Month: November 2006

Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622
E-mail:[email protected]
FO R IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 16, 06
Contact: Kevor Manguelian
Tel. (613) 235-2622
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay Reaffirms Canadian Government’s
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Ottawa-Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay reaffirmed the Canadian
government’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, during a round
table discussion with the National Ethnic Press and Media Council
(NEPMCC) on Nov. 8. The minister also clarified his position on the
Turkish Government’s proposal to create a historians’ commission to
study the Armenian Genocide.
Minister Mackey assured the Canadian-Armenian community that the
Canadian Government’s policy on the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide has “not changed. Nothing has changed in that regard,”
stressed Mr. MacKay.
In response to a question from Aris Babikian, Horizon Weekly
representative to NEPMCC and the executive director of the Armenian
National Committee of Canada (ANCC), Mr. MacKay stated: “Canada would
support a joint study that would involve participation from academics
from both countries with the inclusion, perhaps, a neutral country
that would be acceptable to both. So a dialogue around what is clearly
incredibly sensitive and loaded issue could lead to greater meeting of
minds plus an opening of a dialogue on other important issues-trade,
travel, greater communication, the blockade of Armenia-is useful
exercise that might bring about some greater healing.”
In response to studies by more than 450 historians and international
organizations confirming the uncontested historical reality of the
Armenian Genocide, Mr. MacKay said: “I am not disputing what you
[Babikian] said in terms of the amount of study that has accrued
already.”
In a related story, Robert Kocharian, president of Armenia, replied
to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s proposal to form
a historians’ commission by saying: “A suggestion to address the
past cannot be effective if it deflects from addressing the present
and the future. In order to engage in a useful dialogue, we need to
create the appropriate and conducive political environment. It is the
responsibility of governments to develop bilateral relations and we do
not have the right to delegate that responsibility to historians. That
is why we have proposed and propose again that, without pre-conditions,
we establish normal relations between our two countries.”
“Minister MacKay’s clarifications are greatly appreciated by the
ANCC and the Canadian-Armenian Community. To build neighbourly and
friendly relations Armenia and Turkey must talk and establish joint
intergovernmental commissions to discuses all outstanding issues
between the two countries,” said Babikian. “After all Armenia and
Turkey are bound to coexist and prosper next to each other.”
#
The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and
affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances
the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range
of issues.
Regional Chapters
Montreal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver

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
November 16, 2006
ARMENIAN CHURCH 2006:
YOUTH GATHERING WITH CATHOLICOS ARAM I
Make your reservations and travel arrangements now as Armenian Church
2006: Your Church. Your Future. Engage, approaches. This event promises to
be an unprecedented assembly of young adults ages 18 to 35 with His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. The two-day gathering is
scheduled to take place Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3, in
Dearborn, Michigan.
The Program Committee has supplemented the schedule with exciting events
that will add energy and power to the weekend. A pre-gathering discussion
regarding the Armenian Church today will prelude the program on Saturday.
This forum will give the attendees a chance to grapple with issues of
concern related to the church. Hayr Meghrig Parikian of Toronto, Canada,
will lead a contemplative choir performance allowing the participants to
enjoy the talents of Armenian singers and the beauty of traditional Armenian
hymns. Other portions of the schedule will include live speakers, film,
music, and liturgy and will all be focused toward answering the questions:
Where have we come from? Where are we going? How far can we go?
Armenian Church 2006 will unofficially begin with a Hrashapar Service on
Friday, December 1, 7 pm at St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn, Michigan. The
main program will begin on Saturday, December 2, at 2 pm and conclude on
Sunday, December 3 at 2 pm. The two-day gathering will also feature a
concert by renowned Christian vocalist Salpi Keleshian. Armenian Church 2006
will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. A special hotel rate of
$99 per night has been negotiated. A $40 registration fee will include
dinner on Saturday evening as well as breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Details
about the program as well as a registration form are available at
REQUIEM SERVICE FOR ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
Requiem services in memory of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, former prelate
of the Eastern Prelacy, will take place on Sunday, December 3, at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. Rev. Fr.
Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral, will preside. Archbishop Ashjian
died three years ago on December 2, 2003.
CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
A reminder that the children’s concert featuring the popular children’s
entertainer, TALINE from California, is this Saturday, November 18 at
Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City. For information call
the Prelacy office 212-689-7810 or click
m.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL ATTEND
50th ANNIVERSARY OF REV. FR. GORUN SHRIKIAN
The 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Gorun Shrikian will be
commemorated this Sunday, November 19, at St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn,
Michigan. The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will preside over the Divine
Liturgy and the luncheon that will follow in honor of Der Gorun. The
celebration is being sponsored by St. Sarkis Church and the Armenian
Community Center.
Der Gorun has served the Eastern Prelacy beginning in 1959 until his
retirement in 1997. During his ministry he served two parishes: St. Gregory
Church in Granite City, Illinois, from 1959 to 1964, and St. Sarkis Church
in Dearborn, Michigan from 1964 until his retirement in 1997.
Der Gorun received his PhD from Concordia Seminary in 1977, after
presenting and successfully defending his dissertation, “Armenians under the
Ottoman Empire and American Missions’ Influence in their Intellectual and
Social Renaissance.”
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF REV. FR. MOUSHEGH DER KALOUSTIAN
TO BE CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 17
On Sunday, December 17, the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev.
Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian will be commemorated at Terrace on the Park. Der
Moushegh will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in
New York, where he served as the priest for many years, prior to the
luncheon commemoration.
During this year, two other priests marked their 50th anniversary: Rev.
Fr. Torkom Hagopian, whose golden anniversary was celebrated by St. Stephen
Church in Watertown, Massachusetts in June and as mentioned above Rev. Fr.
Gorun Shrikian’s anniversary which will be celebrated this Sunday.
For reservations and/or information about the December 17th celebration
of Der Moushegh’s 50th anniversary, contact the Prelacy, 212-689-7810.
THE SPEAR OF CHRIST WILL BE FEATURED
ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL
“The Spear of Christ,” a one-hour documentary will be shown on the
History Channel’s “Decoding the Past” series on Thursday, December 21, at 9
pm. (Please check your local listings). Filmed in four countries (including
Armenia), the program follows the legend of one of histories most powerful
relics on its 200-year journey. The spear that pierced the side of Christ
while he was on the cross is believed to hold miraculous powers. Four
artifacts exist which claim to be this holy spear: one in Vienna, one in
Poland, one in the Vatican, and one in Armenia. The program examines each in
an effort to determine which, if any, is the authentic Spear. The producer
of the show, Ken Winikur, said his trip to Armenia was central to the
success of the documentary. “Armenia is a beautiful country with a rich
history. The story of its Holy Lance is virtually unknown to an American
audience and we are excited to feature it in our program,” he said.
ASIA-MIDDLE EAST INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
TAKES PLACE IN ANTELIAS
Religious leaders from Asia and the Middle East came together in
Antelias, Lebanon, on November 12 to 14, at the invitation of His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I. His Holiness provided the vision and guidance for this
meeting, which was convened so that religious leaders from these two regions
could get to know each other and begin to develop greater understanding of
each other’s religious traditions.
In a joint message the leaders said: “Bridges of faith can provide hope
and healing to wounded nations and pain-filled people, of which there are
too many in our world today. During the dialogue, we heard serious concerns
from both Asia and the Middle East regarding the world situation. We heard
of the need to recommit ourselves to the spiritual core of our religious
traditions so that people and societies may translate into daily life the
spiritual and moral values cherished by our traditions. We also heard of the
need for religion to provide us with the strength, vision and understanding
for reconciliation among individuals and communities based on truth and
justice. We heard of the need for an engaged spirituality, where the deeper
meaning of our traditions, moral teachings and values can be experienced.
And we heard of the need to foster a deep respect for the differences that
give us our distinctive identities, while recognizing the universal values
that bring us together as a human community.”
THANKSGIVING DAY TELETHON
We remind our readers to watch and participate in the annual Thanksgiving
Day telethon which will benefit Armenia Fund USA’s great work in Armenia.
For complete schedule go to
PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF ADVENT
This Sunday, November 19, is the Paregentan of the Fast of Advent.
Counting backwards from January 6th, the beginning of Advent falls on
November 18th or the closest Sunday. Advent is a period of anticipation and
contrition in preparation for the great and joyous Feast of the Theophany
(Nativity and Baptism of Our Lord).
