Month: June 2005

Financial Express, India
June 8 2005
Cart before the horse?

Oil economics before oil diplomacy

Petroleum minister Mani Shankar Aiyar’s attempts to douse the
country’s energy thirst, by getting a transnational gas pipeline to
India through Pakistan, from West Asian gas wells, is indeed
laudable. For, few have ventured so aggressively to secure overseas
oil and gas deals. Success could well earn him the nickname
`Talleyrand of oil diplomacy,’ a tag enjoyed by Calouste Gulbenkian,
an Armenian billionaire deal maker, who made his mark half a century
ago by sewing complicated oil deals across the then Turkish empire.

However, unlike Gulbenkian, Mr Aiyar’s overarching reliance on
diplomacy borders on neglect of the economics of the deal. How else
does one explain the recent `oil’ diplomatic overtures in Pakistan by
the minister, when the economics of the deal, including Pakistan’s
take, the transit fees, is nowhere in sight? There is no denying the
fact that the gas pipeline deal finds critical mass in the recent
thawing of relationship between the two countries. But the need of
the hour is prudence. Also, basic negotiating practice demands less
euphoria and more hard-nosed work to get the deal off the ground.
Instead of following up astute commercial calculations with political
manoeuvres, the opposite is being attempted. Cart before the horse,
it appears. And, euphoria is often mistaken for desperation,
especially in the prevailing seller’s market. Transit costs matter,
but the basic economics of the deal lies in securing a competitive
gas producer price.
Agreed, given the volatile global markets, predicting gas prices a
few years from now, when supplies take place, is a difficult task.
However, that should not, in any way, undermine the safeguards and
best practices that need to be adopted while going about commercial
deals. More so when, as in this case, the end consumer is nowhere in
sight! All the more reason, then, that the procurement process is
carefully conducted. Else, we could end with a Dabhol-like situation
on hand, where committed capacity is required to be paid for,
regardless of the level of offtake by the consumer.
If the global gas markets tank a few years from now, coupled with the
intermediary PSU oil companies (which will be buying piped gas) not
having secured long-term supply contracts from end-consumers, we
could end with a replay of the torturous Dabhol crisis, where
taxpayers ended by taking a hair cut. Let the Dabhol lesson not be
lost when Mr Aiyar moves to the next port of call, Iran, where talks
on gas procurement take off.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
July 7, 2005
___________________
YOUNG DELEGATES FOCUS ON CARRYING THE FLAME OF CHRISTIANITY
The Armenian Church rocked in Cleveland, OH, as young people from
throughout the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
descended upon the city for the 2005 Armenian Church Youth Organization
of America (ACYOA) General Assembly and Sports Weekend from May 26 to
30, 2005.
Hosted by the ACYOA Sr. chapter of the St. Gregory of Narek Church in
Cleveland, OH — with an organizing committee chaired by Gregory
Andonian — the weekend began with the business of the General Assembly.
“I always enjoy being in the presence of our youth. Today, we have
young people in our parishes, in our Diocese, who have a sense of
identity as Armenian Christians,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate. “They live their faith in their daily lives, whether it’s at
school, at work, in their social lives, with their families, or in their
parish communities. I have the privilege of knowing our youth and am
always pleased to be with them. I feel so much joyful pride when I see
them gathered like this.”
DELEGATES TACKLE BUSINESS
More than 40 delegates and others representing 17 parishes attended the
two-day ACYOA General Assembly on May 26 and 27 at the Marriott Hotel in
down town Cleveland, OH. Antranig Garibian, a parishioner at the Holy
Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, was elected Assembly chair and Ani
Tovar from the St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX, was elected Assembly
secretary.
Business tackled by the delegates included the presentation of committee
and leadership reports. Jennifer Morris, outgoing Central Council
chair, reviewed the activities, programs, and communication efforts of
the Central Council and ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian
offered some recommendations and observations on the state of the ACYOA.
Other business included chapter reports and elections for Central
Council and the Nominating and Auditing Committees.
Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian spoke to the delegates on the meaning of
Pentecost. During his presentation, the ACYOA leaders were given lit
candles as a reminder of the flame that empowered the apostles and which
is given to each of us to carry into the world. Fr. Doudoukjian said
the flame of the Holy Spirit infuses each Christian at the time of their
personal Pentecost at Chrismation.
“It is an inspiration to see the ACYOA delegates display a profound
faith and commitment to their Armenian identity,” Fr. Doudoukjian said.
“God is blessing our church with such dedicated and devoted young
members. I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to infuse them with the
passion of service to Jesus Christ and the Armenian Church.”
PASSING THE FLAME
In his remarks, the Primate urged the young people to carry forward the
fame of their Armenian Christianity.
“I say to you: Be humble, as our Lord was; but don’t be shy — because
He wasn’t, either. Don’t be afraid to take ownership, and assume
responsibility, for the precious treasure of our heritage. You need to
receive the flame. And our elder generation needs to show its faith, by
passing the flame on to you,” the Primate said.
“I feel very confident, from my meetings with young people throughout
our Diocese, that your generation is eager, willing, and eminently
capable of doing justice to the task of carrying the flame. It will be
everyone’s task throughout this ‘Year of the Youth’ to seek out,
encourage, and prepare the leaders of tomorrow. But not only of
tomorrow. For as I said at the beginning, you are surely the leaders of
today, as well; and our church is depending on you to accept the role of
responsibility, and take up your rightful places in the long chain of
souls who have proudly and piously carried our flame, across the
centuries and across oceans, in times of liberty and times of
persecution, into the bright dawn of the 21st century.”
After the Primate’s remarks, delegates divided into small groups for a
discussion based on the issues raised by the Primate. They discussed
the nature of the flame, how each person can assume responsibility for
passing the flame, and what strategies we can use to engage more youth
in the life of the church.
ELECTION OF LEADERSHIP
Other highlights of the Assembly included the adoption of ACYOA’s budget
and elections for leadership positions.
Four new members were elected to the ACYOA Central Council: Gregory
Andonian of the St. Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH; John El
Chemmas from the St. John Church of Southfield, MI; Ani Tovar from the
St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX; and Sarine Zenian of the St. Mary
Church of Washington, DC. They replaced outgoing members: Jennifer
Morris, Tammy Bagdigian, Dn. Diran Jebejian, and Christopher Tashjian.
