Month: November 2006

Regnum, Russia
Nov 4 2006
“Russian authorities are doing all possible for not being loved, but
Americans do it better”: Azeri press digest
Azerbaijan-Russia
Excerpts from the interview of political expert Arif Yunusov to
Day.Az:
“How big is Russia’s influence on Azerbaijan, today?”
I think that, today, the Americans have a bit bigger influence in
Azerbaijan. True, in the first two years of Ilham Aliyev’s rule,
their influence was much bigger, but in the last months Russia has
become much more active.
The local media were right when they said that the Oct 2005 arrest of
the pro-western economic development minister Farhad Aliyev – who was
seen by many as Azeri Yushchenko or Saakashvili – was, undoubtedly,
the work of Russia, more precisely, its special services. It was
Russia’s biggest victory over the US in Azerbaijan in the last years.
Besides, there are pro-Russian men in Ilham Aliyev’s team. Many of
them have businesses in Russia and can be used for pressure on
Azerbaijan. There are also Azeri emigrants. They also suffered from
the Russian-Georgian crisis, and, if there is a Russian-Azeri crisis,
their factor may play an even more serious role.
There is one more trump in Russia’s hands: growing disappointment
with the US’ policy in Azerbaijan. The anti-American moods are
getting so strong that even the Americans are beginning to notice it.
And what do our citizens say most often? What they say, in general,
is: “Russia never says that it wants to build democracy here. It
admits that it has its own interests in the region and wants to
restore its influence in Azerbaijan. Russia is not hypocritical. As
regards the Americans, they keep saying that the only thing they are
thinking about is to build democracy in Azerbaijan, but, in fact, the
only thing they are thinking about is how to get our oil and how to
use our territory against Muslims.”
That’s why Russia’s authority in Azerbaijan is growing despite its
policy in the country. By their clumsy actions in the region, the
Russian authorities are doing all possible for not being loved, but
there are Americans who do it better. (Day.Az)
The Azeri office of the Russian Caucasian Institute of Democracy has
organized in Baku a roundtable “Energy Security of Azerbaijan: Pluses
and Minuses of Cooperation with Russia.” Independent energy expert
Ilya Zaslavsky, oil and gas expert Georgy Nozadze and employee of the
Center for CIS Studies of Moscow State University Alexander Karavayev
took part in the event. Karavayev stressed the priority of politics
in the Russian-Azeri energy cooperation. He also spoke about the rise
in the Russian gas prices. He believes that “the gas weapon Russia is
trying to use is not giving it the expected results.” Azerbaijan is
equal to Russia as it has its own energy resources and means of their
transportation. “I don’t think that Russia can pressure Azerbaijan by
means of energy as Azerbaijan’s energy security is beyond any
pressures and threats. Georgia and Armenia are a different story –
they seriously depend on Russia’s energy,” Karavayev said.
In his turn, the chairman of the Azeri National Public Committee on
Integration Ilgar Mamedov noted that Azerbaijan will gain from a new
rise in the Russian gas prices. “The point is that, after the first
rise, some partners, particularly, they in Armenia were strongly
displeased, and some local forces have already turned their eyes
westwards. If Russia does it again, Armenia will get even farther
from it, and this will serve our interests in the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem. In any case, new rise will not affect Azerbaijan’s energy
security,” Mamedov said. The director of the Center for Political
Innovation and Technologies Mubariz Ahmedoglu noted that if Russia
continues its energy blockade of Georgia, Azerbaijan will support its
neighbor and will partly cover Georgia’s gas demand. “In terms of
energy security, it would be better for us if Russia more tightly
cooperated with Turkey.”
Political expert Arif Yunusov agreed that the Azeri-Russian energy
cooperation is more dependent on politics than on economy. “It seems
to me that Russia has no clear energy policy. Yes, after the rise in
the gas prices, they in Russia were in some kind of euphoria over
Ukraine. However, the rise has also affected their strategic partners
– Belarus and Armenia – and this factor should make them anxious.
