Month: April 2007

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

April 10, 2007
___________________

EASTER CROWD FILLS CATHEDRAL WITH JOYFUL CELEBRATION

By Jake Goshert

One by one, Bella Tashchian lifted her daughters up to take communion.
First was 4-year-old Anahid, followed by Zaruhi, age 3.

"It’s so natural for us to be in church, especially on Easter," said their
father, Hratch Tashchian. "They’re too young to really understand the
mystery of what’s going on – but it is important for us to be here. They’ll
learn as they grow."

The Tashchian family was one of the hundreds that filled New York City’s St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral during the culmination of Holy Week – the Easter
celebrations on Sunday, April 8, 2007.

FOCUS ON FAMILY

In his message to the approximately 1,300 faithful that crowded the
Cathedral and plaza, the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
spoke of the importance of serving as role models for the next generation.

"I want each one of you to focus on the importance of the family," the
Primate said. "Teach your children to pray. But in order for them to
learn, you their parents have to pray. Teach them to love. But in order
form them to love, you their parents have to demonstrate love."

He urged every family to schedule a Home Blessing service. During this
ancient traditional service, Armenian clergy visit the homes of faithful
where they bless bread, water and salt — three fundamental elements that
are essential life-giving gifts for human existence. The service,
traditionally undertaken at Christmas and Eastertide, also includes prayer
involving the family.

"Let your children see the priests singing hymns in your Armenian home and
let the children experience God’s presence in their home," the Primate said.
"Make your home a Christ-centered home. Ensure there is prayer and that
traditions are kept, but more importantly, live your own lives in a
Christ-centered way. Inspire your children to be good Armenian Christians
and serve as role models."

POWER OF FAITH

Also during his remarks to the gathered faithful, the Primate spoke about
the power of faith by highlighting the story of one survivor of the 1990s
Rwandan genocide. He spoke of reading "Left to Tell," the autobiographical
story of Immaculée Ilibagiza and how she survived the bloody Rwandan
genocide in 1994 which claimed the lives of nearly one million ethnic
minorities.

A devout Catholic, she survived along with seven other women by quietly
hiding in a small bathroom, no longer than 3 feet long and 4 feet high.
During her torturous ordeal, she came to forgive those hunting her fellow
Tutsi countrymen, noting that if she truly loved God, she would love her
neighbors as herself, even if they were responsible for the murder of her
own family.

"Hers is an incredible story. You see she knows who Christ is because she’s
able to experience Christ’s presence in her life," the Primate said. "You
can see she even knows how to forgive the people who killed her parents and
brothers. There is God’s creative power in her. There is a power in each
of us as children of God. Our responsibility is to teach our children and
recognize how important home and family are.

"Indeed Immaculée received her foundation at home, in her Christian home.
She was able to endure and survive and continue her life with the foundation
she received at home," the Primate concluded.

CELEBRATION OF RENEWAL

Following the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral, Archbishop Barsamian led a
processional out to the Cathedral plaza. As the crowd of faithful
surrounded him, he conducted a Home Blessing service.

That was followed by the traditional Release of Doves ceremony, which has
long been a fixture of the Cathedral’s Easter celebrations. During the
ceremony, 12 white doves are released symbolizing Christ’s sending of his 12
Apostles to nations around the globe — including Armenia — to preach the
Gospel. Armenia, under King Tiradates the Great, was the first nation to
adopt Christianity as the official state religion – more than a decade
before Emperor Constantine did so with the Roman Empire.

Serving as this year’s godmother of the ceremony was Bobbye Acopian. Mrs.
Acopian, the wife of the late inventor and philanthropist Sarkis Acopian,
gathered with children and grandchildren to release the doves in memory of
her husband, a life-long friend and benefactor of the Armenian Church and
American charities.

"We are pleased Mrs. Bobbye Acopian and her family joined us today for this
joyous celebration," the Primate said. "For it is Easter, indeed, which
reminds us of God’s promise of eternal life in His Heavenly Kingdom. And
through His love we will be reunited with our loved ones once again. This
is this rejuvenating spirit that fills us during Easter."

— 4/10/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Bella Tashchian lifts her daughter Anahid up to receive
communion during Easter Sunday services in New York City’s St. Vartan
Cathedral on April 8, 2007.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), addresses hundreds of faithful and
families who filled St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City for badarak on
Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Children peak around the corner in New York City’s St.
Vartan Cathedral to watch the celebration of the Divine Liturgy during a
packed service on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007. (photo by Tony Savino)

PHOTO CAPTION (4): The faithful kiss the Archbishop Barsamian’s hand cross
as he leads a procession through St. Vartan Cathedral during Easter Sunday,
April 8, 2007. (photo by Tony Savino)

PHOTO CAPTION (5): Flanked by Bobbye Acopian and her children and
grandchildren, Archbishop Barsamian performs a Home Blessing service on the
St. Vartan Cathedral plaza following Easter Sunday services on April 8,
2007. (photo by Tony Savino)

PHOTO CAPTION (6): On Easter, the Primate releases one of 12 doves as part
of the traditional ceremony representing Christ sending his 12 Apostles out
into the world. (photo by Tony Savino)

PHOTO CAPTION (7): After a brief flight, one of the 12 doves released
following Easter services at St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City, perches
on the shoulder of Archbishop Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese.
(photo by Tony Savino)

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

April 10, 2007
___________________

ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL CELEBRATES HOLY WEEK WITH SEVERAL SPECIAL
SERVICES

By Jake Goshert

New York City’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral observed Holy Week, April 1
through 8, with a series of special services, culminating in the Easter
Sunday Diving Liturgy.

