Month: June 2005

7DAYS, United Arab Emirates
June 24 2005
Minnows hoping to paint the town Red
Written by 7DAYS | Friday, 24 June 2005
Champions League holders Liverpool will discover the first obstacle
between them and their trophy when the draw for the first qualifying
round is made today.
The Premiership side were handed a reprieve earlier this month, when
UEFA changed their own rules to allow the holders to defend their
trophy, despite the fact that Liverpool failed to qualify through the
league – finishing fifth.
The Reds, five-times European Cup winners, will need as detailed a
map of Europe as they can find with such continental luminaries as
Pyunik of Armenia, Kairat of Kazakhstan, Neftchi of Azerbaijan and
Rabotnicki of Macedonia lying in wait. They will be desperately
hoping to avoid an arduous trip to eastern Europe as they prepare for
their league campaign, and will be keeping their fingers crossed for
a tie much closer to home.
Glentoran, of Northern Ireland, are in the hat, but with the city of
Liverpool sitting on the cusp of Wales, the ludicrously named Total
Network Solutions will be an even more attractive proposition. The
town of Llansantffraid, just 100km from Liverpool, has a population
of little over 1,000 – more than 44,000 less than the capacity of
Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.
Llansantffraid only reached the League of Wales 12 years ago, but the
real catalyst in their history came when local computer firm, Total
Network Solutions, made the club an offer they couldn’t refuse and in
1997 TNS FC was born. Three years later, largely thanks to the
financial injection the sponsorship deal afforded them, TNS became
Welsh champions. Their subsequent venture into Europe was typical of
their form on the continent since.
They lost 6-2 on aggregate to Levadia Maardu, and have since suffered
6-0, 12-2, 7-0 and 4-1 aggregate defeats. Liverpool would probably
set a new Champions League scoring record if the pair were drawn
together, but the Welsh club are, all the same, dreaming of a
match-up with one of Europe’s most illustrious clubs.
`Clearly it would be a fantastic draw in terms of gate receipts and
the interest in the tie would be enormous,’ says TNS managing
director Mike Harris `If we took the game to the Millennium Stadium
(in Cardiff), we would get a bumper crowd. `It would be Liverpool’s
first game since winning the European trophy, so of course it would
be incredibly special.
`On the other hand, meeting the champions means it would be difficult
for us to proceed to the next stage, though I’m sure Liverpool would
prefer to meet us, than some of the other teams.’

Macomb Daily, MI
June 23 2005
Habitat for Humanity brings Jimmy Carter to Michigan to build
Former president helps with projects in Benton Harbor and the Detroit
area
By Gina Joseph
Macomb Daily Staff Writer

Macomb Daily photo by David Dalton
Former President Jimmy Carter shares a laugh with Gov. Jennifer
Granholm at a news conference in Detroit on Wednesday to promote
Habitat for Humanity International.
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The sweet sound of gospel hymns can be heard on Sundays at St.
Elizabeth Holiness Church of God and there’s the odd squeal of car
tires, but mostly the neighborhood along Magnolia Street in Detroit
is quiet. Dead quiet.
“This is beautiful,” said Elizabeth Pollard, referring to the noise
and commotion created by Habitat for Humanity International’s Jimmy
Carter Work Project 2005. The weeklong building blitz is held
annually in the United States and other parts of the world. Detroit
and Benton Harbor were chosen as host cities this year. “I hope this
means I’m going to have some good neighbors moving in.”
Pollard is the pastor at St. Elizabeth and has lived in its upstairs
suite since 1967. She’s seen her neighborhood at its best, and its
worst. Watching from a chair in front of her home wearing a sundress
and her silver hair done up in corn rows, she was seeing her
neighborhood at its best again, alive with new home construction and
people.
“Have you seen Jimmy Carter?” she asked, while looking up and down
the street. “He is supposed to be here, somewhere.”
The former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy
Carter, 80, and his wife, Rosalyn, arrived in Michigan on Saturday to
kick off the event. Their presence in the state created a wave of
thundering hammers and zipping saws that has played for four days —
not only in Pollard’s neighborhood but also, all across Michigan.
Wednesday, for a brief moment, the noise stopped.
Homeowners
“There’s not much difference between a homeowner and a governor,”
said Carter, who arrived in Pollard’s neighborhood ready to go to
work, wearing blue jeans supported by a leather belt with a silver
horseshoe belt buckle with the initials J.C. in its middle, white
running shoes and Habitat cap. “We all want a better life for our
children and a better prospect for the future.”
Carter said the answer to providing affordable housing in Michigan,
and for that matter throughout the world, is not to abandon a
community, but where possible to ‘rebuild’ a community.
A report by Habitat for Humanity Michigan stated that approximately
500,000 households earn less than 50 percent of their county’s median
income, making decent, affordable housing hard to find. Of these
households, almost 75 percent, or nearly 375,000 families, use more
than half their income for housing, leaving little money for food,
clothing, healthcare, transportation and other necessities.”
Carter told the crowd of volunteers, sponsors, activists and
journalists gathered in Detroit that Habitat for Humanity can’t build
enough homes to solve the building crisis in the world but it can
inspire others to help with the solution.
Carter inspired Michigan’s Governor Jennifer Granholm.
She was very much a part of the building project, visiting homes and
helping with the construction in Benton Harbor. Sitting next to
Carter wearing a Detroit Pistons T-shirt she talked about the
importance of the sponsors such as Whirlpool Corp., Masco Corp., Dow
Chemical Company, Lowe’s, Great Lakes Capital Fund and the Michigan
State Housing, that support such building projects. Then she smiled
and added that 650 state employees took this entire week off to help
build homes. Never before, in the history of Habitat for Humanity has
every member of a state’s congressional delegation pledged to take
part in the building effort.
Proud of this fact was U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
“I love Habitat for Humanity,” Stabenow said. “I’ve been involved
with it for 20 years. I’m pretty good at swinging a hammer. I’ve also
learned how to put up siding and drywall. Just don’t put me on a
roof. I’m not great with heights.”
As a result of the statewide support for the Jimmy Carter Work
Project 2005, Michigan will have 230 new homes.
“We have never seen a state or country come together as complete as
this state has this past week,” Carter said. “So there’s something
special about Michigan.”
With that said Carter went back to work.
He and Rosalyn worked on a home along with several of their children.
Of the grand total, to be finished by Friday, 31 were built in
Pollard’s neighborhood and 24 in Benton Harbor.
Today, the former president and his wife are off to Ontario, where
they will work alongside Canadians on one of three duplexes being
built by the Windsor chapter of Habitat for Humanity. The new homes
are part of a quaint little community that has sprung up along Bruce
Street.
“We built those last year,” said Tammy Moore, Habitat for Humanity
volunteer and board of directors member, while pointing to a row of
foursquare-style homes with beige siding across the street from the
Habitat project.
“Personally, I was too young to know what Carter was like as
president but his devotion and drive for the cause of Habitat fuels
the energy for my wanting to volunteer, as well as local and
international commitments. This build here is a good example. It
brings together Canada and the United States as a North American
community.”
The remaining homes will be completed by the 60-plus Michigan Habitat
affiliates including Macomb County’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity,
which has three homes in Clinton Township presently under
construction. Among Macomb County’s newest homeowners are: Sophia
Waters, a single mother with two daughters; Jackie Pointer, a single
mother with one son; and Andrea Hodges, also a single mother with one
son.
“My house is awesome,” said Sophia Waters. The best part being it’s
permanent.
“We don’t have to worry about moving here or there. I will grow old
in this house. My kids might go to college, but now they will have a
place to come home to.”
The Oakley Street house was part of a Habitat for Humanity Women
Build that included Waters. She helped with the painting, drywall and
siding, but she is most proud of her work in the kitchen where she
and the other ladies on the Habitat team installed a beautiful
ceramic tile floor.
“I could live in my kitchen alone,” said Waters, a press operator and
hi-lo driver for Manufacture Products in Warren. “It’s awesome.”
Unexpected talent
Andrea Hodges was not part of an “all women build,” but, like all
future Habitat homeowners, helped in its construction.