Russia has no clear energy policy, while we would like to clearly
know the energy priorities and goals of our neighbor, as energy
security depends on a complex of geo-political factors.” (Echo)
Zerkalo says: “The strengthening of Russian-Armenian relations cannot
but influence the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. Until recently, there
has been a kind of status quo – a basic level – in Azeri-Russian
relations. But now that Moscow and Yerevan are coming increasingly
closer, Baku may turn its face towards the West, especially as all
this is happening before Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the NATO
headquarters in Brussels.
It should also be noted that NATO Special Representative for the
South Caucasus Robert Simmons visited Baku quite recently. He openly
asked the Azeri leadership to clearly formulate their foreign policy
but received no answer. During the final press-conference he said
that in early Nov they in Brussels will give answers to all the
questions Azerbaijan is worried about.
If these answers are given and satisfy Baku, a new balance of forces
may take shape in the region in the near future – a pro-western
US-backed Azerbaijan-Georgia tandem that will oppose Russia-Armenia.
If this happens, Azerbaijan may change its present position
concerning the application of sanctions against Iran.
But there is one more scenario. In early Nov Ilham Aliyev is to go to
Moscow. Against the background of strengthening Russian-Armenian
relations, Vladimir Putin will have to offer Azerbaijan something
that would keep Baku away from NATO. This offer should not be
categorical and will hardly concern the Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process. Russia has proved that Armenia is closer to it; so, it will
hardly offer Azerbaijan anything profitable on Nagorno-Karabakh.
(Zerkalo)
Geo-politics
” They in Moscow and Washington think it possible that, in order to
dot all i’s in their big geo-political game in the South Caucasus,
they will have to play for a government change during the coming
elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is almost a foul play – a
play where they may lose much if not all – at least, for some time.
And this loss will endanger the geo-political interests of both the
West and Russia. So, the sides are trying to agree and to start
rivaling in “a more civilized manner.” In fact, this second scenario
may result in agreements on the Armenian-Azeri conflict,” says
Zerkalo.
“First, it will allow to avoid serious geo-political confrontation in
the region – which is good for both the West and Russia. They in the
Kremlin perfectly realize that, even with its huge oil export
incomes, Russia will not be able to confront the West and, first of
all, the US. If it tries to, it will have to become a fully “close
society,” like it was in the Soviet times. This may result in an
“all-national default.” And so, we can see that the Russian officials
are beginning to change their tone concerning Georgia.
Heavily dependent on Russian fuel, the West too would not like to use
“stick” against Russia.
Second, if Russia guarantees peace agreements in Nagorno-Karabakh, it
will gain, at least, temporary political influence in the region.
Geo-politically, Russia does not care much for who Nagorno-Karabakh
will belong to, but this will be a good chance for it to “show its
adherence” to the peaceful resolution of territorial-ethnic conflicts
in the CIS and, thereby, to gain wider room for maneuver when it is
time to settle the conflicts in Abkhazia or South Ossetia – the
conflicts Russia does care for.
Third, via Azerbaijan Russia will get something it has lost after its
crisis with Georgia – a stable land corridor to Armenia, Iran and
farther Turkey. Besides, Russia will be able to preserve its big
military contingent in Armenia (which is now in almost total
blockade) and to argue that it is expedient from military-political
point of view.
For the West, the resolution of the Armenian-Azeri conflict will be a
chance to launch a massive political-economic intervention into all
the South Caucasian countries, first of all, into Armenia, which has
dropped out of the regional integration because of being rope-tied
with Russia. Western analysts say that 3-5 years of massive
political-economic intervention will be enough for irreversibly
turning all the South Caucasian states in Euro-Atlantic direction.
That is, Russia will still have to leave the South Caucasus, but it
will do it gradually, will get some political-economic preferences
for that and, most importantly, will avoid serious cataclysms and
will save its face. Some Western experts believe that Russia’s
involvement in serious internal political cataclysms in the South
Caucasus may seriously impede the region’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
So, what we are witnessing, today, may well be a sophisticated
diplomatic game leading to a “conspiracy” between Russia and the West
for resolving the Armenian-Azeri conflict and for preserving the
present internal political status quo in both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
That’s why the western co-chairs of the OSCE MG have repeatedly
hinted that it would be much easier for the Armenian and Azeri
authorities if they resolved the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict before the
elections in their countries. (Zerkalo)
Azerbaijan-Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh problem
Zerkalo
says: “As regards the discussion of frozen conflicts at the UN
General Assembly, Azerbaijan seems not to be in a hurry. Unlike the
Georgian and Moldavian conflicts, the resolution of the
Armenian-Azeri conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is in the center of the
international mediators’ attention. In their public statements the
sides openly say that they may reach some agreements by the end of
this year or, perhaps, in early 2007. That’s why, Baku should not
insist on the UN GA’s discussing this problem before the current
stage is over.
