Month: March 2007

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ALTERNATIVE’S RALLY WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF POLICE AND CHILDREN
[09:00 pm] 23 March, 2007

The recurrent rally of the `Alternative’ Public-Political Initiative
was held with heated emotional exclamations and without any serious
incident. It is noteworthy that the participants of `Spring’ Juvenile
Festival occupied one side of Freedom Square and the leaders of
Alternative – the other.

The participants elbowed through the crowd and expressed their
regret. `The square is full of children otherwise we shall smash their
heads,’ they shouted. At about 5:00 p.m., the leaders of `Alternative’
assembled people in the corners of the square.

Nikol Pashinyan, one of the leaders, said they hold their rallies in
the square to show they are not afraid of anyone.

`It is characteristic of terrorist organizations to use children to
protect their skins from the enemies’, said Mr. Pashinyan.

Vahagn Khachatryan, member of Alternative, added that they don’t
disturb the children. They will assemble at the square to protect
their rights violated by higher institutions.

The participants circled at the square with the shouts, `Freedom’ and
`Impeachment’. Further on they headed to Republican Square. Nikol
Pashinyan called on the Armenians to be prudent and join their meeting
on March 30.

Panorama.am

18:35 23/03/2007

HRANUSH KHARATYAN ADVOCATES EVOLUTION AND REVOLUTION TO SYSTEM REFORM

`The aim of our combat is the same. We have different approaches and
methods,’ Hranush Kharatyan, national minorities and religion
department head affiliated to the government staff, said before a
debate with Vahagn Khachatryan, leader of Alternative
Movement. Kharatyan is going to combat elections in the proportional
list of National Democratic party, headed by Shavarsh Kocharyan.

In her words, both cases give priority to radical reform in the
political system. Vahagn Khachatryan said they approach is well known
to the public, which shapes around the idea of impeachment. `By the
way, the impeachment refers not only to Robert Kocharyan but the
acting political system,’ he said.

Hranush Kharatyan said she thinks about both evolution and revolution
methods of system reform. `I consider a revolution if the forces that
want to change the system win in the elections,’ Kharatyan said.

Speaking about the evolution approach, Kharatyan said the acting
authorities in power are also determined to make changes through
evolution. `However, that evolution approves those norms of life that
are unacceptable for our people,’ Kharatyan warned. She said under
this pace of evolution, those elements, that are full of positive
energy, will not stay in Armenia after 20 years.

Source: Panorama.am

Panorama.am

18:34 23/03/2007

RESEARCH CENTER HEAD WELCOMES STATE PROTECTION OF MONUMENTS

`This document has exclusive significance for the preservation of our
national values,’ Hakob Simonyan, head of research scientific center
of historical-cultural heritage, said speaking about the document
adopted by the Armenian government on March 15 in regards to cultural
monuments not subject to alienation.

`The state takes a huge portion of monuments under its
protection. Therefore, they cannot be voluntarily privatized,’ he
said.

Source: Panorama.am

Panorama.am

18:33 23/03/2007

DIRECTOR OF OBSERVATORY SAYS THE STAFF GETS INSUFFICIENT FUNDING

Haik Harutunyan, director of Biurakan observatory sadly remarked that
government delegations do not visit the site whereas in the past all
state and government delegations, which came to Armenia, by all means
made a tour in the observatory.

Harutunyan said the observatory has 100 employees but the state
releases funds only 73.5 positions. `You cannot attract an employee
with 20 000 Armenian drams in salary,’ the director mentioned.

To cover financial insufficiencies, the observatory is establishing
ties with foreign countries. It has links with France, Italy and
Russia and cooperation with Germany is now under
consideration. Harutunyan said a conference with European countries is
expected in August 20-25, this year, with the participation of
representatives from Iran, India, Japan, China and USA.

Source: Panorama.am

Panorama.am

18:26 20/03/2007

CITIZEN COMPLAINS AGAINST COOK OF PIZZA DI ROMA

A citizen complained against the cook of Pizza Di Roma located on
Khorenatsi Street. He said the salad he ordered had ingredients, which
were not mentioned in the menu. The person ordered `Armenia’ salad,
which had filtered matsun as part of its ingredients. The salad was,
in fact, dressed with simple matsun mixed with sour cream which was
sweet on taste. The waitress tried to explain that it was an original
approach.