One of the key components of Holy Week was the "Washing of the Feet"
ceremony on Holy Thursday, April 6, 2007. During this ancient service, His
Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), took part in the ancient tradition of the
bishop washing the feet of twelve individuals, repeating the Gospel story of
Christ doing the same for his Apostles as a demonstration of servant
leadership.

This year, the 12 whose feet were washed by the Archbishop were comprised of
pairs of fathers and sons, and grandfathers and grandsons.

"For our faith, traditions and culture to continue, we need to propel them
through to the next generation," the Primate said. "We need to live the
lives of role models for our children. And that is why it is wonderful to
see these fathers and grandfathers not just taking part in this symbolic
ceremony, but taking part in it with their sons and grandsons."

Those who took part in the service were Ara Nishan Araz and his son Ara Berj
Araz, Edward Chapian and his grandson Edward Demaria, David Kasparian and
his son Ara Kasparian, Gregory Manuelian and his son Gregory Manuelian,
Garegin Manukyan and his son Robert Manukyan, and Eddik Martirosyan and his
grandson Nicholas Arakelian.

"As a father and son, it was very important that we take part," Gregory
Manuelian said of taking part in the service with his son. "It was very
important for me that I share this with my son, so he could see what it was
about."

For 6-year-old Gregory Manuelian, taking part in the service with his father
is definitely something he will remember.

"I had a lot of fun. I really liked getting my feet washed, even though it
was kind of cold," he said.

For another of the young participants, Ed Demaria, the service was also very
exciting. And the best part was who he got to be with.

"I’ve done it before at Holy Martyrs in Bayside, but it was great to be up
there with my grandfather," said Demaria, a boy scout who has his St.
Gregory Medal and is working toward the Ararat Medal. "He’s my namesake and
it was great to share this with my grandfather."

WEEK OF CELEBRATION

Holy Week at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral began on Palm Sunday, April 1,
2007, with a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of the
Cathedral, followed by a Turun-Patzek or "Door-Opening" Service

Holy Thursday included a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Sahag Kaishian.
The morning service was a commemoration of the Last Supper. Thursday evening
included a vigil service marking Christ’s betrayal.

On Holy Friday, April 6, at noon was the Order of the Crucifixion of Christ.
The Order of the Entombment of the Lord, or Taghoom Service, was conducted
later that evening.

Students took center stage on Holy Saturday, April 7, when the Divine
Liturgy was sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Youth Choir, under the
direction of Maro Partamian. The St. Choir is made up of students from the
Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum, and Diocesan Armenian Schools from the New York
and New Jersey area. Students of the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum also provided
the Scripture readings.

Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy before a crowd of around
1,300 faithful on Easter Sunday. The St. Vartan Cathedral Choirs sang the
Divine Liturgy that day, under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian,
with organist Florence Avakian.

— 4/9/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, washes the feet of
Ara Berj Araz as his father, Ara Nishan Araz, looks on, during the Holy
Thursday celebrations at St. Vartan Cathedral on Thursday, April 5, 2007.
(photo by Tony Savino)

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Edward Demaria kisses the hand of Archbishop Barsamian
during the "Washing of the Feet" ceremony on Thursday, April 5, 2007, as his
grandfather, Edward Chapian, looks on. (photo by Tony Savino)

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), is joined by six pairs of
grandfathers and grandsons and fathers and sons who took part in the Holy
Thursday "Washing of the Feet" ceremony in New York City’s St. Vartan
Cathedral on April 5, 2007.

Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933

PRESS RELEASE ~ April 3, 2007
Contact: Mikael Garabedian

Armenian Youth Federation to Commemorate the Armenian Genocide and
Remember Journalist Hrant Dink

WATERTOWN, MA – On April 21, 2007 hundreds of youth will gather at
Union Square in New York for a vigil/protest sponsored by the Armenian
Youth Federation (AYF) Eastern Region. The event will commemorate the
Armenian Genocide perpetrated at the hands of the Ottoman Empire’s
Young Turk government, where 1.5 million Armenians were systematically
killed between 1915 and 1923.

The event will also honor the memory of Hrant Dink, an Armenian
journalist in Turkey. Dink, the editor of the Turkish Armenian
newspaper, Agos, was put on trial three times in Turkey under section
301 of the Turkish Penal Code for, `Insulting Turkishness,’ because of
his articles dealing with the Armenian Genocide. On January 19th he
was brutally murdered outside of his office in Istanbul. Through the
event’s theme `1.5 Million +1,’ the organization considers him the
newest victim of the Turkish government’s continued genocide denial
and persecution of its Armenian minorities.

This event will draw youth and community members from cities all over
the east coast including Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Providence,
and Detroit. The schedule, running from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, will
consist of solemn protests, speakers on the life of Hrant Dink, and a
candle lit vigil in the evening.

`The main purpose of the event is not only to commemorate and remember
those that have perished at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish
government, but also to increase awareness of these historical events,
as the current Turkish government denies the historical and well
documented facts of the Armenian Genocide and prosecutes all those who
speak of it within Turkey as criminals,’ said Mikael Garabedian of the
Central Hai Tahd Council. `The current Turkish government also has an
illegal blockade on its border with Armenia designed to isolate
Armenia and attempt to choke Armenia economically.’

