Month: October 2006

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:

October 11, 2006
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PRIMATE MARKS 75 YEARS OF PARISH LIFE, HONORS PARISHIONERS

It’s been central to generations of Detroit-area Armenians — a pillar of
faith and culture in the heartland of America. This year, St. John Church
of Southfield, MI, marked its 75th anniversary.

The anniversary is being celebrated in a variety of ways by the parish this
fall. From art shows to dances, the St. John parishioners, led by parish
pastor Fr. Garabed Kochakian, are joyously commemorating the occasion.

The highpoint of the celebratory schedule was a visit by Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern). He traveled to the parish September 8 to 10, 2006.

While there, he met with parish and community leaders and celebrated the
Divine Liturgy, during which he ordained as deacons Steven Mangigian and
Shahin Uzunjian and ordained as sub-deacons were: Ghazar William Der
Ghazarian, Nicholas Mangigian, Jeffrey Movsesian, Jordan Norsigian, Aram
Sarkisian, and Stepan Terjimanian. Parish priest Fr. Garabed Kochakian and
Fr. Diran Papazian, pastor emeritus, assisted the Primate during the
service.

"How fitting that on this occasion, as we mark the past successes of this
parish, we also look to the future," the Primate said. "These new deacons
and subdeacons represent that future: Armenians today stepping forward to
take part in the life of the parish built by an earlier generation. They
are the living legacy of the founders of this parish."

The Primate said that having young Armenians step forward to serve the
church is an example of the importance past generations placed on the church
as the repository of Armenian culture and faith here in the new home of
America.

"The founders of this parish knew the importance of tying church and home
life together, and it strengthened their faith and their Armenian identity,"
he said. "This year, as the Diocese focuses on building a spiritual link
between church and home, it is heartening to see these new deacons and
sub-deacons, the product of homes where our unique Armenian faith was
embraced."

CELEBRATING HISTORY

On Friday night the Primate attended a reception dinner kicking off the
weekend of festivities. Attending were parish leadership, along with board
members of the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School and the Tacvor and
Tacoohe Manoogian Manor for the Armenian Aged.

"I give thanks to God for affording us the opportunity to come together at
this, the 75th anniversary celebration of St. John’s Armenian Church," the
Primate said. "What a wonderful and inspiring occasion this is.
Congratulations for all your efforts in preparing for this great occasion.
Appreciation to you Fr. Garabed, for your work and never-ending labor here
at St. John’s. I am inspired by your commitment to this church, this
community, and to our faith."

The weekend’s Honorary Co-Chairmen of the Celebration Committee Helen
Mardigian and Richard Manoogian, president of Masco Corporation and
president of St. John’s Apostolic Society, were also in attendance at the
reception.

Richard Manoogian told the 80 guests how his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs.
Alex and Marie Manoogian, loved their Armenian heritage and loved St. John
Church. He reflected on his remembrances of the joyful looks on their faces
when the community completed construction on the present St. John Church
building in 1964.

"I am truly honored to be with you here at St. John’s, to share with you
this joyous and sacred occasion, to reflect on the accomplishments of this
parish over the past 75 years and consider the possibilities for this body
75 years from now," the Primate added.

HONORING COMMUNITY LEADERS

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Primate joined 400 parishioners and the
mayor of Southfield, MI, at a brunch reception celebrating the parish’s
anniversary. During the banquet two honors were bestowed upon community
leaders.

The Primate presented Dennis Papazian, an historian specializing in Armenian
history at the University of Michigan at Dearborn, with a pontifical
encyclical and the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Medal on behalf of His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

"God has blessed with success your scholarly and educational endeavors,"
wrote the Catholicos in his encyclical. "For centuries you have mined new
sources of knowledge and generously disseminated information to young
people, educating hundreds of students."

Dr. Papazian has served the church on both the parish and the Diocesan
levels and has also served in many other Armenian organizations. He
established the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan,
Dearborn.

"He has furthered the understanding of our people, given a voice to our
ancestors," the Primate said. "He is very well known in our Diocese through
his many dedicated services and contributions."

Also on behalf of the Catholicos, the Primate also presented Dn. Mihran
Hoplamazian with a pontifical encyclical and the St. Nersess Shnorhali
Medal. Dn. Hoplamazian, who has served the St. John Church for 77 years,
was one of the Godfathers of the present St. John Church building and served
on the board of the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School for 30 years.

"We are pleased that for decades you have with unceasing zeal exerted great
effort so that liturgical services in the St. John Church of Detroit would
be regularly held in a befitting manner," wrote the Catholicos in his
encyclical.

Dn. Hoplamazian told the crowd that he became an altar boy at the age of
eight because his father said that he was needed. In his emotional remarks,
he spoke of his desire and efforts as a youngster to understand the Badarak
and to read and write Armenian.

"Dn. Mihran lives his life the way an Armenian Christian should," the
Primate said. "Not only does he faithfully serve on the altar each Sunday,
but he has raised his children to be active members of the church community.
He is a wonderful role model for our younger generation of Armenia-Americans
and the young altar servers."

With additional reporting by Elizabeth Aprahamian

— 10/11/06

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 of the Eastern
Diocese, joined by Fr. Garabed Kochakian, ordains new sub-deacons at the St.
John Church of Southfield, MI.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian, Fr. Kochakian, and Fr. Diran
Papazian take part in an ordination of new deacons during the anniversary
celebrations at the St. John Church of Southfield, MI.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Dr. Dennis Papazian speaks after being presented with
the St. Mesrob Medal.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Dn. Mihran Hoplamazian speaks after being presented with
the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YALCIN DOGAN: SHOULD TURKEY TAKE FRANCE TO COURT?

Hurriyet, Turkey
Oct 10 2006

Among various scenarios being tossed around these days concerning the
French Parliament’s upcoming vote on the "Armenian genocide bill,"
there is one that has caught my interest. Here it is: Could Turkey
take a case against France to the European Court of Human Rights?

France, which has played a central role through history in the
protection of human rights, is now contradicting its own history. It
is preparing to accept a bill which is in direct conflict with freedom
of thought.

The French Parliament votes on the "Armenian genocide bill" in two
days. Leaving aside issues like "freedom of thought" for a moment,
this bill is so ridiculous as to even be anathema to the very basics
of justice. Still, despite this, and despite the fact that the law
proposed by the bill would run against the "equality" championed by
the French Constitution, it looks likely that French parliamentarians
will vote to approve this bill.

If the French Parliament does in fact vote to approve the bill, it
will pass on to the Senate, where it will wait for two years before
going into implementation.

Polish plumbers Ankara is testing different ways of putting pressure
on France.

Barring any major surprises however, it looks like all preventative
measures will come to naught. How can France accept a law like this one
though? What sort of reasons lie behind hostility towards Turkey there?

More than hostility in fact, there is a fear of Turkey. When Poland
entered the EU, France was reportedly mostly in fear of the Polish
plumbers, fearful of the menace these plumbers presented towards French
jobs. And now, with Turkish EU membership a possibility on the horizon,
different bogeymen are being pulled out-one of these, the Armenian
genocide allegations-to pull Turkey down in the public eye.

The weakest period

The debate of the "Armenian genocide" bill happens to coincide with
a very weak period in terms of politics and economy in France. Also,
in comes in advance of elections in May, 2007.

The French economy is not what it used to be. It is losing serious
ground. President Chirac has lost much of his power that he used to
hold in the presidency. And so, the French Republic, one of history’s
greatest states ever, has been stumbling for the past few years.

France has also not been able to deal with the problems presented
by its 7-8% Muslim population. Each day seems to bring forward yet
another problem connected with this section of citizenry.

Interestingly, the French press is extremely careful on this subject
now, and does not carry echoes of the problems on TV or in the papers.

And so, with an economy that is losing power, and the fear of Muslims
creeping in at every corner, the spectre of a future competitor like
Turkey within the EU is a natural enemy. What the Armenian genocide
bill really is then is a reflection of France’s own fears.

Economic threat At this stage in the game, voices rising in chorus
from Turkey are calling for economic sanctions against France if the
bill is voted into law:

"Let’s not let France bid in our contracts, let’s limit our trade!"

But these are not reasonable solutions. These are not practical actions
in a global world. Economic threats don’t really even work in this
age anymore. In the end, we ought to see that economic "punishments"
would only hurt us too.

Which means we have to find a solution through politics.

Which is where I return to the beginning of this column. Turkey
could bring France to the European Court of Human Rights if this
bill is voted into law. Can countries bring other countries to this
international court? Yes, and in fact, there are two examples from
the past, one involving Greece and the other involving Turkey. Both
were brought about by a group of European countries concerned about
violations of democracy.

When all is said and done, Turkey is picking up a trump card here in
terms of "behavior anathema to freedom of thought and expression." It
doesn’t have to bring France to the European Court of Human Rights,
but it certainly has that option.

It may be time to use that option.

FORMER MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS ATTACKED BY UNKNOWN PERSONS ON OCTOBER 8

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. As Noyan Tapan was informed,
Major-General Suren Abrahamian, ex-Minister of Internal Affairs of
RA, member of the Political Board of Hanrapetutiun (Republic) Party,
was attacked by two unknown persons at 10:00 – 10:30 am on October
8, during a morning walk not far from the office of the Shant TV
company situated in the Arabkir community. The attackers, who, as
eye-witnesses say, were about 30 years old, beat S.Abrahamian and
inflicted corporal injuries to him. They took to flight after people
began to run out of the nearest houses for helping S.Abrahamian.

To recap, in the 1990-s Suren Abrahamian held posts of Administration
Head of Syunik Region, Yerevan Mayor and Minister of Internal
Affairs. He resigned after the terrorist act at the Armenian National
Assembly on 1999 October 27. Starting 2003, S.Abrahamian has been
engaged in active political activity and joined the Hanrapetutiun
(Republic) opposition Party. Currently he takes part in activities
of the anti-criminal movement headed by the Forum of Intelligentsia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA EXPECTS GERMAN INVESTMENTS AND THEIR DIVERSIFICATION DEGREE TO INCREASE

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. During the Armenian-German business
forum on October 9, Armenian Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic
Development Tigran Davtian expressed a hope that the event will promote
the cooperation between the sides and increase the diversification
of investments made by German companies.

According to him, 61 companies with German capital are currently
operating in Armenia. Their investments have totalled 130 million
dollars, with a large share of these invsetments being made by
the German company Chronimet in the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum
Enterprise.

T. Davtian attached special importance to the strengthening of business
links with Germany from the viewpoint that the European Union has
become number one trade partner of Armenia, while Germany is the
largest economy in Europe. He expressed a hope that German companies
will show interest in Armenia not only as a country to sell their
production in but also in terms of conducting joint activities with
Armenian companies and selling their products in Germany.

The German Ambassador to Armenia Heike Renate Peitsch said that the
purpose of the German delegation composed of representatives of state
bodies and 17 companies is to identify business opportunities in
Armenia. She expressed a hope that the forum will allow to establsih
new business links and increase the amount of invsetments by German
companies in Armenia. The ambassador noted that Germany is the second
largest donor – country in terms of technical assistance provided.

Advisor to the German Ministry of Economy and Technologies for
Cooperation with CIS States Peter Lorenz stated his satisfaction at
such achievements of Armenia, as the economic growth, economic and
political reforms and the fight against corruption underway in the
country. He said with confidence that solutions will be found to the
current problems in the South Caucasian region and the Armenian-German
economic cooperation will become more efficient. The German official
conveyed a hope that German companies will continue processing raw
materials of the Armenian mining industry. In his words, the forum
participants will discuss measures to ensure that this sector’s
development would have a positive effect on other spheres of the
Armenian economy.

AGHAJANOV: ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES CONDUCT POLICY OF ARTIFICIALLY HIGH EXCHANGE RATE OF DRAM

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian authorities are
conducting the policy of artificially raising the exchange rate of
the Armenian dram. Economist Eduard Aghajanov made this statement
during a press conference on October 9. According to him, as a
result of this policy, the absolute amounts of industrial production
and exports declined, while imports grew substantially. Thus, in
January-August 2006, for the first time in recent years, Armenia’s
imports exceeded 2.2fold its exports. In the opinion of E. Aghajanov,
this is quite a dangerous tendency which shows that national producers
of Armenia are being forced out not only of foreign but also domestic
markets. However, as the economist noted, the country’s authorities
are not concerned about the current sitiation and continue conducting
the policy of an artificially high exchange rate of the dram.

"Over the past three years, Armenia’s imports have considerably
exceeded its exports. The paradox is that last year the deficit of
the foreign trade grew by 38% compared with 2003, while the dram’s
exchange rate grew by 26% over the same period," E. Aghajanov said.

He reminded that according to explanations of the Central Bank of
Armenia (CBA), the depreciation of the dollar is caused by substantial
amounts of dollar transfers to Armenia. However, official statistics
show that the deficit of the payment balance made 193.3 million USD
last year. "That is, in 2005 an outflow of about 200 million USD
rather than inflow of dollars was registered in Armenia, which means
that the exchange rate of the national currency should have declined
instead of the opposite," E. Aghajanov noted.