“I’ve done the painting, I worked on the siding and I helped put in
the windows. I would’ve never known I had that kind of talent,” said
Hodges, a nursing assistant at Martha T. Berry in Mount Clemens. For
the past year Hodges has rented an apartment, but after attending a
Habitat for Humanity information meeting decided it was time to start
paying on her own home instead of one owned by someone else.
“In order to qualify for the program, families must have an income
that’s 50 percent below the median income for the surrounding area,”
said Daniel Wiiki, executive director of the Macomb County chapter of
Habitat. Participants must also contribute 250 hours of “sweat
equity” toward the building of their homes. Once completed, the owner
purchases the home at cost for a considerable savings.
“We sell the home with no interest,” Wiiki said. “The family can be
in the home with payments as little as $400 a month.”
Patriarch visits
Watching everything unfold in Detroit was the Catholics and Supreme
Patriarch of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II. Wearing a long
black robe and a Masco baseball cap His Holiness — equivalent in
Armenia to a pope — walked the grounds asking questions. Then, to
the surprise of Zara Tonapetyan of Yerevan, Armenia, who is the
resource development coordinator of Habitat for Humanity Armenia, he
went to work painting a room in one of the houses.
“To see the Patriarch building and actually painting the walls. It’s
lots of enthusiasm,” Tonapetyan said. “Have you ever seen a pope
building a home? It is inspiring.”
Tonapetyan said 40 percent of the population in Armenia is without
heat, water and basic living conditions. That’s why she and the group
stopped in Detroit. They have built 122 homes in different areas of
the country but more is needed.
“We have earthquake in 1988,” Tonapetyan said. “It destroyed two
cities and now these people are homeless. Then there was the
Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. It brought 100,000 refugees to Armenia.”
Karekin visited Michigan to make people, more importantly the Diaspra
population, aware of the situation. Diaspra refers to Armenians who
live outside of the country.
“We are very glad to be here to see how the volunteers with joy are
building houses and how they support cities,” said Karekin. “People
from Armenia and other nations are coming together, building the
houses and friendships, which is a blessing for the families and the
volunteers.”
When all the work is done everyone will rejoice and to celebrate the
fruits of their labor a traditional dedication ceremony will be held.
The keys to the homes will be given to the family. That’s when it all
hits home for Ken Bensen, president for Habitat for Humanity
Michigan, who has been with the ecumenical Christian ministry based
in Americus, Ga., for 20 years.
“The best part for me is knowing that on Friday there will be 238
families who will have decent and affordable housing and in addition
to that, there will be volunteers who will have sore muscles and
bruises but their hearts will be filled with joy,” said Bensen.

Australian, Australia
June 24 2005
Power-packed Darchinyan has rivals ducking for cover
Bret Harris
June 24, 2005
VIC DARCHINYAN is the antithesis of Muhammad Ali.
Ali was a heavyweight boxer with the speed of a middleweight, while
Darchinyan is a flyweight with the power of a bantamweight.
As the name suggests, flyweight is one of the lightest divisions in
boxing and knockouts are rare.
But the hard-punching Darchinyan is the exception. Undefeated in 23
professional fights, he has won 18 by knockout. At 168cm, he is a
50kg packet of power.
“My power punch is better,” Darchinyan said. “I can punch harder. I
can hurt. I believe in myself. I’m a hard puncher. I can knock out
anyone.
“Jeff Fenech (Darchinyan’s trainer) says you can’t do that. Take it
easy. The time will come. I say ‘no Jeff, I will knock him out’. I
stop him as soon as I can.
“Mike Tyson is a heavyweight, but I like his style — 15 years ago he
was the best boxer. He is still my favourite boxer because of his
power.”
Darchinyan’s power may help to explain why it is difficult for him to
find an opponent for the defence of his IBF and IBO flyweight world
titles in Sydney next month.
It seems the Armenian-born Darchinyan has scared off the opposition.
“I still don’t know exactly who I am fighting and it is five weeks to
the world title,” he said. “Some guys pulled out. The Irish guy
Damaen Kelly was coming, but he pulled out.
“Who is left in my division? Nobody else. It is hard for me.
“Can you believe it? When I was No.7, No.8, No.9, I want to fight the
champion and he wouldn’t because he could choose anyone he wanted.
“Now all these guys have this opportunity and don’t want to fight me.
