Month: October 2005

Armenian National Committee – Professional Network
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.3500 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, October 7, 2005

Contact: Lerna Kayserian
Tel: (818) 500-3500

ANC Professional Network Dinner Dance Draws over 600 Young
Professionals

GLENDALE, CA- The Armenian National Committee – Professional Network
(ANC-PN) hosted their 2nd Annual Dinner Dance on Saturday, October 1,
2005 at the Homenetmen Glendale `Ararat’ Chapter’s
Baghdasarian-Shahinian Banquet Hall. The sold out event featured an
opportunity for attendees to meet and network with other young
professionals. The incomparable Harout Pamboukjian kept the audience
energized into the late hours of the night with his electric brand of
Armenian pop music.

`We are very proud of the ANC-PN for energizing the young Armenian
professionals of southern California with such a successful event,’
said Armen Martin, Armenian National Committee of America-Western
Region (ANCA-WR) Board Member. `We view the ANC-PN as the bridge
which will get the next generation of Armenian American leaders
involved in the betterment of our community, and successful events
such as the dinner dance demonstrate that their message is being
heard.’

Proceeds from the event will be used to support the ANCA’s effort to
pass the Armenian Genocide resolution forward in the House of
Representatives. Attendees of the dinner dance were encouraged to
sign petitions urging Speaker Hastert to bring up the Armenian
Genocide resolution to the floor of the House of Representatives. Last
month, the House International Relations Committee overwhelmingly
approved legislation properly recognizing the Genocide. During the
course of a three-hour meeting, 21 Representatives on this 50-member
panel spoke in favor of H.Res.316 and H.Con.Res.195, which were
adopted by bipartisan majorities of 40 to 7 and 35 to 11,
respectively.

`We are excited about honoring our commitments with the proceeds from
the event. We had a capacity crowd. Anytime we can bring so many young
Armenian American professionals together, it could be considered
nothing but a success,’ said Boghos Patatian, ANC-PN Executive
Committee member.

`The dinner dance surpassed my expectations. It was remarkable that we
even drew young professionals from San Diego’, said Lena Benneian. `I
am honored to be a new member of the ANC-PN Executive Committee and
look forward to many more successful events.’

Individuals interested in learning more about the ANC-PN are
encouraged to visit the organization’s website at

The mission of the ANC-PN is to develop the next generation of
Armenian American leaders. Our vision is to encourage the emergence of
an educated and politically active community of Armenian American
professionals who participate at the local, state and federal
decision-making levels to advance the Armenian Cause. The ANC-PN seeks
to accomplish its mission by offering educational and leadership
development programs and services, and social activities that promote
the growth of participants as effective professionals and strong
leaders.

Editor’s Note: Photos attached.

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian

NAASR LECTURE ON OTTOMAN ARMENIAN

PHOTOGRAPHS IN GETTY MUSEUM

Van Aroian of Worcester, MA, will give an illustrated lecture on
“Armenian Photographs in the Getty Museum,” at the Center and
Headquarters of the National Association for Armenian Studies and
Research (NAASR), 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA, on Thursday evening,
October 13, at 8:00 p.m.

The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, houses the Getty Research
Library, which contains an impressive collection of Ottoman photographs.
This collection is an invaluable resource for Ottoman scholars,
ethnographers, historians of Ottoman photography, and students of
Armenian Ottoman life. Furthermore, this collection provides a valuable
resource for an investigator interested in developing the significant
contribution of Armenian photographers to the early development of
photography throughout the Ottoman Empire.

Sampling of an Important Collection

The program will provide a visual presentation and sampling of the
Ottoman photo collection at the Getty Research Institute, with a focus
on its Armenian flavor and contributions. On a fundamental level this
collection provides investigators with a rare opportunity actually to
see aspects of Ottoman life and culture – a presentation of a world in
transition captured for succeeding generations. These photos will
provide us the opportunity to walk down memory lane and share together
some social and historic commentary.