Newly elected Central Council officers for the next year are: Chair
Maria Derderian, from the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Wynnewood,
PA; Vice Chair Karen Khatchadourian of the St. Thomas Church of Tenafly,
NJ; Treasurer Rita Akaraz from the St. John Church of Southfield, MI;
Secretary Sarine Zenian of the St. Mary, Church of Washington, D.C.;
Chapter Relations Coordinator Ani Tovar; Programming Coordinator Gregory
Andonian; and Public Relations Coordinator John El Chemmas,
“This is an exciting time for the ACYOA. We will reflect on how far we
have come as we plan for the upcoming celebration of the 60th
anniversary of the founding of our organization, and at the same time we
will look to the future,” Derderian said. “The large amount of
first-time delegates at General Assembly this year, eager to take an
active role in the business of the ACYOA, is proof that this
organization will continue to grow even stronger in the next 60 years.”
The 2006 Sports Weekend will be hosted by a National Committee in
commemoration of the ACYOA’s 60th anniversary, with the location to be
determined.
Present during the Assembly were several clergymen, including: Fr.
Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of the St. Peter Church in Watervliet, NY,
and the newly appointed director of vocations and youth for St. Nersess
Seminary; Fr. Aren Jebejian, pastor of the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church in Chicago, IL; Fr. Nersess Jebejian pastor of the St. Hagop
Church of St. Petersburg, FL; Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, pastor of the St.
Mesrob Church of Racine, WI and a member of the Diocesan Council; and
Fr. Garabed Kochakian, pastor of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI.
“I am always in awe of the intelligence, articulation and the purity of
the youth who come to represent the ACYOA at these general assemblies,”
Fr. Kelegian said. “I look forward to working in tandem with these
youth as we enter this year, carrying the flame of the Armenian Church.
These youth obviously will be our Parish Council members and Diocesan
delegates in the next 10 years.”
HONORING COMMITMENT
During lunch, traditionally hosted by the Primate, the Central Council
announced the winners of the group’s annual awards.
Several awards were presented to ACYOA Jrs. chapters and members. The
ACYOA Jrs. chapter at the St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI, received the
ACYOA Jrs. Chapter A Award for creating an atmosphere conducive to
Christian love, education, and service. Lauren Sarkisian, from the St.
John Church of Southfield, MI, received the Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan
Service Award for serving the Armenian Church and the ACYOA with the
humility and compassion similar to its late founder. Meredith Samoorian
from the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, received the
Archbishop Tiran Nersoayn Leadership Award for approaching leadership
roles in her ACYOA chapter and parish with Chrsitian love,
understanding, and patience. Arthur Sabounjian from the Church of the
Holy Translators in Framingham, MA, was given the Archbishop Tiran
Nersoyan Vision Award for establishing meaningful programs and creating
a lasting effect on his ACYOA and parish.
Three awards were presented to ACYOA Srs. chapters and members. The
chapter A Award was presented to the St. Gregory of Narek Church of
Cleveland, OH, for fulfilling the standards set forth by the Central
Council and being a model chapter for all to follow. The Gregory
Arpajian Award, presented to Evelyn Boyajian of the St. Sarkis Church of
Dallas, TX, recognized her leadership and service to the Armenian Church
and community. The Sam Nersesian Award was given to Thomas Stamboulian
of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI, for his Christian values of
love, patience, humility, and understanding.
The Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian Award was awarded to Fr.
Doudoukjian. That honor is given each year to a clergyman in
recognition of passionate leadership, exemplary service, and dedicated
efforts on behalf of the youth of the Armenian Church in loving memory
of a pastor whose dynamic ministry to youth continues to bear fruit.
The Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley Award was given to Steve Megrdichian, the
youth director of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI.
That award is presented each year to a layperson in honor of continued
devotion to the youth of the Armenian Church. The award was created in
loving memory of a pastor whose commitment continues to be an exemplary
model for all Christians.
Eliza Manukyan, who was invited to attend the ACYOA Assembly by the
Primate, is the director of the press center for the Araratian Diocese
in Yerevan, Armenia. She is also the chairperson of the local church
youth organization connected to that Diocese. She addressed the
Assembly participants in English and spoke about various youth ministry
efforts organized by the church in Armenia. During her three-week stay
in America, Manukyan will visit several communities as well as the
diocesan centers in New York City and Burbank, CA.
“I have observed that although many American-born young Armenians have
not been to their motherland, they do not forget their roots as Armenian
Christians. They belong to the Armenian Church,” Manukyan said. “Many
of them don’t speak Armenian, but they have the Armenian spirit and the
church is supporting them and keeping them together in the Diaspora. I
find it amazing that, in spite of the large geographic area of the
Eastern Diocese, the Primate has managed to provide opportunities for
young Armenians to gather together around the Church.”
For more information on the ACYOA, visit their website at
or contact [email protected].
— 6/7/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, joined by the
newly elected Central Council of the Armenian Church Youth Organization
of America (ACYOA) and ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian at the
St. Gregory of Narek Church in Cleveland, OH.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The Primate blesses the newly elected ACYOA Central
Council during badarak at the St. Gregory of Narek Church in Cleveland,
OH, on Sunday May 29, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian is presented with The Very
Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian Award during the 2005 ACYOA General
Assembly and Sports Weekend in Cleveland, OH.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): The Sam Nersesian Award is presented to Thomas
Stamboulian of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI, during the 2005
ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend in Cleveland, OH.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): The Gregory Arpajian Award is presented to Evelyn
Boyajian of the St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX, during the 2005 ACYOA
General Assembly and Sports Weekend in Cleveland, OH.
PHOTO CAPTION (6): The chapter A Award is presented to the St. Gregory
of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH, during the 2005 ACYOA General Assembly
and Sports Weekend in Cleveland, OH.
PHOTO CAPTION (7): The ACYOA Jrs. chapter at the St. Mesrob Church of
Racine, WI, receive the ACYOA Jrs. Chapter A Award during the 2005 ACYOA
General Assembly and Sports Weekend in Cleveland, OH.

US envoy points to West’s interest in Azerbaijan
Turan news agency
6 Jun 05
BAKU
Azerbaijan has a fundamental interest in the Euro-Atlantic
community. This interest consists in the establishment of the energy
corridor which supplies Western countries with oil and gas, US
Ambassador Reno Harnish said at the NATO conference “Concept of three
seas” in Baku today.
Among other important factors contributing to closeness between
Azerbaijan and the West are Azerbaijan’s involvement in the
international antiterrorist coalition and the participation of Western
countries in resolving the Karabakh conflict, the ambassador said.
At last, the country’s authorities and almost the whole of Azerbaijani
society are unanimous in their aspirations to integration into the
West.
Speaking about the West’s interests in Azerbaijan, Harnish said the
West was interested in Azerbaijan’s support for its efforts in dealing
with issues of security and fighting terror in Iraq, Afghanistan and
in the Balkans.
Also, the West is extremely interested in stability in the South
Caucasus because it is difficult to speak about the long-term
development of the South Caucasus as long as regional conflicts remain
unresolved.
Georgia and Azerbaijan form an air corridor between Europe and Asia,
which is extremely important to the development of relations and
implementation of tasks in fighting international terrorism.
At the same time, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are playing an active role
in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
in the Caspian region and in the establishment of the regional
security system, Harnish said.
He also stressed that security problems are closely intertwined with
issues of democracy.
“There cannot be long-term stability in Azerbaijan or any other
country without democracy. And this is another reason why the West is
interested in the region,” the ambassador said.
As for the security of energy projects, this is a problem for all
countries, not just for the West or the USA, the ambassador said while
commenting on media reports to that effect.

ForUm, Ukraine
June 7 2005
Ukraine needs Turkey
Ukraine is interested in participating of Turkey in GUAM as an
observer, Ukrainian president, Viktor Yushchenko, stated after the
negotiations in Ankara.
Yesterday Viktor Yushchenko has come to Turkey with official
three-day visit in order to conduct the negotiations with Turkish
president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, “UNIAN” reported.
Yushchenko also mentioned that in the next years the development of
energy projects in Caspian and Black seas and the solution for
Transdniestrian and Nagorny Karabakh conflicts will be the forefront
of GUAM.

A1plus
| 15:43:32 | 07-06-2005 | Politics |
CoE DISCONTENT WITH AZERBAIJAN
Council of Europe Monitoring Committee rapporteurs Andreas Gross and Andres
Herkel will submit the report entitled `Functioning of Democratic Institutes
in Azerbaijan’ to the PACE summer session to be held in Strasbourg June
20-24.
The draft resolution says that PACE views the coming parliamentary elections
as a `decisive test’, since the latest elections held in the country did not
correspond to democratic standards. The Parliamentary Assembly calls the
authorities and opposition to do everything within the limits of the
possible to avoid violence. Gross and Herkel also recommend the Assembly to
condemn the killing of Elmar Huseynov and the atmosphere of fear that reigns
among journalists after it.
The rapporteurs consider that PACE should express concern over the fact that
the Election Code cannot secure fair elections and that the Azerbaijani
leadership refused to fulfill politically important recommendations by the
Venice Commission and the OSCE on the amendments to the election
legislation.
In their opinion the Assembly should not ratify the mandate of the new
delegation of the Azeri parliament in January 2006 if the international
community does not recognize the parliamentary elections as free and fair.

VOTING ON DRAFT RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE PLANED AT BUNDESTAG
NEXT WEEK OR LAST WEEK OF JUNE
YEREVAN, JUNE 7. ARMINFO. Voting on the second reading of the draft
resolution “Day of Commemoration of Armenian on the occasion of the
90th anniversary of the massacre on April 24 1915 – Germany is to
contribute to reconciliation of Turks and Armenians,” elaborated by
the faction of the bloc CDU/CSU is planned at Bundestag next week or
at the end of June. Co-author of the resolution, Chairman of the
German-Caucasian parliamentary group of Bundestag Dr. Christoph
Bergner, MdB, informed ARMINFO.
He says: “It is planned to vote on the motion either next week or the
last week of June. When the date is fixed I could inform
you. Regrettably it is not yet possible to give you any information on
the definitive wording of the motion. This will first be possible when
the motion has passed the committees. The final wording will then be
voted on, and accepted by, all parties of the Bundestag.”

Journal of Turkish Weekly
June 7 2005
Armenian Press: ‘Bush May Become Mediator Between Armenia and Turkey”
The Pan Armenian news agency reports that the US President George W.
Bush may become mediator between Armenia and Turkey. ParArmenian
reported that Erdogan will discuss the Armenian issue with the
American President.
Armenia has occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories and more
than 1 million Azerbaijanis are still refugees and cannot return
their homes in Karabakh and other occupied territories.
Yerevan does not recognise Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s national
borders. Armenia’s relations with Georgia is also problematic.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Interfax
June 7 2005
Analyst comments on Russian arms’ transfer to Armenia
YEREVAN. June 7 (Interfax) – The partial transfer to Armenia of
weapons from Russian military bases in Georgia that Moscow has
pledged to withdraw will “somewhat stabilize the balance of power
between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” a senior Armenian political
scientist said on Tuesday.
“Undoubtedly, the existence of Russian military bases on Georgian
territory is politically more in the interest of Georgia than in that
of Russia as this enables Tbilisi, which often misunderstands
pro-Western orientation as anti-Russian, to play on this factor,”
Alexander Iskandarian, director of the Caucasus Institute of Mass
Media, told Interfax.
The withdrawal of the bases should contribute to “certain
improvement” in Georgian-Russian relations, though “there’s still
enough reasons for disputes between Russia and Georgia,” he said.