For more information, visit or contact Mikael Garabedian
at [email protected] or by phone at 610.724.5327.

HETQonline
An Apple of Discord Beneath Hankavan
April 9, 2007

We have reported recently that the Minister of Nature Protection has given
several deposits with total mineral resource content of about 3 billion tons
to members of his own family and is now trying to sell them off (See Vardan
Ayvazyan’s Business Project). To compare, the approved mineral reserves of
the Kajaran mine, which is the largest Armenian deposit, make up 450 million
tons. The Kajaran mine was sold through an international tender at a price
of $US 120 million.
Minister of Nature Protection Vardan Ayvazyan has a special fondness for
Armenia’s gold deposits. This attitude was especially clear on December 19,
2005, when he issued seven geological exploration licenses simultaneously to
Interior Ltd established by his assistant, Tigran Krmoyan. Krmoyan was the
minister’s aid until October 6, 2006. Currently he manages the Ayvazyan’s
mineral and non-mineral resources, including his real estate business.
Interior Ltd is unique among companies granted license for geological
investigation. The licenses for all seven sites were granted to Interior Ltd
on the same day; i.e. there was no desire at all to issue licenses on
different dates. The license agreements were signed the next day, December
20, 2005.
All seven licenses for geological exploration were granted to Interior Ltd
until September 30, 2008
Organization Location, Type and term of the license Registration
addressFounders and their addresses
Interior Ltd. Kotayk Marz, License for exploring the Hankavan Ore Field,
Batsat Lich site, December 19, 2005-September 30, 2008Yerevan,
54 Komitas Street Ibraruri Atenesyan, Armen Bunatyan, Tigran Krmoyan
(assistant to the minister of Nature Protection).
Interior Ltd. Kotayk Marz, License for exploring the Hankavan Ore Field,
Sarnakhbyour site.¨¨¨¨¨ ¨¨¨¨¨
Interior Ltd. Kotayk Marz, License for exploring the Hankavan Ore Field,
Tsits Kar site.¨¨¨¨¨ ¨¨¨¨¨
Interior Ltd. Kotayk Marz, License for exploring the Hankavan Ore Field, Aya
Pavle site.¨¨¨¨¨ ¨¨¨¨¨
Nagin, Ltd. Kotayk Marz, License for exploring the Megradzor Ore Field, Zar
site.¨¨¨¨¨ ¨¨¨¨¨
Interior Ltd. Kotayk Marz, License for exploring the Megradzor Ore Field,
Arjasar site.¨¨¨¨¨ ¨¨¨¨¨
Interior Ltd. Kotayk Marz, License for exploring the Megradzor Ore Field,
Nor site. ¨¨¨¨¨ ¨¨¨¨¨

It is interesting to note that SHA Ltd had already been granted the right to
geological exploration of the areas adjoining the village of Hankavan in the
Kotayk Marz on December 19, 2005 when Interior Ltd was granted the seven
licenses for geological exploration of the same area, although the law
prohibits issuance of double licenses for the same area. SHA Ltd was bought
by the American Global Gold Corporation, which means that the international
treaty on mutual protection of investments signed between Armenia and the US
is applicable in respect to SHA Ltd.
This American company has made investments and conducted exploration at
those sites since 2004. i.e. for three years. Meanwhile Interior Ltd, which
actually belongs to the Minister, neither conducts nor is going to conduct
any works at those sites, as it hasn’t incurred any required mobilization
expenses based on the data of tax authorities.
Minister Ayvazyan has declared many times that Global Gold Corporation
hasn’t conducted any work and therefore he has terminated that company’s
license. However, Global Gold Mining has made substantial investments in the
exploration of those sites according to the data of the same tax
authorities, bringing in competent foreign companies to assist in the work.
The minister made no reference to the lack of work by companies that he
owns, including Interior Ltd.
One of our sources in the Ministry of Nature Protection informed us that
Ayvazyan is currently negotiating with one of the foreign companies
operating in Georgia to sell the mines granted to Interior Ltd. The price
set by the minister is in the tens of millions this time.
It’s difficult to say whether making these facts public will change anything
in this sector. But it is well known that Global Gold Corporation has
brought an action against the Government of the Republic of Armenia in the
World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, for
granting its licenses to other companies and on other grounds, as provided
for by the international treaty signed between the two countries. It is
clear that the Republic of Armenia is in a difficult position, but Vardan
Ayvazyan will not be the loser.
To be continued.
Edik Baghdasaryan

HETQonline
They Either Don’t Know about Us, or Don’t Want to Know
April 9, 2007
.html
For people residing at 127/2 Gurgen Mahari Street (the former vocational
culinary school in Vardashen) extreme poverty is all the future offers.
According to Harutyun Sargsyan, a department head at the Erebuni district
administration, there are many people like this in their community.
77-year-old Harutyun Harutyunyan and his wife Shushik live in the kitchen of
the former cooking school. When they go to bed they cover themselves with
plastic bags to protect against the rainwater that drips through the
ceiling. Their possessions consist of what they have been able to gather on
the streets, since their apartment was robbed several years ago and all
their bedding and kitchenware were stolen. There is no running water or
bathroom facilities here. The elderly couple walk on a bare concrete floor
and sleep with their clothes on.

