Month: June 2005

Pan Armenian News
ARMENIAN PILOTS TO LEAVE MALABO FOR MOSCOW JUNE 10
08.06.2005 05:18
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia (UAR) Ara
Abrahamian stated that the Armenian pilots released in Equatorial Guinea
will arrive in Moscow June 10. `My two representatives Andranik Migranian
and Karen Galustian are in Malabo at the moment. I hope that the pilots will
arrive in Moscow on June 10 and then depart for Armenia’, he said, ITAR-TASS
reports. Ara Abrahamian also noted that the Armenian Foreign Ministry
requested him as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador to assist to the discharge of
the Armenian pilots.’ In his words, Pope John Paul II, UNESCO Secretary
General Koichiro Matsuura and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Larvov
appealed to the leadership of Equatorial Guinea with a request to release
the pilots. `Three-month consistent and laborious work was finally crowned
with success’, Ara Abrahamian noted expressing gratitude to the authorities
of Equatorial Guinea. `Due to some historical circumstances may Armenians
live abroad. Each of them should know that he is not alone and can count on
the support of the state and the Armenian community’, the UAR chairman
resumed.

Pan Armenian News
VOICE OF EUROPE LAUNCHED CAMPAIGN AGAINST TURKEY ACCESSION TO EU
07.06.2005 08:06
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Voice of Europe Slovakia-based NGO has launched a campaign
of collection of signatures for not admitting Turkey’s accession to the
European Union, the Yerkir newspaper reported. Slovakian citizens can
express their attitude to the possible EU enlargement by the joining of
Turkey. Similar rallies are organized in Germany, Poland, Hungary and the
Czech Republic.

AZG Armenian Daily #104, 08/06/2005
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ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS AND NAGORNO KARABAKH ISSUE TO TOP OSKANIAN-RICE
MEETING AGENDA
On the sidelines of his visit to the US capital of Washington on June 9-10
RA foreign minister Vartan Oskanian will meet US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice, adviser on security affairs Steven Hedley, other
representatives of the US administration and the members of the Congress.
Mediamax informs referring to a source in Washington that the sides will
discuss issues of bilateral relations as well as the process of Nagorno
Karabakh regulation and the Armenian-Turkish relations.

AZG Armenian Daily #104, 08/06/2005
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ARMENIAN CATHOLICOS TO MEET ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Catholicos of All Armenian, His Holiness Karekin II is paying a patriarchal
visit to California these days. On June 4, His Holiness met with the
Armenian consul to Los Angeles Gagik Kirakosian. A press release by the RA
Foreign Ministry informs that the Catholicos is to meet with the California
governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the sidelines of his visit.
The press office of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin informs that Karekin II
served holy liturgy at the temple of Hreshtakatz. Representatives of 10
religious organizations and denominations headed by Archbishop Roger Mahoney
of Los Angeles’ Catholic diocese attended the service.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
POLITICS IS MOTIVATED BY INTERESTS;
RELIGION MUST ACT ON THE BASIS OF VALUES
Stated His Holiness Aram I.
Addressing an international interreligious conference, His Holiness Aram I
said: “Inter-religious dialogue aimed at enhancing greater understanding of
each other’s’ theological teachings and fostering closer relations and
broader collaboration must remain a major concern for all religions”.
Speaking about the role of religions in a new world context, Aram I, the
Moderator of the WCC, said: “Religion has become a major player on the
global scene. Religion has no identifiable boundaries; it has become
omnipresent in society and integral to our public and private life. For
some, religion is in process of self-articulation and is becoming more
relevant by adapting to the new world context; while for others, the
credibility of religion itself is at stake. The historical circumstances and
tremendous changes taking place in our societies call the religions to
engage in a critical process of self-understanding. Clearly, return of
religion and return to religion are facts of life”.
His Holiness emphasized the importance of “credible and relevant”
dialogue: “Interreligious dialogues, which are organized by different
players of civil society, including political institutions, have become a
salient feature of contemporary societies. The proliferation of
inter-religious meetings may eventually undermine the pivotal importance of
inter-religious dialogue, if a solid substance and a clear orientation are
not given to these encounters. More than at any other time there is a great
awareness of the need for a credible and relevant inter-religious dialogue.
Only such a dialogue will help religions to reach a coherent and holistic
approach to crucial issues stirring the life of societies, and lead humanity
to healing and reconciliation”.
His Holiness considered “common values” essential for interreligious
co-existence and action. “Dialogue implies a common basis and common
objectives. In their search for the common truth, religions must also seek
common values that will underpin their co-existence, guide their common
reflection and enhance their common action”.
For His Holiness Aram I “religions must provide moral leadership in a world
where moral values are in decay”. He said that we must accept our
deficiencies and vulnerabilities in humility. Our theologies, our
institutions, our ways of life are strongly affected by anthropocentric and
world-oriented values and considerations. The moral authority of a religion
is questioned when it uncritically supports a political agenda and relies on
worldly power”.
Catholicos Aram I stressed the pivotal role of religion in combating
violence: “Religion is an instrument of peace-building. However, religion
has always had its own share in the emergence of the culture of violence.
The misuse and abuse of religion has often generated conflict. Religious
divergences are often exploited to create tensions. Distrust and
intolerance, fueled by extremist views and exclusivist doctrines, have
caused violence in many communities. Thus, unholy alliance of religion and
violence has become a bitter experience in many regions”.
For the Moderator of the World Council of Churches “the credibility of a
religion is determined by its firm commitment to peace and non-violence. The
religions must pro-actively articulate their vocation as peace builders.
They must combat violence by addressing those issues and situations that
generate violence; by building a culture of peace with justice; by promoting
confidence and understanding between religions, and by leading societies to
reconciliation and transformation”.
Concluding his address, His Holiness appealed to all religions: “to develop
a vision of community where hate is transformed into respect, intolerance
into acceptance, isolation into integration; to build communities where,
diversities are enriched and common values are deepened; to organize
communities so that working together on issues of common concern may become
a continuous process and a quality of being together; to seek new ways of
living together as one community, where our self-perceptions are respected,
deepened and broadened in dialogical interaction with each other”.
More than 150 people from all religions take part in this international
conference of religions organized by the World Council of Churches.
Read below the full text of the lecture of His Holiness Aram
I.
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View pictures here:
res20.htm
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Pan Armenian News
IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO RA: I NEVER ADVISED IRANIANS NOT TO SEND CHILDREN TO
STUDY IN ARMENIA
08.06.2005 04:49
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Alireza Haqiqian refuted the
information spread by some media, according to which he allegedly called
upon Iranian families not to sent their children to study in Armenia. `My
words were wrongly interpreted. I never gave such advice to Iranians’, the
diplomat stated, IA Regnum reports. In his words, the relations between Iran
and Armenia have been developing since Armenia became independent and the
multilateral development and strengthening of relations in all the fields
are supported by the top officials of both states. `The development of
scientific and educational cooperation between the two states is one of the
most important reasons of bilateral cooperation’, the Iranian diplomat
noted. When touching upon the mutual acknowledging and confirmation of the
diplomas issued by the institutes of higher education of the two countries.
Mr. Haqiqian noted that the appropriate memorandum has been already signed.
`The increase of the number of Iranian students in Armenia is conditioned by
this fact’, he stressed. He also clarified his position on the border
cooperation between Iran and Armenia. `The joint overland border plays an
important role in bilateral relations. I take into account the ties and
transportation across the border as well as the increasing flow of people
and vehicles. Presently the alleviation of traffic on this way is in focus’,
he said.

Pan Armenian News
SERGE SARGSIAN MET SWEDISH AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA
08.06.2005 03:30
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Secretary of the National Security Council under the RA
President, Defense Minister Serge Sargsian received Swedish Ambassador to
Armenia Johan Molander, RA Defense Minister’s Press Secretary Seyran
Shahsuvarian reported. During the meeting the Minister informed the
Ambassador of the current situation at the contact line, the activities of
the OSCE Minsk Group in Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement as well as
cooperation with Russia, the US and NATO. The parties also touched upon the
present situation of the military-industrial complex, staff training and
mine clearing in the Syunik region of Armenia.

Pan Armenian News
RA FM MET SWEDISH AMBASSADOR
08.06.2005 03:04
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with newly
appointed Swedish Ambassador to Armenia Johan Molander, RA MFA’s press
center reported. During the meeting the Ambassador handed the RA FM the
copies of his credentials. Vartan Oskanian congratulated Mr. Molander with
the appointment and wished him all luck in performing the high mission. He
also expressed assurance that the Ambassador’s activities will contribute to
the Armenian-Swedish trade and cultural cooperation. The parties discussed
the process of economic and democratic reforms in Armenia as well as the
republic’s position on the Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement. They also
highlighted Sweden’s assistance in promoting Armenia’s integration into the
Wider Europe: New Neighbors EU program.

Turkish Press
June 7 2005
Press Review
MILLIYET
ANKARA UNIVERSITY PLANS CONFERENCE ON ARMENIAN ALLEGATIONS
After a conference at Istanbul’s Bogazici University to debate and
question Turkey’s official stance on the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations was canceled last month, Ankara University has stepped
into the breach. Ankara University Rector Nusret Aras said that the
university would organize a conference entitled `The Historical and
Political Situation in the Armenian Incidents.’ Aras said, `We see
this as our task. We will invite people holding divergent opinions.’
Stating that the conference participants have not been determined
yet, Aras added, `Ankara University is qualified to examine
historical issues. As our university can bring together qualified
people, I hope we can give some resolution to this complex issue.’
/Milliyet/

Armenpress
EXTENDING MOBILITY AND HOPE TO ARMENIA’S DISABLED
YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS: US Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans,
participated today in a wheelchair distribution event held in one of
Yerevan’s amusement parks. The US Embassy said the event was organized by
Counterpart International, one of the major U.S. Government-funded
humanitarian assistance program implementers in Armenia and is the first in
a series of similar distributions to be conducted throughout Armenia’s
marzes, as a result of which as many as 500 disabled persons will receive
much needed wheelchairs which are unaffordable for most of them.
The wheelchairs are a donation from the Latter-Days Charities in
cooperation with the Wheelchair Foundation of America and have presented as
a gift to Armenia’s disabled whose access has been complicated due to a
general shortage of wheelchairs available to them. Today 50 of Yerevan’s
disabled citizens received brand new, state-of-the-art wheelchairs. In the
course of its activity aimed at providing assistance to the disabled in
Armenia, Counterpart International closely cooperated with local NGOs who
helped compiling and verifying the lists of eligible persons most of whom
have a first-category physical disability. The NGOs have also been providing
significant logistical support in organizing this event. The activities of
Latter-Day Saints Charities in Armenia, which began in January 1988, have
been focused on three main areas of social sector: education, promotion of
good health practices, as well as strengthening of family values and
emotional well being of individuals, families, communities and institutions
in Armenia.