Harold Doan and Associates (press release), CA
June 7 2005
EBRD lends $1m to microbusiness in Armenia
Press Release – European Bank For Reconstruction And Development
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is lending $1
million to Armenia’s InecoBank to help it provide finance for local
entrepreneurs planning to develop small businesses.
Mike Davey, the EBRD’s country director for the Caucasus, Moldova and
Belarus, said: `The EBRD is delighted to be able to provide this loan
to InecoBank. The loan will help Armenian entrepreneurs get
much-needed access to finance to grow their businesses, and also
contribute to the strengthening of the Armenian financial sector.’
Fast-growing InecoBank, founded in 1992 to provide financial services
to micro- and small enterprises (MSE), is the fourth bank in Armenia
to benefit from a loan from the EBRD under the $10 million Armenia
Multi-Bank Framework Facility. This loan replicates previous
successful small business initiatives, now operating in 19 of the
Bank’s 27 countries of operation from Central Europe to Central Asia.
InecoBank will provide micro loans of up to $10,000 (or the
equivalent in Armenian dram) with a maturity of up to two years and
small loans of up to $60,000 (or the equivalent in Armenian dram)
with a maturity of up to three years.
Avetis Baloyan, chairman of InecoBank, said: `InecoBank is committed
to servicing the dynamic MSE sector in Armenia, and we look forward
to providing finance to this niche market with the help of the EBRD.
The EBRD loan will increase InecoBank’s funding for MSE lending and
trigger further growth in the loan portfolio as well as increase
access to finance for micro and small entrepreneurs’. Michael
Weinstein, recently appointed head of the EBRD’s Resident Office in
Yerevan, said that micro and small businesses were a very important
driver of economic development in Armenia and welcomed InecoBank’s
contribution as a provider of finance to MSEs.
InecoBank is one of the most profitable banks in Armenia. ShoreCap
International, a US-based investor with a focus on SME finance,
recently took a 15 per cent stake in the bank. InecoBank also has
access to EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Programme, which enables the bank
to service its existing client base and attract new clients by
offering guarantees without cash backing.

Daily Yomiuri, Japan
June 8 2005
AICHI EXPO 2005 / Expo head stresses harmony
Hiroko Ihara / Daily Yomiuri Staff Writer
Bernard Testu, chairman of the operating committee of the 2005 World
Exposition Aichi, on Tuesday emphasized the harmony between the
Japanese organizers and the international community as represented by
the international pavilions at the expo.
Testu, 50, who also heads the French Pavilion, told The Daily Yomiuri
that the theme of the expo, “Nature’s Wisdom,” is extremely
appropriate for the time.
“It’s important for people today, especially those in developed
countries like Japan,” Testu said. “It can make all people concerned
about the [environment] issue, including those who weren’t interested
before.”
He said he was proud of the popularity of the French Pavilion, which
has attracted more than 1 million visitors. One of the main
attractions is the Immersion Theater, which provides huge cubic
images that focus on the problems faced by humans.
“Poverty, water resources, intensive famine, energy supply, waste.
[Of these problems] the most serious one is extreme poverty,” Testu
said. It still exists in the 21st century and causes many deaths, he
added.
Testu who served at the past two expositions for the French
government, spoke about the themes of the next two
expositions–“Water and Sustainable Development” in Spain in 2008 and
“Better City, Better Life” in China in 2010.
“The theme for 2008 is related to that of the present one,” he said.
“The following one is important as by 2010, it’s said four out of
five people in the world will live in urban areas. But for me, it
might be ‘Better Country, Better Life’ as France has a rich
countryside, so I have mixed feelings about it.”
Addressing the role of international expositions, he said: “Expos
give time to think to governments, administrators, companies and also
the average person. It’s important to take time just to think.”
Meanwhile, Armenia marked its national day at the expo with Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian in attendance at Expo Hall.
After being welcomed by people waving tricolored Armenian national
flags and the playing of the national anthem, Margarian praised the
expo was showing the diversity of the international community.
He said that to achieve international integration, each nation needed
to have basic values and develop its own individual culture.
A jazz performance featuring the duduk, an ethnic Armenian wind
instrument, followed his speech.