Shushik is blind and bedridden and thus unable to do housework. Twice a
week, every Monday and Wednesday, her husband gets two packets of sour cream
and two hot dogs from a nearby soup kitchen. On other days their menu
consists of boiled potatoes and bread. But their greatest cause of sorrow
and concern is their 35-year-old son Artur’s worsening disability. Over the
last years Artur has lost all movement in his legs. The couple hasn’t
received social allowances for several years now. "What do I know? One day
they told me that I was not entitled to it and they stopped paying,"
Harutyun Harutyunyan said hopelessly.
We were informed by the territorial department of the Erebuni district
social services that they were no longer eligible for government aid because
of the recent increase in their pensions – the husband’s pension is 14,551
drams (about $39) and the wife’s is 9,441 drams (about $25) per month.
Department head Siranuysh Poghosyan noted that there were 3,462 aid
recipients in the Erebuni district and many pensioners had been stricken
from the lists when their pensions increased by a few hundreds of drams. It
is more advantageous for the state to show higher pensions than more aid
recipients.
"If the people in need are left off the lists we try to help them by other
means. In many cases, for example, by decisions of the community assistance
council, once every three months we render them assistance in the form of
money or foodstuff. But we do not know about them unless they themselves
come here," Siranuysh Poghosyan said. It is not customary in Armenia for
social workers to go out looking for these people. If they don’t come in
themselves, it’s as if they don’t exist.
The worst problem for the residents of 127/2 Gurgen Mahari Street is the
miserable state of their housing. Harutyun Sargsyan of the Erebuni District
Administration notes that this is all that is available; the community has
no vacant housing resources. "The condominium associations are supposed to
deal with the improvement of the living conditions in the apartment
buildings but often they are unable to do it because of a lack of resources.
In these cases the district administration assists them. I don’t know what
the conditions are like in that particular building is but I assure you that
there are many buildings in an emergency situation in our community,"
Sargsyan said.

"We have written dozens of applications asking them to come and take a look
but they don’t come because they are not interested. If they were they would
have come and found out that our building is in critical condition. And, in
general, they either don’t know about us or don’t want to know," said Hasmik
Daveyan, a resident of #127/2 Gurgen Mahari Street says.
The floor of Hasmik Daveyan’s apartment is being destroyed by the damp. Her
nine-year-old daughter, Ani, attends Boarding School #11, a special school
in Sovetashen. When she was little Ani suffered a head injury and has
difficulties reading and writing. "I have to bring her home on weekends but
I don’t know how to keep her. There is no place to sleep here," Hasmik said.

All Hasmik’s neighbor Ruzanna owns is some bedding she found on the street
and the old clothes that serve pillows and blankets. She works as a cleaner
at the Gum market. Her old house burnt down and she found herself in a
dilapidated room on the top floor of 127/2 Gurgen Mahari Street, a room she
doesn’t even own. Her main concern is that her two sons are going to
graduate from the Sovetashen boarding school and will then be homeless. She
placed her five-year-old daughter in the children’s home in Gavar.

Christine Khachatryan was forced to send her eight-year-old son, Movses, to
the boarding school, too.
The mother is worried that after spending a few years in the school for
mentally disabled children her son will fall behind his peers. But she has
no other choice.
"I know that at least he is not hungry at the school and has a place to
sleep," Christine explained.
In this building, people send their children away to a school for the
disabled so they can have something to eat each day and a place to sleep.
The elderly live on a hundred grams of sour cream and two pieces of bread
from a soup kitchen. Their floors are bare and cold, and their walls are
damp and covered with mold.
Lena Nazaryan

HETQonline
A Successful Businessman and a Not-So-Successful Businessman Fight over the
Noy Trademark
ml
April 9, 2007

The Bjni Mineral Water Plant, owned by businessman and parliament member
Khachatur Sukiasyan, has produced Noy spring water since 1999, and in 2000
the Intellectual Property Agency (IPA) of Armenia registered its trademark
for producing mineral water in accordance with Class 32 of the International
Classification of Goods and Services (ICGS) . Before that, in November 1998,
Gagik Sargsyan, president of the Firma Noy Cooperative, registered the Noy
trademark with the Patent Department and on March 23, 2000 the IPA
registered his property right to the Firma Noy combined trademark. In order
to start production he was awarded a number of ICGS classes including Class
32, under which, according to the president of Firma Noy Cooperative, he
produced syrup.
On March 24, 2005 Bjni Mineral Water Plant, cjsc informed the Intellectual
Property Agency that the Noy trademark had been registered for five years
and since the trademark proprietor hadn’t used it continuously for five
years it asked the agency to suspend the usage of the trademark for combined
production under the name Firma Noy because of disuse.
In a July 8, 2005 decision, the Board of Appeal of the IPA complied in part
with the request of the Bjni Mineral Water Plant and prematurely terminated
the effectiveness of the registration (certificate #4,971) of the combined
trademark given to Firma Noy in accordance with ICGS Classes 16, 21, 22, 29,
30, 32, 33 and 35. The Board of Appeal of the IPA stated that Firma Noy had
presented as an argument only a lottery ticket which proved only the usage
of goods under Class 41 and could not be considered proof for using goods
under other classes. The Board of Appeal revoked nine classifications from
Firma Noy allowing it to use only class 41.
On February 1, 2006, the Intellectual Property Agency registered the
property rights of the Bjni Mineral Water Plant to the Noy trademark in
accordance with seven ICGS classes – 16, 21, 22, 29, 30, 32, 35. By allowing
Firma Noy to use class 41 the agency acknowledged that Firma Noy did operate
under at least one class and allowed it to use the name Noy. Firma Noy was
granted the trademark for a period of ten years up to November 12, 2008
after which the term can be extended if the owner continues to operate.
"The argument by Bjni Mineral Water Plant that we haven’t used the trademark
for five years does not correspond to reality since we used it under all
classes. I have a stamp with the imprint of the Noy trademark, we have
operated in a variety of ways – we issued lottery tickets, and engaged in
advertising and publishing activity using the trademark," said Firma Noy’s
director. According to Gagik Sargsyan, they had been producing syrup under
Class 32 but later on halted the production to improve the quality of the
syrup. He showed us samples of plastic bottles that they produced in 2002.
When asked why he didn’t complain five years ago when Bjni was producing
spring water under the trademark with the same Class 32, Gagik Sargsyan
responded: "I was not concerned about the usage of my trademark because I
knew that the production of Bjni was not licensed and my property right to
the trademark was protected by the law."

