joaquin Valley a ~SHrashapar~T
service took place at St. Paul Armenian church.
Following the prayer service His Eminence Archbishop Derderian made his
remarks welcoming the Catholicos of All Armenians into the Western
Diocese and emphasizing that the Pontifical visit of His Holiness is a
Renaissance of Faith for the entire Diocese. His Eminence informed the
faithful of the activities and accomplishments of the Catholicos,
particularly in the area of construction and renovation within Armenia.
He then introduced His Holiness and invited his to provide the faithful
with his message. His Holiness praised God for the opportunity for a
second visit to the Western Diocese. He spoke of the difficulties facing
the Armenian Church and conveyed his optimism that our combined efforts
will make it possible to overcome our difficulties.
~SDarkness will be followed by dawn and lack of faith, by the Christian
Faith.~T His Holiness commended the faith and dedication of the faithful
of Fresno and urged them to continue to remain connected to the Armenian
Apostolic Church, the Christian Faith and our cultural heritage.
Following the ~SHrashapar~T Service a Press Conference took place at St.
Paul Armenian Chruch during which His Holiness was interviewed by local
media and press.
On Sunday, June 12, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, celebrated Pontifical Divine Liturgy at St. Paul Armenian
Church with the participation of the clergy and parishes of Central
California. His Holiness was assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian and His Eminence Archbishop Nerses Bozabalyan.
In his sermon the Pontiff of All Armenians blessed those in attendance,
and urged them to remain loyal to the Armenian Church and the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin. ~SWe pray for the strengthening of the Diaspora,~T
said the Catholicos. ~SThe Armenian people found in Christ the hope for
their life and Motherland.~T
He referred to human and national values, including the 1600th
anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet, the fruit of which
was the reinforcement of Christian faith in Jesus and the Armenian
Apostolic Church. Since that day the Armenian people have not been
downtrodden by persecutions and the problems of life. Today that same
Armenian Church and the Motherland of the Armenians live free, and the
church has already begun to flourish once more and is undergoing a new
renaissance of faith. His Holiness emphasized that ~SSoon all
difficulties will be defeated.~T He urged the faithful to protect all
values and to never forget the birthplace of their spirit, the Armenian
Church and Armenia. He then made plea to all to live with love and peace
in our host country.
On this occasion His Holiness presented to the Primate His Eminence
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian a beautiful container in which to keep Holy
Muron, and to the Catholic Bishop he presented a cross bearing the
Armenian style to be worn around his neck. Bishop Steinbeck, removing
his own cross, gave it to His Holiness in return for his gesture. The
exchange of gifts symbolized the spirit of love and brotherhood.
A large number of faithful received Holy Communion form the Catholicos.
Following the Pontifical Divine Liturgy, the official Banquet took
place in honor of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
in the Fresno Convention Center, with the participation of benefactors,
faithful, as well as high ranking religious and political guests and
representatives. Following dinner the attendees viewed a video
presentation regarding the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the
Kevorkian Seminary, as well as the accomplishments of His Holiness. In
his message the Primate mentioned the activities of His Holiness and the
projects which he has implemented, wishing him health, well being and
increased strength. He congratulated the meticulous work of the
Reception Committee and invited His Holiness to deliver his message. His
Holiness Karekin II conveyed his hopefulness that the Armenians of the
region will remain firm in their faith and identity. He urged the clergy
to dedicate themselves with greater consciousness to their faithful, the
church and her mission, in order to ensure the prosperity of the
community. The Pontiff drew attention to various issues, ecclesiastical
and religious, facing the church, at the same time identifying new hopes
for the Armenian Apostolic Church.
– AUA Helps Establish Regional Ophthalmic Unit in Sevan
YEREVAN — The Ararat-1 Lions Club and the Garo Meghrigian Eye Institute
for Preventive Ophthalmology (GMEIPO) of the Center for Health Services
Research and Development, American University of Armenia, in conjunction
with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, hosted the
opening of the Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit in Sevan on June 11, 2005.
The Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit is part of an integrated project
supported by the Lions Club International Foundation SightFirst grant to
strengthen ophthalmologic services throughout the region and to serve as
a model for sustainable, community-based primary eye care and a
blindness prevention system.
The Unit was renovated and equipped according to World Health
Organization (WHO) standards and the core staff, including one
ophthalmologist and two ophthalmic nurses, was trained on new methods
of diagnostics and treatment at the Lions Aravind Institute for
Community Ophthalmology in India. The Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit
will focus on cataract surgery, the main blinding condition in Armenia,
according to the GMEIPO~Rs population- based survey and Armenia~Rs
Ministry of Health statistics.
In support of the Unit, 10 village examination centers were established
in village ambulatories in the Gegharkunik region. The centers will
provide primary eye care and screening services by nurses that
completed a training session conducted by the GMEIPO, with support from
the Jinishian Memorial Fund. Within 2 years, approximately 20,000 people
aged 50 and over from the Gegharkunik region will receive free
ophthalmic examinations.
An estimated 1,000-1,500 cataract surgeries will be conducted, many for
free or at substantially reduced prices. ~SThis project is the outcome of
a partnership that has been forged to provide needed eye care services
to the poor people of the Gegharkunik region. It is a unique event and I
have every confidence that it will be a great success,~T said Dr. Para,
WHO/Geneva Consultant Ophthalmologist.
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