IN INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS’ WORDS, RIGHTS OF NATIONAL MINORITIES NOT COMPLETELY RESPECTED AT ELECTIONS OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES OF GEORGIA IN ISSUE OF LANGUAGE

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006

AKHALKALAK, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Observers of the
Congress of Regional and Local Authorities of the Council of Europe
made public on October 6 in Tbilisi their preliminary conclusion
concerning the elections of local self-government bodies of Georgia.

The OSCE and Council of Europe observers particularly fixed in their
report the following:

– The main freedoms were in majority respected at the 2006 elections
of local self-government bodies in Georgia;

– Not clear difference between the authorities and the leading party
functioned in favour of the authorities;

– 30% of independent candidates was not able to be registered, mainly
because of organizers of the elections;

– The ethnic minorities’ right to get information about the elections
in the language preferable for them was not completely respected in
the territory of the country;

– In some places, mainly, in minorities’ regions, observers noticed
important procedural problems while counting the votes.

The OSCE and Council of Europe observers fixed in their preliminary
report also the fact of fostering the law on elections of local
self-government bodies without satisfactory public discussion.

The OSCE and Council of Europe observers’ group will make public its
final report on the law on the electoral code of local self-government
bodies and the law on elections of local self-government bodies of
Georgia in two months.

According to the "A-Info" agency, representatives of the OSCE
observation mission visited Javakhk as well.

SUREN ABRAHAMIAN CLAIMS THAT IRRESPECTIVE OF WHO ORDERED VIOLENCE AGAINST HIM, PM IS RESPONSIBLE

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Irrespective of who ordered the
act of violence committed against him, the prime minister Andranik
Margarian is to blame. Major General Suren Abrahamian, member of the
political board of the Republic Party, former mayor of Yerevan and
former minister of internal affairs, made this statement during the
October 9 press conference convened by the Republic Party.

According to him, on October 8 at about 10 am he was beaten by some
unknown persons at 16 Kievian Street. Having inflicted injuries to him,
these persons took to flight. He said that while delivering blows, one
of the men demanded several times that he should go and appologize to
the prime minister, whom S. Abrahamian accused of being criminalized
at a regular meeting of Anticriminal forces.

According to S. Abrahamian, if this was a provocation organized by
some third force to discredit the prime minister, A. Margarian has all
opportunities to arrest the crime executors and thus clear himsellf of
unreasonable accusations. It was noted that by disclosing this crime,
the prime minister will be able to identify his real enemy because
"not Abrahamian but those standing close to the prime minister are
his enemies."

S. Abrahamian said that in connection with the incident, many members
of the opposition expressed their support for him. The ARF Bureau
member, NA Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhannisian expressed his regret in
connection with what has happened.

The Republic Party consideres the violence committed against
S. Abrahamian as an act of terror and political settling of accounts.

This is said in the statement issued by the party’s political board.

"The incident was an action done on somebody’s instructions, and
those who ordered it should be looked for in the criminal elite of
the Armenian authorities," the statement reads.

According to Aram Z. Sargsian, chairman of the political board of
the Republic Party, this was a political order directed against the
party. In his words, the fact that the notorious cases of the recent
period remain undisclosed shows that the authorities are behind them.

He stated that the party will continue its mode of action, and the
authorities will not succeed into provoking them to illegal reciprocal
actions.

According to Gegham Harutyunian, member of the party’s political board,
the incident is connected with the statements made by S.

Abrahamian recently. As regards the fact that the assaulter mentioned
the prime minister’s name several times, he noted that this might be
an attempt to conceal the name of the real person who ordered this
act of violence.

IN TIGRAN TOROSIAN’S WORDS, PACE CO-REPORTERS ON ARMENIA POSITIVELY ESTIMATED WORK DONE BY ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Discussions connected with three
reports directly concerning Armenia and the South Caucasus took place
at PACE standing committees, during PACE autumn session convened on
October 2-6 in Strasbourg. RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian, head of
the Armenian delegation in PACE, said this at the October 9 press
conference, presenting some details.

In his words, among the discussed issues, only the report by deputy
representing Romania, Adrian Severin, on establishment of peace pact
in the South Caucasus has been brought to its final form. The draft
report consisting of draft resolution and proposals will be submitted
for PACE’s approval at one of the coming plenary sessions. The above
mentioned draft proposes convening an international conference and
starting a process with cooperation of the European Union and the
Council of Europe, within the framework of the EU New Neigborhood
Policy, the goal of which is to establish "a small EU model in
the South Caucasus," by the example of the Balkan countries. In
T.Torosian’s words, this time also representatives of Azerbaijan
complained repeating the "old song" that no regional cooperation,
peace and integration envisaged by a document is possible until the
Nagorno Karabakh problem is settled. The Azeris’ objection, in the
speaker’s words, did not have any impact.

As T.Torosian said, according to a preliminary agreement, it is
envisaged to discuss the report on the process of fulfilment of
commitments assumed by Armenia towards the Council of Europe at
the PACE 2007 January session. As the speaker estimated, "if the
activities go on the same way until late 2006, we will have rather a
good report in January." He mentioned that the co-reporters on Armenia,
who arrived in Yerevan lately, in all probability, will complete
the report in mid-November. During preliminary discussions at the
monitoring commission the co-reporters gave a positive estimation to
the process of RA legislation’s harmonization with the constitutional
amendments. They also expressed the hope that the work being done in
Armenia will contribute to holding of the forthcoming parliamentary
elections in correspondence with the international standards. Stepan
Demirchian, opposition representative, Ardarutiun (Justice) faction
head, noted that in the respect of improving the electoral process
it is too important for the persons having committed electoral
falsifications to be punished.

The other discussed incomplete report relates to the missing in the
South Caucasus. The reporter presents the impressions of his visit to
the South Caucasian region. In T.Torosian’s words, it was registered
that everything possible will be done for keeping the draft free from
political questions. Representatives of NGOs of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Nagorno Karabakh also took part in the above mentioned discussion.

ARMENIAN POPULATION’S RIGHTS WERE INFRINGED AT GEORGIAN LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS, REPRESENTATIVES OF MITK ANALYTICAL CENTER CONSIDER

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian population’s rights were
infringed at the October 5 elections of local self-government bodies
(sakrebulos) in Georgia. Kadmos Balakhchian, analyst of the Mitk
Youth Analytical Center, declared at the October 9 press conference.

In his words, "the Georgian managed to artificially decrease the
possibility of Armenians’ election in order to reduce the number of
Armenian deputies at local sakrebulos." According to his observation,
4-5 Armenian villages together were given the right to nominate one
candidate, while each Georgian village nominated one candidate.

In the words of K.Balakhchian and another expert, Eduard Abrahamian,
"the Georgian authorities do everything possible to change the
ethnic picture of Javakhk abd Tsalka region, by settling Georgians
and Meskhetian Turks there." As a result of such Georgian policy,
as the speakers affirm, the number of Armenians has abruptly reduced
in Akhaltskha over the past 30-40 years.

In K.Balakhchian’s words, other artificial obstacles are also created
for Armenians living in Georgia. For instance, employees of all state
institutions are dismissed on the pretext of not knowing the Georgian
language. "Even at Armenian schools they compel to do the clerical
work in Georgian, which is indamissible," the analyst of Mitk said.

"UNITED JAVAKHK" INTENDS TO STRUGGLE FOR ANNOUNCING INVALID ELECTIONS OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES IN AKHALKALAK

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006

AKHALKALAK, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The "United
Javakhk" organization calls on international right protection
organizations and the international community to give a just
estimation to electoral falsifications and electoral violations at
the elections of local self-goverment bodies of Akhalkalak and to
assist re-establishment of justice with all means. This is said in
the statement spread by the "United Javakhk" democratic alliance
public organization concerning preliminary results of elections of
local self-government bodies of the region of Akhalkalak, Georgia.

It is also said in the statement that organization of elections
in the region of Akhalkalak, the votion process and summing up of
results were accompanied by considerable ommissions and violations,
" which cast a serious doubt on the election results’ being just and
honest and prove that they allowed serious falsifications "in favour
of the "United National Movement" party.

Wide-spread falsifications again prove that the central authorities
are not ready in relations with national minorities to take into
consideration the population’s real strivings and hopes what makes even
worse the social-psychological atmosphere in the region and exhausts
the populations’ fickle reputation towards the central authorities
of Georgia," the statement authors mention.

The "United Javakhk" democratic alliance, particularly, mentions the
following violations revealed by itself:

– Names of numerous died or absent citizens were involved in the
electoral lists, and names of people registered in the region were
absent.

– Lists were fastened later than the fixed time in numerous polling
stations, and voters had no possibility to restore their voting right.

8 of the 9 members of the Akhalkalak regional electoral commission
are tied with each other with friendly and clan ties and represent the
ruling party. Numerous facts of votion with other person’s passport,
a person’s dropping two or more voting papers into the ballot-box
were revealed.

Numerous violations of the votion and counting order, including
stealing the ballot-box, were fixed in different polling stations.

Representatives of the "United Javakhk" democratic alliance public
organization participated in the elections in the staff of the
"Industry to Save Georgia" alliance.