Disputing the decision to revoke the classes of goods, Firma Noy brought an
action against the Intellectual Property Agency in the Economic Court on
January 8, 2006 requesting that the July 8, 2005 decision by the IPA Board
of Appeal on the Bjni Mineral Plant be reversed. "If we used the trademark
just once over the last five years it means we’ve been using it," Sargsyan
maintained. His lawyer, Vardan Safaryan, believes that the decision by the
Board of Appeal was adopted with violations of the law and the by-laws of
the Board.
The lawyer insists that the trademark owner used it many times – producing
syrup, advertising on TV and through other means. He also used the trademark
on labels of the goods he produced. In particular, in 2001 the Firma Noy
president was granted by the Ministry of Finance and Economy a license to
produce all kinds of foodstuffs. He was also granted by the Ministry of
Justice a license for printing. "We presented the IPA with all this but they
didn’t consider it," Sargsyan said.
Bjni, cjsc argued in the court that apart from the lottery tickets Sargsyan
had not present to the Board of Appeal any other proof, that the bottles had
been presented without labels and did not show that he produced any goods
using these bottles and sold them in stores. The agency shares this opinion:
"The plastic bottle alone cannot be viewed as valid proof of using the
trademark." It concerned also other types of activity – advertisement,
printing, etc.
"He only used one class of goods or services – organization of a lottery –
and I didn’t appeal in connection with that. He doesn’t use other classes
but wants to keep them for himself and prevent others from using them. After
all, the law sets the five-year term for using the trademark to exclude any
unfair competition. If Gagik Sargsyan had an intention to have a place in
the market he would have done that between 1998 and 2005," said the
executive director of the Bjni Mineral Water Plant, Sayad Hovhanisyan said.
Today Noy is one of the fifteen best-known trademarks in our country. The
Bjni Mineral Water Plant has used the name Noy since 1999 – producing Noy
spring water under the Class 32 granted to it only for the spring water.
Grand Tobacco Company produces Noy cigarettes under Class 34. Class 33
envisaged for alcoholic beverages is used by the Yerevan Wine and Cognac
Factory whose owner, parliament member Gagik Tsarukyan, produces cognac
under the name Noy. Sayad Hovhannisyan of the Bjni plant believes that none
of these companies have contributed to making the Noy trademark as well
known as his company did. "In 2004 we appealed to the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO) for an international registration to be able to
operate all over the world. We can use the trademark on the grounds of being
well known and make Firma Noy’s registration invalid. We have this right
under Article 6 Bis of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial
Property of December 25, 1991, which states: ‘The countries of the Union
undertake, ex officio if their legislation so permits, or at the request of
an interested party, to refuse or to cancel the registration, and to
prohibit the use, of a trademark which constitutes a reproduction, an
imitation, or a translation, liable to create confusion, of a mark
considered by the competent authority of the country of registration or use
to be well known in that country as being already the mark of a person
entitled to the benefits of this Convention and used for identical or
similar goods. These provisions shall also apply when the essential part of
the mark constitutes a reproduction of any such well-known mark or an
imitation liable to create confusion therewith,’" Sayad Hovhannisyan
explained.
The Noy trademark has been well known in Armenia since 2000 but the IPA
registered this fact in January 2006. The significance of being well known
is that the law doesn’t set a term for using such a type of the trademark
and besides it is protected from unfair competition. We learned from the
Intellectual Property Agency that in 2006 usage of 24 trademarks was
terminated prematurely and another 15 trademark owners terminated their
usage voluntarily since they registered the trademarks but hadn’t used them
continuously for three years as required by the law. The agency has
submitted amendments to the existing legislation to the National Assembly to
replace the 3-year-term for terminating prematurely the trademark for not
being used with a 5-year-term as in other countries. The agency maintains
that registering and later on selling a trademark has not become a business
activity in Armenia yet though there have been such cases.
Sara Petrosyan

Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Lisa Kalustian, Chief Deputy Director
300 South Spring Street, Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213)897-0322
FAX (213)897-0319