The Americans know me. They know I can punch hard. They don’t want to
lose, but still they can get some money. I’m putting two belts on the
line.”
Darchinyan has an obsession with belts, the world title variety.
After his fight against his yet-to-be-found opponent in Sydney next
month, he will travel to the US in his quest to unify the flyweight
division.
Darchinyan has WBA champion Lorenzo Parra and WBC champion Pongsaklek
Wonjongkam in his sights.
“It is becoming hard in Australia,” said Darchinyan, who has lived in
Sydney since moving to Australia after representing Armenia at the
2000 Olympic Games.
“I can’t get opponents. I’ll look to fight in America. In Las Vegas I
can fight for the WBA title. When I have the WBA title I am coming
for the unification belt.
“It is my ambition to unify the flyweight division. In 50 years it
has never happened. After this fight I will fight for the WBA title,
a guy from Venezuela, Lorenzo Parra. Anyone who has a belt is
welcome.”
And once Darchinyan has unified the flyweight division he plans to
move up two divisions to bantamweight and start all over again.
“In bantamweight I can feel more power,” he said. “I can punch much
harder. Once I have all the belts here (flyweigth) I’ll go for all
the belts in bantamweight.”
When Darchinyan goes to the US he will have to change his nickname.
Darchinyan, a southpaw, was dubbed ‘Raging Bull’ by promoter Angelo
Hider early in his career because of his aggressive style.
But in the US the name Raging Bull is associated with former world
middleweight champion Jake La Motta.
“I got that name in my first fight,” Darchinyan said. “I said (to
Hider) why do you give me that name? He said you are like a raging
bull. When you go in the ring you want to destroy your opponent.”

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
June 23, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN WELCOMES SUMMER INTERNS TO WASHINGTON
Nearly 40 Participate in DC and Yerevan Intern Programs
Washington, DC – Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony
Barsamian, together with Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, officially
welcomed the Assembly’s largest summer intern class in a decade on
June 22 at Assembly headquarters in Washington, DC. Some 30 college
students, participants of the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship
Program, engaged in a lively debate with Assembly leaders on issues
ranging from recognition of the Armenian Genocide to the Nagorno
Karabakh peace process.
“It was a pleasure for me to meet with students from across the U.S.,
Armenia, Canada, and England, who have come to Washington to learn
more about the political process and how they can effectively advocate
for Armenian issues,” said Barsamian. “The students asked thoughtful
questions on a variety of issues, proving that the intern program
continues to attract bright, ambitious students to the Assembly. They
are truly young leaders who will advocate for us in the years ahead.
These are truly young leaders who will advocate for us in the years
ahead.”
Barsamian also added that the longest running Armenian-American
internship program in the U.S. is reaching new heights. The longest
running Armenian-American Internship Program in the U.S. is reaching
new heights. The combined enrollment in the DC and Yerevan programs is
at its highest level in over a decade, with close to 40 students
participating this year.
“I appreciated learning more about the Assembly’s efforts to
strengthen the U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Karabakh relationships,” said
intern Christine Serdjenian, a student at Brown University. “We all
have a vested interest in seeing Armenia and Karabakh succeed, and our
intern class is eager to do our part in advancing our issues.”
During their time in Washington, students will intern in offices on
Capitol Hill or with government agencies, think tanks and media
outlets. They will also take part in a full schedule of cultural and
educational activities such as the Assembly’s Capitol Ideas and
Lecture Series Programs.
On June 21, for example, the group met with Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) to learn more about the
Armenian Genocide resolution that was introduced in the House of
Representatives last week. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. George
Radanovich (R-CA), together with Congressmen Schiff, Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), calls upon the President to
“accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of
1,500,000 Armenians as genocide.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
NR#2005-072
Photograph available on the Assembly Web site at the following links:
Caption: Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian,
second from right, and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, far right,
met with Assembly summer interns in Washington on June 22. Liana
Zakharyan, legal assistant to the Consul at the Armenian Embassy,
bottom left, also addressed the group.