Especially now that Azeri FM Elmar Mamedyarov has said that the new
proposals of the OSCE MG are acceptable for Azerbaijan, in principle.
Mamedyarov’s words suggest that the co-chairs are waiting for
Armenia’s official reaction to their proposals. If the sides agree,
the discussion at the UN GA will become unnecessary. If they don’t.
Baku may demand it almost throughout next year – till Sept inclusive.
Besides, if the current round of the peace talks fails, Baku may
insist that the UN GA adopt very tough formulas against Armenia –
which is quite in line with Ilham Aliyev’s recent statements about
possible revision of the settlement strategy.
Political expert Ilgar Mamedov comments on the last developments in
the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiating process in an interview to Echo:
“If the position of the Azeri leadership remains unchanged – i.e. the
position formulated and repeatedly expressed by the Azeri President:
Azerbaijan will never accept a scenario for alienating
Nagorno-Karabakh from its territory – all scenarios for resolving the
Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict are acceptable and possible. All those
package, phased, package-phased scenarios are just setting. The main
question is who Nagorno-Karabakh will belong to after final
resolution.
However, for many years already Baku has been insisting on phased
scenario, while Yerevan says the conflict can be resolved only in
package…
You may as well find some package agreement that will be acceptable
for Azerbaijan and quite unacceptable for Armenia. All this talk
about package or phased resolution is just a propaganda wave for
know-nothings. The opinion that for Azerbaijan any phased scenario is
better than any package one is nonsense. For example, a package
agreement may say that Nagorno-Karabakh is a sovereign territory.
Isn’t it good for us?!
The Armenian FM says that Yerevan will discuss the question of
territories only after the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is specified?
It is just a new version of the well-known Armenian position. Still,
it seems a bit softer than the previous one. To wait for the status
to be specified is one thing and to insist that Nagorno-Karabakh
cannot be part of Azerbaijan is a quite another thing. It seems the
Armenians have slightly softened their position. They may be doing
this for getting dividends during their coming parliamentary
elections.
Recently the Armenian and Azeri FMs have been intensively meeting
even though earlier the Armenian FM refused to meet pointblank. Why
are they meeting so intensively?
I am inclined to think that the sides are being pressured into
meeting. However, there is also the factor of the next year’s
parliamentary elections in Armenia. These are decisive elections, and
the Armenian leaders would like to get support and indulgence from
those who are pressuring and urging them on in the negotiating
process. This offers interesting possibilities to Azerbaijan. We’ll
see how practicable they are.
By the way, much has recently been talked about the military budget
of Azerbaijan for 2007, which will be almost $1 billion and will be
bigger than the whole budget of Armenia. At the same time, they in
Yerevan and some local experts point to high corruption and other
factors that will prevent Baku from really changing the situation in
this direction…
Even if they “eat” half of the allocations, the constantly growing
remainder will create excellent conditions for Azerbaijan’s military
superiority. And this superiority will become a political factor.
(Echo)
Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan believes that his Azeri
counterpart also wants cease-fire. “He also wants the cease-fire
regime not to be broken,” Sargsyan told journalists, while commenting
on his meeting with the Azeri DM. “Simply, we should realize that, if
there are tens of thousands of armed people on both sides, some of
them may shoot under certain circumstances. But we should see that
those shoots not be deliberate and cause no big incidents,” Sargsyan
said. (Trend)
Excerpts from the interview of Azeri FM Elmar Mamedyarov to Day.Az:
“What can you say about the results of your meeting with the Armenian
FM in France? What do you expect from the forthcoming meeting in
Brussels?
The meeting in Paris is already history. As you already know, the
next meeting will take place in Brussels on Nov 14. On that day
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia are to sign with the EU their New
European Policy action plans. We are going to meet before the signing
to discuss the new proposals and ideas put forward by the OSCE MG
co-chairs in Moscow.
Can you tell what those proposals are about?
It is early to do it yet. Shortly speaking, we touched on 1-2 moments
from the existing 8-9 elements and found it really hard to say if
there was any progress. During the last meeting in Moscow the
co-chairs presented some new ideas. We considered them and saw that
there might be some chance for us to work in this direction.
Presently, we are analyzing them and it seems we can work on them.
However, this is not a one-way process. We are also considering the
opinion of the opposite camp. As a result, we should decide in what
direction we should continue our work.”

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 4 2006
Karabakh Liberation Organization Accuses Law-Defenders of Being
Indifference towards Destiny of Karabakh Partisans
Source: Trend
Author: S.Ilhamgizi
04.11.2006
Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) expressed its protest against
several law-defenders in relation with the absence of the names of
the Karabakh partisans in the list of political prisoners submitted
to the Council of Europe, Trend reports with reference to the KLO.
It should be mentioned that a number of young people had formed an
armed team to protest against the occupation of the Azerbaijani
territories by Armenian Armed Forces. One of them has been sentenced
to the prison for term of life and other from 5 to 14 years.
KLO considers that the court has passed an unfair resolution. In
addition, during the investigation, the court procedures have been
repeatedly violated.
It was mentioned in the KLO resolution that each of these arguments
is enough to include them into the list of the political prisoners.
“But the position of several law-defenders coincides with the unfair
decision of the court. We demand these law-defenders to change their
position,” was stated in the resolution.

Thursday, November 02, 2006
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ON WISDOM, LOVE, AND
RELATED ATROCITIES
*******************************************
Men say they value knowledge over ignorance but live as though they loved ignorance more.
*
Since our ignorance far exceeds our knowledge, in whatever we say about the visible and the invisible world (the universe and god) there will be more uncertainty than certainty. Unless mankind comes to terms with this gray area of uncertainty, we shall have wars, revolutions, and massacres.
*
There is a difference between being right and being wise. Our revolutionaries at the turn of the last century were right, but were they wise?
*
Either we de-Ottomanize and de-Sovietize ourselves or we go on confusing a dehumanized existence with survival.
*
I am afraid all this talk of Turks and massacres has turned us into pillars of salt.
*
Indians believe verbal communication is not the only way to transfer wisdom, and that being in the presence of a wise man is enough to absorb wisdom by spiritual osmosis. Perhaps our problems stem from the fact that for six hundred years we kept the wrong company.
*
One doesn’t fall in love with a person, one falls in love with an image, an abstraction, a projection, a lie, a symbol…and symbols don’t fart.
*
If I am nice in person and nasty in my writings it may be because in my dealings with my fellow men I may respect their limitations and ignorance, but in my writings I am merciless.
#
Friday, November 03, 2006
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FROM MY NOTEBOOKS
**************************************************
No one, not even bosses, bishops, and benefactors, is in a position to say his definition of Armenianism is the only valid one.
*
Like war, genocide is such a colossal blunder that it must be handled very carefully, even if it means attending it “by a bodyguard of lies” (Churchill).
*
Literature and big money don’t mix. I feel ill at ease in the presence of benefactors who are constitutionally incapable of respecting anyone they can hire and fire; and I can sense this contempt even in the presence of their flunkies who are, as a rule, less diplomatic in their dealings with “honorable beggars” (Baronian).
*
You may have noticed that smart Armenian operators hide their political loyalties. I remember once when I asked a friend to which party he belonged, he replied, “I am with the good guys.” No one believes me when I say I am not just non-partisan but anti-partisan. Shaw is right. The trouble with crooks is that they assume everyone is a crook.
*
Hating the enemy is easy. Trying to understand him much more difficult. I admire people who choose understanding. But I see something inconsistent in someone who pretends to understand his enemy but hates his own brother.
#
Saturday, November 04, 2006
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VARIATIONS ON A FAVORITE THEME
************************************************
Literature is neither glorified gossip nor entertainment. Literature is more like a guerrilla campaign against a minority of cynical manipulators and a majority of unthinking underdogs who have a fatal admiration for all top dogs, including serial killers like Hitler and Stalin.
*
The greatest and most dangerous illusions are the infallibility of faith and the nobility of patriotism. To me, the statements “I am a man of faith, therefore I am wrong,” and “I am willing to die for my country, therefore I am a potential murderer,” are as valid as “I think, therefore I am.”
*
The source of wars and massacres is neither greed nor evil but love of God and Country.
*
Armenians who believe what their pundits and academics tell them resent it when Turks do the same thing.
*
Do your utmost to agree with those who disagree with you. Even if you learn nothing from them, you may learn tolerance, and tolerance is a far better means of acquiring wisdom than intolerance.
*
In time of war, fathers bury their sons. Under fascism, criminals jail law-abiding citizens.
#

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT & MEMBERSHIP TEAM
Goal: Expand Membership, Increase Outreach
Washington, DC – Armenian Assembly Board of Trustees Members Lu Ann
Ohanian and Peter Vosbikian, Co-Chairs of the Development and Membership
Committee, are pleased to announce the recent addition of Andrew T.
Zovko and Peter Toto to the Assembly staff in Washington, DC.
Zovko, a professional fundraiser who has raised over $80 million for
Washington area non-profits, has joined the Assembly as Director of
Development. A native of Pittsburg, PA, Zovko has over 16 years
experience in a wide range of areas including direct marketing,
fundraising and grassroots activism. Prior to joining the Assembly,
Zovko led successful fundraising programs for the National Law Center on
Homelessness & Poverty, the National Family Caregivers Association,
Environmental Defense, the Wilderness Society, and Catholic Charities of
Washington, DC.
Zovko earned a master’s degree in Syriac Studies from Oxford University
in England and a bachelor’s degree in Near East Studies from Princeton
University in New Jersey. In his new role at the Assembly, he will
oversee Development efforts which have also been strengthened by the
appointment of Peter Toto as Development Associate.
Toto comes to the Assembly from Dominion Aquatics, where he served as
Director of Development. Prior to that, he spent two years as the
Development Services Coordinator with Judicial Watch, a non-partisan,
non-profit foundation established to serve as an ethical and legal
“watchdog” over U.S. government and judicial systems to promote needed
political and legal reform. He has also worked at the American Cancer
Society as a development consultant.
Toto is a 2003 graduate of Catholic University of America, where he
majored in Political Science.
“We are pleased to welcome Andrew and Peter to the Armenian Assembly and
look forward to working with them,” said Ohanian and Vosbikian. “Their
creativity, leadership and experience will prove extremely beneficial as
we promote the Armenian Assembly in communities across the country.”
“As the Assembly prepares to celebrate 35 years of serving the
Armenian-American community, I look forward to meeting and working with
our nationwide network of members and volunteers,” said Zovko. “With
their hard work and support the Assembly will continue to grow and
expand to meet the challenges ahead.”
Ohanian and Vosbikian are both longtime Assembly supporters and
previously served on the Assembly’s Board of Directors. Vosbikian also
served as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2002 to 2004. Earlier
this year, Assembly Trustees approved the merger of the Board of
Trustees and the Board of Directors into one governing body. The merger
was part of the Assembly’s efforts to streamline the effectiveness of
the organization and hire new personnel including, Research and Analysis
Director Armen Kharazian, Finance Director Ellen Gordon, Public Affairs
Assistant Karoon Panosyan and Intern Coordinator Joseph Piatt.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2006-092
Editor’s Note: Photograph available on the Assembly Web site at the
following links:
2/2006-092-1.JPG
Caption: L to R: Intern Coordinator Joseph Piatt, Director of Research
and Analysis Armen Kharazian, Development Director Andy Zovko,
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Finance Director Ellen Gordon,
Development Associate Peter Toto and Public Affairs Assistant Karoon
Panosyan.

UNITED ARMENIAN FUND
1101 N. Pacific Avenue #301
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel: 818-241-8900
Fax: 818-241-6900
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2 November 2006
United Armenian Fund Donates $4.5 Million
To All 28 Armenian Schools in Lebanon
Glendale, CA – The United Armenian Fund, through a generous grant
from The Lincy Foundation, is donating a total of $4.5 million to
all 28 Armenian schools throughout Lebanon.
This contribution is prompted by the economic crisis of the past few
years, which was aggravated by the devastating attack on Lebanon last
Summer. Thousands of needy Armenian families could no longer afford the
tuition for the Armenian schools their children attended. Consequently,
most of these schools were in no position to pay the salaries of
their teachers and staff.
The UAF funds contributed to these schools are designated for three
specific purposes:
1) $3.2 million to pay full or partial tuition for 5,092 needy Armenian
students, which constitutes close to 75% of the 7,029 students enrolled
in all 28 schools during the 2006-07 academic year;
2) $757,000 to cover the salaries owed by most of the schools to 536
teachers and staff for the past academic year;
3) A total of $513,000 for the general operating expenses of these
schools.
Harut Sassounian, the President of the United Armenian Fund, is
currently in Lebanon to visit all 28 Armenian schools, meet with their
principals and educational councils, and deliver the earmarked sums
to each school.
“The UAF’s contribution will be allocated to all Armenian schools in
Lebanon, without exception,” Sassounian said.
The schools receiving financial assistance are:
Nine Prelacy schools: Sophia Hagopian College; Haratch C. Gulbenkian
School; Apkarian School; Aksor Kassarjian School; Yeghishe Manoukian
College; Roupinian – Sahag Mesrobian School; Souren Khanamirian
College; Noubarian – Khrimian School; and Forty Martyrs School.
Seven Evangelical schools: Central High School; Gertmenian School;
Anjar Secondary School; Torosian School; Armenian Evangelical College;
Shamlian Tatigian School; and Trad School.
Six Catholic schools: Harboyan School; Mekhitarian School; Sisters
School of Anjar; Mesrobian College; St. Agnes School; and Hripsimiantz
College.
Three AGBU schools: Garmirian School; Tarouhy – Hovagimian School;
and Nazarian School.
Armenian Educational & Cultural Society (Hamazkayin) school: M &
H Arslanian College (Jemaran).
Tekeyan Cultural Association school: Vahan Tekeyan School.
Armenian Educational Benevolent Union school: Sahaguian –
L. Meguerditchian College.
“This unprecedented gift of $4.5 million should alleviate a large
part of the heavy financial burden of the schools shouldered by the
struggling Armenian community of Lebanon. Armenians worldwide should
lend a helping hand to this most vital community which has many other
needs. Few things are as important for the future of the Armenian
people as the education of the next generation. By supporting Armenian
schools, we are investing not just in the survival, but the revival
of Armenian culture,” Sassounian said.
Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $447 million of
humanitarian assistance to Armenia on board 140 airlifts and 1,359
sea containers.
The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America,
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Missionary Association
of America, Armenian Relief Society, Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America, Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and
The Lincy Foundation.
For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific
Avenue, Suite 301, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 2, 2006
Contact: Lerna Kayserian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA SPECIAL GUEST AT ANCA-WR BANQUET
-Federal, State, and Local Legislators to Attend Gala Event
-Community Leaders to be Honored for Lifetime Activism
Glendale, California – The Armenian National Committee of America –
Western Region (ANCA-WR) is pleased to announce the attendance of
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and a distinguished list
of elected officials at the ANCA-WR Annual Banquet on November 12,
2006 at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown, Los Angeles.
The 2006 Annual Banquet awards ceremony will be emceed by French
Armenian actor Simon Abkarian, who is starring in the next James Bond
movie “Casino Royal” to be released later this month.
Bob Collins, Chief Instructional Officer for Secondary Education
for the Los Angeles Unified School District, will receive the Man
of the Year Award for his leading role in implementing the Armenian
Genocide curriculum in the Los Angeles Unified School District and
providing human rights and genocide education to thousands of high
school students in Los Angeles.
ANCA-WR Activists Khajag Sarkissian and Serge Samoniantz will be
honored with the Vahan Cardashian Award for their years of hard work in
advancing the Armenian Cause. Vahan Cardashian, after whom the award
was named, was the pioneer for American Armenian political action
during the early twentieth century and founded the American Committee
for an Independent Armenia (ACIA), the predecessor to the ANCA.
Attendees of the 2006 Annual Banquet will enjoy the presence of Mayor
Villaraigosa, who will deliver special remarks during the evening’s
program.
Among other elected officials who have confirmed their attendance
are Congressman Adam Schiff, California State Assembly members Cindy
Montanez and Carol Liu, Los Angeles City Councilmember Alex Padilla,
Los Angeles Unified School Board Members Jon Lauritzen, Mike Lansing,
and Julie Korenstein, Glendale City Mayor Rafi Manoukian, Glendale
Unified School District Board member Greg Krikorian, Burbank Unified
School District Board member and Democratic candidate for the 43rd
California Assembly District Paul Krekorian, and retired California
Supreme Court Justice Armand Arabian.
Additional state and local officials will be announced shortly.
“The Annual Banquet will highlight the contributions made towards the
advancement of the Armenian cause throughout the year. We are excited
to honor those who have made 2006 a successful year for Hai Tahd,”
commented Banquet Chairwoman Aida Dimejian.
The ANCA-WR Annual Banquet will be held at the Downtown Marriott Hotel
located on 333 S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles, California. The banquet
will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and silent auction,
with the formal program beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the event
are almost sold out.
Community members should reserve their tickets immediately if they are
interested in attending this special event. For more information or
to reserve tickets, please call the ANCA-WR office at (818) 500-1918.
The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively
advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad
range of issues.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Armeni an Youth Federation- Western United States
104 North Belmont St.
Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 507-1933
[email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: November 1, 2006
Contact: Mary Ashdjian
(818) 507-1933
AYF PREPARES NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS
– Over 40 AYF Members Participate in Leadership Seminar Held by AYF
Central Executive
Los Angeles, California – The Armenian Youth Federation – Western
Region (AYF-WR) Central Executive held a successful leadership seminar
last weekend during which AYF leaders attended a series of lectures and
workshops designed to facilitate the development of effective leaders.
Important topics pertaining to leadership were covered by community
leaders who have contributed to the betterment of the AYF and
previously held leadership positions within the organization.
Educationals were conducted by Armenian National Committee –
Western Region Board member Raffi Hamparian, Glendale City Clerk
Ardashes Kassakhian, former AYF leader Mourad Topalian, Homenetmen
leader Nyree Derderian, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
Central Committee representative Aram Kaloustian, and ARF Badenegan
leader Vahe Manuelian. Public relations, recruitment, networking,
fundraising, women in leadership, strengthening Badanegan ties and
AYF Activism were among the topics addressed.
The seminar included an executive workshop, presented by the AYF-WR
Central Executive, during which he relayed the mission and goals of
the AYF and highlighted the importance of leadership roles.
“Participants of the seminar were extremely motivated after the
lectures and workshops. They pledged to take back what they learned
to their respective communities to guide and educate the Armenian
youth in accordance with the organization’s mission,” said AYF-WR
Central Executive Chairman Saro Shirinian.
The seminar was not only a time for listening, but also sharing
ideas. AYF leaders from across the Western Region of the United States
were able to share common problems in an open forum and discuss ways in
which to address them. This experience created a valuable opportunity
for members to learn from each other, build on the successes of one
another, and establish strong ties with the Central Executive.
“We thank the speakers who took the time to help educate the future
leaders of the organization. The seminar would not have been a success
without their knowledge and guidance,” said Central Executive Member
Caspar Jivalagian.
The AYF-WR vows to prepare the next generation of educated, capable
leaders to properly lead the organization in the decades to come.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pyunik starved of competition
by Khachik Chakhoyan
uefa.com 1998-2006.
Thursday, 2 November 2006
from Yerevan
While FC Pyunik celebrate winning a sixth straight
Armenian title, the state of club football outside
their native Yerevan is a cause for concern.
Strength in depth
This season’s triumph, their ninth in total, was never
in doubt for Pyunik. They had lost a number of players
from the side that prevailed in 2005, but still had
enough strength in depth to beat off competition from
the usual suspects at the top of the table – FC
Banants, FC MIKA and FC Ararat Yerevan.
Poor competition
There are no foreign players at Pyunik, save for
Russian-born Boris Melkonyan, and even he has played
for the Armenia Under-21s. However, although they have
plenty of local talent, their chances of competing
successfully in Europe have been hampered by the
weakness of Armenian domestic football.
Worrying sign
The club have bowed out in the first qualifying round
of the UEFA Champions League for three successive
seasons, and like many former Soviet Republics,
Armenia is struggling to do justice to its young
players. The Soviet regime held sport in high regard
and a number of Armenian players represented the USSR.
Since independence, though, investment in sport has
been cut dramatically and many teams are struggling to
survive.
Provincial decay
Only Pyunik and Banants have decent conditions for
training youngsters, although both MIKA and Ararat are
looking to up their efforts in this area. But out in
the provinces, a lack of facilities, finance and
infrastructure is hindering the development of junior
football. In the past, cities like Gyumri and Vanadzor
were seen as hotbeds of Armenian talent. Now, Gyumri’s
local outfit FC Shirak are stuck at the foot of the
standings while Vanadzor does not even have a
professional club any more.
Limited competition
The Football Federation of Armenia is trying, with
UEFA’s help, to improve youth soccer, but at the
moment things are pretty dire. Tellingly, five of the
sides in the second division are the reserve teams of
top-flight clubs, and only one – FC Lernayin Atrsakh –
showed any interest in winning promotion this term.
Slow progress
The talent still exists in Armenia. Edgar Manucharyan,
a star of the Armenia squad that reached the 2005 UEFA
European Under-19 Championship finals, is at AFC Ajax,
while another youngster – Zhora Hovhannisyan – is on
the books at Olympiacos CFP. Other prospects are
learning their trade with the leading local clubs, but
it may be a while before any Armenian team, even
Pyunik, have the muscle to hold their own in Europe.

PRESS RELEASE
Eurasia Foundation
4 Demirchyan Str., Yerevan 0019, Armenia
Contact: Alisa Alaverdyan
Tel/Fax: (374 10) 58-60-59
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Eurasia Foundation Promotes Strategic Social Investment Practices by
Armenia’s Businesses
Yerevan, Armenia – Over one hundred representatives of Armenia’s
business sector, government, civil society organizations and media will
convene on November 10 for a roundtable discussion on current social
investment practices in Armenia. The event marks the launch of Eurasia
Foundation’s (EF) program for the promotion of social investment in
Armenia. The program will build partnerships between civil society,
government and the private sector to more effectively leverage the
social investments of businesses in addressing the country’s social
problems.
At the roundtable, Gagik Sahakyan of Ameria Consulting Company will
present the results of their recent assessment of current social
investment practices among medium and large-sized businesses in
Armenia. Following the presentation of the report findings, Arsen
Ghazaryan, President of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen
of Armenia, and Marguerite Baker of Eurasia Foundation, will provide
overviews of the experiences of UMBA and EF in promoting corporate
social investment in Armenia and other NIS countries.
Most social investments made by businesses in Armenia are one-time
corporate donations rather than part of a longer-term investment
strategy. According to Ara Nazinyan, EF Country Director in Armenia,
“The business sector in Armenia needs to take more responsibility for
building strong communities in partnership with the government and
NGOs. Eurasia Foundation believes that by helping businesses develop
strategic approaches to corporate giving, the philanthropic activities
of Armenia’s businesses can result in positive, long-term changes.”
In contrast to traditional charity actions, social investment
incorporates the company’s mission, business plan, resources and
philanthropic interests to simultaneously benefit the community and
add value to the business. More information on EF’s strategy for
promoting social investment in Armenia as well as electronic versions
of Ameria’s recent assessment in both Armenian and English can be
found on EF Armenia’s website at

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:
THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA
BRINGS THE CHURCH TO PEOPLE
The religious education seminar for women resumed its sessions on
October 31 after a summer break.
Organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Christian Education
Department, this seminar primarily aims to provide Christian education
and a platform to discuss various moral issues to a large number of
Armenian women who chose to attend its weekly sessions on Tuesdays. The
seminar consists of a combination of lectures, presentations of the
Holy Bible, teaching of hymns and prayers.
A similar seminar, organized jointly by the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s
Christian Education Department and the Religious Council of the
Diocese of Lebanon, has now started in the St. Asdvadzadzine Church,
with weekly sessions scheduled every Thursday morning.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about
the jurisdiction and the Christian Education activities in both the
Catholicosate and the dioceses, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.