PROCLAMATION
04/06/2007
April 22nd – April 29th, 2007, as "Days of Remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide"
PROCLAMATION
by the
Governor of the State of California
Between the years 1915 and 1923, during the chaos of World War I, over one
million Armenian men, women and children living within the Ottoman Empire’s
borders were killed; forcing hundreds of thousands of Armenians to flee to
foreign countries after being stripped of their possessions, their national
identities and their homeland.
Scores fled to the United States, and California was fortunate to become
home to one of the largest populations of Armenians outside the Republic of
Armenia. Many of California’s Armenian-American families are the
descendents of these courageous genocide survivors, whose hope for a life
independent war and violence was realized on our soil. Like their family
members before them, the Armenian-American community bravely flourished and
contributed much to our state and nation.
Documented as the first instance of genocide in the twentieth century, the
Armenian Genocide remains unacknowledged to this day. I strongly echo the
sentiments that all nations must examine their own painful histories, as the
denial of genocide further wounds a nation’s ability to heal. Though over
ninety years have passed since these mass killings took place, present day
atrocities resonate throughout the world. It is our responsibility to
recognize the brutal slayings of so many innocents, remembering their
suffering and vowing to help prevent future genocides.
I join California’s Armenian-American communities and all Armenians
worldwide in remembering those who were killed and persecuted during the
Armenian Genocide, and urge people throughout the world to never forget
these horrific crimes against humanity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of
California, do hereby proclaim the week of April 22nd through April 29th,
2007, as "Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have here unto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of
the State of California to be affixed this 6th day of April 2007.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA

Eurasia Daily Monitor

April 10, 2007 — Volume 4, Issue 70

RUSSIA POISED TO LEAD AN EVOLVING CARTEL OF GAS-EXPORTING COUNTRIES

by Vladimir Socor

Convening in Doha, Qatar on April 9, the Gas-Exporting Countries’
Forum (GECF) has taken a first step toward creating an exporters’ cartel at
the intergovernmental level. However, the Western gas-exporting countries —
Canada, Norway, and the Netherlands — oppose this initiative, as does
Azerbaijan; while Qatar’s ultimate position seems uncertain (it had to show
even-handedness as host and chair of this meeting). The Central Asian
gas-exporting countries may be corralled against their interests into an
anti-Western cartel via Russia, unless the West gives Kazakhstan,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan another choice.

In deliberations behind closed doors, GECF decided unanimously to set
up a High-Level Group that would develop a common methodology on the
formation of gas export prices and conduct research on consumer markets. The
High-Level Group, consisting of deputy ministers or departmental directors,
shall discuss relevant proposals from member governments in six meetings
during the remainder of 2007, then present its results for possible
decisions at GECF’s meeting next year.

Russia stands at the forefront of this initiative by dint of its
disproportionate strength, compared to other GECF countries, in terms of gas
reserves, field technology, export potential, control of key export routes,
and presence on lucrative markets. The April 9 Forum has accepted Russia’s
offer to host the next GECF in Moscow in 2008. Moreover, Russia is offering
to serve as coordinator of the High-Level Group, lead the market research
studies on price formation, and defray a large share of the Group’s expenses
(apparently by covering the shares of impoverished anti-Western member
countries of GECF).

Some of the more radical or impatient governments — such as
Venezuela, Bolivia, and Iran — called for immediately creating a cartel
during the Doha meeting and proceeding with the price formation and
marketing studies as the next step. A more sophisticated Russia, however,
supported the sequence of steps that was eventually adopted at the Forum.

Russia fielded a powerful delegation led by Industry and Energy
Minister Viktor Khristenko, Gazprom’s president Alexei Miller, and
vice-president Alexander Medvedev at the Doha meeting. These officials — as
well as Valery Yazev in Moscow, chairman of the Duma’s Energy and Transport
Committee and president of Russian Gas Society — hinted sometimes broadly,
sometimes obscurely, at Russia’s expectations regarding a cartel-type
organization of gas exporters. Those expectations do not presuppose the
formation of a full-fledged cartel, but can be pursued through a cartel-type
group or cartel-type arrangements in selective areas.

Russian expectations seem to focus on:

a.. agreeing on common methods of price formation;
a.. allocating specific markets in consumer countries or regions to
specific exporting countries, by understandings among the latter;
a.. avoiding competition among gas-exporting countries within the
group on given markets or new ones (an intention that would clash with the
European Union’s competition policies);
a.. ensuring `market reliability’ (that is, a long-term lock on a
market);
a.. reaching understandings within the group on export volumes and
schedules of delivery in various directions;
a.. agreeing in advance within the group on new pipeline projects
(this would enable a cartel-type group to sustain its own arrangements about
market allocation to specific exporters);
a.. `joint’ exploration and development of gas fields in member
countries (implying continuation and acceleration of Russian takeovers of
gas reserves in under-developed countries and marketing the product under
Russian control);
a.. coordinate start-ups and production schedules at newly
commissioned gas fields in member countries; and
a.. plan jointly for development of gas liquefaction plants.

Given that most gas exports move through single-destination pipelines
to sub-regional or national markets (as long as liquefaction remains
limited), any cartel-type group can consist of only two or three
gas-exporting countries operating effectively in such a market. For example,
Russia’s Gazprom considers the possibility of `sharing’ certain European
markets with Algeria’s state company Sonatrach. Conversely — but also as
part of a cartel-type arrangement — Gazprom can agree to stay out of
another exporter’s market niche in a European country if that exporter
desists from competing with Gazprom in a nearby European country. In another
example of a regional cartel in formation, the South American Gas
Organization was recently formed by Argentina, Bolivia, and Venezuela.
Ultimately, an overall cartel that would evolve out of GECF could function
as an umbrella organization for regional cartel-type groupings or
arrangements.