PRESENTATION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Tuesday, November 21, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the
Presentation of the Holy Mother of God (Asdvadzadzin). According to
tradition, Anna, who was childless for years, prayed in earnest that God
grant her a child and promised she would dedicate the child to the holy
Temple. God granted her a girl, who she named Mary, and faithful to her
word, she presented her daughter to the Temple at the age of three. This is
the event celebrated on November 21. Mary remained in the house of God for
twelve years, until she was 15 years old, when she returned to her parents.
She was in her teens when the Archangel Gabriel, sent by God, told her that
she was blessed amongst women and would become the mother of the Son of God.
The Armenian Church celebrates eight feasts of the Holy Mother of God:
Her Nativity; Her Presentation to the Temple; The Annunciation; The
Conception of Mary; The Purification; The Assumption; The Discovery of her
Belt; The Discovery of the Box.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November 17 & 18-Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts.
November 17-St. Gregory Church. North Andover, Massachusetts, Monthly
Family Night and Thanksgiving Dinner, 6 pm.
November 18-Children’s Concert, “FALL COLORS”, sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring
TALINE AND FRIENDS.
November 18-“Christian Spirituality and the Armenian Apostolic Church,” a
lecture by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, at St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York.
November 19-Thanksgiving luncheon by Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, New York City, following the Divine Liturgy, under the auspices
of Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor. For information: 212-689-5880.
December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 2-3-Gathering of the Youth with Catholicos Aram I, Hyatt Regency,
Dearborn, Michigan. For details click here.
December 3-Requiem service in memory of His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian on the third anniversary of his passing, St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian will
preside.
December 10-52nd anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church,
Granite City, Illinois.
December 10-General Membership meeting and elections of auditing and
nominating committees, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.
December 10-Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, Troy, New York, Archbishop
Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy.
December 13-Thanksgiving Luncheon with the local NYPD and Fire Fighters, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.
December 16-“A Celebration of Service” in honor of past chairmen and board
of trustees members. Under auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. For information and
reservations 718-224-2275.
December 16-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Men’s Club and
Ladies’ Guild Christmas Party and Dinner Dance, 7 pm, $40 per person.
Reservations a must. For information: 201-943-4056 (Kiledjian); 201-461-4283
(Mirakian).
December 17-50th anniversary celebration of the ordination of Archpriest Fr.
Moushegh Der Kaloustian, sponsored by the Prelacy Religious Council, at
Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York. Der Moushegh will celebrate
the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (221 E. 27th Street, New
York City) on Sunday morning.
December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey and ARF Dro Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton, New Jersey. Featuring
Arthur Apkarian and Armenia Band. For full information contact the church
office 201-943-2950.
December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston,
New York.
January 6-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
first Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
January 6-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Christmas party and
special program for Saturday and Sunday school students.
January 28-Annual Membership Meeting, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda,
Maryland, at 1 pm.
February 4-St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the church
and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.
February 11-General Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.
February 17-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, Annual
Membership Meeting.
February 18-Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night,
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
Visit our website at

November 16, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
CELEBRATION OF THE 106TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OF FRESNO
On Sunday, November 12, 2006, the 106th Anniversary of Holy Trinity
Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno was celebrated with Divine Liturgy
and a sermon by His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and Rev. Vahan Gosdanian
assisted at the altar. In his sermon, the Prelate credited the founders
of the church, who made every effort possible to establish the church
on solid ground for our children and for the coming generation of
faithful Armenians.
Following Divine Liturgy, the parishioners gathered at the church
social hall where the annual banquet of the church was held. Rev.
Vahan Gosdanian offered the opening prayers, followed by the
singing of the American and Armenian National Anthems by Ms. Angele
Ohannessian. The master of ceremonies was Board of Trustees Chairman
Mr. Jeff Tanielian, and the meal was prepared by the parish Men’s
Society. More than 250 individuals were in attendance to celebrate
the anniversary of the church.
It has become the annual tradition of the parish to honor individuals
for their outstanding service to the church and community. The honorees
this year were Mrs. Patricia Bouloutian, Mrs. Lylian Chooljian,
and Ms. Patricia Sevoian. As the recipients were unaware of the
recognition they were about to receive, this was a pleasant and
special moment for each one of them and their families.
Subsequently, Mr. Hrair Messerlian, chairman of the newly formed
Outreach and Strategic Committee, reported on various concerns
collected through a questionnaire and offered his observations. The
artistic portion of the program consisted of musical selections
in Armenian and English by Salbi Mailyan accompanied by Naira
Shahsouvarian. As the grand finale, Naira pleased everyone by playing
Alexander Haroutounyan’s Sasountsineri Bar on the parish’s new baby
grand piano.
The event concluded with encouraging remarks by the Prelate and Rev.
Vahan Gosdanian, followed by the collective singing of Giligia.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
November 17, 2006
New Bishops to be Ordained in Holy Etchmiadzin
On Sunday, November 19, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, will ordain and consecrate three new bishops of the Armenian
Church during the celebration of Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral
of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Being elevated to the episcopate are:  Very Rev. Fr. Ararat
Dz. Vardapet Kaltakjian, Dean of the Monasteries of the Mother See;
Very Rev. Fr. Anushavan Vardapet Jamkotchian, Dean of the Theological
Faculty of the Yerevan State University; and Very Rev. Fr. Markos
Vardapet Hovhannisian, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Gegharkunik.
Divine Liturgy is scheduled to commence at 10:30 A.M.
##
–Boundary_(ID_0cc5Ib+T9cO/rpn8SIBgIg)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Cafesjian Museum Foundation
3 Tamanian Street, Suite 31
Yerevan 0009, Armenia
Armenia Contact: Ms. Madlene Minassian
Tel: +374 10 56-72-62
Fax: +374 10 56-15-89
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
USA contact: Mr. John Waters
Tel: (612) 359-8991
Fax: (612) 359-8994
E-mail: [email protected]
November 17, 2006
Yerevan Receives It’s Newest and Most Colorful Sculpture
‘Ahoy’ by Paul Cox is placed at the Gerard L. Cafesjian Center for
the Arts
The Cafesjian Museum Foundation is pleased to announce the unveiling
of ‘Ahoy’ (the pictures are available on our website )
by internationally renowned British artist Paul Cox. The sculpture,
a piece from the Cafesjian Collection, is placed at the Monument
Terrace of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Neighboring Fernando
Botero’s ‘Gladiator’, the sculpture stands over six meters tall. Made
of mild steel and two-pack polyurethane paint, this large toy boat
sits on top of an oversized table. The image of a table and chair,
a recurring theme in Cox’s work, refers to the school phase, growing
up and home life.
Born in 1975 in Brighton, U.K., Paul Cox graduated with a First Class
Degree in Fine Art (Sculpture) and trained at the prestigious Royal
Academy of Arts, London where he received his MA. His work is now
represented internationally in public and private collections. ‘Ahoy’
reflects Paul’s interest in how cartoons and comic strips, while
mirroring the real world, are part of and separate from reality
simultaneously. Prior to the arrival of ‘Ahoy’ in Yerevan the cartoon
like boat was exhibited at the Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park,
England along with works by Salvador Dali, George Epstein, and
Max Ernst.
‘Humour plays a large part in my sculptures; it breaks down barriers
and is a language accessible by all. I am influenced by cartoons,
comics and drawings; I enjoy the immediacy of drawing and try to
interpret this into sculpture. I enjoy working with different mediums
from traditional to the unconventional,’ says the artist.
The Cafesjian Museum Foundation continues its renovations of the
Cascade while construction moves forward with the Gerard L. Cafesjian
Museum of Art. Major reconstructions of the Gerard L. Cafesjian Center
for the Arts will be completed in 2007 in addition to more unveilings
from the Cafesjian Collection.
The Cafesjian Museum Foundation of Armenia was co-founded in April of
2002 by the Republic of Armenia and the Cafesjian Museum Foundation
of America for the purpose of developing a world class international
museum of art and a cultural center in Yerevan, Armenia. For more
information about the Cafesjian Museum Foundation and the Cafesjian
Collection please visit

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
GENER AL AOUN VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
H.E. General Michel Aoun, president of the “Change and Reform”
parliamentary bloc, visited His Holiness Aram I in Antelias on
November 16. The meeting lasted about an hour, during which various
issues related to the situation in Lebanon were discussed.
Gen. Aoun expressed his viewpoints and concerns vis-a-vis the current
circumstances. His Holiness Aram I talked about how he envisages a
resolution to the stalemate in the country, while stressing on the
rights of the Armenian community.
Armenian MP Hagop Pakradouni from the “Change and Reform” parliamentary
bloc also attended the meeting.
## View the photos here:
22.htm
os23.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
history and mission 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.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 9, 2006
Members and Supporters Pay Tribute to AGBU
AGBU Districts and Chapters continue their year-long celebration of
the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s landmark 100th Anniversary
with a diverse and enthusiastic schedule of commemorative
activities. Conferences, galas, cultural performances and other
tributary events have taken place in Armenia, Australia, Europe,
North America and South America in honor of the Centennial. Highlights
still to come include the 84th Biennial General Assembly and Centennial
Celebration in Paris from December 8-11, 2006 (),
and the closing festivities which will take place in Yerevan, Armenia
in April 2007.
Established in 1906, AGBU is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian
organization. Headquartered in New York City with an annual budget of
$34 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and
heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs,
annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in over 35 countries.
For more information on upcoming Centennial events, please visit the
“Calendar” section of AGBU’s flagship website,

How Armenia copes with its isolation in the combustible Caucasus
The art of levitation
Nov 16th 2006 | YEREVAN
>From The Economist print edition
NOWHERE is living next to big countries trickier than in the
Caucasus. Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan were for centuries
swallowed by rival empires; when the last of them, the Soviet Union,
collapsed, three territorial wars broke out, all of which may yet
re-erupt. Now Georgia is in a cold war with Russia.
Next-door Armenia’s geographical plight might seem the worst in the
Caucasus-or anywhere. It is landlocked and poor; of its four
borders, those with Turkey and Azerbaijan are closed following its
bloody but successful struggle for Nagorno-Karabakh, a province of
Soviet Azerbaijan mostly populated by Armenians. Its other neighbours
are Georgia (under an economic blockade by Russia) and Iran. Yet
despite the war, the economic collapse that went with it and a
terrible earthquake that preceded it, Armenia seems to have levitated
out of trouble.
It benefits from an indulgence not afforded to pro-Western Georgia.
Per person, Armenia is one of the biggest recipients of American aid
(thanks to the powerful diaspora there, which remembers vividly the
massacres of 1915). Yet that American help does not trouble Russia,
which has a military base in Armenia. GDP is growing-though still
pitifully low: monthly wages are around $150. Towns and villages in
the beautiful, barren countryside are still poor and dilapidated, but
Yerevan is full of construction cranes and posh cafes.
But levitation has its limits. After some progress in the late 1990s,
reforms have stalled. The famed cognac aside, exports are puny.
Armenia relies on foreign aid and remittances from the huge diaspora;
emigration (see article) has put the population well below the
official 2.9m figure. The international balance is also precarious.
Some in Russia want the Armenians to take sides against the
Georgians, perhaps by stirring up the Armenian minority there. “We
refuse to choose,” says Vartan Oskanian, the foreign minister.
Indeed: alienating Georgia would be suicidal.
But the Kremlin’s leverage is growing. Russian firms already control
the energy sector and want a greater stake elsewhere. Mr Oskanian
says “our needs today are too dire” to worry about future risks.
Azerbaijan’s hydrocarbons windfall makes it sound confident, even
bellicose, stoking Armenian reliance on Russia.
American interest in the pipelines that link the Caspian to the
Mediterranean, doglegging round Armenia, mean that renewed fighting
would echo far beyond the Caucasus. Internationally sponsored talks
about Karabakh limp on-Mr Oskanian met his Azerbaijani counterpart
this week-and Western diplomats try to sound upbeat. But a deal, or
even a fudge that would at least allow normal trade relations, looks
all but impossible. Sporadic shooting continues.
One reason is that bad governments in both countries bang the
nationalist drum for want of wider legitimacy. Armenia’s Robert
Kocharian has emulated his sponsors in the Kremlin, squeezing the
media and rigging elections. Corruption flourishes. It is hard to
find an Armenian politician who does not want to succeed Mr Kocharian
when his presidential term expires in 2008; it is harder still to
find one who thinks the vote will be fair. Like Ilham Aliev, who
inherited power in Azerbaijan from his father, Mr Kocharian promises
just enough change to pacify America. Unsurprisingly, considering
their history, most Armenians are too cynical to expect much better
from their rulers.
Like acrobats in a human pyramid, the Caucasus countries are
inevitably affected by their neighbours’ behaviour. Russia’s closure
of its border with Georgia, for example, hurts Armenian traders. Such
outsiders’ jostling would be much easier to bear if the three
(relative) tiddlers had a common line. But they are all, as Raffi
Hovannisian, a former Armenian foreign minister, says of his country,
“long on civilisation, short on statecraft.”
europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8173284

PRESS RELEASE
Gomidas Institute
42 Blythe Rd
London W14 0HA
[email protected]
15 November 2006
Turkish MPs Avoid Meeting British MPs to Discuss Armenian Genocide
Over the past year, a group of British MPs and peers have been
considering allegations made by the Turkish Parliament (TGNA) that
Great Britain was responsible for articulating the Armenian Genocide
thesis; that this thesis was a wartime propaganda fabrication
published in the British Parliamentary Blue Book series in 1916 (The
Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire 1915-16); and that the
British Parliament today should rescind that report.
A group of British MPs and peers who looked at these allegations
disagreed with the Turkish position and invited the latter to a
face-to-face discussion. To date, Turkish Parliamentarians have
avoided any such discussion with their British counterparts.
Earlier today, the Gomidas Institute (London) issued a detailed
update on this on-going saga. See
In a press statement, Lord Avebury, Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary
Human Rights Group, stated:
“I very much regret the failure of every one of the 550 MPs of the
Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) to reply to an invitation to
discuss the events of 1915-16, in which a million and a half Armenian
subjects of the Ottoman Empire lost their lives.
“Following a Letter from the TGNA to the British Parliament
challenging the veracity of the evidence published by the British
Government in 1916 in the Blue Book ‘The Treatment of Armenians in
the Ottoman Empire 1915-16′, a group of MPs and peers wrote proposing
a dialogue between British and Turkish MPs, with academic experts on
both sides, to examine the authenticity of that evidence.
“When no reply was received, I wrote to every Turkish MP
individually, asking if they would be willing to participate in such
a dialogue. Not a single one replied.
“Since neither the TGNA collectively, nor any of its Members, was
ready to defend their position in an open and critical forum, it
became obviously that they would not stand up to an intellectually
rigorous examination. I believe the original Letter fromthe TGNA was
an attempt to stimulate wider Turkish denialism, rather than to
establish communication between Turkish and UK Parliamentarians which
might have clarified interpretation of the events of 1915-16. But the
invitation remains open, and I hope that by publishing this
statement, I may yet prompt some Turkish MPs with the courage to
engage in dialogue.”
The Gomidas Institute is an independent academic organisation
dedicated to modern Armenian Studies
_________________________________________ ___________________________________
FROM THE GOMIDAS INSTITUTE WEBSITE
(For full statement with citations and relevant materials see
)
The British Parliamentary Blue Book and the Turkish Grand National
Assembly’s Foray Denying the Armenian Genocide, 28 April 2005
AN UPDATE from Lord Avebury, Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Human
Rights’ Group and Ara Sarafian, Director of the Gomidas Institute,
London dated 14 April 2006
The 1916 British Parliamentary Blue Book, The Treatment of Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire 1915-16, was the first systematic thesis on the
Armenian Genocide.
This report was composed of:
(a) a significant collection of documents relating to the
treatment of Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire between 1915-16,
(b) an account of how these records were collected and used in
that report, and
(c) an analysis regarding the systematic destruction of
Armenians.
In 2000, the Gomidas Institute published a critical edition of what
has come to be known as simply ‘the Blue Book’, wherein the
original work was subjected to a detailed examination.
This edition:
(a) traced original sources to their archival originals and gave
citations
where original materials could be found,
(b) examined the manner in which the 1916 report was compiled
i.e. how
documents were accepted for inclusion in the British
report, and
(c) checked the final text of documents for fidelity to their
originals.
In doing so, this edition became the essential edition, allowing
students of the Armenian Genocide a far greater insight into the
genesis of Bryce and Toynbee’s work. The critical edition of the
Blue Book identified the United States Department of State as the
main source of information for the British report, and so it was
timely that the Gomidas Institute published United States Records on
the Armenian Genocide 1915-17 three years later.
That publication further facilitates our understanding of 1916
British Parliamentary Blue Book in light of the United States
records.
According to these published and archival sources, the 1916 Blue Book
was the result of a meticulous academic exercise that lent itself to
serious examination.
* * *
In April 2005, The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire
1915-16 was made the focus of a controversy by members of the Turkish
Grand National Assembly (TGNA) who claimed in a letter to the British
Houses of Parliament (‘the Letter’) that:
(a) the 1916 report was a forgery produced for British
propaganda during
World War I,
(b) the British Parliament was responsible for the Armenian
Genocide thesis
as we know it today; and
(c) British MPs today should publicly rescind the 1916 report.
The letter was forcefully worded, and the TGNA’s position included
some citations from
books and archives and bore the signature of all 550 Turkish
Parliamentarians.
On 28 April 2006 the Letter was sent to the Hon. Michael Martin MP,
the Speaker of the House of Commons in London, who was asked to bring
it to the attention of British Members of Parliament. Mr. Martin
forwarded the Letter with its enclosures to the Rt. Hon. Jack Straw,
the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, adding
that he had to ‘remain politically impartial’ in such matters and
that he wanted someone at the FCO to deal with it. Mr. Martin also
stated that he had placed a copy of the letter in the Library of the
House of Commons.
On 8 July 2005, the British Ambassador to Ankara, Sir Peter
Westmacott, responded to the TGNA on behalf of the FCO. Sir Peter
wrote to speaker Bulent Arýnc, explaining that the FCO could not
comment on the 1916 work because it was a ‘Parliament-owned
document’. He also informed Mr. Arýnc that copies of the TGNA’s
letter and enclosures were placed in the Library of the House of
Commons “to which historians have access.” Sir Peter then questioned
some of the main axiom of the Turkish letter by adding: “the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office understands that whilst the publication of
the Blue Book may have been regarded as desirable at the time in the
context of the war effort [i.e. for propaganda purposes], none of the
individual reports has been refuted; and few have suggested moral or
intellectual dishonesty on the part of the authors, Lord Bryce and
Arnold J. Toynbee.”
The TGNA’s letter was not shown to British MPs as requested and the
British ambassador’s letter was somewhat out of character given the
FCO’s usual pro-Turkish stance on the Armenian Genocide issue.
According to one commentator at the Gomidas Institute, the placing of
the TGNA letter in the Library of the House of Commons and the FCO’s
the stern letter to Ankara were part of a common plan to bury the
issue to avoid further embarrassment to the TGNA and Anglo-Turkish
co-operation in the denial of the Armenian Genocide.
However, the continuing media frenzy in Turkey alerted some British
MPs to the existence of the Turkish letter and these MPs decided to
examine the TGNA’s letter and formulate a response to it.
* * *
On 27 January 2006, Holocaust Memorial Day in Great Britain, a cross
party group of 33 British MPs responded to the TGNA letter. Their
response was sent to the speaker of the TGNA, Bulent Arýnc, and the
Turkish embassy in London. In this letter, the British MPs expressed
their disagreement with the TGNA’s position regarding the 1916
report and they invited their Turkish colleagues to a meeting to
discuss their differences. The British response included a special
report from the Gomidas Institute, as well as a recent insightful
article published in the Journal of the United Services Institute.
There was no response to the British invitation and on 18 July 2006 a
second invitation was sent by email to every member of the TGNA,
again inviting them to discuss the 1916 report. There has been no
response from any member of the TGNA to date. Given the Turkish
Government’s supposed willingness to discuss the Genocide issue, it
would appear incongruous that they should not take up such a
proposition.
* * *
The TGNA’s original letter to London was written after much
deliberation and formal discussion in the TGNA, and in Turkish media
and academic circles throughout the months of March and April 2005.
Some of these discussions were broadcast by Turkish satellite
television, surreptitiously distributed on DVDs in TIME Magazine, and
placed on several web pages. Such discussions, like the TGNA letter,
drew on the voluminous output of Turkish academic institutions and
commentators of recent years. Much was made of the publications of
the Turkish Historical Society, the Historical Section of the General
Staff of the Turkish Army, and the publications of the Prime Ministry
Ottoman State Archives. Given the weight of such opinion, the TGNA’s
letter reflected the position of a powerful segment of the Turkish
state and its supporting institutions. In this sense, TGNA’s letter
was the single most important tract ever written denying the Armenian
Genocide.
However, neither the TGNA collectively, nor a single one of its
Members, were prepared to defend their position in an open and
critical forum, knowing that it was fundamentally contrived and would
not stand up to intellectual rigour. The original letter may have
been an attempt to invigorate wider Turkish denialism, rather than to
establish communication between Turkish and UK Parliamentarians which
might have clarified interpretation of the events of 1915-16. But the
invitation remains open, and it is hoped that by publishing this
statement, some Turkish MPs may yet have the courage to engage in
dialogue.
–Boundary_(ID_1HGiCCsISNqzXAuU80e3J Q)–

UN Development Programme (UNDP) Armenia
14, Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Tel: +374 10 56 60 73 + 121
Mob: +374 91 43 63 12
Fax: +374 10 54 38 11
E-mail: [email protected]
URLs:
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Aramazd Ghalamkaryan
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN COMPANIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS JOIN THE UN GLOBAL
COMPACT
17.11.2006
UNDP and two GC members in Armenia launch corporate citizenship projects
Yerevan, Armenia – Today, at the Golden Palace Hotel in Yerevan United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Trade and Economic
Development of Armenia and 19 private companies and civil society
organizations officially launched the Global Compact in Armenia. Mr. Ara
Petrosyan, Deputy Minister and Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN resident coordinator
and UNDP resident representative presented the Global Compact.
In an address to the World Economic Forum on 31 January 1999, United Nation
Secretary-General Kofi Annan challenged business leaders to join an
international initiative – the Global Compact (GC) – that would bring
companies together with UN agencies, labour and civil society to support
universal environmental and social principles.
The Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within
their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human
rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption. The Global
Compact offers engagement opportunities to all participants through the
networks, dialogues, learning events and partnership projects.
At the event, two other important agreements were signed. The first one was
on the establishment of an Arts and Crafts Training and Production Center
for Disabled Children: the Global Compact member and UNDP’s partner
K-Telecom/VivaCell company decided to make this project a reality in
cooperation with Pyunic non-governmental organization.
Also, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Union of
Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia to enhance cooperation with the UN
office in Armenia through a number of joint initiatives.
Ms Vidal mentioned in her speech: “UNDP strongly believes that private
sector has a very crucial role to play in the development of the country and
UNDP is partner in this sense.”
On the occasion of the launch, Mr. Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN
Global Compact, sent a welcoming message to Armenia, where he noted: “It is
very encouraging to see that the United Nations has a committed partner in
the Armenian business community that is ready to join us in carrying the
Global Compact forward. Commitment and leadership of government, civil
society and academia will be crucial for the Global Compact to succeed in
your country. I am confident that the Global Compact can take root in
Armenia and help the country further integrate into global economy and
contribute to better life of the people of Armenia.”
“We would like to invite more private sector companies to engage in this
initiative and sign-up to become the members of the Armenian network.
Jointly we can do more for your business, for Armenia and for its future,”
– noted the UN resident coordinator in Armenia in her speech.
Nowadays, the Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate citizenship
initiative that involves a global network of over 3,000 companies in some
100 countries, as well as close to 600 non-business participants from civil
society, labour and academia.
In Armenia, the following companies and organizations have already joined
the GC Network: American University of Armenia, Ashtarak Kat, Ameria,
Armenal, BAKSS, Broncoway, Cascade Capital Holding, Coca Cola, the
Enterprise Incubator Foundation, the International Centre for Human
Development (ICHD), KPMG Armenia, Marriott Armenia Hotel, Pyunic NGO,
Tufenkian Hospitality, Unicomp, Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen
(Employers) of Armenia (UMBA), K-Telecom/ VivaCell, Grant Thornton Amyot,
and Sourcio.
* * *
ABOUT UNDP: UNDP is the UN’s global network to help people meet their
development needs and build a better life. We are on the ground in 166
countries, working as a trusted partner with governments, civil society and
the private sector to help them build their own solutions to global and
national development challenges. Further information can be found at
* * *
For additional information, please contact Mr. Armen Matosyan at
[email protected], tel.: +374 10 547 268 or Mr. Aramazd Ghalamkaryan
at [email protected], tel.: +37491 436 312, +37410 566 073 +
121.