Caption: Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), center, during his meeting
with Assembly interns on Capitol Hill on June 21.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
June 23, 2005
PRELATE WILL BE IN RACINE THIS SUNDAY;
ATTEND ARMENIAN REPORTER’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY SATURDAY
Archbishop Oshagan, who will return from Lebanon tomorrow evening, will
visit the St. Hagop Armenian Church community in Racine, Wisconsin, this
Sunday, June 26.
On Saturday evening, June 25, His Eminence will attend the 40th
anniversary gala for the Armenian Reporter in New Jersey.
MORE THAN 70 STUDENTS WILL ATTEND
ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
Over seventy students (ages 13-18) from thirteen parishes, and ten
clergymen will gather at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, on Sunday, July 3, for the 19th annual weeklong St. Gregory of
Datev Institute Armenian Christian Studies Program, under the directorship
of Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, the Vicar General of the Eastern
Prelacy.
A few days ago-Monday, June 20 to be exact-“Datevatsies” from the New
York New Jersey metropolitan area came to the Prelacy to help put together
program material for the participants of the weeklong St. Gregory of Datev
Institute. “Datevatsies” who came to help are: James Haddad, Taleen
Kupelian, Mardo Piramian, Lousine Galoyan, Mgo Piramian, and Mary Gulmezian.
GERMAN PARLIAMENT PASSES ARMENIAN RESOLUTION
Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, adopted a unanimous resolution last
Thursday condemning the massacres and deportation of Armenians in Ottoman
Turkey ninety years ago. The petition, endorsed by all German political
parties, urges Turkey to “take historic responsibility” for the massacres
and expulsion of Armenians by the Ottoman government. The Bundestag also
regretted the “inglorious role” of the German Reich, which in spite of
information about the “organized expulsion and extermination of Armenians
did not try to stop the atrocities.” Germany is the ninth European Union
nation to issue a resolution on the Armenian Genocide. The Bundestag also
criticized Turkey’s continued denial noting, “This Turkish position
conflicts with the idea of reconciliation that guides the community of
values of the EU.”
REPRESENTATIVE OF ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
VISITS CILICIAN CATHOLICATE IN ANTELIAS
Fr. Anthony Ball, the representative of Archbishop Rowan Williams of
Canterbury in the Middle East, visited the Catholicate of Cilicia on June
17. He was greeted by Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer for the
Catholicate.
Bishop Alemezian and Fr. Anthony consulted on various ecumenical issues
of interest to the Armenian and Anglican Churches. They discussed the
possibility for the continuation of the official theological dialogue
initiated between the Eastern Orthodox Churches and the Anglican Church.
Fr. Anthony was part of an Anglican delegation that visited Deir Zor in
April on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
NORA BAIRAKDARIAN APPOINTED CHAIR OF CATHOLICATE’S
ECUMENICAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Dr. Nora Bairakdarian-Kabakian was appointed chair of the Ecumenical
Relations Committee of the Catholicate of Cilicia by His Holiness Aram I,
during a recent meeting of the committee. Dr. Bairakdarian is a professor of
international law and political science at Lebanese University. During
recent years she has been very active in ecumenical relations and has
represented the Cilician Catholicate at various international meetings. Also
announced was the appointment of two new members to the committee:
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkisian, Primate of the Diocese of Tehran, and Mrs. Teny
Pirry-Simonian, Executive Secretary of the Relations Department of the World
Council of Churches.
Ecumenical Relations officer Bishop Nareg Alemezian reported on various
ecumenical conferences and meetings during the past few months. The
Catholicos identified the significant aspects of the current ecumenical
landscape and the specific role of the Catholicate of Cilicia. His Holiness
praised the commitment of the delegates who represented the Armenian Church
in various ecumenical activities.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS CITES BEASTS ON THE MOON
AS ONE OF FIVE “MUST-SEE” PLAYS
Drama Critic Howard Kissel has named Beast on the Moon as one of “Five
Must-See Plays” currently running in New York. Writing in today’s edition of
the New York Daily News, Mr. Kissel notes, “There is a surprising amount of
serious theater in New York now.. There are exciting dramas in theaters all
over the city, from the West Village to the upper East Side to what has
become Off-Broadway’s busiest thoroughfares, 15th Street, just off Union
Square.”
About Beast he writes: “Richard Kalinoski’s Beast on the Moon, at the
Century Theater (111 E. 15th St.), is about a woman who survived the 1915
Armenian genocide and has arrived in Milwaukee five years later as a
mail-order bride. The play moves from tragedy and turmoil to a profound
sense of promise, a journey director Larry Moss captures powerfully.”
Crossroads learned today that for the month of July David Grillo, the
producer of the play, will play the lead role of Aram Tomasian, while Omar
Metwally takes a leave of absence to work in a new Steven Spielberg film.
The part is not new to Grillo who has played Aram in a production in Boston
in 1999. Grillo said: “I first fell in love with Beast on the Moon when I
played Aram in the Boston production. I knew then that this was a play that
had to reach New York audiences. I have been standing-by for Omar since we
began previews this spring. While Omar is off filming, I am looking forward
switching hats and revisiting Richard Kalinoski’s beautiful play from an
actor’s perspective.”
For information about tickets and performances,
REMEMBERING THE TWELVE APOSTLES AND PAUL
This Saturday, June 25, the Armenian Church remembers the Twelve
Apostles and Paul, often referred to as the “thirteenth disciple.”
The word apostle is Greek meaning “one who is sent out.” In the New
Testament the word is used to describe Jesus’ disciples, who were selected
by Him to accompany Him, follow His instructions, and continue His work.
Although not one of the “twelve,” Paul is considered to be the most
effective apostle of early Christianity and the church’s “first theologian.”
More than one-fourth of the New Testament consists of his writings.
FAST OF TRANSFIGURATION
This Sunday, June 26, begins the Fast leading to the Feast of the
Transfiguration which is on Sunday, July 3-fourteen weeks after Easter.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the
close of the age.”
The Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 28, Verses 19-20.
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7DAYS, United Arab Emirates
June 24 2005
Me and my job
Written by 7DAYS | Friday, 24 June 2005

Annie Thomassian
Annie Thomassian is French Armenian and opened the Nailstation, a
nail bar, waxing and tanning salon at Jumierah’s Town Centre mall two
years ago. `I’ve been in Dubai four years now, but I know the place
really well as my father had a business here when I was younger and I
would spend my summers in the UAE.
It was hard opening up the business as I sorted out all the paperwork
and visas myself, but in a way, being a woman made it easier because
government offices don’t allow women to wait in queues.’ Initially,
says Annie, her working hours were very long, but now she has more
balance to her life.
`In the first year we opened, I worked a seven day week from 9am
until midnight. It was really tough. But now the business is a little
more independent, I spend more time working from home,’ she explains.
`I’ll usually get to the salon at around 11am. Then I go home at
lunchtime and cook for my husband and two of my daughters. My third
daughter is studying in Paris. Our time together in the middle of the
day is very important because in the evenings, I’m away at the salon
again.’
But, she says, this comfortable routine will not continue for too
much longer as she has also opened up another branch of Nailstation
in Paris. `In some ways it’s very good because it means I get to
travel to Paris quite often and so spend time with my oldest
daughter, but life is more hectic with two businesses to run. The
Nailstation products that we use in the salons are also our own brand
so this line of the business also keeps me busy.’
The best thing about running her own business, says Annie, is the
satisfaction of a good day’s work. `I had my children very young, so
now it’s nice that I’m able to have my career and enjoy it. The
feeling you get from a profitable day that has run smoothly is really
satisfying.’
But, she says, businesses take a lot of work and things don’t always
run to plan. `I have to make sure I’m on top of things because if a
customer has a problem, it’s always my responsibility at the end of
the day. Hygiene is a huge issue for me because our reputation has
been built on our immaculate cleanliness.
`When you have staff who don’t carry out their duties properly, that
is the worst issue and is always difficult to deal with. Luckily,
things have progressed quite smoothly for me so far.’

Anatolian Times, Turkey
June 24 2005
New Initiatives Planned On Armenia
source: Hurriyet
In order to reduce recent tension over the so-called Armenian
genocide claims, the Turkish government has started to shift some of
its policies.
After ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Balikesir Deputy
Turan Comez’s visit to Armenia earlier this month, he began to
prepare a comprehensive new program about Armenian relations along
with the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP). Under the new program,
Turkey hopes to advance relations with Armenia while avoiding any
missteps.
First of all, there are plans to form a joint parliamentary group to
discuss common problems. Also, the government will propose a student
exchange program with Armenia.
Moreover, 20 Armenian journalists will be invited to do research in
Turkey into the so-called Armenian genocide. And finally some
football, volleyball and basketball teams will hold friendly matches
with their Armenian counterparts.

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Turkish Press
June 24 2005
Mercan: Armenia Must Recognize Its Border With Turkey
STRASBOURG – Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE)
Turkish Delegation Chairman and Justice & Development Party (AKP)
deputy from Eskisehir Murat Mercan has indicated today that ”Armenia
must recognize its border with Turkey.”
A report on the reform process in Armenia was discussed at the
parliamentary assembly meeting.
Mercan brought up the part of the Armenian constitution that talks
about ”west Armenia” openly calling and demanding for territory
from Turkey. ”While Armenia wishes for international laws and good
neighborhood, it refuses to recognize its border with Turkey,” said
Mercan.
Mercan wanted support on a voting to take place today that calls on
Armenia to recognize and respect its current borders and modify its
constitution accordingly.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani parliamentarians criticized Armenia for its
occupation of Upper Karabakh.
A parliamentarian, speaking on behalf of the Armenian delegation,
stated that Turkey should start diplomatic relations with Yerevan.
In a recommendation voting at the Parliamentary Assembly, Armenia
will be requested to not delay its constitutional reforms.

SECOND MOBILE COMMUNICATION OPERATOR – VIVACELL TO ENTER ARMENIAN
MARKET ON JULY 1
YEREVAN, June 23. /ARKA/. Second mobile communication operator –
VivaCell (K-Telecom Company trademark) will enter Armenian market on
July 1, stated Hussein Rifai, member of “K-Telecom” Board at today’s
press conference in Yerevan.
He said that the company managed to create a network satisfying the
requirements of the market in record short period after receiving
mobile operator license in November 2004. He noted that the
cooperation with the Lebanese Comium company allowed achieve success,
despite numerous difficulties and obstacles the company faced.
According to him, the cooperation with various suppliers -Intracom,
AlcaTel, Axalto, Eskadenia was decisive factor for the start. “The
single measure of success will come later and will depend on all our
potential clients”, said Rifai. He noted that activities of VivaCell
will mean the start of a new period in the field of telecommunications
in Armenia. Competition in the market will not only mean mobile
communication tariff decrease, but also quality services. “Quality in
the network, quality in the customer care, quality in every single
aspect of our relation with the customer”, stated Rifai.
According to him, it is insufficient to only introduce the technology;
it needs to be adapted by using the local potential and foreign
experience.
VivaCell is the trademark of “K-Telecom” company, which was recognized
by the AR Government winner of mobile communication services tender on
Nov 4, 2004. K-Telecom is included in the Lebanese KT-Holding, which
belongs to the family of Pierre Fatush, the owner of the national
communication operator of Nagorno-Karabakh – “Karabakh-Telecom”.
Note, OTE, Greek Telecommunication Company obtained through an
international tender 90% of shares of ArmenTel Telecommunication
Company for USD 142.42 mln. Till the decision fop the Government of
Nov 4, 2004 “ArmenTel” was the monopolist in the mobile communication
market of Armenia. L.V. -0–

Press Release June 23, 2005
Embassy of Armenia
2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Contact: Haik Gugarats
T. 202-319-1976, email: [email protected]
Archbishop Choloyan Visits Embassy of Armenia
On June 13, 2005, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of
Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Eastern) met with Ambassador of
Armenia to the U.S., Tatoul Markarian at the Embassy of Armenia in
Washington, D.C.
Welcoming Ambassador Markarian to the United States, Archbishop Choloyan
congratulated him on his appointment and expressed readiness to continue the
support and cooperation of the Eastern Prelacy. He presented the Prelacy’s
activities and shared his perspective on Diaspora-Homeland relations.
Ambassador Markarian expressed his appreciation and willingness to work
together to further strengthen the Diaspora-Armenia relations with the aim
to promote the issues of interest to Armenia and the Armenian nation.