GECF’s meeting next year in Moscow might create a standing body, such
as an executive agency or a secretariat. That would indicate continuing
progress toward organizing a cartel. The Doha meeting seems to confirm Yazev
‘s forecast in the run-up to the event: `Russia may take up an integrating
role in the creation of the gas cartel’ (RIA-Novosti, April 3).

(Interfax, RIA-Novosti, Kommersant, April 3-9; see EDM, March 29, 30)

–Vladimir Socor

HETQonline
Breaking with Tradition
April 9, 2007

See also: A Disagreeable Precedent, Villagers’ Struggle Ends in Victory
ak-2.html
The man pictured here is Vazgen Asatryan, a resident of the village of
Norabak in the Gegharkunik Marz. On March 4, 2007 he was a candidate in the
extraordinary election of the head of the village administration. He lost,
as a result of numerous violations of the law before and during the
election. He went to court to defend his rights and those of the people who
had voted for him. On March 14, 2007 the Court of First Instance of
Vardenis, Judge A. Petrosyan, presiding, heard the testimony of the parties,
studied Resolution # 23/1 of the Election Commission, and recounted the
ballots. Then the court ruled to pronounce Vazgen Asatryan the winner of the
Norabak election. The ruling stated that "the verdict enters into force from
the moment of publication and cannot be appealed."
On March 15th the Election Commission of Precinct #23 of the Gegharkunik
Marz sent a memorandum to Governor A. Grigoryan of Gegharkunik which reads,
"We inform you that by the March 14, 2007 ruling by the Court of First
Instance of Vardenis, Vazgen Hrachik Asatryan was pronounced the winner of
the election of the head of the village administration of Norabak." The memo
is signed by the chairman of the Election Commission # 23, S. Badalyan.

On March 23rd the same commission issued an ID card for the head of the
village administration in the name of Vazgen Asatryan.
Everything seemed to be going according to the law, except that since he
received the memo on March 15th to this day, the Gegharkunik governor has
failed to present Vazgen Asatryan to the community, thus preventing him from
assuming his post.
Vazgen Asatryan’s election, i.e. the people’s vote of confidence, may not
please the Gegharkunik governor, or someone of higher rank, but the Norabak
election is irreversible. With this realization, various officials have
begun trying to persuade Vazgen Asatryan to give up his mandate and stand in
new elections.
But Vazgen Asatryan and his supporters, with whom we have met many times,
have no intention of giving in. "The village has made its choice, and if we
give in we’ll have to leave Norabak," they say.
It looks certain that after a long and persistent struggle Vazgen Asatryan
will eventually assume his duties. What his opponents are struggling with is
not the man himself but the break with tradition.
Because the people of Norabak have broken with the sacred tradition of city
mayors’, heads of local communities’, and other officials’ being appointed
under the guise of elections.
The Court of First Instance of Vardenis in its turn has broken with another
sacred tradition of humbly and obediently carrying out the will of the
executive power.
After this, I suppose, the regional prosecutor’s office will have to break
with the sacred tradition of covering everything up and will bring an action
against the precinct election commission for all the violations that
guaranteed the opponent’s alleged advantage.
This series of breaks with tradition would not bother the authorities so
much if it weren’t taking place just two months before parliamentary
elections.
Tigran Paskevichyan

HETQonline
Land Grabbed from Villagers
April 9, 2007
tml

A considerable portion of the land in the provincial region of Armavir has
been bought by officials and oligarchs. The Millennium Challenges program
implementation in this region is set to become a means for the fulfillment
of their needs.

Smbat Abgaryan, a resident of the village of Noravan in Armavir, has been
cultivating the land belonging to the Armavir Forest Service since 1993. He
had been regularly paying the required rent up to 2005. He had a contract
with the Armavir Forest Service because the land was considered a forest
zone and belonged to them. According to that contract, Abgaryan had rented
5.5 hectares of land. Later, based an agreement with the National Academy of
Sciences, Smbat planted American and Canadian fast-growing poplars on four
hectares of that land.
That forest is already seven years old. According to the contract, the trees
should have been cut and replanted. This program was started taking the
energy crisis into account, to prevent deforestation (for further
information on the fast-growing poplar project, click here).
Government Decree No. 1848, issued on December 9, 2004 , regarding the
change in status of utilization for the land in Armavir and the allocation
of land plots, became the basis for the rented land to be grabbed from
residents of Noravan. After the government decision, the provincial
administration of Armavir declared an auction.