The customer advises all citizens not to go to Pizza Di Roma on
Khorenatsi street until the owner gets rid of his `creative’ cook.

Source: Panorama.am

Panorama.am

20:06 23/03/2007

LUJKOV IMPRESSED BY CHANGES IN YEREVAN

President Robert Kocharyan received today Yuri Lujkov,
Moscow mayor and the delegation spearheaded by him.
The Russian delegation is in Yerevan to take part in
the opening ceremony of Moscow House. On March 24,
Yerevan Trade Center is going to open in Moscow,
another joint initiative of Yerevan and Moscow
municipalities.

Lujkov underscored the opening of Yerevan Trade Center
in Moscow, saying it will step up cooperation between
the two capitals. Moscow mayor also said he is
impressed by changes in Yerevan every time he visits
the Armenian capital.

Source: Panorama.am

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE AMBASSADOR OF GREECE

The newly appointed Ambassador of Greece to Lebanon, H.E. Panos
Kalogeropoulos paid his first official visit to His Holiness Aram I on March
22, briefly after assuming his new position.

The Pontiff and the Greek diplomat met for over an hour discussing the
local and regional political situation, as well as recent developments in
the international arena regarding the peace process in the Middle East.

The Catholicos and his guest also spoke about the centuries-old
relationship between the Armenian and Greek Orthodox Churches. They talked
about His Holiness’ Pontifical visit and his brotherly ties with Archbishop
Christodoulos, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. They also touched on
His Holiness’ lecture in the University of Athens, which Archbishop
Christodoulos had attended.

The Armenian Spiritual Leader grabbed the opportunity to explain to the
Greek Ambassador the structure of the Armenian Church, the Catholicosate of
Cilicia’s multi-faceted mission through its dioceses spread throughout the
world, as well as the inter-faith dialogue organized by the Catholicosate
through his personal efforts.

##
View the photo here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the 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.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:
View photos here:
seng.htm#4

PILGRIMAGE DAY IN ANTELIAS

THE GLORIOUS APPEAL OF THE HOLY RIGHT

As a consequence of the gradual geographical relocation of Armenians in
Lebanon, the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias came to be increasingly
surrounded by Armenian families particularly in the last few years. Several
Armenian neighborhoods became emptied of their inhabitants, who, moving to
apartments in Antelias and nearby regions, allowed others to take charge of
construction in their previous neighborhoods. The latter were often
restructured into companies and workplaces.

Nevertheless, this unfavourable relocation, which weakened the close and
attached family environment, also had a positive consequence: The
Headquarters of the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias
became surrounded by Armenians in its Lebanese homeland. The apartments on
the hills surrounded by the Catholicosate became heavily populated by
Armenians like thin yet vibrant veins in the heart of Armenians.

When the Catholicosate and its Holy See were permanently established in
the Antelias seaside in Lebanon in 1930, the newly built St. Gregory the
Illuminator Cathedral and the Catholicosate’s structures were, for a long
time, the only high buildings visible among the orange trees.

Thus, being far from the Armenian-populated areas by the standards of the
time, the Cathedral was absent of large numbers of believers during its
Sunday Holy liturgies. Only Armenians living in nearby villages were able to
attend, while large crowds filled the Cathedral and its surrounding orange
fields merely on Holidays. Today, however, the Cathedral and its
surroundings are filled every Sunday with the faithful, who participate in
the Holy Liturgy.

Among those holidays, the Catholicosate’s "Pilgrimage Day", celebrated for
the first time on 22 March 1931 during the tenure of the late Catholicos
Sahag II Khabayian, still has unique importance. The naming of the
Catholicosate’s Cathedral after Saint Gregory the Illuminator provided the
opportunity for Armenians to come in large numbers to Antelias for
pilgrimage once a year.

However, they were not to dedicate that pilgrimage to the earth, water or
air, but to a much more valuable asset, the holiest relic of the Armenian
Church, the Blessed Right Hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator. This relic
signifies the glory and sacredness of the Armenian Church. It was kept in a
special chapel in the Saint Sophia Cathedral in the Cilician capital of Sis,
named after Saint Gregory and preserved by the Atchabahian family.

The reports and accounts of the Antelias "Pilgrimage Day" published in the
Armenian newspapers and magazines during the last 70 years portray emotional
pictures. Considering the difficulties in transport means during those days
when the Antelias Cathedral seemed far from the Armenian-populated areas and
civic center, old men and women, young people and teens would take the train
to Antelias starting in the early morning hours. Others with special vows in
their hearts would walk bare feet to Antelias to kiss the Holy Right Hand of
Saint Gregory. The pilgrims would spend the entire day in the Antelias, on
the seaside or in the fields surrounding the Cathedral, have lunch at the
banks of the Ain Nabi fountain and return home with cheers on the last train
back.

The founder of the "Pilgrimage Day", the late Pontiff Sahag II also made
provisions for a solemn procession during which all the Catholicosate’s holy
relics- the Right Hands of Saint Nicolas, Saint Seghpesdros and the Saint
Barsam Hermit, a piece of the Wood of Life (Holy Cross), the relics of Saint
Vosgeperan and Saint Hagop of Misibin and others- would be brought out to
provide spiritual satisfaction to believers.

Brought from the Catholicosate’s former headquarters in Sis to its new
home in Antelias on the back of mules and with great sacrifice, the Right
Hand relic of the Armenian Church’s Patron Saint floats, during the
"Pilgrimage Day", on the waves of believers, firmly held in the hands of the
Catholicos.

The gold-coated relic is brought out of the Cathedral with the Procession,
attracting all eyes with its glorious mysteriousness while the Pontiff, a
descendent of Saint Gregory and a worthy heir to his throne, blesses
believers with it. Colorful handkerchiefs, women’s headscarves and various
other cloths in the hands of believers try to reach out to the victorious
Right Hand to receive and share its blessing with a sick person, someone
suffering in a hospital or those who could not attend the service.

Respect towards this holy tradition of the Catholicosate of Cilicia grew
even further, when, on several unfortunate occasions in history dark hands
abducted the Holy relic with the false perception they were rendering the
Armenian Church and the its Holy See illegitimate.

However, who could have hidden this God-given sanctity of the Armenian
nation? One could only bow, pray and beg for forgiveness before its
pontifical appeal. It was this appeal that made the Holy Right Hand reappear
and today the eyes of our nation’s children are fixated on it, for who can
block light or look directly into the sun without having shy eyelids? The
holy relic’s pontifical appeal renders us modest, teaches us to bow before
God-given sanctities and advises us to pray both for acquaintances and
foreigners.

Saint Gregory the Illuminator is not a mere name in the pages of the
Armenian Church’s history. Our Church’s and nation’s Patron Saint of all
times- past and future- Saint Gregory will continue guiding the Armenian
Church and nation with his Right Hand’s mysterious glory. This glory’s
strength touches the hearts of all those believers who kiss it, who often
water its gold cover with the tears bursting from their faith rooted in
Saint Gregory.

Following His Holiness Aram I’s decision, our people will, from now on,
permanently be able to enjoy the presence of the sacred relic in the
Cathedral in Antelias. The Holy Relic will be placed in the glass box built
specially for it on the Holy Trinity altar of the Cathedral. In addition to
their annual visit to the Saint’s Right Hand, believers will now be able to
kiss the Saint’s Relic every day, presenting their wishes to the
much-suffered Pontiff.

This year our meeting with the Right Hand during "Pilgrimage Day" will be
historical and will thus present a double opportunity for spiritual renewal,
when the Relic of St. Gregory is publicly placed in its permanent resting
place by His Holiness Aram I. This, however, will in no way lessen the Right
Hand’s mysterious glory, which will bring us closer to each other as
children of one nation belonging to one Church during "Pilgrimage Day" every
year.

V. REV. FR. KRIKOR CHIFTJIAN

Armenian and Turkish musicians will sing a song about Hrant Dink in Istanbul

24.03.2007 14:36
Alisa Gevorgyan
"Radiolur"

The assassination of Hrant Dink that shook the whole world could not
leave indifferent the carriers of the same ideology, moreover, his
friends including Arto Tunjboyajian.

Currently Turkish composer and singer Yasar Kurt is on a stay in
Armenia. This is the musician’s first visit to Armenia and he sees a
unique mission in it. Arto Tunjboyajian and Yasar Kurt are working on
a CD dedicated to the memory of their friend Hrant Dink.

Yasar Kurt was born in 1968 in Turkey. He started his professional
musical career in 1990s, recording 3 CDs. In his songs Yasar struggles
against wars and violence.

What unified the two Armenian and Turkish musicians was that like Dink
they both stand against hatred, intolerance and revenge. Arto and
Yasar were united also by the idea that the humanity sharing these
values should be united, since life belongs to all and enemies will
bring only losses and sorrow. As a result of this initiative a group
consisting of several famous Armenian and Turkish musicians was born,
which is called `Yas Ar’ ` an abbreviation from Arto and Yasar. When
translated, it means `living.’

The group will record a CD, later a video clip will be shot on one of
the songs. `However, this is only the start,’ the musicians
say. `This work will be continuous and will turn into a large project
unifying thousands of associates.’

`I have not written anything new about Hrant. I have written about the
life of a boy grown up in the children’s home. I have written that he
was born in the children’s home and met his spouse there. I’ve written
that he was struggling for humanity, was a true and fair man and was a
good example for us. The song says: `We are all Hrant, we are people,
and we are against hatred.’ I will invite all Turkish leaders to this
concert. Currently I’m working on that project: I want to collect more
than a million people in Istanbul and say that we stand against
hatred,’ Arto says.

`He is a pure man whom I have known for 3-4 months only,’ Arto says,
when presenting his Turkish colleague. In his heart of hearts Arto is
confident that Yasar is of Armenian origin and his predecessors were
Armenians fighting in the mountains. He tries to find similarities
even in his features. No matter Armenian or Turk, Yasar is a person
who will perform in Istanbul with this song dedicated to Hrant Dink,
for which he could have reasons to fear. `Why should we be afraid? If
we fear Hrant will die, he lives in our speeches,’ says Arto and adds:
`He is not afraid; to be more exact he does not want to be
afraid. Yasar says he will stand behind any fair and good initiative.’

Naturally, it was impossible to escape the topic of Genocide. Like
many young people in his country, Yasar does not know much about
it. Those in Turkey do not speak about it. `We do not learn much about
it, because we are not allowed to. But now I’m learning some things,
now there is a genocide happening inside me. I want to understand my
identity, but I can’t find it,’ said the Turkish musician.

`There are millions of young people in Turkey who do not know their
identity. The call of blood makes them do things which are
unacceptable to them. I’m sure Yasar is of Armenian origin: look at
his skull, the expression of his eyes. Unfortunately, their families
do not speak about their origin and history, because they will be
killed if they are heard.’ Sayd Arto.

Instead of the words `We are all Hrant, We are all Armenian,’ Arto and
Yasar will sing: `We are all Hrant, we are the man every bullet
against whom is a bullet against all of us.’ `The bullet against Hrant
Dink has not killed him, only we can kill Hrant with our silence,’
this is how both Arto Tunjboyajian and Yasar Kurt think.

Conference on Free and Fair Elections as a Cornerstone of Democracy to be
held in Yerevan

ArmRadio.am
24.03.2007 11:38

The prerequisites for a democratic and transparent electoral process
in the light of the European standards will be discussed in Yerevan on
27 March by political parties, Armenian authorities, mass media and
civil society at the conference entitled "Free and Fair Elections as a
Cornerstone of Democracy". The event is organized by the Council of
Europe and aims to contribute to constructive political dialogue on
free and fair elections by bringing together all relevant
stakeholders.

The Conference will be chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly
of Armenia, Mr. Tigran Torosyan. Mr. Andres Herkel, Member of the
Estonian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe, Ms Karin Nordmeyer, Member of Council of Europe’s Liaison
Committee of INGO Conference and Mr. Manuel Lucbert, Former Secretary
General of `Le Monde’ will be among the conference speakers. Important
interventions will be made by Mr. Armen Baibourtian, Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Ms Heike Renate Peitsch, the EU Presidency,
Ambassador of Germany, Mr. Marc Bojanic, Deputy Head of OSCE Office in
Yerevan and other participants. The opening address and concluding
remarks will be delivered by Ms. Bojana Urumova, Special
Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.