Van Aroian spent some six weeks in 1999-2001 looking through the Getty’s
Ottoman photograph collection. He first presented the results of his
investigations into the Getty’s collection in an article in NAASR’s
Journal of Armenian Studies (vol. 7, no.1, Fall-Winter 2002-2003)
entitled “Ottoman Photographs at the J. Paul Getty Research Institute:
Armenian Themes and Contributions.” There he offered an overview of the
collection and provided detailed analyses of several photographs of
direct or indirect relevance to the Armenians.

Aroian earned a BA at Boston University and MA in Middle Eastern Studies
at Harvard University. He was a fellow in Urban Geography at Clark
University and an Urban Planner and Deputy Director of the Worcester
Redevelopment Authority. He later joined his brother in-law, Kevork,
and wife Mary Balekdjian Aroian in importing and retailing Oriental
carpets. He is currently a member of the NAASR Board of Directors.

More information on Aroian’s lecture or seminar or about
NAASR and its programs for the furtherance of Armenian studies,
research, and publication may be had by calling 617-489-1610, by fax at
617-484-1759, by e-mail at [email protected], or by writing to NAASR, 395
Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

PRESS RELEASE

Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]

For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group

Catholicos Aram I Arrives In Los Angeles Beginning Historic U.S. Visit

His Holiness Greeted by Large Crowds at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood

(Los Angeles, CA – October 7, 2005) – “We must live with moral values and
have a purpose-driven life,” declared His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, upon his arrival in
Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 5, 2005. Greeted by large crowds who had
gathered at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood for the official welcoming and
“Hrashapar” service, his arrival marked the beginning of a historic visit to
the United States, starting in California, where His Holiness will be
meeting with the community and various public officials throughout the
state. Prior to his arrival at St.Garabed Church, His Holiness met with
California State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi where the two
discussed several issues including recent insurance settlements for victims
of the Armenian Genocide.

The Catholicos’ motorcade with full dignitary police escorts arrived at St.
Garabed Church in the early evening where the city had closed off the entire
street to accommodate the overflowing crowds. The Prelates of both the
Western Prelacy, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, and the Eastern Prelacy,
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, accompanied the Catholicos. The arrival
ceremony began with the Homenetmen scouts marching band playing the U.S.,
Armenian and Cilicia anthems and additional scouts and students from various
Armenian schools and members of the community and residents of the area
lining the streets. Also covering the arrival were media including the Los
Angeles Times and several local TV stations.

Beginning the procession were Armenian clergy from throughout the Los
Angeles area and California as well as some from the eastern U.S., including
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese and a representative of
Cardinal Mahoney of the Catholic Church. At the entrance of the church a
welcoming ceremony was performed with the traditional blessing of bread and
salt, the release of white doves and His Holiness was presented with a
bouquet of flowers. Also on hand were various community organization
representatives and public officials. To accommodate the overflowing
crowds, a large screen was mounted outside the church showing the live video
feed of the procession into the church as well as the services inside.

After the initial services, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian introduced His
Holiness during which he said, “Your presence with us today, Your Holiness,
shows the strong bridge that binds us with the Great House of Cilicia and
the Holy Catholicosate. This is a bond that is based on faithfulness and
strong collaboration.” The Archbishop went on to stress that this historic
visit of His Holiness will help recommit the community to the devoted
service to our faithful people and our homeland.

His Holiness Aram I then thanked God for the opportunity to again be with
his flock and stated that “a shepherd is strengthened by his flock and the
flock is strengthened by its shepherd.” He then blessed all the clergy and
faithful who were present as well as all the community organizations and
people who had worked to make this trip possible. “Today I want to
emphasize key values and principles,” said His Holiness. “My message is
that you must strengthen your belief, deepen and strengthen your
faithfulness and reinforce our unity. We must live with moral values and
have a purpose-driven life.”

His Holiness has a very busy itinerary which includes many different
community events, gatherings and meetings with representatives of church
bodies and community organizations. As part of his broader mission, His
Holiness also will be meeting with dozens of local, state and federal level
public officials and will conduct interviews with the mass media including
TV, radio and newspapers throughout Los Angeles and California. His
Holiness will give a major speech before the World Affairs Council on
October 14 entitled “Christianity and the Middle East” and preside over a
symposium at the University of Southern California on October 15.

As part of his first full day’s events on October 6, His Holiness had
several meetings with members of the clergy, Church committees and community
organizations including the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s western
region central committee, the regional executives of the Armenian Relief
Society and the Homenetmen. His Holiness also had a luncheon with the
organizing committee for the Los Angeles visit. His main message was “that
whatever we do for God, for the Church, for the nation and the homeland we
must do with belief and devotion so that we are successful.” His Holiness
conducted interviews with the mass media including the Los Angeles Times and
a live appearance on KPCC-FM’s “Talk of the City” show with Kitty Felde. In
the evening he presided over the Homenetmen Glendale “Ararat” chapter’s
celebration of the Armenian alphabet.

In the coming few days he will be meeting with Armenian school students, pay
respects at the Armenian Genocide monument in Montebello and bless the new
Western Prelacy building in La Cresenta on Saturday, October 8. There also
will be a Pontifical Holy High Mass at St. Mary’s Armenian Church in
Glendale as well as a Pontifical banquet in his honor on Sunday, October 9.

Giving the trip special meaning this time is the fact that it will mark the
10th anniversary of His Holiness’ election to Catholicos and also coincide
with the 75th anniversary of the Antelias Seminary, the 1600th anniversary
of the Armenian alphabet and the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Better late than never

Oct 4th 2005
The Economist Global Agenda

The European Union and Turkey have finally agreed on a negotiating
framework that will allow formal talks on Turkish membership of the EU
to begin. Within Turkey and outside it, there are questions about the
predominantly Muslim country’s readiness for Europe
WHEN the countries of the European Union agreed last December to grant
Turkey its fondest dream and begin formal talks on admitting the big,
predominantly Muslim nation as a member, it was no doubt envisaged, or
at least hoped, that the date pencilled in the diary for the start of
the process would be a time of ceremony and celebrations, not bickering
and brinkmanship. But the EU wouldn’t be the EU without those
last-minute panics, replete with desperate horse-trading and
just-good-enough fudges, and in this respect Monday October 3rd did not
disappoint. For much of the day, it looked like the love affair was in
real danger of ending in acrimony. But thanks to some frenzied
diplomatic activity, it ended instead in a firm-though hardly
warm-embrace.

The main sticking point had been the insistence by Austria’s government,
ostensibly isolated but perhaps tacitly backed by others in the EU, that
Turkey be given an explicit alternative to joining the EU: a “privileged
partnership” that falls short of full membership. As a result, by the
middle of Monday afternoon, European diplomats still had not agreed a
common negotiating framework for the accession talks, which had been
scheduled to begin officially at 5pm with a ceremony in Luxembourg
attended by EU bigwigs and Turkey’s foreign minister, Abdullah Gul. It
was finally conceded that, with the deadlock still not broken, there was
no way the event could be held on time. “We are on the edge of a
precipice,” said Jack Straw, Britain’s foreign minister and chairman of
the emergency talks.

A couple of hours later, the EU stepped back from the edge. A common
negotiating framework was finally agreed, after Austria had been
persuaded to step back in line. There followed further confusion, with
the spokesman for the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
having to dismiss reports that his country had accepted the draft.
Finally, several hours after the ceremony had been due to take place,
the Turks confirmed that they could indeed live with the document and
that Mr Gul would be heading off to Luxembourg.

It appears that Austria’s co-operation was bought by clearing the way
for Croatia to open EU membership negotiations of its own. Croatia is an
Austrian ally, and the government in Vienna had linked the Turkish issue
with the Croats’ stalled bid to start accession talks. The EU put its
talks with Croatia on hold in March because, it said, the country’s
government was not co-operating fully with the United Nations war-crimes
tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. But in a statement on Monday whose
timing was almost certainly not coincidental, Carla del Ponte, the UN
war-crimes prosecutor for the Balkans, announced that the Croats were,
after all, doing everything they could to locate and arrest a key
suspect, General Ante Gotovina.

Though Austria has been persuaded to drop its objection to Turkish
membership of the EU, it takes over the Union’s presidency in January
(for six months) and may use its position to try to revive its idea of a
partnership, instead of full membership. It is a view that plenty of
others find appealing. Nicolas Sarkozy, a popular Gaullist who is well
placed to win the French presidency in 2007, opposes Turkish membership.
So does Angela Merkel, who is favourite to take Germany’s chancellorship
following its recent elections, which ended in a hung parliament.
Overall, just 35% of EU citizens support Turkish membership, according
to a recent poll by Eurobarometer.

Some supporters of Turkish membership say it will help to strengthen
ties between the Christian and Muslim worlds. Others argue that failure
to agree terms would have deepened the sense of crisis in Europe after
the rejection of the EU’s draft constitution by French and Dutch voters
in May and June, and the continuing deadlock over the Union’s budget.
But many Europeans are queasy about the idea of taking in a
non-Christian member with a large population (currently 72m), and of
hordes of Turkish job-seekers overwhelming the EU’s current members. It
was precisely because Europe’s national leaders had failed to take
account of its citizens’ concerns that the constitution was voted down,
argue the sceptics; pushing ahead with entry talks for Turkey when the
majority is clearly opposed shows how little those leaders have learnt
from the summer debacle.

The suspicion is mutual
Turkey has doubts about the EU too. Indeed, it raised last-minute
objections of its own on Monday, insisting on clarification of a clause
in the draft negotiating framework that says Ankara may not block the
accession of EU states to international organisations and treaties.
Turkish nationalists and generals expressed concern that this might
prevent Turkey, a member of NATO, blocking Cyprus, which remains divided
into ethic Greek and ethnic Turkish republics, from joining the military
alliance. Turkish fears were only eased after America’s secretary of
state, Condoleezza Rice, telephoned Mr Erdogan to assure him that the
proposed negotiating framework had no relevance to NATO.

Indeed, now that the European club of nations has finally begun formal
talks with Turkey, the focus may shift to the resistance among the Turks
themselves to the legal, economic and cultural changes that the EU is
demanding. To get this far, Turkey has taken such dramatic steps as
abolishing the death penalty, accepting Kurdish as a language in
schools, scrapping state security courts, revising the penal code and
tightening civilian control over the army. Yet it still has a lot to do
on rights, democracy and more before getting in. It must adopt over
80,000 pages of EU law, divided into 35 so-called “chapters”. All 25 EU
members must agree that Turkey has met every condition in each chapter
for that bit of the negotiation to be closed. In other words, anyone can
hold up talks at any time. The Greek-Cypriot president, Tassos
Papadopoulos, has assured his voters that he has scores of vetoes up his
sleeve. After this week’s agreement, France’s President Jacques Chirac
said Turkey needed a “cultural revolution” to get in.

This seemingly never-ending list of required reforms irks Turkish
nationalists, whose influence has been growing since June 2004, when the
outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) ended a five-year truce. A
recent poll shows the jingoistic Nationalist Action Party, which failed
to enter parliament in the 2002 elections, would gain seats today. And
Mr Erdogan’s foes in the army fear that rapprochement with Europe will
reduce their power-and see in Turkey’s internal conflicts a chance to
restore that influence. But solving the Kurdish problem requires more
democracy, not repression, the prime minister insists. People close to
Mr Erdogan say he has pinned his political fortunes on further reforms,
with or without the EU. “He can’t compete on nationalism with the
ultra-nationalists, so it’s in his interest to keep on reforming,” says
a western diplomat.

Another challenge, in his dealings both with sceptical Europeans and his
own voters, is to honour his claim to be giving Turkey its first clean
government. Charges of irregularity in the sale of shares in the state
refinery, Tupras-and also in a tender for the operation of Istanbul’s
Galata port-have weakened that claim. Unless he deals with sleaze, Mr
Erdogan may lose the trust of his own citizens and his European
partners. That would be a pity, when the prime minister has risked so
much for Turkey’s European future

Turkey and Armenia

Even we wish you well

Oct 6th 2005 | YEREVAN
>From The Economist print edition

Armenians back Turkey’s hopes for a European future

IF THERE was a country in the world that wished the Turks ill, you might
think it would be Armenia, where most citizens say their people suffered
genocide at the hand of the Ottomans in 1915-and wish Turkey would admit
this. But in fact, Armenians cautiously welcome their neighbour’s
Euro-success.

Armenia’s problems with the Turks are not just historical. Since 1993,
the Ankara authorities have sealed the Turkish-Armenian border, in
solidarity with their kin in Azerbaijan, part of whose territory is
occupied by Armenians.

But people in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, assume that joining Europe
will make Turkey change its ways: both its view of history, and its
treatment of its neighbours. And the city’s weary residents feel they
need a break from tough regional realities. An isolated Armenia has had
to find partners wherever it can. From Moscow to Los Angeles, the
diaspora sends remittances; America’s government also gives aid-$75m
this year. But for ordinary people, life is hard.

The economy has grown on paper but produces little. In what was once a
medium-sized Soviet city, the centre is full of craters where mass
housing has been torn down to make flats for rich exiles. In the words
of a foreign-ministry adviser, “there is no alternative to getting on
with our neighbours.”

Arsen Ghazaryan, who co-chairs an association of Turkish and Armenian
businessmen, is frustrated by the blockade. Braving the cost of transit
through Georgia or Iran, he says, Turkish businessmen do around $100m
worth of trade with Armenia annually. Every summer, thousands of
Armenians catch the rays on Turkish beaches. But Mr Ghazaryan thinks of
what might be: with its deep ports and vibrant internal market, he sees
Turkey as a natural partner.

In their attitude to Turkey, there are differences between local and
overseas Armenians. While Armenia’s government hails Turkey’s
breakthrough, many in the diaspora called it an undeserved reward for an
unrepentant nation. “It’s easy to be principled in the diaspora,”
retorts a young woman in Yerevan. “They don’t have to live between
Turkey and Azerbaijan.”

Alleged scammer bilks $20M

Van Nuys man arrested on eight counts of fraud targeted at Armenian
residents.
By Tania Chatila (GLENDALE PRESS – Published: October 7, 2005)

PASADENA — A 43-year-old Van Nuys man was arrested Thursday on eight felony
counts of federal mail fraud in connection with an alleged investment scam
that bilked about $20 million from mostly Armenian-Americans, many of whom
were from Glendale and Burbank, said officials with the United States
Attorney’s Office.

Melkon Gharakhanian, whose alias was Mike Garian, allegedly used his
Glendale-based company, National Investment Enterprises Inc. to collect $20
million from 1999 to 2001 from investors who thought their money was going
toward the purchase of technological security systems, United States
Attorney’s Office spokesman Thom Mrozek said.

Many of those victims — 200 of them — were from the Glendale-Burbank area,
officials said.

“He had a storefront in Glendale and solicited a lot of business through
word of mouth in the community,” Mrozek said.

Gharakhanian, who was arrested at a Pasadena post office, allegedly used the
mail to send investors false monthly statements about the company and its
purchases of shares, he said.

“This is mail fraud, and it’s investment fraud, and that’s pretty serious,”
said Renee Focht, spokeswoman for the United States Postal Inspection
Service.

In 2001, after allegedly using investor funds for personal use and to pay
for the company’s operating expenses, National Investment Enterprises Inc.
flopped, Mrozek said.

“Basically the company collapsed, as ponzi schemes usually do when the
requests for withdrawals exceeds the amount of money [the company has],” he
said. “Basically he’s collecting money and he’s not making investments as
promised, but he’s telling people he’s making all this money for them.”

Investors lost about $5 million when the company collapsed, Mrozek said.

Gharakhanian could face up to 40 years in federal prison if convicted on all
eight counts, he said.

Gharakhanian will appear today in United States District Court in Los
Angeles.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Celebrating 38 letters

Armenian pontiff’s arrival and the 1,600-year-old Armenian alphabet are
cause for joy.
By Tania Chatila (GLENDALE PRESS – Published: October 7, 2005)

To understand the history of Armenian spirituality is to understand the
history of the Armenian Alphabet.
“The alphabet brought national identity to the Armenian people,” said Garbis
Der Yeghiayan, founding president of Mashdots College in Glendale, which is
named after the creator of the Armenian alphabet. “That was culturally and
nationally so very important for them.”

Now, 1,600 years after the alphabet’s creation, the Armenian community in
Glendale is celebrating, driven by a hope to worship in their own language
and, at the same time, celebrate the arrival of His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The Armenian pontiff, who traveled from Antelias, Lebanon, and arrived in
Los Angeles Wednesday, was at the Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter
Thursday night to celebrate the alphabet’s creation and meet with the
community.

“It’s really symbolic,” said Ani Aghajani, who has been a member of
Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter for 18 years. “It’s two really important
things coming together. Our language and our religion were the two things
that kept our people together for the hundreds of years we had nothing to
belong to.”

This is the first of several appearances he will make locally, including a
blessing at the new Western Prelacy building in La Crescenta on Saturday and
a visit to Glendale Adventist Medical Center on Thursday.

“These meetings give him the opportunity to reinvigorate the community with
a sense of purpose and a message of building bridges,” said Zanku Armenian,
spokesman for the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America. “It allows the pontiff to maintain a connection with his people,
his flock, his churches — and vice versa.”

Aside from the arrival of the pontiff, Thursday’s event featured 38
paintings from Armenian artists who were each assigned a letter of the
alphabet and were asked to paint what that letter inspired them to paint,
chapter officials said.

Saint Mesrob Mashdots of Armenia invented the Armenian alphabet in 405 A.D.
to provide the Armenian community with an outlet to worship in their own
written language, Der Yeghiayan said.

“For hundreds of years after adopting Christianity, Armenians did not have
the opportunity to worship God in their own language because the Bible had
to be read in different languages,” Der Yeghiayan said.

Before the alphabet was adopted, Armenians would read the Bible in Greek,
Assyrian or Persian.

Traditional Armenian legends say Mashdots received a revelation from God,
who revealed the letters of what would be the alphabet to him in a dream,
Der Yeghiayan said.

Historically, Mashdots spent years studying the language and meeting with
other scholars to create the alphabet’s first 22 letters, he said. After
testing the alphabet, he then decided to increase the letters to 36, and
after his death two more letters were added, bringing the alphabet to its
current total of 38.

“The first task for him and his associates was to translate the Bible,” he
said, adding that fifth century of Armenian civilization is considered to be
the Golden Era because of the alphabet’s creation and the Bible’s
translation.

“More people started to go to church to worship,” he said. “They were so
proud that they could finally read their own Bible in their own language.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

latimes.com
October 7, 2005
Flocks Turn Out to See Armenian Church Leader on Visit to Los Angeles
His Holiness Aram I will be in area for two weeks, then will go to Fresno,
San Francisco.
By K. Connie Kang, Times Staff Writer

Members of the Armenian American community in Southern California are
turning out in large numbers to welcome His Holiness Aram I, the spiritual
head of one of the Armenian Apostolic Church’s two branches, as the pontiff
starts a two-week trip to the area.

The visit of the Catholicos formally began Wednesday night in Little Armenia
in Hollywood, where members of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church rolled
out a red carpet sprinkled with rose petals for his entrance. An estimated
1,000 people from various parts of the Los Angeles area and beyond packed
the sanctuary and spilled out to the street.

Resplendent in a red cape with gold clasp over a traditional black robe and
hood, the imposing Catholicos gave a ringing message in Armenian during the
90-minute service. Aram also spoke briefly in English for the benefit of the
non-Armenian-speaking visitors, including representatives of Roman Catholic,
Coptic and other churches who came to pay their respects.

“Your presence in this church of God with us is indeed an eloquent
manifestation of our togetherness in our common Lord Jesus Christ,” he said
in a booming voice. “We may have differences of dogmatic positions. We may
have different theologies. But, we all belong to the one church of God, and
we are all committed to having Jesus Christ as our common Lord. We need to
come together and have the cross of Christ as a living message of love, of
togetherness, of service, of sacrifice, and through that, manifest our
unity.”

Aram has served for the last 15 years as moderator of the World Council of
Churches, a group of more than 300 Christian denominations that promotes
understanding among them.

Long after the service in Hollywood, Aram remained inside the ornate
sanctuary to bless a long line of congregants, who kissed his right hand.

“We were overwhelmed,” said Janet Aidaharian, a ninth-grader at Rose and
Alex Pilibos Armenian School, after the blessing.

“We felt very much honored to see a pope – especially [one of] our
nationality,” said Mary Setepanyan, another ninth-grader at the school,
located across from the church.

George Terzian, a retired truck driver from Miami, said he drove all the way
from Florida to pay “my respect.”

“I am so proud to be here,” he said. “I am only sorry that my wife could not
be here because she is ill.”

Aram has a busy schedule in the area, including meetings with congregants,
students, government leaders and clergy.

This morning, Aram is scheduled to meet with students at Glendale High
School. Tonight, he will speak at Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in
Encino. On Saturday, Aram will visit the Armenian Genocide Monument in
Montebello. Next Friday, he is scheduled to attend a Los Angeles City Hall
reception in his honor and speak to the World Affairs Council of Los
Angeles. On Oct. 15, the pontiff will participate in a USC symposium,
“Christian Response to Violence.”

After his Southern California visit, the pontiff will go to Fresno and San
Francisco before heading to the East Coast and then back to Lebanon.

Aram was elected in 1995 as head of the Great House of Cilicia, the diaspora
branch of the church, which is based in Lebanon. The other branch, the
Catholicosate of Echmiadzin (the Catholicosate of All Armenians) is
headquartered in Armenia. Its pontiff, His Holiness Karekin II, visited
California in June.

The church became divided administratively more than 50 years ago as the
former Soviet Union, of which Armenia was part, curbed religious freedom.
Some Armenian Apostolic churches abroad broke with the mother church and
switched allegiance to the Lebanon-based side. Others remained loyal to
church headquarters in Armenia. Though the two branches offer the same
liturgy and creed, more U.S. Armenians are believed to be affiliated with
Karekin’s Armenia-based church.

In an interview Thursday at his hotel suite in Universal City, Aram said he
believes the existence of two Catholicosates has turned out to be a
blessing. He said he hopes for more collaboration between the two on
important issues.

“Two-headed eagle is stronger,” he said, pointing to a gold seal with a
double-headed eagle on a gold chain around his neck.

“The church, being the church of the people, kept pace with the changing
times and circumstances,” he said.

He said it is important that Armenians living abroad integrate and become
part of the communities where they live, but that they should not forget
their heritage. While being part of U.S. life, Armenian Americans must
“preserve our particulars, being faithful to our roots,” he said.

He said he believes the United States has a significant role to play in
promoting its values and working for peace with justice. “This has been a
society of values, of basic human principles and aspirations,” he said.
“This country has been a source of freedom, liberty and justice.”

BBC NEWS
7 October 2005
Turkey sentences Armenian writer

Journalists have raised concerns about aspects of the penal reforms
A journalist in Turkey has been found guilty of insulting Turkish identity
and given a suspended six-month jail sentence by a court in Istanbul.
Hrant Dink, of Armenian-Turkish descent, wrote a newspaper column which he
argued was aimed at improving relations between Turkey and Armenia.
The prosecution interpreted one part as an insult, but Mr Dink has said he
will appeal against the ruling.
The verdict follows criminal code reforms as Turkey seeks to join the EU.
The reforms were intended to improve freedom of speech in Turkey.
The article written by Mr Dink addressed the killings of hundreds of
thousands of Armenians during Ottoman rule in 1917.
Armenians, supported by several countries, want Turkey to recognise the
events as a genocide. Turkey rejects that description, saying the deaths
occurred in a civil war in which many Turks were also killed.
Humiliation
A paragraph in the article calling on Armenians to symbolically reject “the
adulterated part of their Turkish blood” was taken as offensive.
” If I’m guilty of insulting a nation then it’s a matter of honour not to
live here” Hrant Dink.
The judge ruled that Mr Dink’s newspaper column implied that Turkish blood
was dirty.
He is the editor of a bilingual Armenian-Turkish newspaper, Agos.
The BBC’s Sarah Rainsford said the judge ordered a suspended sentence as it
was Mr Dink’s first offence.
But the nationalist lawyers who brought the case were disappointed.
“There was an obvious humiliation and result of this case should be at least
two and a half years or three years criminal charge,” one said.
“But I think that Turkish courts are under big pressure due to these
European Union accession talks.”
‘No crime’
Mr Dink’s lawyer Fethiye Cetin said the ruling showed how little had changed
under Turkey’s new criminal code, despite international and internal
pressure.
“There was no crime here,” she told the BBC. “We expected our client to get
off.”
Our correspondent says human rights lawyers believe his case shows there are
still no-go areas for discussion here and the new laws leave substantial
room for interpretation.
Mr Dink says he will appeal against the ruling. But if he cannot clear his
name, he will leave the country.
“If I’m guilty of insulting a nation,” he told the BBC, “then it’s a matter
of honour not to live here.”

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:

HIS HOLINESS MEETS WITH THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF ST. CATHARINS

After meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, Paul Martin, His Holiness
Aram I stopped in St. Catharins, where he met with the Armenian community on
October 4. His Holiness was greeted by believers, the board of trustees of
the St. Boghos Church and representatives form the community at the Armenian
Center.

Archbishop James Wingel of St. Catharins Catholic Church, Antonios Semaan of
the Coptic Orthodox Church, Fr. Magarious Giannopoulos of the Greek Orthodox
Church and other spiritual officials greeted His Holiness upon his arrival
to St. Catharins.

Jim Bradley, Ontario’s tourism minister, Carol Discher, the deputy of St.
Catharin’s governor and other officials participated in the official
luncheon held in honor of His Holiness. Around 200 believers gathered in the
Center’s hall to listen to His Holiness’ message.

Sera Mazmanian delivered the opening remarks, warmly welcoming His Holiness
“who had not forgotten his small flock in this far away city.”

Catholic Archbishop Wingel greeted His Holiness, highlighting his
international efficacy and contribution to the dialogue between religions
and churches. He assured that the Catholicos’ election as the chairman of
the World Council of Churches and his unprecedented re-election greatly
contributed to the strengthening of relations between Christian Churches.

The chairman of the St. Boghos Church, Raffi Stamboulian, read out a letter
by Prime Minister Paul Martin who expressed his happiness on the occasion of
the 10trh anniversary of His Holiness’ enthronement, the 75th anniversary of
the Seminary’s establishment and the 1600th anniversary of the Consecration
of the Armenian Alphabet.

Carol Discher read out a welcoming letter written by St. Catharin’s
governor. Tourism minister Jim Bradley also welcomed His Holiness.

Sebouh Tokadjian and Sarkis Balabanian expressed the local Armenian
community’s greetings and welcomed His Holiness in St. Catharins. The
“Anoush” dance group of the Armenian Relief Society and solo singer Garbis
Zakarian entertained the audience.

The Prelate of Canada, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, spoke with high regard
about the thoughts and views expressed by His Holiness during his speeches
in Canada lately, pointing out that they would be “guidelines for us in the
future.”

“His Holiness’ visit that brought him as far as St. Catharins is a tangible
expression of his love towards this small community, which is not at all
marginalized because of its distance,” he said.

His Holiness first spoke in English, expressing his gratitude to the present
foreign spiritual leaders and officials who have always encouraged the local
Armenian community.

He then delivered his Pontifical message, calling upon Armenian to uphold
the spirit of toleration as an important step in securing mutual
understanding. The Pontiff considered Christianity’s meaning to be based on
faith, hope and love and called upon the attendants to make these truths the
three pillars of their individual and collective lives.

Believers then had the opportunity to kiss His Holiness’ right hand.

His Holiness returned to Toronto late at night. He will then travel to Los
Angeles to continue his Pontifical Visit in North America.

##
View pictures here:

*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses 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.