"The provincial administration did not inform us and set up a fake auction,
selling off the land we rent. The purchasers are various officials. We know
their kind, as far of some of them are concerned. There used to be a forest
here, but it was cut down during the cold years – only the stumps remained.
Then we found out that the land was being rented out. We signed a contract
with the Forest Service and started cultivating the land. We turned it into
farmland – do you know how difficult it is to remove stumps? We have spent a
lot of money to make it arable land," said Smbat Abgaryan, who visited the
Hetq office with a group of Noravan residents. The table below shows the
names of people who had bought, during the auction, the land rented by the
villagers. None of these names are on the list by chance. These officials
have bought the plots of land for a low price, paying around 200 dollars per
hectare.
Name of Purchaser in Auction Real owner or sponsoring official Land area
Roza LazarianShe is the mother-in-law of Finance Minister Vardan
Khachatryan39 ha
Mekhak MkhitaryanMember of Parliament 5.8 ha
Avetik Darbinyan Land surveyor for the Marz Administration, he is the
brother-in-law of MP Mekhak Mkhitaryan 5.85 ha
Gurgen HakobyanHe is the son of Parandzem Karapetyan, Deputy Provincial Head
of Armavir 5 ha
Artur MikayelyanHe is the cousin of Deputy Provincial Head Parandzem
Karapetyan 5 ha
Tigran HeroyanHe is the nephew of Armavir Provincial Head Albert Heroyan 2.7
ha
Hovhannes LazaryanThis land actually belongs to Armavir Mayor Ruben
Khlghatyan 5 ha
Gevorg Poghosyan Former Armavir Chief of Police 8 ha
Misak Ter-Poghosyan Owner of Armavir Furniture Factory 10.33 ha
Hrant Lazarian Head of Provincial Healthcare Department Larisa Muradyan
2.25 ha
Volodya Shahverdyan Former Director of Armavir Forest Service 3 ha
Babken Arshakyan Husband of Larisa Muradyan, Head of Provincial Healthcare
Department 3 ha
Manvel Ghazaryan 24 ha
Razmik Avetisyan 3 ha
Araksi Yengibaryan 5 ha
Gnuni Yepremyan 2.25 ha
Seryoja Safaryan 7 ha

"In 1992, I was wounded during the Karabakh war and suffered a first-degree
disability. I got back on my feet a year later. In 1993, the director of the
Forest Service gave me two hectares of land to cultivate. It required a lot
of investment – my friends and relatives helped me. We got together and
cleared that land of stumps. I wasn’t well, but we worked, removed it all
and then planted wheat. I have regularly made the payments every year, both
for the soil and the water. Then I found out that Misak had taken my land. I
haven’t given up my land or left it, though. I still plant every year – if
anyone wants to come on my land, let them try. People want to occupy land
without a fight – they tried that with Karabakh and other places. And today,
one of those people purchased that land, the rich Misak, who bought his
son’s freedom from the army – will his son some day tell my son to cultivate
and farm his land? Why should such a thing be allowed? Neither Misak nor
anyone else will take that land – whoever he may be. I wrote to Robert
Kocharyan and was told to come and sign that my complaint had been resolved.
I asked them what they had done to resolve the situation. Now I’m not paying
the taxes, because I don’t know who to pay. How can they forcibly remove me?
I have sweated for that land. Let them try to forcibly remove me! Thanks be
to God – we may not have money, but we have grace, respect and honor. I have
two children. I want to sweat in order to support my children and not to beg
here and there," said Avetik Hovhannisyan.

The people of Noravan are convinced that Marzpet (Governor) Albert Heroyan
has had a major role to play in this story. "Yes, these are all part of the
marzpet’s games. Member of Parliament Mekhak Gabrielyan has been an MP for
so long and has worked hard. He said that he hadn’t asked for anything, but
the marzpet had called him and said that he was giving him 5.8 hectares as a
gift," added Avetik.
Smbat Abgaryan tried to "reestablish justice" through the judicial system.
"They don’t even want to hear us out in court. Everything has already been
decided; it’s just a show trial. Nobody wanted to listen to us in court – we
had uncovered their false documents and shown that the auction was fake with
forged signatures, but all in vain," said Smbat.
The residents of Noravan wrote letters to the President, Prosecutor General,
and Ombudsman. But all the letters were forwarded to Marzpet Heroyan, who
then replied to them. The marzpet said in his reply that everything had been
done within the law. Naturally, the "King" of the province would have
replied in this way. Evidence of the abuse of power by this official has
been continuously publicized over the past few years. Investigative
Journalists produced a television program aired three years ago which
presented some incidents of abuse, but law enforcement organs did nothing.
Albert Heroyan has held a number of posts since Soviet times and was only
relieved of his position two months ago; he know owns 400 hectares of land
in the provincial region of Armavir. This land should, in reality, belong to
the villagers.
It is obvious from the documents for the auction that it was conducted with
disregard for the law – deadlines were not been observed and the farmers
cultivating the land were not notified, even though they should have been
given priority for ownership of the land. This was enough for the court to
declare the auction void, but the verdict could not have been against the
Finance Minister or a member of parliament.
The worst part is that the province of Armavir is expected to see the
construction of irrigation pipelines and roads as part of the Millennium
Challenges program, but the region is one of those where officials and
oligarchs have taken over the villagers’ land. In coming articles, Hetq will
focus more on these regions.
The villagers of Noravan continue to cultivate the land they have rented.
"Today at the Marz Administration they smiled sardonically and said, ‘Do
whatever you want.’ They say, ‘Do you know what you’re doing? You’ve taken
on the whole government, you think you can win?’ All the same, they’ll walk
onto that land over my dead body. The whole village knows that I would make
the payments regularly even during those dark years. We would sleep near the
artesian well so that we could water the trees. Now they’ve come and
privatized it all. I have two boys – one will go to the army this spring,
the other is mentally ill and has been relieved of military duty. What do
they want? They have jobs, high-ranking positions – do they want everything
for themselves? We cultivate land to support our families. If they’re
farmers let them give up their positions and work on farms. When I read this
verdict it is more like a death sentence for me, not just a verdict in their
favor. I will keep this land if it costs me my life. I won’t leave my
children hungry," said Smbat.
Edik Baghdasaryan

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress